Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter describes a scene at the Star Picking Pavilion where Emperor Zhang Xuan discusses palace arrangements with his consorts amidst a snowy landscape. As they plan their living quarters, the narrative shifts to the military situation in Taiyuan City, where General Qu Tutong has taken charge of defense against the Zhou army. He revitalizes the city's defenses and trains new recruits, but faces challenges due to the soldiers' lack of motivation stemming from familial ties to the enemy. Meanwhile, General Sheng Yan Shi leads a Tang army towards Taiyuan, encountering no resistance, raising suspicions about the Zhou army's intentions. The chapter ends with uncertainty about the Zhou army's strategy as they seemingly allow the Tang forces to enter Taiyuan unchallenged.

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