Recaps

Liu Cheng rode as Huan Wen’s envoy to the Fu army, where he met Fu Sheng, Fu Chang, Fu Xiong, and other leaders before tomorrow’s battle. He returned with a white sheep and warned Huan Wen that the battle would be fierce but might not decide the war, then shared the meal with Luo You and discussed the Hu-Han divide.

• Deng Xia fought off Di cavalry attacks and escorted Liu Cheng toward Lantian County, where Fu Sheng met them under the banner of the King of Huainan.
• Liu Cheng entered the Fu leaders’ hall, explained the challenge ceremony, and revealed his connection by marriage to the Di and Qiang through Yao Xiang.
• Liu Cheng warned Fu Chang and Fu Xiong that ruling Han people with Hu elites would create a serious political crisis, and declined Fu Chang’s invitation to join the Fu court.
• Fu Xiong confirmed that the armies would fight the next day, and Fu Shuo gave Liu Cheng a small white sheep as a personal gift.
• Liu Cheng returned to Huan Wen and assessed the Fu leaders as formidable, predicting a fierce battle that might not be decisive because the Fu army could retreat using its cavalry.
• Liu Cheng cooked the sheep and shared it with Luo You, who praised his honesty and urged them to survive the coming battle.

Liu Cheng joined Huan Wen’s army as it marched out to face the Di forces in a decisive battle near Lantian County. The two armies advanced into combat, and Deng Xia’s vanguard became heavily engaged.

• Liu Cheng visited Gao Heng’s banner before sleeping, offering the soldiers casual conversation instead of promises or letters.
• At dawn, Huan Wen issued orders, divided the forces between those marching and those staying at camp, and prepared the Central Army for battle.
• Liu Cheng urged Huan Wen to lead the army forward, and Huan Wen marched out with the Central Army.
• Deng Xia reported that the Di army had formed up near Lantian County, and Huan Wen ordered him to wait for the other Jingzhou forces before advancing.
• Both vanguards moved forward and surged into battle, with Deng Xia’s banners and personal guards heavily engaged.

The Di cavalry attacked both wings, forcing Huan Wen to commit Huan Qian to the left and send Liu Cheng to supervise Ying Dan on the right. Fu Sheng then led the Di armored cavalry into Ying Dan’s formation and killed Liu Hong, leaving Liu Cheng to witness the force’s devastating charge.

• Liu Cheng warned Huan Wen that Fu Xiong’s infantry screened cavalry, and scouts soon reported Di cavalry advancing on both Jingzhou wings.
• Huan Wen sent Huan Qian to reinforce Huan Chong’s left wing and ordered Liu Cheng to supervise Ying Dan on the right.
• Fu Chang dispatched Fu Sheng and Fu Shuo with a thousand armored cavalry to support Lei Ruo’er and strike Ying Dan’s force.
• Liu Cheng joined Ying Dan’s advancing right wing and warned him not to underestimate the Di cavalry, but Ying Dan continued forward.
• Fu Sheng’s armored cavalry cut through the corner of Ying Dan’s formation, then killed Liu Hong when he rode to rescue the separated troops.

Liu Cheng and Ying Dan’s forces fought off Fu Sheng and Fu Shuo’s armored cavalry, but Fu Sheng eventually killed Ying Dan and seized his canopy. Liu Cheng raised Huan Wen’s Red Banner to rally the right wing, while Fu Sheng turned back into the encirclement; the chapter ended with Huan Wen ordering his carriage and command guard to advance eight hundred paces toward the Central Army.

• Fu Sheng and Fu Shuo regrouped their depleted cavalry and feigned a retreat, drawing Ying Dan into sending troops out to surround them.
• Fu Sheng led a renewed charge through the Jingzhou ranks, struck Ying Dan down, and dragged away his canopy.
• Liu Cheng raised Huan Wen’s Red Banner where Ying Dan’s canopy had stood and used command flags to keep the right wing from scattering.
• Fu Sheng turned back toward Liu Cheng’s banner, and Liu Cheng’s troops joined the encirclement as the armored cavalry collapsed; Fu Shuo fell, while Fu Sheng’s fate remained unclear in the account.
• Huan Wen received Wu Fusheng’s report of the right wing’s losses, and Luo You urged him to advance his carriage eight hundred paces to hasten victory in the Central Army.
• Huan Wen drew his saber and ordered the guards to protect Luo You and move his carriage and ceremonial guard forward.

After the Imperial Army's victory at Lantian, Liu Cheng struggled with the battle's casualties but helped Huan Wen assign military merit and accepted appointment as a Protector-General. The army prepared to advance toward Bashang, where a new report revealed that the Di had gathered thirty thousand troops behind Ba River fortifications and repelled Huan Chong's crossing attempt.

• Liu Cheng spent a sleepless night reliving the battle and its losses, then listened as Huan Wen's staff reported the casualty figures and discussed military merit.
• Huan Wen credited the Right Wing with the greatest merit for defeating the Di armored cavalry, and Liu Cheng insisted that the fallen Ying Dan deserved the foremost credit.
• Huan Wen appointed Liu Cheng and Deng Xia as Protector-Generals, and Liu Cheng took responsibility for clearing the battlefield and gathering the dead.
• Liu Cheng recommended Gao Heng, Huang Wu, and Tian Shouzhi for advancement and asked Meng Jia to write a sacrificial address for Ying Longxiang and the fallen soldiers.
• After Huan Chong won another battle near Bashang, Huan Wen ordered the army to march there, but a new report said the Di had assembled thirty thousand troops across the Ba River and beaten back Huan Chong's crossing attempt.

Liu Cheng and Xi Chao assessed the army’s heavy losses and debated whether Huan Wen should press on toward Chang’an despite the risks posed by the New Di forces and uncertain local allies. Liu Cheng joined Huan Wen’s Central Army at Bashang to oversee military law as the campaign’s next move remained unsettled.

• Liu Cheng settled disputes over military merit, buried the dead, and sent Huan Wen his assessment of the thirty thousand Di troops across the Ba River.
• Xi Chao arrived at Lantian, and he and Liu Cheng discussed their troop shortages, the divided Di factions, and whether Huan Wen should continue advancing toward Chang’an.
• Fu Hong reported that villagers had taken weapons and armor from the battlefield, then chose to return to the Central Army rather than work among the wounded.
• A raiding force led by someone calling himself Fu Huangmei attacked Lantian County and fled, prompting Huan Wen to move Huan Chong’s troops back and strengthen patrols.
• Liu Cheng reached Bashang and urged Huan Wen to attack Chang’an rather than rely on local heroes; Huan Wen revealed that Sima Xun was expected to advance from Hanzhong, then assigned Liu Cheng to oversee military law.

As Huan Wen’s campaign gained momentum, Liu Cheng and Luo You received Wang Meng, who had come to offer his talents, and reenacted a famous encounter through their contrasting displays of eating noodle soup and picking lice. The chapter left Wang Meng and Huan Wen measuring one another while Liu Cheng quietly established his place in the scene.

• Sima Xun led ten thousand troops into Guanzhong, prompting local magnates to send envoys to Huan Wen and offer support in exchange for appointments.
• Zhang Yu secretly sent word that he would act as an insider and help Huan Wen defeat the thirty thousand Di reinforcements.
• Liu Cheng organized military-law registrars and inspection courts, then joined Luo You in receiving Huan Chong and several Guanzhong notables.
• Huan Chong introduced Wang Meng, who had come to seek an audience with Huan Wen, and the party entered the reception hall after surrendering their weapons.
• Wang Meng picked lice in public while Liu Cheng ate a fresh bowl of noodle soup, unsettling the gathering and allowing Huan Wen to continue his conversation calmly.

Liu Cheng helped Wang Meng persuade Huan Wen to abandon his plan to wait for Guanzhong’s local forces and advance toward Chang'an, then secured Wang Meng’s appointment as Protector of Weibei. Huan Wen ordered Liu Cheng and his troops to support Wang Meng across the Ba River as the campaign began.

• Liu Cheng drew Wang Meng into conversation and presented their shared poverty and ambitions to Huan Wen.
• Wang Meng urged Huan Wen to cross the Ba River and take Chang'an, warning that Guanzhong’s local clans would not act reliably while Huan Wen stayed at Bashang.
• Huan Wen revealed that Wang Zhuo had attacked Sima Xun, leaving Sima Xun’s forces’ whereabouts and condition unclear.
• Liu Cheng endorsed Wang Meng as the key to resolving the Guanzhong situation, and Wang Meng again advised Huan Wen to advance on Chang'an.
• Huan Wen committed to crossing the Ba River, appointed Wang Meng Protector of Weibei, and ordered Liu Cheng to support him with troops.

Liu Cheng and Wang Meng persuaded Xue Qiang to mobilize the Hedong Xue Clan, drawing Huyan Du and other Guanzhong magnates into Huan Wen’s campaign. Liu Cheng argued that Huan Wen’s greatest obstacle to unifying the realm might be his failure to integrate regions such as Shu and Guanzhong, while Wang Meng urged Xue Qiang to secure his family’s position by serving early.

• Liu Cheng crossed the Ba River with Xue Zhen and Wang Meng, enforced military discipline, and demanded troops and laborers from Huyan Du, who stalled for several days.
• Wang Meng visited Liu Cheng, and they discussed Huan Wen’s prospects and the political divisions that could obstruct the unification of the realm.
• Xi Chao and Xue Qiang arrived, and Wang Meng proposed that Xue Qiang return to Hedong to mobilize the Hedong Xue Clan and help spark an uprising across Weibei.
• Liu Cheng explained that Huan Wen’s treatment of Shu as a resource rather than a foundation could prevent him from holding Guanzhong, and Wang Meng argued that Xue Qiang should serve Huan Wen early to strengthen his family’s position.
• Huyan Xiang left to persuade his father to send troops, and Xue Qiang agreed to return to Hedong with Wang Meng.
• After Wang Meng and Xue Qiang departed, Liu Cheng told Xi Chao that Wang Meng had deliberately cultivated Xue Qiang’s support to build his own career.

Huan Wen’s forces drew Guanzhong’s local leaders into a coordinated advance toward Chang’an, while Fu Jian and Fu Xiong prepared for a battle that might force the Di to flee west. The chapter ended with Fu Jian urging his family to stay united if he died and Fu Xiong instructing his son Jiantou to win the Di clansmen’s allegiance.

• Huyan Du joined Liu Cheng’s forces, captured Gaolu, and then helped the Hedong army take Linjin and secure surrounding counties.
• Kong Te realized his position at Chiyang had been used to prevent the Di from reinforcing Weibei, then joined the growing allied army as it crossed the Jing River.
• Liu Cheng ordered the Weibei leaders to cross the Wei River on August 29 and join Huan Wen’s advance toward Chang’an.
• The Weibei army camped between the Jing and Wei Rivers to wait until it saw the Imperial Army crossing, while the Di prepared to fight or retreat west with their families.
• Fu Jian recalled his hopes for settling in Chang’an and told Fu Xiong to keep their family united if he died.
• Fu Xiong urged Jiantou to accommodate and win over their Di clansmen, and Jiantou kowtowed to Fu Xiong and Fu Chang.

As Huan Wen’s army prepared to cross the Ba River and attack Chang’an, the Fu clan sent its families toward the Jing River headwaters and debated Fu Jian’s state of mind. Huan Wen executed Zhang Yu and committed to his original battle plan, leaving the armies poised for battle.

• Fu Jian escorted Lady Gou and A Goumei with Lü Polou’s fugitives toward the headwaters of the Jing River.
• Fu Xiong, Fu Chang, and Fu Jing worried that the emperor’s title had clouded Fu Jian’s judgment, but Fu Chang decided against sending cavalry to intervene.
• Lei Ruo'er reported that Zhang Yu had fled, while Liu Cheng persuaded Xi Chao to accompany him to the battle line.
• Huan Wen ordered Zhang Yu killed as a sacrifice to the banners, and Deng Xia struck him before soldiers dragged him away.
• Huan Wen kept his original plan, ordering Deng Xia to cross the pontoon bridge and attack Fu Jian’s position while the main army followed.

Fu Xiong chose to attack Deng Xia rather than Huan Wen, hoping to prevent the Jin forces from joining up while keeping a chance to rescue his elder brother. As the Di army moved to intercept Deng Xia, Xue Zhen led most of Liu Cheng’s troops south to reinforce him, while Liu Cheng and Wang Meng redirected the allied army toward the battle.

• Fu Xiong assessed the risks of both strategies and ordered the Di army to intercept Deng Xia before he reached Chang'an.
• Huan Chong and Huan Wen recognized the Di army’s westward turn but continued their planned crossing and advance.
• Deng Xia’s vanguard encountered Di cavalry harassing its rear, while Huan Wen sent his assessment of the situation to the other commanders.
• After receiving Huan Wen’s assessment, Xue Zhen took six thousand of Liu Cheng’s troops south to reinforce Deng Xia.
• Liu Cheng asked Wang Meng to bring the Weibei Allied Army across the Wei River, and they agreed to abandon the planned attack on Weicheng and head south.

Liu Cheng used the disorderly Weibei Allied Army to occupy Chang'an and give Huan Wen’s forces a secure position, while arranging for the main battle to be fought south of the city. Fu Xiong recognized the danger and ordered a retreat before Huan Wen arrived, and a later historical account credited Liu Cheng with recovering Chang'an.

• Wang Meng and Xi Chao worried that the Weibei Allied Army could not fight effectively, but Liu Cheng said he had a plan and sent them to organize the troops.
• Liu Cheng sent Xue Qiang and Huyan Du’s contingents toward Chang'an’s southern approaches to receive Xue Zhen and Deng Xia, then ordered the remaining allies to march on the city.
• Scouts reported that Fu Xiong’s forces had surrounded Deng Xia, while Xue Zhen’s troops had arrived to relieve the pressure; Fu Xiong planned to draw the Weibei troops into battle and rout them with cavalry.
• Liu Cheng ordered the allied army to enter dilapidated Chang'an, form ranks along its southern wall, and raise every contingent’s banners, while messengers carried orders for Huan Wen’s forces to join the troops south of the city.
• Xi Chao and Wang Meng recognized that Chang'an could serve as a camp like Luoyang had in Shi Le’s battle against Liu Yao, and Liu Cheng confirmed the plan and ordered the army to deploy inside the city.
• Seeing the banners on Chang'an’s southern wall and learning Huan Wen was approaching, Fu Xiong ordered his forces to withdraw west before the armies could unite.

After Chang'an fell, Liu Cheng visited Xi Chao and asked him to help remonstrate with Huan Wen. On the city wall, Liu Cheng warned Huan Wen that appointing Huan Chong to govern Guanzhong would cause the region to be lost.

• Huan Wen celebrated recovering Chang'an while rumors spread about Xi Chao's low spirits and his relationship with Liu Cheng.
• Liu Cheng brought Xi Chao fruit and asked him to help save his life by accompanying him to remonstrate with Huan Wen.
• Xi Chao agreed to go with Liu Cheng, and Wang Meng joined them as they sought Huan Wen around Chang'an.
• Liu Cheng recited the final lines of his poem for Huan Wen on the city wall, then asked him to dismiss the others so he could speak privately.
• Huan Wen said Huan Chong would oversee Guanzhong, and Liu Cheng warned that this appointment would certainly cost them the region.

Liu Cheng urged Huan Wen to remain in Guanzhong and build a northern foundation, but Huan Wen rejected the plan in favor of relying on Jing and Yang. Liu Cheng’s final comparison of Huan Wen to Xiang Yu enraged him, and Huan Chong, Meng Jia, Xi Chao, and Wang Meng intervened to prevent him from killing Liu Cheng.

• Wang Meng and Huan Chong warned Huan Wen that Guanzhong could not be pacified with only twenty thousand troops, while Huan Wen argued that he could pursue the Northern Expedition from Jing and Yang instead.
• Liu Cheng urged Huan Wen to remain in Guanzhong, build a northern army, and use the opportunity to reunify the realm before the Murong Xianbei weakened.
• Huan Wen rejected Liu Cheng’s prediction that the North and South might remain divided for a hundred years, insisting that his existing six-province foundation and other routes to victory made Guanzhong unnecessary.
• Liu Cheng reflected that his appeal was a sincere effort to prevent generations of further warfare, then compared Huan Wen unfavorably with Emperor Gaozu of Han for failing to endure the difficulties of ruling from Guanzhong.
• Huan Wen drew his sword in fury, but Huan Chong, Meng Jia, Xi Chao, and Wang Meng pleaded for Liu Cheng’s life and escorted him away.
• Huan Wen lowered his sword without saying the words Liu Cheng had provoked, while the appended historical accounts disputed the motives and wisdom of the men’s decisions.

After the breach between Liu Cheng and Huan Wen, envoys from Jiankang arrived with news of the court’s rewards and appointments. Huan Wen decided to send Liu Yulong north to Yecheng as an imperial envoy, leaving their damaged relationship unresolved.

• Liu Cheng resumed his carefree routine in Chang'an, while Huan Wen stayed in bed and Huan Chong and Xi Chao concealed the dispute between them.
• Huan Chong and Xi Chao held back Liu Cheng’s new Popular Historical Romance of the Three Kingdoms installments because they feared others might read political insinuations into them.
• Sun Sheng reported the court’s treatment of the imperial seal and its rewards for the Western Command, prompting Huan Wen to denounce Xie Shang and order Sun Sheng to write impeachments against Xie Shang and Yin Hao.
• Sun Sheng told Huan Wen that the court had granted Liu Yulong the title of Marquis of Zan and explained why it had limited Xie Shang’s punishment.
• Huan Wen rejected sending Liu Yulong to Jiankang and instead appointed him the court’s envoy to Yecheng, giving him the Staff of Authority and ordering him to ask Murong Jun when he would return Hebei’s commanderies.

Liu Cheng left Guanzhong on an envoy mission to Hebei, where he would negotiate with the Murong Clan, after Huan Wen sent him away from Chang'an. At a farewell gathering by the Wei River, Liu Cheng exchanged parting words with his companions and departed with a poem that moved Xi Chao to tears.

• Liu Cheng, Xi Chao, Wang Meng, and Luo You discussed Liu Cheng's mission and Wang Meng's decision to remain in Guanzhong rather than join the Murong Xianbei.
• Huan Chong and the assembled officials and generals gathered by the Wei River to bid Liu Cheng farewell, though Huan Wen did not attend.
• Liu Cheng exchanged farewells with Huan Chong, Luo You, Sun Sheng, Xi Chao, and Wang Meng, and urged Xi Chao not to suppress his feelings or shoulder every burden alone.
• Liu Cheng invited everyone to attach willow branches to his imperial staff, shared three cups of wine with them, and recited a poem about their parting and their friendship.
• Xi Chao wrote down Liu Cheng's poem and broke down in tears as Liu Cheng recited its final lines.
• Liu Cheng crossed the floating bridge and departed toward Hebei with his ceremonial procession and staff decorated with willow branches.

Liu Cheng traveled from Chang'an to Hebei as Huan Wen’s envoy, gathering Huyan Xiang and Quan Yi as deputy envoys along the way. He reached Hebei and learned Murong Jun had returned to Ji City, while Yecheng was too filthy to receive visitors.

• Liu Cheng’s delegation crossed the depopulated route from Chang'an through Luoyang, where Dai Shi angrily recognized him as the man who had taken the imperial seal.
• Huyan Xiang chose to accompany Liu Cheng to Hebei, and Dai Shi’s envoy Quan Yi later agreed to serve as a deputy after discussing Guanzhong and the Central Plains with Liu Cheng.
• Quan Yi told Liu Cheng that Huan Wen’s envoys had impeached Xie Shang and urged the court to return to the old capital, while tensions between Yao Xiang’s Qiang and Yin Hao’s forces continued.
• After waiting at Yan Ford, Liu Cheng and his party met Murong Ping at Qishui Mouth on the first day of the eleventh month and identified Liu Cheng’s military achievements to him.
• Murong Ping said Murong Jun had returned to Ji City and explained that Yecheng was too filthy from the fighting and slaughter to host the delegation.
• Liu Cheng asked Murong Ping to escort the delegation to Ji City, accepting that they would have to travel farther north.

Liu Cheng traveled north with the Jiankang delegation, witnessing the devastation around Yecheng before meeting Murong De, Murong Ke, and Muyugen near the Hutuo River. At a banquet, he challenged the Murong generals about northern rulers claiming the imperial title and asked whether the King of Yan planned to proclaim himself emperor, leaving Murong Ke uncomfortable and evasive.

• Liu Cheng and the delegation traveled through Hebei, where they encountered corpses and mass graves around Yecheng, while Liu Cheng noticed the region’s extensive irrigation works.
• Murong Ping left the delegation’s escort, and Murong De guided Liu Cheng and the others north.
• At the Hutuo River, Liu Cheng met Murong Ke and Muyugen, who had recently put down Su Lin’s rebellion in Wuji.
• During a banquet, Liu Cheng questioned why minor northern rulers proclaimed themselves Son of Heaven and asked Murong Ke whether Ran Min had said anything before his execution.
• Liu Cheng quoted lines about exposed bones and questioned whether the King of Yan intended to proclaim himself emperor, prompting Murong Ke to ask why he was pressing the issue so relentlessly.

Liu Cheng challenged Murong Ke over Yan’s plans to proclaim its king emperor and argued that the Murong regime would fail unless it adopted Han institutions. Murong Ke heard him out, and Liu Cheng agreed to travel to Jixian in exchange for allowing unwilling northern literati to return south.

• Liu Cheng reminded Murong Ke that the Murong Clan had maintained a long-standing formal relationship with the Jin court, and Murong Ke conceded that calling the court overbearing was inappropriate while insisting Yan would proclaim its king emperor.
• Liu Cheng questioned why Murong Ke was taking him secretly to Jixian, and Murong Ke offered to let him stay behind or return south rather than risk a public confrontation.
• Liu Cheng explained that the realm’s divisions and the Murong Clan’s Hu tribal system would undermine its rule unless it built a state on Han institutions, predicting its regime would fall like Later Zhao within twenty years.
• Liu Cheng argued that Hu rulers who adopted Han symbols and traditions but rejected Han institutions were contradicting themselves, leaving Quan Yi and Murong Ke deeply affected.
• Liu Cheng agreed to go to Jixian and lend the King of Yan prestige if Murong Ke let northern literati unwilling to serve Yan leave for the South, a proposal Murong Ke began to consider.

Murong Ke weighed Liu Cheng’s proposal to let dissenting Hebei literati travel south, then brought the plan and other urgent matters before Murong Jun in Jixian. Murong Jun approved the literati’s departure and delayed war preparations, while Murong Chui’s pursuit of Duan Qin’s widowed sister left Murong Ke facing a fresh family and political conflict.

• Murong Ke accepted fur garments from Liu Cheng’s delegation and traveled north with him, while the two men grew unexpectedly friendly despite their earlier debate.
• Murong Chui joined the party and asked Murong Ke to help him marry Duan Qin’s widowed younger sister, but Murong Ke refused and Murong Chui argued that he should choose his own wife.
• Liu Cheng encouraged Murong Chui with stories of tragic love, and Murong Chui became determined to pursue the match despite Murong Jun and Lady Kezuhun’s plans for his marriage.
• Murong Ke told Murong Jun that Murong Chui wanted to marry Duan Qin’s sister, and Murong Jun agreed but assigned Murong Chui to guard the frontier after his enthronement.
• Murong Ke urged Murong Jun to postpone war with the southern court until Hebei was more settled, and Murong Jun agreed to wait while sending a measured reply to Huan Wen.
• Murong Jun approved Liu Cheng’s proposal to let some Hebei literati leave for the South, assigning Feng Yi and Yang Wu to arrange it discreetly after the New Year.

Liu Cheng attended Murong Jun’s first New Year banquet as Great Yan’s emperor and formally delivered Huan Wen’s message, then endured Murong Jun’s drunken questions and provocations. After Liu Cheng bared his teeth in response to an offer of a new courtesy name, Murong Jun flew into a rage, and Liu Cheng fled the hall.

• Liu Cheng waited out Great Yan’s enthronement celebrations in Jixian while Murong Jun proclaimed himself emperor and established his new court.
• Murong De summoned Liu Cheng to a palace banquet, where Liu Cheng insisted on entering with Huan Wen’s Red Banner and delivered the emperor’s greetings and Huan Wen’s letter.
• Murong Jun declared that he had already proclaimed himself emperor, and Liu Cheng accepted the statement without argument before joining the banquet.
• Murong Jun questioned Liu Cheng about ceremony, his office, and the Imperial Seal; Liu Cheng explained that the seal Later Zhao had taken was probably not the genuine Imperial Seal and asked to see Murong Jun’s jade seal.
• Murong Jun offered Liu Cheng a new courtesy name, and Liu Cheng bared his teeth; Murong Jun hurled his cup at Murong Chui and reached for his sword before Murong Ke ordered Aludun to escort Liu Cheng away.

Liu Cheng escaped Murong Jun’s court with Murong De and continued south, gathering a hidden group of thirty-one Hebei Literati along the way. After reaching safety across the river, he prepared to meet Huan Wen and learn how the court would respond to his mission.

• Liu Cheng fled the palace with Murong De after Murong Jun threatened him over changing his courtesy name, and they traveled south through Guangyang and Fanyang.
• Murong De told Liu Cheng about the rivalry between Murong Chui and Murong Jun, while Liu Cheng recounted his own hardships and asked Murong De to help him escape if pursuers came.
• Murong Ke sent a letter apologizing for the envoy’s danger, confirming Murong De would escort him south, and providing gifts; Liu Cheng used some gifts to reward the delegation.
• Liu Cheng received a small group of literati in Fanyang and then discovered that thirteen listed literati in Yecheng concealed many more people traveling as attendants.
• After crossing the river, Liu Cheng learned that Li Ji and other literati had disguised themselves to join him, bringing the group’s total to thirty-one.
• Liu Cheng reached Cangyuan with the literati and their attendants, then prepared to meet Huan Wen.

Liu Cheng returned from his mission to Hebei, briefed Huan Wen on the Murong Clan, and brought thirty-one Hebei literati south to serve the court. Huan Wen rewarded him with a Founding Marquis title and sent him to Changsha for one final task before his new appointment.

• Liu Cheng and Quan Yi discussed the Murong Clan’s strengths, the coming war, and whether the Qiang people would serve the South or the North; Liu Cheng gave Quan Yi a sword and urged him to advise Yao Xiang.
• Liu Cheng traveled through Xuchang and Xiangcheng, where Hu Bin told him that Huan Wen had forced Xie An from power while Yao Xiang expanded his influence among the Fortified Manor forces.
• Liu Cheng returned to Jiangling and reported to Huan Wen, describing Murong Jun’s proclamation and the Murong Clan’s military and geographical advantages.
• Liu Cheng revealed that he had brought thirty-one Hebei literati to the Xie Clan residence and advised Huan Wen to welcome them publicly and appoint them according to their abilities.
• Huan Wen granted Liu Cheng the rank of Founding Marquis, said he would arrange an Administrator’s post without a General’s title, and ordered him to go to Changsha and send Sun Anguo to Jiankang in a cage cart.

Liu Cheng escorted Sun Sheng downstream from Changsha under the guise of a public prisoner, but rushed back to Jiangling when he learned Xi Chao was gravely ill. He exposed a diviner’s pheasant fraud and left Xi Chao and his wife chastened, while Sun Sheng’s fate remained tied to the journey.

• Liu Cheng met Sun Sheng in Changsha and learned that his feud with Huan Wen stemmed from Sun Sheng’s opposition to moving the capital and Huan Wen’s growing power.
• Liu Cheng seized Sun Sheng’s stored wealth and publicly escorted him in a cage aboard a government vessel, then released him after they left the landing.
• At Baling, Wang Yan told Liu Cheng that Xi Chao was gravely ill, so Liu Cheng hurried back to Jiangling and found Xi recovering while watching a caged pheasant.
• Liu Cheng discovered that diviner Du Buqian had staged a pheasant omen to deceive Xi Chao and exposed the scheme by bringing the female pheasant to the clinic.
• Liu Cheng made Du Buqian admit that he had acted out of resentment toward Xu Changshi and threatened to send him to the Qiang as a horse slave.