CHUNG YUEN is decorated by HAM FUNG as a Guangxi official, and is responsible for wiping out the Taipings in collaboration with HONG WING. SUI CHUEN stays at Guilin, but sends WAN SHAN and TAK HOI north to solicit military assistance. In order to get commendation prior to CHUNG YUEN's arrival; HONG WING stages an attack on the Taipings, but fails. Jealous of CHUNG YUEN and fearful that the latter will take over control of the army, HONG WING refuses to collaborate. CHUEN YUEN convinces the two bandits YING and PANG to serve the court. They pretend to join the Taipings in order to get intelligence. SUI CHUEN welcomes them. SUI CHUEN tests their sincerity by ordering an attack on the Chings. The two comply, but manage to pass on information to CHUNG YUEN about the Taipi.ngs. On their return, SUI CHUEN becomes more dependent on them.