Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

The chapter compares the development of a nation to an individual's weight loss journey, emphasizing the challenges faced by the Great Song in overcoming comfort and complacency. Wang Ning An, the protagonist, is frustrated by the nation's stagnation and the impending dangers, which only he seems to recognize. He faces multiple issues, including famine in Hebei and the Northwest, and the need for farmland protection laws to ensure food security. As the Wa kingdom begins a military campaign against Gao Li, initial successes lead to overconfidence and a rapid troop mobilization. However, tensions arise when the Wa realize that their spoils are being claimed by the Song Dynasty, which had supported them. Yuan Lai Yi, the Wa commander, struggles with the reality of the situation and the consequences of his reliance on the Song. Meanwhile, the Bohai State, now a vassal of the Song, joins the conflict, complicating the situation further as they attack Gao Li from the west. This dual assault creates panic in Gao Li, which realizes it is caught in a larger power struggle between the Song and the Khitan. The chapter concludes with Gao Li officials seeking assistance from the Khitan Emperor, indicating that a small conflict is escalating into a significant war.

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