Recaps

Yang Zhengshan captured Qinghua Prefecture and Songzhou City before breaking through Chongshan Pass, where Prince Qing and Ji Feiyu escaped. With the pass secured, Yang Zhengshan marched west to face the Wuliang army as Cui Liang prepared to block his advance.

• Yang Zhengshan prepared to besiege Qinghua Prefecture, but Prince Qing’s three thousand cavalry attacked Tenglong Guard, where Yu Qingyi led the defenders and Wang Yunqiao brought out the women soldiers.
• Yang Zhengshan lured Duan Heng’s forces into an ambush, defeated them, and killed Duan Heng, while Prince Qing and Xu Maocai fled Qinghua City.
• Yang Zhengshan moved on Songzhou City, where Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu rebelled against Liu Zeqing and opened the way for Yang Zhengshan to enter and kill Liu Zeqing.
• Yang Zhengshan marched to Chongshan Pass and used paper-wrapped crossbow bolts to spread a surrender offer among its defenders before beginning a costly assault.
• Lin Anguo and soldiers of the Zhenbiao battalions defected to Yang Zhengshan, while Lu Chongde escaped prison and rallied more soldiers against Ji Feiyu’s forces.
• Yang Zhengshan’s troops broke into Chongshan Pass, killed Hou Yao, and defeated Zhang Yu, while Prince Qing helped Ji Feiyu escape through the middle gate.
• After the battle left more than fifty thousand soldiers dead, Yang Zhengshan assigned officials to manage the conquered territory and prepared to march against the Wuliang army.
• Yang Zhengshan led thirty-five thousand troops west, while Cui Liang submitted to Little Prince Wutuo and searched for a way to stop Yang Zhengshan near Guining City.

Yang Zhengshan crushed the Wuliang invasion at Guan Shankou and was awarded the title of Marquis of Jing'an. On his journey to the Capital, he defeated martial artists seeking a bounty on his life, then arrived for his investiture as Prince Gong and Prince Cheng plotted against him.

• Yang Zhengshan uncovered Cui Liang’s plan to flood the Yinghe, then used fire-oil-soaked grass cages and the northwest wind to burn the Wuliang camp while Liang Chu’s Imperial Guard attacked.
• Yang Zhengshan refused to risk a search for the fleeing Wuliang forces, sent Xie Yuan to stabilize the West Route, and reorganized prisoners into the West Route Reinforcement Battalion.
• The Crown Prince secured Yang Zhengshan’s appointment as Marquis of Jing'an despite court opposition, while Prince Gong and Prince Cheng decided to kill him.
• Yang Zhengshan took command of Chongshan Town, prepared for his investiture, and left for the Capital with twenty attendants after learning Shanhe Tower had placed a bounty on him.
• Yang Zhengshan visited his family in Yang Family Village, then continued toward Jizhou as martial artists gathered to pursue the bounty.
• At the Ru River wharf, Yang Zhengshan killed Tong Jiuxin and several Shanhe Tower assassins, then defeated Ye Changkai, Xiang Qiaohe, Fu Shanhong, and Lu Ke as Luo Jinsong broke with the Star Moon Sect.
• Yang Zhengshan reached the Capital, reunited with Yang Yunxue and his grandson, and considered whether Yang Family Disciples should join his forces in Chongshan Town.
• As Yang Zhengshan prepared for his investiture, the Crown Prince ordered Prince Gong and Prince Cheng accused of plotting murder, while Prince Gong agreed to cooperate with Prince Cheng and revealed Marquis Wuxin’s duty at Xuanping Gate.

Yang Zhengshan consolidated his authority in Chongshan Town, recruited funds and people for major development projects, and advanced his family’s prospects in the capital. The arc ended with Gu Yunjian seeking an audience with Yang Zhengshan and Yang Zhengshan expanding his trade plans through Luo Shang.

• Yang Zhengshan received the title of Marquis of Jing'an, survived Prince Gong’s rebellion, and returned to Chongshan Town after Emperor Chengping reorganized the royal succession and punished the conspirators.
• Yang Zhengshan reorganized Chongshan Town’s troops and administration, recruited Luo Jinsong and Yuheng Star Hall’s disciples into military service, and planned to develop the Northern Territory and Heiyun City.
• Yang Zhengshan proposed opening the Yinghe for shipping, building docks, and repairing major roads, then raised funds by selling debt bonds to merchants and officials.
• Yang Zhengshan sent Thousand-Mile Mirrors and Bee Queen Honey to Emperor Chengping, received a Three-Yellow Plum, and arranged for Luo Shang to sell the mirrors.
• Yu Qingyi explored marriage prospects for Yang Chengye, considered the Crown Princess’s proposed match with Yu Zijin, and arranged the match after Yang Zhengshan said Zijin’s character should decide the matter.
• Yang Zhengshan broke through to the Innate Realm and expanded his Spirit Spring Space while Chongshan Town began spring plowing and preparations for Heiyun City and river dredging.
• Lin Zhan placed twenty-fourth in the Palace Examination and received a government appointment, while Yu Qingyi and her companions left the capital to return home.
• Gu Yunjian arrived in Chongshan Pass seeking Luo Jinsong and the other martial artists, while Yang Zhengshan prepared further mirror and glass-ornament sales through Luo Shang.

After Emperor Yanping’s accession, Yang Zhengshan expanded glass trading and Chongshan Bank while preparing for a predicted drought. His crackdown on a merchant conspiracy sparked arrests and assassinations, and the arc ended with Ji Hai heading to Chongshan Pass and the court sending Yang a million taels.

• Yang Zhengshan killed Gu Yunjian, refused to seal Chongshan Pass, and reported the incident to the court.
• Emperor Chengping died, and Crown Prince Chen Jianzhi ascended the throne as Emperor Yanping.
• Yang Zhengshan secured a glass trade with merchants, helped establish a Capital workshop, and agreed to trade with Snow Spirit Palace.
• After predicting a severe drought, Yang Zhengshan ordered large-scale grain purchases, refugee preparations, and the expansion of Chongshan Bank.
• Ning Dongsheng and merchant families conspired against Yang Zhengshan, so he ordered Ding Qiu and Luo Jinsong to investigate and gather evidence.
• The Hengdao Sect and local forces arrested members of the Jizhou Luo Clan, while Yang Zhengshan’s men raided the Zhen Family and uncovered evidence against the conspirators.
• An Ruhui sent evidence of corruption and grain profiteering to the Capital, but Zhao Yunxing and Zhen Shicheng were assassinated by an unknown expert, and Ning Dongsheng was released.
• Yang Zhengshan received a million taels from the court, while Ji Hai arrived at Chongshan Pass to discuss Senior Ji’s visit.