Chapter Summaries

Zhuge Liang’s navy destroyed Cao Cao’s fleet with a fire attack, forcing Cao Cao and his surviving troops to retreat overland. Lü Bu ambushed them near Huarong Trail, and Cao Zhen charged him first, only to be cut in two.

• Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao led the Han navy in surrounding Cao Cao’s burning fleet and raining down fire arrows and jars of fire oil.
• Cao Cao ordered his surviving troops to abandon their ships and withdraw overland after Xun Yu and Xun You urged him to escape.
• Zhuge Liang revealed he had anticipated Cao Cao’s retreat and arranged for Lü Bu to ambush him near Huarong Trail.
• Cao Cao’s exhausted army stopped to rest, and Cao Cao laughed that Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu had failed to predict his overland retreat.
• Lü Bu and Han soldiers charged from the woods, and Cao Zhen rushed forward to confront Lü Bu.
• Lü Bu’s halberd split Cao Zhen’s spear and cut Cao Zhen in two.

Lü Bu killed Cao Zhen and several of Cao Cao’s generals but failed to stop Cao Cao from escaping through Huarong Trail. After the fire attack destroyed Cao Cao’s navy, Zhou Yu learned from Zhuge Liang that an ambush awaited Cao Cao on the trail.

• Lü Bu killed Cao Zhen, then charged toward Cao Cao as Xu Chu, Xu Huang, and Yue Jin tried to hold him back.
• Cheng Yu urged Cao Cao to flee toward Huarong Trail, and Lü Bu’s thrown spear nearly killed him before Xun You caught him.
• Xu Chu, Xu Huang, and Yue Jin attacked Lü Bu together; Lü Bu killed Xu Chu and Yue Jin and badly injured Xu Huang, while Cao Cao escaped.
• Lü Bu abandoned the pursuit, regretting that he had not followed Zhuge Liang’s instructions to ambush Cao Cao inside Huarong Trail.
• After the fire at Red Cliffs destroyed Cao Cao’s navy, Zhou Yu asked whether Cao Cao had been captured, and Zhuge Liang said Duke Wen had ambushed him on Huarong Trail.

Lü Bu returned from the battle without capturing Cao Cao, admitting that he had disobeyed Zhuge Liang’s orders and let him escape. Zhuge Liang spared him from execution and sent the army to prepare for another campaign, while Lü Bu was left troubled by Chen Gong’s anger.

• Zhuge Liang and Lu Su helped the wounded Zhou Yu welcome Lü Bu and expected Cao Cao to be his captive.
• Lü Bu told Zhuge Liang and the gathered generals that Cao Cao had escaped after he ambushed him outside the Huarong Trail and killed Xu Chu, Xu Huang, and Yue Jin.
• Chen Gong demanded that Lü Bu be executed for disobeying orders, while Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun pleaded for leniency.
• Zhuge Liang overruled the demand for execution and allowed Lü Bu to redeem himself through meritorious service.
• Zhuge Liang said the army would rest before marching on Changsha, and Lü Bu promised not to repeat his mistake.
• Zhang Liao and Zhao Yun checked on Lü Bu’s wounded arm as Chen Gong left without accepting his apology.

Liu Xie received news of Zhuge Liang’s victory at Red Cliffs, discussed the campaign and court affairs with Jia Xu, and learned that Zhen Mi had safely given birth to a son. He ordered celebrations and named the prince Liu Jue, investing him as King of Bohai.

• Lü Bu lamented that Xu Chu had spoiled his chance to kill Cao Cao, while Zhang Liao warned him to be more careful next time.
• Liu Xie read Zhuge Liang’s report of the victory at Red Cliffs and praised Zhuge Liang for taking responsibility and crediting Zhou Yu and Lu Su.
• Liu Xie challenged Jia Xu over Fu Wan’s unsolved murder, then learned that the clans of Yang Province had surrendered and Huang Zhong was preparing to join the attack on Changsha.
• Liu Xie ordered that the Pretender Emperor be brought to Chang’an if captured, and warned Jia Xu not to arrange another assassination disguised as a bandit attack.
• Gao Lan announced that Zhen Mi had safely given birth to a son, and Liu Xie ordered three days of celebration across the realm.
• Liu Xie chose the name Liu Jue for his son and ordered Jia Xu to draft an edict investing him as King of Bohai.

After Cao Cao’s defeat at Red Cliffs, his forces lost control of nearly all of Jiangnan, and he fell gravely ill in Changsha. As the Imperial Court’s army closed in, Cao Cao told Xun Yu and Xun You they could surrender and place the blame on him.

• Jia Xu left the hall after the Son of Heaven made his newborn son King of Bohai.
• Cao Cao returned to Changsha after escaping along the Huarong Trail, then fell ill as reports arrived of defections, Liu Bei’s advance, and Yu Jin’s capture.
• Emperor Xian of Han brought medicines to Cao Cao’s residence, but Xun Yu told him Cao Cao was resting and could not receive visitors.
• Xun You urged Xun Yu to find a way to protect the Xun Clan by surrendering, but Xun Yu said their fate was tied to the rebellion’s success or failure.
• Cao Cao learned the Imperial Court’s army was only a hundred li away and dismissed the idea of retreating south.
• Cao Cao told Xun Yu and Xun You they could surrender and blame him alone, and Xun You wept as he thanked Cao Cao for having met him.

The Han army surrounded Changsha, where Cao Cao held the Pretender Emperor and Xu You, and Zhuge Liang urged the commanders to avoid an assault that could endanger them. Chen Gong volunteered to enter the city and persuade Cao Cao to surrender, then explained their history; Cao Cao remained in the besieged city.

• The Han army forces led by Huang Zhong and Zhuge Liang joined outside Changsha, and Guo Jia discussed whether to besiege or storm the city.
• Lü Bu, Huang Zhong, and Zhang Liao competed to lead an assault, but Zhuge Liang said the army must avoid risking the Pretender Emperor and Xu You and should wait for Cao Cao to surrender.
• Sima Yi and Zhou Yu doubted Cao Cao would surrender, but Chen Gong offered to enter Changsha and try to persuade him.
• Chen Gong recalled capturing Cao Cao in Zhongmou County and leaving his post to join him after Cao Cao's failed attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo.
• Chen Gong recounted how Cao Cao killed Lü Boshe's family and then Lü Boshe, leading Chen Gong to abandon him and regret having let him go.

Chen Gong went to persuade Cao Cao to surrender, while Cao Cao asked Xu You to help save his wife and young sons in exchange for his head and the living Pretender Emperor. Xu You hesitated over the dangerous bargain, and Cao Cao admitted he feared Xu You would break his promise.

• Guo Jia insisted Cao Cao had to die, while Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun condemned him and Chen Gong offered to negotiate his surrender.
• Zhuge Liang agreed to send Chen Gong into Changsha, and Lü Bu urged him to return safely.
• Cao Cao visited Xu You and explained that the Imperial Court's forces had reached them and that he wanted Xu You to fulfill their old agreement.
• Xu You said he would help with one request that did not harm the Imperial Court, and Cao Cao asked him to seek a pardon for his wife and young sons.
• Cao Cao offered his own head and the living Pretender Emperor as a gift to secure Xu You's plea, but Xu You asked for time to consider and questioned whether Cao Cao trusted him.

Cao Cao asked Xu You to consider saving his wife and children while the Imperial Court's army threatened Changsha. When Chen Gong urged Cao Cao to surrender, their old grievances erupted, but Cao Cao accepted Chen Gong's promise to plead for him and whispered a request before sending him out of the city.

• Cao Cao told Xu You that he had no choice but to trust him, gave him a day to decide whether to save his family, and threatened to kill him if he refused.
• A soldier reported that Chen Gong had arrived as an emissary, and Cao Cao agreed to meet his old acquaintance.
• Chen Gong urged Cao Cao to surrender and hand over Xu You and the Pretender Emperor, but Cao Cao refused and defended his resistance in the name of the Great Han.
• Cao Cao and Chen Gong argued over their past and Cao Cao's deeds, until Cao Cao drew his sword and threatened to kill him.
• Chen Gong promised to plead with the Son of Heaven to spare Cao Cao, and Cao Cao accepted before whispering a request to him.
• Cao Cao ordered the guards to escort Chen Gong out of the city.

Cao Cao prepared to surrender to the Imperial Court and sacrifice himself to protect his family after revealing that the emperor he had enthroned was a pretender. He asked his sons what they would do after his death, but Cao Chong had not yet answered.

• Xu You agreed to help secure Cao Cao's wife and young sons in exchange for his own survival, and Cao Cao gave him the bound Pretender Emperor to present alongside Cao Cao's head when the city surrendered.
• Cao Cao visited Lady Ding, but she refused to see him, so he told Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, and Cao Chong that the emperor he had enthroned was fake and the true Son of Heaven was in Chang'an.
• Cao Cao explained that he would surrender to the Imperial Court and take his own life in hopes of protecting his sons and their mothers.
• Cao Pi vowed to build strength and avenge Cao Cao, while Cao Zhang promised to join him; Cao Zhi said he did not know what to do.
• Cao Cao asked Cao Chong what he would do after his death.

Cao Cao killed Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi to protect the Cao Clan’s bloodline, then died after making Cao Chong promise to flee with his mother and seek Xu You. Cao Chong discovered Lady Ding dead and began cutting off Cao Cao’s head before Xu You arrived and intervened.

• Cao Cao killed Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi because he feared their ambitions would bring the Cao Clan to ruin.
• Cao Cao told Cao Chong to take his head and find Xu You after his death, then died in Cao Chong’s arms.
• Cao Chong found Lady Ding dead in her chamber, with a hairpin in her neck.
• Xu You went to Lady Ding’s residence after Cao Cao failed to return and found the bodies of Cao Cao’s sons and Cao Cao.
• Cao Chong was cutting off Cao Cao’s head when Xu You rushed forward and took the dagger from him.

Xu You brought Cao Cao’s severed head, Cao Chong, and the disguised Emperor Xian of Han out of Changsha to surrender to the Han Army. After confirming Cao Cao’s death and taking the city’s surrender, Xu You claimed credit for persuading Cao Cao and explained that Cao Chong had beheaded his father, positioning himself to protect the traumatized boy.

• Xu You stopped Cao Chong from trying to cut off Cao Cao’s head and severed it himself, then took Cao Chong out of the courtyard.
• Changsha’s gates opened, and Xu You emerged with Cao Chong, Cao Cao’s head, and a sack-covered captive believed to be Emperor Xian of Han.
• Guo Jia greeted Xu You, who met Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, and the other Han commanders.
• Xu You revealed Cao Cao’s head and confirmed that the captive was Emperor Xian of Han, while Zhuge Liang sent troops to accept Changsha’s surrender.
• Xu You told Guo Jia that Cao Chong was Cao Cao’s youngest son and said Cao Cao had arranged his own death after Xu You persuaded him to surrender.

After Cao Cao’s defeat, the Han Army captured his stronghold and took his family and advisers prisoner, while Guo Jia reunited with Xun Yu without offering to intervene on his behalf. The victors escorted Emperor Xian and the prisoners toward Chang’an, where news of the emperor’s newborn son and an urgent rider approaching the city left the story poised for further developments.

• The Han Army entered Changsha, where Cao Cao’s soldiers surrendered and his family, the Xiahou Clan, and his advisers were arrested.
• Guo Jia greeted his old friend Xun Yu, then ordered the prisoners taken away; Xun Yu explained to Xun You that Guo Jia would not risk pleading for them.
• Huang Zhong remained to guard Changsha while Guo Jia, Zhuge Liang, Lü Bu, and the others escorted Cao Cao’s head, Emperor Xian, and the prisoners toward Chang’an.
• Lü Bu vowed to kill Emperor Xian if he tried to escape again, then learned from Chen Gong that Noble Lady Zhen had given birth to an imperial son named Jue, King of Bohai.
• A rider carrying the Flying Dragon Cavalry flag raced toward Chang’an, and the city guards let him pass.

Liu Xie received news that Cao Cao had died, Changsha had been retaken, and the Pretender Emperor had been captured, ushering in the Great Han’s reunification. At the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he finally accepted that his accomplishments made him worthy of his position and vowed to restore the Han to its former peak.

• A cavalryman brought Chang'an urgent news that Duke Wen had retaken Changsha, Cao Cao had taken his own life, and the Pretender Emperor had been captured.
• Gao Lan told Liu Xie about the victory, waking him and the Eldest Princess; Liu Xie immediately ordered celebrations and rewards across the realm.
• Liu Xie hurried to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and told the former emperors that the rebels had been destroyed and the Great Han had risen again.
• Liu Xie reflected that his victories over Yuan Shao, Sun Quan, and Cao Cao had earned him the right to stand as emperor despite having originally been a substitute.
• Liu Xie vowed that reunification was only the beginning and that he would restore the Great Han to its peak and make it stand at the pinnacle of the world.

After news arrived that Lü Bu had defeated Cao Cao and unified the realm, Liu Xie celebrated with his court and considered changing the era name. Jia Xu urged him to focus on rebuilding the Han’s strength, so Liu Xie decided to keep Jian'an for now.

• Liu Xie left the Imperial Ancestral Temple, vowing to honor his ancestors through his achievements.
• Empress Fu learned that Cao Cao had been defeated and that the Pretender Emperor had been captured and would be brought to Chang'an.
• Liu Xie welcomed the court officials, who congratulated him on unifying the realm.
• Cui Yan, Fa Zheng, Kong Rong, and other officials proposed new era names, but Jia Xu advised Liu Xie not to celebrate while the Han remained weak.
• Liu Xie agreed to retain Jian'an until he had restored the Han’s strength, then invited the officials to the banquet at Yongshou Hall.

Lü Bu, Guo Jia, and the victorious army returned to Chang'an, where Liu Xie welcomed the commanders and began rewarding them for defeating Cao Cao. The ceremony turned emotional as Liu Xie and Xu You reunited, while Emperor Xian of Han arrived in the city as a captive.

• Lü Bu's army reached Chang'an, and Zhuge Liang anticipated a place in Lingyun Pavilion's second tier while Sima Yi resolved to earn one through diligent service.
• Liu Bei arrived with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and the three brothers recalled their loyalty and shared rise from humble beginnings.
• Emperor Xian of Han secretly watched Chang'an from his carriage and wept over his loss of power and the Great Han realm.
• Lü Bu, Guo Jia, Xu You, Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, Liu Bei, and other commanders entered Chengming Hall, where Liu Xie praised them as pillars of the Great Han and announced rewards.
• Liu Xie addressed Xu You, who wept as he described enduring captivity under Cao Cao in hopes of seeing the realm reunified.

Liu Xie rewarded the officials and generals who helped defeat Cao Cao and restore the Han, elevating Xu You, Zhuge Liang, Lü Bu, Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and Sima Yi to powerful posts. He granted Liu Bei the restored title of King of Zhongshan with hereditary protection for three generations, leaving Liu Bei overcome with gratitude.

• Liu Xie named Xu You Marquis of Pacifying the State and Director of the Secretariat, and admitted him to the Third Tier of Lingyun Pavilion.
• Liu Xie made Zhuge Liang Marquis of Wuxiang and admitted him to the Second Tier of Lingyun Pavilion; he then reprimanded Lü Bu for letting Cao Cao escape before appointing him Grand General.
• Liu Xie appointed Guo Jia Minister over the Masses and Jia Xu Grand Marshal, while Sima Yi became Director of the Secretariat.
• Liu Xie rewarded Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and the other generals, appointing Zhao Yun General of Agile Cavalry and Zhang Liao Colonel Director of Retainers.
• Liu Xie restored Liu Bei's title of King of Zhongshan and granted his descendants three generations of succession without a reduction in fief, and Liu Bei wept as he thanked him.

After the court celebrated Liu Bei’s appointment as King of Zhongshan, Liu Xie met the bound Emperor Xian of Han in secret and revealed that he had come from another era. He defended his rule and the Han’s restoration, but Emperor Xian rejected him as an impostor, and Liu Xie’s response left the confrontation unresolved.

• Liu Xie held a banquet for the court officials after naming Liu Bei King of Zhongshan, then went to the Imperial Garden after nightfall.
• Gao Lan brought the bound Emperor Xian of Han to the Waterside Pavilion and guarded the garden while Liu Xie spoke with him.
• Emperor Xian panicked at seeing Liu Xie’s identical face and accused him of stealing his throne through sorcery.
• Liu Xie said he had arrived in that era by chance, explained that Emperor Xian would otherwise have fallen under Cao Cao’s control, and claimed he had restored the Han and spared the people further war.
• Emperor Xian insisted that he was the true Son of Heaven and that the realm belonged to the Liu Clan, while Liu Xie’s expression turned cold and he rose with imperial authority.

Liu Xie told Emperor Xian of Han that he would not spare him because his continued existence threatened Liu Xie and Great Han. Before Emperor Xian of Han drank the fatal wine beside Empress Fu, he asked whether Liu Xie would bring peace and prosperity to the realm, and Liu Xie promised he would.

• Emperor Xian of Han begged Liu Xie to spare his life, but Liu Xie said neither he nor the throne mattered as much as his absence.
• Liu Xie explained that Emperor Xian of Han remained a danger to him and Great Han, though he had wanted to speak with the only person who could hear his thoughts.
• Liu Xie brought Empress Fu to see Emperor Xian of Han, and the couple reunited and mourned their impending separation.
• Empress Fu poured the wine for Emperor Xian of Han, who drank it and asked Liu Xie whether he would bring peace and prosperity to the realm.
• Liu Xie promised he would, and Emperor Xian of Han accepted his answer.

Liu Xie watched Emperor Xian of Han and Empress Fu die, then burned the Waterside Pavilion to conceal the truth and emerged as the sole Son of Heaven. The next morning, he mourned Empress Fu publicly while spending time with Lü Lingqi and their daughter, and awaited Zhen Mi’s arrival in Chang’an.

• Emperor Xian of Han died from poison after telling Empress Fu he wished to live as a physician and marry her again in another life.
• Empress Fu drank the poison Liu Xie gave her, cursed him to a lonely reign, and died holding Emperor Xian of Han as she hummed a song.
• Liu Xie set the Waterside Pavilion on fire, declared himself the one and only Son of Heaven, and ordered Gao Lan to keep watch before putting out the blaze.
• The court and people largely ignored Empress Fu’s death, while Liu Xie publicly wept and suspended court for three days.
• Liu Xie taught Liu Ying to walk and joked with Lü Lingqi before saying that Zhen Mi should arrive in Chang’an by the end of the month.

Liu Xie asked Lü Lingqi whether she wanted to become empress, but she recommended Zhen Mi instead. At the Xuan Room, Xu You sought a pardon for Cao Cao’s youngest son, but Jia Xu rejected the plea before Liu Xie arrived and asked why Xu You was leaving.

• Liu Xie asked Lü Lingqi if she wished to take the vacant Empress’s Position, and she said Zhen Mi was a better choice.
• A eunuch summoned Liu Xie to meet the Director of the Secretariat, and Lü Lingqi encouraged him to go while she watched Liu Ying.
• Xu You arrived at the Xuan Room and learned that ministers including Jia Xu and Zhuge Liang were reviewing state affairs while Liu Xie rested.
• Xu You asked Jia Xu to help spare Cao Chong from the execution of the Cao Clan and Xiahou Clan, but Jia Xu refused and told him to leave.
• Liu Xie entered the Xuan Room as Xu You was departing and asked why he had not stayed to present his matter.