This chapter opens with a conversation between a messenger from the north and the king of China. The messenger tells the king that the north has sent a message of good news to the king, and that the king has been blessed. The king asks the messenger to tell him about the situation of General Tan, who has been leading a group of soldiers to help the local peasants harvest wheat. General Tan has been injured in the field, and he wants the king to send some medical officers to help him.