Summary

In Part Three, Chapter 18, Ouyang returns to Esen’s home after purposefully losing Bianliang to the rebels. He finds Esen in the woman’s quarters and suppresses deep resentment when he sees that Esen has been with another. Ouyang says that he must request help from the Zhang family to retake Bialiang, but Esen disagrees and declares that they will win for the empire. Ouyang asks that Esen accompany him to Bianliang and Esen agrees.

Ouyang reports to Baoxiang who slaps him when he mocks what little influence Baoxiang has left. Ouyang sees the anguish in Baoxiang’s eyes as the man tells Ouyang to take whatever he needs. However, Ouyang remembers Altan’s fate as he leaves.

A few days later, Ouyang meets with Zhang, his brother, Rice Bucket Zhang, and his wife. Rice Bucket Zhang talks endlessly about sleeping with...