This chapter opens with a description of Ming's new emperor, Cai Ming, who is described as "very capable" . The new emperor's first name is "ling rong" , and he is the former king of the previous Ming dynasty. Cai Ming tells us that he killed the entire clan of the old king and stole his throne, but he still wanted to know the whereabouts of his concubine. He says that this is a rumor spread throughout the world, but that Ming citizens are afraid to speak out loud because they are afraid of being killed. He asks the emperor if he will grant him immunity for his crimes, but the emperor says that he will always honor his promise. The emperor tells Cai Ming that he has heard rumors that he is "fierce and bloodthirsty," that he slaughtered the entire city of Ming on a whim, and that "wherever he goes, a trail / of blood follows him." Cai Ming says that the emperor is a hypocrite, because he wanted to look "merciful" so that he