Chapter Summaries

Luo Xin praised the three concubine-born sons of the King of Huainan and proposed that the court entrust them with important duties. Liu Chen claimed that his father had loved his sons and worried over their futures, winning Luo Xin’s approval and prompting an edict that spread the story throughout the realm.

• Liu Cheng escorted the three sons of the King of Huainan to meet Luo Xin, whose formidable presence frightened them.
• Luo Xin called the three outstanding members of the imperial clan and argued that they should be given important responsibilities.
• Luo Xin spoke of the King of Huainan’s supposed dying wish to secure his sons’ futures, and Liu Chen tearfully backed the account.
• Luo Xin praised Liu Chen’s filial piety and declared that the court should promote him as an example of Han’s moral instruction.
• Liu Chen told his brothers that he had said what Luo Xin wanted to hear and predicted their fortunes would change.
• A court edict publicized the encounter and Luo Xin’s support for the King of Huainan’s sons throughout Chang'an and the realm.

Luo Xin divided Huainan among the late king’s four sons, weakening the kingdom while presenting the decree as an act of filial fairness. The new kings departed for their territories, and the Lords King began to react with anger and suspicion toward the court.

• The court decreed that Huainan would be divided among the late king’s four sons, naming the Crown Prince of King of Huainan King of Huainan and appointing his three brothers kings of Hengshan, Lujiang, and Yuzhang.
• Huainan’s delegation condemned the decree, but its chief envoy ordered the delegation to return and obey the Queen Mother’s orders.
• Founding officials’ descendants sought reassurance from Marquis Ying and Zhang Yan as they feared the court might prepare for war against the Lords King.
• Luo Xin told Zhang Yan that he would avoid war unless rebels challenged the court, making clear that he intended to weaken the kingdoms peacefully.
• Luo Xin sent Liu Chen and the other new kings to their territories with resources, and Liu Chen pledged that Huainan’s four kingdoms would remain loyal to the court.
• Several Lords King openly resented Luo Xin’s regency and his efforts to reduce their power.

The King of Wu circulated accusations that Luo Xin’s regency threatened the Liu Clan, provoking debate in Chang'an and a dispute between Luo Xin and Luo Yi over whether to subdue the feudal kingdoms by force or through gradual political measures. Luo Yi recognized that Luo Xin’s deep ties to the imperial family made him more determined to protect the emperor and the Han state.

• The King of Wu sent the other Lords King a letter arguing that Liu Clan relatives should govern and warning that Luo Xin’s regency endangered the imperial kin.
• The Lords King secretly spread the King of Wu’s accusations, and the news caused a stir in Chang'an as people considered Wu State’s strength and the court’s ability to restrain it.
• Luo Xin told Luo Yi that an army could capture the King of Wu quickly, but Luo Yi opposed going to war and urged him to rely on the Enfeoffment and Realm-Splitting Law.
• Luo Xin argued that the current Lords King lacked ideals and could not defend the realm, and proposed either gradually dividing their kingdoms or crippling them through war.
• Luo Yi understood that Luo Xin’s attachment to Lü Zhi, Liu Le, and Liu Ying made him feel responsible for preserving the emperor’s position, and asked whether his urgency came from worry about His Majesty the Emperor.

Luo Xin explained that he intended to curb the vassal kingdoms himself because he feared future emperors would fail to finish the task. In Huainan, Liu Chen provoked the King of Huainan as part of a plan to divide the kingdom, and the furious king began seeking an assassin to kill the three newly enfeoffed kings.

• Luo Xin told Luo Yi that Emperor Xiaohui’s early death had convinced him to settle the vassal kingdoms’ power while he could, and Luo Yi urged him to summon Zimu.
• Liu Chen returned to Huainan with the court’s decree and argued that he could not have sold a kingdom he never owned, while claiming the Grand Chancellor as his father.
• The King of Yuzhang and the King of Lujiang defended Liu Chen, and Liu Chen warned them to leave after paying their respects while he handled the conflict.
• Liu Chen resolved to provoke the King of Huainan into resisting so he could advance the task Luo Xin had entrusted to him.
• The King of Huainan smashed his valuables and vowed to kill the three kings, and a minister offered his brother as a possible assassin.

Liu Chen’s report that the King of Huainan had ordered an assassination gave Luo Xin grounds to rally the court for war, while Liu Heng learned why Luo Xin was replacing distant Liu Clan Kin with the emperor’s brothers. The court appointed Han Xin to command the campaign against Huainan, and the chapter ended with a historical account of Chen’s flight and the court’s response.

• Liu Chen learned that the King of Huainan had agreed to assassinate him and the other feudal kings, but chose to remain in Liucheng to gather evidence.
• Luo Xin explained to Liu Heng that he was breaking up the feudal kingdoms to replace distant imperial kin with people close to the emperor.
• A messenger reported that the King of Huainan had attacked Liu Chen, who was gravely wounded, and that the kings had fled toward Nanyang.
• Luo Xin condemned the King of Huainan before the court, and the Thorough Marquises demanded permission to fight.
• Luo Xin appointed Han Xin to command the army against Huainan and also planned to move against the King of Wu.
• The historical account described Chen’s escape to Nanyang and the court’s decision to send troops under Huaiyin.

Han Xin swiftly defeated the allied armies of the King of Huainan and the King of Wu, and Liu Heng rejected their pleas for pardon and ordered them judged under Han law. Luo Xin explained why the Lords King had turned against the imperial family, leaving Liu Heng to understand the importance of the Luo Clan’s role in holding the realm together.

• Han Xin led an army into Huainan, where the King of Huainan raised troops and sought an alliance with the King of Wu.
• The King of Wu failed to rally the other Lords King, but he and the King of Huainan gathered a vast army to oppose the court.
• Han Xin routed the allied army by the Huai River, and the two kings surrendered and were brought to Chang'an.
• Liu Heng condemned the kings for rebelling and ordered the Imperial Guards to remove them and apply Han law.
• Liu Heng asked Luo Xin why the Lords King had broken with the imperial family, and Luo Xin answered by contrasting the Zhou State with All Xia.
• Liu Heng realized the Luo Clan had sustained the alliances that held the Zhou Royal House and its allies together, and thanked Luo Xin.

Luo Xin guided Liu Heng through the post-rebellion settlement, and Liu Heng proposed balancing kingdoms, Thorough Marquises, and directly governed territories. They agreed to implement the policy with Liu Heng observing, then turned to rewarding the rebellion’s suppressors, with the Meritorious Officials Group seeking official posts.

• Luo Xin proposed executing the rebellion’s ringleaders and exiling the other criminals to Lingnan to reclaim wasteland and open positions for capable people.
• Liu Heng proposed interlocking kingdoms, Thorough Marquises, commanderies, and counties to balance the Lords King, military nobles, and court officials.
• Luo Xin praised Liu Heng’s plan and explained that its success would depend on careful placement and execution by local officials and nobles.
• Liu Heng asked to accompany Luo Xin during implementation so he could see how policies encountered problems locally, and Luo Xin agreed.
• Luo Xin and Liu Heng discussed rewards for the Imperial Guards and the men of Guanzhong, then noted that the Thorough Marquises wanted official posts.

Luo Xin explained to Liu Heng how he would recruit and later discipline the Meritorious Officials Group while preparing to return power to the young emperor. After the court punished the rebellion and rewarded meritorious families, Luo Xin watched the Shandong kingdoms, ready to divide their territories.

• Luo Xin told Liu Heng that the Meritorious Officials Group wanted positions for their sons and younger relatives, and recommended Zhou Yafu for future command.
• Luo Xin advised dividing Han Xin’s marquisate among his descendants and granting the meritorious officials nominal titles for now.
• Luo Xin said he would drive the thorough marquises from Chang’an after subduing the lords king, then summon them back once they had been humbled; he also promised to return power to Liu Heng when he came of age.
• Liu Heng urged Luo Xin not to sacrifice so much for his succession, and Luo Xin said he acted for the realm and the late emperor’s wishes.
• The court announced that the King of Huainan and the King of Wu had been executed and their guilty officials exiled to Lingnan.
• The court rewarded many thorough marquises and their relatives, while Luo Xin watched the Shandong kingdoms and prepared to partition them.

After the deaths of Lü Cheng and the King of Zhao, Liu Ruyi died in Han State while Luo Yi was at his bedside. Reflecting on his aging friends and family, Luo Yi traveled to Zhao City and then Anyang, where his strength began to fail.

• The court posthumously named Lü Cheng King Wei Guang of Qi, and Luo Yi attended the Lü Clan’s mourning ceremony in Linzi.
• The King of Zhao died, while the court’s extension of grace divided Qi and Zhao into smaller states and fiefs.
• Luo Yi visited the gravely ill Liu Ruyi, who spoke of his regret that Luo Yi had spent years in Han State.
• Liu Ruyi died holding Luo Yi’s hand, and Luo Yi assured the Queen of Han that he would petition for impartial posthumous honors.
• Luo Yi reflected on the many friends he had lost, then visited his aging brother Luo Ling in Zhao City.
• Luo Ling sent Luo Yi to Anyang to see A Cai, where Luo Yi arrived pale and unsteady.

Luo Yi collapsed shortly after arriving at Han Xin’s residence in Anyang and, believing his lifespan had ended after seeing the Sage King, died beside Luo Cai. The court honored him as Marquis Wenxian, while the chapter then introduced Lin Yun’s reincarnation journey in the Cultivation Realm.

• Luo Cai worried about Luo Yi’s health as they traveled to the Marquis of Anyang’s Residence, where Han Xin welcomed them.
• Luo Yi suddenly collapsed, and Han Xin carried him inside while Luo Cai summoned help.
• After waking, Luo Yi said he had seen the Sage King and asked to bathe before his death; he soon fell silent, and Luo Cai arranged his funeral and informed the court.
• News of Luo Yi’s death reached Chang'an, and the court suspended its sessions for seven days and granted him the posthumous title Marquis Wenxian.
• Luo Yi’s funeral was held with the honors given to Xiao He, and his coffin was sent from Chang'an to Zhao City.
• Lin Yun began a cultivation-world reincarnation journey using the Art of Hundred-Life Reincarnation, accumulating legends and shaping the lives of those he encountered.

After Luo Yi’s death, Luo Cai fell gravely ill from grief, and Han Xin died soon after her, leaving Luo Xin to mourn the loss of another pillar of the court. The chapter ended with Luo Xin preparing to address the realm’s remaining affairs after the court honored Han Xin with a grand burial and the posthumous title Martial and Reverent.

• Luo Xin learned that Luo Cai was bedridden with grief over Luo Yi’s death and sent Luo Chen with his son and more than a hundred Dare-to-Fight Warriors to Anyang.
• Luo Cai warned Han Xin to protect himself and the Han Clan, obey the law, avoid political entanglements, and preserve his integrity so he could be buried beside her in Zhao City.
• Han Xin, overcome by grief and feeling unable to live without Luo Cai, found his skin had turned bright red and said he would go with her.
• A messenger told Luo Xin that the Marquis of Anyang and the Marquis of Huaiyin had both died, and Luo Xin summoned the ministers to discuss the news.
• The court buried Han Xin with the rites due a Lord King, placed six of the Nine Bestowments in his tomb, and granted him the posthumous title Martial and Reverent.
• After arranging Han Xin and Luo Cai’s funerals, Luo Xin rallied himself and turned to the realm’s remaining affairs.

Luo Xin used a staged breach of court decorum to expel the Thorough Marquises from Chang'an, while Liu Heng appeared to support the punishment. The marquises left believing Luo Xin feared they might threaten the emperor, and an edict barred them from returning without imperial permission.

• As storms battered Chang'an, the Thorough Marquises worried that Luo Xin had become harsher and discussed the coming-of-age ceremony after which he might return power to Liu Heng.
• Luo Xin told Liu Heng that he planned to send the best of the Thorough Marquises back to their fiefs and deal with troublesome noble scions.
• Luo Xin's guards summoned the Marquis of Wuyang and the other marquises to the palace, refusing to let them wash or change after their night of drinking.
• Luo Xin condemned the marquises for appearing before Liu Heng in disarray and proposed sending them to their Shandong fiefs; Liu Heng questioned the severity but then had them thank Luo Xin for his favor.
• After leaving the palace, the marquises suspected Luo Xin was removing potential threats to Liu Heng and hoped they could regain his trust and return to Chang'an.
• The palace issued an edict ordering the Marquis of Wuyang and the others to return to their fiefs and forbidding them from coming back without imperial permission.

Luo Xin advised Liu Heng on the northern grasslands, future wars, and reclaiming coinage authority as he prepared to return power to the emperor. He also urged Zhang Yan to counsel Marquis Liu’s Residence to act modestly, then the chapter recounted his legacy before ending with an author’s event notice.

• Liu Heng praised Luo Xin’s contributions, and Luo Xin explained that Great Han needed horse pastures and cavalry to contend with the Xiongnu.
• Luo Xin advised Liu Heng to wage swift, limited campaigns against the Xiongnu and to reclaim coinage authority while preserving the quality of Han coins.
• Luo Xin told Zhang Yan that Marquis Liu’s Residence should remain cautious and modest to avoid clashing with Liu Heng.
• Zhang Yan accepted Luo Xin’s advice, and Luo Xin left Weiyang Palace.
• The chapter described Luo Xin’s service and reputation, then included a themed book recommendation event notice.

As Liu Heng’s capping ceremony approached, Luo Xin announced at the New Year’s Grand Court Audience that he would return power to the emperor after the ceremony. His decision sent shockwaves through Great Han as the Luo Clan prepared to withdraw from the center of power.

• Liu Heng asked Luo Xin to remain and help him, and Luo Xin recalled the Sage King’s departure after returning power to King Kang.
• Luo Xin announced before the court that he would return power to Liu Heng after the emperor’s capping ceremony.
• Luo Xin ordered the ministers to prepare the necessary ceremonies, and news of his decision spread across Great Han.
• Luo Xin continued managing state affairs while Luo Chen prepared to resign and the Marquis of Shouguang’s Residence prepared to return to its fief.
• Liu Heng’s capping ceremony arrived, and Luo Xin was set to preside over it at the emperor’s request.

Liu Heng came of age and received imperial authority from Luo Xin, who left Chang'an to govern in Luoyang. Luo Xin died there in September, and the chapter ended with a historical account of his service and loyalty.

• Luo Xin conducted Liu Heng’s capping ceremony, and Liu Heng raised the imperial jade seal as he began his personal rule.
• The court appointed Luo Xin Grand Chancellor in Luoyang to oversee military and state affairs east of Shan.
• Liu Heng saw Luo Xin and Liu Le off from Chang'an, and Luo Xin said he wished to be buried beside the Sage King.
• Luo Xin arrived in Luoyang and received visits from the King of Han, the King of Hengshan, and others.
• Luo Xin died in Luoyang in September, and a messenger brought the news to Liu Heng in Changle Palace.
• The Book of Han praised Luo Xin’s long service as regent and his willingness to relinquish power.

After Luo Xin died, Liu Heng convened his ministers to arrange his burial and posthumous honors. Jia Yi proposed clarifying the Sage King's mortal title as Son of Heaven, allowing Liu Heng to posthumously honor Luo Xin as King Wen.

• Liu Heng and Jia Yi learned that Luo Xin had died in Luoyang and summoned the ministers to court.
• Liu Heng ordered Luo Xin's coffin returned to Chang'an, arranged his burial and ancestral offerings, and asked the ministers to determine his posthumous honors.
• Jia Yi argued that the Sage King had held the mortal status of a Son of Heaven, so the court should formally establish that title.
• Liu Heng accepted Jia Yi's proposal and ordered the Sage King's Son of Heaven's Honorific Title established.
• Liu Heng posthumously granted Luo Xin the title of king and named him King Wen.

Ji Zhao reflected on Luo Xin’s achievements, received the Sea-Calming Needle, and watched the late Qin and early Han era end before going back to sleep. In Chang'an, Luo Jing remained close to Emperor Liu Heng, and the chapter left them together as a new story began.

• Ji Zhao received 4,000 Fortune Points and the Earth-Tier Sea-Calming Needle after Luo Xin was posthumously honored as King.
• Ji Zhao realized Ancestors' Blessing strengthened the Luo Clan’s shared ethos and helped guard against internal conflict and decline.
• Liu Heng’s additional title for Ji Zhao raised the Luo Clan’s standing, and Ji Zhao prepared to sleep until war with the Xiongnu returned.
• After Luo Xin and other Luo Clan figures died or left Chang'an, Luo Jing remained as a palace attendant and inherited the Marquis of Dong'e title.
• Luo Jing entered the palace, and Liu Heng called him over to ask him something.

Liu Heng asked Luo Jing how to recall ministers whom Luo Xin had banished, and Luo Jing advised him to forgive them through two edicts. After Jia Yi praised Luo Jing’s writing, Liu Heng entrusted him with the edict and declared that his future reputation would depend on Luo Jing and Jia Yi.

• Liu Heng asked Luo Jing whether recalling the banished ministers would dishonor Luo Xin, and Luo Jing said Liu Heng could forgive them after they acknowledged their past mistakes.
• Luo Jing wrote two edicts for Liu Heng, who admired the writing and invited Jia Yi to appraise it.
• Jia Yi praised Luo Jing’s literary talent, while Luo Jing praised Jia Yi’s political ability and writing.
• Liu Heng realized that publicizing his deeds could help preserve his reputation and told Luo Jing that his future fame depended on him and Jia Yi.
• Luo Jing carried the edict to the chancellor’s offices, where he entered without being stopped because of the Sacred Mark between his brows.

Luo Jing delivered Liu Heng’s decree recalling the Thorough Marquises, and the Chancellor approved it before the nobles returned to Chang’an. After welcoming them into the palace, Liu Heng considered how he could use them to strengthen his rule.

• Luo Jing brought Liu Heng’s decree to the Chancellor, who reviewed and sealed it before sending it to the lords.
• The recalled Thorough Marquises submitted letters professing loyalty and asking Liu Heng for another chance to serve.
• Liu Heng ordered Luo Jing to summon the marquises to Chang’an so he could meet them and judge their loyalty.
• Luo Jing escorted the marquises into the palace, where they fawned over him after learning he was Luo Xin’s son.
• Liu Heng received the marquises and resolved to employ those who proved useful and send the rest back to their fiefs.

Liu Heng set his sights on becoming a sage king and began consolidating control over the court and military. He prepared to reclaim coinage authority from private hands, leaving Jia Yi and Luo Jing to arrange for the proposal to be raised at court.

• Liu Heng told the assembled Thorough Marquises that he intended to become a sage king, and they pledged to obey him.
• After returning to Chang'an, the Thorough Marquises drew a flood of visitors, and Liu Heng sent Luo Jing to assess their renewed influence.
• Liu Heng rewarded the Thorough Marquises and appointed nearly all of them back into the army.
• Liu Heng discussed reclaiming coinage authority with Jia Yi and Luo Jing, who argued that powerful gentry and Lords King—not ordinary people—would lose the profits.
• Liu Heng ordered Jia Yi and Luo Jing to arrange for a minister to raise the coinage issue at the next court assembly, and Jia Yi declined Luo Jing's offer to recommend a candidate.