Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The Zhongyuan Festival, also known as the Yulan Pen Festival, is a time for ancestral worship where people release lanterns and place offerings for departed souls. In Chang'an, festivities occur mainly in Qujiang and temples, including the Baoyun Temple, which hosts a significant meeting of Guanzhong nobility to re-establish the Wuchuan Prefecture. Du Gu Shun leads the meeting, expressing dissatisfaction with the Sui Dynasty's rulers, Yang Jian and Yang Guang, and calling for a break from their rule. The nobles agree to support the re-establishment, recognizing the need for a new dynasty. Du Gu Shun's leadership faces scrutiny, particularly regarding the choice of Li Yuan as a representative of the Guanzhong nobles. Li Yuan, cautious of the emperor's potential backlash, chooses not to attend the meeting, while Dou Wei reassures him of his future role. Tensions rise as alliances shift, and both Du Gu Shun and Dou Wei navigate their positions amid the changing political landscape.

Full content