Chapter Summaries

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.

Liu Cheng arranged for Sun Sheng to receive a proper farewell after his release from the cage, then returned to Jiankang with Huyan Xiang and formally handed over his credentials. He arrived prepared to remain in the capital, while Sun Sheng was placed in the Court Commandant’s custody.

• Xi Chao sent Huan Wen a note asking him to allow a gathering to see Sun Sheng off, and Liu Cheng discussed responsibility and the ties he had formed with Xi Chao.
• Liu Cheng traveled downstream, met Sun Sheng at Baling, apologized, and watched visitors arrive to bid Sun Sheng farewell.
• Huyan Xiang asked to accompany Liu Cheng to Jiankang, and Liu Cheng agreed to take him along.
• Liu Cheng’s fleet passed through Xiankou and Wuchang, then reached Jianye in early summer without stopping at Stone City.
• Liu Cheng entered Jiankang with a ceremonial escort, handed over his credentials at the Tai Pavilion, and transferred Sun Sheng to the Court Commandant’s custody.
• Liu Cheng went with Huyan Xiang to Gao Rou’s residence as word spread that he had returned to stay in Jiankang.

After returning to Jiankang, Liu Cheng received Sima Yu’s summons and secured a promise of a future military appointment while refusing a prestigious court post. He urged Sima Yu to divide Xuzhou and Yuzhou into northern and southern regions, warning that Yin Hao’s coming defeat would leave the court with little choice but to rely on Huan Wen.

• After four days of waiting, Liu Acheng was summoned by Sima Yu, who sent Han Bo to bring Liu Cheng and Huyan Xiang to the Prince of Kuaiji’s residence.
• Liu Cheng asked the court to arrange a post for Huyan Xiang, and Sima Yu agreed to recommend him to Duke Kong.
• Sima Yu offered Liu Cheng a prestigious court position until he met the age requirement for his intended appointment, but Liu Cheng refused and secured a promise that he could take up the post later.
• Liu Cheng proposed establishing Northern and Southern Xuzhou and Northern and Southern Yuzhou, letting Huan Langzi govern Yuzhou proper while the court retained Southern Yuzhou and the Western Command.
• Liu Cheng warned Sima Yu that Yin Hao would likely suffer defeat because the court was financially strained and Yin Hao lacked military ability, then left to visit his wife and her family.

Liu Cheng made a leisurely return visit to his wife’s family in Wuxing before reuniting with Kuaiji’s celebrated scholars. He argued that Yin Hao’s Northern Expedition was doomed by political rivalry, overconfidence, and financial weakness, leaving the gathering to consider the coming upheaval.

• Liu Cheng delayed his journey while tending to affairs at his manor, then traveled toward Wuxing with Awu, A She, and mounted guards.
• Liu Cheng spent a month visiting the Shen Family in Wuxing, discussed political prospects with Shen Jin, and asked him to retain the Qianxi Music Troupe for a special project.
• Liu Cheng visited Xu Xun, who refused to meet him, before traveling to Shanyin and catching up with Sun Chuo and other acquaintances.
• Sun Chuo gathered Kuaiji’s scholars at Wang Xizhi’s residence, where Liu Cheng and Wang Xizhi reconciled amid jokes and stories.
• Wang Xizhi announced that Yin Hao planned to move his headquarters to Xuchang, and Liu Cheng predicted defeat if Yin Hao crossed the Huai River.
• Liu Cheng explained that rivalry with Huan Wen, Yin Hao’s confidence in his military abilities, and inadequate finances would force him into a disastrous northern advance.

Liu Cheng returned to Kuaiji, discussed governance and changing literary fashions with Wang Xizhi and other scholars, then learned that Yin Hao’s failed Northern Expedition had strengthened Huan Wen’s position. After receiving the appointment of Langya Interior Minister, Liu Cheng met the exiled Yin Hao, who accepted his defeat as a road home, and Liu Cheng set out for his new post.

• Liu Cheng joked with Wang Xizhi, Xie An, Yu Cun, and Sun Chuo about governing, reforming finances, counting the White Register population, and the changing tastes of literature.
• Liu Cheng stayed at Xi Yin’s Manor, revised Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and learned that Yao Xiang had broken with Yin Hao, whose army then suffered a crushing defeat.
• The court stripped Yin Hao of office and exiled him, while Huan Wen received authority over the Northern Expedition and Xie Shang was released from custody.
• After Wang Shu became Yangzhou Governor, Liu Cheng hurried north with his wife and pregnant concubine and met the exiled Yin Hao at a Shen Family manor.
• Liu Cheng told Yin Hao that Huan Wen had appointed him Langya Interior Minister, then left after seeing Yin Hao trace strange words in the air.
• Han Bo relayed Liu Cheng’s message that the flowers were blooming and Yin Hao could take his time returning, and Yin Hao said they were on the road home.

Liu Cheng oversaw the successful construction of a water-powered mill and ordered preparations for a papermaking workshop. At Jincheng, he began tightening commandery administration with population and property surveys, then asked his clerks to recommend candidates for vacant posts.

• Liu Cheng watched the water-powered mill turn and instructed Grandpa Liu San to prioritize a downstream papermaking workshop.
• Liu Cheng returned to his residence to study, train, and spend time with his wife before heading to Jincheng the next morning.
• Liu Cheng reviewed the clerks’ reports, closed inquiries into past matters, and warned that upcoming investigations would be demanding.
• Liu Cheng ordered a population survey and a survey of land, houses, and shops, clarifying that he was preparing for Tuduan rather than carrying it out.
• Liu Cheng told the clerks to begin the surveys with his own clan and Jiangcheng’s market, while recording gentry properties separately.
• Liu Cheng asked the clerks to recommend candidates, including themselves, for the vacant governing and attendant clerk posts.

Liu Acheng realized that Langya Commandery’s lower-ranking officials were too intimidated by the gentry to recommend candidates, and he resolved to recruit two great-clan officials while still trying to open opportunities to others. After arranging for soy milk to be made, he set out for Black Robe Alley with two buckets to recruit someone.

• Liu Acheng explained that he lacked suitable candidates for commandery posts because humble-household officials feared their recommendations would be mocked or displaced by powerful clans.
• Liu Acheng recognized that few capable officials came from outside the gentry, but remained committed to breaking the social barrier despite his failed attempt to solicit recommendations.
• Liu Acheng asked A She to prepare soy milk for the following day after she explained that the beans needed to soak overnight.
• After drinking fresh soy milk and an egg wrap, Liu Acheng summoned the newly arrived Attendant Secretariat Supervisor and ordered a carriage prepared.
• Liu Acheng took two buckets of soy milk to Black Robe Alley, intending to deliver them and recruit someone.

Liu Cheng visited the Xie and Fan families with homemade soy milk to recruit staff for Langya Commandery, trading insults with Xie Yi before securing Fan Ning’s likely appointment as Chief Clerk. The chapter ended with Wang Biaozhi sending word that he would meet Liu Cheng the next morning, potentially changing which post Fan Ning received.

• Liu Cheng visited the Xie household, delivered soy milk, and argued with Xie Yi over their wager and his recruitment of Xie Lang.
• Liu Cheng asked Xie Xuan to become his Attendant Secretariat Supervisor, but Xie Xuan objected to his age, the bypassing of his elder brothers, and Liu Cheng’s insults toward his family.
• Liu Cheng left the Xie household and offered Fan Ning a choice of posts; Fan Wang and Fan Kang agreed that Fan Ning would likely become Langya Chief Clerk.
• A messenger from Wang Tanzhi told Liu Cheng that Wang Biaozhi would receive him the next morning, prompting Liu Cheng and Fan Kang to joke about whether Fan Ning would serve as Chief Clerk or Officer of the Five Offices.

Liu Cheng visited Wang Biaozhi to discuss Wang Xizhi’s troubles, the future of Wang Xizhi’s sons, and a request concerning the Shen Family. Wang Biaozhi agreed to consider pardoning the Shen Family’s other branches and planned to take office in Kuaiji to help his cousin.

• Liu Cheng visited Wang Biaozhi and asked how the affair targeting Wang Xizhi would end.
• Wang Biaozhi said he intended to urge Wang Xizhi to resign, then leave his own post as Minister of Personnel and govern Kuaiji in his place.
• Liu Cheng told Wang Biaozhi that Wang Xizhi’s sons were gifted mainly in calligraphy, and Wang Biaozhi proposed summoning Huizhi to serve as Liu Cheng’s Chief Clerk, with Linzhi as an alternative.
• Liu Cheng asked Wang Biaozhi to help Shen Jin’s family, and Wang Biaozhi agreed to discuss pardoning the Shen Family’s other branches with the Prince of Kuaiji.

Liu Cheng strengthened his staff and household ties, then was summoned by Regent Sima Yu to advise the court after rebels seized Liuhe Small City. He left for the Department of State Affairs as the court sought his insight into the crisis between North and South.

• Liu Cheng recruited Wang Linzhi as Chief Clerk, Fan Ning as Officer of the Five Offices, and Liu Ye as Inspector of Postal Stations, then ordered Wang Linzhi and Fan Ning to document the tofu-making process at his mill.
• The court issued an amnesty allowing most Punished Families implicated in the Wang Dun and Su Jun Rebellions to redeem their offenses, and the Shen Clan paid on behalf of impoverished families in the Wu Region.
• Liu Cheng comforted Awu after her elders suggested bringing Shen Clan women to his household as concubines, then reassured A She as she neared childbirth.
• Liu Jili summoned Liu Cheng to the Department of State Affairs at Wang Biaozhi’s recommendation after refugees took Liu Shi hostage, seized Liuhe Small City, and raised Yao Xiang’s banner.
• Liu Cheng left for the Department of State Affairs, telling his clerks to settle matters and inform his household of his departure.

Liu Cheng volunteered to resolve the Qihuo Army’s occupation of Liuhe Small City before Jiankang sent troops to garrison the Central Hall. He negotiated the release of Liu Shi and recovered the city, while Guo Bi’s people fled north toward the Huai River region.

• At the Department of State Affairs, Liu Cheng learned that Guo Bi’s Qihuo Army had seized Liuhe Small City and possibly Tangyi, prompting the court to prepare defenses for Jiankang.
• Liu Cheng secured permission to cross the river with Gao Jian’s troops and hurried to Jiangcheng, where he ordered boats, weapons, grain, radishes, and water spinach prepared.
• At Liuhe Small City, Liu Cheng met Guo Bi and concluded that the Qihuo wanted to travel north rather than serve Yao Xiang; he offered supplies in exchange for their departure and Liu Shi’s release.
• Guo Bi agreed, and more than a thousand Qihuo left the city with food and sandals; after Gao Jian’s troops secured Liuhe, Guo Bi released Liu Shi and fled with his rear guard.
• Liu Shuang returned to Jiankang and reported that Liu Cheng had recovered Liuhe Small City the previous night, before Zhou Min’s troops needed to occupy the Central Hall.