This region inside and outside the pass is mountainous.
Of the three rebel generals from Dongzi, one is called Jin He, another is Xiao Wei, and the last one is Wu Chengping. These three are all part of the faction of Empress Dowager Wu, Jin Xu's stepmother. They hail from significant families in Dongzi, and Wu Chengping is even the cousin of Empress Dowager Wu, while Jin He and Xiao Wei are ministers loyal to the Empress Dowager's son and Jin Xu's younger brother.
During her time, Empress Dowager Wu greatly expanded her power using the influence of the old King of Dongzi. Several families also rooted themselves deeply in the court with her support, to the extent that even after her fall and death, and Jin Xu's rise to power, he still hasn't been able to completely eradicate the influence of these families. Over the years, Jin Xu has strived to counteract these families.
