Chapter Summaries

After the allied states defeated the Yi and Di forces, Luo Cheng gathered the lords in Luoyi to establish a postwar order and rally them behind Ji Fu. The assembly proclaimed a renewed era of royal authority under Luo Cheng and Ji Fu, though the closing account recalled that the royal house’s peak would not last.

• Xu State’s army was devastated by Wu State, Yue State, and their allies, while Jin and Wei defeated the Di People and Qi drove back Lai Yi.
• Luo Cheng summoned the lords to Luoyi in the Son of Heaven’s name, and Ji Zhao received Fortune Points for Luo Cheng’s success in organizing the counteroffensive.
• Chu State’s Crown Prince Xiong Dan arrived with Princess Yi Xuan, who was to marry Ji Fu, and Luo Yan introduced Xiong Dan to the Central Plains lords.
• Before the assembly, Luo Cheng taught Ji Fu about three kinds of kings and urged him to learn the kingly way.
• Luo Cheng led the lords in celebrating their victories and swearing an alliance to uphold the Zhou State and support Ji Fu.
• The lords pledged themselves beneath Ji Fu’s throne, and the chapter’s closing account described the royal house’s later peak under King Yi and Duke Xuan of Luo.

Luo Cheng died after spending twenty years strengthening Zhou State, leaving Ji Fu with warnings about Prince An and the alliances holding the realm together. Ji Fu failed to act on the warning, and after his own death Prince An remained alive, leaving the Royal House exposed to the danger Luo Cheng feared.

• Luo Cheng met Ji Zhao, reflected on his work, and resolved to keep striving despite the uncertainty of the future.
• Luo Cheng oversaw Zhou State’s recovery and alliances, then collapsed and summoned Ji Fu to his bedside.
• Luo Cheng warned Ji Fu to protect Zhou State’s alliances and kill or exile Prince An, then entrusted his ring to Luo Jiang for Luo Ren.
• Ji Zhao praised Luo Cheng as the Luo Clan’s most outstanding head since A Su, and Luo Cheng died after receiving his ancestor’s approval.
• Ji Zhao received the mystic-tier Nobody Card after Luo Cheng’s lifetime assessment, while Ji Fu held a grand funeral for Luo Cheng.
• Ji Fu fell ill and died without executing Prince An, leaving Luo Cheng’s warning unheeded.

Prince An seized the Zhou throne by murdering Crown Prince Jin and the rest of the Close Royal House Lineage, prompting Luo Ren to withdraw from Luoyi and end Luo State’s tribute to Zhou. The other states split between condemnation, recognition, and war, as the Royal House’s authority began to unravel.

• Prince An killed Crown Prince Jin and the Close Royal House Lineage, while Queen Chu Mi fled toward Chu State.
• Luo Ren learned of the coup, rejected Prince An’s legitimacy, and returned to Luo State rather than march on Luoyi.
• Luo Ren condemned Prince An, withdrew from service at the Royal Domain, and declared that Luo State would halt its tribute for a hundred years.
• Jin State and Qi State condemned Prince An and stopped their tributes, while Count of Qin Zao Fei barred Royal House members from Hangu Pass and halted Haojing City’s annual tribute.
• Chu State raised an army to attack Zhou, while Marquis Shen, the Marquis of Sui, and the Marquis of Tang recognized Prince An’s throne, and the Marquis of Zheng prepared to support him.
• The lords’ responses left the realm divided, and the chapter’s historical account described the coup as the beginning of a long era of regicide and the collapse of Zhou authority.

Luo Ren died from grief over the Luo State’s sacrifices for Zhou, and Luoyang became ruler and began pulling the state back from its military commitments. As Chu’s army approached Luoyi, Ji An ceded the Tang State to avert a battle, while the realm’s upheaval continued.

• Luo Ren refused Ji Zhao’s offer of a cure, confessed his shame over the Luo State’s losses, and died after kneeling to honor the Sage King.
• Luoyang succeeded Luo Ren, restored the clan succession system and the Rites of Zhou, and publicly displayed the revisions on bronze pillars.
• Luo Yan gave up his command and traveled with Chu’s delegation to mourn, while Luo Zhongshu let the Chu army pass through Ying and supplied it with provisions.
• With Chu’s forces camped near Luoyi, Ji An accepted the Marquis of Zheng’s proposal and offered the Tang State to Queen Mother Chu Mi to secure Chu’s withdrawal.
• Luoyang ordered the Luo State to abandon some territory and recall its ruling-clan soldiers so they could rebuild the population.

Marquis Luo Xiu planned to remove Lü Wu Jiu and install Prince Xiaobai as Marquis of Qi so Qi State could unite the feudal lords under the Zhou king’s banner. Luo Lianshe killed Lü Wu Jiu, while Guan Zhong independently conceived the call to “Venerate the King.”

• Ji Zhao reviewed the Luo Clan’s descendants and Luo Xiu’s achievements, including the Sage Academy and its mystic-tier reward, the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart.
• Luo Xiu told Crown Prince Xi that Luo State would arrange Lü Wu Jiu’s death and support Prince Xiaobai’s return to Qi State, using the Royal House’s legitimacy to unite the feudal lords.
• Guan Zhong explained to Lü Xiao Bai that the declining Royal House could still serve as a banner for the kingly way, and asked him to submit an essay titled “Venerate the King” to Luo Xiu.
• The An Clan coordinated with Luo State to assassinate Lü Wu Jiu, while Luo Lianshe secretly prepared to ensure the attempt succeeded.
• Luo Lianshe shot and killed Lü Wu Jiu at the hunting grounds, and he later reported the success to Luo Xi.

After Lü Wu Jiu’s death, Luo Xiu helped Lü Xiao Bai return to Qi and claim the throne, sending troops and support with him. Lü Xiao Bai recruited Guan Zhong as his chief minister, reached Qi, and began assembling the ministers who would help restore the state.

• Luo Xi reported that Lian She had killed the Marquis of Qi, Wu Jiu, and Luo Xiu ordered preparations to escort Xiao Bai back to Qi while secretly arranging for Prince Shao to be killed.
• Lü Xiao Bai accepted his uncle’s offer to return, vowed to avenge his family, and promised Luo five cities in Lu Land in gratitude.
• Lü Xiao Bai persuaded Guan Zhong to accompany him to Qi and serve as chief minister, and Guan Zhong accepted his invitation.
• Luo Xi escorted Lü Xiao Bai to Qi’s border with five thousand troops, while three hundred Luo warriors joined Lü Xiao Bai and Guan Zhong on the crossing.
• Lü Xiao Bai met Minister An Ning and Qi’s nobles, introduced Guan Zhong as a leading adviser, and received their acclaim as the returning ruler.
• Guan Zhong later recommended Zhang Qi, Wang Cheng, An Ning, and Lu Chan for key offices, and Duke Huan approved their appointments.

Lü Xiao Bai attacked Qu against Guan Zhong’s advice and was defeated at Long Fields, then feared Guan Zhong would abandon him. Guan Zhong reaffirmed their friendship and returned to advising him, while Luo Xiu took Qi’s defeat as proof that its army had grown stronger.

• Lü Xiao Bai insisted on attacking Qu to defend Guan Zhong’s honor, and Guan Zhong reluctantly agreed.
• Lü Xiao Bai and Minister An Ning led Qi’s army to Long Fields, where Qu’s troops broke Qi’s formation after waiting through three rounds of drums.
• Lü Xiao Bai returned to Qi ashamed and avoided Guan Zhong, while Lady Xi Yi reassured him that Guan Zhong would remain loyal.
• Guan Zhong visited Lü Xiao Bai and promised that their bond would endure, and Lü Xiao Bai asked the court historian to record their friendship as “lofty mountains and flowing waters.”
• Luo Xiu read the report of Qi’s defeat and concluded that Qi’s reformed army had grown formidable despite its inexperienced commanders.

After five years of Guan Zhong’s reforms, Qi State had grown wealthy and strong, and he persuaded Lü Xiao Bai that a victory against the Lai Yi would establish Qi’s prestige among the states of All Xia. Qi State prepared a hundred-thousand-man expedition under Zhang Qi, who departed with Guan Zhong after pledging to conquer Lai Yi State.

• Guan Zhong explained that Qi State needed a great victory against the barbarians to gain recognition from the Marquis of Luo and become hegemon.
• Lü Xiao Bai agreed to attack the Lai Yi, and Qi State began raising troops and gathering supplies for the campaign.
• Guan Zhong spent three months preparing the expedition and selected Zhang Qi to command the army, accompanying him as chancellor.
• Lü Xiao Bai saw Zhang Qi and Guan Zhong off outside Linzi, and Zhang Qi vowed to repay his lord’s trust by conquering Lai Yi State.

Zhang Qi led Qi to destroy the Lai Yi State through a series of decisive victories, while Guan Zhong supported the campaign. The fall of Lai Yi earned Ji Zhao a surge of Fortune Points and advanced All Xia’s power.

• Zhang Qi crushed the Lai Yi army in a major battle, and Guan Zhong urged him to press the advantage before Lai Yi could regroup.
• Zhang Qi routed Lai Yi’s regrouped forces on the Banks of the Jiao River, then advanced toward their capital with Guan Zhong.
• Zhang Qi recognized that Lai Yi’s more than two hundred thousand troops were an unruly levy and concentrated Qi’s elite armored warriors to break them.
• Qi’s elite assault shattered Lai Yi’s formation, and the panicked army collapsed as Qi’s troops advanced on Laiyang City.
• Qi captured Laiyang City and destroyed the Lai Yi State, earning Ji Zhao Fortune Points as All Xia’s power advanced.

After Qi State’s decisive victory over the Lai Yi, Lü Xiao Bai called the lords to an alliance assembly to establish his hegemony. Luo Xiu supported him but stayed away so Luo Xi could represent Luo State without overshadowing him, leaving the plan for the assembly in motion.

• Lü Xiao Bai celebrated Qi State’s victory with Guan Zhong and announced that his ambition to lead All Xia could now be realized.
• Luo Xi reported that Qi State had defeated the Lai Yi, captured their capital and nobles, and more than doubled its territory.
• Luo Xiu praised Guan Zhong’s achievements and recognized that Lü Xiao Bai’s alliance assembly would help establish his hegemony in the Son of Heaven’s name.
• Luo Xiu decided that Luo Xi would attend the assembly in his place, allowing Luo State to support Lü Xiao Bai without taking the alliance leadership from him.
• Luo Xiu told Luo Xi that if Lü Xiao Bai later went to Luoyi, Luo State would cite its ancestors’ instructions and let the alliance leader carry its tribute.

Lü Xiao Bai established the Cangyi Alliance with Luo State’s support and became its leader, then called on the allied states to aid Yan State against the Mountain Rong and Eastern Hu. As the campaign began, Luo State sent envoys south while Luo Xiu reflected on the weakening Royal House and the rise of hegemonic politics.

• Luo Xi arrived at Cangyi and publicly honored Lü Xiao Bai’s rank, signaling Luo State’s support for Qi State’s assembly.
• After Han State, Xing State, Ju State, Cai State, and Chen State agreed to attend, Luo Xi persuaded Lü Xiao Bai to hold the assembly despite the limited turnout.
• The rulers of six states swore an alliance at Cangyi, and Lü Xiao Bai was recognized as alliance leader; Ji Zhao received the unique Yellow Tier item Like an Extension of the Arm.
• Luo Xi reported the assembly’s results to Luo Xiu, who concluded that the states increasingly cared about a new order rather than the Son of Heaven’s authority.
• Lü Xiao Bai called on the allied states to aid Yan State, and a seven-state army led by Qi State marched there to fight the Mountain Rong and Eastern Hu.
• As the allied forces prepared for their campaign, Luo State dispatched three groups of envoys toward southern states.

Luo Xiu formed alliances with Ying State of Ying and Wu State to contain Chu State, while his envoy visited the elderly Luo Yu in Yingdu. Luo Yu warned the King of Chu that the Central Plains was consolidating and advised him on how to respond, leaving the King of Chu newly alarmed and receptive to his plan.

• Luo Xiu dispatched envoys to Ying State of Ying and Wu State to build an alliance against Chu State, and sent Chen Chen to Chu State to investigate and congratulate Luo Yu.
• Luo Yu went to the King of Chu Palace after learning that Luo State had sent a delegation, and warned the King of Chu that the Central Plains states were beginning to consolidate under Qi State.
• The King of Chu considered eliminating the Han-Yang Ji States, but Luo Yu rebuked him and urged him to listen to a different plan.
• The King of Chu listened to Luo Yu's plan, while Ji Zhao reflected that the Luo Clan's loyalty was shifting toward Chu State.

After defeating the Mountain Rong, Lü Xiao Bai led the lords in forcing Qu State to submit and then backed Prince Fu Yi’s claim to Song State’s throne. The allied army defeated Kuang Fu, who fled to Zheng State and was killed there, while Lü Xiao Bai’s prestige grew and he held his fourth alliance assembly.

• The Marquis of Yan offered to attack Qu State in gratitude for Lü Xiao Bai’s aid, and the Marquises of Han and Xing joined him.
• The four states assembled thirty thousand troops and invaded Qu State, whose Earl agreed to cede two hundred li of land, apologize, and host an alliance assembly.
• Lü Xiao Bai accepted Qu State’s submission and ordered the Earl to prepare an assembly platform outside the capital within three months.
• Prince Fu Yi asked Lü Xiao Bai to help him claim Song State’s throne, and the lords of fifteen states gathered seventy thousand troops to support him.
• The allied army defeated Kuang Fu, who fled to Zheng State, and the Marquis of Zheng had him killed after receiving Prince Fu Yi’s request.
• Lü Xiao Bai’s prestige rose, and he held his fourth alliance assembly in Song State.

Luo Xiu presented opposing theories of human nature and built the Luo Clan Academy into a center for debate, then shared his fears about Luo State’s future with Ji Zhao. After Ji Zhao reassured him that the clan would survive, Luo Xiu devoted himself to writing the Luo Discourses, whose completion earned Ji Zhao a unique Mystic-Tier item.

• Luo Xiu gave Luo Xi essays on innate goodness and innate evil and instructed her to have Academy students debate them and record their arguments.
• Luo Xi displayed both essays at the Academy and offered rewards for persuasive arguments, while Ji Zhao recognized that the debates could seed many schools of thought.
• Ji Zhao summoned Luo Xiu, heard him develop theories of governance, and reassured him that Luo State might fall but the Luo Clan would endure.
• Ji Zhao showed Luo Xiu the clan’s Mandate of Heaven Divine Artifacts and urged him to proceed with Lü Xiao Bai’s plans without fear.
• Luo Xiu handed practical affairs to Luo Xi and spent ten years writing the Luo Discourses, then collapsed after completing the work.
• The system awarded Ji Zhao the unique Mystic-Tier item Wishing for One’s Child to Become a Dragon, and Luo State began making copies of the book.

After Luo Xiu died, Ji Zhao gained the Earth-Tier Divine Item Peach Blossom Spring, while Chu State invaded Chen State and threatened Zheng State. Lü Xiao Bai and Guan Zhong used Luo Xiu’s national mourning as the basis for calling the lords to war against Chu, and Chu’s campaign toward Luoyi faced a gathering alliance.

• Lü Xiao Bai rushed to Luo State with Xi Yi and Guan Zhong, mourned with Luo Xiu, and watched his uncle die after their final conversation.
• Ji Zhao received Peach Blossom Spring, assessed its heavy Fortune Point costs, and put the item away.
• Xiong Xiqie’s Chu army captured Chen State’s capital and planned to march through Zheng State toward Luoyi to seize the Nine Tripods.
• The Marquis of Zheng debated surrendering, while Zheng Qing went to Xiong Xiqie’s camp and secured time by offering provisions without granting passage.
• Chen State’s ruler appealed to Lü Xiao Bai for help, and Guan Zhong composed a proclamation calling the lords to prepare for war against Chu State.

Luo Xi’s alliance used Wu State to cut off Chu State’s supplies, and the allied lords defeated Xiong Xiqie’s army at Yanling. Lü Xiao Bai received the rank and privileges of a Regional Earl, but the chapter ended with the deaths of Luo Xi, Xi Yi, Guan Zhong, and Lü Xiao Bai.

• Luo Xi explained to Lü Xiao Bai and Guan Zhong that Wu State would sail upriver to cut Chu State’s supply route while Qi, Song, Wei, and Ying State of Ying attacked.
• Xiong Xiqie defeated the Song army and won several smaller battles before Zhang Qi’s Qi army held him in a prolonged confrontation at Yanling.
• Wu Crown Prince Qing Li led Wu State’s fleet upstream, and Minister Fan explained that Wu State joined the alliance to seize the Jiang-Huai Plain from Chu State.
• Wu State’s army destroyed Chu State’s grain convoys, prompting the allies to attack; Xiong Xiqie discovered the severed supply route and was defeated as his Han-Yang troops surrendered.
• The Son of Heaven of Zhou granted Lü Xiao Bai Regional Earl’s authority and honors at the lords’ assembly at Yanling.
• Luo Xi and Xi Yi died in successive years, and Guan Zhong and Lü Xiao Bai died on the same day in the twentieth year of the Yanling Hegemony.

Luo Yan promised that Luo State would protect Prince Chong'er, but the Marquis of Jin later named the underage Prince Wuzhi as his successor. Prince Wu then challenged Wuzhi's accession and marched on Yi City, where Jin's ministers and officials defeated him and forced him to withdraw.

• The Marquis of Jin asked Luo Yan which of his five princes should succeed him, then entrusted Prince Chong'er to Luo State's protection.
• After Luo Yan left, the Marquis of Jin issued a genuine testamentary decree naming Prince Wuzhi as ruler, and Wuzhi ascended the throne with the ministers' support after the Marquis died.
• Prince Wu raised troops and claimed the decree naming Wuzhi was forged, arguing that Jin's Ducal Clan should choose the next ruler.
• Prince Wu advanced to Yi City with support from the Ducal Clan, but Jin's ministers and officials summoned their own troops and defeated him outside the city.
• Prince Wu withdrew from Yi City and vowed to punish the ministers and officials once he became ruler.

Prince Lin brought Song troops into Jin to challenge Prince Wuzhi’s rule, prompting Luo Yan to warn that Qin might follow and intervene. Luo Ci and Luo Yan devised a plan to recognize Prince Wuzhi as Jin’s legitimate ruler and send Luo and Qi troops into Jin under royal and legal authority.

• Prince Lin asked Song State for an army and sent an envoy to Prince Wu, proposing that they enter Yi City together while sparing Prince Wuzhi.
• Song troops entered Jin through Southern Yan State, provoking Luo Yan’s concern that Prince Yin would invite Qin troops into Jin as well.
• Luo Yan urged Luo Ci to intervene in Jin’s succession struggle before Qin could seize the Xiao-Hangu corridor.
• Luo Ci rejected a covert plan to kill Prince Wuzhi, explaining that his lawful accession and ministerial support made such a move dangerous.
• Luo Yan proposed abandoning support for Prince Chong’er and recognizing Prince Wuzhi, whose testament gave him the stronger claim to Jin’s throne.
• Luo Ci approved the plan to seek a royal edict investing Prince Wuzhi and have him invite Luo and Qi armies into Jin.

Prince Wuzhi’s rule collapsed after his ministers killed Prince Yin, and Prince Chong’er seized the throne with support from Luo State and Qi State. Jin State’s succession crisis ended, but Qin and Chu drew closer against the Qi-Jin alliance, dividing All Xia into rival military blocs.

• Prince Chong’er acknowledged Prince Wuzhi as Marquis of Jin, while Yan Gui and Jin’s ministers decided to kill Prince Yin to prevent him from bringing Qin State’s army into Jin State.
• Prince Yin escaped his attackers but was cornered beneath Hangu Pass and killed; when his salted head was shown in Yi City, Prince Wuzhi fainted and developed a fatal fever.
• After Prince Wuzhi died, Prince Wu and Prince Lin accused Prince Chong’er of regicide and joined forces against him, but Luo Yan brought Qi and Luo armies to rescue Chong’er.
• Prince Chong’er defeated Prince Wu, had him killed, and took the throne as Marquis of Jin; Prince Lin fled to Song State, where the Duke of Song killed him after receiving Chong’er’s threatening letter.
• The Five Princes’ turmoil ended as Jin and Qi formed an alliance, while Qin and Chu drew closer and two rival military blocs began a long struggle.

After Xuan Mi married the Count of Qin, she introduced Yi Li, whose counsel persuaded Qin to strengthen its western frontier and wait for Jin, Qi, and Luo to weaken before advancing east. Yi Li became Qin’s Senior Grand Steward, and the Count of Qin pledged lasting marriage ties with Chu.

• Luo Yan reflected on Qi State’s decline after returning from the oath sworn with Chong'er and the Duke of Qi.
• King of Chu sent Xuan Mi to marry the Count of Qin, and she promised to foster friendly relations between Chu and Qin.
• After the marriage, Xuan Mi introduced Yi Li to the Count of Qin, who recognized the name from Qi Lin’s praise of his abilities.
• Yi Li argued that Luo State had engineered Prince Yin’s death to block Qin’s eastward ambitions and advised Qin to focus on the Western Rong and build its strength.
• The Count of Qin appointed Yi Li Senior Grand Steward and pledged to bind Qin and Chu in lasting marriage ties.