Chapter Summaries

Twenty-eight feudal contingents gathered near Xingyang with a million troops, confident they could crush the Taiping Army. Jue Lue routed the Chancellor of Jiaodong Kingdom’s army in a swift attack, and Yuan Shao rallied the assembled lords to avenge him and march against the rebels.

• The feudal lords formed twenty-eight contingents, including forces led by Luo Chuan, Yuan Shao, Luo Kong, and Gongsun Zan, while Liu Bei served under Gongsun Zan.
• The contingents amassed a million troops near Xingyang and believed their numbers and elite soldiers assured victory over the Taiping Army.
• Jue Lue ambushed the Chancellor of Jiaodong Kingdom’s army, killed the chancellor, and routed twenty thousand men in less than the time it took incense to burn.
• A messenger brought the chancellor’s head to Yuan Shao’s alliance and reported how quickly the Taiping Army had defeated his forces.
• Yuan Shao called for the lords to avenge the chancellor and destroy the Taiping rebels, and Liu Bei praised Yuan Shao’s righteousness.

Yuan Shao’s alliance swore to fight the Taiping Army, but Gongsun Zan’s boastful demand to lead the vanguard strained relations with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. As the allies marched on Xingyang, Luo Xiao dismissed their unity and relied on the Taiping Army’s strengthened morale, while a later account explained its fighting spirit through Jiao’s governance of the Way.

• Yuan Shao swore the alliance’s oath and called on the assembled lords to march against the Taiping Army and restore the Han Dynasty.
• Gongsun Zan took offense at Yuan Shao’s remarks about frontier commanderies, and Liu Bei soothed him as he vowed to win the campaign’s greatest merit.
• Yuan Shao assigned Cao Cao to lead the vanguard and Gongsun Zan to support him, but Gongsun Zan demanded the vanguard for his White Horse Volunteer Cavalry and insulted Cao Cao’s soldiers.
• Yuan Shao stopped the gathering from turning into a fight, while Cao Cao reassured Gongsun Zan and the allied lords set out toward Xingyang.
• Luo Xiao told the Canal Commanders that the allied lords would avoid serious risks, and they noted that governance had strengthened the Taiping Army’s morale and resolve.
• At a Luoyang banquet, the emperor explained that Jiao had used the Way to govern and create an Age of Great Peace, inspiring the Taiping Army to fight bravely.

Yuan Shao appointed Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan as vanguards, while Luo Xiao assessed the allied forces and devised a plan to draw the Marquis of Unshuang away before striking Yuan Shao’s army. The chapter left the Taiping Army preparing to carry out Luo Xiao’s strategy as the vanguards advanced toward Xingyang.

• Yuan Shao sent Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan out as the left and right vanguards, and both accepted the assignments.
• Gongsun Zan celebrated the vanguard role with Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, while Cao Cao worried that rivalry among the allies could weaken them.
• Luo Xiao used the Taiping Army’s intelligence network and his knowledge of the terrain to assess the enemy forces gathered around Xingyang.
• Luo Xiao explained that Huangfu Song’s army was easiest to defeat, but attacking it directly might bring the Marquis of Unshuang’s forces against him from behind.
• Luo Xiao ordered the Taiping Army to spread false news of an attack on Huangfu Song, lure away the Marquis of Unshuang’s elite troops, and then strike Yuan Shao’s army while it lowered its guard.
• The Canal Commanders accepted Luo Xiao’s plan, and an account from A New Account of Tales of the World: Later Han described Wei Wu’s later respect for Jue.

Luo Kong heeded Jia Xu’s plan to disband Henei’s King-Protecting Army and secure its provisions, then prepared to cross the river and join the fight against the Taiping Army. The chapter ended with a mock historical record praising Kong for winning Henei’s people over in a single day.

• Luo Kong grew uneasy about crossing the river with fewer than all thirty thousand of his troops and asked Jia Xu for a plan.
• Jia Xu proposed that Luo Kong force the Commandery Governor of Henei to disband his army and transfer its provisions to the Western Regions Army.
• Luo Chuan agreed to enlist the Marquis of Anyang and Henei’s great clans to keep the governor from obstructing Luo Kong.
• Luo Kong summoned the Commandery Governor of Henei, demanded that he disband his King-Protecting Army, and offered him credit for cooperating.
• The Commandery Governor of Henei recalled a warning from a capable adviser and agreed to make the arrangements.
• Jia Xu noted that the governor had recognized the danger, but Luo Kong ordered preparations to cross the river anyway.

Luo Xiao led ten thousand elite Taiping troops east and ambushed Yuan Shao’s coalition army after Cao Cao mistakenly dismissed the valley as safe. His five thousand armored cavalry broke the coalition’s ranks, and Luo Xiao led a charge toward Yuan Shao.

• Luo Xiao selected ten thousand disciplined soldiers, including Guan Hai and Zhang Yan, and marched east to ambush the Han army.
• Luo Xiao positioned Guan Hai’s two thousand soldiers and other troops along the valley, then explained how the approaching army would fail to search the route.
• Cao Cao entered the valley, laughed at the idea of an ambush, and reported the route safe to Yuan Shao, whose coalition army followed.
• Guan Hai shot at Yuan Shao’s grand banner as the coalition entered the valley, triggering confusion among its troops.
• Luo Xiao led five thousand armored cavalry into the coalition’s flank, routed the Chancellor of Liang State’s contingent, and sent the army into chaos.
• Luo Xiao gathered three thousand cavalry and charged toward Yuan Shao.

Luo Xiao led the Taiping Army in a devastating ambush that shattered Yuan Shao’s forces in the valley. Yuan Shao escaped with Yan Liang and Wen Chou, while Luo Xiao left the battlefield seeking a stronger opponent.

• Yuan Shao disguised himself as a common soldier and ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to help him escape the rout.
• Luo Xiao spotted Yuan Shao’s attempted flight and shouted that the alliance leader had fled, but Yuan Shao rallied nearby soldiers by claiming he was still present.
• Luo Xiao killed Liu Dai and challenged Sun Jian, overwhelming him in twenty moves before continuing the pursuit.
• Cao Cao entered the valley, met Yuan Shao, and led his troops toward the exit, where a hidden ambush forced them to flee under attack.
• Luo Xiao emerged victorious after Yuan Shao’s contingent suffered catastrophic losses, but he remained dissatisfied because he had found no worthy opponent.

Luo Xiao pursued Yuan Shao and Cao Cao after crushing their forces, and they joined Gongsun Zan to make a stand with their elite troops. Luo Xiao rejected Yuan Shao’s offer of high rank and provoked Gongsun Zan, leaving both armies poised to clash.

• Luo Xiao split his cavalry, driving the fleeing coalition soldiers onward while he led two thousand riders after Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.
• Yuan Shao and Cao Cao decided to seek Gongsun Zan’s support, and Yuan Shao promised to set aside their grievances and apologize.
• Gongsun Zan joined Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and the three lords assembled six thousand elite troops to face Luo Xiao’s cavalry.
• Yuan Shao offered Luo Xiao a marquisate and the post of Agile Cavalry Great General, but Luo Xiao declared that All Under Heaven meant nothing to him.
• Luo Xiao said he would spare Gongsun Zan, enraging him, and Gongsun Zan vowed that death awaited Luo Xiao before the White Horse.

Luo Xiao led the Taiping Army into battle against Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Volunteer Cavalry and overwhelmed the opposing generals with his growing martial strength. As Guan Yu and Zhang Fei joined Yan Liang and Wen Chou against him, Luo Xiao demanded that the assembled troops attack him together.

• Luo Xiao led two thousand Taiping cavalrymen into the White Horse Volunteer Cavalry’s charge and exploited a gap caused by poor coordination with Cao Cao’s army.
• Luo Xiao struck down Gongsun Zan’s defenses, but Yan Liang and Wen Chou arrived together and saved him from the killing blow.
• Luo Xiao badly wounded Yan Liang and Wen Chou until Zhang Fei challenged him and joined the fight.
• Luo Xiao adapted to Zhang Fei’s techniques and grew stronger as he fought, prompting Zhang Fei to call Guan Yu for help.
• Guan Yu joined Zhang Fei, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou, but Luo Xiao continued to suppress all four and improve under their pressure.
• Luo Xiao called on the assembled troops to attack him together.

Luo Xiao routed Yuan Shao’s coalition at Xingyang and fought off its fiercest generals, including Liu Bei’s brothers, Zhao Yun, and Xu Chu. He let the surviving lords retreat after declaring that he would lead the Taiping Army to Luoyang, then turned his gaze toward the Marquis of Unshuang and Marquis Ying.

• Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao sent their generals to attack Luo Xiao, who shattered Yan Liang and Wen Chou’s armor and overwhelmed the Xiahou and Cao clansmen.
• Luo Xiao nearly killed Liu Bei, but Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Zhao Yun blocked his spear, allowing Liu Bei to withdraw.
• Xu Chu joined Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Zhao Yun, and the four fought Luo Xiao while the Han coalition prepared to retreat.
• Luo Xiao struck down all four with a final blow, then allowed Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Gongsun Zan, and Liu Bei to withdraw and vowed to march on Luoyang.
• The Taiping Army regrouped as Luo Xiao watched the Marquis of Unshuang and Marquis Ying north of Xingyang.

Luo Xiao led the Taiping Army toward Luoyang after destroying the coalition at Xingyang, while Yuan Shao and the surviving lords decided to join the court’s forces. The defeat left the court and eastern gentry scrambling to respond to Zhang Jue’s next move, as they realized his plans had drawn them into a trap.

• Luo Xiao rode through the valley of the dead, ordered the corpses burned, and rallied the Way of Great Peace followers in Xingyang to advance on Luoyang and destroy Han.
• Yuan Shao urged the surviving lords to join the court’s army, accepted responsibility for the defeat, and persuaded Gongsun Zan to seek redemption through further service.
• Liu Bei argued that the lords could help the court by joining its forces and challenging Zhang Jue, prompting Yuan Shao to consider winning Liu Bei and his generals over.
• The defeat at Xingyang left eastern provinces vulnerable, terrified powerful gentry, and gave the Taiping Army captured weapons and provisions.
• Huangfu Song, Luo Kong, Luo Chuan, and others questioned the court’s failed intelligence and feared Zhang Jue might take the eastern provinces.
• Luo Chuan recognized that the coalition had to return east to protect its families and allies, while the court’s officials realized Zhang Jue had used their assumptions to ensnare them.

Luo Chuan agreed to lead the Five Surnames Families back to East of the Passes to protect their families, while Luo Xiao chose not to obstruct their return. The chapter leaves the Taiping Army preparing to march on Luoyang for a decisive battle against the Han Court.

• Han Zhang voiced the families’ fears for their loved ones in East of the Passes, and Luo Chuan decided to bring the armies home.
• Luo Chuan told Luo Kong and Jia Xu he would not abandon the men who had followed him, and Luo Kong arranged a joint memorial to Luoyang.
• Luo Kong reflected on the dangers facing powerful clans near the capital, and Jia Xu argued that Zhao City was better suited to the Luo Clan than Jizhou.
• Luo Xiao learned that the Five Surnames Families had returned toward East of the Passes and ordered his army not to block them.
• Luo Xiao ordered a letter sent to Luo Chuan and announced that the Taiping Army would march on Luoyang to fight the Han Court’s last great army.

Luo Xiao prepared the Taiping Army for a pitched battle to secure the route from Luoyang to Xingyang, while the court’s leaders feared his strength. In Luoyang, Emperor Ling summoned his ministers and hinted that powerful lords might be secretly disloyal, leaving them unsure whom he suspected.

• Luo Xiao deployed the Taiping Army east of Xingyang and planned to protect its supply route to Luoyang.
• Luo Kong and Jia Xu concluded that Zhang Jue was far more formidable than the defeated feudal lords had believed.
• Luo Xiao recognized Luo Kong as a major obstacle but resolved to spare his younger brother’s life and send him back to the Western Regions if possible.
• As the provinces sought alliances before the decisive battle, Emperor Ling awoke from a nightmare and summoned the Regular Attendants and ministers to the palace.
• Emperor Ling silenced a clash between scholars and eunuchs, then voiced concern that some ministers might profess loyalty while secretly harboring sinister intentions.

Liu Yan proposed abolishing inspectors and appointing provincial governors to strengthen the Han Court’s regional control, and the emperor showed interest despite fierce objections. Meanwhile, Huangfu Song and Luo Kong prepared to lead the allied armies against Luo Xiao, who planned to exploit their discord and defeat the Han forces decisively.

• Liu Yan urged the emperor to appoint trusted officials as provincial governors and place commandery governors under them, provoking loud objections from the ministers.
• The emperor appeared tempted by Liu Yan’s proposal, and the court continued debating the major political change late into the night.
• Huangfu Song and Luo Kong disputed one another’s judgment but coordinated their military assignments well enough to reassure the other feudal lords.
• Luo Xiao told his canal commanders that Huangfu Song and Luo Kong’s rift could disrupt their cooperation and benefit the Taiping Army.
• Luo Xiao led tens of thousands of Taiping soldiers out of Xingyang as both sides concentrated their forces for a decisive battle near Luoyang.
• Luo Xiao aimed to crush the Han Court’s main army and convince the realm that the dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven.

As the King-Protecting Army gathered near Gong County for its coming clash with the Taiping Army, Luo Kong warned Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun about Zhang Jue’s strength and promised Liu Bei a commandery governorship, elite cavalry, and horses if he distinguished himself. He urged Liu Bei to preserve his benevolence after gaining power, and Zhao Yun grew more favorably disposed toward Liu Bei.

• The King-Protecting Army assembled near Gong County as Luo Kong’s Western Regions cavalry drew attention and the Taiping Army approached.
• Luo Kong discussed Zhang Jue’s fearsome strength with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, and promised to remain behind the lines while they fought.
• Liu Bei arrived, and Luo Kong offered him a provincial inspector or commandery governor’s post, a thousand elite cavalry, and three thousand warhorses for meritorious service.
• Luo Kong praised Liu Bei’s benevolent nature and urged him not to become indifferent to ordinary people if he rose to power.
• Liu Bei accepted Luo Kong’s support, while Zhao Yun decided to observe Liu Bei further before acknowledging him as his lord.

The Han Court and Taiping Army finished probing one another and assembled for battle at Gong County, where Luo Kong discovered that Zhang Jue was his elder brother, Luo Xiao. Luo Kong insisted on fighting for Han, and after he challenged Zhang Jue, Han Fu sent Pan Feng out to face him instead.

• The Han Court and Taiping Army tested each other's supply lines and strategies, then marched into formation as war drums sounded across Gong County.
• Luo Xiao rallied the Taiping Army, while Luo Kong recognized Zhang Jue as his elder brother and Jia Xu realized Luo Kong knew the opposing general.
• Luo Xiao urged Luo Kong to return to the Western Regions, but Luo Kong declared his loyalty to Han and refused to leave the battle.
• Luo Kong challenged Zhang Jue to a duel, but Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei warned him against it and Guan Yu stood ready to assist.
• Han Fu offered Pan Feng to fight Zhang Jue, and Pan Feng rode forward boasting that he would cut him down quickly.

Luo Xiao killed Pan Feng and Han Fu, then slaughtered the generals sent against him, crushing the Han Army’s morale. As the armies began a fierce, disciplined battle, he prepared to lead the cavalry into the fight, combining the strengths of Han Wumu and King Xiang.

• Luo Xiao charged Pan Feng and killed him with a single spear thrust, stunning both armies.
• Luo Xiao shot Han Fu dead with an arrow, then challenged the Han Court’s forces to send another fighter.
• Luo Xiao killed nearly ten more challengers, while Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shao refused to risk their strongest generals against him.
• Luo Xiao returned to the central army as the Taiping Army and King-Protecting Army engaged in an organized pitched battle.
• As both armies’ formations began to break and their cavalry circled, Luo Xiao donned his faceplate and prepared to charge.

Luo Xiao led the Taiping Army cavalry through the Han Army’s formations, defeating the Western Liang and Bingzhou cavalry despite Huangfu Song’s efforts to hold the lines. Lü Bu briefly clashed with Luo Xiao before being surrounded and forced to retreat, and Huangfu Song ordered the Han forces to withdraw and regroup.

• Huangfu Song tried to contain Luo Xiao with steady infantry formations, but Luo Xiao continued commanding tens of thousands of cavalry while charging at the front.
• Luo Kong and Ding Yuan led the Western Regions and Bingzhou cavalry to intercept Luo Xiao, while Ding Yuan sent Lü Bu and Zhang Liao into battle.
• Luo Xiao cut through the Western Liang Iron Cavalry, then clashed with Lü Bu, whose full-strength strike could not overpower him.
• The Taiping Army cavalry defeated the Western Liang Iron Cavalry and Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, leaving Lü Bu surrounded until Zhang Liao called for his retreat.
• Huangfu Song ordered the Han Army to sound the gongs and withdraw so its Ten-Thousand-Man Foes could regroup and stop Luo Xiao.

After the Han Army’s defeat, Huangfu Song arranged for Lü Bu and other renowned warriors to challenge Zhang Jue, while Ji Zhao prepared the Heavenly Book for a future plan. Lü Bu led five more generals against Luo Xiao, who faced them without retreating.

• Huangfu Song proposed defeating Zhang Jue through martial combat, and Liu Bei warned that his warriors risked their lives if they challenged him.
• Ding Yuan presented Lü Bu and Zhang Liao as warriors capable of facing ten thousand men, and Lü Bu rebuked Yuan Shu for doubting him.
• Ji Zhao dismantled the Heavenly Book to extract its purple qi while he waited for Luo Xiao to finish his undertaking.
• Lü Bu challenged Luo Xiao and exchanged blows with him, but called for help when he could not gain the upper hand.
• Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Xu Chu, and Zhang Liao joined Lü Bu, and Luo Xiao prepared to fight all six.

Luo Xiao fought Lü Bu, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and Xu Chu at once, growing stronger throughout the battle. After defeating their attacks, he declared himself unrivaled in the mortal world and challenged Heaven.

• Luo Xiao charged the six generals on his Black Qilin and forced Zhang Liao and Lü Bu back with his spear.
• Luo Xiao recognized that the generals’ martial secret arts were helping them grow stronger, while his own strength surged with each clash.
• Luo Xiao countered Zhao Yun’s Technique of Fastness and Slowness and drove him back, then forced Zhang Fei to retreat from their exchange.
• Guan Yu charged his three-part attack, but Luo Xiao broke its strongest slash and sent the Green Dragon Blade flying.
• Luo Xiao overwhelmed the six generals with repeated attacks and declared that only Heaven could challenge him.

Luo Xiao declared that Han had lost the Mandate of Heaven and led the Taiping Army into battle after defeating six renowned generals. Luo Kong affirmed his loyalty to Han and charged out with the Western Regions cavalry as the armies prepared to clash.

• Zhao Yun and the other generals questioned how Zhang Jue had become so powerful, and Luo Xiao said he was carrying out Supreme Heaven’s will after Han lost its mandate.
• Luo Kong challenged Luo Xiao’s claim, then privately told Jia Xu that if Han’s mandate was truly gone, he might entrust Jia Xu with the burden of All Under Heaven.
• Luo Xiao raised his spear and ordered the Taiping Army’s heavily armored infantry to advance in disciplined ranks.
• Huangfu Song ordered Luo Kong to lead the Western Regions cavalry against the Taiping Army’s flank while the court’s main force held the front.
• Luo Kong proclaimed his loyalty to Han and charged from the formation beneath the Unshuang banner.
• Luo Xiao recognized that the court intended to keep fighting him in the field and declared that he would crush Han.