Xinmin's First Book

This is the story of how Nie Feng, a great general of the Chiyan Army, gives his life to save Lin Shu, and how Lin Shu takes revenge by attacking Da Yu. Da Yu sends the prodigy Hualang King to assassinate Nie Feng, but the attempt fails. They kill Xia Dong, burn down Langya Pavilion, and slaughter the old, young, women, and children of the Jiangzuo Alliance. Lin Shu swears to make them pay.

The story has one main plot and two subplots. The main plot is the war, with each battle inspired by a famous battle from Chinese history. The Battle of Liucheng, for example, draws on the renowned Battle of Chuisha: the waters are shallow where the army is large, and deep where it is small. Hualang King raids the Chiyan Army's supplies and wins against the odds, in a maneuver inspired by the Battle of Guandu from the Three Kingdoms era. There are more than a dozen battles in all, showcasing Lin Shu's formidable talent for warfare beyond his political maneuvering.

One subplot revolves around negotiations, including several crucial talks during the war. Fighting is used to force negotiations, showcasing the Yan family's exceptional diplomatic skill. For example, Yan Que, the Marquis of Yan, goes to Yeqin and, within five days, eliminates the hawks, secures Yeqin's provisions, and overthrows its emperor without bloodshed, placing the crown prince on the throne. After Da Yu is defeated, it sends a high-ranking minister to Da Liang to negotiate peace. Marquis Yan uses military pressure to secure massive reparations from Da Yu, laying the groundwork for victory in the war.

The other subplot follows the Emperor of Da Yu, who devotes himself to governing and believes that a gentleman's revenge can wait ten years before launching a war. During the conflict, prodigies like Hualang King emerge, proving the old saying that heroes have been young since time immemorial.