Chapter Summaries

Yang Zhengshan killed Mengtemu, and Da Rong captured Fushan City after the Hu forces lost their will to fight. The army secured the city and its captives, then Wang Bin arrived with his exhausted cavalry, while the war remained unfinished.

• Yang Zhengshan drove his spear into Mengtemu's chest, and Mengtemu chose death rather than accept defeat.
• Yang Zhengshan raised Mengtemu's corpse, causing the Hu forces to flee as Liang Chu's troops routed the remaining tribes and captured Fushan City.
• Liang Chu entered Fushan City, inspected the Gorchin Clan's wealth, and ordered the captives guarded until he reported the victory to the emperor.
• Zhou Lan and Yang Zhengshan withdrew with their soldiers and established a camp north of the city, where the Garrison Battalion and Reinforcement Battalion counted their heavy losses.
• Wang Bin arrived three days later with fewer than a thousand cavalry after being pursued for six days and nights, and Yang Zhengshan arranged food, water, and rest for them.

News of Chongshan Town’s great victory reached the capital, where Emperor Chengping prepared rewards and powerful figures considered how to respond. In Fushan City, Yang Zhengshan received news from home, wrote back to his family, and shared word of his military achievements with the Lu Family.

• Three courier soldiers announced Chongshan Town’s great victory as they rode into the capital, and the Crown Prince and Sun Yuanrui discussed recruiting the town’s other officers.
• Emperor Chengping celebrated the victory and summoned officials to deliberate, while Minister Wang Qing began preparing reward regulations.
• Duke of Ning Zhou Mao praised Yang Zhengshan’s abilities and ordered a congratulatory gift sent to the Yang Family.
• Liang Chu sent troops to clear remaining Hu Tribe settlements, while Zhou Lan, Wang Bin, and Yang Zhengshan remained in Fushan City to recover.
• Yang Zhengshan read Yu Qingyi’s letter about the family, including Liang’s new son, Lin Zhan’s examination success, and Lu Qishi’s death.
• Yang Zhengshan wrote to Yu Qingyi and Lu Songhe, sharing his condolences and news of the victory and his military merit.

Yang Zhengshan, Zhou Lan, and Wang Bin discussed the rewards for their military campaign, and Zhou Lan explained why a noble title was unlikely. Zhou Lan proposed that Yang Zhengshan take over as Assistant General of Jianning Guard, and they planned to redistribute the many Yang Family Disciples under her command.

• Wang Bin and Zhou Lan shared Pear Blossom Brew with Yang Zhengshan and asked what rewards their campaign might bring.
• Zhou Lan explained that the Emperor had avoided granting titles to meritorious nobles, making ennoblement unlikely despite their achievements.
• Yang Zhengshan considered his likely promotion and the importance of securing a frontier command.
• Zhou Lan proposed that Yang Zhengshan become Assistant General of Jianning Guard when she returned to the Capital.
• Yang Zhengshan said he would need to move most Yang Family Disciples out of the command to avoid making the troops seem like a private army.
• Zhou Lan planned to take Yang Mingwu and Yang Chengze to the Capital, while Yang Zhengshan kept Yang Mingzhi with him to improve his cultivation.

Yang Zhengshan returned to Anyuan City after the campaign, bringing home the ashes of fallen soldiers and arranging their burials and pensions. He reunited with his family, while Liang Chu faced an order to return to the Capital amid fears about his growing influence.

• Wang Bin asked Yang Zhengshan to assign him capable Yang Family Disciples to take to his next post, and Yang Zhengshan recommended Chengche and Qinwu.
• Da Rong forces defeated the East Sea Hu Tribe at Ciwen Mountain, while the Ula Clan fled to the Wuliang Hu Tribe and the Great Ling Dynasty collapsed.
• Liang Chu told Zhou Lan that powerful people wanted him removed from Chongshan Town, and said he would return to the Capital.
• Yang Zhengshan returned to Anyuan City with jars of soldiers' ashes, then ordered preparations for their burials and the payment of the highest-standard pensions.
• Yang Zhengshan reunited with Yu Qingyi and the rest of his family, who crowded around him and welcomed him home.

Yang Zhengshan returned home, named Yang Minghao’s eldest son Chengyou, and saw to the families of soldiers killed in battle. After the campaign spoils arrived, he distributed the battalion’s lawful gains and gave Yu Qingyi a rare Hundred-Color Flower, leaving the family preparing to store or use their remaining rewards.

• Yang Zhengshan named Yang Minghao’s eldest son Chengyou and refused Yu Qingyi’s suggestion that he take Green Mist or Red Cloud as concubines, instead proposing that they marry.
• On the third day of the eighth month, Yang Zhengshan and the soldiers escorted the battle dead to their burial, while he ensured their families received pensions and support.
• A convoy from Jia City delivered the garrison battalion’s spoils, and Yang Zhengshan distributed silver, cattle, and sheep among the soldiers and bereaved families.
• Wang Bin sent Yang Zhengshan’s share of the spoils to the Yang Family’s horse farm, including horses, livestock, manuals, furs, gemstones, medicinal herbs, and two spirit medicines.
• Yang Zhengshan identified the spirit medicines as a hundred-year Ginseng and a twenty-one-year Hundred-Color Flower, told Yang Mingcheng to stew the Ginseng for the family, and gave the flower to Yu Qingyi.

Yang Zhengshan reviewed martial arts manuals, considered the court’s new arrangements for the Northern Territory, and rebuilt the Garrison Battalion after the campaign. The chapter left him visiting the Yang Family Horse Farm, where Ma San welcomed him.

• Yang Zhengshan chose the Blazing Sun Strength manual for the Yang Clan’s collection, though he had no use for the technique himself.
• The imperial court placed the Northern Territory under Chongshan Town, established Fuzhou City and its three guards, and began relocating households to reclaim farmland.
• Emperor Chengping promoted Lu Chongde and Liang Chu, then appointed Zhou Lan to command the Fenwu Battalion, prompting Yang Zhengshan to infer that the emperor was balancing power and preparing for succession.
• Yang Zhengshan rebuilt the depleted Garrison Battalion by transferring soldiers from the Tun Fortresses, whose men hoped to earn full pay and campaign rewards.
• After inspecting the new recruits’ training, Yang Zhengshan took Yang Mingcheng to the Yang Family Horse Farm, where Ma San rode over to greet him.

Yang Zhengshan managed the horse farm’s spoils and considered his next posting as his family prepared for Yu Qingyi’s birth and Yunxue’s wedding. Yu Qingyi safely gave birth to a son, leaving Yang Zhengshan delighted.

• Yang Zhengshan inspected the horse farm and arranged for Luo Zhen’s channels to sell its cattle, sheep, and surplus warhorses.
• Yang Zhengshan read Wang Sheng’s letter about Wang Bin’s promotion and decided Luo Feiyu should remain with him for now.
• Yang Zhengshan oversaw preparations for Yu Qingyi’s delivery, Yunxue’s wedding, and the autumn harvest.
• On the fifth day of the ninth month, Wu Hai told Yang Zhengshan that Yu Qingyi was about to give birth, and Yang Zhengshan hurried home.
• Yu Qingyi gave birth safely, and Nanny Song brought Yang Zhengshan the news that he had a son.

Yang Zhengshan welcomed his newborn son while the Yang Family hosted congratulations, then learned that an imperial envoy was coming to deliver a decree from the emperor. The family assembled at their residence to receive it, but the chapter ended before the decree was read.

• Yang Zhengshan held Yu Qingyi's newborn son, praised the baby's resemblance to his mother, and visited Yu Qingyi as she recovered from the birth.
• Guests arrived at the Yang Family residence to congratulate Yu Qingyi, while Yang Zhengshan's daughters and daughters-in-law handled the reception.
• Zhou Ren told Yang Zhengshan that Qian Shangwu of the Wuxiang Left Guard had arrived from the Capital and that an imperial envoy was on the way with a decree.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered the Yang Family to prepare an incense table and receive the imperial decree, prompting guests to leave as news spread through Anyuan City.
• Eunuch Zhang arrived with the decree, and Yang Zhengshan gathered his family, including Yu Qingyi, to receive it.

Yang Zhengshan received his promotion to Commander of the Tenglong Guard and learned that Yu Qingyi had been granted the title of Lady. As the family celebrated, he realized his new post in Qinghua Prefecture might be intended to keep Prince Qing in check, leaving him uneasy about the danger and political constraints ahead.

• Eunuch Zhang read the imperial edict promoting Yang Zhengshan to Commander of the Tenglong Guard and granting him the honorary titles General of Dingguo and Meritorious Protector.
• The edict bestowed the title of Lady on Yu Qingyi, who was astonished and delighted to learn it referred to her.
• Yang Zhengshan rewarded Eunuch Zhang and his attendants, received Yu Qingyi’s formal court attire, and hosted them before they departed.
• Yu Qingyi tried on her new court attire and celebrated her title, then changed back to care for Xiao Mingzhao.
• Yang Zhengshan considered why the Old Emperor had assigned him to the Tenglong Guard and concluded he was expected to watch Prince Qing during the coming succession.
• Yang Zhengshan worried that Prince Qing might see him as a threat, while his rank and the prince’s status would prevent him from confronting Prince Qing openly.

Yang Zhengshan planned his move to the Tenglong Guard, choosing the officers and soldiers who would accompany him and sending Ding Qiu ahead to investigate. As his family prepared for Yang Yunxue’s wedding, Yang Mingzhi returned to Anyuan City, where Yang Zhengshan scolded him about training before teasing his infant son.

• Yang Zhengshan selected Han Cheng, Song Dashan, Yang Mingzhen, Xie Yuan, Wu Chongzhe, and other trusted people to accompany him to the Tenglong Guard, and asked Zhou Mao to arrange their transfers.
• Yang Zhengshan sent Ding Qiu to Qinghua Prefecture to investigate the Tenglong Guard, local government offices, and Prince Qing Mansion before his own arrival.
• Yang Zhengshan told Han Cheng, Xie Yuan, and Wu Chongzhe about their expected promotions, and all three gladly accepted his plans.
• Zhou Lan left for the Capital with several members of the Yang Family, while Yang Mingzhi returned to Anyuan City after receiving orders to serve as a Thousand-Man Commander at the Tenglong Guard.
• Yang Zhengshan scolded Yang Mingzhi for letting his cultivation fall behind, then tried to kiss Xiao Mingzhao, who cried until Yu Qingyi took him back.

Yang Yunxue married Liang Jinyan and left her family for the Marquis Mansion at Chongshan Pass, leaving Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi worried about her far from home. Three days later, she returned for the customary visit and reassured Yu Qingyi that she was settling in well.

• Wang Bin left for Beiyuan Town with Yang Chengche and Yang Qinwu, and Yang Zhengshan gave the two men advice and Medicinal Wine.
• On the eve of Yang Yunxue's wedding, her family shared a somber final dinner at home, and Yang Zhengshan charged her attendants with protecting her and reporting any mistreatment.
• Yang Yunxue and Liang Jinyan departed for Chongshan Pass, where they completed their wedding ceremony amid a large gathering of guests.
• Three days later, Yang Yunxue and Liang Jinyan returned to the Yang family, and Yang Zhengshan took Liang Jinyan aside while Yu Qingyi asked her daughter about life in the Marquis Mansion.

Yang Zhengshan prepared his family and forces to leave Anyuan City for his new post at Tenglong Guard, while Prince Qing learned of his arrival and chose not to interfere. Yang Zhengshan’s journey began, and Prince Qing expected the Lan Family and Tenglong Guard’s entrenched interests to challenge him.

• Yang Zhengshan gave Liang Jinyan ginseng and medicinal wine to support his and Yang Yunxue’s cultivation before they returned to Chongshan Pass.
• Yang Zhengshan arranged for Yang Chengzhang to receive the Yinghe Fortress horse farm and organized the Yang Family’s businesses in Anyuan City.
• Yang Zhengshan left Anyuan City with a procession of about a thousand people, including five hundred soldiers, bound for Tenglong Guard.
• Prince Qing learned Yang Zhengshan would soon arrive and rejected his subordinate’s suggestions to assassinate or poison him.
• Prince Qing told his subordinate to watch Tenglong Guard, expecting the Lan Family and the guard’s entrenched interests to obstruct Yang Zhengshan.

Yang Zhengshan learned that Tenglong Guard had lost more than twelve thousand military households and was dominated by the powerful Lan Family. He ordered Ding Qiu to investigate the Lan Family’s backers, while the family continued its journey toward Tenglong Guard.

• Ding Qiu explained that Tenglong Guard was directly subordinate to the Central Military Governor’s Office and had fewer than ten thousand military households despite an establishment of more than twenty-two thousand.
• Yang Zhengshan learned that the Lan Family controlled two hundred thousand mu of farmland, many servants, numerous shops, and Tenglong Guard’s grain trade.
• Yang Zhengshan told Ding Qiu to investigate the Lan Family’s backing and possible ties to Prince Qing Mansion, warning him to proceed cautiously.
• Yang Zhengshan’s family members traveled on, largely unconcerned about Tenglong Guard because they trusted him.
• Yang Chengxian and Yang Wanting begged to ride horses, so Yang Minghao took Yang Chengxian along and Yang Mingzhi later took Yang Wanting for a ride.

The Lan brothers discussed how to protect their family’s power from the newly appointed Tenglong Guard Commander, Yang Zhengshan, and decided to seek help from Censor-in-Chief Ning Dongsheng. On his way to take office, Yang Zhengshan reached a shabby thousand-man station, where he arranged for his troops to camp and planned to question its commander.

• Lan Buqi rejected Lan Buqun’s suggestion to oppose Yang Zhengshan and asked Lan Buzheng for advice.
• Lan Buzheng urged the family to negotiate with Yang Zhengshan and invite Ning Dongsheng to back them, and Lan Buqi agreed to approach the censor.
• Yang Zhengshan’s convoy entered Tenglong Guard territory and passed fields that might have been seized from the guard.
• Yang Zhengshan met Yan Shun, the impoverished commander of the Tenglong Left Guard Front Thousand-Man Station, and identified himself as the new Guard Commander.
• Yang Zhengshan asked Yan Shun to reserve a well, then had his troops set up camp outside the station and summoned Yan Shun to answer questions.

Yang Zhengshan questioned Yan Shun about the ruined Tenglong Guard and resolved to remove the Lan Family, then arrived at Guard City with his soldiers. He left off confronting Censor Ning Dongsheng at the city gate, using his imperial edict to force Ning to move his carriage.

• Yan Shun told Yang Zhengshan that his commandery had only 324 military households, 318 soldiers, and 5,038 mu of garrison farmland, much of it bought by the Lan Family.
• Yan Shun explained that three of the four Tenglong Guards had fallen apart while the Lan Family controlled the intact Tenglong Vanguard, and Yang Zhengshan considered how to remove the family.
• Yang Zhengshan traveled through the guard’s commanderies and military farms before reaching Guard City on October twenty-ninth.
• Ning Dongsheng confronted Yang Zhengshan at the city gate and criticized him for bringing hundreds of soldiers to take office.
• Yang Zhengshan showed Ning Dongsheng his imperial edict and challenged him to make the emperor’s order yield; Ning ordered his attendants to move the carriage.

Yang Zhengshan entered Tenglong Guard and launched a sudden assault on the powerful Lan Family, accusing them of seizing military fields and abusing soldiers. As fighting spread through the Lan estate, Lan Buqi knelt and begged for his life while censor Ning Dongsheng watched in horror.

• Yang Zhengshan confronted the Tenglong Guard officials and rode into the city to inspect the Lan Family estate.
• Yang Zhengshan's troops took control of the city gates while Lan Buqi led him to the Lan Family compound.
• Lan Buzheng welcomed Yang Zhengshan with armed martial artists, but Yang ordered his soldiers to attack and declared the Lan Family's crimes deserved death.
• Yang Zhengshan speared Lan Buzheng and Lan Buqun as his soldiers stormed the estate and began killing its defenders.
• Lan Buqi fell to his knees and begged Yang Zhengshan to spare him, while Ning Dongsheng arrived and recoiled at the bloodshed.

Yang Zhengshan crushed the Lan Family’s resistance, seized its members, and made Tenglong Guard’s officials help document the case. After inspecting the neglected Guard Division Office, he returned to the Lan Family estate to assess it before moving in.

• Yang Zhengshan ordered Lan Buqi arrested, and his attendants pierced Lan Buqi’s pipa bones and bound him.
• Yang Zhengshan persuaded Ning Dongsheng to claim responsibility for advising the Lan Family’s arrest, and the Tenglong Guard officials agreed to support their account and prepare the case file.
• Wu Chongzhe reported that all members of the Lan Family had been captured, and Yang Zhengshan ordered him to guard them.
• Yang Zhengshan inspected the dilapidated Guard Division Office and told its officials to continue working as usual.
• Yang Zhengshan returned to the Lan Family estate to inspect the residence before moving his people in.

Yang Zhengshan moved his family and the Guard Division Office into the Lan Family estate, then reorganized Tenglong Guard and ordered its former officials to help with the takeover. He ended the chapter confronting the captive Lan brothers, whose different reactions suggested they faced an uncertain fate.

• Yang Zhengshan assigned residences in the Lan Family estate and planned to convert its front courtyard into the Guard Division Office while opening up land for Guard City.
• Yang Zhengshan told six Tenglong Guard officials to retire and cooperate with the takeover, warning that failure would bring punishment.
• Yang Zhengshan appointed Xie Yuan and Song Dashan as acting Commandants and assigned new officers to lead the guards and establish administrative offices.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered the former Tenglong Vanguard official to pacify the soldiers, then sent the officials to their duties.
• Yang Zhengshan visited the imprisoned Lan brothers, warned Lan Buqun that his wife and children were nearby, and silenced Lan Buqi when he began pleading.

Yang Zhengshan questioned the Lan brothers about Prince Qing and learned that the prince’s household kept seagoing ships at the Prince Qing Guard Division. After reviewing the Lan Family’s enormous assets, Yang Zhengshan ordered them reported to the authorities and prepared a memorial to the Old Emperor.

• Yang Zhengshan threatened Lan Buzheng with the fate of his young son, and Lan Buqi revealed that Prince Qing’s household had many seagoing ships berthed at the Prince Qing Guard Division.
• Prince Qing learned Yang Zhengshan had taken down the Lan Family, but rejected his subordinate’s suggestion to kill him and ordered him to keep watch on Tenglong Guard instead.
• Zhou Ren presented Yang Zhengshan with an inventory showing the Lan Family owned 108,600 mu of fertile fields, large sums of money, and sixteen full granaries.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered Zhou Ren to have Xie Yuan report the confiscated assets truthfully to the Central Military Governor’s Office and Song Dashan guard them.
• Yang Zhengshan decided to write the Old Emperor a detailed memorial about Tenglong Guard, the Lan Family, and its confiscated wealth.

Yang Zhengshan arranged a teacher for Lin Zhan and reported the Lan Family’s plundering of the Tenglong Guard to Emperor Chengping, who approved his handling of the case. He then reorganized the Guard’s offices and began redistributing its Military Households and farmland.

• Yang Zhengshan asked Lin Zhan to help polish his memorial and promised to seek Liu Zhe’s help in finding him a teacher, while urging him not to neglect martial practice.
• Emperor Chengping read Yang Zhengshan’s report, condemned the Lan Family, and ordered the Lan Family’s money and grain left with the Tenglong Guard for three years without further allocations.
• Yang Zhengshan completed the framework of the Guard Division Office, using literate soldiers to fill vacant clerk positions.
• After Xie Yuan reported that most Thousand-Man Battalion Offices were depleted, Yang Zhengshan ordered the Tenglong Vanguard’s officers transferred and the Lan Family’s slaves and tenant-servants restored to Military Household status.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered the Military Households redistributed among the four guards, the military farmland redrawn, and two dan of grain distributed to each household.