Recaps

Yang Zhengshan received command of the Tenglong Guard and dismantled the Lan Family’s hold over it, then began reorganizing its troops and supporting its military households. As winter brought collapsed homes and shortages of warm clothing, he arranged emergency shelters and a large cotton-cloth shipment.

• Yang Zhengshan returned from the campaign, reunited with his family, arranged burials and pensions for the fallen, and welcomed the birth of his son Xiao Mingzhao.
• The imperial court promoted Yang Zhengshan to Commander of the Tenglong Guard and granted Yu Qingyi the title of Lady, while Yang Zhengshan prepared to move with trusted officers and soldiers.
• Yang Zhengshan reached Tenglong Guard, discovered how the Lan Family had seized land and controlled the guard, and stormed the family estate, arresting its members.
• Yang Zhengshan replaced corrupt officials, restored seized tenants to Military Household status, redistributed households and farmland, and reported the Lan Family’s wealth to Emperor Chengping, who let the guard keep its money and grain for three years.
• Yang Zhengshan welcomed Liu Zhe to teach Lin Zhan, then arranged cotton cloth for military households after learning local supplies were exhausted.
• After heavy snow collapsed homes in Nanling Tun, Yang Zhengshan introduced ice houses and snow houses as quick shelters and sent instructions to the battalion offices.
• Wu Zhan returned with the first three thousand bolts of cotton cloth, and Yang Zhengshan rewarded him and agreed to discuss his wish to marry Yulu with Yu Qingyi.

Yang Zhengshan transformed Tenglong Guard through paid work, troop training, and a new salt field while Lu Wenyuan rose in the imperial examinations and Yang Mingcheng survived an ambush. When corrupt officials trapped Zheng Xiao, Yang Zhengshan marched on Liao'an Prefecture and took control of its West City Gate, bringing the conflict to a head.

• Yang Zhengshan killed Huang Yifu, recovered the stolen cotton shipment, and brought the rescued women back to Tenglong Guard.
• Yang Zhengshan launched reforms across Tenglong Guard, organizing housing, farming, paid construction, weapons production, and elite troop training while securing approval for a salt field.
• Yang Mingcheng escorted Lu Wenyuan to the Capital, where Lu placed third in the Palace Examination and joined the Hanlin Academy.
• Yang Mingcheng survived an attack at an inn with help from Ji Hai and Ning Qingqing, then returned to Tenglong Guard injured but alive.
• Zheng Xiao exposed Luo Fu and Zhao Mingsheng’s secret preselling of salt permits and entrusted Yang Zhengshan with a memorial against them.
• Xu Huazhen’s soldiers confined Zheng Xiao, prompting Yang Zhengshan to assemble more than a thousand soldiers and ride to Liao'an Prefecture.
• Yang Zhengshan seized the West City Gate after city guards tried to close it, while Luo Fu ordered troops to stop him from entering the city.

Yang Zhengshan exposed Luo Fu’s salt-corruption network, defeated an attempt to rescue him, and gained imperial approval to build an independent naval force at Tenglong Guard. As the guard expanded with ships, settlers, and new allies, Yang Zhengshan prepared for maritime trade and welcomed members of his clan.

• Yang Zhengshan arrested Luo Fu and Xu Huazhen, sealed the Salt Transport Commission and Zhang Family properties, and sent memorials about the corruption to the Capital.
• After Prince Xin’s assassin A'da attacked the imprisoned officials, Yang Zhengshan defeated and captured him, then handed the case and its suspects to Lu Baishu and the judicial authorities.
• Yang Zhengshan received approval to establish the Tenglong Vanguard, with Yu Tonghai as Commandant, Xue Ping as Assistant Commissioner, ten thousand military households, and warships.
• Yang Zhengshan recruited sailors and boatmen, built the naval camp, and organized the arrival and settlement of military households at Tenglong Guard.
• The first warships arrived, and Yang Zhengshan and Yu Tonghai planned to train the naval force for a merchant voyage to Jiangnan and the Lisheng Dynasty the following spring.
• Yang Zhengshan expanded local roads, housing, and businesses while arranging maritime trade with Luo Shang and inviting local families to an investment conference.
• Yang Zhengxiang brought Yang Clan youths to Tenglong Guard, where Yang Zhengshan revealed his cultivation and reassured Yang Zhengxiang about the hardship he had endured.

Yang Zhengshan expanded Tenglong Guard’s trade, military, and civic institutions while building links across the seas. When Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu’s treason brought Wuliang troops into Liaoxi, Yang mobilized his forces and was appointed Regional Commander.

• Yang Zhengshan opened sea routes, developed Guard City, and organized the Five Army Battalion, Naval Force, and Women's Training Camp.
• Yang Zhengshan led a fleet to Jiangnan, secured trade after confronting the Liu Family, and established regular voyages and commercial ties across the seas.
• Yang Zhengshan learned of the Lisheng Dynasty’s civil war, reported it to the Capital, and later expanded trade with the Desheng Dynasty.
• Yang Zhengshan received news that Emperor Chengping was gravely ill, while Prince Qing decided to put his plan into action.
• The Ula Clan and Wuliang troops broke through Chongshan Town’s western defenses and entered Liaoxi, prompting Yang Zhengshan to warn commanders and prepare Tenglong Guard for war.
• Yang Zhengshan mustered his troops and expelled merchants from Guard City as Prince Qing’s forces held Qinghua Prefecture and Ji Feiyu’s rebellion disrupted Chongshan Town.
• Wei Cen informed Yang Zhengshan about Prince Qing’s secret maritime trade, and Yang ordered intelligence gathering as he prepared to besiege Qinghua Prefecture.
• Yang Zhengshan marched into Qinghua Prefecture, and the Crown Prince appointed Pang Tang governor of Chongshan Town and Yang Zhengshan Regional Commander.