This abridged edition introduces readers to the power and drama of the electrifying classic Chinese novel. One of the great works of Chinese literature, beloved in East Asia but virtually unknown in the West, Kingdoms in Peril is an epic historical novel charting the five hundred years leading to the unification of China under the rule of the legendary First Emperor. Writing some fourteen hundred years after the unification, the Ming-era author Feng Menglong drew on a vast trove of literary and historical documents to compose a gripping narrative account of how China came to be China. Here, translated into English for the first time, Kingdoms in Peril recounts the triumphs and tragedies of those five hundred years, through stories taken from the lives of the unforgettable characters that defined and shaped the ages in which they lived. This abridged edition distills the novel's distinct style and its most dramatic episodes into a single volume. Maintaining the spirit and excitement of the original novel, this edition weaves together nine of the most pivotal storylines--some extremely famous, others less well known. Readers will glimpse the intensity of tectonic events that shaped everyday lives, loves, and struggles, with powerful women featuring as prominently in the novel as they have in Chinese history. 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.

Contents Map 1. The Zhou Confederacy circa 500 B.C.E. Map 2. The Kingdoms of the Warring States Period in circa 260 B.C.E. Introduction THE CURSE OF THE BAO LORDS Chapter One King Xuan of Zhou hears a children's song and kills a woman for no good reason. Grandee Du becomes formidable as he protests his innocence. Chapter Two The people of Bao atone for their crimes by handing over a beautiful woman. King You lights the beacon fires to tease the feudal lords. Chapter Three The chief of the Dog Rong invades the capital at Hao. King Ping of Zhou moves east to Luoyang. AN INCESTUOUS LOVE AFFAIR AT THE COURT OF QI Chapter Four The Marquis of Qi gives Lady Wen Jiang in marriage to Lu. Lord Huan of Lu and his wife travel to Qi. Chapter Five The Honorable Wuzhi loses his privileges and joins a conspiracy. Lord Xiang of Qi goes out hunting and meets a ghost. THE WICKED STEPMOTHER, LADY LI JI Chapter Six Lord Xian of Jin ignores a divination against establishing a principal wife. Lady Li Ji plots the murder of Shensheng. Chapter Seven Li Ke murders two infant rulers in succession. Lord Mu pacifies a civil war in Jin for the first time. THE FIGHT FOR LADY XIA JI Chapter Eight Lord Ling of Chen uses underwear to make a joke at court. An unfortunate remark to Xia Zhengshu causes many deaths. Chapter Nine After remonstrance from his ministers, King Zhuang of Chu restores order in Chen. Having married Lady Xia Ji, Wu Chen flees to Jin. THE ORPHAN OF THE ZHAO CLAN Chapter Ten After the siege of the Lower Palace, Cheng Ying hides an orphan. Having executed Tu'an Gu, the Zhao clan rises again. THE DOWNFALL OF THE KINGDOM OF WU Chapter Eleven King Fuchai of Wu forgives Yue in the teeth of all remonstrance. King Goujian of Yue racks his brains for ways in which to serve Wu. Chapter Twelve Having fallen into the trap laid by Yue, Xi Shi is much favored at the Wu Palace. Having killed King Fuchai, the ruler of Yue proclaims himself hegemon. RIVAL STUDENTS OF THE MASTER OF GHOST VALLEY Chapter Thirteen After saying goodbye to the Master of Ghost Valley, Pang Juan descends the mountain. In order to escape from disaster, Sun Bin pretends to have gone mad. Chapter Fourteen Tian Ji leads his forces to victory at Guiling. At Maling, Pang Juan is shot to pieces by crossbows. THE FAMILY TROUBLES OF THE KING OF QIN Chapter Fifteen Having hatched a cunning plan, Lü Buwei sends Prince Yiren home. Fan Wuqi circulates criticism in an attempt to punish the king of Qin. Chapter Sixteen Ai Lao uses a faked castration to bring the Qin palace to chaos. Mao Jiao removes his clothes to remonstrate with the king of Qin. THE ASSASSINS STRIKE Chapter Seventeen Tian Guang cuts his throat after recommending Jing Ke. Having presented a map, Jing Ke's assassination attempt throws the Qin palace into chaos.