Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The chapter depicts a meeting among twelve elderly representatives from the major families of High Hope County, concerned about the young general Zhang Xuan, who has taken charge after General Zhang Xutu's departure. Sun Lian, the head of the Sun family, emphasizes the importance of respecting General Zhang's authority. When Zhang Xuan arrives with his chief strategist Wei Yunqi, he reassures the villagers about addressing the bandit problem and the welfare of displaced people. However, he reveals the military's limited resources and suggests local officials manage resettlement, which raises concerns among the villagers due to their depleted ranks. After a tense negotiation, Zhang Xuan agrees to allocate some military rations to aid the displaced in exchange for seeds and farming equipment, promising to resolve their issues by the next year. Sun Lian accepts the terms, and Zhang Xuan offers to assist in addressing the villagers' frustrations.

Full content