Chapter Summaries

Wang Yang rewarded Lou Wudi and Tian Dadao, won the submission of barbarian tribes, and strengthened the Yidu Tribe while preparing to meet Jianping’s leaders. Meanwhile, the wounded Prince of Badong fought off his pursuers, then surrendered after a duel with Yang Diru, leaving Yin Lüe to lower his bow.

• Wang Yang gave Lou Wudi the courtesy name Huairen and shared ten percent of his Rainbow Cloud Pavilion profits with him and ten percent with Tian Dadao.
• Wang Yang’s reputation and promise of trade spread among the tribes, prompting many to submit and some neighboring tribes to capture holdouts.
• Wang Yang stationed his army in Yidao, secured more land for the Yidu Tribe, and backed its quiet recruitment of unaffiliated barbarians through King Pan’s Way assemblies.
• The Prince of Badong killed pursuing soldiers with a hunting bow, lost his wounded horse, and fought the encircling troops on foot.
• The Prince of Badong spared Li Yanbo, then lost a duel with Yang Diru after Yang wounded his leg.
• The Prince of Badong threw down his saber and declared his surrender, while Yin Lüe lowered his bow after recognizing the gesture.

Wang Yang received a new order from General Yin demanding that he disband his army, but he burned it and made plans for an outing. Xie Xinghan arrived early to visit, and Wang Yang revealed that he had received a pledge of allegiance from the Jianping Man ten days earlier.

• Wang Yang had Chen Qing Shan open General Yin’s sealed writ, which ordered him to disband his army within five days and report to Jiangling; he told her to burn both copies.
• Wang Yang planned an outing with Chen Qing Shan, then welcomed Xie Xinghan when she unexpectedly arrived at camp ahead of schedule.
• Xie Xinghan teased Wang Yang about his leisurely reading and asked when he would return to Jiangling, then warned him that his idle army at Yidao was attracting suspicion.
• Wang Yang showed Xie Xinghan a letter pledging allegiance from the Jianping Man, dated ten days earlier.

Yin Lüe tried to turn the campaign against Wang Yang, whom he accused of rebellion, but Zhang Ji outlined the danger of attacking him and Li Dang refused to obey without proper authorization. The proposed assault stalled when Liu Senglin reminded Yin Lüe that Liu Cheng remained among the barbarians, leaving the commanders without agreement.

• Yin Lüe accused Wang Yang of defying orders and harboring treasonous intentions, while Liu Senglin defended Wang Yang's service to the state.
• Zhang Ji explained how Wang Yang's position at Yidao and alliances with surrounding tribes could let him overrun Jingzhou, alarming the assembled commanders.
• Yin Lüe ordered the armies to attack Wang Yang, but Li Dang pointed out that no Imperial Edict authorized the campaign and refused to act without orders from Kong Xiuzhi.
• Li Dang rejected Yin Lüe's threats, and Zhang Ji urged caution over provoking the barbarians while Liu Senglin warned that Liu Cheng was still with the Wenyang Tribe.
• Yin Lüe realized that attacking Wang Yang could endanger Liu Cheng and earn him the Duke of Liu's enmity, while the other commanders remained unwilling to support his plan.

Hu Xiezhi arrived in Jing Province and praised Wang Yang’s campaign, ordering a memorial, public proclamations, and rewards for his troops. On Wind Well Mountain, Wang Yang, Xie Xinghan, and Chen Qing Shan exchanged poems before the wind signal sounded and a dispatch from Jingzhou arrived; Wang Yang then declared that the army would return home.

• Hu Xiezhi arrived at the banquet and asked Wang Yi where Wang Yang was stationed.
• Hu Xiezhi praised Wang Yang’s loyalty and ordered officials to report his achievements, proclaim them across Jing Province, and reward his troops.
• Wang Yang, Xie Xinghan, and Chen Qing Shan climbed Wind Well Mountain, where Chen Qing Shan and Xiao Ning recited poems and Xie Xinghan composed one of her own.
• A Holy Guard brought Wang Yang a dispatch from Jingzhou as the wind signal began sounding from the cavern.
• Wang Yang read the dispatch while the wind swept across the mountain, then declared, “Bring the army home!”

After Wang Yang returned victorious from pacifying the Jingman, his fame spread through Jingzhou amid extravagant rumors and a sensational fictional biography. He left the army with a small retinue, rewarded his soldiers, and brought He Ji and other trusted men into his household.

• Wang Yang’s victory and rescue of Jingzhou’s officials made him the focus of public praise, and stories about his dealings with the barbarians grew increasingly fanciful.
• A fictional biography, Tears of the Barbarian Woman, became widely read, while Lu Xi’s lengthy essay claimed Wang Yang had planned the political and military events in Jingzhou in advance.
• Wang Yang distributed his provisions, pay, and rewards to his soldiers when he left the army, and he took only Ma Yong and twenty capable men as retainer troops.
• Wang Yang accepted He Ji and five other trusted men into his household after He Ji refused to remain in the army, despite the prospect of becoming a general.
• He Ji persuaded his angry wife that following Wang Yang offered better prospects than an army post, and she demanded that he give most of his monthly pay to the household.

After Jingzhou settled, Wang Yang handled political and personal affairs while arranging help for the imprisoned Jiao Shirong. Meanwhile, Liu Yin negotiated with masked Northern spies in hiding and discovered the identity of their leader.

• Hu Xiezhi investigated the rebellion and included local officials who had returned to the rightful side in deciding who would be punished.
• Wang Yang managed the Rainbow Cloud Pavilion negotiations, visited Jiao Shirong in custody, and arranged meals for him while Hu Xiezhi promised to report his merits.
• Liu Yin hid in an abandoned kiln as a masked leader urged him to act, and Liu demanded to meet the person directing Jingzhou's spies.
• Liu Yin identified the hooded figure as the Northern spy he suspected and demanded leverage before agreeing to cooperate.
• The masked man revealed his face, and Liu Yin recognized him with shock.

Wang Yang and his friends joked about the author of Tears of the Barbarian Woman before Kong Changyu publicly accused Wang Yang of treason and corruption. Hu Xiezhi stopped Le Zhan from burning Kong Changyu’s confession, warning that there might be more copies.

• Sun Duo performed Tears of the Barbarian Woman with Wang Yang and the others, and Wang Yang accused Sun Duo of writing it.
• Le Xiaopang and Yin Xiao Wu pinned Sun Duo down after Wang Yang ordered them to seize him.
• Kong Changyu surrendered in the Jiangling marketplace and accused Wang Yang of aiding the Prince of Badong’s rebellion, arranging an arms trade, and bribing him to flee.
• Hu Xiezhi and Le Zhan examined Kong Changyu’s blood-written confession at the Jingzhou Provincial Government.
• Le Zhan called the accusation false and tried to burn the confession, but Hu Xiezhi stopped him and warned that Kong Changyu might have written multiple copies.

Hu Xiezhi tried to contain the crisis after Kong Changyu accused Wang Yang, while Wang Yang's generals threatened the county prison and officials scrambled to protect the witness. The chapter ended with Kong Changyu reported dead before he could be transferred to safety.

• Hu Xiezhi ordered troops to reinforce the Jiangling County prison after learning that Li Zaifu and Yang Fu had entered the city with armored soldiers to demand Kong Changyu.
• Hu Xiezhi halted the generals and promised to investigate Kong Changyu's accusation, but Le Zhan warned them not to harm the witness, and they withdrew without seeing him.
• Wang Yi and Xi Gongmu arrived with Commandery Troops after receiving copies of Kong Changyu's written accusation, and the officials agreed to move him to the more secure Commandery Prison.
• Wu Lü learned from a jailer that Kong Changyu had died, leaving Hu Xiezhi and the other officials stunned.

After Kong Changyu’s accusation and death prompted Wang Yang to return to Jiangling, Wang Yang and Madam Le suspected the timing was meant to lure him into an ambush. Their countermeasure exposed an attack on a decoy carriage, but Liu Yin escaped with help from masked riders, one of whom nearly killed Chen Qing Shan.

• Black Han reported that Kong Changyu had accused Wang Yang in the marketplace, spread written evidence, and died by poison in prison, so Madam Le urged Wang Yang to return to Jiangling.
• Wang Yang and Madam Le reasoned that the accusation’s timing might be designed to draw him onto the road at night, and they agreed to use the journey as bait.
• Liu Yin’s men ambushed the carriage, but Qi Huan—wearing Wang Yang’s white robes—fought Liu Yin while Music Family reinforcements surrounded the attackers.
• Liu Yin fled east as Qi Huan and Chen Qing Shan pursued him, but four Beast-Faced Mask riders arrived to help him escape.
• One masked rider broke Chen Qing Shan’s lance and attacked her with a Ring Blade and iron ruler, but reinforcements arrived and the masked riders carried Liu Yin away.

Wang Yang uncovered Northern Wei involvement in Liu Yin’s escape and hurried to Jiangling to warn the authorities, while promising Chen Qing Shan he would help her uncover her father’s murderer. After Wang Yang’s group staged Liu Yin’s execution to flush out hidden accomplices, a former prison officer accused Bai Guan of being a northern spy.

• Chen Qing Shan identified the masked rescuer’s weapon as the Still Wheel Ruler, and Madam Le warned that Liu Yin might be working with Northern Wei spies.
• Wang Yang ordered Madam Le to question Liu Yin’s surviving men and alert nearby counties, then rode to Jiangling with Chen Qing Shan and the others.
• On the journey, Wang Yang reassured Chen Qing Shan that he would help her pursue the truth about her father, even if the Prince of Luling proved responsible.
• Wang Yang reached Jiangling before dawn, alerted Wang Yi and Hu Xiezhi, and helped order the city gates closed while officials organized a search for Liu Yin and the northern spies.
• Wang Yang and Hu Xiezhi displayed heads on the city walls and announced that Liu Yin had been executed; afterward, Xiao Qi accused Bai Guan of being a northern spy.

Wang Yang took charge of investigating the Northern Spy ring after questioning the risks of arresting Bai Guan without evidence. After the spies were exposed and the case reached a formal hearing, Wang Yang answered Kong Changyu’s accusations by presenting the brocade deal as his own legitimate business and demanding repayment from the Rebel Prince.

• Wang Yang stopped Hu Xiezhi from immediately arresting Bai Guan and outlined the risks of acting without stronger evidence.
• Wang Yang arranged for Bai Guan to be summoned with other officials, and Bai Guan calmly accompanied the clerk to the Provincial Deputy’s office.
• Wang Yang’s investigation led to the arrest of eight people, the closure of two covert bases, and the seizure of spy documents, weapons, and supplies.
• Hu Xiezhi convened a joint hearing, where Wang Yang denied helping plan the rebellion and explained why he had been away when it began.
• Wang Yang said the Prince of Badong had seized his brocade shipment, owed him twenty-two million, and that Kong Changyu had extorted twenty Gold Beads from him.
• Wang Yang asked the hearing officials to recover the money and Gold Beads, leaving them stunned.

Wang Yang agreed to visit the imprisoned Prince of Badong despite warnings that the meeting could complicate the case. At the prison, the prince repeatedly tried and failed to catch Wang Yang, leaving them seated across the bars as he admitted he could not let go of the chance to get him once.

• The joint hearing established Kong Changyu's false accusation, and the Prince of Badong demanded to speak with Wang Yang before answering questions.
• Wang Yang agreed to meet the prince, and Wang Yi arranged the visit after they discussed the risk of being associated with a falling tree.
• Wang Yang greeted the Prince of Badong in prison, but kept his hand beyond the prince's reach when the prince tried to grab him through the bars.
• The prince lunged again with a makeshift straw cudgel, but the chains and bars kept him from reaching Wang Yang.
• The Prince of Badong admitted he could not get past the desire to catch Wang Yang, and Wang Yang sat down across from him.

Wang Yang visited the imprisoned Prince of Badong, and they reconciled over their past mistrust and shared a laugh. The Prince of Badong asked Wang Yang to help his household and Kong Changyu’s family, then won one last wager before sending Wang Yang away.

• The Prince of Badong asked whether Wang Yang had ever sincerely supported him, and Wang Yang explained that he had not trusted the Prince to rule well.
• The Prince of Badong acknowledged that his own suspicion and schemes had justified Wang Yang’s lack of sincerity, and they laughed together over their insults and a poem.
• The Prince of Badong asked Wang Yang to help spare the people of his residence and assist Kong Changyu’s family, and Wang Yang agreed.
• The Prince of Badong challenged Wang Yang to find a way for him to leave the cell without moving his hands or feet, then explained that he could be carried out after dying.
• Wang Yang admitted defeat and said he admired the Prince of Badong, who sent him away and lay down for a nap.

Wang Yang left the Commandery Prison, where an Eastern Palace attendant soon arrived with an order to execute the Prince of Badong. Wang Yang stopped the poisoned wine from reaching him, forcing the attendant to withdraw, but the Prince warned that Wang Yang had put himself in serious danger.

• Wang Yang left the Commandery Prison with Chen Qing Shan and noticed a fine black carriage arriving at the gates.
• Xu Longju presented an Eastern Palace token to gain access to the Prince of Badong, while Hu Xiezhi learned of the token and chose to leave the matter to Wang Sanqi.
• Xu Longju offered the Prince of Badong poisoned wine or white silk, and the Prince accepted the wine while questioning whose order it was to kill him.
• Wang Yang and Chen Qing Shan entered the cell, and Wang Yang knocked the poisoned wine from the guard’s hand with his fan.
• Wang Yang identified himself as a member of the Langya Wang clan, and Xu Longju withdrew with the Eastern Palace guards after warning that the wine belonged to the Crown Prince.
• The Prince of Badong told Wang Yang that he was in serious trouble.

Wang Yang persuaded the imprisoned Prince of Badong to write a remorseful confession and helped construct a justification for his rebellion, risking his own position to honor their friendship. Meanwhile, Ru Faliang burned two imperial decrees and secretly reported on Wang Yang to the Son of Heaven, who judged that Wang Yang could be entrusted with a young heir.

• Wang Yang urged the Prince of Badong to seek survival through a humble confession instead of publicly cursing his father and elder brother.
• Wang Yang told the Prince of Badong to blame Li Jingxuan for inciting the rebellion and explain that he had sent Wang Yang to pacify the barbarians as a gesture of repentance.
• The Prince of Badong realized Wang Yang had earlier stopped him from issuing a proclamation to preserve a possible path to surrender, then bowed to Wang Yang in gratitude.
• Ru Faliang learned that Wang Yang was unharmed and that Wang Yi had ordered Li Zaifu to help defend the Commandery Prison.
• Ru Faliang burned the decrees intended to reward and appoint Wang Yang and wrote a secret report to the Son of Heaven.
• The Son of Heaven read Ru Faliang's report and said Wang Yang could be entrusted with a six-foot orphan.

Baoyue confronted Xiao Luan about whether he would defend Wang Yang at court, and learned that the debate over Jingzhou’s affairs could protect him from punishment. In Northern Wei, Liu Yin was released from confinement after answering questions and denying that he had seen the ornate Soul Bottle shown to him.

• Baoyue confronted Xiao Luan in the West Garden and demanded that he support Wang Yang at the next court assembly.
• Xiao Luan denied planning to take Wang Yang’s credit and explained that the assembly would also consider dealing with the barbarians, making Wang Yang’s punishment harder to pursue.
• Baoyue worried that the Crown Prince’s followers and meddlesome officials might still target Wang Yang, while Xiao Luan predicted Liu Shilong would attend the assembly and help steer the discussion.
• In a locked safe house in Leling Town, Liu Yin spent three days answering questions about Jingzhou and tried to identify which questions his captors truly cared about.
• The Beast Mask man showed Liu Yin a picture of an ornate Soul Bottle; Liu Yin said he had only seen ordinary gray earthenware bottles, and the man let him leave the room.

The Imperial Court rewarded those who suppressed the Jingzhou rebellion, appointing Wang Yi acting Governor of Jingzhou and granting promotions to commanders, officials, and tribal leaders. The court also honored Baoyue and Xiao Luan, while imposing punishments on rebel leaders and their associates.

• The court appointed Wang Yi General Who Assists the State, gave him acting tally authority and supervision over six provinces, and made him acting Governor of Jingzhou while he retained his Cavalier Attendant post.
• Liu Tan became Chief Clerk of Jingzhou and Governor of Southern Commandery, while Liu Senglin was appointed Protector-General of Southern Commandery and Central Troops Staff Officer.
• The court promoted Xiao Zizhen, Kong Xiuzhi, Zhang Ji, Li Zaifu, Yang Fu, and other defenders, while Li Dang declined a commandery promotion and kept his post with increased pay and land.
• The court granted tribal leaders new military titles, gave Liu Cheng a prestigious entry-level office, pardoned Jingzhou officials who returned to allegiance, and appointed Yu Qianlou Governor of Xinchang after Yu Yi declined a court post.
• Xiao Luan was promoted to Chancellor but declined, while Baoyue was invested as Lady of Linwu County with the ceremonial privileges of a princess.
• The court sentenced Liu Chaozhi to beheading, banished the families of the Prince of Badong's advisers, and exterminated Liu Yin's household; Tian Anzhi received a prison-guard appointment for presenting Wang Chongtian's head.

Court officials challenged Wang Yang’s reward and accused him of false testimony for defending the Prince of Badong, but Erudition Doctors Du Qianguang and Liu Jing fiercely defended his merits and attacked the accusers. Their speeches left the assembled officials wary of prolonging the dispute.

• Shen Yue accused Wang Yang and the Prince of Badong of inventing a story to escape punishment, while Kong Zhigui called for a new investigation and Kong Tuo impeached Wang Yang.
• Qiu Xiong supported the accusations against Wang Yang.
• Du Qianguang, Liu Jing, Cui Yan, He Chen, and Tan Yuanzong recommended Wang Yang for admission to the Academy of State Sons, citing his talent in the classics.
• Du Qianguang defended Wang Yang’s military achievements, condemned Shen Yue’s presumption, and warned Kong Zhigui that reopening the case could destabilize Jingzhou.
• Du Qianguang attacked Kong Tuo and Qiu Xiong for seeking to punish a meritorious servant, and Liu Jing argued that the court was applying inconsistent standards to Wang Yang.
• The officials hesitated to challenge Du Qianguang and Liu Jing further, especially with Liu Shilong present.

The court deliberated on Wang Yang’s role in pacifying the Jingman and the Prince of Badong’s rebellion, then approved a recommendation to reward Wang Yang and punish the prince without executing him. The edict spread across the realm, while Wang Yang’s coming arrival in Jiankang frightened Wang Tai.

• Liu Jing challenged Kong Tuo and Qiu Xiong over their accusations against Wang Yang, and Xiao Luan ordered all three removed from court and impeached.
• The Eight Seats recommended granting Wang Yang the title of Marquis of Guanzhong and admission as an Imperial Academy Student, while stripping the Prince of Badong of his status and confining him to his residence.
• No official submitted a Counterproposal, and the throne approved the deliberation.
• The edict circulated through government offices across the realm, carrying Wang Yang’s name alongside the Prince of Badong’s.
• Lu Xi confronted a scholar who criticized Wang Yang’s learning, and the scholar was beaten again that night.
• Wang Tai heard that Wang Yang had been granted a title and was coming to the capital, then dropped his spoon in fright.

Wang Rong praised Wang Yang’s scholarship to Wei Zhun, arguing that he had mastered the Five Classics and surpassed ordinary scholars. After examining Wang Yang’s works, Wang Rong wondered whether the young scholar’s extraordinary learning meant he had been born knowing.

• Wang Rong asked Wei Zhun to assess Questions and Answers on the Book of Documents, and Wei Zhun praised its bold, foundational arguments while noting that scholars disputed Wang Yang’s interpretations.
• Wei Zhun listed criticisms of Wang Yang, but Wang Rong laughed at Liu Man’s judgment and explained that most critics could not understand Wang Yang’s depth.
• Wang Rong told Wei Zhun that Wang Yang had mastered the Five Classics, excelling in the Spring and Autumn Annals and Book of Documents, while Wang Rong believed himself stronger in the Three Rites.
• Wang Rong theorized that Wang Yang combined earlier schools’ arguments with his own insights, and questioned whether Comprehensive Study of the Southern Barbarians was truly his work.
• Wang Rong reflected that Wang Yang’s mature scholarship seemed unlikely for an eighteen-year-old and wondered whether some people were born knowing.