Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 02
KNOW THINE ENEMY
After a passionate night together, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye part the next morning as enemies. A new emperor has ascended the throne, and the court is in flux. Power and position are in reach for anyone who dares to grasp them—and Shen Zechuan will stop at nothing to pursue his ambitions. But while Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye counter each other’s moves on the board, grander schemes are afoot in the capital of Qudu.
As court conspiracies swirl around them, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye find themselves unlikely allies against a mysterious adversary pulling the strings behind a series of calamities targeting the emperor. Yet, in order to work together, there must be trust, and with trust comes risk: in setting their masks aside, they may inadvertently find their whole selves laid bare.
Series Overview: Shen Zechuan is the eighth son of the traitorous Prince of Jianxing, a man who doomed his cities and people to destruction at the hands of the foreign enemy. As the only surviving member of his reviled line, Shen Zechuan is dragged to the capital in chains. He bears the hatred of the nation, but no one’s hate burns hotter than that of Xiao Chiye, the youngest son of the powerful Prince of Libei.
Xiao Chiye would love nothing more than to see Shen Zechuan dead–but against all odds, he clings to life. Rather than succumb to his family’s disgrace, he becomes a thorn in Xiao Chiye’s side, clawing his way into the cutthroat political world of the capital. Yet as these two bitter enemies beat against the bonds of their fate, they find themselves kindred spirits, unlikely allies…and perhaps something more.
This Chinese historical fiction tale built around the desire between two men (danmei) has attracted fans from around the world and inspired a comic and an audio drama. The Seven Seas English-language edition includes exclusive new covers and interior illustrations.
Biographical Notes:
Tang Jiu Qing is an author best known for Chinese-language danmei novels, including Nanchan and Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu.
Title Notes:
INSPIRED A COMIC AND AUDIO DRAMA IN CHINA
This series will feature a bonus 2-page color map in each volume, a first for our danmei line. Like our other danmei, each large-trim prose novel will also include 8 to 12 black and white illustrations, 4 color pages, and character and term glossaries, including new art never released in other-language editions.
This is the first official English release of the novel series, including all the romantic content sometimes censored in other danmei releases.
Perfect for fans of The three MXTX danmei novel series of Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, Heaven Official’s Blessing, and The Scum Villain’s Self-Saving System, as well as other Chinese danmei franchises that are on the rise thanks to the popularity of MXTX’s works, like The Husky and His White Cat Shizun, Thousand Autumns, and the works of author Priest (Guardian: Zhen Hun, Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang, Faraway Wanderers/Word of Honor). Also for fans of historical adventure tales from China focused on martial artist heroes (wuxia) like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Boys’ Love (romanticized love between two men) in fiction from around the world; the enemies-to-lovers trope; and stories about war and politics.
Series is complete and is expected to be 7-9 volumes in English.
More details on Tang Jiu Qing: