Chapter Summaries

Liu Acheng and Liu Huzi considered intimidating Master Du Ming, while Liu Acheng arranged the passage of Liu Huzi’s supply convoy through Wuxing. Traveling north with Xi Chao’s bridal procession, Liu Acheng reached a Shen Family manor, where Shen Jin tried to arrange a marriage between him and one of two Shen women.

• Liu Acheng asked Liu Huzi about his most reliable men and considered robbing Master Du Ming’s home to intimidate him and clear the way for Lu Song.
• Liu Huzi suggested setting fire to the estate instead, and Liu Acheng became interested in the idea.
• Liu Acheng returned to Shan County, instructed Gao Rou to delay the men’s departure until Xi Chao had spoken with Shen Jin, and then accompanied Xi Chao north to fetch his bride.
• Liu Acheng arranged for the supply convoy to split at Qiantang, with one portion traveling through Wuxing under Shen Jin’s protection.
• At a Shen Family manor north of Yuhang, Shen Jin showed Liu Acheng two young women and asked whether one could be his Da Qiao, but Liu Acheng warned that Xi Chao would reject such an offer.

Liu Acheng rejected Shen Jin’s attempt to secure a Shen Family Daughter as a concubine for Xi Chao and discussed Xi Chao’s plans to leave Kuaiji, the fire at Master Du Ming’s manor, and his guilt about his coming marriage. The party reached Zhangpu Pass amid news of the Northern Expedition’s successes, and Xi Chao learned that his bride was named Zhou Horsehead.

• Shen Jin asked Liu Acheng to arrange for a Shen Family Daughter to become Xi Chao’s concubine, but Liu Acheng refused and later reported the proposal to Xi Chao.
• Xi Chao said he would leave after his wedding to serve General Huan, while Liu Acheng urged him to treat his bride well and explained that he had arranged for Liu Huzi to burn Master Du Ming’s manor.
• Xi Chao agreed to let Shen Jin’s attempted match go unpursued and heard Liu Acheng explain that the planned fire was meant to pressure Lu Song and was partly motivated by personal ties.
• The party reached Zhangpu Pass and heard that the Northern Expedition had pacified Shouchun and gained Pu Hong’s formal surrender.
• Liu Huzi returned after the fire and departed with the supplies, while Xi Chao welcomed his maternal relatives and awaited the bride.
• On the fourteenth day of the fifth month, Xi Chao and Liu Acheng learned that the bride’s personal name was Zhou Horsehead.

Liu Acheng managed the bridal procession and helped Xi Chao recruit Fu Hong to accompany him west to take up Huan Wen’s summons in Jingzhou. Xi Chao’s parents reluctantly accepted his decision after Xi Yin made him swear to avoid commanding troops and protect the family from the danger of three generations serving as generals.

• Liu Acheng handled the gentry guests and nearly a thousand Slave Retainers during the wedding journey, executing two Zhou Family Axe-Wielding Slaves and punishing their leader after they killed local villagers.
• Liu Acheng told Xi Chao that Fu Hong’s steady manner and Northern Migrant background made him a suitable companion, and Xi Chao decided to ask him to join the journey west.
• Xi Jiabin married and, after the wedding guests departed, Xi Chao invited Fu Hong to accompany him to Jingzhou, where Fu Hong accepted.
• Xi Yin and Lady Fu opposed Xi Chao’s plan to leave for Huan Wen’s service, but Lu Song’s divination and Xi Chao’s resolve led them to accept it.
• Xi Yin made Xi Chao swear that he would avoid commanding troops and would protect the Xi Family from the risks of three generations serving as generals; Xi Chao swore and wept with his parents.

Xi Chao and his companions traveled from Kuaiji to Jiangling so he could accept Huan Wen’s recruitment, while news of Ran Min’s proclamation and the northern conflict reached them along the way. Liu Acheng met Huan Chong and secured a note to introduce Xi Chao to Huan Wen’s household, then insisted that Huan Chong provide food for his party.

• Xi Chao, Liu Acheng, and Fu Hong left Kuaiji, traveled west by boat from Wuhu, and reached Jiangling at the end of the seventh month.
• At Pen Pass, the travelers heard that Yuan Zhen had captured Hefei, and Liu Acheng explained that Yuan had taken the city and carried its inhabitants back to Lujiang.
• The narration revealed that Ran Min had proclaimed himself emperor after killing Shi Jian, then sought Jin’s aid when the Qiang attacked him and the court ignored his appeal.
• Xi Chao settled at Xie Yi’s former residence and sent Liu Acheng to Huan Chong with Xie An’s name card to arrange a renewed recruitment invitation from Huan Wen.
• Liu Acheng explained Xi Chao’s plans and insisted that Huan Wen’s household treat him with proper respect; Huan Chong wrote a note for his nephews and returned Xie An’s name card.
• Liu Acheng pointed out that he and his two companions had waited hungry outside Huan Chong’s gate, so Huan Chong invited them in for a meal.

Huan Chong reported Xi Jiabin’s arrival to Huan Wen, who recognized the political importance of welcoming the Xi family heir and arranged a large banquet. Liu Acheng chose Jiangling’s western watchtower as the venue, and Huan Wen was delighted by the poetic name Qixia; the chapter ended with later accounts recalling Liu Acheng’s literary wit and historical knowledge.

• Huan Chong visited Huan Wen and asked about the staged beating of a messenger clerk, prompting Huan Wen to explain how he adapted rules to local gentry customs.
• Huan Chong told Huan Wen that Xi Jiabin had come to accept his recruitment offer, and Huan Wen ordered a lavish welcome because the Xi family’s prestige could strengthen his standing.
• Huan Wen instructed Huan Xin to host the banquet in his name and coordinate its arrangements with Liu Cheng.
• Liu Acheng met with Huan Xin and proposed holding the banquet at a prominent western watchtower, naming it Qixia for its resemblance to a tower among the rosy clouds.
• Huan Xin relayed Liu Acheng’s explanation to Huan Wen, who rushed to admire the tower and regretted that he had not noticed its beauty sooner.
• The chapter recounted later anecdotes in which Emperor Taizu impressed Sun Anguo and Xi Zaochi with his knowledge of historical stories.

Liu Acheng attended a banquet at Qixia Tower where Huan Wen's staff and Jingzhou scholars assessed Xi Chao and his companions. After defending Jiang Wei in a historical debate, Liu Acheng and the others prepared to receive Huan Wen as he arrived.

• Luo You arrived early, ignored the formal gathering to eat, and accepted Xi Chao's share of the sturgeon after Liu Acheng arranged the meal.
• Sun Sheng and Luo Han arrived with scholars, welcomed Xi Chao, and drew him into a friendly philosophical discussion.
• Xi Zaochi arrived with local Jingzhou staff and questioned Fu Hong about northern learning before pointing out Che Yin's diligence in studying by firefly light.
• Xi Zaochi asked Liu Acheng about his reading and historical opinions, and Liu defended Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei against Sun Sheng's criticism.
• Huan Wen arrived to recite a poem, and the scholars arranged themselves to welcome him.

At Qixia Tower, Liu Acheng and Fu Hong met Huan Wen, while Xi Chao secured his audience and argued that their generation put statecraft and the Northern Expedition ahead of empty conversation. The gathering ended with Huan Wen wondering whether the southern scholars had already changed the balance of influence.

• Huan Wen arrived at the tower, renamed it Qixia Tower, and asked what the assembled scholars had been discussing.
• Xi Zaochi introduced Liu Acheng, who gave Huan Wen his family background and established a connection through their shared roots near the Wo River.
• Liu Bo interrupted to question Liu Acheng's ancestry, then recognized him as a kinsman of Liu Jili and became emotional at news that Jili was alive.
• Xi Zaochi introduced Fu Hong to Huan Wen, and Fu Hong used his account of coming south to bring Xi Chao into the conversation.
• Xi Chao told Huan Wen that his generation, including himself, Liu Cheng, and Wang Tanzhi, prioritized governing the state and preparing for the Northern Expedition.
• Huan Wen listened in surprise and wondered whether distinguished scholars South of the Yangtze had advanced beyond Liu Tan's generation.

Huan Wen decided how to recruit Xi Chao and his companions, then appointed Xi Chao chief of the Eastern Office in his headquarters. Xi Chao accepted after Liu Cheng urged him, and news of the appointment stirred Jingzhou, Jiankang, and Jingkou.

• Xi Chao defended Liu Cheng and Fu Hong as suitable recruits, and Huan Wen praised their willingness to leave the comfortable south for service in Jingzhou.
• Huan Wen told Huan Chong that he wanted to cultivate Xi Chao as a trusted future ally, and they settled on the Eastern Office chief's post for him.
• Huan Wen arranged for Fu Hong to become Chief Clerk of Nan Commandery and created a Chief Secretary post for Liu Cheng in his headquarters.
• Huan Wen consulted his senior staff about Xi Chao's appointment, then sent repeated formal recruitment invitations to Xi Chao's residence.
• Xi Chao accepted the Eastern Office chief's post after Liu Cheng urged him, and the appointment caused a stir across Jingzhou, Jiankang, and Jingkou.

Liu Acheng accepted his appointment as Chief Secretary under Huan Wen and discovered that the role focused on carrying confidential orders to local administrations and subordinate forces. Huan Wen gave him the courtesy name Yulong, and the chapter ended with the volume closing amid a celebration of Liu Acheng and Xi Chao joining the headquarters.

• Liu Acheng persuaded Xi Chao to accept his appointment, and Liu Cheng and Fu Hong accepted theirs as well.
• While waiting to take up his post, Liu Acheng investigated the duties of a Chief Secretary and worried that he might be given too much work.
• Liu Acheng and Xi Chao formally reported to Huan Wen after receiving their official robes, seals, and appointment documents.
• Liu Acheng explained the Imperial Secretariat’s Chief Secretary system, and Huan Wen clarified that Liu’s duties would involve conveying confidential instructions and handling complex matters outside headquarters.
• Huan Wen asked Liu Cheng to begin using a courtesy name and bestowed Yulong on him, which Liu Cheng gratefully accepted.

Liu Cheng traveled to Shicheng to learn Deng Xia’s response to Huan Wen’s plan to transfer him to Nanxiang, and helped him frame requests about his title and command. The chapter ended with Deng Xia slaying a giant Chinese alligator before Liu Cheng, echoing a later legend about Emperor Taizu and a flood dragon.

• Liu Cheng met Deng Xia in Shicheng and heard that he accepted the move to Nanxiang to gather refugees and train a new army.
• Deng Xia asked Liu Cheng to seek the removal of Wang Qia’s Champion General title and to propose that Deng retain his Jingling post while commanding troops in Nanxiang.
• Liu Cheng offered to carry Deng Xia’s requests to Huan Wen and invited officers to share concerns with him during his stay.
• Deng Xia lured a giant Chinese alligator from a rocky pool and killed it with a spear and sword while Liu Cheng watched.
• Liu Cheng was astonished by Deng Xia’s strength, and the closing account connected the deed to a legend in which Deng Xia presented a flood-dragon hide saddle to Emperor Taizu.

After returning to Jiangling, Liu Cheng filed his travel reports, socialized with colleagues, and recounted Deng Xia’s flood-dragon hunt to the Shu scholars and Huan Wen’s guards. He waited near Huan Wen’s office to submit his forms, and someone finally summoned him inside.

• Liu Cheng returned to Jiangling, arranged for the crocodile hide to be made into leather goods, and went to the General Who Conquers the West’s headquarters.
• Liu Cheng reported his trip to Xi Chao and Xi Zaochi, then had his clerks copy the forms he had collected.
• Liu Cheng visited colleagues and told them that Deng Xia had slain a flood dragon, while Sun Sheng and Xi Zaochi used Three Kingdoms debates to argue over regional loyalties.
• Liu Cheng shared the flood-dragon story with Luo You, who discussed how to cook and eat the creature.
• Liu Cheng visited Chang Qu and Wang Yu and praised Shu’s history and achievements, earning the scholars’ appreciation.
• Liu Cheng delivered copies of his forms, waited near Huan Wen’s office, and was called inside after telling the guards stories about Guan Yu.

Liu Cheng secured Huan Wen's backing for his reports on local grievances and his proposed Three Kingdoms romance, then urged him to attack Guanzhong. Huan Wen explained why he intended to wait, leaving Liu Cheng to accept his position and go home for the holiday.

• Huan Wen agreed to grant Deng Xia the governorship of Jingling and instructed Liu Cheng to privately warn him that the northern Champion General still commanded three thousand Shaan-Luo soldiers.
• Liu Cheng proposed collecting local complaints and addressing simple issues promptly, and Huan Wen ordered the headquarters to implement the practice and provide him with local clerks and army advisors.
• Liu Cheng asked Huan Wen for paper and official backing to write a popular history of the Late Han and Three Kingdoms, and Huan Wen approved the request.
• Liu Cheng urged Huan Wen to launch a Northern Expedition into Guanzhong, but Huan Wen argued that the Di leaders had serious weaknesses and that further preparation would be wiser.
• Huan Wen told Liu Cheng to rest over the New Year holiday, and Liu Cheng left after briefing Xi Chao and Xi Zaochi.

Liu Cheng met Luo You over lotus root soup and asked why Huan Wen was delaying the Northern Expedition. Luo You explained that Huan Wen’s ambitions and the balance of power kept his focus on Jiankang, while Liu Cheng still urged him to pursue expansion northward; the chapter ended with Liu Cheng inviting Luo You to Huan Wen’s New Year banquet for a chance to eat rare northwestern white sheep.

• Liu Cheng rode through Jiangling, bought lotus root soup and other dishes from local workers, and waited by the river for Luo You.
• Liu Cheng and Luo You ate together, discussed the costs of cured meat, and compared their views on the conquest of Shu and the Northern Expedition.
• Liu Cheng asked why Huan Wen was delaying the Northern Expedition, and Luo You explained that Huan Wen prioritized Jiankang because of its political influence and greater resources.
• Liu Cheng recognized Luo You’s practical insight and concluded that Huan Wen could not bear to give up Jiankang, even if Chang’an offered another path north.
• Liu Cheng invited Luo You to join Huan Wen’s New Year banquet, where rare northwestern white sheep would be served, and then confessed his belief that the Northern Expedition could help Great Jin resolve its internal problems.

On the eve of the New Year, Liu Cheng turned the household’s preparations into a gift exchange that brought the residence’s servants together, while Xi Chao and Fu Hong realized how thoughtfully he had acted. The three then left for Huan Wen’s residence, where Liu Cheng remained preoccupied with whether Huan Wen would swallow an egg raw.

• Xi Chao and Fu Hong worried over New Year customs and shared how lonely and uncertain they felt while living away from home.
• Liu Cheng returned and assigned Fu Hong to bury a house-guarding stone and Xi Chao to distribute year-end gifts, while he organized the household’s New Year preparations.
• Liu Cheng corrected the local retainers’ custom of swallowing raw eggs and arranged the household’s New Year meals and ceremonies.
• Liu Cheng organized a gift exchange among the household’s retainers, prompting them to laugh and cry as he urged them to support one another.
• Xi Chao and Fu Hong discussed Liu Cheng’s care for the retainers as the three rode with Huan Xin to Huan Wen’s residence.

Liu Cheng and Xi Chao discussed Huan Wen’s rejected northern expedition and supported using a military buildup at Wuchang to pressure Jiankang and secure political guarantees. The banquet ended with Huan Xi proposing that he be sent to court as a hostage, revealing how far his understanding differed from his father’s plans.

• Huan Xi sent Xi Chao, Liu Cheng, and Fu Hong away from Sima Xingnan without meeting her, then left their conversation without explanation.
• Liu Cheng wandered to Huan Wen’s kitchen to ask whether the white sheep mentioned on the invitation would be served that evening.
• At the banquet, Huan Wen asked Huan Qian, Liu Cheng, and Xi Chao about the court’s rejection of his northern expedition memorial.
• Xi Chao proposed assembling troops at Wuchang to pressure Jiankang, and Liu Cheng explained how the maneuver could lead to mutual guarantees and cooperation.
• Huan Wen told Liu Cheng not to challenge his decision to deal with Jiankang before pursuing Guanzhong.
• Huan Xi arrived late and suggested that Huan Wen send him to court as a hostage.

Liu Cheng read letters from his allies and weighed the shifting political situation before arranging a New Year’s mutton meal with Luo You. At Huan Wen’s residence, he gave Huan Qian a briefcase made from dragon hide and declared that his gifts went only to kindred spirits.

• Liu Yehu returned from the south with gold and letters from Liu Jili, Xi Chao, and others, and Liu Cheng told him to share his earnings generously with his companions.
• Liu Cheng read the letters, learned of Liu Jili’s concern for their clan and Gao Rou’s proposed appointments, and considered the changing balance between Yin Hao, Huan Wen, and the northern powers.
• Liu Cheng collected finished leather briefcases, visited Luo You, and found him waiting for fried fish before their planned mutton dinner.
• Liu Cheng and Luo You entered Huan Wen’s residence, where Liu Cheng gave Huan Qian a dragon-hide briefcase as a New Year’s gift.
• Liu Cheng explained that he had reserved the remaining briefcases for Jiabin, Huan Xin, Huan Chong, and other friends, but not for Lord Huan.

Liu Cheng attended Huan Wen’s New Year feast, where he befriended Huan Qian, sampled white sheep mutton with Luo You, and witnessed a clash over Huan Mi’s bid for the governorship of Yi Province. After Huan Wen lamented his ambitions and approaching fortieth year, Liu Cheng urged him to pursue the Northern Expedition, and Huan Wen revived the feast through dawn.

• Liu Cheng learned that Huan Qian could not spend New Year with his father because his low-born status kept him out of the Huan family genealogy, and he befriended him.
• Huan Wen ended the younger Huans’ eloquence contest, and Liu Cheng distributed leather bags before changing into a Shu brocade robe for the feast.
• Luo You told Huan Wen he had come only to eat white sheep mutton, then advised him that reviewing troops at Wuchang was the only practical course if he could not abandon Jiankang.
• Liu Cheng critiqued the mutton’s preparation while Luo You ate eagerly, and then escorted Luo You home before returning to the banquet.
• Huan Mi demanded the governorship of Yi Province from Huan Wen, who angrily sent him away and explained his Northern Expedition ambitions to the gathered family.
• Xi Chao and Liu Cheng comforted the tearful Huan Wen, who renewed the feast and ordered the singing and dancing to continue until dawn.

Liu Cheng persuaded Huan Wen to begin absorbing Wang Qia’s remaining troops before the planned military review, accepting responsibility for the operation’s outcome. He traveled to Deng Xia to secure his cooperation and reassure him about Huan Wen’s political intentions, then left Deng Xia better prepared to navigate the coming political uncertainty.

• Liu Cheng proposed beginning the effort to absorb Wang Qia’s three thousand armored soldiers, and Huan Wen agreed while warning him that he would share responsibility if the operation went badly.
• Liu Cheng met with Xi Chao, Xi Zaochi, Meng Jia, and other aides to agree on a plan for handling Wang Qia’s troops.
• Liu Cheng left Huan Wen the first installment of Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms and traveled to meet Deng Xia at Shicheng.
• Liu Cheng explained that Huan Wen planned to assemble the armies at Wuchang and said Wang Qia’s troops should be dealt with beforehand; Deng Xia agreed to assist and promised to protect Liu Cheng if he faced danger.
• Deng Xia asked whether Huan Wen meant to follow Wang Dun’s example, and Liu Cheng assured him that Huan Wen sought to pressure downstream forces and pursue a Northern Expedition, not rebel.
• Liu Cheng told Deng Xia the story of Xin Xianying’s advice to Xin Chang, and Deng Xia thanked him before slapping Liu Cheng’s thigh.

Liu Cheng went to Bowang to negotiate with Wang Qia while gathering the army’s grievances, and Wang Qia grew suspicious that he intended to win over his officers. Wang Qia persuaded Liu Bo to travel to Jiangling and reassure Huan Wen, leaving Liu Cheng to work in the camp; the chapter then gave Deng Xia’s biography.

• Liu Cheng met Huan Huo in Xinye, and they agreed that Liu Cheng would try to persuade Wang Qia to reorganize his army while Huan Huo prepared forces to intervene if needed.
• Liu Cheng arrived at Bowang and presented Wang Qia with soldiers’ and officials’ complaints, explaining that he would collect requests in the camp and city.
• Wang Qia suspected Liu Cheng was trying to win over his officers, then secretly read Liu Bo’s letter from Jiankang, which urged Liu Bo to follow Liu Cheng’s direction.
• Wang Qia convinced Liu Bo to go to Jiangling and explain his loyalty to Huan Wen, while Liu Bo promised to return within a fortnight.
• Liu Bo departed downstream by boat, and Wang Qia slept easily after separating him from Liu Cheng.
• The chapter recounted Deng Xia’s family background, military career, and close friendship with Huan Wen.

Liu Cheng gathered intelligence on Wang Qia’s divided army and built trust with Xue Zhen, while Huan Wen kept Liu Bo in Bowang and became engrossed in Liu Cheng’s Romance manuscript. After Huan Huo’s reply arrived, Liu Cheng offered to arrange Xue Zhen’s marriage, but Xue Zhen immediately proposed seizing Wang Qia.

• Liu Cheng questioned the officers about their missing families, and Xue Zhen explained that his Guanzhong soldiers had forcibly recruited households during their campaigns.
• Liu Cheng used the officers’ accounts and camp rivalries to calculate the army’s true strength and identify its factions, leaders, and possible routes of defection.
• Xue Zhen visited Liu Cheng privately, asked what authority he held and whether he could help the soldiers, and urged him to start a family.
• Liu Bo reached Jiangling and asked Huan Wen to withdraw Liu Cheng, but Huan Wen told him to rest and return later while Liu Cheng continued his official work in Bowang.
• Huan Wen read Liu Cheng’s Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms manuscript, marked historical errors, and ordered it copied with corrections.
• After receiving Huan Huo’s reply, Liu Cheng offered to arrange a local bride for Xue Zhen, who eagerly asked whether they should seize Wang Qia at a feast.