Chapter Summaries

Lin Ming reprimanded Lin Dayong for attacking Mondo Pass without permission, then promised to free the First Division for the final campaign after reinforcements arrived. He assigned Lin Dayong to ambush outside Danya City and took Lin Yunfei temporarily to army headquarters, leaving Lin Dayong to gather his commanders.

• Lin Ming scolded Lin Dayong for deploying troops without permission and reminded him that he had taken responsibility for the violation.
• Lin Yunfei accepted blame for the plan, and Lin Ming revealed that a reserve force from River Hill would reach Mondo Pass in about three days.
• Lin Ming ordered Lin Dayong to ambush outside Danya City and watch for Zichuan Canxing after the city fell.
• Lin Ming told Lin Yunfei to accompany army headquarters for the coming mission, promising Lin Dayong that Yunfei would return afterward.
• Lin Dayong apologized to Lin Yunfei after Lin Ming left, and Lin Yunfei packed to depart before Lin Dayong summoned the brigade and regimental commanders.

Xiao Yuanshan led a Lin Clan army of one hundred thousand to Danya and convinced Zichuan Canxing that they had come as allies. Zichuan Canxing remained wary and asked to meet the army’s commander, leaving Xiao Yuanshan to prepare the Lin Clan officers for the next test.

• The Lin Clan divided its six field armies between an attack on the enemy’s Northwest rear and a force accompanying Xiao Yuanshan to Danya.
• Xiao Yuanshan arrived outside Danya with one hundred thousand troops, alarming Zichuan Canxing and the city’s defenders.
• Xiao Yuanshan claimed the Lin Clan had detained him before agreeing to an alliance and sending troops to support Danya.
• Zichuan Canxing accepted Xiao Yuanshan’s explanation but asked to question the army’s commander.
• Xiao Yuanshan returned to Lin Yue, Lin Ming, Hu Biao, and Lin Yunfei and told them he had only just passed Zichuan Canxing’s first test.

Lin Yunfei tried to dispel Zichuan Canxing’s suspicions so the Lin Clan’s army could enter Danya City. His performance eased Zichuan Canxing’s wariness, but the commander still questioned why the Lin Clan had changed its stance on an alliance.

• Hu Biao proposed attacking Danya City, but Lin Ming rejected the idea because they lacked siege equipment and knew little about the city’s defenses.
• Lin Yunfei offered to speak with Zichuan Canxing, and Lin Ming, Hu Biao, and Lin Yue entrusted him with temporarily commanding the army.
• Lin Yunfei rode to Danya City with Xiao Yuanshan and loudly criticized Zichuan Canxing for keeping the Lin Clan’s reinforcements outside the gates.
• Zichuan Canxing interpreted Lin Yunfei’s rude attitude as genuine and asked why the Lin Clan had first detained Xiao Yuanshan before agreeing to an alliance.
• Lin Yunfei explained that the Lin Clan had feared the Emperor’s growing power and sent troops after Elder Lin Ding overruled the faction favoring neutrality.

Lin Yunfei manipulated Zichuan Canxing into opening Danya City's gates to the Lin Clan Army by pretending to take his troops back to River Hill. As the army entered the city, Xiao Yuanshan resolved to use the alliance as his escape from Zichuan Canxing's control.

• Lin Yunfei feigned offense at being kept outside Danya City and threatened to withdraw the Lin Clan Army, making Zichuan Canxing fear the alliance would collapse.
• Zichuan Canxing ordered the gates opened and promised the Lin Clan troops fine food, wine, and a banquet.
• Lin Yunfei concealed his relief, maintained his arrogant act, and rode back to bring the army into the city.
• Xiao Yuanshan watched Lin Yunfei outmaneuver Zichuan Canxing and resolved to hold on to his chance to escape with his family.
• Zichuan Canxing invited Xiao Yuanshan to meet him after seeing his son, then told Lindi to keep a close watch on the incoming Lin Clan troops.

Lin Yunfei led the Lin Clan army into Danya City by exploiting Zichuan Canxing’s trust, while Zichuan believed the alliance would strengthen his position. Xiao Yuanshan then reported the Lin Clan’s demands to Zichuan, concealing his true loyalty as he continued to maneuver against him.

• Lin Ming, Lin Yue, and Hu Biao praised Lin Yunfei for persuading Zichuan Canxing to open Danya City’s gates, and Lin Yunfei credited Lin Junyu’s teachings.
• Lin Yunfei briefed the commanders on their roles, then acted like an arrogant lordling while Lindi escorted the Lin Clan army into the city.
• Lin Yue, Lin Ming, and Hu Biao followed Lin Yunfei’s lead, planning to rest their exhausted troops before striking when the enemy let down its guard.
• Zichuan Canxing celebrated the Lin Clan alliance and planned to bind its hundred thousand reinforcements to his cause.
• Xiao Yuanshan visited Zichuan Canxing and claimed the Lin Clan demanded the Flowing Wind Clan’s territory, especially Far Capital, in exchange for the alliance.

Xiao Yuanshan reported the Lin Clan's harsh alliance terms to Zichuan Canxing, who accepted them because he needed their support against the Emperor. After Xiao Yuanshan secured his son's return and left, Lindi reported that the Lin Clan army was resting in Danya City, and Zichuan Canxing ordered his men to accommodate them and prepare a welcoming banquet.

• Xiao Yuanshan told Zichuan Canxing that the Lin Clan demanded supplies and compensation, five Northwest provinces, and tax exemptions and privileges for its merchants.
• Zichuan Canxing accepted the three demands, reasoning that the alliance tied the Lin Clan's interests to his survival and that he could not afford to refuse.
• Xiao Yuanshan asked Zichuan Canxing to let his son return to the Xiao Clan, then left after Zichuan Canxing promised to reward him and his clan.
• Lindi told Zichuan Canxing that the Lin Clan troops were resting and demanding a feast, and complained that they were behaving like guests rather than reinforcements.
• Zichuan Canxing ordered Lindi to grant the Lin Clan's requests, prepare the feast carefully, and invite its generals to the welcoming banquet.
• Lin Yunfei, Lin Ming, Lin Yue, and Hu Biao gathered in a tent at the Lin Family Army's camp, looking delighted.

Lin Yunfei and his three commanders attended Zichuan Canxing’s banquet while secretly preparing to counterattack and seize Danya City. They returned to camp without revealing their plan, while Zichuan Canxing realized he had underestimated Lin Yunfei and decided to take precautions.

• Lin Yunfei told Lin Yue, Lin Ming, and Hu Biao to conceal their intentions and arrange an immediate counterattack if they failed to return within forty-five minutes.
• The four followed Zichuan Canxing’s messenger to the Chief Executive’s Residence, memorizing the route and surroundings as they went.
• At the banquet, Lin Yunfei deflected Zichuan Canxing’s probing questions while Lin Yue, Lin Ming, and Hu Biao played the part of unruly generals and focused on the food.
• Lindi failed to learn anything from Lin Yue, Lin Ming, and Hu Biao, while Xiao Yuanshan stayed quiet to avoid exposing their plans.
• Lin Yunfei and the three commanders left after the banquet, and Zichuan Canxing admitted he had underestimated Lin Yunfei and resolved to be more cautious.

Lin Yunfei and the commanders discovered that Zichuan Canxing had surrounded their camp with Imperial Guard lookouts and decided to launch a counterattack before he could tighten surveillance. They planned to strike Danya City at three in the morning, with Lin Yue seizing the gates while the others attacked Zichuan Canxing’s residence.

• Lin Ming, Hu Biao, Lin Yue, and Lin Yunfei laughed about outmaneuvering Zichuan Canxing at the banquet, then welcomed the feast he sent to camp.
• The Lin Clan Army’s reconnaissance company secretly located the Imperial Guard lookouts surrounding the camp and prepared to report their positions.
• Lin Ming, Lin Yue, Hu Biao, and Lin Yunfei examined the scouts’ map and realized Zichuan Canxing had encircled their camp to monitor them.
• Lin Yunfei ordered an immediate counterattack, and the commanders agreed to strike at three in the morning.
• Lin Yue took responsibility for leading the First Army against Danya’s City Defense Army and seizing the city gates, while the others planned to attack Zichuan Canxing’s residence and Imperial Guard.

The Lin Family Army launched a surprise assault on Danya City, but Zichuan Canxing escaped before they could capture him. Lin Ming hinted that he had made other preparations, leaving the outcome dependent on an awaited report.

• The Lin Clan’s reconnaissance squads silently eliminated Zichuan Canxing’s sentries, and Lin Ming’s army began its assault at three o’clock.
• Lindi warned Zichuan Canxing that the Lin Clan was attacking, and Zichuan fled through the West City Gate with his guards and the gate garrison.
• Lin Ming and Hu Biao searched the Chief Executive’s Residence but found no sign of Zichuan Canxing.
• Lin Yue reported that the West City Gate had been left open, and Lin Yunfei deduced that Zichuan had stayed near the western side of the city.
• Lin Ming said he had made preparations of his own and chose to wait for news before revealing more.