Kingdoms in Peril, Volume 2

The Exile Returns

Olivia Milburn

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520381032
• eBook ISBN: 9780520381049
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Chinese Literature
• Index: Literature

Translated in full for the first time, this second volumeimmerses readers in the power and drama of the electrifying classic Chinese novel. Lord Wen of Jin brings some temporary stability to the political scene when he returns after many years in exile. However, the grants of land and office to his longstanding supporters make them too powerful for his successors to control. Just as the Zhou aristocrats seize power from their king, a bitter struggle begins as ministers seek to impose their authority on their lords. 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 Writing some fourteen hundredyears later, the Ming-era author Feng Menglong drew on a vast trove of literary and historical documents to composea gripping narrative account of how China was forged.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

• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Map: The Zhou Confederacy circa 500 B.C.E.
• List of Main Characters
• Chapter Thirty-One: Lord Hui of Jin is angered and kills Qing Zheng. Jie Zitui cuts flesh from his thigh to feed to his lord.
• Chapter Thirty-Two: Having climbed over a wall, Yan Er commits suicide. A host of heirs cause trouble at court.
• Chapter Thirty-Three: The Duke of Song attacks Qi and installs the Honorable Zhao. The people of Chu set an ambush in which the Master of Covenants is captured.
• Chapter Thirty-Four: Lord Xiang of Song’s mistaken benevolence loses him popular support. Lady Jiang of Qi sends her husband on his way while he is drunk.
• Chapter Thirty-Five: The Honorable Chonger of Jin travels around the Zhou confederacy. Lady Huai Ying of Qin marries two husbands.
• Chapter Thirty-Six: The Lü and Xi families of Jin conspire to set fire to the palace. Lord Mu of Qin pacifies a second civil war in Jin.
• Chapter Thirty-Seven: The determined hermit, Jie Zitui, burns to death at Mount Mianshang. The spoiled favorite, Prince Dai, occupies the palace.
• Chapter Thirty-Eight: To avoid a civil war, King Xiang of Zhou takes up residence in Zheng. By keeping faith, Lord Wen of Jin arranges the surrender of Yuan.
• Chapter Thirty-Nine: Zhan Huo of Liuxia advises on how to get rid of the enemy. Lord Wen of Jin attacks Wey and ruins Cao.
• Chapter Forty: Xian Zhen comes up with a plan for attacking Cheng Dechen. Jin and Chu fight a great battle at Chengpu.
• Chapter Forty-One: Cheng Dechen commits suicide below the city walls of Liangu. The Marquis of Jin becomes Master of Covenants on a platform at Jiantu.
• Chapter Forty-Two: King Xiang of Zhou holds court at Heyang. Yuan Xuan of Wey conducts a court case at the official guesthouse.
• Chapter Forty-Three: Clever Ning Yu uses a poisoning scare to restore the ruling house of Wey. Old Zhu Wu is let down from the city walls to persuade the Lord of Qin.
• Chapter Forty-Four: Shu Zhan grabs hold of a cauldron and defies the Marquis of Jin. Xian Gao fakes an order to feast the Qin army.
• Chapter Forty-Five: Lord Xiang of Jin defeats Qin while still in mourning. Commander-in-Chief Xian Zhen removes his armor to be killed by the Di.
• Chapter Forty-Six: Prince Shangchen of Chu assassinates his father in the palace. Lord Mu of Qin collects the bodies from the battlefield at Mount Xiao.
• Chapter Forty-Seven: Nongyu plays the flute and rides off on the back of a phoenix. Zhao Dun installs Lord Ling in the teeth of all opposition from Qin.
• Chapter Forty-Eight: After assassinating Xian Ke, five generals cause trouble in Jin. In order to summon back Shi Hui, Wei Shouyu lies to Qin.
• Chapter Forty-Nine: The Honorable Bao buys a country with lavish gifts. Lord Yi of Qi is assassinated among the lakeside bamboos.
• Chapter Fifty: Dongmen Sui helps to establish the Honorable Jie. Zhao Dun offers serious remonstrance at the Peach Garden.
• Chapter Fifty-one: Dong Hu uses an upright brush to upbraid Zhao Dun. After executing Dou Yuejiao, King Zhuang holds the Broken Tassel Banquet.
• Chapter Fifty-two: The Honorable Song is forced into rebellion by tasting a turtle. Lord Ling of Chen uses underwear to make a joke at court.
• Chapter Fifty-three: King Zhuang of Chu, after remonstrance, restores the state of Chen. Lord Jing of Jin sends his army to rescue the country of Zheng.
• Chapter Fifty-four: Xun Linfu’s lax discipline leads his army into a defeat. Dwarf Meng uses his acting skills to remind his king of an obligation.
• Chapter Fifty-five: Hua Yuan climbs into bed and takes Prince Ce prisoner. An old man knots the grass to put an end to Du Hui.
• Chapter Fifty-six: The Dowager Marchioness of Qi, Lady Xiao, ascends a tower to laugh at her guests. Feng Choufu changes his clothes in order to allow His Lordship to escape from danger.
• Chapter Fifty-seven: Having married Lady Xia Ji, Wu Chen flees to Jin. After the siege of the Lower Palace, Cheng Ying hides an orphan.
• Chapter Fifty-eight: Having persuaded the Earl of Qin, Wei Xiang takes a doctor home. In taking revenge on Wei Yi, Yang Yaoji shows great skill.
• Chapter Fifty-nine: The favor shown to Xu Tong takes the state of Jin to the brink of civil war. Having executed Tu’an Gu, the Zhao clan rises again.