This book includes such episodes as the Sui ruler raising an army to conquer Chen, the Prince of Jin earning merit and seizing the heirship, Yang Guang slandering rivals to engineer a change of succession, Dugu's jealousy leading her to kill a palace consort, Li Jing's bold ambition driving him to petition the Western Peak, Zhang Heng creating a prophecy that puts Li Yuan in danger, and heroes rallying in the city of Qizhou.
