Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 7

Ballad of Sword and Wine #7

by Tang Jiu Qing, st (Illustrator)

UNDER SIEGE
Having at last consolidated the six prefectures of Zhongbo under his rule, Shen Zechuan stands between two looming the Biansha Horsemen to the east, and the imperial court of Qudu to the west. Although Qudu remains paralyzed by internal strife, Shen Zechuan knows it's only a matter of time before the fledgling emperor and her supporter, Xue Xiuzhuo, turn their eyes to him.
To the north, while Hassen continues to hammer Libei's generals with relentless attacks, Xiao Chiye suspects his real target lies along the vulnerable border of Zhongbo. If he's right, Shen Zechuan will be cut off and surrounded before reinforcements arrive.
Yet when Hassen's attack comes, it is with a brutality no one anticipated. Forced to make a desperate stand, Shen Zechuan must hold the walls until Xiao Chiye arrives--or the city falls.

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

468 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2026

Reviews

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM DISTRAUGHT THAT AFTER TWO YEARS OF BEING ABLE TO RELY ON THIS SERIES TO BRING ME JOY THERE IS NOW ONLY ONE VOLUME LEFT. WHAT DO I EVEN DO WITH MYSELF THEN??? SEND MYSELF TO THE SURFACE OF THE SUN??? WHAT IS THE POINT OF ANYTHING???

This volume would need to be up there with one of my favourites. I love it and I love this series.

All of the escalating drama of this penultimate volume had me holding my breath; Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan facing off against the ever escalating threat of the Biansha horsemen, whatever gay shenanigans Yao Wenyu/ Qiao Tianya and Qi Zhuyin/ Hua Xiangyi have going on in the background, the fissures in the power structure continuing to grow in Qudu, all of it feels like it has just been perfectly paced to deliver on an epic conclusion in the final volume.

Would I feel this way still if I had binged the whole series? Maybe not? That is ALOT of grain, and despite my many complaints of needing to wait for new releases, it has had the side benefit of forcing me to pace myself and get maximum enjoyment out of this series.

The place in my heart that Shen Zechaun and Xiao Chiye occupy is so dear to me. I just really love seeing two people, who are strong, capable and accomplished in their own right, build a relationship based on love, devotion and loyalty that raises the other even higher and lets them build an empire together.

(Side benefit to all the stressful battles and political treachery is that there is significantly less names to remember now then there was in the past hahaha)

Shen Zechuan stood before the city gate and watched Snowcrest canter closer. Xiao Chiye leaned out of the saddle as he approached. Shen Zechuan raised his right arm, and Xiao Chiye gently bumped his own against it. Xiao Chiye gazed at Shen Zechuan and extended his finger to lift Shen Zechuan’s chin. There is the middle of the downpour, he lowered his eyes and pressed their foreheads together.

The rain enveloped the two men in its embrace.

Shen Zechuan closed his eyes. Rainwater trickled along his lashes and dripped onto the bridge of Xiao Chiye’s nose. He slowly smiled, and then laughed out loud.

(I love just them so much 😩💕)



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[iayal]

would consider this the volume where you can truly see an avenue where qiang jin jiu shines compared to other danmei - its excellent side characters. while the two main characters do have many great moments in this (particularly, shen zechuan’s continuation of letting go of his father’s legacy and writing his own path), this volume shows how well-written the side characters are. one of my favourite characters was cemented as one in this volume (and what he underwent moved me to tears…). not only are the side characters supporting the main character made noteworthy but, also the ones on the opposing sides. yeah, there’s countless reasons to read qiang jin jiu but, an excellent side character cast is another great reason!

when shen zechuan had made love to xiao chiye that first time, his battered, scarred body had finally experienced pleasure - the joy of being alive.

[ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is so hauntingly beautiful... it makes my heart ache....

[ale · Rating 5 out of 5]

im tattooing yao wenyu's name on my face and then k!lling myself

[Paula | Scales and Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly out of words.. this was a complete masterpiece.

an astonishing built up of political strategies and a frightening description of a battle, I was completely immersed and at the eage of my seat all the time.

another 5 stars rating for qjj, I love everything about this story.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fei Sheng’s potty mouth is somehow so cute in this novel 🫣. This really isn’t a review, just where I keep things organized for who and what is important. Qudu has its own internal fighting while Zhongbo and Libei are still dealing with Amur, Hansen and all the issues with the tribes. Grain is still the main character. Okay, here are the main locations, players, and what’s going on with them (no spoilers)

QUDU: capital, home to the Imperial family, Imperial Academy, Eight Great cities/clans (Wei, Yao, Hua, Xi, Pan, Xue, Han, and Fei)

Basically three groups here contending for power in Qudu:
1. Xue Xiozhuo/Yanqing, Li Jianting (heir apparent), Cen Yu (Imperial Censor), Kong Qiu (Grand Secretariat),
2. Han Cheng (commander of EUG) and Eight Great Battalions (brother Han Jin was the leader but currently he’s SZ’s hostage in Duanzhou)
3. Empress Dowager, noble clans?
Also here…
-Pan family: Xiangjie (dad), Pan Lin (son) Pan Yi (son divorced Princess Zhaoye of Fei family to save them). Han Cheng is mad at this family for helping Yao Wenyu escape so he wants to take them down
-Xue Xiuyi- Xue Xiozhuo’s brother
-Fei family: Helian Marquis(dad) and son, Fei Shi, daughter Princess Zhaoyue who married Pan Yi- helped Yao Wenyu escape Qudu.
-Eunuchs: Fuman and Fengquan (Mu Ru’s brother)
-Liang Cuishan: Ministry of Revenue (SZ helped him after he helped him and XC in the ditch fiasco in vol. 2)
-Qi Zhuyin/Qi Wei and Qidong garrison- temporarily in town but wanting to get TF out
-Ge Qingping-EUG, team SZ

ZHONGBO (MOSTLY DUANZHUO): where SZ is currently governing
-Shen Zechuan- no explanations needed at this point in the story 😉
-Fei Shang- so proud of him, he’s putting in work and finally trusted and valued
-General Yin Chang: commander of Cizhou groups, old man loves to drink, love him and his bickering with Fei Shang
-Qiao Tianya
-Yao Wenyu
-Yan Heru: this guy! money weasel who is “helping” SZ get grain, build a port, territory is Hezhou, untrustworthy
-Kong Ling (from Cizhou)
-Ding Tao and Li Xiong (the babies!)
-Han Jin (hostage)
-Yu Xiaozai-was in Qudu was an official guided by Cen Yu but took off to tell SZ the news of Hai Liangyi’s death in vol 4, helped grain trade with Huaizhuo with Kong Ling
-Haerigu- scorpion who has “switched sides” tasked with making a deal with a tribe to disrupt Amur
-Wang Xian- now with SZ, was in Qudu

LIBEI/Second Sands Camp:
XC, Chen Yang, Gu Jin, Guo Weili (framed Gu Jin), Wu Ziyu (was initially with Xiao Jiming but got drunk and demoted, now with XC and working his way back- love him)

JUEXI:
-Jiang Qingshan (Xue X’s right hand man, smart, I wish he was with SZ not XX)
-Xi Dan (managing business in Juexi for SZ)
-Ge Qingqing (helping SZ also)

Random things I loved: (maybe spoilers not really for QJJ- but kind of for GoT!)
❤️Fei Sheng in the Duanzhuo battle!!!
“Fei Sheng’s clothes were already drenched. He flipped his Xiuchun saber in his hand, its blade chipped from the fighting, and said as if to the rain, “I told you a long time ago. Heroes don’t come to good ends.”
-I realize he is nothing like Daemon Targaryen but this is what I pictured when he flipped his saber 😍🥵🥰
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8WJsxWs/
(I don’t know how to include gifs so this is all I got)
❤️SZ and Qiao Tianya’s convo about Q
T’s sex endurance in the middle of a battle
He turned and said ambiguously, “Don’t go saying that to Yuanzhuo. What a huge misunderstanding that’d be. I’m not fast where it counts.” “Then I’m—” Shen Zechuan flipped his wrist and blocked the strike from a scimitar behind Qiao Tianya. Blood splashed Qiao Tianya’s face as steel shrieked in his ear. Calmly, Shen Zechuan finished, “—so very happy for Yuanzhuo.”
❤️The handkerchief
❤️Seeing fierce and vicious SZ on the battlefield
❤️The beacons being lit!
❤️Ding Tao and Li Xiong calling Jurin “egg”. Reminded me of Master Aemon from GoT calling his little brother “Egg (short for Aegon) who also had a bald head on his deathbed.
❤️Always Qiao Tianya and Yao Wenyu

**I had more to say but honestly I just not in the mood to make sure everything is included at the moment so I’ll edit later.

[Queens Love Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Today’s pair of matched jades will be tomorrow’s tigers fighting over the mountain.”



I genuinely thought this was going to be the final major arc before a quieter ending volume full of extras, but clearly I underestimated just how much story is still left to tell. And honestly? I’m glad I was wrong because this volume feels huge. The war is so detailed and stressful that I had to keep putting the book down just to breathe for a second. Every chapter carries this constant pressure that something terrible could happen at any moment, and with this series, death is never just a possibility. It’s expected. That’s part of what makes it such a brutal read emotionally. This series is absolutely not for the faint of heart. I also love how war centered and political this volume feels. Normally I hate politics in books because I struggle to follow them half the time, but somehow danmei historical politics always completely hooks me anyway. QJJ continues to be one of the biggest exception to my usual reading tastes because I knew this series would become one of my all time favorites after only the first volume. Out of my top five danmei series, this is the only ongoing one, and somehow it still just keeps getting better.

Shen Zechuan feels fully sharpened here, not because he suddenly controls everything, but because every decision now carries the survival of Zhongbo on his shoulders. He’s no longer operating quietly from the shadows. He has to hold together land, soldiers, alliances, trust, and political authority while enemies close in from every direction. It makes him such a compelling main character because even with all his intelligence, he still feels human under the pressure. And seriously, how is this man with his weak, constantly ailing body still standing toe to toe with Hassen? I genuinely thought Shen Zechuan would get one-hit KO’d the second things became physical. Xiao Chiye remains incredible too because his role beside Shen Zechuan never feels performative. He stands with him as an equal, as a military partner, and as someone willing to carry the same burdens. Their relationship works so well because love doesn’t reduce the tension around them. It makes every decision feel heavier and more urgent. Xue Xiuzhou is also such a strong antagonist because he doesn’t feel evil for the sake of being evil. One of my favorite things about this series is how some enemies genuinely want what they believe is best for the nation. How do you fight someone who has no selfish ambition? Honestly, the thought of what Xue Xiuzhou could’ve become under teachers like Hai Liangyi or Qi Huilian is terrifying.

I also need to scream about Gu Jin because omg, I love him so much. And Qiao Tianya too. The quieter emotional moments in this volume hit especially hard because characters like Qiao Tianya and Yao Wenyu bring tenderness and heartbreak into a story otherwise filled with warfare, siege pressure, and political maneuvering. This series constantly reminds you that today’s ally could become tomorrow’s enemy, and that instability makes every relationship feel fragile. Li Jianting and the Empress Dowager continue to prove how dangerous legitimacy and political influence can be even from far away. Nothing in this story feels simple anymore. Every side has reasons, every victory comes with a cost, and every moment of hope feels temporary. The volume is dense and definitely asks for your full attention, but the result is incredible because Zhongbo feels real, vulnerable, and absolutely worth fighting for. Few series manage to balance war strategy, leadership, romance, and emotional devastation this well. I finished this volume stressed, exhausted, emotionally damaged, and already desperate for the final one.

Date Read; 2026.05.12

[maría · Rating 5 out of 5]

"i am yours, even in death. and you are mine. if anyone tries to take you from me, I'll kill them. even if it were the king of hell."

[Sollenbum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balance is the key to successful relationships – romantic and otherwise. In this seventh volume of “Ballad of Sword and Wine” by Qiang Jin Jiu the web of political intrigue, border disputes and various personal relationships is beginning to tighten. The various strands of the plot are beginning to come together in a close-knit weave. The power struggle in the Qudu court is affected by Shen Zechuan´s increasing control of Zhongbo which in turn is interwoven with Libei because of his relationship with Xiao Chiye.

At the heart of the dispute lie grain politics; the corrupt nobles seize it to appease their greed while others want it to control the political game. However, Shen Zechuan shows charity by subsidizing grain prices in order to feed soldiers and the general population in neighbouring prefectures. Whereas Yan Heru is motivated by money, Shen Zechuan sees both political opportunity and the need to prevent people from starvation. He is ruthless when need be but never on a whim. It therefore comes as quite a surprise when he finally makes move on Yan Heru, who had thought that he had worked out from where to anticipate danger. “The truth was, Yan Heru, didn´t understand Shen Zechuan or Xiao Chiye at all. He hadn´t the slightest clue which of the pair was the sheath and which the blade” (chapter 228).

Shen Zechuan makes his move because of Master Yideng, who is a master healer. Xiao Chiye has been searching far and wide for someone to cure Shen Zechuan, whose health has been failing since he was poisoned in his youth. Yan Heru´s schemes end up hurting this miracle doctor thereby dashing their hopes of a cure for both Shen Zechuan and also Yao Wenyu. Poisoning is a major aspect of the plot because it threatens to take major players off the board: Li Jianting, the heir apparent, is poisoned in Qudu; Shen Zechuan was poisoned in his youth and Yao Wenyu when he wanted to defect to Shen Zechuan. It is an insidious type of violence because it kills slowly and thus can be administered clandestinely.

Yao Wenyu´s weakened health and inability to walk are, however, what enable Qiao Tianya to show his tender side. It is only because Yao Wenyu is sleeping that he sits at his bedside, braiding a red bracelet and places it on his wrist. Their relationship is clear but remains non-verbal for most of the book. But Yao Wenyu wears the red bracelet and keeps the silken ball that Qiao Tianya had gifted him after winning a horse race in the previous volume. At one point, Qiao Tianya even states that he would like to be reborn as Hunu, Yao Wenyu´s small cat, in his next life, because it can sit on his lap but it takes a life-and-death situation during the siege of Duanzhou for him to make a move. "Qiao Tianya cupped his cheeks and crowded him into a gloomy corner for a kiss. This kiss was not at all gentle; it blazed with hot desire beneath the tang of blood” (chapter 250).

In contrast, the relationship between Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye is fleshed out in much greater detail. It is definitely physical but its strength comes from mutual respect of the other and a willingness to sacrifice for it, making it a balance of happiness and impending danger. “When Shen Zechuan had made love to Xiao Chiye that first time, his battered, scarred body had finally experienced pleasure – the joy of being alive.” He had said to Xiao Chiye, “I am yours, even in death. And you are mine … If anyone tries to take you from me, I´ll kill them” (chapter 235). Both are political creatures, but Xiao Chiye´s greatest fear is Shen Zechuan´s failing health. This visceral fear is universal, because the courage to love is intertwined with the fear of loss of love.

The major event of this volume is the siege of Duanzhou when Hassen launches a surprise attack on the city while Xiao Chiye is at the border fighting. These battle chapters are full of exhilarating scenes where the defenders use everything they have to fight off the Biansha horsemen. The siege is waged with siege engines, boiling oil and sending flaming birds to burn down the wooden gates. The scenes are detailed while always maintaining a strong connection to the characters fighting so that the plot is tethered to the emotions and motivations of the defenders. Despite Shen Zechuan´s poor health, he rises to the occasion putting his father´s treason to shame by fighting with the common people. Unlike Xiao Chiye he is no ferocious warrior but mounts his white horse, Frostfall, and seizes Avalanche, his sword, and leads the charge. “Shen Zechuan was not strong, but he would not fall. In the dim light of the coming dawn, he was like a single speck of sand, but also like the glittering steel blade nailed to the ground before the city of Duanzhou” (chapter 247). This shows that courage is found in the willingness to fight despite the odds.

When Xiao Chiye eventually arrives on Snowcrest to save Shen Zechuan, he is both a saviour of his lover but also a skilled warrior who can take down a formidable enemy. He fully lives up to the image of the prince on the white horse but in a much more real sense, because everyone is traipsing through mud and rain. It is only after the battle that adrenaline drains away and reveals that Shen Zechuan is seriously wounded and feverish. Xiao Chiye´s previous vague worry about Shen Zechuan´s health now turns into a literal fear for his life and it is not only Xiao Chiye who is worried sick. Fortunately, Master Yideng had a young disciple called Jiran and he has learned enough to prevent the worst from happening.

The volume ends by teeing up the situation for the final battle. Xiao Chiye had stayed at Shen Zechuan´s bedside while he was sick, but Shen Zechuan knows that he is itching to cross the Chasi River and smash Amur and the Biansha riders in order to avenge his father. As he so sweetly says, “My wife understands me well” (chapter 254). Even though Shen Zechuan may want Xiao Chiye to stay safe, he also knows that he must give him the freedom to pursue his father´s killer. Happiness is not togetherness at any price; it is fighting for a life worth living…

[Stephrewritten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing review and I’m so glad I just let myself take this one in. Definitely need a full reread once volume 8 comes out, the complexity of this story is insane. Gosh… it’s so good. And the tenderness of cezhou will always kill meeee.

[hiba · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

the battle for duanzhou going down as one of my favorite parts of the entire novel. it takes special skill to write such a tense battle sequence, even when the reader knows what the ultimate outcome will be. so many exciting moments that i could literally see being produced on the big screen.

qiang jin jiu vol. 7 also highlighted how good this novel is at portraying characters who are antagonists but not villains, namely xue xiuzhuo, li jianting, hassen. you can easily see them all as protagonists in their own stories.

in fact, just like fei sheng became the surprise favorite side character of the last volume, this time it's li jianting - i absolutely love how she actually appears to be an intelligent opponent to shen zechuan, and she's quite sympathetic and likable too - pretty rare to see in an antagonist. of course shen zechuan is still my favorite character but i love seeing him challenged.

[Yvonne D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★

[Rayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What will i even do with myself when this is over????

[sydney ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One day, I will capture the deer the Li Clan lost, and in turn, Ce’an will hold me captive. The sun and the moon have orbited for tens of thousands of years without destroying each other. This is the stability for which the world yearns. We are that equilibrium.”

the way cezhou talk about one another will never not bring me to my knees

[elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m genuinely so shocked this book isn’t more mainstream. It has the perfect mix of romantic tension, political affairs and scheming. It entraps my attention to such a point I could barely think of anything else these past few days. I would be lying if I said there was a book for me that even came close to this one. I can’t begin to explain how much qjj means to me, but I can confidently say it will leave a void in my heart when I finish it.

The Duanzhou battle was exhilarating, it was written in such a way that made one feel like they were there. It was slow paced, which made the read so much more anxious. This battle also reflected Fei Sheng’s character development, who was selfish and egotistical and eventually became a loyal general under Lanzhou’s guidance. He has become such a lovable character in my eyes, which made his part in the defence create an even tenser atmosphere.

On another note, Ji Gang’s reaction to Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan’s relationship made me look at their bond from a new perspective. It gave the story a much more realistic look, especially because as a reader I’m basically assured Lanzhou and CeAn are soulmates who would do everything and anything for each other, but for someone in the actual book, it would make sense to have their doubts and worries about how genuine their love is due to the tense political affairs that involve both of them. I’m hoping there’ll be a moment in the next book where Ji Gang realizes how deep their affection is, leading to his acceptance of a union between Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan which will hopefully turn into a marriage officiation.

Also, Xiao Xun and Lanzhou’s interaction are literally the cutest. Xiao Xun being willing to hold only Shen Zechuan’s hand was the dynamic I never knew I needed. I wanna see more interactions between them, he’s the best uncle 😭

THE COVER? OMGGGGG Qiao Tianya couldn’t yearn harder even if he wanted to. It made me physically ill.

I have so much to say about this book that I can’t seem to express lol. Please recommend literally ANY danmei that has this book’s vibe, I would die for a chance to read a book with even a fraction of whatever qjj has.

"As fast as Avalanche," Shen Zechuan said between bursts of sparks in the dark night.
Qiao Tianya's tattered sleeve was drawn back, exposing his bare arm. He didn't even bother with armguards - he was like a blade without a sheath.
He turned and said ambiguously, "Don't go saying that to Yuanzhuo. What a huge misunderstanding that'd be. I'm not fast where it counts."
"Then I'm-" Shen Zechuan flipped his wrist and blocked the strike from a scimitar behind Qiao Tianya. Blood splashed Qino Tianya's face as steel shrieked in his ear. Calmly, Shen Zechuan finished, "—so very happy for Yuanzhuo."

[v•e•e🧸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"i am yours, even in death. and you are mine. if anyone tries to take you from me, l'll kill them. even if it were the king of hell."

while the last volume felt more ce’an centred this one felt more Lanzhou centred, it was thrilling to read as a whole and i feel so much when it comes to this volume that i can’t really put my thoughts together.

this volume also cemented my love for songyu. the character writing in qjj is spectacular and my heart hurt for a lot of people (fei sheng in particular). I actually had to put this volume down several times cause i was so stressed, like you know these characters will be okay overall but watching it all happen was nerve wracking.

I am terrified of what the final volume will bring but I can’t wait to watch Cezhou finally be at peace.

[Stay Alive · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me gasping every other chapter with the twists and turns and all the dangers our beloved Shen Zechuan found himself in. The sweet moments between Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan made up for all the angst though. I can't believe I am so close to the end, I am both scared and excited to start the next volume.

[Kikie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume is very intense to read, especially the scene where Duanzhou is besieged. 😆
And finally, Hassen dies at the hands of Xiao Chiye. 🥺
This female emperor looks very interesting. It seems she is smart enough to be an emperor and doesn't want to just be Xue Xiuzhuo's pawn.

[Enza · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the end of the day what else is there besides grain and beating the shit outta people

[karishka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peak

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come! I have it half written but I need to go to bed

—————

Actual review! Some spoilers (marked) but proceed with caution!

A solid addition to the series. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it faster, but this was mainly my lunch break book.

Random notes I took while reading:
- I would recommend reading the last two chapters of v.6 before starting this because the book just throws you back in (which is to be expected since this was originally a web novel)

SPOILERS BELOW!!!

- I found the battle scene confusing— there would be talk of being low on arrows, then a couple scenes later they are using the arrows. are these the last of the arrows? did they make(?) more? we didn’t see the decision making there, but it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story too much
- I wanted more Hassen, more humanization of the biansha people as people. Before reading this book, I saw someone on tumblr (i think?) say that this novel really humanizes the “barbarian” tribes more than other books and I don’t really want to read those other books if true (though they didn’t actually specify which). We really got some humanization with the final fight between Xiao Chiye and Hassen and every scene with Dorlan, but it would have been more impactful if these humanizing scenes had been throughout the novel. This quote from Hassen’s inner monologue really illustrates where I see that there was potential to expand his character/the emotional depth towards the biansha people:
“Untold numbers had starved to death when the Twelve Tribes knelt before the Zhou empire. Hassen had come this far to find a different path forward. Hassen loved Lake Chiti, yet he slept among the blades for years at a time. He had never once bowed to the armored cavalry. He was the heroic eagle soaring across the blue dome of heaven.” (pp.318)
When had the twelve tribes knelt to the Zhou empire? There was so much room to explore with this.

- The detail of Hassen reaching for the flower Dorlan gave him later was very beautiful and I still think about it
- The complexity of Hua Xiangyi feelings for her aunt are very compelling
- I LOVE Li Jianting and I’m so glad we got significantly more of her in this book!!! Be my gf pls

[Paula (lovebookscl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relectura con la traducción oficial de Seven Seas

Ya en el penúltimo volumen y la tensión de la trama sigue igual de fuerte que al principio, y aunque ya conozco la historia y su desenlace, aún así estaba nerviosa leyendo jajaja Batallas, planes, la gran pregunta de en cuáles manos caerá el imperio, múltiples puntos de vista, pérdidas y victorias, y obviamente el asombroso romance entre Zechuan y Chiye.

Este volumen está fuertemente enfocado en una gran batalla, y las páginas pasaron volando, no podía parar de leer.

“I am your, even in death. And you are mine.” Then, revealing the ruthless edge of that blade, he continued, “If anyone tries to take you from me, I’ll kill them.”

“I want to live to a ripe old age with you.” Shen Zechuan dropped a light kiss on Xiao Chiye’s temple. “In a place no one else can reach.

[✧₊⁎Haru⁎⁺˳✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The sun and the moon have orbited for tens of thousands of years without destroying each other. This is the stability for which the world yearns. We are that equilibrium.”

in questo volume sono successe tantissime cose e oddio non so come farò ad attendere fino ad agosto per il prossimo volume necessito sapere come prosegue la storia subito?? comunque sempre molti momenti omosessuali e ulteriori nozioni sulla politica commerciale del grano come piace a me quindi voto dieci🙏🏻🩷

(la mezza sega coi piedi mentre si parla di politica momento peak i Cezhou davvero i padri fondatori di freak town li si ama)

5⭐️

[Padme83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volume epico sotto molteplici aspetti, la parte dedicata all'assedio personalmente mi ha gasata mi è piaciuta tantissimo, un equilibrio perfetto di azione, tensione, e momenti estremamente emozionanti (in alcuni la lacrimuccia s'è fatta sentire, lo ammetto, mentre la proverbiale pelle d'oca è stata una costante compagna durante l'intera lettura). A ogni personaggio, anche se secondario, è stato dato il giusto spazio, permettendo di indagarne ancora più a fondo la psicologia, sempre perfettamente tratteggiata e mai banale o stereotipata.
E niente, ci avviamo alla fine anche di questa splendida storia. Non vedo l'ora di avere il volume 8 fra le mani.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

„The sun and the moon have orbited for tens of thousands of years without destroying each other. This is the stability for which the world yearns. We are that equilibrium. The blazing sun and the luminous moon.“

I am unwell.
Also, I want to protect Yao Wenyu as much as everyone in these books is protecting their grain.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The armored cavalry flashed their blades as one; that strike of lightning was followed by the thunderous sound of a hundred heads rolling.”

I’ve never read a book as epic as this. I’m in love with this cast of characters. I’m invested in every one of their lives and ambitions, and in awe of their bravery, and that’s why my heart is broken.

To summarize, this series is ridiculously good.

[Li Ya 🪷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

jeśli kiedyś stracę pamięć, to najpierw znowu przeczytam „the darker the weather the better the man” od capyshota na AO3 (najlepsze fanfiction o hualianie), a potem QJJ

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite volume so far. Each one has so much packed into it that when I sit down to think about it afterward, it's sometimes hard to sort out the good bits from the less-amazing ones, but most of my complaints this time were just plot armor stuff.

Like: if the Biansha Horsemen could break two different city gates down in approximately 5 minutes each, why didn't they continue attacking those gates instead of focusing all their attention and multiple days trying to break down the east gate, which had a moat, flaming oil, a huge mounted crossbow, and the majority of the city's forces? And if they'd thought ahead about cutting off all lines of communication to the north by slaughtering two different military encampments, why didn't they also destroy the uninhabited beacon towers? The timing of the military forces being able to travel so far so quickly (and still engage in intense fighting right away) has always been a little iffy in this series.

But. I don't really care. The battle scenes had a few flaws but were otherwise written brilliantly, with so many impactful, cinematic moments.

I absolutely loved that Shen Zechuan got his time to shine on the battlefield. Initially, like some of his advisors, I'd assumed that one of his goals was to clear his father's name by digging to the heart of his retreat and the original destruction of Zhongbo. Turns out no, he never really thought his father wasn't a backstabbing coward. In fact, he's filled with so much hate and distrust about his own blood that he has no intention of ever passing that name or bloodline along. Even if he hadn't wound up in an entirely monogamous relationship with a man who cannot give him children, he had planned to cut off his family line.

One of my favorite parts of this entire series was Xiao Chiye's father finding out about their relationship - something I really wish Shen Zechuan had been more involved in, so I could've seen his reactions too. But we got the next best thing in this volume, with Ji Gang, Shen Zechuan's shifu and adoptive father, finally catching them in the act (well, just after the act) and going into an absolute fury over his son's honor.

Shen Zechuan tactfully stayed all the way out of it while Xiao Chiye shouldered the wrath and accusations and steadfastly insisted he will love only this man for the rest of his life.

It's good, actually, to have a reaction like this, because it's not entirely realistic for everyone to just be okay with it. Ji Gang isn't really being homophobic - well, at least not in a hateful or intolerant way. He does feel strongly about some traditions, but mainly because he's getting older and Shen Zechuan is entirely alone in the world. If he doesn't settle down with a decent wife who can give him children, who will take care of him in the future? And even if Shen Zechuan is absolutely determined to not have children, what about Xiao Chiye's heirs? Won't his country put pressure on him? Won't they split apart once the passion fades and reality sets in? How much of this is built out of practicality - with Shen Zechuan essentially funding all of Libei because he's sleeping with Xiao Chiye?

Plus Ji Gang is the only one, other than Xiao Chiye, who remembers that he'd actively tried to kill Shen Zechuan several years earlier, an injury which has contributed to his other ongoing illnesses.

All of this leads to some of the most beautifully romantic scenes in the series. Shen Zechuan is incredibly bad at showing softness or his true feelings, but when he does finally speak to Ji Gang, he explains that it's not just that he loves Xiao Chiye - he needs him. Xiao Chiye has given him his humanity back - tempering that dark, empire-destroying streak with a genuine desire to make something good out of this terrible world instead. They truly balance and complete each other.

The sun and the moon have orbited for tens of thousands of years without destroying each other. This is the stability for which the world yearns. We are that equilibrium.

I liked, too, that Xiao Chiye put his cards on the table and told Shen Zechuan he's terrified by how easy it would be for Shen Zechuan to abandon him. He's still deep in grief from one unbearable loss, and he sees too clearly that Shen Zechuan could also leave him - through the slightest hardening of his heart, or through a careless lack of consideration for his own health and well-being. He's already ruined his right hand, which leaves him largely unable to fight, and he keeps throwing himself into situations that a ruler should not be directly involved in.

But this is how Shen Zechuan redeems his family name - or, no, how he separates himself from his father and shows that he will not abandon his people to save himself. He held his own against Hassen, and while Xiao Chiye's forces were necessary for the final parts of the battle, all would have been lost long before their arrival if Shen Zechuan hadn't ridden out with his men, again and again, showing what kind of ruler he will be.

Interesting, too, that the new empress of Qudu also shows her ruthlessness in this volume, surging out from under Xue Xiuzhuo's wing to demonstrate that she will not be governed - or owned, or controlled, or treated like a puppet. He underestimated her will to rule, and I suspect his story will wind up as a fairly tragic one - he sacrificed so much morality to try to control the fate of the empire, but lost his power the moment he successfully put her on the throne.

The women in general are prominent in this volume - while the banquet scene was honestly one of the other bits I found a bit silly (was there no more efficient way to take their enemy down) - it was an important moment to show Li Jianting's willingness to bloody her own hands, and it set some important things in motion for Qi Zhuyin and Hua Xiangyi.

Qi Zhuyin trusts Hua Xiangyi now, and it seems warranted - Hua Xiangyi is truly a good person who prioritizes the needs of the people, but still valued her relationship with the empress dowager, and did her best to save her. I really hope the final volume doesn't pit Qi Zhuyin against all of our heroes, because I like her and I don't want to see her turning against her friends - but I also wonder how much Hua Xiangyi's new hatred and distrust of Li Jianting will impact her choices.

(I still find them much more of an interesting possible side couple than Qiao Tianya and Yao Wenyu.) Since the latter two are on the cover, I figured I'd give them a fair chance to develop all the things their relationship has been lacking. But still...nothing? It's strange that the other relationships can be built with such beautiful intensity, and with these two it's supposed to be some sort of fated connection where we witness absolutely none of it. I don't get it.

Yao Wenyu continues to be one of the most bland characters in the series, which is a shame, because there were real possibilities there. I loved the little scene with him mangling the pruning of a little potted plant before trying to give it to Shen Zechuan. It reminded me of his first entry into Zhongbo, ground into the dirt and still stubbornly insisting "that's my cat" when the guards were trying to steal his kitten. If more of these sides of his personality were shown, instead of that Perfectly Polished Jade veneer, I'd find him so much more interesting. Characters need flaws for the rest of their personalities to shine.

On that note, Fei Sheng has really grown to be one of the most impactful characters. His relationship with Yin Chang was devastating and brought to light so much of why he is the way that he is - all the things that rub other people the wrong way have deep roots in his personality and past, and even a short relationship with a wine-sodden, stinky, unexpectedly valiant father figure broke down so many of those barriers.

There is so, so much more to talk about in this volume, and I don't have the space to touch on them all without writing half a dozen essays. Yan Heru, Hassen and his wife, the friends-but-sworn-enemies dynamic between Feng Yisheng and Sukhebasu...this was honestly a pretty incredible volume. There's an incredible amount to unpack, and it's genuinely the kind of storytelling that brings out the lit major in me. We definitely could've studied this one in my college classes.

[mara - hyrulevalkyrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me when Qiao Tianya and Yao Wenyu interact 🙈😛🥰

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just love love LOVE how consistently strong lanzhou is through this whole series whether it be through the pen or the sword or his scheming. he's never a damsel like he's got claws all the time and UGH i appreciate that so much 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾