From the Annals of the Oasis Kingdoms:
In the season of Blossoming, nomads from the north terrorized the country around Anxi, skirmishing with patrols marching under the green banners of the Western Armies of the Middle Kingdom.
A mounted regiment, previously stationed south of Dukhan, travelled northward, together with other troops, five thousand in all, to deal with the nomad incursion.
The people of Anxi hid behind their walls, wondering what would influence the outcome of this conflict…