" All soldiers are forbidden to carry swords. Only shields are allowed, but wielding them to beat citizens is prohibited."

The shields were made with sturdy wood, and it was allowed to attach steel plates at the inner sides of the shields, but steel plates at the outer sides were not allowed. Considering the harm to citizens when the urge to defeat incites soldiers to beat citizens with their shields, the shields' outer sides were lined with thick wool. If any soldier disobeys the order, uses his shield as weapon, inflicts harm on citizens and blots the white wool with even a single drop of blood, he will be punished severely, Gyousou declared.

Captured people were persuaded and released. They could return to Tetsui or return to their hometown.

" We understand your pain under the heavy taxes, but if you disregard the imperial command to every land in this kingdom, the kingdom will at once lose its authority. The wave of discontent towards manual duties or flood control will spread to other places, causing immediate distress to all people. If Tetsui refuses to pay its taxes and duties, the burden will be transferred to other cities and towns. --May we ask you to bear with this and open your granary?"

Some people returned to their hometowns, and some others decided to return to Tetsui. Those people who first doubted gradually accepted that Gyousou's army had no intention to fight, and finally began to consider Gyousou's request.

The besiege lasted for forty days, and the imperial army repeatedly attacked and retreated as if to force open the city, but the wool remained white without a spot of blood. Towards the imperial army which earnestly tried to free the city, Tetsui's people exchanged their requests, and let the army send the requests to Kouki (鴻基, capital of Tai) and ask for the emperor's decision. The army left both sides with little choice but to reconcile. Gyousou's army was not winning, but they would never lose. The besieged citizens could not but understand that they could never shut their public granary forever. On the other hand, the emperor could not but admit that his own imperial army would never win.

On the forty first day, the city gates were finally opened. With regards to war results, it was not a victory for Gyousou.

Gyousou led the army through the mountain roads covered with first snow, returned to Kouki and admitted defeat. Upon a thousand blows from the citizens, the army could not come up with even one counter-blow, Gyousou claimed. -- However, the public granary was released because of the people's clear understanding of the right way. Tetsui's people obeyed the Heavenly will.

In the end, due to successful completion in collecting taxes, Gyousou's defeat was disregarded.

However, a term began to circulate in the northern part of Tai -- Tetsui's shields (Tetsui no Tate, 轍囲の盾), or White Wool Shields (Hakumen no Tate, 白綿の盾). The term meant "proof of sincerity," for example, “Unbelieved unless with Tetsui's shields. (Tetsui no Tate nakuba shinjizu, 轍囲の盾なくば信じず)”

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