Chapter Summaries

Lin Rusong ordered Zhao Yun to harass the enemy’s reinforcements and launched Great Liang’s all-out offensive against the Frostwest Empire in the Xiling Corridor. As the armies charged into battle, Xiuli feared Ashina Tiandu’s defeat while Cha’er welcomed the Ashina Clan’s downfall.

• Lin Rusong sent Zhao Yun and the Hundred Riders Legion to harass the enemy’s supply and reinforcement routes.
• Lin Rusong ordered an all-out attack, and Wang Ziwen declared that Great Liang’s chance to unify the continent had arrived.
• Lin Rusong sent Xu Zhong and Li Ling to attack the enemy’s wings, ordered Qu Yi to break through the center, and directed the cavalry and other generals to join the assault.
• Great Liang’s forces advanced through the Xiling Corridor, and Xiuli feared the Frostwest Empire would be defeated unless Ashina Tiandu had another plan.
• Cha’er taunted Xiuli over the Ashina Clan’s fate, and Xiuli left without answering.

A Long explained that Frostwest’s advance against Great Liang was a feint-and-reality plan coordinated with Nishu, and urged his troops to retreat while tying down the enemy. After Great Liang’s retired emperor and several famous generals appeared at the front, Morandi warned that Jia Xu and Ma Chao were missing, suggesting the battle might not follow A Long’s plan.

• Great Liang launched a massive attack, and A Long reassured Frostwest’s officers that the enemy’s discovery of their plans had been anticipated.
• Asangni demanded to know how to respond, and A Long explained that Nishu could become the true main force while Frostwest acted as a feint.
• A Long revealed that the allied forces had split their troops and could strike either the Xiling Corridor or New City, while Frostwest retreated to preserve its strength.
• Asangni and the other Frostwest officers welcomed the strategy, but Morandi questioned whether Great Liang would follow their expectations.
• A scout reported that Great Liang’s retired emperor, Wang Ziwen, Qu Yi, Chen Dao, Ran Min, Xu Zhong, and Li Ling were leading the attack.
• Morandi warned that Jia Xu and Ma Chao were absent from Great Liang’s ranks, making him suspect that the situation was more dangerous than it appeared.

A Long and Morandi decided the Great West Empire had to fight despite its failing grain supplies, and ordered their forces to carry out a retreating battle plan. A Long put Morandi in charge of guarding against Jia Xu while hoping Ashina Tiandu could defeat Great Liang’s other force and join them.

• Morandi warned that Jia Xu’s absence from the main battlefield suggested he was preparing a plan elsewhere.
• A Long argued that the Great West Empire could not afford to delay because its troops lacked grain, and Morandi agreed they had to fight.
• A Long rallied the generals by pointing to the reinforcements and manpower their side could draw upon.
• A Long ordered the troops to execute the plan and forbade them from abandoning their positions without cause.
• After the generals left, A Long ordered his deputy to supervise the Frostwest troops and kill any who fled.
• A Long tasked Morandi with stopping Jia Xu from disrupting the battle and hoped Ashina Tiandu would defeat Great Liang’s other force.

A Long and Morandi watched Great Liang’s forces smash through the Xiling Corridor’s first defensive line with Red-Coat Cannons and a fierce assault. A Long fled to his main camp, where he learned Great Liang had also ambushed his reinforcements from behind.

• A Long and Morandi saw Great Liang’s cannon fire breach the Xiling Corridor’s defenses and its Vanguard Dare-to-Die Warriors advance.
• A Long ordered battle supervision squads to kill retreating soldiers and force them to keep fighting.
• Qu Yi led the Vanguard Dare-to-Die Warriors forward as Red-Coat Cannons and explosive satchels destroyed the wall, allowing Great Liang’s troops to overwhelm the defenders.
• A Long abandoned the first defensive line and rode back to his main camp as the Great West Empire’s soldiers fled.
• A Long learned that an enemy attack had wiped out all but a few of the more than three thousand soldiers sent to reinforce him.

A Long learned that an unknown white-robed force had attacked his rear and ordered it destroyed before it could disrupt his retreat and supply lines. Meanwhile, Ashina Tiandu’s vastly larger army failed to push Bai Zizai’s Asura Army back, and he demanded that Ashley explain the slow advance.

• A Long identified the attackers as a new force of about five thousand white-robed cavalry led by a spear-wielding commander and ordered troops to wipe them out.
• Morandi suspected Ashina Tiandu had allowed the force to pass through his territory, and A Long hoped Ashina Tiandu could still handle the remaining enemy troops.
• Ashina Tiandu led eight hundred thousand troops against Bai Zizai’s three hundred thousand Asura Army soldiers, but after a day of fighting, Bai Zizai had not yielded ground.
• Ashina Tiandu berated his generals for failing to defeat Bai Zizai and singled out Ashley to explain the campaign’s slow progress.
• Ashley privately recognized Bai Zizai as a famed veteran whose army remained formidable, but he stayed silent to avoid angering Ashina Tiandu.

Ashley persuaded Ashina Tiandu that Great Liang’s arrows were running low, and the Frostwest emperor prepared a night attack. Nishu warned that Great Liang was watching from the sky and that the apparent weakness could be a trap, but Ashina Tiandu dismissed him and ordered him to rest.

• Ashley told Ashina Tiandu that Great Liang’s arrows would eventually run out, prompting the emperor to plan an attack once its ranged supplies were depleted.
• Ashina Tiandu ordered feints to exhaust Great Liang’s ammunition, and the Frostwest army repeatedly advanced and retreated until the incoming arrows dwindled.
• Ashina Tiandu celebrated the apparent decline in Great Liang’s attacks and accepted his generals’ praise.
• Nishu warned Ashina Tiandu that Great Liang’s people were watching from above and had likely spotted the Frostwest army’s strength.
• Ashina Tiandu told Nishu he would be careful, then had guards take the sick general away despite Nishu’s fear that the army was entering a trap.

Ashina Tiandu prepared Frostwest’s eight hundred thousand troops to attack Bai Zizai, while Bai Zizai vowed to meet them in battle. The chapter ended as Frostwest’s forces rallied and set out to crush Great Liang’s army at New City.

• Nishu warned Ashina Tiandu that Great Liang could be monitoring Frostwest’s deployments, but Ashina Tiandu dismissed his concerns and left him despairing.
• Bai Zizai received reports from the Net revealing Frostwest’s troop movements and planned assault, then vowed to defeat Ashina Tiandu’s army.
• Jia Xu encouraged Bai Zizai, who reflected that this battle might be his last chance to earn merit before his age and failing health ended his military career.
• As night fell, Ashina Tiandu summoned his generals and dismissed the scouts’ failure to find any Great Liang reinforcements as proof that no ambush awaited.
• Ashina Tiandu promised Frostwest’s soldiers land, women, and riches if they defeated Bai Zizai, and his troops answered with a rallying cry to attack.

Ashina Tiandu sent Frostwest soldiers to attack Bai Zizai’s camp, where explosions shattered their advance and Ma Chao’s cavalry struck from behind. As the Frostwest army routed, Ashina Tiandu saw figures aboard lantern-like objects in the sky.

• Ashina Tiandu promised gold, promotions, and titles to spur Frostwest soldiers into charging Bai Zizai’s camp.
• Frostwest soldiers reached the camp before hidden explosives detonated and devastated the front ranks.
• Asili began to order another attack, then heard cavalry approaching from behind and called for a retreat.
• Ma Chao led the Xiliang Iron Cavalry out from behind the camp and routed the Frostwest soldiers.
• Bai Zizai led the Asura Army into the pursuit as Frostwest troops fled toward the city.
• Ashina Tiandu saw figures moving aboard lantern-like objects across the night sky.

Ashina Tiandu’s Frostwest forces were ambushed by Ma Chao’s Xiliang Iron Cavalry as they tried to retreat toward the imperial city. With Bai Zizai’s cannons blasting the gates and Frostwest defenders shooting at their own fleeing soldiers, the chapter left more than a hundred thousand troops trapped outside.

• Ashina Tiandu saw figures in the sky and recognized the approaching Xiliang Iron Cavalry led by Ma Chao, realizing Great Liang had set a trap.
• Ashina Tiandu ordered the withdrawal gongs sounded and told his troops to retreat to the city, but panic caused soldiers to trample one another.
• Bai Zizai pursued the fleeing Frostwest troops and ordered his Red-Coat Cannons to blast the city gates, killing thousands near the walls.
• Ma Chao led the Xiliang Iron Cavalry in a frenzied charge, driving the survivors toward Frostwest’s city.
• Ashina Tiandu ordered the gates shut, and the gate officer commanded soldiers to shoot anyone approaching, turning Frostwest’s own troops into targets.

Frostwest’s defense collapsed as its soldiers were trapped outside the damaged gates, and Ashley and Xiaoniu turned against Ashina Tiandu. Ashina Tiandu discovered that his own officials and commanders had abandoned him, leaving the rebellion against him underway as Great Liang advanced.

• Frostwest’s defenders shot at their own soldiers outside the gates, while explosions damaged the gates and left them impossible to close.
• Ashina Tiandu ordered the gateway sealed with stones, but Ashley slapped him and began attacking him.
• Xiaoniu joined Ashley and denounced Ashina Tiandu for his failures and for turning Frostwest’s army against itself.
• Ashley declared that Frostwest should accept Great Liang’s rule, and Ashina Tiandu realized Ashley and Xiaoniu had defected.
• Kuli refused to support Ashina Tiandu, explaining that he had treated him as a source of money and threatened his wealth.
• Hu’er rejected Ashina Tiandu and blamed him for abandoning Hu’er’s brother.

Frostwest’s officials turned against Ashina Tiandu as Great Liang breached the city gate, and Ashley persuaded them to surrender. Wang Xuance revealed himself as Ashley’s contact, leaving Frostwest’s army under Great Liang’s control.

• Ashley denounced Ashina Tiandu and argued that Frostwest’s officials should serve Great Liang rather than risk their lives for the Ashina Clan.
• Great Liang blew up the city gate, and Hu’er urged Ashina Tiandu to sacrifice himself for the greater good.
• Ashina Tiandu ordered Zela to kill Hu’er, but Xiaoniu knocked the emperor unconscious with a hammer.
• Ashley told Zela that more than five hundred thousand Great Liang troops had entered the Great West Empire, and Zela dropped his weapon.
• Ashley ordered Frostwest’s army to surrender and asked Lord Wang to tell Ma Chao and Bai Zizai to show mercy.
• Wang Xuance stepped out of the crowd, revealing that Ashley had been acting on Great Liang’s side.

Wang Xuance secured the surrender of Frostwest New City, and Great Liang’s forces took control while capturing Ashina Tiandu. Jia Xu ordered the surrounding areas purged and Lin Yi’s Golden Dragon Flag raised over the palace, leaving Ashina Tiandu defeated and under guard.

• Wang Xuance promised Kuli and the others preferential treatment, then sent up a coded signal flare after they agreed to surrender.
• Jia Xu ordered the generals to stop fighting, and Frostwest soldiers laid down their weapons as Great Liang entered New City.
• Jia Xu and the others reached the palace, where Bai Zizai slapped and taunted the captured Ashina Tiandu.
• Jia Xu sent Bai Zizai to suppress the surrounding areas and told Ashina Tiandu to accept his defeat.
• Ma Chao raised Lin Yi’s Golden Dragon Flag above the palace, leaving Ashina Tiandu kneeling beneath it.

After Great Liang conquered Frostwest, Jia Xu announced that the territory would become Great Liang's and reassured its people. In the Xiling Corridor, A Long absorbed the surviving Frostwest forces into the Great West Empire and ordered a retreat toward its border as Great Liang's armies closed in.

• Jia Xu declared Frostwest part of Great Liang and promised that surrendered soldiers and commoners would be treated fairly if they cooperated.
• Ashina Tiandu passed out after hearing Jia Xu's announcement, while Nishu feared Great Liang would soon conquer the continent.
• A Long learned that New City had fallen and realized the Great West Empire was now exposed to Great Liang's forces.
• Asangni agreed to join the Great West Empire with the surviving Frostwest generals.
• A Long ordered his army to abandon supplies, retreat to the Great West entrance of the Xiling Corridor, and send for the Great West emperor.

After Frostwest’s defeat, Abaddon realized the Great West Empire could not face Great Liang alone and ordered measures to delay and weaken Lin Yi’s forces. The chapter left the empire preparing for invasion while Delin undertook a perilous assassination mission.

• Abaddon learned that Frostwest had been routed and that Great Liang had suffered few losses.
• Delin described Great Liang’s artillery and advanced weapons, convincing Abaddon that the Great West Empire could not stop them alone.
• Abaddon ordered Delin to seek peace talks to stall Great Liang and, if possible, arrange Lin Yi’s assassination.
• Abaddon told Sangdu to reinforce A Long and protect his million soldiers.
• Abaddon ordered the Great West Empire to raise more troops in preparation for Great Liang’s invasion.

After conquering Frostwest, Lin Yi received Li Mu, Zhao Kuo, four hundred thousand Zhao troops, a Black Dragon Banner, Xuanzang, and five hundred thousand loyal commoners. He and his advisers decided to introduce Buddhism in conquered territories rather than Great Liang itself, leaving Xuanzang to spread the faith there.

• Lin Yi learned that Frostwest had fallen and received Li Mu, Zhao Kuo, and four hundred thousand Zhao troops.
• Lin Yi inspected the Black Dragon Banner and welcomed its bonuses to combat strength, military deterrence, and loyalty.
• Lin Yi worried that Buddhism could hinder production and population growth, so he asked Tian Feng and the others how to handle Xuanzang's arrival.
• Zhang Jiao proposed using Buddhism in conquered regions such as Frostwest and Zhennan, where its drawbacks could help Great Liang govern.
• Zhang Jiao explained that Buddhism was originally the Dao, and Lin Yi approved the plan and left Xuanzang to spread his teachings in conquered territories.

Yingge announced that Great Liang had captured Frostwest’s new capital and Ashina Tiandu, prompting Lin Yi’s ministers to debate whether the surrendered Frostwest people could be trusted. Lin Yi ordered the Net to identify useful talent, directed Great Liang’s forces to destroy the Great West Empire, and commanded Gan Ning to blockade the sea against the Moses Empire.

• Yingge reported that Great Liang had captured Frostwest’s new capital and taken Ashina Tiandu alive.
• Lin Yi read the report and learned that Ashina Tiandu had been captured after trying to seize Bai Zizai, while Ashley’s forces turned against him.
• Chen Qun argued that the Frostwest people lacked loyalty and should not be employed, while Guo Jia said talented people could be loyal to strength.
• Lin Yi said the Net would screen for useful people and Jia Xu would dispose of the rest.
• Tian Feng reported that Abide Leier had vanished from the Net’s sight, and Lin Yi ordered Gan Ning to blockade the sea and the front lines to destroy the Great West Empire quickly.

Lin Yi learned that Great Liang had conquered Frostwest and planned to strike the isolated Great West Empire, while he told Anne the news and named the former Frostwest territory Anxi. The chapter ended with an urgent dispatch announcing Ashina Tiandu’s capture and Great Liang’s attack on the Great West Empire.

• Guo Jia argued that Frostwest’s million defecting troops would strain the Great West Empire’s supplies, and Great Liang’s ministers urged Lin Yi to destroy it.
• Lin Yi gave Li Si the Black Dragon Banner design to replace Great Liang’s national flag and ordered further investigation of the Xinma Empire.
• Lin Yi told Anne that Frostwest had been routed, Ashley had handed Ashina Tiandu over to Great Liang, and the remaining Frostwest troops had joined the Great West Empire.
• Lin Yi named the conquered Frostwest territory Anxi after Anne, and she accepted the name with delight.
• An urgent dispatch reached Yong’an City announcing Great Liang’s occupation of Frostwest, Ashina Tiandu’s capture, and its army’s attack on the Great West Empire.

After Great Liang swiftly conquered the Frostwest Empire, Princess Dada and Xinier grew alarmed by its power and decided to pursue an alliance. Abide William noticed their party and feared the Xinma Empire would side with Great Liang, but Meng Huo rebuffed his questions.

• Great Liang’s people celebrated the conquest of the Frostwest Empire, while merchants looked forward to expanding westward.
• Princess Dada and Xinier read the victory report and were shaken by Great Liang’s rapid victories and the sight of a captured Moses Empire official.
• Xinier urged Princess Dada to use every means necessary to secure an alliance with Great Liang, and she agreed to return to the palace with their trade drawings.
• Abide William recognized Princess Dada’s party as people from the Xinma Empire and asked his interpreter who they were.
• Meng Huo struck Abide William and told him that the identity of Princess Dada’s party was none of his concern.

Abide William considered the danger of Great Liang aligning with the Xinma Empire while Lin Yi weighed the empire’s diplomatic offers and naval needs. Lin Yi ordered a major expansion of warship construction and approved Xu You’s plan to enlist merchants to help fund it.

• Abide William accepted that he was a prisoner and judged that an alliance between Great Liang and the Xinma Empire could threaten the Moses Empire.
• Lin Yi and his advisers reviewed the Xinma Empire’s proposed trade goods, and Ma Jun and Cao Cao complained that it offered too little Black Gold Ore.
• Wen Tianxiang urged Lin Yi to pursue diplomacy and avoid making new enemies before dealing with the Moses Empire.
• Lin Yi ordered Great Liang to devote its efforts to building warships, but Mi Zhu warned that the expense could strain the empire’s other projects.
• Xu You proposed letting merchants invest in maritime ventures in exchange for a share of the profits, and Lin Yi approved the plan.

Lin Yi questioned Abide William about the Moses Empire’s invasion and secured intelligence in exchange for his life. He then negotiated with Princess Dada, asking for large quantities of cotton and Black Gold Steel.

• Lin Yi spotted cotton on the Xinma Empire’s gift list and decided to obtain it for keeping Great Liang’s people warm.
• Abide William arrived, and Meng Huo forced him to kneel before Lin Yi questioned him about the Moses Empire’s army.
• Lin Yi threatened to behead Abide William, who confessed that his nephew had lured him with promises of gold, silver, and beauties and then revealed nautical charts and information about the Moses Empire’s colonies and the Xinma Empire.
• Lin Yi summoned Princess Dada and asked whether the Xinma Empire could supply the plant he called cotton, which she knew as thread-drawing flower.
• Princess Dada agreed to provide thread-drawing flower, and Lin Yi told her that Great Liang also needed large quantities of Black Gold Steel.