Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

Jiang Du's prosperity declined sharply due to the cessation of canal shipping caused by wars north of the Huai River, leading to massive unemployment and a population drop from one million to five hundred thousand. The Jiangnan Guild monopolized the remaining trade, exerting control over the city and its officials. General Chen Leng faced a food crisis after the Guild cut off grain supplies, causing prices to skyrocket. He was pressured to choose between allegiance to Li Yuan of Chang'an or Zhang Xuan of Zhongdu, but he refused to submit to the Jiangnan Guild. Chen Tong, Chen Leng's brother, urged him to surrender to Chang'an for personal advancement, but Chen Leng remained focused on the welfare of his soldiers and the city. Meanwhile, Lu Zhuo, an envoy from Zhongdu, offered Chen Leng a choice of military positions, but Chen Leng found them less appealing compared to the offers from the Tang. Ultimately, he contemplated the need to secure Jiang Du and address the food shortage while weighing the benefits of military versus political power.

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