Of the Four States of the Central Plains, Wei State unquestionably possessed the most majestic imperial palace. The Eastern Capital, Luoyang, could be set aside for now; situated amid the Four States, it could not serve as the capital.
Chang'an was a great city second only to Luoyang.
Beneath the heavy darkness of night, Weiyang Palace blazed with lights. Cao Mao stood in the hall, staring blankly at the enormous Geomancy Map. Wei State's territory had been this large when he ascended the throne, and it had not expanded in the slightest since.
Emperor Wu had founded the realm, and Emperor Wen had preserved it, yet both had expanded its borders. Even that treacherous villain Sima Yi had conquered Yizhou for Wei State. In all the years since his own accession, however, he had not only failed to expand the realm-he was on the verge of losing Hedong.
He murmured to himself, "Hedong is festering. Wei State will bleed itself dry there. We must reform our institutions and change our laws. Cao Lin, oh, Cao Lin. If you know what's good for you, surrender your power obediently. I will let you enjoy wealth and glory."
Anyone with a keen nose could smell the signs of trouble between the emperor and the Great General, especially the politically sensitive aristocratic clans. Wei State's politics had returned to the factional struggles they so enjoyed watching.
No sooner had word spread that the emperor intended to employ the aristocratic clans than some began drawing closer to him. Though they had long been deprived of power, they still enjoyed reputations throughout the realm, and reputation was capital for obtaining office. Moreover, they had only lost power at the center; their roots remained deeply entwined in local affairs. Once these men rose to prominence, they would