Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Zhang Xuan's low-key marriage to a concubine goes unnoticed amidst the excitement of an envoy's wife's impending childbirth in Jiang Du. As spring arrives, preparations for the alliance between the Sui Dynasty and the Turks intensify. Emperor Yang Guang, accompanied by his ministers, travels north with a limited force of thirty thousand troops, adhering to an agreement to avoid escalating tensions. The Sui's military strength has significantly diminished since its peak, raising concerns among officials about the implications of their current vulnerability. Wei Xuan and Pei Ju discuss the dire state of the Sui Dynasty, attributing it to land annexation and the aftermath of previous military campaigns. Amidst their journey, Yang Guang receives a warning from Princess Yi Cheng about potential insincerity from Shibi Khan, leading Pei Ju to advise caution. Ultimately, Yang Guang decides to pause their advance and gather more intelligence before proceeding with the alliance.

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