Chapter Summaries

Luo Ling explained why Xiang Yu was useful as a general but unsuited to rule, while still choosing to ally with the Xiang Clan against Qin. In Xianyang, the First Emperor’s anger over his failed search for immortality turned toward Zhao Gao, who claimed to have found a possible explanation.

• Luo Ling told Qiao Yun that Xiang Yu’s compassion, suspicion of outsiders, and reliance on his kin made him unfit to be sovereign.
• Luo Ling chose to maintain the alliance with the Xiang Clan because Xiang Yu’s strength would advance their plan to destroy Qin.
• Luo Ling condemned the First Emperor for trying to end the Sage King’s sacrifices and challenge Heaven’s order.
• The First Emperor had a court eunuch dragged away after mistaking a report about the Imperial Mausoleum for a curse against him.
• Zhao Gao tried to soothe the First Emperor, who demanded to know why he had not obtained an elixir of immortality.
• Zhao Gao claimed he had found a likely reason for the First Emperor’s failure, and the First Emperor urged him to explain.

Zhao Gao convinced the First Emperor that ancient Sage Kings became deities only after death, and the First Emperor accepted the possibility of ruling the Heavenly Realm while refusing to abandon his search for a mortal elixir. The First Emperor ordered Zhao Gao to oversee his mausoleum as his future Heavenly Palace, and Zhao Gao considered how to make its burial force more fitting.

• Zhao Gao explained that the ancient Sage Kings had passed away and become deities after death, rather than living forever through elixirs.
• The First Emperor asked whether he could attain eternal life in the mortal world, and Zhao Gao flattered him by suggesting he could become the King above Kings in the Heavenly Realm.
• The First Emperor kept the search for the elixir of immortality going, saying he would not gamble away the power he already held in the mortal world.
• The First Emperor ordered Zhao Gao to closely supervise construction of his mausoleum as his future Heavenly Palace.
• Zhao Gao left the hall and thought that the mausoleum needed a suitably grand force of Great Qin Elite Soldiers, lamenting that the First Emperor would not bury the Great Wall Army with him.

Han Xin endured a butcher’s humiliation rather than risk his greater ambitions, but Luo Cai recognized his restraint and intervened. She encouraged him to believe in his potential, gave him jade from Luo Yi, and left with her party, while Han Xin wondered who the siblings were.

• A butcher mocked Han Xin and demanded that he crawl between his legs, while the crowd jeered.
• Luo Cai recognized Han Xin’s self-restraint, and she and Luo Yi discussed his character and ambitions.
• As Han Xin was about to kneel, Luo Cai’s men beat the butcher and stopped the humiliation.
• Luo Cai praised Han Xin’s potential and urged him not to belittle himself.
• Luo Cai gave Han Xin jade from Luo Yi, introduced herself and her brother as Cai and Yi, and departed with their party.

The First Emperor traveled east to the former site of Zhao City, where offerings to Luo State revealed that many people still cherished their old homeland. After discussing how to bring them into Qin society, he continued his tour toward the lands of Qi with Huhai and his court.

• The First Emperor reflected on Qin's conquests and decided that his chief concern was now finding an elixir of immortality.
• Zhao Gao reported that the procession was nearing Zhao City, and Li Si spotted offerings left beneath its ruined walls.
• Li Si urged the First Emperor to investigate and relocate the Luo people, but the First Emperor said their feelings were understandable and he would address their affairs after the tour.
• The First Emperor and Li Si discussed why the Luo State Ruling House had supported the Hundred Schools and allowed their doctrines to be debated.
• Huhai complained about stopping at the ruined city, so the First Emperor decided to continue toward Jiaodong and Huai-Si.

Luo Yi and Luo Cai changed their route after learning that the First Emperor had stopped during his tour, then discovered he was gravely ill. As he prepared to die, the First Emperor ordered Fusu to succeed him and explained his plans to Li Si, leaving Li Si newly aware of the emperor’s intentions.

• Luo Yi regretted failing to assess Han Xin and recruit him, while Luo Cai tried to reassure her brother.
• Luo Yi and Luo Cai altered their travel plans to avoid revealing their identities near the First Emperor’s procession.
• Luo Yi noticed that the First Emperor had remained in a remote place and concluded that something was wrong.
• The ill First Emperor ordered Zhao Gao and Li Si to return to Xianyang and summoned Fusu to oversee his funeral and take the throne.
• The First Emperor told Li Si to execute the occult practitioners and to let Fusu grant fiefs, explaining his expectations and concerns about the realm’s future.
• Li Si realized why the First Emperor had chosen Fusu as his successor.

As the First Emperor lay dying, Ji Zhao appeared before him and explained that his dynasty’s fate depended on its own choices, not on the Mandate of Heaven. The First Emperor acknowledged his mistakes and asked Ji Zhao to judge his life, leaving his final reckoning unresolved.

• As the First Emperor drifted toward death, he recalled Wang Jian, Lü Buwei, and his lifelong desire to surpass the Sage King.
• Ji Zhao descended to meet the First Emperor and confirmed that the Luo Clan Lineage had survived because he had protected his descendants.
• The First Emperor asked whether other Sage Kings lived in heaven, and Ji Zhao declared that he alone ruled above the Nine Heavens and lived forever.
• After learning that immortality was impossible, the First Emperor asked whether Great Qin would perish and whether it had truly received Heaven’s mandate.
• Ji Zhao affirmed that the First Emperor had received the mandate but said Heaven would not govern his dynasty, explaining that Great Qin’s burdensome projects and suffering people endangered its survival.
• The First Emperor recognized that he had made mistakes and asked Ji Zhao what judgment his life deserved.

Luo Cai deduced that the First Emperor had died, while Meng Yun saved Fusu from a forged death decree and urged him to reform Qin and win the people’s support. Fusu agreed to try, though Meng Yun doubted he could reverse Qin’s collapse.

• Luo Cai inferred from the Qin army’s salted-fish purchases and sudden return toward Luoyang that the First Emperor was dead, and Luo Yi ordered an investigation and a warning to their eldest brother.
• An envoy delivered a supposed imperial order commanding Fusu to take his own life, and Fusu prepared to drink the poisoned wine.
• Meng Yun knocked the wine away, killed the envoy, and then killed the other envoys when Fusu refused to act.
• Meng Yun argued that the decree had been forged to eliminate Fusu, possibly after the First Emperor’s death, and rebuked Fusu for treating obedience as absolute loyalty.
• Meng Yun urged Fusu to stand with the people, promise a benevolent new Qin, and work with Meng Tian to suppress rebellions; Fusu agreed, but Meng Yun doubted he could save the dynasty.

After the First Emperor’s death, Fusu and Meng Tian hesitated to rebel while Huhai and Zhao Gao considered how to control them, and Li Si pointed to the Great Wall Corps’ dependence on Qin supplies. Meanwhile, Chen Sheng and Wu Guang launched the Dazexiang Uprising under a slogan that Luo Yi and Luo Cai embraced, leaving the Luo Clan ready to use it in its own rebellion.

• Fusu and Meng Tian hesitated to rebel despite killing Huhai’s envoy, while Li Si argued that Qin could control the Great Wall Corps by withholding its grain and fodder.
• Zhao Gao grew increasingly murderous toward Li Si as Li Si reassured him and Huhai about their leverage over Fusu and Meng Tian.
• Luo Yi and Luo Cai learned that Chen Sheng and Wu Guang had raised an army of tens of thousands by claiming to be surviving subjects of Luo State and calling for punishment of tyrannical Qin.
• Chen Sheng proposed restoring Luo State’s altars and sacrifices to rally the people, and Luo Yi and Luo Cai praised his slogan and decided the Luo Clan could use it too.
• A later commemorative speech cited Chen Sheng’s challenge to hereditary rule as a lasting argument for equality and commoner politics.

Luo Yi and Luo Cai witnessed the rising rebellion under Chen She, while Fusu and Meng Tian debated how to respond to the uprising and Huhai. After Huhai and Zhao Gao massacred members of the imperial clan and imprisoned Li Si, Fusu regretted refusing Meng Yun’s warning, and Meng Yun looked toward the sky for a new king.

• Luo Yi and Luo Cai learned that Chen She had proclaimed himself King Chen and left to watch the rebellion spread across the realm.
• Luo Yi and Luo Cai saw forces rallying under Chen She's banner and reflected on the hope his uprising gave the people.
• Meng Yun urged Fusu and Meng Tian to secure Guanzhong and warned that Huhai would turn against Fusu, but Fusu and Meng Tian favored joining forces with Huhai.
• Huhai and Zhao Gao slaughtered members of the imperial clan and imprisoned Li Si after he opposed them.
• Fusu learned of the killings, broke down in grief, and regretted not listening to Meng Yun, while Meng Tian raged over his endangered relatives and friends.
• Meng Yun watched Fusu and Meng Tian and looked to the sky, wondering whether Chen Sheng would become the new king.

As Chen She’s rebellion collapsed, Luo Yi risked crossing a raging river to reach the fleeing rebels and save the Luo People among them. The boatman recognized Luo Yi’s Sacred Mark, and the crowd on the far bank saw it as Luo Yi stepped ashore.

• Luo Ling prepared the Luo Clan for war and urged the Xiang Clan to rise, encouraging Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu to seize their opportunity.
• The Luo Clan issued a proclamation denouncing the King of Qin Dynasty, while Chen She’s rebel army suffered defeats and lost support as corruption and infighting spread.
• Luo Yi and Luo Cai returned separately, and Luo Yi rode toward the river crossing as the routed rebels fled Qin Army soldiers.
• A boatman initially refused to cross the raging river, but Luo Yi revealed his Sacred Mark and promised that the Luo Clan would destroy Tyrannical Qin.
• The boatman ferried Luo Yi across the dangerous river, and the people on the opposite bank gathered to see him arrive.
• The people at the riverbank saw Luo Yi’s Sacred Mark and cried out that he bore one.

Luo Yi revealed his Sacred Mark and rallied the scattered Luo People to stand against the pursuing Qin Army instead of trying to cross the raging river. As the Qin forces closed in, he prepared to use the Luo Clan’s Divine Artifacts to turn the battle.

• Luo Yi appeared with the Sacred Mark, and the Luo People recognized him as a Young Master and began calling him Young Master Yi.
• Luo Yi warned the Luo People that crossing the river meant certain death and persuaded them to organize and face the Qin Army.
• The Luo People accepted Luo Yi as their leader and sang the Hymn of Praise to the Sage King.
• The Qin Army pursued the routed rebels to the river, and its commander ordered them driven into the water.
• Luo Yi sensed Borrow the East Wind and Universal Sweet Rain and resolved to use the Divine Artifacts if the Qin Army attacked.

Luo Yi used the Borrow the East Wind artifact to conjure a terrifying gale, convincing the Luo People and their allies that the Sage King was helping them. The Qin Army collapsed into a rout, leaving the battlefield in the Luo forces’ hands.

• The Qin General recognized Luo Yi’s Sacred Mark and feared that the Luo Clan’s return meant Great Qin had lost heaven’s favor, but he ordered his troops to attack anyway.
• The Luo People rushed to shield Luo Yi as the Qin troops charged, trusting that he had a plan to save them.
• Luo Yi activated Borrow the East Wind, darkening the sky and unleashing a gale that overwhelmed the battlefield with its spectacle.
• Luo Yi declared that the Sage King had sent the wind to help them, raising the Luo People’s morale and terrifying the Qin Army.
• The Qin troops fled in disorder as the Luo People and their allies charged after them and fought the scattered soldiers.

Luo Yi used Universal Sweet Rain to turn the storm away from the Righteous Army and onto the Qin forces, securing a miraculous victory at the ferry crossing. He ordered the army to leave the prisoners behind and led his followers southeast to join his elder brother as word of the battle spread.

• Luo Yi activated Universal Sweet Rain, clearing the clouds over the Righteous Army while heavy rain battered the Qin people.
• The Qin Army broke down in panic, and the Righteous Army hailed the Sage King as Luo Yi’s divine protection saved them.
• Luo Yi ordered Meng Xiang, Zhang Han’s captured deputy general, to be killed, but refused to waste time dealing with the other prisoners.
• Luo Yi told the Righteous Army to go southeast and join his elder brother, warning that Zhang Han remained a threat.
• The miraculous victory at the ferry crossing spread, and a later account described Luo Yi’s storm-summoning feats.

Ji Zhao worried that the Luo Clan’s use of divine artifacts was draining its Fortune Points, while Zhang Han switched sides and helped Fusu overthrow Huhai and Zhao Gao. Fusu became Great Qin’s new emperor, and Ji Zhao saw the altered history as protection against the Luo Clan’s destruction.

• Ji Zhao assessed the Luo Clan’s dwindling Fortune Points and understood why Luo Ling had used divine artifacts to intimidate the new dynasty.
• Zhang Han held the upper hand against Meng Tian’s Great Wall Army Corps, then rejected Zhao Gao’s offer and pledged loyalty to Fusu.
• Fusu accepted Zhang Han’s allegiance and promised to make him a king, while Meng Tian supported the decision.
• Zhang Han’s Convict Army joined the Great Wall Army Corps in taking Xianyang, where the people welcomed Fusu and the Palace Guards surrendered Huhai and Zhao Gao.
• Fusu executed Huhai and Zhao Gao and became Great Qin’s new emperor.
• Ji Zhao observed that Fusu’s rise had changed history and concluded that the Luo Clan’s intervention had helped avert a threat to its future.

Xiang Liang seized Kuaiji Commandery, killed its governor, and reestablished Great Chu with Luo Xin present. Luo Ling traveled through the mountains toward Zhao Tuo, growing more confident that he could persuade him.

• Xiang Liang learned that Qin forces had defeated several rebel armies and agreed to raise eight thousand troops and march north.
• Xiang Yu killed the governor of Kuaiji Commandery after Xiang Liang explained how the Xiang Clan had gathered support among the people.
• Luo Xin explained that his eldest brother was dealing with Zhao Tuo's Southern Army to prevent its troops from strengthening Qin.
• Xiang Liang addressed local Chu leaders, who urged him to proclaim himself king and restore Chu State.
• Xiang Liang reestablished Great Chu with Luo Xin as witness and invited the Central Plains leaders to discuss a campaign against Qin.
• Luo Ling rode through a mountain pass toward Zhao Tuo and became more confident in persuading him.

Luo Ling visited Zhao Tuo in Lingnan and persuaded him to remain there, eventually submit to the future ruler of All Xia, and secure kingship rather than risk death by returning north or claiming independence. Zhao Tuo and his officers pledged allegiance to the Sage King, and Luo Ling left to gather heroes against Qin.

• Zhao Tuo welcomed Luo Ling to the Southern Expedition Army’s camp and challenged him over the unrest in the Central Plains.
• Luo Ling argued that Qin would fall and warned Zhao Tuo that his Chu soldiers could rebel if he marched north.
• When Zhao Tuo claimed loyalty to Qin, Luo Ling sang a funeral song and warned that Zhao Tuo would die if he returned to the Central Plains.
• Luo Ling advised Zhao Tuo to remain in Lingnan, control its routes, and later submit to the future ruler of All Xia in exchange for becoming king.
• Zhao Tuo accepted Luo Ling’s counsel, and his senior officers joined him in praising the Sage King.
• Luo Ling promised to bring Zhao Tuo a Golden Seal Edict granting kingship, then departed to gather heroes against Qin.

Luo Yi met Liu Bang and his followers while leading the rescued army toward the Zheng and Chen Lands, then encouraged Liu Bang to join the gathering of Shandong’s heroes without surrendering control of his forces. Liu Bang left with renewed confidence and continued onward with Luo Yi, while the chapter ended with a historical account of Gaozu rewarding Marquis Ying.

• Luo Yi learned that Liu Bang led an orderly army of more than ten thousand and went to meet him.
• Liu Bang and Xiao He recognized Luo Yi’s lineage and hoped to gain legitimacy and support from the Luo Clan.
• Liu Bang told Xiao He that he hoped to secure a political marriage with the Luo Clan for his son Liu Ying.
• Luo Yi welcomed Liu Bang as family after learning of his wife Lü Zhi’s Luo Clan ancestry and praised his elder brother Luo Ling.
• Liu Bang asked to attend the gathering without giving up command of his army, and Luo Yi assured him that humble origins did not make him unworthy.
• Luo Yi encouraged Liu Bang to make the name Pei exalted through his own deeds, and the two armies continued on together.

After ascending the throne, Fusu enfeoffed trusted generals and Ying clansmen as kings in Shandong to win support and suppress the rebellions. Zhang Han and Meng Tian gained ground against the rebel states until Xiang Yu crossed the river to threaten Qin's supply lines and join the feudal lords.

• Meng Yun advised Fusu to abandon the First Emperor's rules and enfeoff Shandong, then left to join the Luo Clan; bandits killed him east of Xiao Mountain.
• Grieving Meng Yun's death, Fusu appointed Meng Tian King of Linzi, Zhang Han King of Handan, and eight others as kings in strategic locations.
• The Ying Lineage and other Xianyang nobles welcomed Fusu's generous rewards, raised troops from Guanzhong, and sent them east.
• Zhang Han defeated the King of Wei and King of Han, then advanced against Zhao, while Meng Tian captured Hulao Pass and pressed into Zheng and Chen.
• After Zhang Liang urged the King of Han to seek an alliance with the Luo Clan and Xiang Clan, they fled toward Zhao City.
• Xiang Yu crossed the river with eight thousand men, cut Qin's supply route, defeated Qin troops in three battles, and marched east to join the feudal lords.

At the Zhao City Alliance, Luo Ling returned after persuading Zhao Tuo to keep his army in Nanyue and rallied Shandong’s leaders to unite against Tyrannical Qin. He refused to become their sovereign, proposed that whoever contributed most to Qin’s destruction would rule, and assigned the allied forces their directions of attack.

• Luo Yi and Xiang Liang welcomed Han Cheng and Zhang Liang, and Zhang Liang urged the gathered leaders to restore the Six States and oppose Qin.
• Xiang Yu arrived after defeating Meng Tian’s vanguard, and Luo Yi opened the alliance with an ancient bronze bell and a prayer to the Sage King.
• Luo Ling returned to Zhao City and reported that Zhao Tuo would close the roads to the Central Plains, establish a state in Baiyue, and submit in exchange for recognition as King of Nanyue.
• Luo Ling argued that Fusu’s enfeoffments would not end Qin’s oppression and called on the warlords to unite against Zhang Han and Meng Tian.
• Luo Ling rejected the offer to become the alliance’s sovereign and proposed that the first to enter Guanzhong become its king while the greatest contributor to Qin’s defeat become common sovereign.
• Luo Ling assigned the allied leaders their directions of attack and kept the Dare-to-Fight Warriors out of the fighting.

Luo Yi joined Liu Bang’s westward campaign and advised him to seek Zhang Liang’s help and secure Nanyang as the route into Guanzhong. Liu Bang agreed to march with Xiang Yu against Qin, while the chapter ended with a historical passage about Marquis Ying Luo and a note from the author.

• Liu Bang told Luo Yi he was willing to risk his life leading an army west, and Luo Yi agreed to accompany him and called him Ziyu.
• Luo Yi explained that Liu Bang needed capable administrators, generals, and strategists, then suggested inviting King of Han Cheng and Zhang Liang to join their campaign.
• Zhang Liang advised Liu Bang to secure Nanyang and enter Guanzhong through Wu Pass rather than attempt the fortified Hangu Pass.
• Xiang Yu invited Liu Bang to fight Meng Tian, and Liu Bang agreed to cut Qin’s supply route while Xiang Yu faced the Qin army in the Zheng Lands.
• Liu Bang and Xiang Yu became sworn brothers, and Liu Bang’s army prepared to march toward Nanyang.