A Corner of Ji'an

Qin Yi is ordered to return to the capital, but is ambushed on the way and gravely wounded. He is saved by Su Jiu'an, an orphaned girl. As they spend their days together, they fall for each other. After recovering and returning to the capital, he is once again pushed aside, and resentment festers in his heart. An envoy from the Qiang arrives, and Tuoba Deming’s treacherous ambitions are plain to see. Yet the emperor is foolish, favors civil officials over the military, and is superstitious about gods and Buddhas. His massive construction projects leave the treasury depleted. The Qiang pay lip service to the court while secretly conspiring with Li Lizun of the Tubo to force the emperor to appoint him chancellor. When that fails, they start the Battle of Dugu. Qin Yi is entrusted with command in the crisis. But in the midst of battle, terrible news arrives: Qin Yi’s mother is critically ill. He submits a petition to return to the capital and see her, but is refused. Furious, Qin Yi accepts Su Jiu'an’s offer to return to the capital and care for his mother. This allows Qin Yi to focus on launching a surprise attack against the Tubo. The Tubo suffer a crushing defeat, and their commander is shot dead. Qin Yi returns to the capital victorious, but his mother’s mourning period has already ended. Deeply remorseful, Qin Yi declines high office and generous rewards, instead asking to take his family to guard the border, never to return to the capital without a summons. From then on, he lives in quiet seclusion, protecting peace along the frontier.