Chapter Summaries

Yuan Tan learned of a suspicious caravan in Dongguan Commandery and led troops to find the Son of Heaven, while Cao Xing’s dwindling escort was discovered and forced to fight its way toward the mountains. The chapter ended with Cao Xing holding off Lü Kuang’s cavalry as Wang Chong escorted the Pretender Emperor onward.

• Yuan Tan questioned Yuan Xi about the Son of Heaven, but Wang Xiu reported that General Lü Kuang had found a long-hidden caravan in Dongguan Commandery.
• Liu Xie declared that the coming battle would let him ascend the supreme throne, while Cao Xing learned his party’s provisions had run out.
• A soldier warned Cao Xing that more than five thousand Qing Province troops were searching the mountains, so Cao Xing ordered the party to flee west with the Pretender Emperor.
• Cao Xing’s men were ambushed at the mountain’s western foot, and Yuan Tan sent Lü Kuang to reinforce his troops while he gathered the rest of the army.
• After breaking through the encirclement, Cao Xing sent Wang Chong to escort the Pretender Emperor into the mountains and stayed behind to fight Lü Kuang’s pursuing cavalry.

Yuan Tan's forces rescued Emperor Xian of Han after Cao Xing's attack, but Cao Xing's final arrow mortally wounded Yuan Tan. With Yuan Tan and Lü Kuang dead, the soldiers asked Emperor Xian of Han for orders, and Dong Cheng realized they had mistaken him for the real Son of Heaven.

• Yuan Tan arrived, recognized Emperor Xian of Han among Wang Chong's fleeing men, and sent his infantry to aid Lü Kuang while leading his Personal Guards in pursuit.
• Cao Xing killed Lü Kuang, then loosed his final arrow at Emperor Xian of Han before Qing Province soldiers killed him; Yuan Tan tried to block the arrow and was struck in the left eye.
• Wang Chong tried to kill Emperor Xian of Han, but Dong Cheng knocked him aside, and Yuan Tan's Personal Guards arrived and killed Wang Chong and the other pursuers.
• Yuan Tan died after Emperor Xian of Han mistook his attempt to summon the guards for a request to hear his last words.
• The Personal Guards asked Emperor Xian of Han for orders, and Dong Cheng explained that Yuan Tan had rescued him because he mistook him for the true Son of Heaven.

Emperor Xian seized power after his guards killed Dong Cheng, but reports of enemy armies overrunning Qing Province shattered his ambitions. He resolved to escape his escorts and return to Xu County, while Linzi had already fallen to Zhang Liao.

• Emperor Xian ordered his personal guards to kill Dong Cheng, and they beheaded him.
• A messenger reported that Lü Bu was advancing on Dongguan Commandery with twenty thousand troops.
• Another messenger told Emperor Xian that Zhang Liao had captured Linzi after Yuan Xi and Wang Xiu opened its gates.
• A third messenger reported that Kong Rong was leading four thousand troops toward Dongguan Commandery.
• Emperor Xian abandoned his plan to rule Qing Province and decided to return to Xu County, but began looking for a way to escape his guards.

After Emperor Xian of Han escaped his guards and endured a desperate journey, he reached Tai'an and resolved to return to Cao Cao. In Xu County, Cao Cao considered attacking Sun Quan’s holdings in Yang Province or striking Ye City, while weighing the risk of alienating the real emperor there.

• Zhang Liao learned Yuan Tan had gone to Dongguan Commandery and prepared to pursue him, while Yuan Xi vowed to kill his elder brother.
• Lü Bu and Zhang Liao’s armies, aided by Kong Rong’s forces, overwhelmed Qing Province and made its fall inevitable.
• Emperor Xian of Han traveled west through the mountains and reached Tai'an, where he decided to return to Xu County and cooperate with Cao Cao.
• Cao Cao’s council debated whether to attack Sun Quan in Yang Province or take advantage of Ye City’s weakened defenses.
• Cheng Yu urged Cao Cao to strike Ye City and capture the Pretender Emperor, but Cao Cao hesitated because he knew the emperor there was real.
• Xu You stepped forward and objected to the proposed attack on Ye City.

Cao Cao abandoned an attack on Ye City and prepared to seize the lands north of the river, but news that Emperor Xian was being escorted to Xu County forced him to secretly block the emperor's return. Emperor Xian's convoy then came under attack on the road to Changyi.

• Xu You, Xun Yu, and Xun You advised Cao Cao against attacking Ye City and urged him to pursue Yang Province and build power in Jiangdong, Jing Province, and Yi Province.
• Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Dun to lead the campaign north of the river, with Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Cheng Yu, and Xu You serving under him.
• A messenger told Cao Cao that Taian's defending general was escorting the Pretender Emperor to Xu County, so Cao Cao killed the guard and ordered Xu Chu to eliminate the messenger and escort while keeping the emperor alive and out of the cities.
• Taian's defending general escorted Emperor Xian toward Xu County as the emperor looked forward to returning to the palace, but battle shouts suddenly broke out around his carriage.

Emperor Xian of Han fled toward Xu County after Xu Chu killed his escort but spared him, only to find the cities along the way barred against him. As he collapsed from hunger, Xu Chu secretly arranged for a wild boar to be left beside his carriage.

• Xu Chu killed the Taian garrison commander and his hundred escorts, then left Emperor Xian of Han alive and departed without acknowledging him.
• Emperor Xian of Han drove toward Xu County, but Dingtao's garrison commander obeyed Cao Cao's order and kept the city gates shut.
• Emperor Xian of Han reached Chenliu and found its gates closed as well, then continued toward Xu County despite having gone days without food.
• After four days without a filling meal, Emperor Xian of Han collapsed beside a river, and Xu Chu ordered an officer to hunt game for him.
• The officer brought a dead wild boar to Emperor Xian of Han's carriage, kicked it, and hurried away.

Emperor Xian of Han survived the journey toward Xu County with food secretly provided by Xu Chu’s men, convinced that Heaven protected him. Cao Cao tried to keep him out of the city, and after the gates shut in his face, Emperor Xian demanded to be let inside while Cao Cao denied that he was the real Son of Heaven.

• Emperor Xian of Han found a dead wild boar but could not prepare it, so Xu Chu sent a deputy general to hunt and roast a rabbit for him.
• After eating the rabbit, Emperor Xian of Han took his repeated escapes as proof that the Han ancestors and the Mandate of Heaven protected him, then continued toward Xu County.
• Cao Cao worried that Emperor Xian of Han might return, but Xu You assured him that the city orders would keep the emperor out.
• A messenger reported that Emperor Xian of Han was approaching Xu County, and Cao Cao ordered the gates closed.
• Emperor Xian of Han reached the shut gates and pleaded with Cao Cao to let him return to the palace, while Cao Cao told the soldiers to treat him as an impostor.
• Back at his residence, Cao Cao angrily blamed Xu Chu for letting Emperor Xian of Han reach Xu County instead of steering him toward Jing Province.

Cao Cao refused to let Emperor Xian of Han return to Xu County and sent him toward Jing Province, while Yuan Shao’s battered army reached Yi City after repeated Black Mountain Army attacks. Jiang Qi then arrived alone from Qing Province, leaving Yuan Shao alarmed about Yuan Tan and the fighting there.

• Cao Cao rejected Xu You’s suggestion to kill Emperor Xian of Han and decided to meet him outside Xu County to send him away.
• Cao Cao refused Emperor Xian of Han entry, rejected his promises of titles and rewards, and directed him to seek refuge with Liu Biao in Jing Province.
• Cao Cao supplied Emperor Xian of Han with clothing and food and watched him depart alone for Jing Province.
• Yuan Shao reached Yi City after the Black Mountain Army’s ambushes and raids cost his forces more than ten thousand men.
• Yuan Shao ordered his army to march toward Ji Province, then learned that Jiang Qi had arrived alone from Qing Province, injured and in battered armor.

After Yuan Tan’s death and the loss of Qing Province, Yuan Shao blamed Yuan Xi and imprisoned Tian Feng for criticizing his failed strategy. In Ye City, Liu Xie celebrated the Han’s resurgence, and Lü Bu returned in triumph to receive an extraordinary welcome from the Feathered Forest Guard as the emperor came out to greet him.

• Jiang Qi reported that Yuan Tan had died, Yuan Xi and Wang Xiu had opened Linzi to Zhang Liao, Kong Rong had risen in Beihai, and Qing Province had fallen.
• Yuan Shao grieved for Yuan Tan, condemned Yuan Xi, and ordered Tian Feng imprisoned after Tian Feng blamed the Ji County campaign for the defeats.
• Liu Xie and his ministers celebrated Qing Province’s recovery and led the palace and people of Ye City in cries of loyalty to the Great Han.
• Lü Bu returned to Ye City with Zhang Liao, Yuan Xi, Kong Rong, and his victorious army while crowds praised him along the road.
• Liu Xie left Tai'an Hall to welcome Lü Bu and his companions, while the Feathered Forest Guard bowed their heads as Lü Bu passed.

Liu Xie welcomed Lü Bu’s victorious return with exceptional honors and rewarded the commanders who helped recover Qing Province. Lü Bu later visited Lü Lingqi, urging her to bear a dragon heir and promising to handle her future rivalry with Empress Fu.

• Liu Xie welcomed Lü Bu outside Tai'an Hall, praised his victory, and compared him to Wei Qing and Huo Qubing; Lü Bu was moved to tears and vowed lifelong service.
• Liu Xie praised Yuan Xi, Zhang Liao, Kong Rong, and the other returning officials, then promoted and ennobled the contributors, appointing Lü Bu Grand Commandant.
• Liu Xie discussed troop deployments across Xu Province, Qing Province, and the three commanderies of Ji Province before dismissing court.
• Lü Bu visited Lü Lingqi in Ziyun Palace, teased her about practicing martial arts, and asked why she had not conceived a dragon heir.
• Lü Bu told Lü Lingqi not to scheme against Empress Fu or compete for favor, saying he would help her become empress after the realm was unified.

Lü Bu told Lü Lingqi that the Son of Heaven’s favor had earned his loyalty regardless of whether she became empress, while Liu Xie planned the campaign against Yuan Shao and ordered Jia Xu to rebuild the Embroidered-Clothes Envoys. In You Province, the battered Black Mountain Army’s commanders confronted Zhang Yan over the losses and accused the court of deceiving them.

• Lü Bu described the extraordinary welcome he received from Liu Xie and told Lü Lingqi that he would serve the Son of Heaven even if she did not become empress.
• Liu Xie heard Sima Yi and Guo Jia recommend consolidating control of Ji Province, issuing Yuan Shao an edict to surrender, and rewarding Zhang Yan for harassing Yuan Shao.
• Liu Xie privately appointed Jia Xu Direct-Investigation Embroidered-Clothes Envoy and ordered him to secretly reorganize the agency.
• Zhang Yan learned that only a little over thirty thousand Black Mountain Army troops remained fit for action after the costly fighting.
• Black Mountain Army commanders confronted Zhang Yan, accused the court of using them against Yuan Shao without granting amnesty, and threatened to stop fighting.

Zhang Yan faced dissent among the Black Mountain Army, but imperial rewards and an amnesty for the soldiers and their families won their loyalty and strengthened his resolve to fight Yuan Shao. The chapter then shifted to Yi City, where Cui Lin confronted Yuan Shao with an Imperial Edict.

• Zhang Yan rebuked a bandit who opposed accepting the court's amnesty and urged his men to keep fighting so their families could escape poverty and disgrace.
• Wang Dang told Zhang Yan that an imperial envoy had arrived with rewards, and the envoy granted Zhang Yan the title Marquis of An'guo Township along with wealth, armor, and a saber.
• The envoy announced that fallen soldiers' families would receive military-family status and compensation, while surviving Black Mountain Army men could have their crimes cleared after the war.
• Zhang Yan ordered Sun Qing and Wang Dang to distribute the riches among fallen soldiers' families, and the Black Mountain Army pledged to follow him and serve the court.
• At the Prefect's Residence in Yi City, Yuan Shao threatened Cui Lin, who accused him of holding the Son of Heaven hostage and demanded that he kneel to receive the decree.

Liu Biao and Kuai Liang discussed the shifting contest between Yuan Shao and the Son of Heaven after the loss of Qing Province. They judged that the outcome remained uncertain, with Yuan Shao likely to fight for Ji Province.

• Liu Biao read a report about the Son of Heaven's victory in Qing Province and marveled that Yuan Shao had lost the province and his eldest son.
• Kuai Liang noted that Qing Province connected Ji Province and Xu Province, but Yuan Shao remained powerful after taking You Province and holding Bing Province.
• Liu Biao asked Kuai Liang who would ultimately prevail, and Kuai Liang said the Son of Heaven appeared to have an advantage.
• Kuai Liang reasoned that Yuan Shao could still win by regrouping and concentrating his forces against Ji Province, though he expected Yuan Shao to contest the province rather than accept the loss.

Emperor Xian of Han arrived in Xiangyang disguised as a beggar, and Liu Biao recognized and welcomed him. After hearing the emperor’s account of his escape from Xu County, Liu Biao and his advisers debated whether he was genuine, until Cai Mao urged Liu Biao to restore the Han Dynasty himself.

• Kuai Liang urged Liu Biao to seize territory in Yang Province, but Liu Biao postponed the discussion.
• Liu Biao learned that a beggar at the city gate claimed to be the Son of Heaven and ordered Zhang Yun to bring him over.
• Emperor Xian of Han identified himself to Liu Biao, who recognized him and escorted him to the governor’s residence.
• Cai Mao told Liu Biao that the emperor had escaped Xu County after Cao Cao pursued him and Dong Cheng sacrificed himself.
• Emperor Xian of Han asked Liu Biao to help restore the Han Dynasty, and Liu Biao promised to support him.
• Kuai Liang questioned whether the emperor was genuine, and Cai Mao urged Liu Biao to restore the Han Dynasty himself regardless.

Liu Biao rejected his advisors’ proposal to use Emperor Xian’s authority to expand his power and eventually claim the throne. In Ye City, Liu Xie declared Yuan Shao a rebel and assigned four armies to seize the remaining commanderies of Ji Province, leaving the campaign poised to begin.

• Cai Mao, Pang Ji, and Kuai Liang urged Liu Biao to uphold Emperor Xian, expand into the Central Plains, and eventually ascend the throne, but Liu Biao refused and left the study.
• Cui Lin reported that Yuan Shao had rejected the imperial edict, so Liu Xie stripped him of his offices and branded his followers rebels.
• Sima Yi outlined an offensive to capture Ji Province’s remaining commanderies and advance on Hejian Commandery.
• Cui Yan proposed using his family’s influence to take Qinghe, and Liu Xie ordered Zhang He and Cui Yan to lead a force there.
• Jia Xu and Guo Jia volunteered plans for Julu and Pingyuan, and Liu Xie assigned Yuan Xi and Zhang Liao to lead those campaigns.
• Lü Bu volunteered to take Anping, while he, Yuan Xi, and Liu Xie looked forward to defeating Yuan Shao and gaining greater standing.

Liu Xie ordered his forces to seize Ji Province while Ma Chao and Han Sui kept Guo Yuan trapped in Bing Province. Guo Yuan tried to withdraw from Jinyang City by night, but Ma Chao ambushed his troops and left him unable to reinforce Yuan Shao.

• Liu Xie ordered the four armies to converge in Hejian and commanded Ma Chao and Han Sui to pin down Guo Yuan in Bing Province.
• Liu Xie's edict branded Yuan Shao a rebel, and the people debated his guilt while praising Yuan Xi's loyalty.
• Guo Yuan received orders to return to Ji Province but, trapped by Ma Chao and Han Sui, decided to evacuate Jinyang City in batches.
• Guo Yuan sent three thousand soldiers out of Jinyang City at night, but Ma Chao's cavalry ambushed and destroyed or captured them.
• Ma Chao taunted Guo Yuan from outside the city, and Guo Yuan accepted that he could only hold Jinyang rather than aid Yuan Shao.

Ma Chao received an imperial order to keep Guo Yuan trapped in Bing Province, while Yuan Shao faced a four-front offensive after the Son of Heaven branded him a rebel. Yuan Shao chose to reinforce Anping first, and Cui Yan and Zhang He waited outside Qinghe County for Cui Lin’s signal.

• Ma Chao celebrated an ambush that killed seven hundred of Guo Yuan’s men and captured more than two thousand, then received an imperial order demanding he prevent Guo Yuan from leaving Bing Province.
• Ma Chao dismissed his generals’ complaints and said he would obey the decree because his father and brothers were hostages in Ye City.
• Zhang Yan failed to stop Yuan Shao’s army from withdrawing from You Province to Hejian Commandery.
• Yuan Shao ordered Yan Liang to denounce the imperial decree as forged and prepare to retake Ye City, but Lü Xiang reported that four imperial armies were attacking four commanderies.
• Yuan Shao learned that Guo Yuan had not returned and decided to reinforce Anping Commandery first while ordering the other prefects to resist.
• Cui Yan and Zhang He encamped outside Qinghe County with five thousand troops and waited for Cui Lin, who had gone ahead to win over local clans and families.

Cui Lin and Qinghe’s great clans opened the county gates to the Royal Army, while Jia Xu’s crude-looking forged letters stirred suspicion among Julu’s officials. Yuan Xi worried that Julu would not collapse before the ten-day deadline as the chapter ended with Jia Xu calmly reading and warming wine.

• Cui Yan reassured Zhang He and Gao Lan that Qinghe’s great clans would side with the Royal Army, and they waited for Cui Lin’s signal.
• Cui Lin assigned the clan leaders to set fires at the East and West Gates and attack the Prefect’s Residence while he led guards to seize the South Gate.
• Cui Lin’s forces opened Qinghe’s South Gate, and Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Cui Yan led the Royal Army into the town without resistance.
• The prefect of Julu accused his officials of colluding with the enemy after forged letters were shot into the city, while the officials feared he would turn on them.
• The commandery deputy and chief clerk quietly considered surrender after an official suggested opening Julu’s gates.
• Yuan Xi questioned whether Jia Xu’s forged letters would work as the ten-day deadline approached, while Jia Xu remained at ease.

Jia Xu took Julu Commandery after its deputy surrendered with the governor’s head, while Guo Jia besieged Pingyuan and Lü Bu captured Xindu. When Yuan Shao’s reinforcements approached Xindu, Jiang Qi fled at the sight of Lü Bu, but Lü Xiang led three thousand men to confront him.

• Taishi Ci reported that Julu’s deputy had surrendered with the commandery governor’s head, and Jia Xu set out to take the commandery.
• Guo Jia explained that he was cutting off Pingyuan’s water and provisions to limit civilian casualties, then ordered the captured relatives of its officials killed to pressure the city to surrender.
• Lü Bu killed Anping’s governor and the officials who came to surrender after Xindu fell, then learned that Yuan Shao’s army was approaching.
• Jiang Qi and Lü Xiang led seven thousand reinforcements toward Xindu, and Jiang Qi panicked and fled when he recognized Lü Bu.
• Lü Xiang ignored Jiang Qi’s retreat and led three thousand men to face Lü Bu and his five hundred cavalrymen.

Lü Bu defeated Lü Xiang’s forces at Anping Commandery and advanced to Lecheng County, where Yuan Shao prepared to face the gathering royal armies. The chapter ended with Yuan Shao sensing an approaching storm and wondering whether he could withstand Lü Bu.

• Lü Bu routed Lü Xiang’s troops with five hundred Wolf Cavalry, but Gao Shun persuaded him to abandon the pursuit and destroy the remaining enemy force.
• Lü Xiang caught up with Jiang Qi, and the two blamed each other as they retreated toward Hejian Commandery.
• Lü Bu reached Lecheng County and learned that Zhang He and Gao Lan had arrived earlier after Cui Lin helped them secure Qinghe Commandery without casualties.
• Yuan Shao rebuked Jiang Qi and Lü Xiang for losing Anping Commandery and three thousand soldiers, then ordered fifty lashes for each of them.
• Yuan Shao looked at the dark, cloud-covered sky and wondered whether he could hold off Lü Bu.