This chapter opens with a conversation between Ming-guo and his nephew, the emperor's son Ming-luo. Ming-liu asks his uncle why he has agreed to a ten-year peace treaty with the People's Republic of China when he has offered only ten cities to the people of the southern part of the country. Ming says that his ambition would not allow him to reach the ten cities, and that he would not risk his wife's life for his son's sake. He asks if he is satisfied with the peace treaty and if he would be willing to ask for anything in return. He says that he will never take advantage of the treaty, and he asks if the emperor would agree to this. The emperor says that it is time for him to go, and they will welcome him anytime he wants. He sighs and wonders how complacent his uncle will be when he is inside the palace