Chapter Summaries

At Cloud Return Zen Temple, a monk gave Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou Fortune Pouches and warned Yang Qing about his health and haste. As they left, Duan Hongzhuo stopped their carriage, questioned Yang Qing about meeting the abbot, and ordered his guards to take them away.

• A monk gave Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou Fortune Pouches, diagnosed Yang Qing’s concealed internal heat disorder, and warned him to care for his health.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou returned to their carriage, where Bu Er reported that another carriage was blocking their way.
• A messenger summoned Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou to meet his master, and they followed him to Duan Hongzhuo’s carriage.
• Duan Hongzhuo questioned Yang Qing about his visit with the abbot, and Yang Qing explained that they had discussed Snow Plum and tea.
• Duan Hongzhuo said Yang Qing had piqued his interest and ordered his guards to take Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou away.

Duan Hongzhuo took the chronically ill Yang Qing to the Regent King’s Residence despite Yang Qing’s protests. After a physician failed to identify Yang Qing’s medicine, Duan Hongzhuo ordered him settled in a courtyard with attendants, and Yang Qing awoke that night.

• Duan Hongzhuo ordered guards to take Yang Qing, who agreed to go after his excuses failed.
• Bu Er tried to pursue Yang Qing, but Jiang Zhizhou stopped him and took him back to the Rare Treasures Pavilion.
• Duan Hongzhuo brought the unconscious Yang Qing into his residence and had the physician examine him.
• The physician diagnosed Yang Qing’s chronic illness but could not identify the pill found on him.
• Duan Hongzhuo ordered attendants to care for Yang Qing in a more ordinary courtyard.
• Yang Qing woke at night and accepted being moved elsewhere.

Yang Qing settled into Listening Waves Courtyard at Duan Hongzhuo’s residence, uncertain why the Regent King had brought him there. Duan Hongzhuo ordered the Shadow Guards to watch him, while Jiang Zhizhou and Bu Er debated whether to retrieve him.

• Xifeng and Moyu escorted Yang Qing to the main room of Listening Waves Courtyard and warned him to behave after he asked when he could leave.
• Yang Qing contemplated Duan Hongzhuo’s motives as snow and wind intensified outside the courtyard.
• A Shadow Guard reported Yang Qing’s questions to Duan Hongzhuo, who ordered continued surveillance and immediate reports of anything unusual.
• At the Rare Treasures Pavilion, Bu Er suspected Duan Hongzhuo had been watching Yang Qing and urged Jiang Zhizhou to bring him back.
• Jiang Zhizhou stopped Bu Er from acting rashly.

Duan Hongzhuo questioned Yang Qing about his origins, southern connections, and delayed return to Tong City, then let him go without revealing what he suspected. Yang Qing left believing he had survived the encounter for now, while Duan Hongzhuo ordered his men to keep watching him.

• Duan Hongzhuo summoned Yang Qing to his study and asked about his home in Zi City and his ties to people from the south.
• Duan Hongzhuo raised the death of a Western Chu military official and used tea as an analogy, hinting that he knew Yang Qing had unusual origins.
• Yang Qing denied knowing about the official and explained that heavy snow and his poor health had delayed his journey back to Tong City.
• Duan Hongzhuo dismissed Yang Qing, who left fearing the Regent King had uncovered something but believing his frightened performance had bought him time.
• Duan Hongzhuo shattered his teacup and ordered his men to continue watching Yang Qing closely.

Yang Qing endured Duan Hongzhuo’s scrutiny in the Regent King’s Residence and pleaded to return home for New Year’s Eve. Duan Hongzhuo sent him to Tong City, where Yang Qing collapsed after reaching the city and was found by Bu Er.

• Yang Qing stayed quietly in Listening Waves Courtyard for several days as his health worsened and he took more medicine.
• On New Year’s Eve, Yang Qing told Duan Hongzhuo he was only a merchant and begged to return home.
• Duan Hongzhuo ordered guards to escort Yang Qing to Tong City, warning him to keep his abilities and words in check.
• The guard left Yang Qing outside Tong City as the gate was closing, but Yang Qing ran inside before it shut.
• Yang Qing started walking toward the Rare Treasures Pavilion, coughed up blood, and collapsed when Bu Er rushed to him.

Yang Qing fell gravely ill after Duan Hongzhuo released him, and an elderly physician saved him while warning that his health was failing. After recovering at the Medical Hall, Yang Qing and his companions learned that Northern Liang was fighting the South.

• Bu Er and Jiang Zhizhou rushed Yang Qing to a Medical Hall when his old illness flared up, and an elderly physician agreed to treat him.
• The physician warned that Yang Qing’s past injury and recent strain had left him near death, then recognized clues that Bu Er and Jiang Zhizhou came from far south.
• Yang Qing woke at dawn, learned what had happened, and agreed to remain at the Medical Hall to recover despite wanting to return to the Rare Treasures Pavilion.
• After three days, the physician gave Yang Qing prepared pills and allowed him, Bu Er, and Jiang Zhizhou to leave.
• Yang Qing and his companions overheard patrolling soldiers say Northern Liang was fighting the South, and all three grew alarmed.

Yang Qing and his companions learned that Northern Liang and Western Chu had gone to war again, and Yang Qing suspected Duan Hongzhuo was behind the renewed conflict. They stayed at the Rare Treasures Pavilion while Jiang Zhizhou investigated, and the chapter ended when he returned with news.

• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou heard that Northern Liang and Western Chu were at war again and returned to the Rare Treasures Pavilion to investigate.
• Jiang Zhizhou left to learn what had happened at the border, warning Yang Qing not to act alone.
• Yang Qing feared Duan Hongzhuo had torn up the treaty and sent troops against Yan Pass, putting Yan Prefecture and Western Chu at risk.
• Yang Qing suspected Duan Hongzhuo had identified him as a Western Chu native and used his illness to keep him isolated, but decided not to flee until Jiang Zhizhou returned.
• After a day of waiting at the Rare Treasures Pavilion, Bu Er saw Jiang Zhizhou return covered in snow and called Yang Qing to greet him.

Yang Qing learned that Yan Pass was close to falling after Duan Hongzhuo attacked while its defenders were complacent. Rather than expose himself by sending Northern Hawk to fight, Yang Qing ordered it to carry terrain maps to Southern Xun and Eastern Hao, hoping they would threaten Northern Liang from the rear.

• Jiang Zhizhou reported that Suotu had left Yan Prefecture and that the troops at Yan Pass had relaxed after the treaty, allowing Duan Hongzhuo to breach the first two defensive lines.
• Yang Qing warned that losing Yan Pass would endanger Yan Prefecture and put the Capital City at risk.
• Yang Qing ordered Bu Er to relay a command, but Jiang Zhizhou and Bu Er warned that acting directly would expose him to Duan Hongzhuo and endanger his recovery.
• Yang Qing explained that Northern Liang had sent three circuit garrisons toward Yan Pass, leaving an opening for Southern Xun and Eastern Hao to attack.
• Yang Qing instructed Bu Er to have Northern Hawk deliver terrain maps to Southern Xun and Eastern Hao, then told Jiang Zhizhou to find the young emperor.

Jiang Zhizhou secretly met with Duan Ziqian and warned him that the Regent King’s conquest of Western Chu would strengthen his grip on Northern Liang. Duan Ziqian approved a plan to draw Southern Xun and Eastern Hao into action, leaving Jiang Zhizhou to contact Southern Xun.

• Yang Qing urged Jiang Zhizhou to seek out the young emperor and discuss what he should sacrifice to protect his throne.
• Jiang Zhizhou entered Qingyang Palace in secret and met with Duan Ziqian, who questioned why he had not visited sooner.
• Jiang Zhizhou warned Duan Ziqian that the Regent King’s growing military power threatened the emperor’s rule.
• Jiang Zhizhou proposed sending Imperial Edicts to Southern Xun and Eastern Hao to thwart the Regent King’s campaign against Western Chu.
• Duan Ziqian approved offering border territories to draw both countries into action, assigning Jiang Zhizhou to contact Southern Xun and a trusted confidant to contact Eastern Hao.

Jiang Zhizhou left for Southern Xun to negotiate a military alliance, while Yang Qing arranged covert protection and focused on delaying Duan Hongzhuo’s advance. Jiang Zhizhou was ambushed on the snowy road but killed his attacker and continued onward.

• Jiang Zhizhou told Yang Qing that Duan Ziqian had approved their proposal and assigned him to negotiate with Southern Xun.
• Yang Qing instructed Bu Er to have Bei Chen send two capable agents to secretly protect Jiang Zhizhou.
• Yang Qing reflected that holding Duan Hongzhuo back for several days could save Yan Pass and protect Western Chu, then asked Bu Er to investigate the Old Doctor without disturbing him.
• Jiang Zhizhou set out alone for Southern Xun through the snow and sensed a hidden attacker.
• Jiang Zhizhou deflected the attacker’s saber, shattered it, and killed the man before continuing his journey.

Jiang Zhizhou fought off pursuers and crossed the Northern Liang checkpoint into Nanxun, where he was caught in a trap. He claimed to be a secret envoy seeking an urgent audience with Nanxun’s emperor, but the soldiers demanded proof.

• Jiang Zhizhou killed three mounted pursuers and continued toward Southern Xun as his hidden followers cleaned up the bodies and resumed their pursuit.
• Jiang Zhizhou forced a two-day journey into less than a day, abandoned his horse on a muddy route, and reached the Northern Liang–Nanxun border checkpoint.
• Jiang Zhizhou stabbed a Northern Liang soldier who demanded his papers and sprinted across the checkpoint into Nanxun.
• Jiang Zhizhou fell into a hunting trap and was hauled out by Nanxun soldiers, who discussed taking him to the emperor for a reward.
• Jiang Zhizhou caught a soldier’s kick and identified himself as a Northern Liang secret envoy seeking an urgent audience, but the Nanxun soldiers asked for proof.

Jiang Zhizhou reached the Emperor of Southern Xun with Northern Liang’s sovereign seal and warned that Duan Hongzhuo would threaten Southern Xun after conquering Western Chu. He offered Thousand-Leaf City in exchange for Southern Xun’s military aid, and the emperor agreed to take the risk.

• Jiang Zhizhou gave a Southern Xun patrol soldier Northern Liang’s sovereign seal, and the Emperor of Southern Xun summoned him.
• The Emperor of Southern Xun consulted his ministers and learned that Jiang Zhizhou was a secret envoy bearing the sovereign’s personal seal.
• Jiang Zhizhou told the Emperor of Southern Xun that the Regent King, Duan Hongzhuo, would target Southern Xun after taking Yan Pass and Western Chu.
• Jiang Zhizhou proposed a deal in which Southern Xun would send troops to aid Northern Liang and receive Thousand-Leaf City.
• The Emperor of Southern Xun accepted the offer and said he was willing to take the plunge.

Jiang Zhizhou persuaded the Emperor of Southern Xun to send troops to hold the border for three days, while Yang Qing awaited news in Tong City. The chapter ended with Eastern Hao also sending troops, improving the Young Emperor of Northern Liang’s chances against Duan Hongzhuo.

• Jiang Zhizhou convinced the Emperor of Southern Xun to deploy troops for three days in exchange for Thousand-Leaf City.
• The Emperor of Southern Xun invited Jiang Zhizhou to remain in the country, and Jiang accepted.
• Yang Qing learned that Jiang Zhizhou had secured Southern Xun’s support and ordered Northern Hawk to monitor Duan Hongzhuo and Eastern Hao.
• Yang Qing went outside with Bu Er despite his lingering illness and reflected on the danger facing Western Chu and Northern Liang.
• Bu Er reported that Eastern Hao had sent troops, and Yang Qing waited to see how events unfolded.

Duan Hongzhuo returned from his campaign against Western Chu and confronted Duan Ziqian in court over the emperor’s interference and Northern Liang’s lost chance at Yan Pass. He accused Duan Ziqian of hiding the truth about Southern Xun and Eastern Hao taking Thousand-Leaf City and Sunset City, then called on the court to demand an explanation.

• Duan Hongzhuo returned to the Imperial City and asked Duan Ziqian to punish him for failing to take Yan Pass.
• Duan Hongzhuo challenged Duan Ziqian over the emperor’s summons and argued that conquering Western Chu would bring Northern Liang prosperity and lasting peace.
• Duan Ziqian defended his decision by citing the cost of years of war and accused Duan Hongzhuo of pursuing his own ambitions.
• Duan Ziqian pointed out that Duan Hongzhuo had entered the palace in armor and with a sword, against Northern Liang’s laws.
• Duan Hongzhuo questioned why Eastern Hao and Southern Xun had attacked simultaneously and taken Thousand-Leaf City and Sunset City, then urged the officials to hear Duan Ziqian’s answer.

Duan Ziqian used the empty treasury and the cost of war with Western Chu to force the ministers to oppose Duan Hongzhuo’s campaign. After Duan Hongzhuo left court, Duan Ziqian told Eunuch Gui that he had deliberately provoked his uncle and expected retaliation.

• Duan Ziqian asked Minister Chen to explain the treasury’s balance and the funds needed for spring planting, disaster relief, and a campaign against Western Chu.
• Duan Ziqian pointed out that the planned war would cost more than Northern Liang had available, and the ministers begged Duan Hongzhuo to abandon the campaign.
• Duan Hongzhuo left Chen Ye Hall after giving Duan Ziqian a perfunctory bow, and Duan Ziqian dismissed the court.
• Duan Ziqian told Eunuch Gui that yielding to Duan Hongzhuo had achieved little and that he had chosen to strike first.
• Duan Ziqian revealed that he had deliberately provoked Duan Hongzhuo and expected his uncle to retaliate, while Eunuch Gui knelt in tears.

Duan Ziqian openly challenged Duan Hongzhuo’s plans and prepared for his uncle’s response, while Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou looked for a way to help the emperor restore control of the court. Yang Qing proposed using the abbot of Cloud Return Zen Temple to recommend officials without making Jiang Zhizhou a public target.

• Duan Ziqian told the Marquis of Anguo that he had rejected Duan Hongzhuo’s campaign plans and believed his uncle would wait for the right moment before acting against him.
• Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou discussed how Duan Ziqian could replace Duan Hongzhuo’s allies at court with capable officials.
• Yang Qing warned Jiang Zhizhou not to take a public role in screening officials, lest his achievements threaten the throne.
• Yang Qing proposed using the Spring Plowing Prayer and the abbot of Cloud Return Zen Temple to raise the need for selecting talented officials.
• Jiang Zhizhou questioned whether the temple’s abbot should be involved, but Yang Qing urged him to try.

Duan Hongzhuo met with ministers who urged him to resist the emperor’s bid to rule, and he agreed to shoulder the burden while asking for counsel. In Tong City, Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou learned of the meeting and ordered Northern Hawk to watch the palace and the Regent King’s Residence.

• Duan Hongzhuo returned to his residence after the imperial audience, where ministers gathered to discuss the emperor’s challenge.
• Duan Hongzhuo rebuked a minister for disparaging the emperor, but the ministers declared their loyalty to him and urged him to take action.
• Duan Hongzhuo agreed to shoulder responsibility for Northern Liang and asked the ministers how to proceed.
• Bu Er delivered a secret dispatch from Northern Hawk to Yang Qing, who shared it with Jiang Zhizhou.
• Yang Qing ordered Northern Hawk to monitor the palace and the Regent King’s Residence and report unusual activity.

Yang Qing and Jiang Zhizhou waited for Duan Hongzhuo to make his move while Duan Ziqian struggled under mounting pressure at court. Duan Hongzhuo’s faction exposed the Minister of Rites and implicated Eunuch Gui, whom Duan Ziqian ordered imprisoned and sentenced to execution.

• Yang Qing stopped Jiang Zhizhou from warning Duan Ziqian, arguing that revealing how they knew of Duan Hongzhuo’s ambitions would endanger them, and urged him to wait for Northern Hawk’s investigation.
• Duan Ziqian discussed the coming Spring Sacrifice with Eunuch Gui and ordered that it be less extravagant because he had exposed the treasury’s silver reserves.
• Duan Ziqian spent days handling memorials alone while ministers criticized him and Duan Hongzhuo remained at home, claiming ill health.
• Northern Hawk reported that the Minister of Rites had been impeached for taking bribes connected to the Spring Sacrifice, leading Jiang Zhizhou to suspect Duan Hongzhuo’s involvement.
• The Minister of Rites confessed to bribing Eunuch Gui, and investigators found the named items in Eunuch Gui’s possession.
• Duan Ziqian flew into a rage and ordered Eunuch Gui imprisoned and sentenced to execution.

After Eunuch Gui was imprisoned, Jiang Zhizhou and Yang Qing moved to secure a trusted replacement before Duan Hongzhuo could place his own man beside Duan Ziqian. Yang Qing’s scheme to expose Lord Li’s mistress gave Duan Ziqian an unexpected chance to appoint a candidate of his own as Vice Minister of War.

• Jiang Zhizhou realized Duan Hongzhuo had targeted Eunuch Gui to isolate Duan Ziqian and seize control of the position beside him.
• Yang Qing urged them to find a replacement quickly, and Jiang Zhizhou proposed recalling Eunuch Hai from the Imperial Mausoleum.
• Jiang Zhizhou planned to brief Duan Ziqian while Bu Er went to recruit Eunuch Hai, and Yang Qing sent Bu Er to expose Lord Li’s affair.
• Lord Li begged Duan Hongzhuo for help after his mistress was revealed to his wife, Liu, and Duan Hongzhuo told him to settle the matter at home.
• Duan Ziqian considered Jiang Zhizhou’s advice and prepared to stabilize the palace before trying to rescue Eunuch Gui.
• The scandal over Lord Li’s mistress erupted at court, and Duan Ziqian demoted him and filled the vacancy with his own chosen candidate.

Yang Qing realized Eunuch Hai had refused to return to court but had pointed them toward a palace ally at the Brocade Workshop. Jiang Zhizhou found Eunuch Lin and began persuading him to help Duan Ziqian, leaving Eunuch Lin tempted by the offer.

• Duan Ziqian demoted the Vice Minister of War, while Eunuch Hai refused Bu Er's request to leave the Imperial Mausoleum and serve at court.
• Yang Qing inferred that Eunuch Hai's praise of the Brocade Workshop was a clue about someone he recommended, and sent Jiang Zhizhou to investigate.
• Jiang Zhizhou found Eunuch Lin packing away chests of silver at the Brocade Workshop and questioned whether he cared about the palace's political struggle.
• Jiang Zhizhou reminded Eunuch Lin of his ties to Eunuch Hai and warned that Duan Hongzhuo might seize the realm.
• Eunuch Lin set down his box and admitted that earning more silver would not be unwelcome.