Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Yu Jun and his son, Yu Wei Ming, discuss the potential repercussions of the Yu clan members visiting the Qing Yun Tavern, which could expose their family's secret ties to the establishment. Yu Wei Ming reveals that relatives from their family had already caused a scene there, raising suspicions. Yu Jun suspects the Dou family might have leaked this information, which poses a significant risk to their family. He considers selling the tavern to sever ties with the Intelligence Bureau to protect the Yu family. Meanwhile, Yu Jun reflects on Zhang Xuan's suggestion to unite the Du Gu and Yuan families to disrupt the Guanlong aristocracy, a long-standing conflict among them. Yu Jun visits the Du Gu family, where he meets Du Gu Can, the new family head. After discussing the recent turmoil and the death of Du Gu Can's uncle, Yu Jun reveals his belief that the current emperor, Li Yuan, was responsible for the murder, citing a secret organization operating under the emperor's orders. Du Gu Can struggles to accept this shocking truth but ultimately acknowledges Yu Jun's insights. They discuss the motivations behind the murder, including the financial strain on the Tang Dynasty and the uncle's secret ties with the Northern Sui, which contributed to his demise. The chapter ends with Du Gu Can coming to terms with the harsh realities of their political landscape.

Full content