Recaps

Luo Zhongkan opened a route into the Western Regions before Luo Xin rescued his expedition, while Luo Xin became regent after Liu Ying’s death and reshaped the Han court. His peaceful division of Huainan provoked the King of Huainan and the King of Wu, leaving Han Xin to lead an army against the rebellion.

• Luo Zhongkan and the Dare-to-Fight Warriors defeated mounted bandits, explored Loulan, and crossed the Tianshan Mountains before Xiongnu attacks drove them into a desperate mountain retreat.
• Luo Zhongkan called to Luo Ling through his Sacred Mark, and Luo Ling opened a gate to the Western Regions, drove off the Xiongnu with a deadly storm, and urged the expedition to continue its work.
• Luo Xin persuaded Liu Ying to appoint Liu Heng Crown Prince, then became regent and Acting Son of Heaven after Liu Ying died, guiding Liu Heng’s enthronement and education.
• Luo Xin stripped Zhang Buyi of his title and land after the Marquis Liu’s Residence seized commoners’ property, and he warned other nobles against violating the law.
• Luo Chen introduced Jia Yi to Luo Xin, who approved Jia Yi’s proposals to weaken powerful kingdoms by dividing them and to enfeoff imperial relatives as safeguards for the throne.
• After the King of Huainan died, Luo Xin divided Huainan among his four sons and sent them to rule their fiefs, while assuring Zhang Yan that he would avoid war unless the kings rebelled.
• The King of Wu urged the Lords King to resist Luo Xin’s regency, and Luo Xin told Luo Yi that Emperor Xiaohui’s early death made him determined to reduce the kingdoms’ power while he could.
• Liu Chen stayed in Huainan to gather evidence after its king plotted against him, but the king attacked and gravely wounded him, prompting Luo Xin to appoint Han Xin to lead an army against Huainan and plan action against Wu.

After Luo Xin died, Liu Heng began ruling on his own and relied on Luo Jing to restore the court’s authority over coinage and the Shandong kingdoms. Luo Jing returned to Chang’an as Libationer of a new academy, where Liu Heng also raised the question of choosing him a wife.

• Han Xin and the King of Huainan surrendered after Han Xin defeated their rebellion, and Liu Heng executed them and exiled their guilty officials.
• Luo Yi died after visiting Liu Ruyi and Han Xin, and the court honored him and Han Xin with elaborate funerals.
• Luo Xin returned power to Liu Heng after his capping ceremony, then died in Luoyang and was posthumously named King Wen.
• Luo Jing helped Liu Heng recall the Thorough Marquises, and the court debated and reclaimed control of coinage.
• Luo Jing traveled to Luoyang, arrested corrupt Henan officials, and used the Emperor's Seal to compel the Lords King to submit to the court.
• Zhou Yafu defeated the King of Chu, and Liu Heng abolished Chu and stripped several Lords King and Thorough Marquises of their states.
• Luo Jing persuaded powerful Shandong families to consider relocating to Guanzhong, and one member of the Wang Clan volunteered.
• Liu Heng recalled Luo Jing to Chang'an, appointed him Libationer of a new academy, and proposed that he choose a wife from among selected noble ladies.

Luo Jing helped Liu Heng establish the Imperial Academy, reform landholding, and introduce Luo Paper, while Liu Qi’s crimes led to his removal and Liu Che’s succession. After Liu Heng’s death, Liu Che began consolidating authority and turned toward a coming conflict with the Xiongnu.

• Luo Jing composed the “Endless Night Rhapsody” at Weiyang Palace, where the empress proposed that many women join together as his wives.
• Luo Ling agreed to let Han attendants copy selected Luo Clan books, and Luo Jing helped Liu Heng establish the Imperial Academy and make the Spring and Autumn Classic Official Learning.
• Luo Jing warned Liu Heng against praising a troubled realm, but completed Heavenly Han, Part Three, and Liu Heng began surveying land and punishing abuses.
• Luo Ling’s craftsmen perfected Luo Paper, and Luo Ban presented it at the grand ceremony, where Liu Heng praised it as an auspicious gift and offered Luo Jing’s rhapsody to Supreme Heaven.
• Luo Zhongkan died after entrusting his family to Luo Ling, and his son Luo Wuji was born as a Child of the Mandate of Heaven.
• Liu Qi killed Liu Mo and another young man, prompting Liu Heng to depose him and appoint Liu Che crown prince after hearing Liu Che’s plans for governing.
• Liu Heng counseled Liu Che to govern within the people’s means and rely on capable ministers, then died, leaving Luo Jing to help the new emperor preserve the realm.
• Liu Qi rebelled after Liu Che ascended the throne and died during the campaign, while Liu Che later sought Luo Jing’s counsel and declared plans to expand All Xia.
• Liu Che called for worthy talent and care for fallen soldiers’ children as Xiongnu raids increased, then appointed Dong Zhongshu to the Imperial Academy as Jia Yi recognized Liu Che’s growing support for war.

Liu Che established the Yuanshi era and launched a major campaign against the Xiongnu, while Luo Ling intervened to save Zhou Yafu’s army before dying and leaving the Luo Clan to his heirs. Luo Wuji joined Wei Qing’s new campaign alongside Huo Qubing and led his own force into the grasslands in search of Xiongnu tribes.

• Luo Jing confronted Dong Zhongshu over his teachings and ordered him to restrict and revise his writings, while Liu Che led the court to the Sage King’s Mausoleum and received the era name Yuanshi.
• As the Xiongnu debated invading and Han officials called for war, Liu Che appointed Zhou Yafu supreme commander and sent five armies into the grasslands.
• Zhou Yafu rescued the Marquis of Runyin’s force from the Left Xian King, but fell ill as Chanyu Qilian surrounded the Han Army and pursued its retreat.
• Luo Ling arrived between the armies, summoned a storm, and forced Chanyu Qilian to withdraw, then told Zhou Yafu to return home.
• Zhou Yafu retired and died after Liu Che appointed the Marquis of Huaiyin Great General and recognized Wei Qing’s achievements, and Luo Ling then summoned the Luo Clan and died after advising its heirs.
• Ji Zhao observed the world’s rules change after Luo Ling’s death, while Luo Wuji inherited the clan’s responsibilities and Wei Qing returned to Chang’an to prepare for another campaign.
• Luo Wuji and Luo Jin Xiu traveled to Chang’an, where Luo Jing helped Luo Wuji secure the post of Eagle-Raising Commandant as the Xiongnu raided Dai Commandery.
• Wei Qing led 120,000 soldiers beyond the frontier toward Dragon City, while Luo Wuji and Huo Qubing rode out on separate missions and Luo Wuji prepared to attack a nearby Xiongnu tribe.