Chapter Summaries

Luo Zhongkan’s expedition defeated a band of mounted raiders and learned that they were survivors of tribes scattered by the Xiongnu. After the raiders recognized the Han as the power that had defeated the Xiongnu, Luo Zhongkan visited their tribe for supplies and continued toward the Western Regions, recognizing the region as a crossroads of civilizations.

• Luo Zhongkan and the Dare-to-Fight Warriors ambushed the mounted bandits with arrows and overwhelmed them in battle.
• Luo Zhongkan stopped the fighting and questioned the survivors, who explained that the Xiongnu had driven their tribes west.
• Luo Zhongkan told the survivors that he came from the Han Dynasty, and they recognized the Han as the force that had defeated the Xiongnu.
• The survivors led Luo Zhongkan to their tribe, where his expedition stayed for a week and borrowed supplies before departing.
• Luo Zhongkan studied the map and realized that the lands ahead were a crossroads of many civilizations.

Luo Zhongkan led his party across the Hexi Corridor and into the Western Regions, where the system began recording their journey and charting the land. After crossing the Gobi, they reached Loulan City, the first Western Regions country they had encountered, and prepared to see what lay ahead.

• Luo Zhongkan and his companions praised the Sage King at the Western Regions border, marked their arrival on a rock, and set out to explore.
• Ji Zhao received a system notice that the Western Regions map and a continuing quest called “Song of the Western Regions” had begun.
• Luo Zhongkan’s party traveled through the Southern Region’s Gobi wasteland, relying on local guides and following rivers toward Loulan.
• A guide led the party to Loulan City, where Luo Zhongkan and his disguised companions arrived before dark.

Luo Zhongkan explored Loulan, intervened amid a royal rebellion, and took the state's records and treasures before continuing west. Two years later, Luo Ling received his report and considered the Western Regions' resources, environmental dangers, and the warriors' request to take local concubines.

• Luo Zhongkan learned that the King of Loulan was cutting down the oasis trees and feared the land would become desert.
• Luo Zhongkan seized an opportunity during a rebellion, taking Loulan's records, books, and treasures before leaving with his men.
• Luo Zhongkan discussed the Western Regions' trade opportunities and sent a five-man squad back with letters for Luo Ling.
• Two years later, Luo Ling read Luo Zhongkan's account of Loulan's wealth and environmental decline, then considered how the clan could secure the region.
• Luo Ling learned that Luo Zhongkan wanted permission for the Dare-to-Fight Warriors to take local concubines while they remained in the Western Regions.

Luo Zhongkan reached the fertile Yi River Valley and clashed with Xiongnu forces after one of them recognized the Luo Clan Sacred Mark. Surrounded by thousands of riders, he activated the Sacred Mark and called upon his eldest brother.

• Luo Zhongkan and his three hundred men crossed the Tianshan Mountains and discovered the fertile Yi River Valley, where he planned to establish a settlement.
• Luo Zhongkan learned that the Xiongnu and Wusun had driven the Yuezhi westward and decided to prioritize exploring the region and preserving his records.
• A Xiongnu man recognized Luo Zhongkan's Sacred Mark and tried to capture him for the Chanyu, but a Dare-to-Fight Warrior killed the man with an arrow.
• Luo Zhongkan's men fought off repeated Xiongnu attacks and retreated into the mountains as the Xiongnu targeted their horses and gathered in greater numbers.
• With several thousand Xiongnu riders surrounding them and escape east blocked, Luo Zhongkan pressed the Sacred Mark and called out to Luo Ling.

Luo Ling sensed Luo Zhongkan’s danger and used Peach Blossom Spring to appear over the Western Regions, where he destroyed the Xiongnu force with a flash flood. He returned to Zhao City after rescuing Luo Zhongkan, whose warriors then prepared to continue exploring the region for All Xia.

• Luo Ling sensed a change in Luo Zhongkan’s Sacred Mark and opened a Peach Blossom Spring gate from Zhao City to the Western Regions.
• Luo Ling appeared in a pillar of golden light, and Luo Zhongkan identified him as his divine elder brother.
• The Xiongnu chieftain ordered a retreat, but Luo Ling summoned fierce winds and torrential rain that caused a deadly flash flood in the river valley.
• Luo Ling stopped the storm, told Luo Zhongkan to meet him in Zhao City, and vanished as the gate closed.
• The Dare-to-Fight Warriors knelt in reverence, and Luo Zhongkan rallied them to continue opening the Western Regions for the Sage King and All Xia.

Liu Ying asked Luo Xin why Great Han permitted private coin minting, and Luo Xin explained how it supported economic recovery while preserving the court’s ability to reclaim control later. After Luo Xin described how to stop inferior coins from circulating, Liu Ying ordered an edict allowing people to refuse them.

• Liu Ying asked Luo Xin why Great Han allowed the Lords King and powerful families to mint coins privately.
• Luo Xin explained that private minting helped money circulate during recovery, while the court could reclaim the right once the realm was prosperous enough to withstand war.
• Luo Xin told Liu Ying that inferior coins circulated because authorities forced people to accept them and proposed letting people refuse poor-quality coins.
• Liu Ying ordered Luo Xin to draft an edict allowing people to choose which coins they accepted and refuse inferior ones.
• A later historical account credited Luo Xin’s three fiscal reforms with helping bring prosperity to the early Han Empire.

After Liu Ying fainted, his recovery eased the court’s immediate fears, but rumors spread that he might lose consciousness again. Fearing for Great Han’s succession, Liu Ying asked Luo Xin to request a Crown Prince’s appointment and secretly resolved to give Luo Xin, Liu Heng, and the realm a great gift.

• Luo Xin’s harsh enforcement of the court’s coin decree cowed merchants and magnates, while the kingdoms grew wary of Chang’an’s expanding authority.
• Liu Ying celebrated the revenue flowing into the State Treasury and continued relying on Luo Xin to manage the realm’s affairs.
• A palace maid told Luo Xin that Liu Ying had suddenly fainted; Luo Xin rushed to the palace, where the Director of Imperial Physicians found no illness and Liu Ying awoke.
• Liu Ying privately asked Luo Xin what would happen if he died, then requested that Luo Xin submit a memorial to appoint a Crown Prince.
• Liu Ying resolved to give Luo Xin, Liu Heng, and the realm a great gift, then presided over the court assembly and asked whether anyone had business to report.

Liu Ying appointed his eldest son Heng Crown Prince after collapsing during court, then asked Luo Xin to carry the boy into the hall on his back, signaling his trust in Luo Xin to act as regent. The chapter ended as Luo Xin told Zhang Yan that he would carry Heng before the ministers.

• Luo Xin urged Liu Ying to appoint Heng Crown Prince, and Liu Ying agreed, asking Zhang Buyi to support the boy.
• The ministers endorsed Heng, but Liu Ying collapsed on the throne; Luo Xin restrained the hall and announced that the emperor was unwell.
• Liu Ying regained consciousness and ordered Heng and Zhang Yan summoned so Heng could be invested immediately.
• Liu Ying asked Luo Xin to carry Heng into the hall on his back, entrusting him with a symbolic role as regent.
• Luo Xin went out to meet Zhang Yan and Heng and told them Liu Ying had ordered him to carry Heng inside.

Liu Ying appointed Luo Xin regent and Acting Son of Heaven to protect the young Liu Heng and Great Han from an uncertain succession. After proclaiming the decree, Liu Ying died, leaving Luo Xin responsible for the empress and the new Crown Prince.

• Liu Ying revealed to Zhang Yan that he had chosen Luo Xin as regent, and Luo Xin carried Liu Heng into the great hall on his back.
• Liu Ying declared Luo Xin regent and Acting Son of Heaven after his death, and the ministers accepted the edict despite their shock.
• Luo Xin took Liu Ying, Zhang Yan, and Liu Heng to Changle Palace, where Liu Ying asked him to care for his widow and son.
• Liu Ying's pulse weakened, and he died while Luo Xin directed the arrangements that followed.

After Liu Ying’s death, Luo Xin assumed the regency and arranged for Liu Heng to become emperor. He sought a fair posthumous appraisal for Liu Ying and, at the court assembly, approved the proposed title “Hui.”

• Luo Xin announced Liu Ying’s final edict, took up the regency, and declared that Liu Heng would ascend the throne.
• Luo Xin ordered Liu Heng to live with Zhang Yan in Weiyang Palace and study under his guidance while preparations began for the burial and enthronement.
• Luo Xin wrote to Luo Ling, asking him to judge Liu Ying fairly and consider granting him a fitting temple name.
• After receiving Luo Ling’s reply, Luo Xin convened the ministers to propose Liu Ying’s posthumous title and rejected “Yi” as unsuitable.
• A minister proposed “Hui” for Liu Ying, citing his benevolence and concern for the people, and Luo Xin approved.

Luo Xin and Luo Chen secured the posthumous title Hui and temple name Renzong for Liu Ying, honoring his benevolence and virtue. Luo Xin then took Liu Heng under his protection and proclaimed him Emperor Renzong Xiaohui, ushering in a new era under his regency.

• Luo Xin approved the posthumous title Hui for Liu Ying and delayed issuing the edict until the temple name was decided.
• Luo Chen argued that temple names could use words expressing virtues, and proposed Benevolence or Virtue for Liu Ying.
• The ministers agreed to name Liu Ying Renzong, and Luo Xin reflected on his promise to raise Liu Ying's son well.
• Empress Dowager Zhang Yan brought Liu Heng to Luo Xin, who encouraged him to become a wise emperor.
• Luo Xin held Liu Heng and proclaimed him Emperor Renzong Xiaohui, ordering the realm informed.

Luo Xin showed young Liu Heng the farmers of Guanzhong and urged him to protect the people, improve their lives, and open official recommendations to commoners. Back at the palace, Luo Xin began another lesson with Liu Heng while Zhang Yan received a letter from her elder brother.

• Luo Xin brought Liu Heng to the fields near Chang'an and explained how the farmers' welfare sustained the Han Empire.
• Luo Xin urged Liu Heng to protect forests and rivers, improve agriculture, and recommend capable people from common families.
• Liu Heng watched a farmer working and took Luo Xin's words to heart before the procession returned to the city.
• Zhang Yan received word that Luo Xin had summoned Liu Heng for lessons and ordered her brother's letter brought to her.
• Luo Xin set aside his state affairs and welcomed Liu Heng for a lesson at Changle Palace.

Luo Xin taught Liu Heng through carefully guided historical stories, aiming to prepare him to preserve the Han Dynasty’s reforms. When Zhang Yan learned that Marquis Liu’s Residence had forcibly seized land, she resisted intervening before investigating, while Luo Yi sent Luo Xin a memorial about the affair.

• Luo Xin continued teaching Liu Heng with a story about King Li of Zhou, guiding him toward answers without revealing that the choices had been shaped for him.
• Zhang Yan read a letter saying Marquis Liu’s Residence had seized land and been sued, and she grew alarmed at her family’s misconduct.
• Zhang Yan considered issuing a decree to help Marquis Liu’s Residence but feared Luo Xin’s judgment and decided not to act before learning the facts.
• Zhang Yan sent a palace attendant to investigate the land seizure and determine whether anyone had died.
• Luo Yi sent Luo Xin a memorial about Marquis Liu’s Residence while Luo Xin was teaching Liu Heng.

Luo Xin learned that the Marquis Liu's Residence had seized commoners' land and weighed how to address the Zhang Clan without harming Liu Heng or expanding the conflict. Zhang Yan came to Changle Palace to discuss her relatives' misconduct, where Luo Xin directly named the land seizure.

• Luo Xin read Luo Yi's letter about the Marquis Liu's Residence and concealed his anger from Liu Heng.
• Zhang Yan wrote to Zhang Buyi, refused to issue a decree protecting the Zhang Clan, and urged him to return the seized land and compensate the affected household.
• Zhang Buyi was alarmed by Zhang Yan's warning about Luo Xin and sent a reply to her.
• Luo Yi advised Luo Xin to deal with Marquis Liu alone and avoid a broader purge of the founding meritorious officials.
• After learning no commoners had been killed or injured, Zhang Yan went to Changle Palace to speak with Luo Xin.
• Zhang Yan admitted that her clansmen had done wrong, and Luo Xin identified the offense as the Marquis Liu's Residence forcibly seizing commoners' land.

Luo Xin punished Zhang Buyi and Marquis Liu's Residence for seizing commoners' farmland, then used a banquet at Weiyang Palace to warn Chang'an's nobles that he would enforce the law without mercy. The nobles bowed in fear, while Liu Heng watched Luo Xin with curiosity.

• Luo Xin told Zhang Yan a story about a merchant's sons to explain how Marquis Liu's foolishness had damaged the Zhang Clan, and Zhang Yan left the matter to his judgment.
• An edict stripped Zhang Buyi of his title and offices, reduced him to commoner status, removed five thousand households from his fief, fined his residence, and ordered him and his son back to Shandong.
• Luo Yi's residence filled with nobles seeking to learn Luo Xin's intentions, but Luo Yi said he could not fathom his brother's plans.
• Zhang Yan hosted the nobles at a banquet in Weiyang Palace, where Luo Xin accused them of coveting commoners' land and warned that his sword would show no mercy to lawbreakers.
• The nobles bowed and stammered their assent, while Liu Heng watched Luo Xin with curiosity.

Luo Xin taught young Liu Heng the political lessons behind the Rites of Zhou, using the Luo Clan’s history to explain how rites and institutions shaped society. After three years of guiding Liu Heng’s education, the narrative shifted to an author’s discussion of political continuity and the system of rites and music.

• Liu Heng asked Luo Xin why the ministers listened to him, and Luo Xin explained his role as regent and urged Liu Heng to study statecraft.
• Luo Xin began teaching Liu Heng the Rites of Zhou and described how its rules on rites and music had led to the deaths of feudal lords.
• Luo Xin explained the purpose and limits of rites and music, including why the Luo Clan had abandoned reforms that threatened the foundations of its society.
• Luo Xin told Liu Heng a comical version of the executions and used his example to shape Liu Heng’s understanding of rulership.
• Luo Xin took Liu Heng to physical training, and three years passed as he oversaw the young emperor’s education.
• The author discussed how rites and music allowed political institutions to adapt across dynasties and introduced a forthcoming account of the Han Dynasty’s rise and fall.

Three years after Great Han’s reforms, Luo Chen recognized Jia Yi’s talent and arranged for him to meet Luo Xin, the regent and Grand Chancellor. Jia Yi was astonished by the Luo Clan’s ancient treasures, while a closing news report revealed that a set of Luo State ritual vessels had been loaned to a museum.

• Great Han’s tax revenues rose as taxes fell, and Luo Chen was made a marquis.
• Jia Yi presented Luo Chen with a bold policy memorial, and Luo Chen praised his talent after learning he studied Meng Clan Confucianism, Qi Law, and Huang-Lao.
• Luo Chen told Luo Xin he had found a young counselor for the ruler, and Luo Xin agreed to meet Jia Yi.
• Luo Chen brought Jia Yi to the Marquis of Dong'e’s Residence, where Jia Yi recognized a bronze cauldron as an ancient Zhou artifact and learned the courtyard held many such relics.
• Huai'an News reported that a complete set of ritual vessels from a pre-Qin marriage alliance between Luo State and Chu State would go on display at a municipal museum.

Jia Yi presented Luo Xin with a proposal to weaken the lords king by dividing their territories, but Luo Xin challenged him to explain why the court had not acted sooner. Jia Yi stood by his policy and revealed a second memorial, on enfeoffing kin as kings.

• At the Marquis of Dong'e's residence, Jia Yi met Luo Xin and presented his Memorial on Establishing Many Feudal Lords.
• Luo Xin praised Jia Yi's writing, then asked him to explain his political argument.
• Jia Yi argued that dividing powerful kingdoms into smaller fiefs would weaken the lords king and preserve peace without bloodshed.
• Luo Xin said the proposal was workable but incomplete, since there was a reason the court had not moved against the lords king.
• Jia Yi insisted that great states such as Zhao State, Chu State, and Wu State should be divided, then presented his Memorial on Enfeoffing Kin as Kings.

Jia Yi presented a paired argument for weakening powerful feudal kings while preserving and regularly renewing fiefs for the emperor’s close relatives. Luo Xin praised his proposal and appointed him to serve under Luo Chen, while considering the future of Liu Heng’s government and his own mortality.

• Luo Xin read Jia Yi’s memorial advocating enfeoffment and asked him to explain how it fit with his call to weaken feudal kings.
• Jia Yi argued that close imperial kin with strategically placed fiefs could protect the throne from treacherous ministers or a tyrant, and that new generations of relatives should replace distant branches.
• Luo Xin praised Jia Yi’s balanced proposals and appointed him as an erudite assisting the Marquis of Shouguang with government affairs.
• Luo Chen left with Jia Yi, and Luo Xin considered preparing Liu Heng’s future governing team and wondered how many years he had left.

After the King of Huainan died, Luo Xin considered how to use the succession to weaken the powerful feudal kingdoms. The court granted the dead king an honored posthumous title, then summoned three of his sons by concubines to the palace, leaving the Huainan delegation uncertain about Luo Xin’s intentions.

• A Huainan delegation arrived in Chang'an to report the King of Huainan’s death, and Liu Cheng hurried to inform Luo Xin.
• Luo Xin praised the dead king publicly while privately deciding to establish more Feudal Lords to diminish Huainan’s strength.
• The court granted Chang, King of Huainan, the posthumous title Xiang after debating how to honor him.
• Liu Cheng announced that the King of Huainan’s sons in Chang'an would be examined for possible service to the imperial court.
• Liu Cheng led three sons by concubines into the palace, while the rest of the Huainan delegation wondered why Luo Xin had summoned them.