Chapter Summaries

Luo Jing and Luo Ban discussed powerful military families turning to classical learning as a way to regain influence, worrying that scholar clans might recreate hereditary aristocracy. As the imperial ceremony began, the chapter framed this shift as history’s recurring rise of a new, more progressive aristocracy under stronger imperial authority.

• Luo Jing received visitors from powerful families seeking connections and opportunities for their younger members to enter the Imperial Academy.
• Luo Jing realized that declining Meritorious Marquis families hoped to gain influence by cultivating scholars and joining the Classical Studies ranks.
• Luo Ban explained that Shandong families had been imitating the Luo Clan’s education and family discipline to preserve wealth and status across generations.
• Luo Jing noted that the Marquis of Zàn's family and Marquis Liu's family were also pursuing scholarship, raising his concern that military nobles could become powerful scholar clans.
• Luo Jing told Luo Ban that he had arranged for the Han Clan to return to court, and Liu Heng had welcomed them into trusted, prestigious offices.
• The formal ceremony began after extensive changes in officialdom, and the chapter described the emergence of a new aristocracy beneath imperial authority.

At the grand audience ceremony, Liu Heng received tribute from Lingnan and then saw Luo Ban present inexpensive paper bearing a rhapsody praising the Great Han. Liu Heng declared the paper an auspicious gift from Heaven and burned the written sheet in a sacrifice to Supreme Heaven.

• Descendants of convicted ministers from Lingnan entered on their knees, presented tribute, and hoped Liu Heng would pardon them and let them return home.
• Liu Heng dismissed the Lingnan group and called for the envoy from Duke Zhao's State.
• Luo Ban presented paper inscribed with the rhapsody 'Great Han,' astonishing the court with its quality and low cost.
• Liu Heng ordered the court painter to record the ceremony on paper and named the painting the Picture of Heaven Bestowing Paper.
• Liu Heng declared Luo Paper an auspicious omen and used the rhapsody-covered sheet as an offering in a sacrifice to Supreme Heaven.

Luo Zhongkan died after learning that his wife was carrying another child, and Luo Ling promised to care for his family. His posthumous son, Luo Wuji, was born as a Child of the Mandate of Heaven, and Ji Zhao examined his potential.

• Luo Ling learned that Luo Zhongkan had collapsed and went to his bedside, where Zhongkan entrusted his wife and daughter to him.
• Luo Zhongkan told Luo Ling that his only regret was never leading an army into the Western Regions and asked that a future descendant fulfill that wish.
• Luo Ling sensed a Sacred Mark in Luo Zhongkan's wife's womb and told the couple they were expecting another Luo Clan Scion.
• Luo Zhongkan named his unborn son Luo Wuji and died; Luo Jing later offered to look after the boy in Chang'an when he grew older.
• Luo Wuji was born the following year, and the system announced that he was a Child of the Mandate of Heaven.
• Ji Zhao examined Luo Wuji's attributes and saw that many of his uneven talents could still be improved.

Luo Jing learned that Emperor Liu Heng had ordered Zhou Yafu to suppress a serious uprising in the southwest while maintaining his cautious approach to war. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Liu Qi lost control during a board game and killed Liu Mo, Crown Prince of Jiaodong, and another man, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Luo Jing greeted Crown Prince Liu Qi at the palace before discussing frontier trouble with Emperor Liu Heng.
• Liu Heng explained that he would send Zhou Yafu and five thousand Imperial Guards to quell the Southwestern Yi uprising and punish the officials responsible.
• Liu Qi went to a gaming house, where he encountered Liu Mo and challenged him to a board game.
• After Liu Mo gained the advantage and mocked him, Liu Qi struck him with the iron board and killed him.
• Liu Qi killed a young man who threatened to accuse him, then left with the Palace Guards.

After Crown Prince Liu Qi killed the Crown Prince of King of Jiaodong and the Duke of Qi’s son, Liu Heng considered the political consequences and whether to depose him. Jia Yi urged the emperor to protect the kingdoms’ trust and asked officials to weigh in, while factions in Chang'an began moving against Liu Qi.

• Liu Heng erupted in anger over Liu Qi’s killings and promised the envoys from Jiaodong and Qi an accounting.
• Liu Heng asked Jia Yi to assess the consequences, and Jia Yi warned that failing to answer for the deaths could undermine Great Han’s stability.
• Luo Jing stopped Jia Yi before he openly called for Liu Qi’s deposition.
• Liu Heng asked Jia Yi to gather the officials’ views, and Jia Yi agreed to carry out the command.
• Interested parties seized on Liu Qi’s actions as an opportunity to move against his position as Crown Prince.

After Liu Qi’s killing of two nobles provoked outrage across the realm, Liu Heng summoned Liu Che, King of Liang, back to Chang’an, signaling that he intended to replace the crown prince. The empress was forbidden from pleading for Liu Qi and realized her sons might be set against each other.

• Memorials flooded Changle Palace demanding that Liu Heng punish Liu Qi, leaving the crown prince unable to inherit unless Liu Heng purged the court.
• Luo Jing praised Liu Heng for allowing ministers to remonstrate, and Liu Heng ordered a decree summoning Liu Che, King of Liang, back to the capital.
• The empress considered pleading for Liu Qi, but an attendant delivered Zhang Yan’s warning that she must put the realm before the crown prince.
• A palace maid told the empress that Liu Che had been summoned, and the empress understood that Liu Heng intended to replace Liu Qi.
• The decree spread through Chang’an, and the retainers of the murdered crown prince and young master of Qi State rejoiced that Liu Qi would pay for his crimes before they followed their lords in death.
• Imperial messengers carried Liu Heng’s decree into Liang State.

Liu Che traveled from Liang to Chang'an after the court summoned him to replace Liu Qi as crown prince. After Empress Dowager Zhang Yan and his mother urged him to consider the state and Liu Qi’s fate, Liu Che answered Liu Heng’s questions about ruling and was judged fit to be ruler; the chapter ended with the account of his appointment as crown prince.

• Liu Che set out for Chang'an, and the Liang King's Grand Preceptor warned him to remain restrained until his succession was officially confirmed.
• Empress Dowager Zhang Yan told Liu Che not to imitate Liu Qi and said she would decide how his mother should respond to the succession.
• Liu Che assured his mother that he would care for Liu Qi, but privately believed a deposed crown prince could not be allowed to live.
• Liu Heng asked Liu Che how he would govern, and Liu Che explained his ideas for ruling the realm.
• Liu Heng declared Liu Che fit to be ruler, while Luo Jing and Jia Yi praised him as a blessing for All Xia.
• The account of Emperor Xiaowu recorded Liu Qi’s deposition and Liu Che’s appointment as crown prince.

Liu Heng taught Liu Che that an emperor’s great ambitions had to serve the people, then reviewed the realm’s prosperity and approved a proposal to celebrate his achievements. The “Great Han Sage Kings Rhapsody” appeared, earning Liu Heng 500 Fortune Points and slightly increasing the rate at which he gained them.

• Liu Heng took Liu Che to see farmers at work and explained that rulers depended on the people and must govern within their strength.
• Jia Yi reported that lower agricultural taxes, strong harvests, and grain purchases had kept tax revenues steady while filling the granaries and increasing commercial income.
• Liu Che privately disagreed with Liu Heng’s low-tax approach, believing the court should collect more to fund state projects and expenses.
• Zhou Yafu explained the costs and details of the campaign against the Southwestern Yi, while Liu Heng reflected on the high cost of war.
• Luo Jing proposed commissioning a rhapsody and paintings praising Liu Heng’s rule, and Liu Heng approved the plan with the Marquis of Dong'e in charge.
• The “Great Han Sage Kings Rhapsody” appeared, and Liu Heng gained 500 Fortune Points as the system noted that his family had helped create the flourishing age.

Liu Heng collapsed during a court audience and, knowing he was dying, gave Liu Che advice for ruling Great Han and urged him to trust Luo Jing and never provoke Duke Zhao Ling. Liu Heng died with Luo Jing beside him, and the court mourned the emperor later honored as Emperor Taizong Wen.

• Liu Heng fainted during court, and the Director of Imperial Physicians attributed it to overwork while Luo Jing feared the emperor was dying.
• After waking, Liu Heng sent the ministers out and told Liu Che to treat Chancellor Jia Yi well, restrain his military ambitions, and rely on capable ministers.
• Liu Heng urged Liu Che to trust the Marquis of Dong'e and warned him never to provoke Duke Zhao Ling.
• Liu Heng asked Luo Jing to help Liu Che govern and keep watch over the realm, then died as Luo Jing spoke with him.
• Luo Jing cried that heaven had fallen, and the court and people of Chang'an mourned Liu Heng as the Hymn of Praise to the Sage King was sung.
• The court granted Liu Heng the temple name Taizong and the posthumous name Wen.

Liu Che took the throne and summoned Liu Qi to Chang'an in a humiliating display, prompting Liu Qi to rebel in Jiujiang. As the court’s forces closed in, Liu Qi’s rebellion collapsed, and he faced capture on the battlefield.

• The Grand Preceptor told Liu Qi that Liu Che had ascended the throne and ordered him to travel immediately to Chang'an to share in the celebration.
• Liu Qi went to war after the court’s summons, while the marquises of Jiujiang and neighboring rulers moved to block his advance.
• Liu Che declared that Jiujiang would become commanderies and counties after the rebellion was suppressed, and ordered his forces to bring Liu Qi back alive.
• Liu Qi’s forces lost their occupied cities and were driven back by the court’s allies.
• A crossbow bolt nearly struck Liu Qi, and the court’s soldiers called for him to be captured alive; Liu Qi decided he would rather die than be taken.

Liu Che accepted the court’s demand to give the dead King of Jiujiang the inauspicious posthumous title Li, then sought Luo Jing’s support as he faced court intrigue and uncertainty. Luo Jing entered Changle Palace and met the new emperor in their first formal audience, leaving their relationship poised to shape Liu Che’s rule.

• Liu Che proposed a middle posthumous title for the King of Jiujiang, but court officials urged him to name him Li, and Liu Che yielded.
• Liu Che suspected that powerful figures had helped force Liu Qi into rebellion and death, and concluded that he needed Luo Jing’s support to take control of the court.
• Luo Jing reflected on how the palace had changed since Liu Heng’s death and resolved to help Liu Che protect the realm’s stability.
• Liu Che and Luo Jing performed the Great Ceremony during their first formal audience, exchanging bows as ruler and subject.
• The chapter’s historical account said Liu Che allowed Luo Jing to retain unrestricted access to the palace and its offices.

Liu Che asked Luo Jing how to gain the power to govern, and Luo Jing tested whether the new emperor sought power for the people or for himself. Liu Che declared his ambitions to expand Great Han and pursue institutional reform, while Luo Jing agreed to support him; the chapter left Luo Jing cautiously willing to help as Liu Che began his reign.

• Liu Che rejected the idea that the Luo Clan’s status came from the Sacred Mark and asked Luo Jing for counsel on governing.
• Luo Jing asked what had prompted Liu Che to seek power, leading Liu Che to consider whether he would rule for the people or merely for himself.
• Liu Che declared that he would expand the States of All Xia and pursue great conquests, and Luo Jing affirmed that the realm’s princes and ministers should submit to him.
• Luo Jing advised Liu Che to define what talents he needed and offered to help find suitable people, while warning him against the Legalist struggle between sovereign and ministers.
• Liu Che called for worthy people and new policies, and Luo Jing left Changle Palace willing to lend him resources while reserving judgment on the results of his reign.

Liu Che issued an edict calling for talented people from both scholarly and military backgrounds and promised support for the children of fallen soldiers. At a frontier garrison, Wei Qing told the soldiers about the edict, then the Xiongnu attacked.

• Liu Che called for worthy talent, including capable officers and soldiers, and ordered a place in the Imperial Gardens to care for the orphaned children of fallen soldiers.
• Soldiers at a frontier city traded stories about the Sage King and Grand Lord Duke Zhao, then asked Wei Qing about posthumous titles.
• Wei Qing explained who could receive posthumous titles and encouraged the soldiers by telling them Liu Che would consider battlefield talent for office and care for their children.
• The soldiers cheered at the news, but gongs sounded and beacon fires appeared as the Xiongnu launched an attack.

As Xiongnu raids increased amid worsening grassland weather, Wei Qing earned enough battlefield merit to be pardoned, while Jia Yi recognized the raids as a warning of possible famine and went to alert Liu Che. In the palace, Jia Yi found Liu Che meeting privately with an unfamiliar Confucian scholar.

• A Han frontier force rode out against more than a thousand Xiongnu raiders, and Wei Qing killed four enemies in battle.
• Jia Yi approved the proposed rewards and pardon for Wei Qing after reviewing the battle report.
• Jia Yi noticed that Xiongnu raids had sharply increased and traced the change to poor weather affecting the grasslands and frontier.
• Fearing that worsening pasture conditions could drive the Xiongnu to raid on a larger scale, Jia Yi hurried to the palace to see Liu Che.
• Jia Yi entered Liu Che's Inner Hall and found him with a middle-aged Confucian scholar whom Jia Yi did not recognize.

Jia Yi warned Liu Che that worsening conditions on the grasslands were driving more Xiongnu south, while Dong Zhongshu argued that destroying the Xiongnu would uphold the way of the Former King. Liu Che appointed Dong Zhongshu to lecture at the Imperial Academy, setting the court on a path toward war.

• Jia Yi reported increased Xiongnu movements south and urged the court to expand intelligence gathering on the grasslands.
• Dong Zhongshu argued that the Han should destroy the Xiongnu to uphold the way of the Former King and prevent a rival power from standing beside it.
• Jia Yi agreed that conflict with the Xiongnu was inevitable and said the Chanyu should submit to Liu Che.
• Liu Che appointed Dong Zhongshu Erudite of the Thirteen Classics and ordered him to lecture at the Imperial Academy.
• Jia Yi grew uneasy as he recognized that Liu Che intended to build support for war, but he did not oppose the emperor.

Jia Yi visited Luo Jing to investigate Dong Zhongshu’s background and discuss Liu Che’s plans to wage war against the Xiongnu. Luo Jing reassured Jia Yi about Han’s ability to endure the conflict, and the chapter ended with Luo Jing wondering whether the Xiongnu would dare invade while his Eldest Uncle was in Zhao City.

• Jia Yi found Luo Jing in the rear garden of the Marquis of Dong'e's Residence and asked about Dong Zhongshu.
• Luo Jing ordered servants to investigate Dong Zhongshu’s Confucian faction, teacher, and lineage records.
• Jia Yi said Liu Che intended to fight the Xiongnu and worried that a defeat could threaten Chang'an and Great Han’s Altars of State.
• Luo Jing urged Jia Yi to support the war by ensuring its logistics, arguing that Great Han could withstand repeated losses and that Zhou Yafu was a capable commander.
• Jia Yi resolved to gather information about the Xiongnu and left, while Luo Jing wondered whether they would invade with his Eldest Uncle in Zhao City.

Zhao Tuo reflected on the Luo Clan’s protection of the Zhao Clan and warned his grandson that Lingnan would eventually be absorbed by the Han Court. After Zhao Tuo died, his coffin was sent to Zhao City under the clan’s agreement, while a delegation went to Chang’an to report his death.

• Zhao Tuo told his grandson that Duke Zhao Ling had declared Lingnan inseparable from All Xia and that the Luo Clan would pursue anyone who tried to sever it.
• Zhao Tuo explained that the Han Court would eventually annex Lingnan and reduce the Zhao Clan’s power, but that the Luo Clan had reserved a refuge for them in Zhao City.
• Zhao Tuo considered replacing his grandson as heir after finding him unprepared for the clan’s political future.
• Zhao Tuo fell ill and died before Luo Ling, and his coffin was prepared for transport to Zhao City.
• A separate party traveled to Chang’an to report Zhao Tuo’s death and request a posthumous title from the court.

Liu Che approved Zhao Tuo’s posthumous title and ordered an early sacrifice at the Sage King’s Mausoleum to report the year’s titles to heaven. The Luo Clan and dozens of lords and marquises traveled toward Chang’an with Luo Wuji, arriving at the capital’s outskirts without the report to the Sage King taking place.

• Liu Che granted Zhao Tuo the posthumous title King Huan and ordered two of the Nine Bestowments to be buried with him.
• Liu Che scheduled a sacrifice at the Sage King’s Mausoleum half a month early, intending to announce Master Dong’s new idea to all under heaven.
• Lords and marquises joined the Luo Clan’s procession to travel safely toward Chang’an, accompanied by hundreds of Dare-to-Fight Warriors.
• Luo Ling brought Luo Wuji along and planned for him to succeed as household head, while the title of Duke Zhao would pass to Luo Zhongkan’s branch.
• The procession crossed the Qin River Valley and reached Chang’an, but the chapter ended before the sacrifice and report to the Sage King.

Luo Jing forced Dong Zhongshu to revise his theories about Heaven and humanity and keep his writings under the Luo Clan’s supervision. Liu Che then led the nobles on a lavishly provisioned journey to the Sage King’s Mausoleum, where the procession arrived.

• Luo Jing questioned Dong Zhongshu’s teachings, condemned his theory of Heaven and humanity, and threatened him with his sword.
• Dong Zhongshu explained that he had devised his theories to restrain the emperor and professed loyalty to the Luo Clan.
• Luo Jing ordered Dong Zhongshu to store his writings in Zhao City, prevent their circulation, and revise them for Luo Jing’s inspection.
• Liu Che summoned the lords and marquises to join his journey to the Sage King’s Mausoleum.
• Liu Che ordered rewards, food, clothing, and tax and labor relief for common people along the route, winning their cheers.
• The Luo Clan’s procession led Liu Che and the nobles to the Sage King’s Mausoleum.

Liu Che reported posthumous titles at the Sage King's Mausoleum, then proposed creating era names to standardize dates. When he submitted Taichu for approval, the Sage King rejected it and sent back a bamboo tablet naming the first era Yuanshi.

• Liu Che led officials from Great Han, Duke Zhao's State, and Lingnan in offering sacrifices at Ji Zhao's mausoleum.
• Liu Che submitted the posthumous titles of Zhao Tuo and Fan Cheng to Supreme Heaven, and the rising smoke signaled their approval.
• Liu Che explained to Jia Yi and the assembled officials that year dates were confusing and proposed naming eras so all records could use a common system.
• Liu Che submitted Taichu as the founding era name, but the bamboo slip turned to ash and a new tablet appeared bearing the name Yuanshi and an explanation of its meaning.
• The National Museum's note identified the tablet as the Sage King's Han Era-Name Tablet and Yuanshi as history's first era name.