Chapter Summaries

The Exorcising the Dragon Army and Xue Changxiong’s government forces met in a massive battle, with Zhang Xing and Xue Changxiong’s True Qi formations clashing as the armies engaged across the front. As the rebels gained ground, Zhang Xing prepared to have all four Core Formation experts attack together in the next exchange.

• Xue Changxiong ordered his troops to advance, while Murong Zhengyan warned his followers that they could not rely on their hastily built camp if they were defeated.
• Bai Yousi struck at Xue Changxiong’s command banner, then escaped as he formed a golden saber and rallied the government army’s cultivators.
• Zhang Xing and Xue Changxiong’s True Qi formations collided, and the two armies launched into battle across the front.
• Zhang Xing rejected Chen Bin’s proposal to target Wang Yu immediately and called for several more exchanges with Xue Changxiong before attacking the government army’s main forces.
• Wang Fubei refused Murong Zhengyan’s invitation to return to the government side, while Dan Tonghai arrived to reinforce the rebels and the fighting continued.
• After the rebels’ battalions advanced without breaking, Zhang Xing proposed that all four Core Formation experts attack together in the next clash.

The Exorcising the Dragon Army collapsed one of Xue Changxiong’s earthen hills with a tunnel and used the ensuing panic to counterattack, while Zhang Xing learned that Niu Da had lost Chanyuan City. As both armies prepared for further fighting, Xue Changxiong ordered reinforcements toward the eastern coast after hearing that rebels might have landed there, and another night battle began.

• After a government assault began near a burning rebel camp, Chen Bin discovered that the rebels had undermined the western hill, which then collapsed and triggered a broad Exorcising the Dragon Army counterattack.
• Xue Changxiong led the generals into battle, rescued Xue Wancheng, and fought the rebels for over an hour before both sides withdrew to reorganize.
• At a war council, Zhang Xing approved attacks on the government camp and hills, then learned that Qutu Da had defeated Niu Da’s force and captured Chanyuan City.
• Xue Changxiong’s officers decided to retain the hills and reinforce them with planks, so Xue Changxiong proposed taking roof beams from nearby cities despite Qian Tang’s protest.
• Chen Bin told Xue Changxiong that Prefect Zhou had reported rebels along the Bohai coast, and Xue Changxiong ordered troops to guard the eastern approaches and threatened Zhou if he had shirked his duties.
• The Exorcising the Dragon Army raided the government camp again, beginning another chaotic night battle as Chen Bin left Xue Changxiong’s command tent.

The Exorcising the Dragon Army routed Xue Changxiong’s government forces, then exploited the chaos to overrun their camps and capture or scatter their commanders. As Zhang Xing’s forces pressed forward, Feng Duan surrendered, while Xue Changxiong prepared to cover his sons’ escape north.

• Murong Zhengyan’s defeat and the collapse of Wang Yu’s and Feng Duan’s wings shattered the government army’s formation, and Xue Changxiong ordered a retreat while struggling to steady his troops.
• Zhang Xing rejected Bai Yousi’s proposal to stop Xue Changxiong from escaping, following Qian Tang’s advice to let the weakened Grandmaster continue guarding the northern commanderies.
• Liu Heigun killed Deputy Magistrate Liu, rallied laborers to block fleeing government troops, and set fires that spread panic through the camps.
• Zhang Xing ordered his officers to target enemy commanders; Wu Jingfeng and the others forced Dou Pi to flee, and Feng Duan surrendered in exchange for his troops’ pardon.
• Xue Changxiong ordered his sixth and seventh sons to gather troops and escape north across the Horse-Face River while he stayed behind to cover their retreat.

The government army’s attack on the Exorcising the Dragon rebels turned into a disastrous retreat after a tunneled earthen hill collapsed and the rebels counterattacked. As both sides prepared for more night fighting, Zhang Xing learned that Niu Da had lost Chanyuan City, while Xue Changxiong faced growing divisions and a new threat from the coast.

• Xue Changxiong ordered an assault on the rebels’ central camp after fire broke out in their westernmost camp, but Chen Bin discovered the government army’s western earthen hill had been undermined by a tunnel.
• The hill collapsed, and the Exorcising the Dragon rebels launched a sweeping counterattack that forced Xue Changxiong to rescue Xue Wancheng and helped shatter the government troops’ morale.
• Zhang Xing assigned several battalions to raid the government camp and attack the hills, then learned from Yan Qing and Wang Xiongdan that Qutu Da had defeated Niu Da and taken Chanyuan City.
• Xue Changxiong’s commanders debated how to repair and defend the hills, and he ordered timber taken from government buildings in nearby cities before the rebels began another night attack.
• Xue Changxiong accused several officers of withholding effort and information, then ordered reinforcements toward Yangxin after learning that rebels might be approaching by sea from Dengzhou.

After Qutu Da captured Chanyuan, Cao Shancheng persuaded Xue Changxiong to launch a secret flanking attack disguised as Qutu Da’s army, and Xue arranged the force and its commanders. The chapter left Luo Shu and Li Li’s Youzhou cavalry ambushed at Yangxin by Exorcising the Dragon forces and reinforcements from Dengzhou.

• After news arrived that Qutu Da had taken Chanyuan and Niu Da had fled west, Xue Changxiong heard Cao Shancheng’s proposal to attack the rebels’ flank through Bean Ridge under Qutu Da’s banners.
• Xue Changxiong, Chen Bin, and Cao Shancheng agreed on a secret detachment led by Xue Wanbi and Gao Zhan, with Cao Shancheng guiding the troops; Xue ordered the plan concealed until the force crossed Horse-Face River.
• Xue Changxiong ordered troop rotations and sent Cao Shancheng with Qinghe and Pingyuan Commandery Troops to transport large timbers, while Xue Wanbi and other generals went to relieve garrisons.
• Chen Bin received a letter from Prefect Zhou of Bohai admitting he had been afraid to fight and claiming he was now on his way to the front.
• Luo Shu and Li Li arrived at Yangxin with eight thousand Youzhou cavalry, but Wang Zhen and the Third Lady of the Bai Clan attacked them from the city walls as concealed soldiers and reinforcements from Dengzhou emerged.

Xue Changxiong mobilized a massive army to exploit the coming ice-flood season and attack the Exorcising the Dragon rebels, while Feng Wuyi left Hejian disillusioned and Xie Minghe failed to recruit Chen Bin. As Xue’s forces advanced, Zhang Xing ordered his troops to abandon the foremost walled fortresses and withdraw.

• Chen Bin explained to Feng Wuyi that the approaching river ice flood created a brief opportunity to cut the rebels off from support across the Great River, while the march would delay spring planting and deepen local resentment.
• Feng Wuyi urged Xue Changxiong to enforce military discipline, but Xue rejected his criticism, and Chen Bin later confronted Feng with the divide between Guanlong rulers and the people of Hebei.
• Feng Wuyi departed for Xindu after realizing he had no place as a bridge between Xue’s army and local officials.
• Xie Minghe visited Chen Bin and invited him to join Zhang Xing, but Chen refused and said he would remain in Hebei to watch Cao Wei defeat itself.
• Xue Changxiong marched fifty thousand elite troops and a hundred thousand auxiliaries toward the rebels, summoned reinforcements, and vowed to defeat them.
• Zhang Xing ordered his forces to abandon the foremost walled fortresses and withdraw from the advancing army.

After the Exorcising the Dragon Army withdrew south, Zhang Xing reorganized its forces and arranged relief and spring-plowing efforts for Hebei. Su Jingfang carried Zhang Xing’s messages to the western commanderies, whose leaders confronted their defeat and the growing threat he posed.

• The Exorcising the Dragon Army left support forces in Changhe, reclaimed fortified settlements, and offered villagers coins and tools while withholding grain.
• In Jiangling, Zhang Xing issued appointments and orders for military detachments, battlefield reviews, army reforms, and spring plowing, signing the documents as Zhang San, Left Wing Great Dragon Head and commander-in-chief in Hebei.
• Zhang Xing asked Cao Xi to oversee preparations in Changhe, questioned Su Jingfang about his capture, and sent him west with requests for grain relief and information about Niu Da and the Chanyuan prisoners.
• Zhang Xing released Lord Zhang Shen and the wounded young general Luo Xin, then returned to digging roots for firewood.
• Su Jingfang reported the defeat at Horse-Face River to western Hebei’s officials and explained that the Hejian Grand Camp had split its forces because it feared Qutu Da’s army would not come to its aid.
• After Su Jingfang relayed Zhang Xing’s requests for a prisoner exchange and grain relief, Yuan Baocun denounced the leaders’ misjudgment of Zhang Xing and left the command tent.

Township Head Han and Squad Leader Zhao announced the Exorcising the Dragon Army’s plans to provide seed and farm tools and restore peaceful farming in Twin Yellow Hamlet. Hamlet Head Huang postponed a planned attack to see whether the promises were real, and Squad Leader Zhao left him a grain voucher as the soldiers departed.

• Township Head Han proclaimed that villagers could exchange copper coins for seed and ironware for farm tools, while Squad Leader Zhao invited Hamlet Head Huang to seek him out in the county town.
• Over dinner, Hamlet Head Huang and Township Head Han discussed the ruined state of Hebei, and Squad Leader Zhao explained how the Exorcising the Dragon Army planned to distribute land, seed, and tools.
• Hamlet Head Huang gathered armed men beneath the village tree and called off their planned attack, choosing to wait and see whether the army would keep its promises.
• The next day, Squad Leader Zhao gave Hamlet Head Huang a grain voucher to repay the cost of their lodging, then left with Township Head Han and the other soldiers.

Village Head Huang traveled to the county town for seed and was summoned by Zhang Xing, who questioned him about local resistance and appointing officials away from home. Zhang Xing drafted a governing program and left the County Office, where his associates found the papers and wondered whether he was chosen by Heaven.

• Village Head Huang reached the county town after the seed had run out, exchanged his grain voucher for rice, and waited for another delivery.
• Staff Officer Zhao told Village Head Huang that Zhang Xing wanted to meet him, then escorted him to the County Office.
• Zhang Xing questioned Village Head Huang about local opposition and whether local householders or newly appointed officials would serve in distant commanderies.
• After Village Head Huang declined a post in the Eastern Territories, Zhang Xing signed new regulations and drafted notes for a governing program.
• Zhang Xing left to watch the smiths, and Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan, Xu Shiying, Qian Tang, and Dou Lide found his drafts; Chen Bin wondered if Zhang Xing was chosen by Heaven.

Zhang Xing explained how the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s past actions could be organized into a government program, but said it would not be issued until the gang secured more territory and support. He then handled military and political matters, including Lu City, Dou Lide’s wife’s possible promotion, Great Dragonhead Niu’s capture, deserters, and an urgent seed shortage.

• Wei Xuanding and Xie Minghe found historical precedents for Zhang Xing’s draft, and Zhang Xing explained that the gang should organize its existing policies into written principles.
• Zhang Xing said the program would be issued only after the gang took Qinghe and Wuyang, secured the Zhang River line, and consulted with the Eastern Territories and Jianghuai.
• Zhang Xing ordered Dan Tonghai not to attack Lu City, while allowing him to use other means to infiltrate it, and Dan Tonghai argued that Dou Lide’s wife deserved promotion for her work.
• Wei Xuanding and Xu Shiying reported that Great Dragonhead Niu had survived his defeat but was seriously injured and held by Zhang Changfeng of the Black Mountain Righteous Army.
• Zhang Xing directed Xiong Bonan and Xu Shiying to address concerns about deserters and secure seed supplies, and sent Wei Xuanding to arrange further assistance from Jibei.

After hearing concerns about growing divisions between Hebei and the Eastern Territories, Zhang Xing calmed himself by discussing his suspicions and his own shortcomings with Yan Qing. Meanwhile, Xu Shiying and Xiong Bonan crossed back toward the Eastern Territories, reaffirmed their commitment to Zhang Xing, and reflected on how their alliance had formed.

• At dinner in Jiangling, Xie Minghe argued that the Eastern Territories’ grumbling was manageable, while Chen Bin explained that Zhang Xing’s rapid victory had caught people off guard and encouraged petty bargaining.
• Zhang Xing told Yan Qing he distrusted Fu Boshi, Cheng Zhili, Wei Xuanding, and Jia Yue for different reasons, but said he would not punish anyone without evidence or proper process.
• Zhang Xing admitted that his power had made him suspicious and anxious, and Yan Qing warned him about Dou Lide’s influence over the Hebei faction and Chen Bin’s treatment of surrendered generals.
• After Yan Qing left, Zhang Xing felt relieved and went to sleep, while Wei Xuanding, Xiong Bonan, and Xu Shiying returned to their duties.
• On the riverbank near Sikou Pass, Xu Shiying described the Eastern Territories’ reluctance to send resources to Hebei, and Xiong Bonan urged him to stay with Zhang Xing and pursue their shared undertaking.
• Xiong Bonan and Xu Shiying crossed the river together after reflecting on how their alliance had formed and on their desire to be remembered as one band.

Xiong Bonan visited Li Shu in Jiyin, where Li Shu raised the Eastern Territories’ demands and proposed separate north and south administrations. Xiong rejected a split, while Zhang Shizhao warned Li Shu that Zhang Xing’s fortunes could change when he confronted Guanlong; Xiong later learned Xu Shiying had given Qin Bao five days to try to rescue Niu Da.

• Xiong Bonan met Li Shu and the other Jiyin leaders, then heard their concerns about appointments, supplies, and reinforcements for Huaixi.
• Li Shu proposed that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang establish separate administrations for the north and south, but Xiong supported a Henan administration only under the gang’s unified rules and Zhang Xing’s leadership.
• After Xiong left, Li Shu asked Zhang Shizhao whether he could retain power, and Zhang explained that Zhang Xing’s successes depended on the rising anti-Wei tide while predicting a likely defeat in his next major battle.
• Zhang Shizhao described how Zhang Xing could avoid a premature clash with Guanlong, but warned that his stubbornness might prevent him from following that cautious course.
• Xiong returned to Eastern Commandery and learned Xu Shiying had told Qin Bao where Niu Da was, giving him five days to attempt a rescue before Xiong intervened.

Xiong Bonan traveled through Ji Commandery and the Black Mountains, where he found Li Qingchen and Qin Bao confronting Zhang Changfeng over a captured prisoner. After Qin Bao defeated Zhang Changfeng and seized the pass, Xiong Bonan revealed that he had already rescued Niu Da and left the others to face the consequences.

• Xiong Bonan saw the vast Liyang Granary and reflected on how the Eastern Capital hoarded supplies taken from starving people in Hebei.
• Xiong Bonan followed the Qi River into the Black Mountains and found Li Qingchen's government troops facing Zhang Changfeng's Black Mountain Army.
• Li Qingchen and Qin Bao devised a plan to draw Zhang Changfeng away from the narrow pass, then have Qin Bao seize it from upstream.
• Zhang Changfeng pursued Li Qingchen's retreating troops, but Qin Bao charged the pass with his Dragon Colt and scattered the Black Mountain soldiers.
• Qin Bao defeated Zhang Changfeng and broke both his legs, while Xiong Bonan announced that he had rescued Niu Da and criticized Zhang Changfeng's brother for serving the Eastern Capital.
• Qin Bao killed Zhang Changfeng after Xiong Bonan departed into the mountains.

Zhang Xing dealt with Niu Da’s injuries and the Western Front’s military and political plans, then discussed the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s internal divisions with Xiong Bonan. Back in Jiangling, he learned that visitors from the Northern Lands had arrived and asked to meet him.

• Zhang Xing examined Niu Da’s injuries, learned how the loss of Chanyuan City had left him wounded, and ordered Zhang Changfeng’s corpse exchanged for the governor of Bohai.
• Zhang Xing assigned Niu Da returned soldiers to command and discussed military reorganization, supplies, and a possible three-year agreement with Yuan Baocun.
• Xiong Bonan told Zhang Xing he suspected Xu Shiying had acted selfishly against Niu Da, and Zhang Xing explained why reforming the Eastern Territories would have to wait.
• Zhang Xing explained how conflicts within the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had shifted over time and why addressing their roots risked internal strife.
• After returning to Jiangling, Zhang Xing received word from Dan Tonghai that visitors from the Northern Lands had arrived in Bohai Commandery and wanted to meet him.

Zhang Xing received envoys from the Qinghe Cui and Fang Clans and the Northern Lands, agreeing to an alliance with the White Wolf Guard while refusing to grant the aristocratic clans special privileges. The chapter left Cui Suchen judging that Zhang might yet bring peace to the realm.

• Zhang Xing questioned Cui Suchen about the Qinghe clans’ views of the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, the Court, and Cao Shancheng, but Jia Runshi interrupted to announce the arrival of northern envoys.
• Hei Yan tested Zhang Xing’s True Qi, told him about his uncle Huang Ping, and proposed an alliance between the White Wolf Guard and Zhang Xing’s forces, which Zhang accepted.
• Zhang Xing offered the Cui Clan a written guarantee of safety only if they disclosed their properties, dependents, lands, and members’ cultivation, and he said the Fang Clan would face the same terms.
• After Zhang Xing’s meeting, Chen Bin and Xie Minghe visited the Qinghe guests, where Cui Suchen said Zhang’s actions suggested he might bring peace to the realm.

Zhang Xing discussed the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s governing principles while plowing, then let Cui Suchen leave with a draft of his policies. As Cui Suchen weighed whether his clan should cooperate, Li Ding reflected on his growing rivalry with Zhang Xing.

• Zhang Xing and Chen Bin outpaced the other volunteers while plowing, and Zhang Xing explained his views on education, social order, and distributing public benefits.
• Hei Yan and Cui Suchen left Jiangling City, and Xie Minghe gave Cui Suchen a draft of Zhang Xing’s governing policies.
• Cui Suchen read the draft and told Cui Tang that Zhang Xing was ambitious and far-reaching, advising the clan to hand over its register without deliberately entering the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s service.
• Li Ding told Zhang Shiniang that he had not wanted to join forces with Zhang Xing because their approaches differed, and he explained that Bai Sanniang was observing Zhang Xing rather than following him.
• Zhang Shiniang teased Li Ding about her devotion and urged him to eat, leaving him embarrassed.

Xu Shiren’s show of force and the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s notices intensified pressure on Qinghe Governor Cao Shancheng, whose troops and allies began to waver. After Cui Twenty-Six reported that Cao’s scouts had attacked him, Zhang Xing denied the gang was responsible and insisted it did not want to disrupt spring plowing.

• Xu Shiren’s cavalry posted four notices outside Liting, and Xu demonstrated his power by firing an arrow into the gate’s inscribed stone before riding away.
• Han Erlang read the gang’s notices, including a demand that he surrender Liting, and sent Zhang Laowu to deliver that notice to Cao Shancheng.
• Cao Shancheng ordered Han Erlang to hold the city, while Commandery Assistant Sun warned him that local troops were questioning whom they were defending and that the Cui Clan was wavering.
• Cui Twenty-Six told Cui Suchen and Xie Minghe that Cao’s scouts had attacked him and Cui Twenty-Seven near Liting, and Xie Minghe took them to see Zhang Xing.
• Zhang Xing denied that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had attacked the Cui cousins and said the gang did not want to interfere with spring plowing.

Zhang Xing discussed unrest in the Eastern Territories and his concerns about several subordinates, then reflected on his own failings and resolved to handle problems patiently. Meanwhile, Xu Shiying and Xiong Bonan crossed the river toward the Eastern Territories, reaffirming their commitment to Zhang Xing and their shared cause.

• Xie Minghe argued that the Eastern Territories’ unrest was expected after the rapid victory and advised Zhang Xing to address each issue on its merits.
• Chen Bin explained that some leaders were resisting Zhang Xing or bargaining for advantage because events had moved too quickly, and urged him to reassure allies and establish an example.
• Yan Qing visited Zhang Xing privately, and Zhang Xing named Fu Boshi, Cheng Zhili, Wei Xuanding, Jia Yue, and Yan Qing among those whose conduct concerned him, while acknowledging his own suspicion and impatience.
• Yan Qing warned Zhang Xing that Dou Lide was consolidating the Hebei leaders around himself and that Chen Bin had alienated surrendered commanders by turning against them after his appointment.
• Xu Shiying told Xiong Bonan that the Eastern Territories’ people resisted sending resources to Hebei, but agreed that difficulties did not excuse abandoning the cause.
• While waiting for a boat at Sikou Pass, Xiong Bonan described his hope that people from the south and north would unite, accomplish something together, and be remembered as one group.

Madam Dou helped resolve land disputes and put unused fields back into cultivation as spring planting advanced. Cui Erlang then crossed into Qinghe and tried to secure the safety of his clan by persuading local commanders to defect, leaving Commandery Assistant Sun with evidence of an ambush and a choice about how to respond.

• Madam Dou arranged one-year leases for idle farmland so neighboring households could plant it, with demobilized Exorcising the Dragon Army soldiers helping draw up contracts.
• Cui Erlang saw that Pingyuan’s fields were planted more extensively than Qinghe’s as he rode across the commandery border.
• After a Qinghe patrol escorted him to Zhangnan, Cui Erlang confronted Shi Huaiming about the ambush on two Cui clansmen and argued that Qinghe could not withstand the Exorcising the Dragon Army.
• Cui Erlang persuaded Shi Huaiming to sign a pledge of allegiance, warning that refusing would leave him exposed to blame for the ambush and the coming conflict.
• Cui Erlang brought Shi Huaiming’s signed pledge and evidence of the ambush to Commandery Assistant Sun, who listened to his explanation without revealing what he would do.

Zhang Xing received Qinghe Cui and Fang clan representatives and a delegation from the Northern Lands, negotiating an alliance with the White Wolf Guard while demanding the clans accept his rules. The chapter ended with Cui Suchen concluding that Zhang Xing might be the only person capable of bringing peace to the realm.

• Zhang Xing questioned Cui Suchen about the Qinghe clans’ views of the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, the Court, and Cao Shancheng, but the Cui and Fang representatives remained cautious and sought protection for their households.
• Hei Yan arrived with Northern Lands visitors, tested Zhang Xing’s cultivation through a contest of Ice True Qi, and told him that Huang Ping was his uncle and a respected steward of the Iron Mountain Guard.
• Hei Yan revealed that Lord Black Emperor had selected Zhang Xing as a contender for the dragon throne, then proposed an alliance based on trade, messages, and possible military support; Zhang Xing agreed to prepare documents and announce it publicly.
• Zhang Xing offered the Cui and Fang clans written protection only if they disclosed their estates, dependents, land, and cultivators, while warning that his gang would still enforce its land and slavery policies.
• After the meeting, Chen Bin and Xie Minghe visited the Cui representatives, where Cui Suchen praised Zhang Xing’s efforts and declared that the man who brought peace to the realm might be no one but him.