Chapter Summaries

Liu Yin offered the Prince of Badong control of the Prince of Luling’s lucrative clandestine holdings in Jingzhou in exchange for protection. The Prince of Badong spared Liu Yin for now but warned him that he would kill him if he turned against him.

• Liu Yin presented a register detailing the Prince of Luling’s thirty-nine clandestine establishments in Jingzhou and offered them to the Prince of Badong.
• Liu Yin explained that the holdings earned at least thirty-five million coins in annual net profit and argued that his knowledge was essential to keeping them running.
• Liu Yin persuaded the Prince of Badong that the Prince of Luling would struggle to reclaim the holdings or retaliate without exposing his own crimes.
• Liu Yin revealed that he had killed six people in his home, including his wife, and told the Prince of Badong that he had no other hope of survival.
• The Prince of Badong agreed to protect Liu Yin for the time being and threatened to smash his skull if he dared defy him.

Wang Yang tried to persuade Chen Qing Shan to stay behind during a dangerous diplomatic mission, but she insisted on going with him. In Jingzhou, Xie Xinghan stopped Matron Zhang from hurrying her home and asserted control over her household affairs.

• Wang Yang explained the risks of his mission and why he wanted Chen Qing Shan to remain at home, but she declared she would go and bring her long spear.
• Xie Xinghan rejected Xiao Ning’s suggestion to use a different hairpin and chose the Blue Jade Hairpin instead.
• Xie Xinghan summoned Li Qi and reprimanded him for claiming her business in Jingzhou was finished without her approval.
• Xie Xinghan told Matron Zhang she would remain in Jingzhou and ordered her not to press for a return home, making clear that Matron Zhang should obey her in her father’s absence.

Wang Yang hurried to a literary gathering on the Southern Tower, where Jingzhou officials commemorated Wang Gong with poems. After revising Yin Tancan’s lament and composing an elegy of his own, Wang Yang left the gathering’s audience deeply moved.

• Wang Yang woke late, sent Black Han to negotiate for an ingredient from Daoist Ji, and arranged for Chen Qing Shan to buy items while he went out.
• Wang Yang joined Wang Yi, Kong Changyu, Le Zhan, Yin Tancan, and Xi Gongmu on the Southern Tower to commemorate Wang Gong and recite Huan Xuan’s elegy.
• Le Zhan and Xi Gongmu presented poems, and Yin Tancan composed a lament that the group judged to lack a commanding final passage.
• Wang Yang replaced Yin Tancan’s final four lines with verses about bloodshed and armies heard in the river, earning enthusiastic praise.
• Wang Yang wrote an elegy for Wang Gong, and cranes cried as the wind rose over the gathering.

At a memorial gathering, Wang Yang steered a discussion of the Taiyuan Wang Clan toward Wang Huilong and his escape north, while Wang Yi confirmed the family’s account of his survival. Wang Yang arranged to leave his uncle and gain time to prepare for his mission, then joined Xie Xinghan’s carriage.

• Wang Yi and the gathered guests poured wine in tribute to Wang Xiaobo and discussed the decline of the Taiyuan Wang Clan.
• Wang Yang brought up Wang Yan and then repeated a rumor that Wang Huilong was not truly a Wang, prompting Wang Yi to confirm that Wang Huilong was the surviving descendant whom Sengbin had helped escape north.
• Wang Yi received a letter and asked Wang Yang whether he had sought Fourth Lady Xie’s help to visit Abbess Hui Xu.
• Wang Yang said he would stay with Wang Yi out of filial duty, knowing Wang Yi would urge him to go and thereby give him time to prepare for his mission.
• Wang Yang left the Southern Tower, climbed into Xie Xinghan’s carriage, and thanked the young Lady Xie for helping him.

Wang Yang and Xie Xinghan discussed his decision to join the mission to rescue Liu Cheng, while she worried about the obstacles he faced at the Academy of State Sons. As Wang Yang prepared to leave, Xie Xinghan feigned distress over a wager and hinted that she needed his help against five classical scholars.

• Xie Xinghan questioned Wang Yang about why he had arranged her performance, and he explained that he was helping prepare for Liu Cheng’s rescue.
• Xie Xinghan warned Wang Yang about the dangers of traveling to the Wenyang Man, while he claimed he had given the Prince of Badong his word and wanted to earn merit.
• Xie Xinghan raised the opposition Wang Yang faced at the Academy of State Sons, but Wang Yang avoided discussing it and said he had somewhere to go.
• Wang Yang stopped the carriage, thanked Xie Xinghan for her help, and promised to treat her to hot pot another day.
• Xie Xinghan pretended to cry and described a family wager in which five experts in classical studies had come to challenge her, suggesting she had no one to help her.

Xie Xinghan feigned distress to persuade Wang Yang to attend a secret examination by five scholars at the Tea Appreciation House. Wang Yang impressed them with his arguments and answers, but the scholars continued probing the foundations of his learning.

• Wang Yang recognized that Xie Xinghan was acting, but agreed to help her face the five scholars.
• Xie Xinghan and Xiao Ning arranged for Wang Yang to enter the examination alone, and Xie Xinghan admitted that he knew she was tricking him into coming.
• Wang Yang faced five scholars, confirmed that he had written three books on the Book of Documents, and defended his youth and accomplishments against their suspicions.
• Wang Yang described his reading as focused on literature and history, then compared his cursory and close reading to dry grass and glowing embers, and to muddy currents and clear spring water.
• When a skeptical scholar demanded to know which books formed the foundation of his learning, Wang Yang said there was not enough time or a suitable place to begin.

Wang Yang faced a skeptical examination of his learning and demonstrated extraordinary command of the Book of Changes. Liu Jing concluded that Wang Yang had mastered two classics and declared his achievement to the other scholars.

• The five scholars challenged Wang Yang after he said he did not know where to begin listing the foundations of his learning.
• Liu Jing tested Wang Yang with a passage from Jiao's Forest of Changes, and Wang Yang explained its hexagram image in detail.
• Liu Jing gave Wang Yang a hexagram and asked him to explain its meaning, then questioned him about the interpretation of Mutual Hexagrams.
• Wang Yang closed his eyes and worked out the rules for selecting Mutual Hexagram lines, then explained which hexagrams had upper and lower mutual trigrams.
• Liu Jing checked Wang Yang's explanation on paper and announced that Wang Yang had mastered two classics.

Wang Yang impressed five Academy of State Sons examiners with his knowledge of the Book of Changes, but panicked when he realized they were preparing to bring him to Jiankang and fled. The examiners praised his talent afterward, while Liu Jing tried to persuade Du Qianguang to do something he immediately rejected.

• Tan Yuanzong interrupted Wang Yang to ask about the Spring and Autumn Annals, but Liu Jing defended Wang Yang and praised his scholarship on the Changes.
• Wang Yang affirmed Liu Jing’s methods and explained why later scholars had lost the ancient understanding of images and numbers, moving Liu Jing to tears.
• Liu Jing tried to give Wang Yang his seat and insisted that his learning qualified him for the Academy of State Sons.
• Wang Yang realized that entering the academy would take him to Jiankang, where his false identity might be exposed, and invented an excuse to flee.
• Xie Xinghan concluded that Wang Yang had done too well on the examination, while the five elders praised his talent and Liu Jing declared that he must be admitted.
• Liu Jing approached Du Qianguang with a request, and Du Qianguang cut him off with a firm refusal.

Li Jingxuan and Wang Yang separately analyzed the terrain around the delegation’s route and concluded that Tiger Head Pass was the likely ambush site. Wang Yang identified an escape route via the Ju River and told Liu Tan to send a boat squad to meet them at Tigerhead Shoal.

• The Prince of Badong praised Li Jingxuan’s rice-and-bean terrain map of Wenyang and the middle reaches of the Ju River.
• Feng Yiling arrived at the Liu Residence and explained his map of the delegation’s route to Liu Tan and Wang Yang.
• Li Jingxuan advised the Prince of Badong to order the Yongning Barbarians to kill all 128 members of the delegation, then described possible ambush sites along the route.
• Wang Yang rejected Miasma Pool Slope and Fishbelly Ravine as the likely ambush sites and concluded that the enemy would strike at Tiger Head Pass.
• Wang Yang pointed to the Ju River and instructed Liu Tan to send a small squad in light boats, with archers and crossbowmen, upstream to meet them at Tigerhead Shoal.

Wang Yang rejected Liu Tan’s plan to use many boats or land troops to defend the delegation, explaining how narrow waterways, delays, and broken battle formations would leave them vulnerable. He proposed a swift rescue for only a few people, while keeping his suspicions about Wang Yi and the mission’s true enemy to himself.

• Liu Tan asked Feng Yiling how many boats could carry the delegation, and Wang Yang explained why a large flotilla would be slow, conspicuous, and easy to trap.
• Wang Yang proposed using a small, fast flotilla to rescue only himself and a few others, prompting Liu Tan to object to abandoning the rest of the delegation.
• Liu Tan suggested ferrying soldiers ashore to hold off the ambushers, but Wang Yang argued that the small shoal and slow crossing would leave the troops exposed and their formation vulnerable.
• Wang Yang drew on his study of military treatises and battle accounts to explain why disciplined formations mattered and why troops were vulnerable while crossing or assembling.

Wang Yang argued Liu Tan out of rashly sending troops against the suspected ambush at Tiger Head Pass, warning that they lacked vital information and would risk provoking a frontier conflict. After Feng Yiling revealed the Duke’s instruction to “Follow Wang Yang alone,” Liu Tan accepted Wang Yang’s lead, and Wang Yang said the delegation already had a path to survival that he might reveal.

• Wang Yang explained why Han Xin’s strategy of fighting with a river at his back could not be copied without understanding the battle’s circumstances, and warned Liu Tan that an unauthorized intervention could make him responsible for a frontier conflict.
• Liu Tan insisted they seek outside help, but Wang Yang told him he trusted only Liu Tan; Liu Tan apologized and renewed his demand for a plan that could protect the delegation.
• Liu Tan proposed sending troops ashore and accepting the consequences, while Wang Yang challenged his assumptions about the enemy, his forces, and the consequences of war.
• Feng Yiling interrupted the argument to speak privately with Liu Tan, and Wang Yang asked them to bring him more fermented rice and red bean soup and grape nectar.
• Feng Yiling told Liu Tan that the Duke’s letter included the instruction “Follow Wang Yang alone,” so Liu Tan returned and agreed to follow Wang Yang’s plan.
• Wang Yang told Liu Tan that the delegation already had a way to survive and that he would point it out if he could.

Li Jingxuan and Kong Changyu helped the Prince of Badong strengthen his ambush plans, while Wang Yang chose a dangerous detour through Great Bamboo Ridge to reach Wuyang Gorge. Kong Changyu then urged the prince to secretly send experts to ambush that route, as Wang Yang prepared to leave and visit the Yu Residence.

• Li Jingxuan identified the Ju River as a flaw in the death trap and persuaded the Prince of Badong to have boats patrol it and add an ambush at Goose Duke Ridge.
• Wang Yang rejected Goose Duke Ridge and chose to travel through Great Bamboo Ridge, despite the route being longer and wild barbarians roaming there.
• After Li Jingxuan and Kong Changyu left, the Prince of Badong tested his plan with red beans, then received Kong Changyu, who warned that Wang Yang might avoid Goose Duke Ridge.
• Kong Changyu proposed sending expert fighters to ambush Great Bamboo Ridge, and the Prince of Badong approved before leaving the hall.
• Wang Yang told Chen Qing Shan that Liu Tan had arranged a long spear for her on the boat and headed with her toward the Yu Residence to say goodbye.

Wang Yang visited Yu Yi to discuss a secret route into barbarian territory under the guise of describing a dream, and subtly sought extra protection for his diplomatic mission. After Wang Yang left, Yu Yi began a letter but burned it, reflecting that the Imperial Will was difficult to fathom.

• Yu Yuling and Yu Qianlou watched the meeting from outside, joking about being excluded and trading quotations they had heard from Wang Yang.
• Yu Yi questioned whether the Prince or Wang Yang's uncle had proposed the diplomatic mission, then warned that the journey carried risks.
• Wang Yang described a dream route through dangerous territory and asked Yu Yi to lend him expert guards.
• Yu Yi hinted that wandering heroes might come to Wang Yang's aid, and Wang Yang thanked him for interpreting the dream.
• Yu Yi started writing a letter, stopped, burned it, and sighed that the Imperial Will was difficult to fathom.

Kong Changyu endured Wang Yi’s exhausting sightseeing and then accompanied him to Zhiqi Temple to seek an audience with Chan Master Hui. Wang Yi was admitted alone and was stunned when a handsome young man greeted him as “Uncle Wang.”

• Kong Changyu recounted how Wang Yi had dragged him through days of searches, excursions, late-night boating, and an unwanted visit with a crowd of beauties.
• Wang Yi discussed Buddhist contemplation of death on the slippery path, then asked to meet Chan Master Hui at Zhiqi Temple.
• A monk initially refused Wang Yi’s request, but Wang Yi patiently explained that he was leaving in three days and asked again.
• Chan Master Hui invited Wang Yi inside alone, while Kong Changyu asked the monks where he could sleep.
• A Guest-Master Monk led Wang Yi through the monastery to a secluded courtyard, where a handsome young man in white called him “Uncle Wang.”

Xiao Baoyue met with Wang Yi to discuss how the emperor had learned of Wang Yang’s imprisonment and Wang Yi’s ties to him. Wang Yi praised Wang Yang’s character despite his schemes, while Xiao Baoyue remained wary of Wang Yi’s political intentions.

• Wang Yi told Xiao Baoyue that the emperor knew Wang Yang was his clansman and had ordered him to comfort Wang Yang after hearing about the injustice from Qiu Xiong.
• Wang Yi explained that Qiu Xiong had identified Wang Yang to the emperor after hearing him cited during Du Qianguang’s lecture at the Academy of State Sons.
• Xiao Baoyue offered Wang Yi the governorship of Kuaiji in exchange for helping the Crown Prince, but Wang Yi avoided committing himself to a political side.
• Wang Yi wondered whether Wang Yang was truly a member of the Wang Clan and praised his bearing, learning, and talent.
• Xiao Baoyue listed Wang Yang’s scams and petty bargaining, but Wang Yi laughed and said those traits added warmth and vitality to his character.

Xiao Baoyue and Wang Yi debated whether to save or kill Wang Yang, whose abilities made him difficult to deal with. Wang Yi left after questioning whether Xiao Baoyue could have survived the dangers Wang Yang had faced, leaving her silent and shaken by his judgment that neither of them was Wang Yang’s equal.

• Xiao Baoyue admitted she had not investigated the mysterious man because he might be connected to the Prince of Badong, and told Wang Yi she was leaving Jingzhou that night.
• Xiao Baoyue and Wang Yi questioned each other about whether they planned to save or kill Wang Yang, while Wang Yi argued that Wang Yang could likely handle the danger himself.
• Xin Yi interrupted to claim Wang Yang had inherited the Arcane Curve Finger and was skilled with poison, prompting Xiao Baoyue to order the guards to string her up.
• Xiao Baoyue said she would kill Wang Yang if necessary, while Wang Yi suggested neither of them could truly kill him.
• Wang Yi asked whether Xiao Baoyue could have survived in Wang Yang’s place, then left, telling her that neither of them was Wang Yang’s equal.

With Wang Yang refusing visitors before his diplomatic departure, Xie Xinghan entered the residence and outfitted him with travel supplies, horses, and guards. After the household caught Wang Yang performing a failed magic trick, he accepted the gifts and asked what wages the guards would receive.

• Wang Yang ordered the gatekeepers to turn away visitors, but Black Han let Xie Xinghan enter without asking him.
• Xie Xinghan, Chen Qing Shan, and Little A-Wu watched Wang Yang perform a trick that ended in a burst of flames.
• Xie Xinghan gave Wang Yang travel supplies and two Liaoxi Black Steeds, one for him and one for Chen Qing Shan.
• Xie Xinghan assigned four skilled household guards to follow Wang Yang, and he accepted them as his attendants.
• Wang Yang asked Xie Xinghan how much the four guards' monthly wages were.

Wang Yang accepted Xie Xinghan’s four guards and set generous wages for them and Black Han while asking Black Han to find people with unusual skills. After Xie Xinghan fled with Wang Yang’s mysterious gift, she secretly opened the brocade pouch in her room.

• Xie Xinghan told Wang Yang the guards’ wages, and he insisted on paying them himself despite her offer to cover the cost.
• Wang Yang gave Xie Xinghan a brocade pouch and asked her to wait five days before opening it, but she fled after stumbling into his arms.
• Wang Yang raised Black Han’s monthly wages and instructed him to find performers or other people with specified skills.
• Wang Yang restored the four guards’ original surnames—Zhao Fei, Qian Zhan, Sun Ju, and Li Lin—and increased their wages.
• Xie Xinghan relived her embarrassment in bed, then secretly retrieved Wang Yang’s pouch and began opening it.

Xie Xinghan opened the nested brocade pouches Wang Yang had left her and found a cryptic final message, while Huang Xian tricked Le Xiaopang into paying him to dispel a fabricated curse. After Le Xiaopang brought Wang Yang supplies and an invitation, Huang Xian arrived with the clothes Wang Yang had commissioned, leaving Le Xiaopang stunned by their connection.

• Xie Xinghan opened pouch after pouch despite Wang Yang’s warnings, then found a final note telling her to turn back without understanding its meaning.
• Huang Xian convinced Le Xiaopang that a yin fiend threatened his life, took his money and jade pendant, and claimed to have dispelled the danger.
• Le Xiaopang delivered Wang Yang a farewell-banquet invitation and Madam Le’s extensive travel supplies, then suggested joining Wang Yang’s diplomatic mission.
• Wang Yang explained why he would not involve Le Zhan in the dangerous plan to attack the diplomatic delegation.
• Huang Xian arrived at Wang Yang’s home with the commissioned clothes and returned Le Xiaopang’s money and pendant, calling Wang Yang his master.

On August 1, AD 490, a young clerk at the Waterworks Department learned how officials avoided work even as he worried about a dangerous river blockage. Meanwhile, Wang Yang traveled with the Southern Qi delegation through Heaven’s Gate and fended off Wang Yi’s invitation to admire the scenery by challenging him to a linked-verse game.

• Clerk Jiang and Uncle Li advised the young clerk to avoid ambition, delay routine work, and tailor reports to please Director Liu.
• The young clerk worried that delaying an inspection report could leave the growing obstruction at Jinjin Ferry unaddressed, but Clerk Jiang explained that he had already requested labor, supplies, and a response.
• The Southern Qi delegation passed through Heaven’s Gate with Wang Yang resting in his carriage and Chen Qing Shan anxiously watching over the long spear.
• Wang Yi repeatedly urged Wang Yang to come out and admire the scenery, but Wang Yang refused and recited a string of place names as a linked-verse challenge.
• Wang Yi was unable to match Wang Yang’s couplets and retreated before his campaign could begin.