Chapter Summaries

The Exorcising the Dragon Gang held an assembly where Zhang Xing became Chief and reorganized the gang’s leadership and command. After the members approved an immediate march on Xuzhou, Zhang Xing praised the gang’s unity and ordered everyone to prepare for the expedition.

• Yan Qing read the personnel reforms, and the assembly approved the new ranks and the dissolution of the Left and Right Wings.
• Zhang Xing was elected Chief; Xu Shiying was demoted and transferred, while Li Wenbo was stripped of his standing and marked for capture.
• The assembly abolished the Huaiyou Alliance, promoted new Chiefs and Great Chiefs, and approved military and civil commands across the Eastern Territories, Hebei, Huaixi, and Dengzhou.
• The Chiefs approved Zhang Xing’s proposal to concentrate more than thirty battalions and march on Xuzhou in retaliation for the Langya-Linyi Rebellion.
• With no further motions proposed, Zhang Xing addressed the assembly, praised the gang’s unity and growth, and told everyone to disperse and await military orders.

Zhang Xing settled on a campaign against Xuzhou that aimed to reclaim Linyi quickly while avoiding a drawn-out war, and he began arranging troops and supplies. He recruited Reckless Vajra and the other Vajras for a detached force, leaving the battle plan ready to proceed.

• Zhang Xing and his allies weighed the risks of war, including drought relief, Sima Zheng’s possible Grandmaster strength, and the danger of a prolonged conflict.
• Zhang Xing ordered a main advance from Jiyin toward Pengcheng and proposed sending a concealed force from Lu Commandery to surprise Linyi, with Xu Shiren in command.
• Zhang Xing assigned Xiong Bonan, Li Shu, Wei Xuanding, Wang Zhuo, and others to coordinate troop movements, local authorities, supplies, and reinforcements from Huaixi.
• Zhang Xing asked Reckless Vajra to gather the thirteen Vajras and support the campaign, and Reckless Vajra agreed to use a jade token to summon his brothers.
• Zhang Xing assigned the Vajras to accompany the detached force and promised to discuss Reckless Vajra’s desired exchange of the Ruyang administrator’s post with Wu Dalang.

Zhang Xing led the Exorcising the Dragon Gang into Xuzhou despite brutal heat, supply problems, and uncertain enemy strength, taking Fangyu, Feng, and Pei Counties as Sima Zheng withdrew. After the two commanders met in the He River and rejected each other’s terms, both armies gathered near Xuzhou, where a prolonged standoff seemed imminent.

• Zhang Xing assessed the heat-stricken army at Jinxiang and ordered it to advance once sufficient infantry and cavalry arrived, while arranging measures to keep the troops and horses healthy.
• Zhang Xing’s force entered Fangyu County after its garrison withdrew, and Dan Tonghai’s western force took Feng County without a fight; Zhang Xing concluded that Sima Zheng had been forced to react without preparation.
• Zhang Xing met Sima Zheng in the He River, refused to withdraw from Xuzhou, and rejected a proposed agreement on military conduct while declaring that Xuzhou belonged to its people.
• The Exorcising the Dragon Gang took Pei County after its defenders and officials withdrew, but Dan Tonghai’s assault on Xiao County went poorly as Xuzhou Garrison forces converged and both sides amassed troops near the Bian and He Rivers.

Zhang Xing visited Li Shu in Jiyin and recalled the losses and bonds that had shaped them, then announced he would use the gang’s rules to remove Li Shu and Duke Wei from their positions and become its sole chief. Li Shu recognized he could not resist and was promised a new appointment after Zhang Xing’s elevation, leaving their political struggle headed toward a formal resolution.

• Li Shu agreed with his supporters to welcome Zhang Xing, deciding that he had to preserve his faction and accept Zhang Xing’s proposal for the moment.
• Zhang Xing and Li Shu warmly greeted each other at Jiyin’s east gate, then entered the city hand in hand while Zhang Xing recounted Song Yi’s death and the losses they had each endured.
• Li Shu described how the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had given him stability and a purpose after his former life collapsed.
• Zhang Xing said he wanted to preserve both the gang and his bond with Li Shu, then announced that he would remove Li Shu as dragonhead and Duke Wei as chief and seek sole leadership under the gang’s original rules.
• Zhang Xing promised to arrange a position for Li Shu after becoming chief, ordered Xie Minghe to publicize his decision, and pulled Li Shu onward through the city.

Zhang Xing launched a coordinated night attack on the Wei camp, while Zhao Xingmi tried to hold the defenders together. As Dan Tonghai broke into the Northern Camp and Zhao Xingmi fought Wu Erlang, several Wei commanders abandoned their posts and fled east with soldiers following them.

• Zhang Xing assigned Dan Tonghai's force to lead the assault, positioned cavalry to support the encirclement, and ordered reinforcements from nearby counties to gather at Liu County.
• Dan Tonghai began the attack before dawn, and Zhao Xingmi ordered the camps to hold their positions while he went to support the perimeter.
• Wu Erlang engaged Zhao Xingmi, while Yuan Lizheng and Zhang Qianda realized the rebel commanders had gathered and feared the Wei force would be defeated.
• Yuan Lizheng and Zhang Qianda found Sima Shida and Niu Fangsheng, persuaded them to authorize a retreat, and led their guards east toward Pengcheng.
• Soldiers from the eastern camp began following the fleeing commanders as Dan Tonghai broke into the Northern Camp and Zhang Xing awaited news of Sima Zheng's reinforcements.

The Exorcising the Dragon Army exploited the government army’s collapse to pursue it toward Xiao County, while Zhang Xing tried to balance the assault with caution and discipline. As Sima Zheng attacked the Exorcising the Dragon Army’s main camp at Liu County, Zhang Xing ordered his forces to seize Xiao County and drive the government army out of Xuzhou.

• The government army routed at daybreak, and Zhang Xing ordered a limited pursuit and an assault on Xiao County while holding back part of his force.
• Zhang Xing ordered the army to rescue surviving government soldiers in the Bian River and punish prisoners according to rules rather than allow indiscriminate killing.
• Fan Chao wanted to abandon Xiao County, but Wei Zhongze threatened to report him; after Fan Chao refused to flee, the town rejected a surrender demand and fighting began.
• Sima Zheng learned of the rout, sent support toward Xiao County, and led the main army to attack the Exorcising the Dragon Army’s camp at Liu County.
• Zhang Xing ordered a full assault on Xiao County, then sent the entire army forward after Xu Shiying reported that the western wall had fallen but the town’s inner defenses still held.

Sima Zheng’s government army attacked the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s main camp while Zhang Xing coordinated reinforcements and tried to limit losses. After Xiong Bonan’s purple flag halted Sima Zheng’s assault, Zhang Xing revealed that another force had already struck Jiangdu, leaving Sima Zheng’s army trapped in a worsening strategic position.

• Sima Zheng ordered his reinforcements to besiege the main camp while Zhang Xing directed Xu Shiying to clear Xiao County quickly and send troops to support the battle.
• Xu Shiying proposed sealing off Cangcheng and Gangxu so the rest of the army could march out, and Zhang Xing ordered captured soldiers stripped, executed, and driven toward those towns.
• Sima Zheng learned Niu Da had attacked Liu County and that Wang Zhuo’s Palace Eunuchs Army was approaching, but he chose to continue the siege and sent Chen Yonglüe to intercept Wang Zhuo.
• Xiong Bonan raised a vast purple true-qi flag to shield the main camp, and Sima Zheng charged in with his golden-armored manifestation before both men withdrew when fighting flared to the west.
• Zhang Xing arrived with reinforcements and met Sima Zheng, who revealed that he had defeated a detachment at Peiwei Mountain; Zhang Xing then disclosed that Du Pozhen’s force and a Grandmaster had gone downstream to attack Jiangdu.
• Sima Zheng turned back toward his army after Zhang Xing warned him not to leave, and he later learned that his third uncle had fled to the mouth of the Sishui.

Du Pozhen’s Huaixi forces captured Zhao Guang when the Thirteen Vajras trapped him in their formation. Xie Minghe took Zhao Guang’s token to Jiangdu and approached Vice Minister Wang Daiji as an intermediary, seeking his help with a deal that could settle the conflict in Xuzhou.

• Du Pozhen and Li Zida surveyed Hongze Marsh and confirmed it offered a possible retreat route through Zhongli Commandery.
• Du Pozhen learned that Zhao Guang, a Core Formation general of the First Guard, had arrived at Shanyang, and the commanders planned to lure him into an ambush.
• When Zhao Guang crossed the canal and pursued Xie Minghe, the Thirteen Vajras trapped him in their River-Cutting True Qi formation, knocked him down, and captured him.
• Xie Minghe took Zhao Guang’s Military Command Token and Long Sash and left for Jiangdu, believing the capture would let the Exorcising the Dragon Gang negotiate over the situation in Xuzhou.
• Xie Minghe met Vice Minister Wang Daiji and said an old acquaintance wanted his help, offering him a chance to escape the Sea of Bitterness; Wang invited him inside to talk.

Xie Minghe explained Zhang Xing’s proposed bargain to Wang Daiji: the Exorcising the Dragon Gang would withdraw from Xuzhou in exchange for the return of Linyi, Li Wenbo’s head, and supplies, with Wang acting as broker to the Sima Clan. After verifying that the Court had concealed the Shanyang crisis, Wang went to meet Sima Huada, who immediately begged him for help.

• Xie Minghe told Wang Daiji that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had captured Zhao Guang and proposed a deal with the Sima Clan to withdraw from Xuzhou.
• Wang Daiji learned that the Sage’s planned Danyang Palace had alienated Jiangdong’s clans and weakened Chancellor Yu’s position.
• Xie Minghe explained that the bargain could ease Sima Huada’s predicament, delay a conflict with the Sage, and give the Exorcising the Dragon Gang time.
• Wang Daiji left to verify Xie Minghe’s claims, confirming that the Sage and the Court’s officials knew little about Shanyang while Sima Huada had sent a messenger to Zhao Guang.
• Sima Huada invited Wang Daiji to his residence, then clasped his hands and tearfully asked him to help.

Zhang Xing placed Xu Shiying under his watch and began auditing Eastern Commandery, making local leaders fear a purge. Li Shu considered intervening, while Zhang Shizhao warned him that Xu Shiying was likely working with Zhang Xing; Wang Shuyong then arrived in Weinan to offer Zhang Xing his help.

• At a corridor meal, Zhang Xing declared that someone’s conduct was unacceptable and ordered Xu Shiying to accompany him without acting independently or leaving.
• Zhang Xing led a small party into Eastern Commandery and audited Puyang’s spring taxes, then continued toward Xu Shiying’s home base in Weinan.
• Li Shu tried to leave Jiyin, but Zhang Shizhao warned him that Xu Shiying was likely cooperating with Zhang Xing and advised him to go to Weinan and help suppress Xu.
• Zhang Shizhao told Li Shu that he had neglected to build support among Jiyin’s people, troops, scholars, and officials.
• Wang Shuyong visited Zhang Xing in Weinan and offered to prevent Xu Shiying from causing trouble, while Xu Shiying cultivated his Longevity True Qi nearby.

Zhang Xing confronted Xu Shiying about his corruption and distrust of the gang’s principles, then learned Xu had concealed three thousand private troops. He planned to punish Xu while weighing a broader reorganization of the gang and its commanders.

• Zhang Xing told Fifth Wang Lang that Xu Shiying had withheld taxes, maintained private troops, and exploited his authority, and explained that Xu would be demoted and sent to Hebei while Dan Tonghai took over Eastern Commandery.
• Wang Shuyong warned Zhang Xing that the Zhai Qian brothers and Huang Junhan’s faction might resist the inspection, but Zhang Xing said he would deal with them only if necessary.
• Xu Shiying told Zhang Xing that he trusted ruthless rulers more than open and upright principles, and Zhang Xing argued that people’s choices and efforts could strengthen the good within them.
• Xie Minghe and Chen Bin informed Zhang Xing that Xu Shiying had concealed three thousand troops across six counties, and Zhang ordered the men sent to Hebei and combined with other forces as the gang reduced its army.
• Zhang Xing rejected calls for inconsistent punishments and proposed giving Li Shu, Du Pozhen, Duke Wei, and others regional commands, while considering changes to the gang’s ranks.

Senior Staff Officer Zhao and Clerk Liu explained that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s drought inspections would prevent local officials from concealing the damage, while Xie Minghe and Chen Bin discussed Chen’s temptation to accept a posting in Jiangnan. The chapter ended with the two men returning to Jiangling City after seeing Clerk Liu spend his reward vouchers on a gold phoenix hairpin.

• Senior Staff Officer Zhao and Clerk Liu told Squad Leader Wang and the soldiers that drought inspections would help ensure fair tax reductions and prevent officials from understating crop losses.
• Xie Minghe and Chen Bin argued over Chief Zhang’s self-criticism, then revealed that Chen was considering a posting in Jiangnan after Chief Zhang had asked his opinion.
• Xie Minghe urged Chen Bin to remain in his current position or seek an assignment in the Northern Lands rather than risk his future in Jiangnan.
• After their subordinates left the tavern, Xie Minghe and Chen Bin watched Clerk Liu exchange reward vouchers for a gold phoenix hairpin and then walked into Jiangling City.

Chen Bin and Xie Minghe investigated Clerk Little Liu’s jewelry purchase, uncovering the gift’s origins and a tavern that passed information to Wuan. Later, Dou Lide discussed the gang’s leaders with Cao Xi and proposed arranging Xiaoniang’s marriage to Xu Shiying or Zhou Xingfan, leaving Cao Xi awake and uneasy.

• Chen Bin told Xie Minghe that the pearl-studded gold phoenix hairpin came through Chief Xu’s family, while a tavern they had visited likely sent public information to Wuan.
• Xie Minghe asked Senior Staff Officer Zhao to collect a bolt of silk and deliver it to Clerk Little Liu as a gift to accompany the hairpin.
• News of Xie Minghe’s thoughtful gift spread through Cangcheng after Ji Third Lady learned why he had requested the silk.
• Dou Lide and Cao Xi discussed the gang’s growing influence, Xu Shiying’s abilities, and Cao Xi’s fear of Chief Zhang’s far-reaching plans.
• Dou Lide proposed finding Xiaoniang a husband, weighing Xu Shiying’s political connections against Zhou Xingfan’s ties to Chief Zhang and other leaders.
• Cao Xi reminded Dou Lide that Xiaoniang could choose for herself, and Dou Lide asked her to send Xiaoniang a letter before going to sleep.

Dou Xiaoniang’s patrol riders crossed into Xiangguo Commandery to assess the drought’s effects, where they encountered Su Jingfang and Fan Lihua. As Xie Minghe persuaded Chen Junxian to surrender his post and Xiangguo to Li Ding, Su Jingfang’s party moved to seize Nanhe, only to find the takeover already being publicly explained as a handover ordered by Zhang Xing.

• Dou Xiaoniang and her patrol riders crossed the Qing Zhang River and found Jingcheng’s crops worse than those in Qinghe, then continued into Julu and discovered Xiangguo’s harvest was worse still.
• Su Jingfang’s Wuan riders met Dou Xiaoniang’s party, and Fan Lihua exchanged greetings with her before both groups continued toward Julu together.
• At Longgang Fort, Xie Minghe persuaded Chen Junxian to issue a self-accusation proclamation and surrender Xiangguo Commandery to Li Ding, framing the handover to damage Li Ding’s ties with the Duke of Ying.
• Su Jingfang used Dou Xiaoniang’s patrol riders as cover while leading Fan Lihua toward Nanhe to seize the city and prevent Chen Junxian from fleeing east.
• At Nanhe’s gate, Su Jingfang and his companions found a crowd listening to a proclamation that announced Chen Junxian’s removal and Li Ding’s takeover, leaving Su Jingfang stunned.

Li Ding took control of Xiangguo Commandery after Xie Minghe explained that Zhang Xing had allowed the expansion, but Zhang Ang of Zhao Commandery then brought Youzhou troops across the border. With Hejian also likely to intervene, Li Ding chose to attack Zhao Commandery before the autumn harvest.

• Li Ding entered Xiangguo Commandery and learned from Xie Minghe that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had deliberately allowed him to take it, while Governor Chen Junxian had already fled to Jingcheng.
• Li Ding agreed that Zhang Xing’s decision reflected his concern for the people facing drought and warfare, and asked to meet him after Xiangguo’s troops were reorganized.
• Governor Zhang of Zhao Commandery brought Youzhou soldiers across the border, prompting Hebei’s powers to recognize that the western alliance had collapsed.
• Li Ding grew angry at the news, while Su Jingfang explained that Hejian Grand Camp might move against Zhao Commandery and that either Hejian or Youzhou could then threaten Li Ding.
• Su Jingfang urged Li Ding to defeat the Youzhou force, take more commanderies, and negotiate with Xue Changxiong from a position of strength.
• Li Ding ordered an attack on Zhao Commandery, saying he wanted to see whether the Exorcising the Dragon Gang would give him that commandery too.

Li Ding led a surprise invasion of Zhao Commandery before the autumn harvest, forcing his Wuan Soldiers through a punishing march to reach Pingji. After Zhang Dunli surrendered the city, Li Ding used his seal to summon Deng Long from Yingtao, leaving the exhausted Wuan army facing the threat of a counterattack.

• Li Ding marched seven thousand troops into Zhao Commandery, captured Baixiang, and left Wang Chen'e to guard the city.
• Li Ding ordered a forced march toward Pingji, and his commanders punished soldiers who deserted or deliberately fell behind.
• Su Jingfang reported that five thousand troops remained after the army crossed the Xiao River and continued north toward Pingji.
• Zhang Dunli mistook Li Ding's approaching army for unruly Youzhou troops until Li Ding demanded his surrender at Pingji's walls.
• Qi Ze opened Pingji's gates, and Zhang Dunli welcomed Li Ding into the city.
• Li Ding used Zhang Dunli's official seal to request that Deng Long bring the Youzhou troops from Yingtao and attack the exhausted Wuan Soldiers.

Li Ding lured Deng Long and his three thousand Youzhou cavalry into Pingji, where Deng surrendered and Li seized their horses and arms. After receiving no replies to his letters, Li accepted Feng Wuyi’s invitation to a meeting near Nangong, where the region’s powers gathered and he met Zhang Xing again.

• Li Ding sent successive letters to Deng Long, then prepared Pingji’s troops and civilians to receive the Youzhou reinforcements.
• Deng Long rode into Pingji with his cavalry, believing Li Ding’s army had retreated, and entered the city despite growing suspicions.
• Li Ding’s troops took control of Pingji’s walls and gates, and Deng Long surrendered after discovering the trap.
• Li Ding sent letters seeking recognition from neighboring powers but received no response, then agreed to Feng Wuyi’s proposal for a meeting to mediate the fighting and protect the harvest.
• Xue Changxiong, Zhang Xing, and Li Ding each traveled with their forces to Nangong, where the four powers gathered and Li Ding saw Zhang Xing again.

Li Ding took control of Xiangguo Commandery after Xie Minghe explained that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had let him have it, then faced a new crisis when Zhang Ang invited Youzhou troops into Zhao Commandery. As Hejian’s forces threatened to join the contest, Li Ding chose to invade Zhao Commandery himself.

• Li Ding marched to Longgang Fort and angrily confronted Xie Minghe, who explained that the Exorcising the Dragon Gang had allowed him to seize Xiangguo Commandery and warned that its support had limits.
• Li Ding accepted control of Xiangguo Commandery and asked Xie Minghe to arrange a meeting with Zhang Xing, but the autumn harvest and the takeover delayed it.
• Zhang Ang brought Youzhou troops into Zhao Commandery, prompting Li Ding’s advisers to warn that Hejian might also intervene and leave Li Ding squeezed between rival forces.
• Su Jingfang urged Li Ding to strike Zhao Commandery before Xue Changxiong sent troops, then use victory and expanded territory to negotiate with Hejian.
• Li Ding ordered an attack on Zhao Commandery and challenged the Exorcising the Dragon Gang to give him that commandery as well.

Zhang Xing tried to persuade Li Ding to join the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, while explaining his fears about power and his hopes for building a just order. After the conference, he secured Luo Shu’s support and returned to Jiangling to find that two new forces had risen under the gang’s banner, prompting a fierce dispute.

• Zhang Xing urged Li Ding to join the Exorcising the Dragon Gang, but Li Ding said he would wait until events in Jiangdu and the Eastern Capital clarified the situation and admitted that he wanted to be emperor.
• Zhang Xing promised the gang could accept Li Ding even if they fought, but warned that repeated tests of their goodwill would leave a lasting barrier between them; Li Ding left and agreed to pass Zhang Xing’s message to Qin Bao.
• At the banquet, Zhang Xing criticized Feng Wuyi’s land holdings and threatened reforms to free slaves and enforce the gang’s laws, while Feng Wuyi agreed to relinquish his excess land and follow the rules.
• Luo Shu asked Zhang Xing to support his bid to take over the Youzhou Army from Li Cheng, and Zhang Xing agreed to provide aid and establish contact between their forces.
• After the party returned to Jiangling, they learned that Li Ding had withdrawn from Zhao Commandery, Wang Chenkuo had reemerged as a Core Formation bandit in Mount Heng, and Langjiang Gao had raised a banner in Dai Commandery.
• Zhang Xing’s followers learned that Wang Chenkuo and Langjiang Gao were both using the Exorcising the Dragon Gang’s banner, and the news sparked a fierce dispute in Jiangling.

Li Ding forced his army into Zhao Commandery and captured Pingji by surprise after a grueling march, leaving Zhang Dunli to surrender rather than face an immediate assault. Once inside, Li Ding sent a forged appeal for help to Deng Long at Yingtao, hoping to draw the Youzhou troops into a trap.

• Li Ding gathered seven thousand troops and marched into Zhao Commandery, taking Baixiang with a small vanguard and leaving Wang Chen'e to secure the city.
• Li Ding ordered a forced march toward Pingji, punishing stragglers and deserters before crossing the Xiao River at night with his remaining troops.
• Su Jingfang reported that five thousand soldiers remained, and Li Ding's army reached Pingji before noon despite exhaustion and a few cases of diarrhea.
• Zhang Dunli mistook Li Ding's approaching army for unruly Youzhou troops, then learned its identity and heard Li Ding threaten to attack unless he surrendered.
• Qi Ze advised Zhang Dunli that Li Ding's orderly army could attack immediately, and Zhang Dunli ordered the gates opened and welcomed Li Ding into Pingji.
• Li Ding used Zhang Dunli's seal and ribbon to send Deng Long a letter requesting that the Youzhou troops attack the exhausted Wuan Soldiers and capture Li Ding.