Kingdoms in Peril, Volume 3

The Death of a Southern Hero

Olivia Milburn

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9780520381063
• eBook ISBN: 9780520381087
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Chinese History
• Index: Literature

Translated in full for the first time, this third volumeimmerses readers in the power and drama of the electrifying classic Chinese novel. The three great southern states of Chu, Wu, and Yue are locked in conflict, and their kings feel a hatred for each other that transcends all bounds. Cruel humiliations are imposed on the vanquished each time a battle is lost, while vicious scheming and internecine manipulation destroy many lives. The balance of power is threatened—but there can only be one victor. 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 Writing some fourteen hundredyears later, the Ming-era author Feng Menglong drew on a vast trove of literary and historical documents to composea gripping narrative account of how China was forged.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 Sixty: Xun Ying divides the army and prepares to encounter the enemy. Three generals perform great deeds below the city walls of Fuyang.
• Chapter Sixty-one: Lord Dao of Jin travels to meet the Chu army at Xiaoyu. Sun Linfu forces Lord Xian of Wey into exile because of a song.
• Chapter Sixty-two: The aristocrats unite and lay siege to the capital city of Qi. Ministers in Jin join together and hatch a plot to get rid of Luan Ying.
• Chapter Sixty-three: Old Qi Xi uses a forceful argument to rescue Yangshe Shuhu. Young Fan Yang captures Wei Shu with a cunning ploy.
• Chapter Sixty-four: Luan Ying and his family are killed at the city of Quwo. General Qi Liang dies in battle at the Qieyu Gate.
• Chapter Sixty-five: After murdering Lord Zhuang of Qi, Cui Shu and Qing Feng take control. Having returned Lord Xian of Wey to power, Ning Xi monopolizes the government.
• Chapter Sixty-six: After the killing of Ning Xi, the Honorable Zhuan flees into exile. Having murdered Cui Shu, Qing Feng monopolizes the government.
• Chapter Sixty-seven: Lupu Gui presents a plan to get rid of Qing Feng. King Ling of Chu holds a great meeting of the aristocrats.
• Chapter Sixty-eight: To celebrate the construction of the Diqi Palace, Music Master Guang composes a song. To gain the hearts of the people of Qi, Chen Wuyu disburses his family’s property.
• Chapter Sixty-nine: King Ling of Chu engages in deception to destroy Chen and Cai. Master Yan Ying of Qi uses clever rhetoric to control the southern barbarians.
• Chapter Seventy: Having killed his three older brothers, King Ping of Chu takes the throne. After ravaging Qi and Lu, Lord Zhao of Jin calls for a blood covenant.
• Chapter Seventy-one: Master Yan kills three knights with two peaches. King Ping of Chu marries a new bride and expels his crown prince.
• Chapter Seventy-two: Wu Shang is killed after hurrying to his father’s side. Wu Zixu crosses the Zhao Pass in plain clothes.
• Chapter Seventy-three: Wu Zixu plays the flute and begs for food in the marketplace of Wu. Zhuan Zhu presents a fish and stabs King Liao.
• Chapter Seventy-four: Nang Wa, terrified of being slandered, executes Fei Wuji. Yao Li, in the hope of becoming famous, stabs Prince Qingji.
• Chapter Seventy-five: Master Sun Wu beheads two beautiful concubines when training an army. Marquis Zhao of Cai gives hostages in order to get help from the Wu forces.
• Chapter Seventy-six: King Zhao of Chu abandons Ying and flees to the west. Wu Zixu desecrates a tomb and whips a corpse.
• Chapter Seventy-seven: Bursting into tears at the Qin court wins Shen Baoxu an army. On the withdrawal of the Wu forces, King Zhao of Chu returns to his capital.
• Chapter Seventy-eight: At the meeting at Mount Jiagu, Confucius deals with the threat posed by Qi. Having reduced the walls of three cities, Confucius asserts law and order.
• Chapter Seventy-nine: Thanks to a gift of women musicians, Li Mi manages to get rid of Confucius. With the king holed up at Mount Kuaiji, Grandee Wen Zhong offers bribes to Chancellor Bo Pi.
• Chapter Eighty: King Fuchai of Wu forgives Yue in the teeth of all remonstrance. King Goujian of Yue racks his brains for ways in which to serve Wu.
• Chapter Eighty-one: Having fallen into the trap laid by Yue, Xi Shi is much favored at the Wu Palace. Rhetoric allows Zigong to persuade the feudal lords to a new course of action.
• Chapter Eighty-two: After executing Wu Zixu, King Fuchai argues over precedence. After the installation in power of the Honorable Kuaikui, Zhong Zilu holds on to his hat.
• Chapter Eighty-three: After murdering Prince Sheng, the Duke of Ye brings peace to Chu. Having killed King Fuchai, the ruler of Yue proclaims himself hegemon.