Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 5

Ballad of Sword and Wine #5

by Tang Jiu Qing, st (Illustrator)

SINS OF THE FATHER

As Shen Zechuan attempts to consolidate power in Zhongbo with the aid of Yao Wenyu, his greatest stumbling block continues to be his own name. No matter how great his deeds, so long as he bears the stain of the traitor Shen Wei, he remains foiled in his ambitions. If Shen Zechuan is to expand his hold over the region, he must find a way to overcome his past.

Meanwhile, in the north, Xiao Chiye struggles to find his footing in the Libei Armored Cavalry. Their enemy Amur has sent his most powerful general northward, and the cavalry find themselves pressed back time and again by an adversary who seems to anticipate their every move. Xiao Chiye is hungry to step out of his father and brother's shadow and become the commander who carries Libei to victory--but can he prove himself before it's too late?

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, LGBT, Historical, Queer, China

454 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was possibly not the strongest installment of QJJ for me, but I still had a great time and can see the players and places starting to be moved where they need to be in order to work towards the culmination of the series. I feel like this is a series that I will get a lot out of rereading cause the frequency with which I find myself lost and needing to back track and reorientate myself to the moving parts of the story is kind of embarrassing 😅🥲


Before Han Cheng could stop her, Qi Zhuyin extended the sheath of her blade and lifted the curtain, tilting her head to peer inside.

Hua Xiangyi had not yet covered her head with the veil; wearing her bridal phoenix coronet of gold and jade, she stared at Qi Zhuyin in shock, her chest pounding, unsure what Qi Zhuyin was going to do.

“Well hello,” Qi Zhuyin greeted her. “Stepmother.”


This blink and you miss it moment of sapphic tension was so tasty. Honestly, I would totally read about Qi Zhuyin disposing of all of her male relatives, indisputably taking her role as grand marshal of the five commanderies of Qidong and stealing her father's new beautiful bride to rule over the whole lot in a heartbeat 🤌🏼.

Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye spent so much of this separated from each other which was devastating to me personally, but gave some great moments from each other them separately.


“It doesn’t matter who my parents are.” Shen Zechuan leaned in and whispered into his ear, “I am Shen Zechuan. Whether what you said is the truth or a lie makes no difference to me at all. I am my own nightmare.”


Shen Zechuan is one of those character types that I just ADORE; he's so smart and strategic that everyone just thinks of him as a silver tongue, and forget how shockingly lethal and ruthless he is. I loved getting to see him get himself a bit bloody this volume but the ongoing health issues are a concern and I can't wait to see how the story addresses this (Poor Ding Tao sitting outside crying cause he was so scared 😂).


Still, stagnant waters lay at the bottom of the abyss, and it was into these Shen Zechuan fell, stirring up ripples as he landed. But the sound of breathing in his ear was so, so intense. A vital force dispelled the darkness as strong arms wrapped around him. In that split second, the lifeless waters seemed to brush off their extraneous dust and take new shape, becoming a familiar chest, a beloved embrace.

Xiao Chiye had caught him.


I completely understand that Xiao Chiye had to be humbled a bit, face some adversity and grow up a little but Jesus Christ 😭 I love him so much and this one hurt.

Some fantastic illustrations this installment❤️. The next volume in December can't come soon enough. Were getting closer to the end ❤️😬

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not really a review but I’m going to organize the main players/locations in this volume here (no spoilers for this volume). First, few of my favorite things!
❤️Yao Wenyu and Qiao Tianya
❤️Qi Zhiyun hands down my favorite female character in danmei (Turan from Can Ci Pin/The Defectives is a very close second)
❤️Multiple braid mentions finally after only one in volume 3

Okay, here are the main locations and players in this novel

CIZHOU : the new main stage where SZ has has set up “home”
-Zhou Gui- prefect
-Kong Ling/Chengfeng- advisor to ZG (left for Huaizhou with Yu Xiaozai to discuss potential grain trade agreement)
-Qiao Tianya- SZ’s second, absolute best friend material
-Yao Wenyu/Yuanzhuo- scholar, advisor to SZ, loves his kitten
-Fei Sheng- part of SZ’s guard, former EUG, just trying to find his place, wants to be important (and used) so bad
-Gao Zhongxiong- Imperial college student, very good at writing!
-Ding Tao- from Libei, loyal to SZ and XC, loves candy and his notebook, baby boy
-Li Xiong- new bff for Ding Tao, strong boy, prior young bandit taken in by Lei Jingzhe but now with SZ
-Ji Gang- SZ dad (not biological), former EUG commander when Eastern Palace Prince was framed, Side eye’s XC and SZ’s relationship constantly but still clueless
-Yu Xiaozai- came from Qudu, was in government, brought news of Hai Liangyi’s death and consequences

QUDU: where the Imperial family, Academy, and Government are, the Eight Great Noble Clans, nothing but corruption here, just a few good beans left
-Xue Xiuzhou- orchestrator of the current chaos, student of Hai Liangyi like Yao Wenyu, government official, teacher of Imperial heir Li Jiangting, person who I hate the most right now
-Han Cheng- commander in EUG, despise him because of who he killed, brother is Han Jin a hostage in Cizhou who was the leader of Eight Great Battalions
-Li Jianting- imperial heir daughter, found a groomed by Xue Xiuzhou
-Third Lady Hua- about to be married to Qi Shiyu as a control play by the Empress Dowager to have power over Qi Zhiyun (the amazing female general of Qidong) and her army
-Kong Qiu and Cen Yu- government officials, friends (good beans)
-Hai Liangyi and Hua Siquan (both dead)
-Pan Lin- government official, got into a fight with Xue Xiuyi (Xue Xiuzhuo’s older brother) at XC’s banquet on the pleasure boat, brother is Pan Yi (both good beans)
-Helian Marquis- son is Fei Shi (also at the banquet), daughter is Zhaoyue who Empress Dowager tried to get XC to marry in order to keep him under control in Qudu
-Commandery Princess Zhaoyue- Pan Yi’s wife, part of Fei clan, daughter of Helian Marquis (good bean), obviously did not marry XC

LIBEI
Xiao Chiye
Xiao Jiming-brother
Xiao Fengu- Daddy
Zuo Qianqiu- XC’s shifu, one of the great four generals
Chen Yang- XC’s second
Gu Jin- Imperial Army with XC
Zhao Hui- XJ’s second, Three Great Battalions of Liuyang leader
Tantai Hu- Imperial Army, brother is Tantai Long (dead)
Wu Ziyu- young general was previously demoted from Xiao Jiming guard for being drunk, now with XC
Jiang Sheng- Second Sand Camp leader
Guo Weili- Third Sand Camp leader (do not like)
Lu Yizhi- wife of XJ (son is Xiao Xun), Lu Guangbai’s brother, Lu Pingyan’s daughter

CHAZOU : control acquired by SZ in the last volume, ran Cai Yu out
-Luo Mu- prefect, has a history with Kong Chengfeng (students together)

HEZHOU :
Yan Clan has control/power. Rich and in cahoots with bandits Lei Changming and Lei Jingzhe. Selling grain at exorbitant prices.

JUXEI
-Jiang Qingshan-smart, efficient, doesn’t take crap from anyone, Xue Xiuzhou seems to be able to put him where he wants, this place has grain surplus so naturally it’s important. Selling grain at exorbitant prices.
-Ge Qingqing- was in EUG with SZ, now helping with the businesses SZ has here from Xi Clan.

QIDONG
Qi Zhuyin-one of the four great generals, only female, total badass
Qi Shiyu- Dad
Qi sons- useless and not worth naming
Qi Wei- QZ’s second

HUAIZHOU
Kong Chengfeng and Yu Xiaozi- both are with SZ and left for Huaizhou to discuss grain trade with Cizhou to lower cost of grain from Juxei and Hezhou

DUANZHOU Borders Gedal which will be important in this novel. Controlled by Yan Clan. We learn more about SZ’s past here and also Scorpions…
-Yan Heru- loves money and has lots of it due to illegal goods and the merchants
-Cuiqing- madam
-Haeigu- Scorpion

DUNZHOU Mt Luo bandits who aren’t really organized anymore. This is also where Shen Wei’s manor was. Previously Tantai Long was leader of garrison troops here trying to get rid of bandits. We get a lot more history about what happened here!

FANZHOU
King Yi- self proclaimed leader but not good at it. Only still there because SZ is using him as a buffer

BIANSHA
Amur-leader
Hassen- Amur’s son
Jida-Scorpion

BANDITS
Lei Jingzhe- took out his uncle Lei Changming but has lost control, has sick pedo preferences

Characters who sadly were not in this novel (spoiler?)
Ge Qingqing (in Juxei managing accounts for SZ)
Lu Guangbai (Bianjun Commandery reportedly deserted)
Xiao Jiming (injured?)

[ollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when your wife is getting back-to-back injuries?

- scold him ❌
- tell him to be more mindful ❌
- put him in timeout ❌
- shave his balls ✅

Oh, Xiao Chiye, I just love how your mind works! I can add that scene to my list of wild things I’ve seen in danmei.

Then we have Shen Lanzhou giving Xiao Chiye discreet head under the table WHILE THE MAN IS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE ELSE! Better to give head than lose your head.

[Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

that last chapter gave me emotional damage when i read it for the first time.
so i mourn with you, my brothers and sisters in pain. waiting for the next vol wont be easy but worth it.

but aside from that, cezhou in this volume made go like...

[lotus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know what to say... I only feel pain, absolute pain.

[ana ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ji gang is sending me this man has constructed an entire reality for himself where xiao chiye and shen zechuan are simply two fellas who enjoy each other’s company, and he is living in it fully and without question, someone needs to love him enough to sit him down and spell it out because he clearly cannot get there on his own and time is passing.

xiao chiye and his father scenes were so warm and funny, which when i read for the first time got me completely off guard, which in hindsight i should have recognized as a threat because robin hobb-sorry wrong author same instincts-because the narrative can lull you into a false sense of security with a few paragraphs of genuine tenderness and then decided the appropriate follow up was a portrait of ce’an cradling his father’s headless body like ten pages later. the fact that we’ll never get a scene of lanzhou going to xiao fangxu to ask for his son’s hand in marriage is a loss i will be grieving for some time.

yao wenyu remains standing which i am going to appreciate in real time

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oftentimes when the main character and romantic lead get together in danmei, I lose interest because the plot stops plotting, and they honestly lose everything interesting about their relationship for the sake of being sappy. This is certainly not true of Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye. They are so domestic that all of their subordinates, some of their enemies, and even Xiao Chiye’s family know of their impending marriage, yet I never find myself bored by their interactions or by the plot.

This book was deeply satisfying because Shen Zechuan started finally hitting all his enemies where it hurts. The empire he dreamed of and schemed for is coming to fruition.

I just wish it didn’t end the way it did.

[iayal]

FINE SHYTTTT THAT COVER REVEAL FUCKKK im so excited.

[Sollenbum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Distance makes the heart grow fonder and in this fifth volume of “Ballad of Sword and Wine” by Qiang Jin Jiu, Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan spend a major part of the book apart. The plot is focused on the political developments in Zhongbo and Libei, but since Shen Zechuan is the prefectural governor of Cizhou and Xiao Chiye is a military commander in Libei, they only meet a couple of memorable times.

It becomes clear that the main couple is the only set of characters who are truly round and dynamic characters. They are surrounded by a plethora of flat characters who form the context in which Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye develop their destinies as well as their relationship with each other. For this volume, in particular, it is necessary to keep an eye on the map of Zhongbo and the military camps in Libei, because the plot is fast-moving and geography plays an important part. Firstly, it is relevant to understand that Cizhou and Libei are far apart, because that explains why Xiao Chiye cannot simply swing by to meet Shen Zechuan regularly. The first time they meet for a night in this book is after he has made a concerted effort to ride south to see Shen Zechuan. For the second and perhaps more memorable instance, Shen Zechuan travels north with military supplies to talk with Xiao Fangxu, Chiye´s father. The colour illustration at the beginning of the book shows Shen Zechuan throwing himself into Xiao Chiye´s arms in the middle of a river.

However, such romantic scenes and also some more domestic scenes, where they are lazing about in bed, idly talking, are few and far between. The character and name guide at the back of the book is absolutely necessary to keep track of all the characters who people this volume. Essentially, Shen Zechuan is establishing his power base in Cizhou and then in large parts of the Zhongbo area. He is dogged by his father´s dastardly reputation but slowly wins the respect of the people around him. They realize that he is much more his mother´s son in both looks and temperament.

Xiao Chiye is very aware of Shen Zechuan´s looks, because he tells his father that, “The best-looking man in all of Great Zhou is my wife!” (chapter 154). They are not officially married, but they clearly think of themselves as a married couple and Xiao Chiye announces his intentions to his parents. In turn his father engineers a meeting by inviting Shen Zechuan to the camp and Xiao Chiye´s sister-in-law pays Shen Zechuan a visit to check him out. None of them seem to be bothered by Shen Zechuan´s identity as a male wife; Lu Yizhi, Xiao Chiye´s sister-in-law, even leaves jade and gold bracelets, thereby signalling her acceptance of him as a coming member of the family. She is also the one who has organized a white horse for Shen Zechuan so that Xiao Chiye can gift it to him. Xiao Chiye rides Snowcrest and Shen Zechuan´s new horse is called Frostfall, which is a very romantic visualization of their relationship.

Shen Zechuan´s backstory becomes a factor when a mission to secure military supplies for the troops turns into a journey into his parentage. His father, Shen Wei, was not much liked in the area and in turn he disliked his son. There was no love lost between them and as the story unfolds compelling reasons are revealed. Shen Zechuan´s mother was kind-hearted and brave, which allows him to build new bridges with people who would seem to be his enemies at first glance. There are plots that involved the White Scorpions of Gedal who look like the people of the empire and who therefore can infiltrate enemy territory and steal military secrets whereas the Black Scorpions fight on the border by using massive hammers to injure the Libei Armored Cavalry who wear heavy helmets for protection. At the end of this volume there is a clear instance of foreshadowing that depends on knowing that it is important to remove helmets before battle. This tactic would seem counter-intuitive, but Xiao Chiye has learned the hard way what happens when a heavy hammer meets an armoured helmet.

It will be interesting to see what happens when people jostle for power and how Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan can maintain their relationship, both romantically and politically in the future...

[Queens Love Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We can look at each other from afar—eyes to eyes, forevermore.”



I’ve started this book more times than I can count—and kept putting it down, not because it wasn’t good, but because I was lowkey scared. There’s something about QJJ’s writing that grips me the same way Meatbun’s does: intense, precise, and quietly brutal. When I finally committed to reading it, I couldn’t stop. Every chapter hits with purpose. There’s no wasted motion, no easy comfort. You’re either paying attention or getting left behind. And when it goes there? The smut is absolutely smutting—bold, layered, emotionally charged, and written with the kind of restraint that makes it hit harder.

The pacing is unflinching, the narrative control razor-sharp. Every conversation, battle, or glance is part of something bigger. You can feel the pressure building through political maneuvering, backchannel plays, and sudden shifts in loyalty. Even when nothing “big” is happening, there’s a constant pulse underneath, like something is always about to snap. QJJ doesn’t hold your hand, and that’s part of the thrill—you have to work for the emotional payoff, but when it lands, it lands. It’s the kind of storytelling that rewards re-reading, not because you missed something, but because there’s always more under the surface.

Then there’s Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye—two forces moving in sync even when they’re apart. Their relationship isn’t loud or sentimental; it’s built on trust, mutual calculation, and a deep, wordless bond. They’re co-commanders, co-conspirators, and somehow still achingly close in the quietest ways. And when they do come together? Five-alarm, restrained, vulnerable, pulse-spiking fire. This volume tore me up and left me nervous for the next—like I’m already bracing for heartbreak, and still dying to see what happens.

Date Read: 2025.10.13

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite volume in the series so far, and it is shaping up to be my favorite danmei of all time.

[Natalya Voronina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an amazing volume.
Cezhou are wonderful and even more married than usually, I loved their moments together. I have a ton of pages saved with their bickering and/or being the absolute peak of romance. Xiao family stuff just rocked, "meet the parents" scenes were hilarious.
Lanzhou is brutal and lovable as always.
Finally got me some Libei warfare.
And yeah... heartbreak for dessert :( The wait for the next volume will be tough.

[NijiOfNatsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

TF THAT LAST PAGE!

[hiba · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

i honestly lived for cezhou's reunions throughout this volume. hate seeing them having to split apart but love seeing shen zechuan running into xiao chiye's arms and xiao chiye dramatically saving shen zechuan. also, xiao chiye hard launching his relationship to his father has to be a highlight of the entire novel so far.

i'm constantly in awe of how elaborate and complex the plot is, yet it's so engaging to follow. like i'm on the edge of my seat watching these men plan out trade routes. we keep getting introduced to new characters but they all feel so unique. i also like that we get even more of an insight into the military tactics of both sides as the war really starts heating up.

that cliffhanger ending though. absolutely diabolical.

[Brigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noooo, that ending!!!

[Rüveyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm filled with gigantic hatred. Give my father back

[maría · Rating 5 out of 5]

tang jiu qing we need to be face to face i need to have a conversation with you

"xiao chiye looked out at the waves of billowing grass; there seemed to be no end to that yellow sea. the sorrow of parting and the joy of reunion that belonged to every person alive was merely a fleeting moment in the timelessness of the universe. in the blink of an eye, they, too, would disintegrate. from then on, all would be silent, every trace of the time they'd shared gone. how precious was an encounter between two people."

[mara - hyrulevalkyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
At some parts I feared I was too stupid to be reading this but I love Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye so I persist 🖤

[v•e•e🧸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I feel SICK wtf was that ending. Oh my god, ce’an💔

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another phenomenal volume. As always, politics are at the forefront, and I relied a great deal on both the character glossary and the land map. But this never detracts from the romance, as the connection between Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan is the heart of who they are. They want a future together but there is so much that needs to happen first.

The moments they are together are always passionate and sweet, and as their connection grows, they're even a bit playful which I adore.

I wish I hadn't been spoiled for a major event at the end of this volume, but it still hit hard. I'm very glad I already had volume six ready to read.

[terka · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You may be Shen Wei's son," Xiao Chiye whispered, "but you're mine."

It feels impossible but this just keeps getting better and better. I think volume 3 was the weakest but ever since that it’s just been insane. The plot is swift and super interesting, the relationships keep developing, the schemes are scheming. And almost no boring Qudu parts!

But what the actual fuck was that last chapter and the final illustration, what the FUCK. Good thing I have the volume 6 ready and downloaded because FUCK THAT ENDING.

[Romina Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is pain.

Like, the romance is amazing, the most beautiful thing ever. The story is just... pain.

[z ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

so… after that art and that ending… you’re telling me that i have to wait until december for vol. 6? hahaha… actually not funny at all. i cried

[Li Ya 🪷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

No nie jest to zakończenie, które chciałam przeczytać z samego rana

[lyanuum · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

not that ending 😭😭😭

this volume blessed us with some hot Cezhou moments and I love the writing of the battle scenes

but I just can't for the life of me connect all the dots when it comes to heavy politics stuff, there are just too many names and things going on

[nhiiii :)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

-absolutely loved this volume
-i am getting better at keeping track of all the characters and plot points 🙂‍↕️
-XCY and SZC are soooooo in love and I'm kicking my feet every time they're together even if it's only for a couple days every month or so. Need their wedding now!!
-i have never read a couple written so intimately, I am eating up the yearning
-i usually get tired of politics and extremely heavy plot, esp when the leads are separated bc I just rush to get them back together, but both XCY and SZC are so well written and interesting that I love following how they scheme and operate separately while keeping each other's best interest in mind
-cannot wait to read more about the resident lesbians. "Yo stepmom" is a wild opener for them
-YWY and QTY also are SO cute I need more of them even tho I know their relationship is a foil to CeZhou which I'm not ready to witness :(

[woodlandyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xiao Chiye looked at the waves of billowing grass at the other end; it was like a never-ending torrent. The so-called sorrow of parting and joy of reunions of every single person out there was merely a fleeting moment in the timelessness of the universe. In just the blink of an eye, it would disintegrate, and from then on, all would be silent, every vestige of it gone.
An encounter was truly a very precious thing.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

cezhou love each other so much and there is nothing that'll get in the way 💕💕💕 I'm going to reread the rest of the series now, I can't get enough

[Stay Alive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, okay... *takes a deep breath*. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER WITH THAT ENDING? I need volume 6 right this second!

[James 🦤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one emotionally damaged me so badly I already know I’m not ready for what comes next. Let’s go lesbians though.