Kingdoms in Peril, Volume 4

The Assassins Strike

Olivia Milburn

• Publisher: University of California Press
• Year: 2023
• ISBN:
  9780520381117
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Chinese Literature
• Index: Literature

Translated in full for the first time, this fourth volumeimmerses readers in the power and drama of the electrifying classic Chinese novel. Many centuries of violence have forged a new political order, and seven great warring kingdoms are now established. However, old loyalties persist, and brave men are still determined to avenge their former lords. Even as their world consigns them to the past, a handful of assassins still seek to rewrite history. One of the great works of Chinese literature, Kingdoms in Peril is an epic historical novel charting the five hundredyears leading to the unification of the country in 221 B.C.E. under the rule of the legendary First Emperor. Writing some fourteen hundredyears later, the Ming-era author Feng Menglong drew on a vast trove of literary and historical documents to composea gripping narrative account of how China was forged. Detailing the stories of unforgettable characters who defined and shaped the times in which they lived, the complete edition of Kingdoms in Peril is a vital resource for those seeking a comprehensive overview of China's ancient past and the political machinations that led to its unification. There are many historical works that provide an account of some of these events, but none are as thrilling and breathtakingly memorable as Kingdoms in Peril.

Table of contents

• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Map: The Kingdoms of the Warring States Period circa 260 B.C.E.
• List of Main Characters
• Chapter Eighty-four: The Earl of Zhi diverts the water supply to flood the city of Jinyang. Yu Rang stabs a garment in order to take revenge on Lord Xiang.
• Chapter Eighty-five: Le Yang angrily eats the stew provided by Zhongshan. Ximen Bao proudly escorts a bride for the River God.
• Chapter Eighty-six: Wu Qi kills his wife in order to be appointed a general. Zou Ji plays the qin so as to become prime minister.
• Chapter Eighty-seven: Having persuaded the ruler of Qin, Shang Yang changes the legal code. Having said goodbye to the Master of Ghost Valley, Sun Bin descends the mountain.
• Chapter Eighty-eight: Sun Bin pretends to have gone mad in order to escape from disaster. Pang Juan finds his army defeated at Guiling.
• Chapter Eighty-nine: On the road to Maling, Pang Juan is shot to bits by crossbow bolts. In the marketplace of Xianyang, Shang Yang is torn to pieces by five oxen.
• Chapter Ninety: Su Qin creates the Vertical Alliance and becomes prime minister of six countries. Zhang Yi is forced into going to the kingdom of Qin.
• Chapter Ninety-one: Although he intended to abdicate, King Kuai of Yan actually brings about a war. By pretending to offer a gift of land, Zhang Yi succeeds in tricking Chu.
• Chapter Ninety-two: In a bronze ding-lifting competition, King Wu of Qin breaks his leg. In rushing to a meeting, King Huai of Chu falls into Qin’s trap.
• Chapter Ninety-three: The Royal Father of Zhao starves to death at the Shaqiu Palace. The Lord of Mengchang sneaks through the Hangu Pass.
• Chapter Ninety-four: Feng Huan dances with his sword to gain a position with the Lord of Mengchang. The king of Qi raises an army to attack the Wicked King of Song.
• Chapter Ninety-five: Having persuaded four countries to this effect, Le Yi destroys Qi. Stampeding cattle with their tails aflame allows Tian Dan to defeat Yan.
• Chapter Ninety-six: Lin Xiangru bends the king of Qin to his will not once but twice. The Lord of Mafu singlehandedly lifts the siege on the Han capital.
• Chapter Ninety-seven: A “dead” Fan Ju plots his escape to the kingdom of Qin. A false “Zhang Lu” openly humiliates the Wei ambassador.
• Chapter Ninety-eight: Having taken hostage the Lord of Pingyuan, the king of Qin demands Wei Qi’s head. After the defeat at Changping, General Bai Qi massacres the Zhao army.
• Chapter Ninety-nine: Although innocent, the Lord of Wu’an dies at Duyou. Having hatched a cunning plan, Lü Buwei sends Prince Yiren home.
• Chapter One Hundred: Lu Zhonglian refuses to allow Qin to become emperor. The Lord of Xinling steals a tally to rescue Zhao.
• Chapter One Hundred and One: The king of Qin destroys Zhou and moves the Nine Dings. Lian Po defeats Yan and kills two of their generals.
• Chapter One Hundred and Two: On the road to Huayin, the Lord of Xinling defeats Meng Ao. At the Hulu River, Pang Nuan beheads Ju Xin.
• Chapter One Hundred and Three: The king’s uncle gets rid of the Lord of Chunshen in a power struggle. Fan Yuqi circulates criticism in an attempt to punish the king of Qin.
• Chapter One Hundred and Four: Gan Luo achieves high office at a young age. Ai Lao uses a faked castration to bring the Qin palace to chaos.
• Chapter One Hundred and Five: Mao Jiao removes his clothes to remonstrate with the king of Qin. Li Mu retreats inside the walls of his encampment to stop Huan Yi’s advance.
• Chapter One Hundred and Six: Wang Ao comes up with a plan to get Li Mu killed. Tian Guang cuts his throat after recommending Jing Ke.
• Chapter One Hundred and Seven: On presenting a map, Jing Ke’s assassination attempt throws the Qin palace into chaos. After a discussion of military strategy, Wang Jian replaces Li Xin.
• Chapter One Hundred and Eight: Having united six kingdoms, a fresh plan of the country is drawn. After taking the title of First Emperor, Zheng of Qin establishes a new order.