Ying Qi transmigrates into the body of the third daughter of Minister Ying in Jiangnan.
Her ideal outcome is to go home, or die on the eve of her wedding.
Then the rebel army enters her hometown. The county magistrate's head is hung above the city gate, and her family perishes in a sea of flames. Amid the chaos, she leads dozens of household retainers to the city walls.
The History of Eastern Qi records: "The Ying girl, aged seventeen, led the survivors up the walls and beat the war drum herself. For more than ten days, the rebels could not take the city."
Just as the scholar-officials compose poems about her heroic deed, and the officials prepare a chaste martyr's memorial arch for her,
Ying Qi turns against them and leads her people to surrender to the rebels.
Everyone: "@#%!"
*
Ying Qi, Prince of Pingbei in the Shuntian Army, is a paragon of virtue among the rebels.
She maintains strict military discipline, and neither burns, kills, loots, nor tramples farmland.
She treats her subordinates kindly, never kills the innocent or loses her temper without reason, and apologizes when she does.
She is an undefeated general. As long as she is there, everyone has a chance to win and survive.
The emperor is wary of her, the court's generals fear her, the upright scholar-officials despise and revile her, and the common people welcome and adore her.
Only Young General Pei feels differently about her.
She is the only worthy rival he has ever had.
He is madly curious about her and desperately wants to understand her.
To peel away her skin, see her flesh and blood, and then defeat her.
*
Pei Lang, the founding emperor of Qi, was handsome and spirited.
His was a life of fighting, a life devoted to his career and relentless striving.
Later scholars discovered a poem on the wall of an ancient temple outside the capital. It was said that Pei Lang had written it there one night after ascending the throne, overcome by his feelings.
But its contents were so out of character that historians and full professors argued endlessly over it.
*
Once Ying Lang honored me with a glance, and ever since, each day has been like spring.
General, if you have feelings, take pity on me. Do not let us both drown in this world.
23.12.15
Theme: Life is a wilderness, not a track
