Chapter Summaries

Lin Yi learned that Guan Yu had attacked Great Ning’s mainland, forcing Li Anlan to focus on defending his coast, while Tuoba Wanli prepared to move supplies and possibly flee. As Lin Yi ordered the Net to track Tuoba Wanli, the governor of Youning Commandery arrived unexpectedly, suggesting a new crisis had emerged.

• Lin Yi read reports that Guan Yu had attacked Hanhai County, disrupting Li Anlan’s plans and drawing Great Ning’s forces to the coastline.
• Wang Yue praised Lin Yi’s strategy, and Lin Yi noted that Gu Yong and Huang Gai would strengthen Guan Yu’s position on Sea Liang Island.
• Lin Yi learned that Tuoba Wanli was relocating supplies, but predicted the Northern Region Barbarians would first probe Xiliang’s strength before deciding whether to fight or flee.
• Lin Yi ordered Wang Yue and the Net to investigate Tuoba Wanli’s movements, confident that Xiliang’s intelligence and strength could prevent his escape.
• A guard announced that Zhang Ci, the governor of Youning Commandery, had requested an audience, and Lin Yi ordered him brought to the council hall.

Lin Yi learned that Ning Kun had killed thousands and seized labor and grain in Great Wasteland Commandery, leaving its people without hope. Zhang Ci arrived pleading for help, saying Ning Kun was also draining Youning Commandery and forcing the Zhang Clan to aid in defending against Lin Yi.

• Wang Yue told Lin Yi that Ning Kun had killed more than two thousand people in Great Wasteland Commandery, driving the Net's people out and silencing the commandery.
• Lin Yi explained that punishment without relief or hope had left the people like walking corpses, unlike his own harsh measures in Xiliang Commandery, which had been followed by aid and work relief.
• Wang Yue added that Ning Kun had seized able-bodied men to build defenses, while Xu Chu mistakenly compared Lin Yi's beating of Wang Zitao and granting him the salt business to the same strategy.
• Lin Yi entered the council hall, where Xun Yu and Chen Qun were comforting a distraught Zhang Ci.
• Zhang Ci told Lin Yi that Ning Kun was forcing the Zhang Clan to help defend against him and demanding large amounts of labor and grain, threatening to drain Youning Commandery.

Lin Yi appointed Jiang Wei Grand General Who Shakes the South and sent him to defend Youning Commandery against Ning Kun, while Ning Kun’s generals planned an attack on Ningchuan Commandery. The chapter left Ning Kun’s forces confident that their two-pronged assault could seize the eastern passage.

• Lin Yi decided to confront Ning Kun over his massacres and summoned Jiang Wei to lead the defense of Youning Commandery.
• Lin Yi appointed Jiang Wei Grand General Who Shakes the South and gave him five thousand Flying Bear Army soldiers and one hundred thousand elite Qing Province Troops.
• Zhang Ci offered to yield the governorship to Jiang Wei, but Lin Yi kept Zhang Ci in charge of administration and named Jiang Wei the commandant nominated by the local clans.
• Ning Kun’s forces took control of Great Wasteland Commandery and gathered intelligence on Ningchuan Commandery’s defenses.
• Ning Kun’s generals proposed coordinating a land attack with a naval assault on Ningchuan Commandery’s port.

Ning Kun and his officers reconsidered the threat posed by Lin Yi, then learned that a fleet of more than fifty thousand pirates had attacked Great Ning’s coast. With the raiders possibly tied to Li Sanjiang and Great Ning’s support uncertain, Ning Kun postponed plans against Lin Yi and prepared to visit Ningchuan Commandery himself.

• Ning Kun rejected his officers’ confidence, and Zhang Dajun warned that Lin Yi controlled more than half the north and could not be underestimated.
• A scout reported that more than fifty thousand pirates had attacked Hanhai County after routing Zhan Shunyu’s navy, alarming Ning Kun and his officers.
• Zhang Dajun and others suspected the pirates might be Lin Yi’s forces in disguise, but the scout said their warships belonged to Great Ning and they might serve Li Sanjiang’s fugitive heir.
• Tao Xianfang warned that the coastal attacks could leave Ning Kun isolated without support, and Ning Kun ordered his rear guarded.
• Ning Kun shelved his plan to destroy Lin Yi for now and said he would visit Ningchuan Commandery the next day.

Ning Kun realized that Lin Yi and the East Sea Pirates could leave Great Ning trapped, so he planned to visit Xiliang to assess Lin Yi’s strength. Princess Qingfeng warned him that the visit could be dangerous, but confirmed that Princess Shenle had welcomed their family.

• Ning Kun suspected Lin Yi had ties to the East Sea Pirates and concluded that Great Ning could not commit its full strength against Xiliang while the pirates remained active.
• Ning Kun told Princess Qingfeng that their family might have to stay in Great Wasteland Commandery because he needed to guard against Lin Yi’s advance.
• Ning Kun reviewed Lin Yi’s victories and decided to meet him in person to gauge Xiliang’s strength, seeking a legitimate reason to enter the region.
• Princess Qingfeng warned Ning Kun that Lin Yi and Princess Shenle could make the visit dangerous, but said her sister had welcomed their family to Xiliang.
• Ning Kun welcomed the invitation and assured Princess Qingfeng that he would heed her warning.

Princess Qingfeng and Ning Kun entered Ningchuan Commandery, where they witnessed its dramatic prosperity and encountered He Jin’s pointed welcome. Lin Yi learned of their arrival and decided to invite Bai Zizai to meet Ning Kun, his old acquaintance.

• Ning Kun’s party was stopped at Ningchuan Commandery’s new wall until they showed Lin Yi’s reply, and Ning Kun warned his men not to provoke Lin Yi.
• He Jin arrived to escort Princess Qingfeng and Ning Kun, but made them wait their turn in line; Princess Qingfeng accepted the delay calmly.
• Princess Qingfeng and her party entered Ningchuan Commandery and marveled at its orderly, bustling streets and luxurious carriages.
• Lin Yi heard that Princess Qingfeng and Ning Kun had arrived, and Xun Yu joked that the Old Human Butcher serving him outmatched Ning Kun’s reputation.
• Lin Yi told Xun Yu to summon Bai Zizai from the Heavenly Craft Workshop, noting that Bai Zizai and Ning Kun were old acquaintances.

Bai Zizai claimed a modao as his reward, while Lin Yi refused to welcome Princess Qingfeng and considered the military strength Xiliang could bring to bear against Great Ning. Qingfeng’s party reached the princely residence and realized Lin Yi was deliberately slighting them.

• Bai Zizai chose a modao as his reward, and Lin Yi granted it to him for his service at Xining.
• Gongsun Zan warned Bai Zizai that the modao’s length could endanger his own soldiers, drawing laughter from the gathered men.
• Liu Feng reported that Princess Qingfeng’s carriage had entered Ping'an City, but Lin Yi told her party to come to him without expecting a welcome.
• Lin Yi weighed how Xiliang’s seven army corps, joined by Jiang Wei’s Flying Bear Army and Northern Liang, could devastate Great Ning, but decided to delay an invasion until his preparations were complete.
• Princess Qingfeng’s party reached the Prince of Xiliang’s residence, marveled at its splendor, and noticed that no one had come out to greet them.

Princess Qingfeng and Ning Kun visited the Prince of Xiliang, where Lin Yi received them after discussing official business. Lin Yi and Bai Zizai mocked the emperor for neglecting Princess Shenle, leaving the visit tense and politically charged.

• Ning Kun entered the Prince of Xiliang's residence with Princess Qingfeng, wary that its high walls could trap their party.
• Princess Shenle warmly welcomed her elder sister and teased Ning Kun by calling him fierce and asking whether he would hit Qingfeng.
• Princess Shenle explained that Lin Yi was busy with official duties, then brought the visitors to the reception hall.
• Ning Kun saw Lin Yi and his formidable attendants, and realized why the emperor feared Lin Yi's growing power.
• Lin Yi greeted Princess Qingfeng and remarked that her father had sent no one to accompany Shenle when she married into his household.
• Bai Zizai said the emperor had something against both Northern Liang and Xiliang.

Lin Yi used the fact that he and Princess Shenle were not yet married to blame Great Ning for neglecting her and pressure Ning Kun’s delegation. Ning Kun’s party withdrew to the guest quarters, while Lin Yi and his advisers discussed their probing mission and the prospect of conflict with Great Ning.

• Ning Kun tried to calm Lin Yi by mentioning Princess Shenle’s return visit, but Lin Yi said they had not married and demanded that Great Ning’s emperor attend the wedding.
• Lin Yi claimed rumors about his rift with Great Ning had harmed Shenle, while Bai Zizai accused the emperor of humiliating Xiliang.
• Ning Kun and his wife realized they could not resolve the dispute and asked to rest, so Lin Yi let them retire to the guest quarters.
• Xun Yu, Gongsun Zan, and Qu Yi concluded that Ning Kun had come to investigate Xiliang, its strength, and its ties to the pirates.
• Lin Yi said he might keep Ning Kun in Xiliang if he refused to leave, while Xun Yu advised waiting for Great Ning to fall into greater turmoil before considering war.

Lin Yi explained how the Prince of Min’s and Prince of Shu’s heirs, along with the great families’ potato supplies, would weaken Great Ning and make it easier for Xiliang to gain influence. Meanwhile, Ning Kun’s envoys inspected Xiliang’s extravagant palace and concluded that Lin Yi’s wealth, travel-permit system, and hidden troops posed a serious threat.

• Xun Yu revealed that the Prince of Min’s son had gone into hiding near the Min River, the Prince of Shu’s son had allied with southern chieftains, and Great Ning’s great families had bought potatoes while the emperor had none.
• Lin Yi said he would not attack Great Ning unless necessary, arguing that Xiliang’s food supplies, trade, and reputation were drawing commoners and powerful families into its sphere of influence.
• Ning Kun and his subordinates were astonished by the glass windows and lavish furnishings in their room and worried that Lin Yi’s extravagance reflected vast wealth and military strength.
• Wang Xiaoyi told Ning Kun that Xiliang’s strict travel-permit system revealed Lin Yi’s ambition and had severely hindered Great Ning’s spies.
• Ning Kun ordered his men to avoid acting on their own and to investigate Xiliang’s unseen White Horse Volunteers and mysterious troops.

Princess Shenle warned Princess Qingfeng that plotting against the Prince of Xiliang could cost her life, while Qingfeng claimed she had only come to visit. In Great Ning, repeated pirate raids enraged Li Anlan, and the court settled on luring the pirates into a trap, assigning Qin Li to oversee the plan.

• Princess Shenle led Princess Qingfeng through her courtyard and warned her not to pursue any schemes against the Prince of Xiliang.
• Princess Qingfeng assured Shenle that she and her husband had come only to visit, and Shenle welcomed her warmly.
• Court officials reported five pirate attacks across Great Ning’s coastal regions, including raids on Hanhai County, Dafeng County, the Min River area, Hui County, and Mo City.
• Li Anlan berated his officials, while Qin Li explained that Great Ning’s navy needed six months of training and Gongsun Gui proposed luring the pirates into a trap.
• Li Anlan approved the plan and ordered Qin Li to take charge, leaving Qin Li uneasy about the prestige that came with the assignment.

Li Anlan learned that the Prince of Shu and Prince of Min’s descendants had escaped with help from the Northern Liang Guard and Net, and ordered action against them and the pirates. He also heard that northern aristocratic families were aligning with Lin Yi and warned the imperial son-in-law to hold Great Wasteland Commandery without acting rashly.

• Qin Li accepted Li Anlan’s command to deal with the pirates, and Li Anlan ended court after noticing a memorial.
• Li Anlan’s trusted ministers learned that Li Siyuan had entered the southern native chieftains’ territory with a fortune and the Prince of Min’s son had gathered his father’s former subordinates.
• Wei Kuang reported that the Blood Guard’s attempts to intercept the two descendants had been thwarted by the Northern Liang Guard and Net, prompting Li Anlan to accuse Lin Yi and Lin Rusong of interfering.
• Li Ziyu advised Li Anlan to prioritize the descendants and the pirates, and Li Anlan ordered the Imperial Clan Court to eliminate the two threats.
• Li Anlan gave Qin Li a golden command arrow to mobilize troops in the Min River region and wipe out the pirates.
• Wei Kuang reported that northern aristocratic families, including the Zhang Clan of Youning Commandery, had pledged allegiance to Lin Yi, and Li Anlan ordered the imperial son-in-law to hold Great Wasteland Commandery and avoid rash action.

Lü Qiling killed Ning Kun’s subordinate for trespassing in the rear courtyard, then defeated Wang Xiaoyi in a single effortless strike. Watching from the Star-Picking Tower, Lin Yi learned from Xun Yu that Ning Kun had used his visit to gauge Xiliang’s confidence and would likely leave soon.

• Lü Qiling defended her killing of Ning Kun’s subordinate, and Xu Chu backed her, saying the man had trespassed in the forbidden rear courtyard.
• Wang Xiaoyi charged Lü Qiling to punish her, but she knocked away his saber and sent him flying with one spear strike.
• Lü Qiling warned Ning Kun’s men that only Lin Yi could enter the rear courtyard, while Xu Chu publicly echoed her warning.
• Lin Yi, Xun Yu, and Chen Dao watched from the Star-Picking Tower and remarked on Lü Qiling’s strength.
• Xun Yu explained that Ning Kun had gauged Xiliang’s confidence from the reactions of its officials, soldiers, and people, and Lin Yi predicted Ning Kun would soon leave.

Ning Kun returned to Great Wasteland Commandery and planned to wait for Lin Yi to attack the Northern Barbarians before striking Xiliang. Meanwhile, Xun Yu reported that Xiliang’s seven legions were fully staffed and Lin Yi’s total forces approached one million, leaving them poised for war.

• Ning Kun returned to Great Wasteland Commandery with Princess Qingfeng and Wang Xiaoyi, and his generals heard how a woman in Lin Yi’s household had effortlessly defeated Wang Xiaoyi.
• Zhang Dajun told Ning Kun that Jiang Wei had taken command in Youning Commandery, raised troops, fortified the border, and cut off grain and supplies.
• Ning Kun concluded that the great families were behind Jiang Wei and told his generals to wait until Lin Yi moved against the Northern Barbarians.
• Lin Yi learned from Xun Yu that all seven great legions had reached full strength and that his forces, including troops elsewhere, totaled about one million.
• Jia Xu assured Lin Yi that the armies were well provisioned and that Pang De and one hundred thousand troops kept the Western Regions under their control.

Lin Yi prepared to return to Northern Liang for the New Year, leaving Xiliang under Xun Yu’s watch and arranging generous gifts for soldiers and commoners. As he departed amid the people’s affection, his wives joked about whether women should take part in a war over the realm.

• Lin Yi approved the Western Regions’ kings joining the campaign in support roles and told Jia Xu he planned to return to Northern Liang for the New Year.
• Lin Yi decided to bring most of his subordinates to Northern Liang, while Xun Yu stayed in Xiliang to watch Ning Kun and Jiang Wei remained to guard against him.
• Lin Yi gave Xun Yu a decree ordering New Year gifts for Xiliang’s soldiers, allies, and commoners, prompting Xun Yu and Jia Xu to marvel at the immense cost.
• Lin Yi set out for Northern Liang as Xiliang’s commoners gathered to see him off, and he promised to return after visiting his father and reminded them to collect their gifts.
• In the carriage, Princess Shenle joked that she would serve Lin Yi in bed to show her allegiance, while Lü Qiling argued that women could fight on the battlefield too.

Lin Yi returned to Northern Liang to an enthusiastic welcome from the people and an emotional reunion with Lin Rusong. In private, Lin Rusong said he would lead the first attack against Great Ning so Lin Yi could later claim the throne without bearing the name of rebel.

• Northern Liang's people celebrated Lin Yi's return, and he won their cheers by calling them his brothers and saying he had come to see them.
• Lin Yi reached Northern Liang Royal City, where Lin Rusong and a large crowd welcomed him home; father and son reunited tearfully.
• Lin Yi greeted Han Song at the princely residence before Lin Rusong summoned him to discuss their plans.
• Lin Yi said he would destroy the Northern Barbarians and unite the north, while Lin Rusong said he would help defeat them and attack Great Ning himself.
• Lin Rusong told Lin Yi not to launch the first battle against Great Ning, as he intended to bear the name of rebel so Lin Yi could rightfully proclaim himself emperor.

Lin Yi agreed to let Lin Rusong help with the coming wars and received a succession of officials seeking to pledge their support. Xu Zhong prostrated himself and asked for a chance to fight in the wars against the Northern Barbarians and Great Ning, which Lin Yi granted; Wang Ziwen then revealed Lin Rusong approved of Lin Yi’s handling of Bai Zizai.

• Lin Rusong insisted that he intended to kill Li Anlan himself, and Lin Yi agreed while noting that Xiliang would still need to join the fight.
• Huang Yuntao visited Lin Yi, presented rare treasures, and was reassured that Lin Yi would remember his support.
• A stream of officials came to pay their respects to Lin Yi as they aligned themselves with the Prince of Xiliang.
• Xu Zhong knelt before Lin Yi and begged for the chance to fight in the wars against the Northern Barbarians and Great Ning.
• Lin Yi granted Xu Zhong a chance to prove himself, and Wang Ziwen said Lin Rusong had been pleased with Lin Yi’s handling of Bai Zizai.

Lin Yi received control of Northern Liang and prepared to lead a massive campaign against the Northern Barbarians, driven by a promise to avenge his mother. As the northern snow began to melt, he ordered five hundred thousand troops to assemble, while the Western Regions Legion was assigned to keep Great Ning occupied.

• Lin Yi brought Cai Yan to his mother's grave, where she paid her respects, and he vowed to avenge his mother by destroying the Northern Barbarians.
• Lin Rusong gave Lin Yi a register of Northern Liang's officials and covert agents and appointed Yi Yun to help him command the territory and its army.
• Lin Yi returned to find Northern Liang's officers dejected after Lü Qiling had beaten them.
• After the New Year, Ma Chao reported that the northern snow was melting, and Jia Xu and Xun Yu recognized that the army could soon attack the Northern Barbarians by surprise.
• Lin Yi ordered a campaign of five hundred thousand troops under his personal oversight, with Jia Xu as military adviser and the Net cooperating.
• Lin Yi declined to use the slower Western Regions Legion against the Northern Barbarians and assigned it to deal with Great Ning.

Lin Yi mobilized Xiliang’s forces for a full-scale northern expedition, sealing the region and dispatching a massive army toward South Mountain Plain. In Yulong City, Tuoba Wanli learned that scouts near the front had vanished and began preparing for a possible Xiliang attack.

• Lin Yi ordered Xiliang into wartime readiness, conscripted two hundred thousand civilian laborers, and assigned Xun Yu and Jiang Wei to defend the rear.
• He Jin mobilized troops in Ping'an City to search for spies, and Xiliang sealed its borders against anyone leaving.
• At Heavenly Pillar Peak, Zhang Liao, Gongsun Zan, Gao Shun, Bai Zizai, Qu Yi, Hu Che'er, and Jia Xu reported their forces ready, and Lin Yi ordered the army toward South Mountain Plain.
• Four hundred thousand troops marched through the Heavenly Pillar Peak passage as two hundred thousand civilian laborers followed with supplies.
• Tuoba Wanli learned that scouts monitoring South Mountain Plain had gone missing and asked Old Eagle whether Northern Liang had deployed its troops.
• Old Eagle reported that Xu Zhong was still training elite cavalry, while Tuoba Wanli warned that Xiliang might soon attack after cutting off the Northern Barbarians’ scouts.

Lin Yi planned Xiliang’s invasion of the Northern Barbarians, ordering simultaneous attacks on Wind and Snow City and Great Wind Valley. He left his commanders eager for battle as the army prepared to strike.

• Tuoba Wanli concluded that the missing scouts signaled an attack and sent Tuoba Qingsong with a hundred thousand troops to reinforce Yelü Dafeng at Wind and Snow City.
• Ma Chao reported that he had cleared the enemy sentry posts and confirmed that Wind and Snow City held a hundred thousand troops.
• Lin Yi declared that Xiliang would wage a war of annihilation and assigned Zhang Liao’s Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to assault Wind and Snow City while Ma Chao cut off the enemy’s retreat.
• Lin Yi sent Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Volunteers to destroy the fifty thousand troops at Great Wind Valley in a surprise attack.
• Lin Yi ordered the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to bring their secret weapon and warned that their attack must succeed.