The Great Sui and Tang

Set against the chaos and conflict of the late Sui and early Tang, this story weaves together the legends of heroes from every corner of the realm, presenting the complete fall of the Sui dynasty and rise of the Tang. It begins after the Sui conquer Southern Chen. Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin, sons of Southern Chen generals killed in battle, take refuge in Shandong. Qin Qiong serves as a constable in Licheng County. At Mount Lin Tong, he happens to rescue Li Yuan, who is being hunted by Prince Yang Guang. Later, illness leaves him stranded in Tiantang County, where he sells his pair of maces and horse and meets the outlaw hero Shan Xiongxin.

After accidentally killing a man, Qin Qiong is exiled to Beiping Prefecture, where he reunites with an aunt he has not seen in many years. He earns the favor of Prince Luo Yi of Beiping and is later ordered to travel to the capital to offer birthday congratulations. To rescue a young woman, the Seven Heroes storm the Lantern Festival and flee Chang'an. By then, Yang Guang has usurped the throne, and tyranny reigns. Wu Yunshao of Nanyang Pass is the first to rebel against the Sui, and heroes rise up across the land. Cheng Yaojin sells illegal salt and causes a disturbance in court. He joins forces with You Junda to rob the imperial tribute convoy. Qin Qiong disguises himself with painted skin and a false beard to stir up trouble in Dengzhou to rescue Cheng Yaojin, and is taken in as the thirteenth of Prince Yang Lin's Thirteen Guardians.

Forty-six friends swear brotherhood at Jia Family Tower and establish a heroes' assembly to rebel. With three strokes of his axe, Cheng Yaojin conquers Wagang and establishes the Great Devil Kingdom. The Sui army fails time and again to suppress Wagang. Eighteen rebel kings appoint Cheng Yaojin as their supreme alliance leader. At Siping Mountain, Li Yuanba's hammer shakes the eighteen states, and the Wagang army defeats the Bronze Banner Formation. Yang Guang then holds a martial arts tournament in Yangzhou to claim the Imperial Jade Seal, but his scheme fails and he dies. Li Yuan and his sons raise an army in Taiyuan, break through Tong Pass, occupy Chang'an, and establish the Tang dynasty. Li Mi's misrule causes the Wagang army to fall apart. Shan Xiongxin submits to Wang Shichong and fights against the Tang. After Yuchi Gong enters the story, Li Shimin wins him over with kindness. In the end, the Tang army subdues the various rebel kings and unites the realm, bringing to life a sweeping tale of a turbulent age, interwoven with loyalty and righteousness.