Qin chancellor Lü Buwei schemes to gain more influence in the Royal Court. Zhao makes a surprising move, prompting Cheng Jiao to make one of his own.

The plans of the Queen Mother and her lover Lao Ai soon come to light: the foundation of a new state, within Qin itself. The affront is such that it calls for a response equal to it.

Zheng refutes his chancellor's notion of ideal government and articulates his reasons for a united Middle Kingdom. Xin gets turned around in Xianyang.