In this chapter, we learn that the empress is the daughter of the minister and head of the government, and that her father is the minister's son. The empress has been in power for six years, and she is the most powerful person in the government. She has the power to kill anyone who is a threat to her power. In fact, she has even pawned away a necklace that is not even worth the money it is worth. She is also the head of a faction of the gentry, which is loyal to the minister. The gentry are also loyal to pei shi, who is the leader of the virtuous faction. The narrator tells us that this faction has been trying to divide the population into factions, so that they will be able to fight against each other in the future. He adds that the virtuous group is led by the minister, and the other faction is headed by the general .