Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Chai Shao questions Dou Qing about his insights into Yang Tan's distrust of him, revealing that while he has abilities, he lacks ambition, which Yang Tan values. Dou Qing highlights Zhang Xuan's swift rise and effectiveness as a 'sharp spear' for Yang Tan, contrasting it with Chai Shao's more passive approach. Dou Qing is puzzled by Zhang Xuan's willingness to take the blame for Luo Shi Xin, suspecting deeper motives behind his actions. Meanwhile, Zhang Xu Tuo visits the influential Vice Minister Yu Shi Ji to seek help for Luo Shi Xin's case but faces humiliation due to his worn attire and a failed bribe of eighty taels of gold, leading Yu Shi Ji to dismiss the case as trivial. Zhang Xu Tuo leaves feeling defeated, realizing the difficulty of his situation.

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