Chapter Summaries

Yang Zhengshan toured Songhe Prefecture City with Luo Chen, sampled Yunxi Longjing Tea, and asked about the Jing Prefecture Luo Clan. The chapter ended when Yang Zhengshan spotted a Censor-in-Chief of the Left parading through the city with an extravagant ceremonial guard.

• Luo Shang introduced Luo Chen, a Martial Artist from a collateral branch of the Jing Prefecture Luo Clan, as Yang Zhengshan’s guide.
• Yang Zhengshan and Luo Chen rode to Songhe Prefecture City and admired Jiangnan’s streets and scenery.
• Yang Zhengshan visited Baiyun Tea House, joked about ordering imperial tribute Shifeng Longjing Tea, and drank Yunxi Longjing Tea instead.
• Yang Zhengshan asked Luo Chen whether he knew Luo Jin, a county magistrate from the Lanhe County branch of their clan, but Luo Chen did not know him.
• Yang Zhengshan saw a Censor-in-Chief of the Left parading through the city with banners, placards, and ceremonial guards.

Yang Zhengshan watched masked men attack Censor-in-Chief Lu Zhengsu in Songhe Prefecture and learned the raid stemmed from the Ming Clan’s destruction over a Ten-Thousand-Year Evergreen Vine. When fleeing attackers brought yamen runners into Baiyun Teahouse, Yang’s attendants threw them out, and several young masters joined the confrontation.

• Yang Zhengshan watched the masked men attack Lu Zhengsu’s procession while Luo Chen identified them as members of the Ming Clan, whose family had been destroyed after obtaining a Ten-Thousand-Year Evergreen Vine.
• Yang Zhengshan deduced that Lu Zhengsu’s powerful guard served a larger Jiangnan faction that had likely acquired the precious vine, and Luo Chen described Jiangnan’s many formidable martial factions.
• Lu Zhengsu’s guard overwhelmed the attackers, and the surviving masked men fled as yamen runners arrived; their leader escaped into Baiyun Teahouse.
• Yamen runners stormed Yang Zhengshan’s private room and accused him and Luo Chen of sheltering an assassin, so Yang ordered them out and his attendants kicked five of them away.
• Yang Zhengshan left the room to find the third floor packed with yamen runners, while three young masters nearby began berating the officers.

Yang Zhengshan encountered an assassination attempt on Lu Zhengsu in Songhe Prefecture, demonstrated his strength, and left the city. Meanwhile, Luo Shang faced coercion from the Liu Family over a Serpentine Jade deal, and Yang Zhengshan returned to Crescent Bay frustrated by how little influence he had in Jiangnan.

• Yang Zhengshan learned that the arrogant Third Young Master belonged to Xinjiang Commandery Prince Mansion and tried to leave the teahouse without getting involved.
• When a man blocked his way near Lu Zhengsu's sedan, Yang Zhengshan sent a saber through the sedan and forced Lu Zhengsu to order his men to let him pass.
• Luo Shang met with Liu Fuzhang to complete their Serpentine Jade deal, but Liu Fuzhang demanded a price thirty percent below their agreement and a monthly supply of at least thirty thousand jin.
• Luo Shang refused Liu Fuzhang's terms and left after Liu gave him three days to make a choice.
• Yang Zhengshan returned to Crescent Bay at dusk, disappointed that he could not act as freely in Jiangnan as he could in Liaodong.

Yang Zhengshan reacted to the Liu Family’s attempt to pressure him over maritime trade by threatening Gao Huai and secretly punishing Liu Fuzhang. He left Qingpu County with the Liu Family’s silver stored in his Spirit Spring Space.

• Luo Shang told Yang Zhengshan that the Liu Family was trying to force down the price and that Gao Huai was behind them.
• Yang Zhengshan dictated an unsigned warning to Gao Huai and sent Luo Shang to deliver it.
• Yang Zhengshan rode to Qingpu County and sneaked into the Liu Family residence alone.
• Yang Zhengshan tied up Liu Fuzhang, knocked out the people in his bedroom, and rigged candles to drip wax on him.
• Yang Zhengshan incapacitated the warehouse guards and took the Liu Family’s silver and gold into his Spirit Spring Space.

Yang Zhengshan looted the Liu Family residence and left Liu Fuzhang furious and devastated. The next day, Luo Shang delivered Yang Zhengshan’s complaint to Gao Huai, who agreed to address the Liu Family’s breach of contract after learning Yang Zhengshan was involved.

• Yang Zhengshan stole the Liu Family’s silver and valuables, then slipped away before Liu Fuzhang and his guards discovered the theft.
• Liu Fuzhang woke after being tortured with dripping candle wax, learned the silver vault had been emptied, and collapsed at the loss.
• Yang Zhengshan met Luo Chen outside the city and insisted they had spent the night at Crescent Bay estate.
• Luo Shang brought Yang Zhengshan’s letter to Gao Huai and explained that Liu Fuzhang had violated a contract.
• Gao Huai agreed to explain the matter to the Liu Family, then told his adviser he was wary of Yang Zhengshan and his close relationship with Liu Yuanfu.

Gao Huai warned Liu Fuzhang not to provoke Yang Zhengshan further, and the Liu Family agreed to cooperate with Luo Shang’s trade. Yang Zhengshan prepared to return to Crescent Bay after establishing a regular maritime route and arranging guards and leadership for the Jiangnan business.

• Gao Huai told his aide to warn Liu Fuzhang after learning that thieves had bound him and stolen hundreds of thousands of taels from the Liu Family.
• Mr. Wu convinced Liu Fuzhang to follow Gao Huai’s instructions, reminding him that Yang Zhengshan’s strength and concealed identity made retaliation dangerous.
• Liu Fuzhang treated Luo Shang respectfully and agreed to cooperate, allowing Luo Shang to sell the Serpentine Jade materials and load the ordered goods for Crescent Bay.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered Yu Tonghai to station fifty Soldiers at Crescent Bay and establish monthly rotations as Tenglong Guard began regular voyages to Jiangnan.
• Luo Shang said Luo Chen would manage the Jiangnan business, and Yang Zhengshan arranged for Luo Chen to train with the Elite Guard Battalion for a month before taking charge.

Yang Zhengshan returned to Tenglong Guard with goods from Jiangnan, strengthened the Guard’s trade plans, and reunited with his family. As spring training began, he decided to establish a separate Women's Training Camp and put Wang Yunqiao in charge.

• Yang Zhengshan brought the fleet back to Tenglong Guard, where merchants gathered eagerly to buy the Jiangnan goods, and he ordered Zhou Ren to prepare another trip.
• Yang Zhengshan reviewed the Guard Division Office’s accounts and learned that it had over two thousand warhorses but lacked fodder to buy more until April.
• Yang Zhengshan reunited with his family, celebrated Liang’s pregnancy, and sent fruit wine to the family branches.
• Song Dashan presented the year’s training plan, and Yang Zhengshan proposed creating a Women's Training Camp.
• Yang Zhengshan assigned Wang Yunqiao to manage the Women's Training Camp after Song Dashan questioned whether she was suited to military affairs.

Yang Zhengshan established a Women's Training Camp led by Wang Yunqiao and began experiments to produce glass for Thousand-Mile Mirrors. He sent Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng to the Lisheng Dynasty to open a trade route, and they returned after more than half a month because of an unexpected change there.

• Yang Zhengshan appointed Wang Yunqiao to lead a Women's Training Camp, with Yulu and Red Cloud assisting, and decreed that women in the Tenglong Guard could not marry before turning sixteen.
• Song Li supported Wang Yunqiao and wanted her youngest daughter to join the camp; Wang Yunqiao selected two hundred girls and quickly organized their training.
• Yang Zhengshan hired gold-and-silversmith apprentices to experiment with firing glass, taught them what he knew, and left them to continue the research.
• After spring plowing, Yang Zhengshan oversaw the Tenglong Guard's busy projects as the sea route to the Lisheng Dynasty was confirmed and naval forces began combat training.
• Yang Zhengshan sent Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng to the Lisheng Dynasty, telling them to prioritize their lives and authorizing Yu Tonghai to deal forcefully with anyone who obstructed them.
• Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng returned after more than half a month, and Yang Zhengshan learned their delay had resulted from a change in the Lisheng Dynasty.

Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng reported that rebels led by the Silla Jin Clan had seized the Lisheng Royal Capital, and Yang Zhengshan weighed whether to trade with them. Cui Hongtao offered iron, gold, and silver ore for urgently needed goods, leaving Yang Zhengshan to consider the risks and wonder what had become of the Li royal clan.

• Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng told Yang Zhengshan that rebels had driven the Li royal clan from the capital and wanted to expand trade with Da Rong.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng to compile a report on the Lisheng Dynasty while he met the rebels' envoy.
• Cui Hongtao identified his master as Silla Jin Shangjun and asked to trade for goods including cotton cloth, grain, medicine, furs, and porcelain.
• Cui Hongtao offered iron ore and then gold and silver ore, but Yang Zhengshan told him he would consider the proposal.
• Yang Zhengshan concluded that the rebels urgently needed supplies and wondered whether the Li royal clan had fled to the Snow Plains and might seek Da Rong's aid.

Yang Zhengshan halted trade with the Lisheng Dynasty while awaiting the Old Emperor’s approval, then redirected Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng toward the Desheng Dynasty. He welcomed Luo Shang’s ship purchases and encouraged merchants to establish fleets and businesses at Tenglong Guard, leaving the guard’s maritime trade and employment plans expanding.

• Yang Zhengshan, Yu Tonghai, and Sun Cheng prepared a memorial about the Lisheng Dynasty’s civil war and poor conditions, and Yang sent it to the Capital while temporarily suspending trade there.
• Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng took more than twenty ships to the Desheng Dynasty after five days of rest.
• Luo Shang told Yang Zhengshan that he had brought back eighteen merchant ships and ordered twelve more, and Yang kept the returned ships for Tenglong Guard while asking Luo to recruit sailors.
• Luo Shang began recruiting sailors, prompting merchants to ask Yang Zhengshan for permission to form fleets; Yang agreed and offered Naval Camp training for their sailors.
• The Hengdao Sect began forming a new fleet and planned a goods transfer station at Tenglong Guard, where Yang Zhengshan provided land near the pier for warehouses.

Over three years, maritime trade transformed Tenglong Guard into a thriving port, and Yang Zhengshan faced the need to expand its crowded city. He reviewed a promising new telescope and heard Wang Yunqiao request more warhorses for the Women's Training Camp.

• The Old Emperor permitted trade with the Lisheng Dynasty, and Yang Zhengshan later received Yu Tonghai and Sun Cheng's report that they had secured cooperation with powerful Desheng Dynasty clans.
• Tenglong Guard opened three sea routes, expanded its docks and warehouses, and attracted growing numbers of fleets and merchants.
• In Chengping Year 34, Yang Zhengshan rode through the bustling Guard City and told Xie Yuan to plan an expansion southward to include the nearby barracks.
• Lu Wenhua showed Yang Zhengshan a new six-power Thousand-Mile Mirror, and Yang ordered the Glass Workshop to produce a batch for the Naval Force.
• Wang Yunqiao asked Yang Zhengshan to allocate two hundred more warhorses to her Women's Training Camp.

Yang Zhengshan welcomed Lin Zhan back after four years of travel and discussed his studies and marriage with the family. He agreed to look into Zheng Xiao’s eldest daughter as a possible bride while Lin Zhan prepared to teach young Mingzhao.

• Wang Yunqiao told Yang Zhengshan that the Women's Training Camp had grown beyond three hundred members, and he approved recruitment up to five hundred and allocated three hundred warhorses.
• Lin Zhan returned to the Yang Family after traveling with Liu Zhe for four years, and Yang Zhengshan welcomed him and asked about his journey.
• Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi teased Lin Zhan about visiting a Flower House, then agreed that he would begin enlightening Mingzhao the next day.
• Lin Zhan left his marriage entirely to Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi, and Yu Qingyi suggested Zheng Xiao's eldest daughter as a possible match.
• Yang Zhengshan agreed to have Green Mist discreetly investigate the Zheng Family's eldest young miss before deciding whether to pursue the marriage.

Yang Zhengshan arranged Lin Zhan’s marriage to Zheng Xinnian while Emperor Chengping’s worsening illness led him to order the Crown Prince to supervise the state. As news of the emperor’s condition spread, Wu Zheng sent word to Yang Zhengshan, and Yu Tonghai ordered more Thousand-Mile Mirrors for the Tenglong Guard navy.

• Yang Zhengshan learned Zheng Xinnian was unmarried, sent Zheng Xiao a letter, and arranged for Lin Zhan to meet the Zheng family; Zheng Xiao agreed to the marriage.
• Emperor Chengping ordered the Crown Prince to supervise the state and Prince Gong and Prince Cheng to observe governance, then fell back into a deep sleep.
• Eunuch Chen proclaimed the decree at court, and officials learned the emperor was gravely ill and unable to attend; the Crown Prince and the two princes joined the morning court.
• Wu Zheng confirmed the news of Emperor Chengping’s illness and ordered two people to carry it to Yang Zhengshan while his agents remained in the Capital.
• Yu Tonghai and Xue Ping tested the new Thousand-Mile Mirrors aboard the Great Fuchuan, and Yu Tonghai ordered one hundred for the Tenglong Guard navy despite their high cost.

Yang Zhengshan learned that Emperor Chengping was gravely ill and worried that the succession could threaten his position in Tenglong Guard, so he ordered Wu Zhan to gather more news from the Capital. In Qinghua Prefecture, Prince Qing confirmed the emperor’s condition and decided to put his plan into action.

• Yang Zhengshan approved the Guard City expansion plan and ordered Xie Yuan to hire temporary workers at the same pay as regular workers.
• Wu Zhan told Yang Zhengshan that Emperor Chengping was comatose, the Crown Prince was regent, and Prince Cheng and Prince Gong were observing governance; Yang Zhengshan ordered more intelligence gathered from the Capital.
• Yang Zhengshan considered how the Crown Prince’s succession could endanger his family and instructed Wu Zhan to arrange a ship route through Jinhai Town for future messages.
• Prince Qing received news of Emperor Chengping’s grave illness and reflected on the thirty-four years he had spent waiting for a chance to escape the emperor’s shadow.
• Xu Maocai urged Prince Qing to act decisively, while Zhang Yu advised confirming the news; after Zhang Yu verified the emperor’s condition, Prince Qing ordered the plan to proceed.

After the Wuliang Hu Tribe invaded Liaoxi with tens of thousands of cavalry, the Crown Prince and his ministers rushed to prepare a response. Yang Zhengshan learned that two Wuliang armies had crossed Chongshan Town’s western defenses, leaving their strength estimated at forty to fifty thousand.

• Yang Zhengshan watched the calm at court and focused on developing Tenglong Guard while Emperor Chengping remained bedridden.
• The Ula Clan and Wuliang troops broke through Chongshan Town’s western defenses, captured Shunyang County, and took more than ten thousand civilians captive.
• A courier delivered an urgent report to the Capital, and the Crown Prince summoned the grand secretaries after learning that Wuliang cavalry had entered Liaoxi.
• Li Siyuan urged the court to mobilize troops and stop the Wuliang army from advancing south into Shanhe Province.
• Yang Zhengshan received a letter from Yang Family Village reporting that two Wuliang armies had crossed into Liaoxi with an estimated forty to fifty thousand troops.

Yang Zhengshan suspected that Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu had conspired to let the Wuliang Hu Tribe invade Liaoxi, and he warned allies in Chongshan Town while preparing Tenglong Guard for a possible rebellion. He left his assembled officials facing the danger that Prince Qing might strike them first.

• Yang Zhengshan deduced that Ji Feiyu had helped the Ula Clan escape and opened Chongshan Town's western defenses for the Wuliang Hu Tribe as part of Prince Qing's scheme.
• Yang Zhengshan assessed which Chongshan Town commanders might support Ji Feiyu and concluded that Tang Feihu, Niu Zhuang, and Ji He were unlikely to do so.
• Yang Zhengshan sent warnings to Han Cheng, Tang Feihu, Niu Zhuang, Ji He, Yang Chengzhang, and Yang Qinyong, asking them to prepare for Ji Feiyu's actions.
• Yang Zhengshan summoned Tenglong Guard's officials and told them that fifty thousand Wuliang troops had entered Liaoxi and that Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu might be responsible.
• Yang Zhengshan revealed that the Emperor had assigned him to restrain Prince Qing and warned that Prince Qing might target Tenglong Guard if he intended to rebel.

Yang Zhengshan placed Tenglong Guard on combat footing, ordered its finances conserved and its troops assembled, as the Wuliang army crossed the border. The chapter ended with Guard City secured and outside merchants expelled while soldiers gathered in the field camps.

• Zhou Ren reported Tenglong Guard's grain and available silver reserves to Yang Zhengshan.
• Yang Zhengshan halted the Guard City expansion, ordered funds returned to the yamen vault, and put Tenglong Guard into combat status.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered the Elite Guard Battalion and Five Army Battalion ready to fight and directed the Thousand-Man Commanders to assemble troops while reserve soldiers guarded the posts.
• Zhang Hu received orders to assemble Nanling Tun's soldiers, armed them, and led them toward the Centurion Office and Thousand-Man Battalion Office.
• Tenglong Guard's soldiers gathered south of Guard City as officials delivered tents and supplies and the city gates were controlled.
• Yang Zhengshan expelled merchants from Guard City, and news spread that the Wuliang army had crossed the border.

Prince Qing prepared to face Yang Zhengshan’s advancing forces while Yang Zhengshan’s letters warned commanders across Chongshan Town that Ji Feiyu had betrayed them. The commanders began mobilizing against the threat, and Ji He discovered in prison that he was the only assistant regional commander who had answered Ji Feiyu’s summons.

• Prince Qing learned that Yang Zhengshan had mustered at least ten thousand troops and decided to defend Qinghua Prefecture until Ji Feiyu arrived.
• Han Cheng read Yang Zhengshan’s warning, avoided Liu Zeqing’s trap, seized Liu Zeqing’s men in the military-farm fortresses, and prepared Anyuan City for defense.
• Yang Qinyong warned Niu Zhuang not to go to Chongshan Pass, and Niu Zhuang turned back to Jianning Guard and ordered his forces to prepare for battle.
• Tang Feihu received Yang Zhengshan’s letter and ordered the garrison commanders and defense officers of Jinzhou Guard to assemble their troops.
• Ji He was imprisoned beside Lu Chongde and learned that the other five assistant regional commanders had not obeyed Ji Feiyu’s summons.

Yang Zhengshan assessed the rebellion in Chongshan Town and Qinghua Prefecture as Wei Cen revealed how Prince Qing had built a hidden network of fleets, trade, and allies. Yang Zhengshan prepared to besiege Qinghua Prefecture and tasked Wei Cen with gathering intelligence on Chongshan Town and watching for enemy movements.

• Yang Zhengshan studied the military situation as Prince Qing's forces controlled Qinghua Prefecture and Ji Feiyu's rebellion left Chongshan Town without a clear commander.
• Wei Cen met Yang Zhengshan and explained that Prince Qing's fleet operated from Black Mountain Island and had supplied the Silla Jin Clan through maritime trade.
• Yang Zhengshan inferred that Prince Qing's wealth and alliance with Ji Feiyu relied on a secret trade route linking Jiangnan, Jizhou, Liaoxi, and Chongshan Town's West Route.
• Wei Cen told Yang Zhengshan that the Secret Martial Guard would share its intelligence and could mobilize scouts, cavalry, and hidden agents, but could not rescue Lu Chongde.
• Yang Zhengshan ordered Wei Cen to gather detailed intelligence on Chongshan Town, monitor the Jinrong Dynasty, and watch Chongshan Pass and Songzhou Guard as he prepared to besiege Qinghua Prefecture.

As Yang Zhengshan’s army reached Qinghua Prefectural City, the court learned that Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu had rebelled and debated who should command Chongshan Town. The Crown Prince approved Yang Zhengshan as Regional Commander and Pang Tang as governor, leaving the military response in their hands.

• Yang Zhengshan led the Tenglong Guard army into Qinghua Prefecture, and the Secret Martial Guard reported Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu’s treason to the Capital.
• The Crown Prince, Prince Cheng, Prince Gong, and the ministers debated appointments to lead Chongshan Town amid the crisis in Liaodong.
• Li Siyuan proposed Pang Tang as governor and Yang Zhengshan as Regional Commander, while the princes argued over alternative candidates.
• Zhou Mao rejected Zhou Lan’s appointment and backed Yang Zhengshan, and ministers across the court joined in supporting the proposal.
• The Crown Prince appointed Pang Tang governor of Chongshan Town and promoted Yang Zhengshan to Assistant Commissioner of the Central Military Governor’s Office and Regional Commander.