Recaps

Liu Cheng confronted Murong De about the Xianbei raid and ordered the captured raiders executed despite releasing Murong De in repayment for an old kindness. He warned Murong De about the Murong clan’s leadership and left him to return north as the cries of the executions rose.

• Liu Cheng welcomed Murong De, recalled how he had once saved his life, and introduced him to Fu Jian and the other men present.
• Murong De admitted that he had raided through Yan Province, killed surrendered Jin soldiers, and plundered settlements on his way to Liu Cheng’s territory.
• Liu Cheng reprimanded Liu Agan for allowing his men to hide booty and appointed Ding Kuang to replace his slain uncle in Qiao Commandery.
• Liu Cheng ordered Murong De released but commanded that the captured Xianbei raiders be executed, with their ears divided between their families and Jiankang.
• Liu Cheng told Murong De to warn Murong Ke and Murong Jun about their leadership and promised that he would remember Murong De’s past kindness before departing.

Liu Cheng returned to Shouchun after sending the court a carefully crafted account of his victory, then was summoned to Jiankang to explain the battle as Liu Jili described shifting loyalties around the emperor. The chapter leaves Liu Cheng questioning whether Xun Lingze’s campaign in Yan Province had been intended to strengthen the emperor’s political position.

• Liu Cheng left Liu Huzi, Jiang Gan, and Fu Jian in Qiao Commandery, then hurried to Xiquyang and sent the court his confession, captured warhorses, salted ears, and Murong De’s seal and banners.
• Liu Cheng returned to Shouchun and used his victory to build political leverage, expecting the court to seek more support for the northern defenses.
• Liu Cheng received word from Zhu A Ming that Liu Jili had arrived with a summons, and he set out for Jiankang to report to the emperor and the Department of State Affairs.
• Liu Jili told Liu Cheng that officials were increasingly signaling support for the emperor as the Prince of Kuaiji’s position grew awkward.
• Liu Jili urged Liu Cheng to support unity around the emperor and argued that it could constrain Huan Wen, but Liu Cheng asked whether Xun Lingze had sent troops into Yan Province with that political goal in mind.

Liu Cheng discussed the court’s political divisions with Liu Jili, then returned to Jiankang and explained the Northern Command’s defeat and the northern military situation to Sima Yu and the officials. He was left weighing Wang Qia’s rapid rise and the shifting balance at court.

• Liu Jili urged Liu Cheng to consider joining the downstream faction, but Liu Cheng argued that its forces could not withstand the northern threat and refused to abandon Huan Wen.
• Liu Cheng reached Jingkou, visited his family at the South Garden, and set out the next morning with Liu Shuang for the Department of State Affairs.
• Sima Yu praised Liu Cheng’s victory at Shouchun and confirmed that the court had approved the honors he requested for the Ding uncle and nephew.
• Liu Cheng reported Murong De’s account of Zhuge You’s defeat and criticized the Northern Command for failing to send military intelligence to Shouchun.
• Liu Cheng explained Murong Ke’s campaign and the northern situation, then offered to reinforce Chen County and Pengcheng by waterways if the court supplied more boats.
• Liu Cheng recognized the newly appointed Central Army Commander Wang Qia as Wang Dao’s political heir and questioned the Langya Wang Clan’s haste to gain influence.

Liu Cheng discussed the northern war with Sima Dan, then privately recounted the Sima Clan’s history and explained his ambitions and relationship with Huan Wen. He left the emperor unsettled, and the next day learned that Sima Dan had proposed making Wang Qia Director of the Central Secretariat, raising the prospect of political turmoil that Liu Cheng warned must not disrupt preparations at Shouchun.

• Liu Cheng explained his victory in Huaibei, the limits of the Northern Command, and the need for patience and careful military preparation to Sima Dan and the assembled ministers.
• When Sima Dan asked whether Liu Cheng wanted the Staff of Authority, Liu Cheng requested a private audience and sent the regents away.
• Liu Cheng recounted the Sima Clan’s history and told Sima Dan that he shared Huan Wen’s aspirations, while urging the emperor to govern patiently and prepare for a future opportunity.
• After Liu Cheng left, he told Liu Jili that Sima Dan’s impatience and inexperience could complicate affairs, while suspecting Sima Yu’s circle might be allowing the emperor and Wang Qia to act freely.
• The next day, Sima Yu told Liu Cheng that Sima Dan had proposed appointing Wang Qia Director of the Central Secretariat, and Liu Cheng demanded that the political disturbance not hinder his preparations for war at Shouchun.

Liu Cheng explained to Liu Jili why political opposition to the Young Emperor did not make Sima Yu’s faction treacherous, then enlisted Fan Wang to recommend a candidate for Central Army Commander. After returning to Jiankang, Liu Cheng visited the Xie family and found Xie Wan still showing the same carefree disposition he had possessed years earlier.

• At dinner with Fan Wang and Fan Kang, Liu Cheng and Fan Wang explained to Liu Jili why the Young Emperor’s appointment of Wang Qia could be opposed for the sake of stability, and warned him not to remonstrate directly.
• Liu Cheng asked Fan Wang to recommend Duke Xi as the next Central Army Commander if Wang Qia failed, and Fan Wang agreed to support the proposal.
• Liu Cheng visited Gao Jian and then the Xie family, where he asked Xie Wan to intervene in Xie Yi’s heavy drinking.
• Xie Wan told Liu Cheng that Xie Yi could not be controlled and reported that Xun Lingyuan had argued with Wang Qia over declining the Director of the Central Secretariat post.
• Liu Cheng wondered how Xie Wan had retained the same childlike heart he had shown years before.

Wang Qia’s bid to become Director of the Central Secretariat collapsed after he failed to win support and the emperor issued an unprecedented fourth decree urging him to accept. Wang Tanzhi’s role in advancing the decree drew Liu Cheng’s attention, and they ended by agreeing on a political arrangement that would send Wang Tanzhi to Duke Huan’s staff and recommend Duke Xi as Central Army Commander.

• Wang Qia failed to gather support during his three refusals, quarreled with Xun Rui, and began trying to win over political allies, including Liu Cheng.
• The Young Emperor issued a fourth decree urging Wang Qia to accept, and Wang Tanzhi stamped and dispatched it despite recognizing that it broke political custom.
• Wang Qia refused the fourth decree and collapsed from distress, so Liu Cheng dispersed the crowd and arranged for his family to return and care for him.
• Liu Cheng confronted Wang Tanzhi over his part in advancing the decree and accused him of striking at Wang Qia and the Prince of Kuaiji.
• Liu Cheng proposed recommending Wang Tanzhi to Duke Huan’s staff in exchange for Wang Tanzhi’s father recommending Duke Xi as Central Army Commander, and Wang Tanzhi agreed.

Liu Cheng returned to Shouchun and began addressing military, shipbuilding, and currency problems, while Murong De traveled back to Jixian amid political upheaval in Yan. The chapter ended with Murong Chui and Murong De witnessing Murong Jun’s mass execution of Duan Kan’s family and followers, leaving them alarmed about Murong Jun’s intentions.

• Liu Cheng left the capital, returned to Shouchun before June, and presented ten warhorses to the emperor.
• Liu Cheng convened meetings about forming a cavalry force and building warships, then ordered an investigation into the private minting of counterfeit Lulang Coins.
• Murong Ke punished Murong De by stripping him of his military post, then returned with him to Hebei as Shangdang was pacified and plans advanced to move the capital to Yecheng.
• Murong De met Murong Chui on the road to Jixian and warned him that Murong Jun might still resent him, but Murong Chui chose to obey the emperor’s summons.
• Murong Chui and Murong De arrived near Jixian and saw Murong Jun’s order being carried out: Duan Kan’s family and thousands of surrendered followers were executed or buried alive.

Murong De returned to the capital and learned that Murong Jun would spare his title and find him a new assignment despite his defeat. At a banquet, Murong Jun explained to Murong Chui that he had executed Duan Kan’s followers to weaken the Duan Xianbei and protect his young heir.

• Murong Chui and Murong De returned to the capital, where Murong De was summoned to meet Murong Jun.
• Murong De gave Murong Jun Murong Ke’s letter and a report about his defeat, and Murong Jun said Liu Yulong had outmatched him with superior command of the weather and terrain.
• Murong Jun chose not to strip Murong De of his noble title and said he would give him a new assignment after the capital moved.
• Murong De delivered Liu Yulong’s letter and heard Murong Jun dismiss his defeat while reflecting on his strained relationship with Murong Chui.
• At a private banquet, Murong Jun asked Murong Chui about Duan Kan’s execution and said he had killed the Duan Xianbei leaders to cut down a threat to his young son’s future.

Murong Jun forced Murong Chui to choose between demoting Lady Duan and marrying into the Kezuhun family or remaining a threat, then had Lady Duan accused of witchcraft and placed Murong Chui under house arrest. Murong De outwardly helped oversee his brother’s confinement but secretly sent Gongsun Te south with Murong Chui’s golden saber to deliver to the Grand Marshal in Yecheng.

• Murong Jun confronted Murong Chui over their old rivalry and demanded that he demote Lady Duan and marry a Kezuhun daughter, but Murong Chui refused and defended his devotion to his wife.
• Murong Jun ordered Lady Duan and Gao Bi investigated for witchcraft, while Murong De accompanied Murong Chui home and took his saber before the Imperial Guards confined him.
• Murong Jun had Lady Duan imprisoned and tortured, sealed the Prince of Wu’s residence, and kept Murong Ke and other potential supporters away from Jixian.
• Murong De diligently helped Muyugan guard Murong Chui’s residence, then secretly gave Gongsun Te the golden saber and instructions to flee south to Yecheng and deliver it to the Grand Marshal.
• Gongsun Te left with the saber as Murong De continued his watch, and Jixian grew unnaturally quiet over the next three days.

Murong De tried to delay the investigation into Murong Chui and Lady Duan, but Nie Hao’s torture drove Murong Chui to ask his wife to confess and die with him. Lady Duan instead told Murong De she had endured the pain to protect her family, then asked him to deliver a final message to Murong Chui.

• Nie Hao showed Murong Chui bloodstained silk from Lady Duan’s torture, and Murong Chui asked Murong De to tell her to confess so they could die together.
• Murong De went with Nie Hao to the imperial prison, where he had Nie Hao seized and his legs broken after confirming Lady Duan had been tortured.
• Murong De told Lady Duan that Murong Chui wanted her to confess, but she explained she had resisted to protect her family and asked him to tell Murong Chui to raise their sons.
• Lady Duan gave Murong De the words “Rushes hold fast for a time” as proof of her wishes and said she was ready to die after seeing him.
• Murong De left the prison and threatened to ask the empress to bestow the palace woman on him, leaving Nie Hao shaking with fear.

Murong Ke returned to Jixian with troops and gathered Murong Jun, Murong Chui, and Murong De to settle the crisis within the Murong Clan. Murong De explained why he had acted independently, and the confrontation ended with Murong Jun laughing as Murong Ke and Murong Chui argued.

• Murong Jun summoned Murong De, who recounted his role in carrying messages and received the palace maid before returning home.
• Murong Ke arrived in Jixian with his attendants, assigned forces to secure the city, and entered the palace while promising to prevent both rebellion and further disorder.
• Murong Ke, Murong Jun, and Murong Chui assembled in the Main Hall, and Murong De joined them carrying the White Pack and the Golden Saber.
• Murong De recounted the events surrounding the Princess Consort of Wu's death and said he had acted independently to protect Yan and the Murong Clan.
• Murong Ke condemned Murong Jun for endangering the state, while Murong Jun defended his actions and accused Murong Chui of refusing a politically necessary marriage.
• Murong Chui threatened Murong Ke for insulting his princess consort, and Murong Jun clapped and laughed at their quarrel.

Murong Ke and Murong Jun settled the crisis over Murong Chui by agreeing to restore him to favor and send him to Liaodong, while Murong Jun planned to lead the next campaign. The chapter then shifted south, where Liu Cheng distributed honors to his troops before learning that Xie Yi had become bedridden again.

• Murong De urged Murong Ke and Murong Jun to end their dispute, protect the Crown Prince's authority, and restore Murong Chui, and Murong Chui struck him before accepting the proposed settlement.
• Murong Jun agreed to send Murong Chui to Liaodong and marry him to the empress's younger sister, while Murong Ke agreed to advise Murong Jun's planned campaign without controlling his military decisions.
• Murong Jun assigned Murong De to govern Yan Province, and Murong Chui agreed to marry his wife's younger sister while forbidding pursuit of the fleeing Duan Clan except for Duan Qin.
• Murong Ke confided to Murong De that he feared the state might fail under Hu rule, and Murong De urged him to wait and see whether Great Yan could prevail.
• Liu Cheng handed out embroidered backpacks with crimson tassels to Shen Jin's troops to mark their honors in the Luoyang Campaign.
• Jiang Gan told Liu Cheng that Xie Yi could no longer get out of bed and asked him to return to Shouchun, but Liu Cheng decided to finish distributing the backpacks first.

Liu Cheng decided that the dying Xie Yi should remain in Shouchun while his relatives came, as the Western Command’s leaders speculated over who would succeed him. Liu Cheng and Jiang Gan concluded that political turmoil left Liu Cheng little chance of gaining command, and the chapter ended with a historical account of Xie Yi’s final days and death.

• Liu Cheng and the others found Xie Yi gravely ill, and Xie Xuan said that Xie Yi had seen ghosts coming through the wall.
• Liu Cheng decided that Xie Yi should stay in Shouchun and ordered fresh invitations for his relatives, while he sent official letters to the relevant authorities.
• After Xie Yi began shouting about bugs, those around him dispersed and privately speculated about who would take charge of the Western Command.
• Jiang Gan asked Liu Cheng whether he could gain the Western Command, and Liu Cheng explained that the emperor, Duke Huan, and the Prince of Kuaiji would determine the appointment.
• Liu Cheng and Jiang Gan judged that Liu Cheng had little chance of securing command and agreed that staying out of the struggle was best.
• The historical account described Xie Yi’s final days: he briefly regained clarity, sent Emperor Taizu away, drank wine, and died that night.

Liu Cheng recognized how the court’s power struggle had entangled the southern military and civil administration, while Xie Wan took command of the Western Command after Xie Yi’s decline and death. Xie An arrived for the funeral and, overwhelmed by grief and pressure, lost his composure in the rain, leaving Liu Cheng and Xi Chao to see how badly straitened circumstances had shaken him.

• Liu Cheng wrote to Huan Wen proposing a face-to-face meeting and inspected Huainan’s autumn harvest as Xie Wan arrived with the court’s appointment to command the Western Command.
• Xie Yi’s condition worsened, and after Xie Wan told him he would not live to see Xie An, Xie Yi stopped waiting, drank wine, and died.
• Xie An arrived with Xi Chao, and the Xie Family decided to bury Xie Yi at Mount Bagong before eventually moving his remains to Jiankang.
• Rain and drunken attendants delayed the funeral procession when Xie An’s carriage became stuck in the mud, and Xie An jumped down to jab a servant with a broken carriage post.
• Liu Cheng and Xi Chao helped Xie An into another carriage, where he wept and confessed that he had never known himself to be so incapable.

Liu Cheng and Xi Chao discussed Huan Wen’s political deadlock and the planned transfer of military authority, then attended Xie Wan’s first Western Command assembly. The meeting nearly erupted after Xie Wan called the generals “elite soldiers,” but Liu Cheng reframed the insult as a call for military pride, and Xie An backed him.

• Liu Cheng explained that he had helped Xi Yin obtain the Central Army Commander post to strengthen his credentials, while warning Xi Chao that Xie Anshi might expose the Xi family’s intentions.
• Xi Chao told Liu Cheng that the emperor’s growing authority had stalled plans to transfer the Northern Command to Huan Wen, and Liu Cheng urged him to consult Xi Yin and his uncle directly.
• Liu Cheng and Xi Chao agreed to seek a clear commitment from Huan Wen and concluded that he would need either to move his headquarters to Chang’an or become a Wang Dun-like rebel if the political deadlock persisted.
• Xi Chao and Liu Cheng attended the Western Command officers’ assembly, where Xie Wan awkwardly praised the gathered generals as “elite soldiers” and provoked indignation among many officers.
• Liu Cheng defended the generals’ martial role and called on Xie Wan to share their hardships, after which Xie An emerged and publicly agreed with Liu Cheng.

Liu Cheng used a banquet to secure the Shouchun generals’ public recognition of Liu Cheng, Xi Chao, the Grand Marshal, and Xie Wan, while Xie An struggled to manage his brother and build support in the Western Command. Xie An and Liu Cheng planned a network of river-mouth fortresses and discussed staffing it, ending with Liu Cheng sending for Zhu Bin to meet Xie An.

• Liu Cheng led the generals in toasting him as an elite soldier, Xi Chao as a general’s scion, the Grand Marshal, and Xie Wan as a hereditary military commander.
• After the banquet, Xie An tried unsuccessfully to persuade Xie Wan to abandon his detached manner, then visited the Shouchun officers and tended to his nephews in mourning.
• Xie An asked Liu Cheng for a project that could earn Xie Wan administrative achievements, and Liu Cheng proposed building fortresses at key Huai River crossings alongside the shipbuilding program.
• Liu Cheng explained the limits on labor, supplies, and clerks, and Xie An agreed to seek more capable personnel while they assigned officers to the planned fortresses.
• Liu Cheng advised Xie An to use Liu Shi and Ding Kuang, warned him against Zhu Xian, and proposed Zhu Bin for a post at Rukou.
• Liu Cheng summoned Zhu Chuo and ordered him to bring Zhu Bin to Shouchun to pay a formal call on Xie An within three days.

After Wang Qia's death and Northern Yan's move to Yecheng unsettled the South and triggered a massive refugee influx, Liu Cheng managed Shouchun's projects and preparations. Xi Chao's letter convinced Liu Cheng to travel to Jiangling and urge Huan Wen to move his headquarters to Chang'an, leaving Xie An in charge of Shouchun.

• Wang Qia died after his health and spirits worsened amid political setbacks, prompting Xie An to return to Jiankang and advise the emperor and Empress Dowager.
• Northern Yan formally moved its capital to Yecheng, alarming commanders and refugees and bringing tens of thousands of refugees toward Huainan.
• Liu Cheng compromised on resettlement, allowing refugee groups into Huainan but barring them from Shao Lake until they accepted reorganization.
• Sima Yu offered additional funds and grain for Shouchun's fortification and shipbuilding projects, while officials elsewhere requested help with refugees and supplies.
• After Xi Chao sent a letter from Xiapi, Liu Cheng decided to go to Jiangling and persuade Huan Wen to move his headquarters to Chang'an.
• Liu Cheng assigned Xie An responsibility for Shouchun's projects and refugees, gave him seven tasks, and prepared to leave.

Liu Cheng traveled from Shouchun to Jiangling and pressed Huan Wen for assurances about their plans as Northern Yan’s expansion threatened the northern front. Huan Wen promised not to abandon Liu Cheng and agreed to send Huan Xin and Zhu Xu to serve on Liu Cheng’s staff, while rejecting Liu Cheng’s proposal to move headquarters to Chang’an.

• Liu Cheng left Shouchun without authorization and traveled through Xiangyang to Jiangling, where Zhu Tao sent Zhu Xu along to learn what was happening.
• At Qixia Tower, Liu Cheng put travel-worn Grass Sandals on Huan Wen and recited lines about the Yangtze River, prompting Huan Wen to ask the others to leave so they could speak privately.
• Liu Cheng challenged Huan Wen to clarify how he would handle a possible Northern Command expedition, political upheaval in Jiankang, and setbacks against the Murong Clan.
• Huan Wen explained his plan to concentrate troops in Shaan-Luo and eventually strike Yecheng, but admitted he lacked the resources to launch a decisive campaign into the Three Jin.
• Huan Wen assured Liu Cheng that he would not punish him for victories, defeats, or trouble caused while acting on his behalf, and promised not to force Xi Chao to betray his family.
• Liu Cheng proposed moving headquarters to Chang’an, but Huan Wen refused; he agreed instead to appoint Huan Xin as Chief Clerk and Zhu Xu as Army Advisor on Liu Cheng’s staff.

Liu Cheng forced Lady Kong and Huan Xiu to recognize Huan Qian’s achievements and enter him in the Huan Clan Genealogy, then considered Luo You’s warning that his actions might earn Huan Wen’s resentment. He left Jiangling determined to make himself indispensable as the coming political storms grew.

• Huan Xin agreed to move to Shouchun, and Liu Cheng learned that Huan Qian had still not been entered in the Huan Clan Genealogy.
• Liu Cheng gathered Jingzhou dignitaries and led them to Huan Huo’s residence, where he confronted Huan Xiu over his devotion to pure conversation and pursued him into the women’s quarters.
• Liu Cheng accused Lady Kong of suppressing Huan Qian and warned that the family matter would become a public judgment on her and Huan Xiu.
• Huan Xiu urged Lady Kong to yield, and Liu Cheng entered the ancestral shrine, added Huan Qian and his siblings to the Clan Genealogy, and sent the updated record to Huan Wen’s residence.
• Luo You warned Liu Cheng that Huan Wen might resent his two recent interventions and could take out future setbacks on him, but Liu Cheng resolved to make himself indispensable.

After returning to Shouchun, Liu Cheng learned that the Northern Command was preparing to attack Mount Tai and would need Western Command reinforcements. Though he judged the campaign premature and Shouchun unready, he agreed to send six or seven thousand troops under Xie Wan, with himself as deputy commander.

• Liu Cheng returned to Shouchun, inspected Shao Lake, and assigned Fang Chen and Lang Jian to enforce temporary winter controls.
• Xie An reported that the Mount Tai Yang Clan wanted a marriage connection with Gao Shiyuan and that the Northern Command had refused to investigate private coinage, but had agreed to establish a military information network.
• Liu Cheng told Xie An that he expected the Northern Command to move north and explained that he would support it despite opposing the campaign and judging Shouchun unprepared.
• Huan Xin arrived in Shouchun with Han Kang Bo, who delivered the court's decree ordering Xie Wan to support the Northern Command's attack on Mount Tai.
• Liu Cheng agreed at the military council to send six or seven thousand troops to rendezvous at Pengcheng, with Xie Wan commanding and Liu Cheng as deputy commander.

Liu Cheng led Western Command reinforcements to Pengcheng, where he met Northern Command leader Xun Xian and challenged the need for the campaign. Xun Xian declared that the expedition was meant to strengthen the emperor’s authority and restrain the Grand Marshal, leaving Liu Cheng to accept the political purpose despite opposing the war.

• The war council assigned Gao Heng to hold Feikou while Liu Cheng assembled more than six thousand troops, laborers, boats, and supplies for the march to Pengcheng.
• Liu Cheng’s forces reached Pengcheng, where Xi Tan welcomed the prominent visitors and eagerly reunited with Wang Guannu.
• Liu Cheng inspected the Si River defenses and camp preparations while Xun Xian arrived and confronted Xie Wan over the small number of reinforcements and his failure to manage affairs.
• Liu Cheng asked whether Xun Xian had authority to execute him, then explained that the Western Command had sent only enough troops to support the Northern Command’s planned advance.
• Xun Xian said the campaign was necessary to bolster the emperor’s authority and curb the Grand Marshal’s ambitions, and Liu Cheng acknowledged the explanation.

Liu Cheng reunited with the Pengcheng Liu clan’s main branch, learned his ancestry, and arranged favors between the families. At the army camp, he and Xi Chao discussed Xun Xian’s motives and the pointless campaign, while Xi Chao’s stay at headquarters was followed by the disappearance of a frightening creature.

• Liu Cheng visited the Pengcheng Liu clan’s main branch, where its elders traced his ancestry to Liu Zhun, who had served as magistrate of Zan County.
• Liu Cheng agreed to help the main branch restore its descendants’ careers south of the Yangtze, and asked it to identify relatives suitable for military service.
• The main branch presented the newborn Liu Gai, and Liu Cheng gave him the childhood name Black Gate before returning to the army camp.
• Xi Chao told Liu Cheng that Xun Xian had kept him under house arrest and warned that Xun might act recklessly to secure control of the Northern Command Army.
• Liu Cheng and Xi Chao debated the motives behind the deployment and whether Xun Xian or the Grand Marshal was acting against reason.
• A supernatural tale recounted that Xi Chao stayed at Xi Tan’s headquarters for ten days, after which a lizard-like creature that had frightened the children stopped appearing.

Liu Cheng questioned Xun Xian’s campaign plan before leading the Western Command north toward Mount Tai. The campaign began badly when Jia Jian abandoned most of the commandery’s strongholds and winter rain soaked the army, leaving Xun Xian to press on toward Shanchi and set a New Year deadline.

• Liu Cheng and Xi Chao discussed their concerns about Xun Xian, the Northern Command, and the risks of the coming campaign.
• At the war council, Liu Cheng questioned Xun Xian’s supply route and contingencies, and Xun Xian said he would withdraw if the enemy abandoned Mount Tai without fighting.
• On the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh month, Liu Cheng led the Western Command north, and the army reached Lu County on the seventh day of the twelfth month.
• Zhuge You reported that Jia Jian had abandoned most of Mount Tai Commandery and withdrawn to Shanchi, with no sign of reinforcements.
• Winter rain soaked the army at Tuqiu Settlement, and Xun Xian proposed that Liu Cheng guard the foothills while he and Xie Wan besieged Shanchi until the New Year.

Liu Cheng’s expedition at Mount Tai struggled with winter rain, illness, and a defeat at Shanchi City while the Murong Clan sent no reinforcements. With another storm approaching and retreat no longer viable, Xun Xian ordered the Northern Command Army to storm the city.

• Zhu Chuo and Wang Xianzhi prepared food at the damp Mount Tai camp as Zhu Xu reminded them to boil everything to prevent disease.
• Zhu Xu reported that Jia Jian’s sudden charge at Shanchi City had inflicted heavy casualties on Xun Xian’s army before the defenders withdrew behind the walls.
• Liu Cheng and his officers questioned why the Murong Clan had not sent reinforcements, while Jiang Gan explained that their communications with Yan Province remained blocked.
• Liu Cheng learned that more than a thousand men had been killed or wounded at Shanchi, and several hundred more were sick from the rain.
• As another winter storm gathered, Dai Sui, Xiao Zhong, Liu Zhuang, and Zheng Xi urged Xun Xian to take the city so the army could shelter inside.
• On the twenty-third day of the twelfth month, Xun Xian ordered the Northern Command Army to attack Shanchi City from all four sides and scale its walls.

The Northern Command Army captured Shanchi after its defenders fled, but Jia Jian’s defiant capture and scathing rebuke unsettled the Jin commanders. Liu Cheng urged Han Bo to report Jia Jian’s words and his own warning about the Northern Expedition to the emperor before returning to the mountain camp.

• Nearly ten thousand Northern Command soldiers attacked Shanchi, and its defenders broke out as sections of the walls fell.
• Liu Cheng sent She Yuan after the fleeing defenders, while Jia Jian held the eastern drawbridge until the attackers raised it and captured him.
• Jia Jian refused Xun Xian’s offer to untie him and denounced Jin for abandoning China, insisting that his service to Zhao and Yan reflected loyalty rather than betrayal.
• After Jia Jian was taken outside, Liu Cheng told Han Bo to report the old general’s words and warned that Jin needed either overwhelming strength or sustained proof of its sincerity to win the North.
• Liu Cheng left Shanchi to inspect the mountain camp, asking Xun Xian to investigate the missing Xianbei reinforcements and inform him about the withdrawal.