Chapter Summaries

Liu Xie completed the ancestral rites and led a grand procession to the Northern Suburbs to perform the Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony. As the elaborate ceremony continued, he reached its first offering, with the chapter ending during Kong Rong’s prayer and the Shield-and-Axe Dance.

• Liu Xie performed the ancestral rites at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, privately asking his ancestors to bless him despite his impostor identity.
• Liu Xie joined Kong Rong, Guo Jia, Xun Chen, Zhang He, Gao Lan, and the officials and clan representatives for the walk to the Altar of Heaven.
• Commoners gathered along the procession route, revered Liu Xie as the true Son of Heaven, and denounced the Pretender Emperor in Xu County.
• Liu Xie began the Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony, performing its early rites and offerings under Kong Rong’s direction.
• Liu Xie reached the first offering as sixty-four people performed the Shield-and-Axe Dance and Kong Rong recited the sacrificial prayer.

Liu Xie used a chemical reaction to produce purple smoke during the Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony, persuading officials and spectators that Heaven favored him. He then issued a decree recruiting talent regardless of birth or morality, leaving the court and commoners to consider a new path to serving the Han.

• Liu Xie completed the Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony and secretly added copper sulfate and potassium iodide to the sacrificial furnace.
• Purple smoke billowed above Liu Xie's head, and Guo Jia, Zhang He, Gao Lan, Kong Rong, and Xun Chen led officials and spectators in acclaiming him.
• A young man in the crowd accepted the omen as a sign that Liu Xie was the enlightened sovereign he had sought.
• Liu Xie denounced the realm's rebellious rulers and announced a decree to recruit capable people.
• Guo Jia read the decree, which called for selecting candidates by talent rather than birth or moral reputation, delighting commoners who hoped to serve the court.

After the Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony convinced the people of Liu Xie's legitimacy, he appointed loyal ministers to rebuild the court. Guo Jia recommended Sima Yi, and Liu Xie was left debating whether to eliminate the future usurper or meet him first.

• The purple omen and Liu Xie's Edict to Recruit the Worthy spread across the realm, drawing renowned talents to serve him.
• Liu Xie appointed Zhang He Commandant of the Guards and Gao Lan Deputy Commandant of the Guards.
• Liu Xie appointed Xun Chen Commandant of Justice and Guo Jia Deputy Imperial Censor, then confirmed Kong Rong as Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
• Guo Jia told Liu Xie that Sima Yi had arrived to pledge his service and recommended entrusting him with an important post.
• Liu Xie recognized Sima Yi as the future usurper of the Han and ordered Guo Jia to bring him in for a meeting.

Liu Xie appointed Sima Yi to the Censorate but ordered Guo Jia to watch him and secretly prepare to destroy the Grand Marshal Clan if Liu Xie died. In Xu County, Cao Cao heard reports of the purple qi at Ye City's ceremony and the Edict to Recruit the Worthy, and began to question whether his own Son of Heaven was genuine.

• Liu Xie appointed Sima Yi Palace Attendant Censor after Sima Yi pledged to help restore the Great Han.
• Liu Xie ordered Guo Jia to keep Sima Yi under close watch and gave him a secret edict to exterminate the Grand Marshal Clan if Liu Xie died young.
• Xun Yu reported to Cao Cao that rumors of the heavenly manifestations at Ye City were drawing people toward its Son of Heaven.
• Cao Cao learned from Xun You that a spy had witnessed purple qi rising from Ye City's sacrificial brazier, though the other reported wonders were fabricated.
• Cao Cao wondered whether the Son of Heaven in Xu County was a fake and feared that Ye City's Edict to Recruit the Worthy would win over talented men and the people's support.

Cao Cao grew suspicious that the Son of Heaven in Ye City was gaining legitimacy and tested the Xu County emperor’s identity, while Empress Fu defended him by revealing she was pregnant. Yuan Shao received news from Ye City in Lecheng County, but his reaction was left for the story to continue.

• Cao Cao brooded over the power and heavenly omens surrounding Ye City, then went to the Palace in Xu County to question the Son of Heaven’s identity.
• The Son of Heaven protested that he was genuine while Fu Wan and Yang Biao warned that Ye City’s ruler was winning people’s belief and recruiting worthy men.
• Cao Cao tested the Son of Heaven by asking where he had grown up, and Yang Biao accused him of questioning the emperor’s identity.
• Empress Fu revealed that she was carrying the Son of Heaven’s child and challenged Cao Cao to deny the child was an imperial heir.
• Cao Cao withdrew, leaving the Son of Heaven distressed that even his own attendants seemed to find Ye City’s ruler more genuine.
• Yuan Shao received news from Liu Xie in Lecheng County about events in Ye City, including Xun Chen’s betrayal and Yuan Xi’s recruitment of troops.

Yuan Shao learned from Liu Xie's secret letter that Yuan Xi knew the emperor's identity was false and was conspiring with Lü Bu, while Ju Shou urged him to retake Ye City. In Ye City, Liu Xie taught Zhen Mi, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Lü Lingqi to draw, and Zhen Mi finished the first portrait.

• Yuan Shao read Liu Xie's letter and feared that the false emperor's identity had become public.
• Yuan Shao learned that Yuan Xi was using Liu Xie's secret to coerce him and that Lü Bu sought to make his grandson emperor and rule as regent.
• Yuan Shao suspected either Ju Shou or Liu Xie had revealed the secret, then hid the letter when Ju Shou arrived.
• Ju Shou reported Liu Xie's Heaven-Sacrifice Ceremony and Edict to Recruit the Worthy, and Yuan Shao told him to focus on retaking Ye City.
• Yuan Shao dismissed Ju Shou and burned Liu Xie's letter.
• Liu Xie taught Zhen Mi, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Lü Lingqi to draw in the Imperial Garden, and praised Zhen Mi's finished portrait.

Liu Xie rewarded Yuan Xi with a general’s rank and encouraged him to recruit troops against Yuan Shao, while privately hoping to turn Yuan Shao against Ju Shou. In Hefei, Lü Bu and Chen Gong discussed the Zhen Clan’s extensive support and how its refined salt had strengthened their troops.

• Liu Xie guided Lü Lingqi as she corrected her drawing, then left the garden after a eunuch announced Yuan Xi’s arrival.
• Yuan Xi told Liu Xie he had recruited 5,126 men, and Liu Xie appointed him Bandit-Subduing General under the Might-Exerting General.
• Liu Xie promised Yuan Xi that the Grand General position could soon be his, prompting Yuan Xi to vow to kill Yuan Shao.
• After Yuan Xi left, Liu Xie considered whether his letters would keep Yuan Shao from suspecting him and hoped Yuan Shao might eliminate Ju Shou.
• In Hefei, Lü Bu and Chen Gong discussed the Zhen Clan’s provisions and armor, while Gao Shun noted that refined salt had improved the soldiers’ strength.

Lü Bu and Sun Ce’s forces devised competing plans around Sun Ce’s supply convoy at Wan County, with Zhou Yu arranging an ambush for Lü Bu. Lü Bu led his cavalry into the trap, and the chapter ended as Sun Ce prepared to challenge him.

• Chen Gong persuaded Lü Bu to target Sun Ce’s supplies at Wan County before pushing deeper into Jiangdong.
• Zhou Yu advised Sun Ce to exploit Yuan Shao’s conflict with Gongsun Zan and ally with Cao Cao to take Yang Province.
• Zhou Yu predicted Lü Bu would attack the supply convoy and urged Sun Ce to ambush his cavalry with ten thousand troops.
• Lü Bu led a thousand Bing Province Wolf Cavalry toward Wan County despite Chen Gong’s warning that Zhou Yu might have set a trap.
• Huang Gai halted the disguised supply convoy as Lü Bu charged, while Sun Ce waited nearby and prepared to test Lü Bu in battle.

Lü Bu’s Bing Province Wolf Cavalry smashed through Huang Gai’s formation, then fought Sun Ce’s ambushing army with a new cavalry formation. After inflicting heavy losses but growing exhausted, Lü Bu led his surviving riders toward the grain wagons, and Sun Ce believed they were close to defeat.

• Lü Bu and the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry broke Huang Gai’s formation, and Lü Bu shattered Huang Gai’s iron whip before Huang Gai escaped.
• Sun Ce sent ten thousand ambushers into battle and personally challenged Lü Bu with eight hundred armored cavalry.
• Lü Bu deployed the Crow Soldiers Scatter Stars Formation and led successive charges that tore open Sun Ce’s defenses.
• Sun Ce ordered his troops to wear down Lü Bu’s outnumbered cavalry, while Huang Gai lamented the quality of their equipment.
• After nearly an hour of fighting and two thousand enemy deaths, Lü Bu led about eight hundred surviving cavalry toward the grain wagons, and Sun Ce thought they were faltering.

Lü Bu fought Sun Ce’s forces so the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry could burn the grain and escape, then killed Sun Ce in their duel. Zhou Yu arrived with reinforcements just in time to witness Sun Ce’s death.

• Lü Bu stayed behind to cover his troops’ retreat and clashed with Sun Ce, severing the head of his Overlord Spear and badly wounding him.
• Huang Gai tried to rescue Sun Ce, but Lü Bu killed him with a single halberd blow.
• Lü Bu charged into Sun Ce’s army alone, giving the Bing Province Wolf Cavalry time to burn the grain and break out.
• Sun Ce rallied his troops with a reward for Lü Bu’s death and challenged him again, but his soldiers feared Lü Bu and held back.
• Lü Bu urged Sun Ce to surrender, but Sun Ce refused and fought until Lü Bu killed him.
• Zhou Yu arrived with five thousand men and saw Sun Ce slain.

After Sun Ce’s death, Liu Xie learned that Huang Zhong had come to Ye City seeking treatment for his ill son, Huang Xu, and summoned the renowned warrior to serve the court. Huang Zhong accepted Taishi Ci’s invitation, hoping the emperor could help find Hua Tuo.

• Lü Bu took Sun Ce’s head and escaped as Zhou Yu led his army in pursuit.
• Liu Xie told Taishi Ci to lower his standards for recruiting officers, and Taishi Ci reported that Huang Zhong had fought him to a standstill before declining to join the army.
• Liu Xie learned that Huang Zhong was in Ye City seeking a cure for Huang Xu and ordered Taishi Ci to recruit him, promising to find renowned physicians, including Hua Tuo.
• A physician in Ye City could not identify Huang Xu’s illness, and Huang Zhong resolved to keep searching for Hua Tuo despite his son’s pleas to stop.
• Taishi Ci found Huang Zhong and explained that Liu Xie had personally summoned him and would seek a physician for Huang Xu.
• Huang Zhong trusted Taishi Ci and agreed to accompany him to the palace.

Liu Xie recruited Huang Zhong by promising to summon Hua Tuo to treat Huang Xu, and sent Huang Zhong to serve under Zhang Liao. In Lecheng County, Xu You learned that Shen Pei had exposed his suspected betrayal, so he went to Shen Pei’s residence and revealed his intent to kill him.

• Liu Xie praised Huang Zhong, promised to summon Hua Tuo for Huang Xu, and ordered Huang Zhong to report to Zhang Liao’s camp.
• Huang Zhong told Huang Xu that the emperor would arrange treatment, and the two embraced and wept outside the palace.
• Xu You read Shen Pei’s letter to Yuan Shao and realized Shen Pei had been investigating his ties to Yuan Xi.
• Xu You decided to flee Lecheng County for Cao Cao’s protection, but first went to Shen Pei’s residence.
• Xu You whispered to Shen Pei that he wished to borrow his life, and Shen Pei felt a chill in his chest.

Xu You killed Shen Pei and fled toward Yan Province, while Yuan Shao collapsed after learning of the murder and Ju Shou suspected the Pretender Emperor’s plot. In Ye City, a courier announced that the General of Agile Cavalry had defeated Sun Ce’s ten-thousand-man army with one thousand troops and beheaded him.

• Xu You killed Shen Pei, helped him face north before he died, then packed valuables and rode toward Yan Province.
• Yuan Shao dreamed of Shen Pei’s death, then learned from Ju Shou and Tian Feng that Xu You had killed Shen Pei and defected.
• Yuan Shao rejected the news, flew into a rage, and collapsed as he tried to draw his sword.
• Ju Shou found Shen Pei’s letter and concluded Xu You had been sent by the Pretender Emperor, possibly to target Yuan Shao or Ju Shou, before suspecting Cao Cao and Jia Xu were involved.
• A courier rode into Ye City and announced that the General of Agile Cavalry had defeated Sun Ce’s army and beheaded Sun Ce.

Liu Xie celebrated Lü Bu’s reported victory over Sun Ce and learned that Xu You had killed Shen Pei before fleeing toward Cao Cao. Meanwhile, Cao Cao worried over Lü Bu’s strength, and Xu You arrived at his residence seeking an audience.

• A messenger reported that Lü Bu had defeated Sun Ce’s larger army, killed him, and sent his head to Liu Xie.
• Liu Xie and his ministers praised Lü Bu and anticipated recovering Yang Province, but Xun Chen then revealed that Xu You had killed Shen Pei and fled to Yan Province.
• Liu Xie told Guo Jia that Xu You’s killing of Shen Pei would help him gain Cao Cao’s trust and provide intelligence from Xu County.
• Guo Jia warned Liu Xie that Xu You might serve both sides, and Liu Xie accepted the risk while insisting he would use Xu You cautiously.
• Cao Cao, troubled by Sun Ce’s defeat and the possibility of Lü Bu attacking his territory, recalled Dian Wei and lamented his past losses.
• Xu Chu told Cao Cao that Xu You was waiting to see him, and Cao Cao reconsidered after hearing the visitor’s name.

Xu You arrived in Xu County to join Cao Cao against Yuan Shao, insisting that the Son of Heaven in Ye City was genuine and Cao Cao’s was an impostor. After seeing both emperors, Xu You recognized the Xu County ruler as the fake but concealed his judgment, leaving Cao Cao and the delighted Son of Heaven convinced of his loyalty.

• Cao Cao rushed out to welcome Xu You, who said he had come to help oppose Yuan Shao and avenge his murdered family.
• Xu You called the Son of Heaven in Ye City a pretender, but he and Cao Cao argued over which emperor was genuine.
• Cao Cao persuaded Xu You to visit the Xu County palace the next morning and compare the two emperors.
• Xu You saw Liu Xie in Xu County and realized that, despite their identical appearance, he was not the true Son of Heaven.
• Xu You praised the Xu County ruler against his conscience, and Cao Cao secured his appointment as Minister of Ceremonies and Marquis of An'guo Township.
• The Son of Heaven asked Xu You to visit again, eager to learn about the emperor in Ye City.

Cao Cao questioned Xu You about which of the two emperors was genuine, then became suspicious that the emperor in Xu County was an impostor. He confronted Yang Biao and Fu Wan, accusing them of secretly sending the true emperor to Ye City and demanding they tell him the truth.

• Cao Cao asked Xu You to identify the real emperor, but Xu You insisted that the emperor in Ye City was genuine and the one in Xu County was an impostor.
• Cao Cao pretended to accept Xu You’s help, then went to the Yang Residence with Xu Chu and soldiers, ordering Fu Wan seized and confined with Yang Biao.
• Cao Cao confronted Yang Biao and Fu Wan, recounting the dangers during the emperor’s return east and accusing them of arranging a secret switch.
• Fu Wan attacked Cao Cao with his sword, but Cao Cao knocked it aside and kicked him down.
• Yang Biao and Fu Wan rejected Cao Cao’s accusation, with Yang Biao demanding that Cao Cao kill them if he dared.

Cao Cao questioned whether the Son of Heaven in Xu County had been replaced, but Yang Biao, Fu Wan, and Dong Cheng denied it, leaving him unable to act without risking a backlash. Fu Wan grew convinced that the Son of Heaven in Ye City might be genuine and resolved to help Empress Fu, while the identity of the true Son of Heaven remained uncertain.

• Cao Cao questioned Yang Biao and Fu Wan about the Son of Heaven's identity, then went to Dong Cheng's residence to seek answers.
• Yang Xiu urged Yang Biao and Fu Wan to feign cooperation with Cao Cao, but Yang Biao struck him and denied that the Son of Heaven had been replaced.
• Fu Wan and Yang Biao suspected Dong Cheng might have secretly arranged for the Son of Heaven to escape, and Fu Wan went to question Empress Fu.
• Empress Fu denied that the Son of Heaven had been replaced, and Fu Wan left the palace conflicted before resolving to help her against treacherous ministers.
• Cao Cao returned from Dong Cheng's residence furious, but stopped Xu Chu from beheading Dong Cheng, Fu Wan, and Yang Biao and instead sent for Wenruo, Ziyuan, and the others.

Xu You urged Cao Cao to treat the Son of Heaven in Xu County as genuine while keeping an escape route in case he was exposed as a pretender. Xun Yu denounced Xu You and nearly left for Ye City to investigate, but Cao Cao stopped him and then went to appease Xu You.

• Xu You assured Cao Cao that the Son of Heaven in Ye City was genuine and advised him to blame Yang Biao, Fu Wan, and Dong Cheng if the truth emerged.
• Xun Yu entered the study, condemned Xu You’s claims, and declared that he would go to Ye City to determine which Son of Heaven was legitimate.
• Cao Cao restrained Xun Yu and persuaded him not to leave, insisting that he would not follow Xu You’s advice.
• Cao Cao found Xu You drinking alone in the courtyard and tried to soothe him, but Xu You rebuffed him.

Cao Cao learned that Empress Fu was not pregnant, confirming his suspicion that the Son of Heaven in Xu County might be false, but he decided to preserve the court officials as scapegoats and send Chen Qun to verify the Son of Heaven in Ye City. Xun You’s doubts and a letter from Xun Chen left Xun Yu questioning which of the two emperors was genuine, while Fu Wan returned to Empress Fu’s bedchamber.

• Cao Cao reconciled with Xu You, then learned from Xu Chu that Empress Fu was not pregnant and realized the pregnancy claim had been fabricated.
• Cao Cao abandoned his plan to punish Fu Wan, Yang Biao, and Dong Cheng, deciding to protect them as future scapegoats and send Chen Qun to Ye City to investigate.
• Xun You told Xun Yu that Cao Cao had seized Yang Biao and Fu Wan and then gone to Dong Cheng’s residence, raising the possibility that the emperors had been switched.
• Xun You showed Xun Yu a letter from Xun Chen urging the Xun family to serve the Son of Heaven in Ye City, and Xun Yu became unable to decide which emperor was genuine.
• Fu Wan returned to Empress Fu’s bedchamber.

Empress Fu told Fu Wan that Cao Cao had exposed her false pregnancy, intensifying suspicions that the Son of Heaven in Xu County was an impostor. After Fu Wan, Yang Biao, and Dong Cheng each accused the others of secretly sending the real emperor to Ye City, Dong Cheng sent his son to investigate which emperor was genuine.

• Empress Fu told Fu Wan that Cao Cao had forced her to have her pulse taken and discovered she was not pregnant.
• The Son of Heaven overheard Fu Wan leaving and wondered whether he truly was an impostor.
• Fu Wan and Yang Biao confronted Dong Cheng, but none of the three admitted to sending the Son of Heaven to Ye City.
• Dong Cheng summoned Dong Xi and secretly ordered him to travel to Ye City to investigate its Son of Heaven's identity.