This chapter opens with a knock at the door. It's Ming-ting, and he's waiting for Ren. Ren asks for help. He's been told that the northern army is approaching and that Ren's wife has gone missing. Ren says he tried to help Ren escape, but Ren couldn't. Ren begs for help, but zhong-shan won't help Ren. He says Ren has to promise that she'll help him if he agrees to help him. .