This chapter opens with a conversation between Mingkong and his wife. Mingkong tells his wife that his brother is being bullied. He tells her that he has just heard about a new dish that is becoming popular in the city. The dish is called the plum rises as goose falls, and it is made with dried goose meat, cured beef tendon, and python meat. The minister tells his subjects that the war has occupied much of his attention lately. He has been revising the laws in his leisure time but his efficiency is not yet up to speed. He asks his subjects to review his knowledge of the civil law, the hunting and fishing law, and article three, which states that all violations of the law will be punished severely. The Minister says that the laws of the country are certainly "unwavering and impartial," but that times have changed. He says that he came to confess his guilt the day before, but the Minister turned him away and now he reveals this grand scheme. He adds that as officials, they boast "distinguished families" and "grand careers." The minister says that Mingkong's red pearl restaurant is involved in a "scamming incident" that all of the city knows about.