Kingdoms in Peril, Volume 1

The Curse of the Bao Lords

Olivia Milburn

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520381001
• eBook ISBN: 9780520381018
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Chinese Literature
• Index: Literature

Translated in full for the first time, this first volumeimmerses readers in the power and drama of the electrifying classic Chinese novel. Deep inside the Zhou royal palace, an ancient curse is released, and darkness spreads across the land. An incompetent king's mad passion for a teenaged slave leads to the country being torn apart by civil war. As the situation unravels, will anyone attempt to stand against the forces of chaos? One of the great works of Chinese literature, Kingdoms in Peril is an epic historical novel charting the five hundredyears leading to the unification of the country in 221 B.C.E. under the rule of the legendary First Emperor. Writing some fourteen hundredyears later, the Ming-era author Feng Menglong drew on a vast trove of literary and historical documents to composea gripping narrative account of how China was forged. Detailing the stories of unforgettable characters who defined and shaped the times in which they lived, the complete edition of Kingdoms in Peril is a vital resource for those seeking a comprehensive overview of China's ancient past and the political machinations that led to its unification. There are many historical works that provide an account of some of these events, but none are as thrilling and breathtakingly memorable as Kingdoms in Peril.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Map: The Zhou Confederacy circa 500 b.c.e
• List of Main Characters
• Introduction
• Chapter One: King Xuan of Zhou hears a children’s song and kills a woman for no good reason. Grandee Du becomes formidable as he protests his innocence.
• Chapter Two: The people of Bao atone for their crimes by handing over a beautiful woman. King You lights the beacon fires to tease the feudal lords.
• Chapter Three: The chief of the Dog Rong invades the capital at Hao. King Ping of Zhou moves east to Luoyang.
• Chapter Four: Lord Wen of Qin sacrifices to Heaven in response to a prophetic dream.Lord Zhuang of Zheng digs a pit in order to see his mother.
• Chapter Five: After favoring the Duke of Guo, Zhou and Zheng exchange hostages. To help Wey and defend against Lu, Song raises an army.
• Chapter Six: Shi Que of Wey kills his only son in the cause of justice. Lord Zhuang of Zheng fakes an edict and attacks Song.
• Chapter Seven: Noble Grandson E, fighting from his chariot, shoots Ying Kaoshu. The Honorable Hui comes up with a plot to usurp the title from Lord Yin.
• Chapter Eight: To establish a new lord, Hua Du resorts to giving bribes. Having defeated the Rong army, Zihu refuses a marriage alliance.
• Chapter Nine: The Marquis of Qi gives Lady Wen Jiang in marriage to Lu. Zhu Dan shoots King Huan of Zhou in the shoulder.
• Chapter Ten: Xiong Tong of Chu oversteps his authority and declares himself king. Zhai Zu of Zheng is blackmailed into establishing a concubine’s son as lord.
• Chapter Eleven: Lord Zhuang of Song, being greedy for bribes, brings disaster upon his army. Zhai Zu of Zheng murders his son-in-law and forces his lord into exile.
• Chapter Twelve: Lord Xuan of Wey builds a tower to steal another man’s wife. Gao Qumi takes advantage of the situation to change rulers.
• Chapter Thirteen: Lord Huan of Lu and his wife travel to Qi. The Honorable Wei of Zheng and his supporters are massacred.
• Chapter Fourteen: Shuo, Marquis of Wey, returns to his state in defiance of the king. Lord Xiang of Qi goes out hunting and meets a ghost.
• Chapter Fifteen: Grandee Yong Lin plots the murder of Wuzhi. Lord Zhuang of Lu fights a great battle at Ganshi.
• Chapter Sixteen: After his release from imprisonment, Bao Shuya recommends Guan Zhong for office. In the battle of Changshao, Cao Gui defeats Qi.
• Chapter Seventeen: The state of Song takes bribes and executes Nangong Changwan. The king of Chu raises his cup and steals Lady Gui of Xi.
• Chapter Eighteen: Cao Mo menaces the Marquis of Qi with a sword in his hand. Lord Huan invests Ning Qi with a noble title by firelight.
• Chapter Nineteen: Having taken Fu Xia prisoner, Lord Li of Zheng returns to his country. After murdering Prince Tui, King Hui of Zhou is restored to power.
• Chapter Twenty: Lord Xian of Jin ignores a divination against establishing Lady Li Ji as his principal wife. King Cheng of Chu puts down a rebellion and appoints Ziwen as Grand Vizier.
• Chapter Twenty-one: Guan Yiwu cleverly explains the identity of the Yu’er. Lord Huan of Qi’s army brings peace to Guzhu.
• Chapter Twenty-two: The Honorable You twice installs a ruler of Lu in power. Master Huang of Qi is the only person to recognize the “Weishe.”
• Chapter Twenty-three: Lord Yi of Wey’s love of cranes destroys his country. Lord Huan of Qi raises an army to attack Chu.
• Chapter Twenty-four: At the blood covenant at Shaoling, a Chu grandee is treated with ritual propriety. At the meeting at Kuiqiu, the Zhou king is honored.
• Chapter Twenty-five: Clever Xun Xi destroys Guo after borrowing a road. Poor Baili Xi is appointed prime minister after feeding his oxen.
• Chapter Twenty-six: A song about a bar to the door allows Baili Xi to recognize his wife. After capturing the Treasure of Chen, Lord Mu discovers the truth of his dream.
• Chapter Twenty-seven: Lady Li Ji plots the murder of Shensheng. Lord Xian gives deathbed instructions to Xun Xi.
• Chapter Twenty-eight: Li Ke murders two infant rulers in succession. Lord Mu pacifies a civil war in Jin for the first time.
• Chapter Twenty-nine: Lord Hui of Jin executes all his government ministers. Guan Yiwu discusses the prime ministership on his deathbed.
• Chapter Thirty: Qin and Jin fight a great battle at Mount Longmen. Lady Mu Ji climbs a tower to demand a general pardon.