ABSTRACT
Tan Qi came with information from time to time. While at Guiyuan Temple in the outskirts of Hanyang, Lian Liwen learned what was going on within the walls of Wuchang on the other side of the river. When the Taipings attacked, the nine gates into Wuchang were shut and bolted tightly. After the city fell, the Taipings again locked the gates. The Qing forces camped in the area of Hong Hill outside the city were waiting for an opportunity to try to recapture Wuchang from Taiping occupation. A "barrack" was the organizational unit for both the civilian and military populace. The distribution of rice, salt, oil, and other items was all handled through these barracks. And, following Taiping practice, women were segregated into barracks exclusively for them. Yaxian, head of the women's barracks for the Taiping military, came to Hanyang on an errand and described in detail for them the circumstances surrounding the execution.
