Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter details the historical significance of Hong Nong County and the Yang Clan's lineage, particularly the Hong Nong Yang Clan. After the establishment of the Northern Zhou, Yuwen Tai sought alliances with prominent clans, linking the Yang Clan to the royal family of the Sui Dynasty, despite no actual familial ties. The downfall of the Hong Nong Yang Clan came with Yang Xuan Gan's rebellion, but they were spared from severe punishment by Yang Guang. The narrative shifts to Zhang Xuan, a tall man from Luo Yang, who arrives in Yangjia Village seeking his master's ancestral home. He helps an elderly villager carry grain and learns about the Yang family's structure and the tension in the village due to potential refugee threats. Upon meeting Yang Wen Xian, the head of the family, Zhang Xuan presents a sword from his master, Yang Qi, but is met with indifference and rejection. Yang Wen Xian is preoccupied with the looming danger of bandits, leaving Zhang Xuan to follow an attendant to meet Yang Qi's wife.

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