A century after the Great Zhao dynasty was founded, its capital, Yanjing, faces threats on every front. The Chidi tribes menace the northern border, while rebellions break out from time to time among the eighteen tribes of Jiuxi in the southwest. While investigating military-payroll embezzlement in Qingzhou, Gu Yan survives three assassination attempts and rescues a witness being pursued on his way back to the capital. At court, he faces a challenge from the Minister of Revenue and presents irrefutable evidence. But when a key witness suddenly recants, he discovers that the military-payroll case is tied to a far deeper conspiracy...
