Wan Dongliu’s threats were little more than impotent fury. He did not have the power to lead an army north.0

Wherever there are people, there is a jianghu—a complex web of alliances, ambitions, and rivalries. This is especially true for organizations held together by the personal charisma and authority of a single leader. When such a leader falls, these groups often fracture overnight, with deputies or those of lower leadership positions carving out their own domains, fighting for resources, or even coveting the original leader’s position.0

Although Wan Dongliu was a prominent young talent, he had not yet earned a place on the Ranking of Man and lacked the gravitas to command the Cao Gang’s vast ranks. It was exceedingly rare for anyone outside the likes of Zhao Changhe to leap from the Ranking of Hidden Dragons to the middle of the Ranking of Man. Most would be lucky just to avoid dropping off entirely.0

Wan Dongliu was barely...0