Chapter Summaries

Lin Yi summoned Cai Yan and Princess Shenle to study Princess Anne’s portrait and warned that the Frostwest princess might be a threat. He left the women to handle her arrival, while making clear he would conquer the Frostwest Empire outright if he wanted it.

• Lin Yi called both empresses to admire flowers, then greeted them affectionately in his study.
• Lin Yi showed Cai Yan and Princess Shenle Princess Anne’s portrait and explained that the Frostwest princess was coming as an envoy and might have ulterior motives.
• Cai Yan judged Princess Anne to be ambitious and competitive, while Princess Shenle saw her as a defiant woman trying to resist a fate she could not control.
• Lin Yi asked the empresses to deal with Princess Anne instead of having Zhang Fei receive her, and both women agreed to assess the portrait.
• Princess Shenle suggested that winning Princess Anne over could help Lin Yi gain the Frostwest Empire, but Lin Yi said he would simply attack it if he wanted it.

Abaddon and his ministers in the Great West Empire dismissed Great Liang’s demands and assumed Lin Yi was a foolish ally who wanted to help them against the Frostwest Empire. Their confidence collapsed when a messenger reported that Great Liang had conquered all twenty-six Western Regions nations in three days and the Frostwest Empire had fled without fighting, leaving Abaddon alarmed by Great Liang’s strength.

• Abaddon raged at Great Liang’s costly gift demands, but Morandi urged him to negotiate because the empire needed Great Liang to pressure the Frostwest Empire.
• The ministers praised the gifts Great Liang had already sent and joked that its people had more money than sense.
• Adolf warned that Lin Yi was no fool and suggested Great Liang might also have ambitions in the Frostwest Empire.
• Abaddon agreed that Great Liang might want a share of the Frostwest Empire, but a messenger arrived with urgent news about Great Liang’s campaign.
• The messenger reported that Great Liang had conquered all twenty-six Western Regions nations in three days and that the Frostwest Empire’s reinforcements had fled without fighting.
• Adolf concluded that Great Liang was far more powerful than they had expected, and Abaddon grew troubled by the prospect of such a powerful neighbor.

Abaddon feared Great Liang would ally with the Frostwest Empire, but chose to send gifts rather than risk war and give up his claim to Princess Anne. News of Great Liang’s swift conquest of the Western Regions alarmed the West and Zhennan Dynasty, where Nan Ke learned that Great Liang’s forces had made the Frostwest reinforcements retreat.

• Morandi warned Abaddon that Great Liang had entered the West and might ally with the Frostwest Empire, prompting Abaddon to worry that Princess Anne would be offered to Lin Yi.
• Adolf urged Abaddon to put the bigger picture first, and Abaddon agreed to send the requested gifts and set aside his claim to Princess Anne.
• Reports that Great Liang had conquered all twenty-six Western Regions countries spread across the West, leading the Great West Empire, the Black Skull Army, and other countries to adjust their plans and seek friendlier ties with Great Liang.
• Nan Ke asked Zan Rihong how Great Liang had defeated the Western Regions’ five-hundred-thousand-strong army so quickly, and Zan Rihong said Great Liang had swept through in a day while Frostwest reinforcements turned back.
• Nan Ke asked Nan Yiming about the Jackal Kingdom, and Nan Yiming reported that its people had made no military moves and were playing cuju and racing horses.

Nan Ke ordered his kingdom to recruit troops and strengthen itself while cautiously dealing with both Great Liang and the Frostwest Empire. In Yong'an City, Jiang Li and his family celebrated Great Liang’s victories, but tensions rose when A Mao complained about his minor post and Jiang Tao warned him against seeking greater power.

• Nan Ke decided to recruit troops, conquer nearby small kingdoms, and send envoys to both Great Liang and the Frostwest Empire to preserve his options.
• Great Liang opened Chengtian Gate to the public for a celebratory banquet after its victories, drawing excited crowds to Yong'an City.
• Jiang Li praised Lin Yi’s conquests, while Li Siyuan said he believed Lin Yi might be the reincarnation of Great Emperor Zhenwu.
• A Mao complained that Great Liang had given him only an insignificant post and suggested seeking a regional governorate.
• Jiang Tao warned A Mao that only what His Majesty granted belonged to him and that seeking a governorship could bring ruin.
• A Mao angrily left after noticing Jiang Li’s dark gaze, and the group fell silent.

Jiang Li and his family tried to contain the danger after his son-in-law A Mao voiced disloyalty, but Guan Yu revealed that the Net had overheard them. Guan Yu hinted that he was being sent to suppress bandits near the Zhennan Dynasty, leaving Jiang Li to suspect Great Liang was preparing another campaign.

• Jiang Li ordered Li Siyuan to deal with A Mao and warned Jiang Tao not to speak carelessly about His Majesty.
• Jiang Li and Jiang Tao reflected on the power of Great Liang’s officials and generals, recalling how Lü Bu and Li Ru had intimidated Jiang Li in the Jackal Kingdom.
• Guan Yu appeared, identified himself as the General of Loyalty and Righteousness, and warned Jiang Li that others had heard A Mao’s disloyal words.
• Jiang Li realized the Net had likely heard his family’s conversation and said he would seek His Majesty’s forgiveness.
• When Jiang Li asked whether Great Liang intended to attack the Zhennan Dynasty, Guan Yu claimed he was only going to suppress bandits, but Jiang Li suspected an invasion was being planned.

At the Flavor Grand Restaurant, Lin Yi celebrated Great Liang’s prosperity and ordered the Ministry of Commerce to expand trade through the Western Regions, while declaring plunder a route to rapid development. After Wang Yue reported Jiang Li’s handling of a plot, Lin Yi spared Jiang Li but ordered the conspirators connected to A Mao dealt with.

• Lin Yi praised Great Liang’s prosperity at the Flavor Grand Restaurant, and Zhang Juzheng and Zhao Gao praised his rule.
• Lin Yi told Mi Zhu to advance Western Regions trade, and Mi Zhu described the Ministry of Commerce’s plans to develop local resources and sell Great Liang’s goods.
• Lin Yi said Ma Chao and Ban Chao would support the trade effort and that Great Liang would force open borders that rejected its goods.
• Ban Chao and Lin Yi agreed that plundering other nations’ wealth, resources, and technology was the fastest way to develop Great Liang.
• Wang Yue reported Jiang Li’s actions, and Lin Yi spared Jiang Li while ordering the people connected to A Mao dealt with.

Lin Yi ordered Zhang Juzheng to continue reforms replacing native chieftains with centrally appointed officials, while the Net dealt with those resisting the policy. At Chengtian Gate, Lin Yi celebrated Great Liang’s victories with the people, leaving Frostwest Empire’s envoy Abucha fearful of what Great Liang might do next.

• Lin Yi refused Zhao Gao’s offer to kill the opponents of the reforms and assigned the Net to handle them.
• Lin Yi explained that resistance came from chieftains losing power under the policy, while Zhang Juzheng called for crushing anyone who obstructed it.
• Lin Yi entrusted Zhang Juzheng with continuing the reforms and told him to consult Xun Yu and others about further changes.
• Lin Yi went to Chengtian Gate and toasted Great Liang’s prosperity and the people’s share in its victories.
• Abucha worried that Great Liang’s expansion threatened the Frostwest Empire, while Cha’er said reinforcements from home would soon arrive.

After Great Liang destroyed the Western Regions, foreign envoys celebrated its victory and offered gifts, including a humiliating tribute from the Frostwest Empire. Lin Yi accepted their offerings and assigned Zhang Fei to handle return gifts, while his words about removing blemishes left the envoys in danger.

• Abucha worried Great Liang would target the Frostwest Empire and ordered Cha'er to send congratulatory gifts to keep the emperor appeased.
• More than thirty countries presented treasures to Great Liang at the banquet on Chengtian Gate, including the Great West Empire and the Frostwest Empire.
• Lin Rusong celebrated the gifts, while Mi Zhu remarked that several more banquets could bring in a year's tax revenue.
• Lin Yi warned Mi Zhu not to overtax the small countries and told Zhang Fei to give the envoys suitable return gifts.
• Lin Yi called the foreign envoys blemishes on the beautiful land, and those around him understood the remark as a suggestion to eliminate them.

Lin Yi celebrated his conquests and his ministers praised his rule, while Lin Rusong declared the Lin Clan proud of him. Jiang Li then sought forgiveness for his son-in-law’s rebellion, and Lin Yi pardoned him while assigning him to accompany Guan Yu southwest to suppress bandits.

• Lin Rusong praised Lin Yi’s conquests and said the Lin Clan was proud of him, while Lu Yafu conceded that Lin Yi deserved the era name Great Emperor Zhenwu.
• Xun Yu, Jia Xu, and Zhang Jiao praised Lin Yi for uniting the lands and improving the common people’s lives, and Lin Yi toasted his ministers for their service.
• Jiang Li approached Lin Yi and admitted responsibility for his son-in-law’s failed attempt to seize power.
• Lin Yi told Jiang Li that he would not hold the matter against him, but reminded him that people had to bear the consequences of their choices.
• Lin Yi ordered Jiang Li to accompany Guan Yu southwest to suppress bandits.

After spotting Li Yifeng meeting foreigners, Lin Yi learned they came from the Yamata Nation and reacted with intense hostility. He ordered Wang Yue to investigate the country and went to confront the foreigners, leaving Shenle wondering why the name angered him so much.

• Lin Yi strolled through Yong'an City with Cai Yan and Princess Shenle, and explained that he had made candied hawthorns and other snacks freely available so ordinary people could earn a living.
• Lin Yi spotted Li Yifeng meeting several foreigners and asked the Net's district chief to identify them.
• The district chief said the foreigners came from the East Sea and belonged to the Yamata Nation, provoking Lin Yi's killing intent.
• Lin Yi ordered Wang Yue to investigate the Yamata Nation, then decided to meet Li Yifeng and the foreigners rather than arrest them immediately.
• Princess Shenle asked why Lin Yi hated the Yamata Nation, and he assured her that Li Yifeng did not qualify as a threat.

Lin Yi discovered that Li Yifeng was helping merchants from Yamata Nation seek prohibited potato exports and ordered the foreigners arrested. Ma Ling'er struck one of them as the Net operatives moved in, leaving the group to face interrogation over their route and the supposed stolen chicken.

• Lin Yi joined Li Yifeng at the restaurant and asked who the foreign merchants were.
• Li Yifeng said the men wanted sugar and silk, then admitted they had come to buy potatoes.
• A Yamata Nation merchant insulted Lin Yi, who slapped him and ordered Wang Yue to arrest the group and find their route map.
• Ma Ling'er punched one of the resisting Yamata Nation warriors and accused them of stealing Lin Yi's chicken and staring at her.

Ma Ling'er battered a group of Yamata Nation men in a restaurant, and Lin Yi ordered the Net to investigate the survivors. The emperor then left quietly, while the captives were to be handed over to Ma Ling'er after interrogation.

• Ma Ling'er knocked down the Yamata Nation attackers, while Li Yifeng backed away and the restaurant patrons praised her strength.
• Soldiers arrived and directed the foreigners to seek justice through the Court of Diplomatic Reception, but one man demanded that Ma Ling'er be handed over to them.
• Ma Ling'er killed the man who made the demand, and Wang Yue intervened to have the two surviving foreigners seized by the Net.
• A soldier recognized Lin Yi as the emperor, but Lin Yi stopped him from announcing his identity and left to avoid disrupting his outing.
• Lin Yi ordered Wang Yue to interrogate the captives and then hand them over to Ma Ling'er; Li Yifeng followed the group.

Lin Yi assigned Li Yifeng to cooperate with the Yamata Nation while the Net took over their dealings, and Princess Shenle reconciled with her cousin over their family’s past. Meanwhile, Frostwest minister Ashley and Princess Anne traveled through a prospering Great Liang and recognized the growing threat it posed to their declining empire.

• Lin Yi told Li Yifeng to accept the Yamata Nation’s request and let the Net take over, intending to use the dealings to expand Great Liang’s influence and prepare for war.
• Princess Shenle apologized to Li Yifeng for her father’s actions, and Li Yifeng said their past grievances were settled and thanked her for saving his life.
• Ashley’s delegation entered the Central Plains, where Ashley saw Great Liang’s rapid development and worried about its strength and popular support.
• Ashley urged Princess Anne to prioritize peace, but she argued that a marriage alliance could not resolve the rivalry between Great Liang and the Frostwest Empire.
• Princess Anne concluded that reversing the Frostwest Empire’s decline would be nearly impossible, given her father’s past failures and the empire’s position between major powers.

Princess Anne and Ashley hurried the Frostwest Empire’s mission to secure an alliance with Great Liang, while Tanaka Yako struggled to preserve the Yamata Nation’s mission after losing most of his agents. Tanaka decided to split his remaining forces between sending stolen potatoes home and approaching Lin Yi with gifts, as trouble arose outside.

• Princess Anne warned Ashley that the Frostwest Empire faced threats on several fronts, and they ordered their party to continue toward Great Liang without delay.
• Tanaka Yako complained that arrests and failed intelligence gathering had reduced his Yamata Nation team from fifty-four people to thirteen.
• Monzen Atsumi reported that Great Liang’s guarded shipyards had thwarted their efforts to obtain shipbuilding technology.
• Tanaka and his men speculated that Lin Yi’s anger over a stolen chicken was either a misunderstanding or an excuse to target the Yamata Nation.
• Tanaka ordered his group to split, with one party taking the potatoes back and the other approaching Lin Yi with gifts, then heard commotion outside.

The Net and the Divine Machine Battalion captured Tanaka Yako and uncovered the Yamata Nation’s attempt to obtain Great Liang’s potatoes and shipbuilding technology. Lin Yi ordered a purge of merchants who had helped the Yamata agents, leaving Great Liang on the brink of renewed turmoil.

• Tanaka Yako ordered Monzen Atsumi to take potatoes back to the Yamata Nation while he stayed behind to delay the Net, but Monzen Atsumi was killed as he tried to escape.
• Hu Che'er and Wang Yue surrounded the compound, arrested Tanaka Yako and the other agents, and Hu Che'er set out to kill the collaborators named on Wang Yue’s list.
• Wang Yue reported to Lin Yi that the Yamata Nation had sought potatoes and shipbuilding technology and had paid merchants three hundred thousand taels of silver to smuggle potatoes out.
• Lin Yi ordered the Ministry of Commerce and the Net to purge the merchants, confiscate their property, and exterminate their clans.

Lin Yi ordered Zhao Gao to interrogate Yamata Nation’s captured envoys for a nautical chart, hoping to prepare a future invasion. Princess Shenle gave him a treasure map to her late father’s restoration fund, and Lin Yi told her to use its wealth for public projects as empress of the Western Palace.

• Lin Yi rejected Zhao Gao’s offer to lead an expedition and assigned him to obtain Yamata Nation’s nautical chart from the captured envoys.
• Lin Yi explained that Yamata Nation could hold more than a billion taels of silver and that its mineral wealth motivated his interest in conquering it.
• Princess Shenle gave Lin Yi a treasure map and revealed that her father had left about fifty million taels of silver to restore the Li Imperial Clan.
• Lin Yi recognized the treasure as Li Anlan’s hidden reserve, which Li Yifeng had returned to Princess Shenle.
• Lin Yi told Princess Shenle to use the fund for industry, poverty relief, or education to serve Great Liang and help people accept her as empress of the Western Palace.

Lin Yi gave Li Mingzhu fifty million strings of cash to support her influence, then learned that a treasure site had been found in her former residence. He uncovered an underground palace holding wealth worth roughly sixty million strings of cash, along with countless other treasures.

• Lin Yi gave Li Mingzhu the fifty million strings of cash, and she embraced and kissed him before he carried her to the rear palace.
• Ma Ling'er told Lin Yi that Wang Yue had found the treasure site inside the palace, in Li Mingzhu's former residence.
• Lin Yi went to the residence, where Lü Qiling's Phoenix Guard supervised the search and Wang Yue reported that an underground palace had been uncovered.
• Lin Yi entered the underground palace, saw the remains of the craftsmen who had built it, and ordered them buried.
• Lin Yi found the underground palace filled with gold, jewels, jade, and other valuables, with Wang Yue estimating the assets at roughly sixty million strings of cash.

Lin Yi discovered Li Anlan’s hidden trove, including Great Ning’s jade seal, a questionable imperial genealogy, and a nautical chart showing the Yamata Nation and valuable mineral deposits. He ordered the chart copied and its routes and resources verified, leaving the Yamata Nation as a target for future plans.

• Wang Yue presented Lin Yi with the Li Imperial Clan’s genealogy and Great Ning’s jade seal, which Lin Yi dismissed as kindling.
• Lin Yi judged the genealogy incomplete and rejected Wang Yue’s suggestion to investigate everyone listed in it.
• Lin Yi found Li Anlan’s map, which showed routes across the surrounding regions, the Yamata Nation, and several mineral deposits.
• Lin Yi ordered Wang Yue to copy the map and verify the sea route to the Yamata Nation and the locations of the mineral deposits.
• Lin Yi selected a few ornaments and left the underground palace, satisfied with the nautical chart.

After merchants colluded with the Yamata Nation and stole potatoes and the emperor’s chickens, Mi Zhu and Cao Cao told the aristocratic clans that the merchants would be purged and their businesses would be available for them to take over. The clan leaders eagerly agreed to assume the merchants’ trade channels, seeing the purge as a major opportunity.

• Zhang Wanhao and the other clan leaders worried that the emperor’s response to the assassination attempt and stolen goods would bring further trouble.
• Zhang Ci warned the clan leaders not to interfere as the authorities searched for the Yamata Nation.
• Cao Cao and Mi Zhu arrived and told the clan leaders that lawless merchants had colluded with the Yamata Nation and stolen the divine potatoes and the emperor’s chickens.
• Mi Zhu explained that the merchants would be purged and the aristocratic clans could take over their businesses.
• The clan leaders enthusiastically agreed to take over the merchants’ trade channels in service of the emperor.

Cao Cao assigned the aristocratic families to handle trade with the Frostwest Empire and Great West Empire, and the Frostwest delegation arrived at Yong'an City to discuss diplomacy and commerce. The chapter ended with the Great West Empire’s Morandi arriving and confronting Ashley as the rival delegations prepared to compete for Great Liang’s favor.

• Cao Cao told the aristocratic families to follow the Ministry of Commerce’s guidelines and manage trade with the two empires, and they eagerly accepted the assignment.
• Ashley and Princess Anne arrived in Yong'an City with the Frostwest delegation and marveled at Great Liang’s towering cement walls.
• Ashley presented his diplomatic pass, and the city’s general arranged for the Frostwest envoys to be escorted to the Court of Diplomatic Reception.
• Morandi arrived with the Great West delegation, recognized Ashley, and accused the Frostwest Empire of shamelessly seeking an alliance after plotting against Great Liang.
• Ashley defended the Frostwest Empire’s intentions, and Morandi declared that the two sides would compete on their own abilities.