Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

In Dou Jiande's study, Liu Heita, a former subordinate and childhood friend, attempts to persuade Dou Jiande to rebel against the Sui dynasty after Dou's surrender. Liu, now a bandit known as the Black King, seeks to rally support by leveraging Dou's reputation. Despite Liu's passionate arguments, Dou remains noncommittal, causing concern for his wife, Li Shi, who fears for their safety. Dou eventually decides to flee to Zhongdu for protection, realizing the danger posed by Liu's ambitions. Meanwhile, in Zhongdu, Zhang Xuan spends time with his family and receives a report about political instability in Bingzhou, hinting at potential threats from Chang'an.

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