Chapter Summaries

Liu Cheng took command of the Archers' Unit, enforced military discipline, and led an operation to round up deserters in Changgan Lane. After capturing 413 deserters, he ordered notices inviting local women and elderly people to claim them as husbands or sons, leaving Fan Ning startled by the unusual decree.

• Liu Cheng secured Gao Heng's appointment, inspected the Archers' Unit, executed a company Army Commander for embezzling pay, and prepared the unit for deployment.
• Liu Cheng ordered the Archers' Unit to search Changgan Lane for deserters while warning the soldiers not to enter homes or abuse civilians.
• Liu Cheng assigned Fan Ning to write notices, Yu Shao to lead local soldiers in announcing them, and Xie Xuan and Zhang Zhong to patrol for deserters and misconduct.
• Liu Cheng's forces battered down gates and fought fleeing deserters, then registered 413 deserters in Changgan Lane by midafternoon.
• Liu Cheng ordered a notice allowing local women or elderly people to claim one deserter each as a husband or son, surprising Fan Ning.

Liu Cheng completed a three-day operation against deserters in Jiankang, then prepared to leave on official business while comforting his pregnant wife and concubine. When the regents questioned his handling of the deserters, he answered with a poem that persuaded them to grant him discretion and dismiss a general who had defied him.

• Liu Cheng released deserters in Changgan Lane when residents vouched for them, and sent aid to Steward Qian's widow.
• Liu Cheng's forces cleared the ferry landing and South Pond, recording 1,573 deserters; after pardons and executions, 800 men were taken as military slaves.
• Liu Cheng told Awu and A She that he would leave before the children were born, and explained his campaign as an effort to accumulate blessings for them.
• A She grieved that her people had become like damaged blades, and Liu Cheng said the Northern Expedition would cleanse the world.
• The regents asked Liu Cheng to relocate or recruit the deserters, but he sent them the poem "Song of Changgan" instead.
• Sima Yu and the other regents praised Liu Cheng's literary refinement, gave him discretion over the deserters, and agreed to dismiss the general in Stone City.

Liu Cheng marched his troops to Jurong, where he forced the Xu family to surrender supplies in exchange for tax registration and a promise to seek Xu Changshi’s return. After dividing the recovered goods among the state, the army, and its workers, he continued toward Qu’a, while Sima Yu and Wang Shu set out to inspect the supplies.

• Liu Cheng issued three months of pay and Lotus-Leaf-Wrapped Duck to his soldiers, then marched from Jiankang with his four companies and accompanying forces.
• Liu Cheng sent his troops to pursue deserters around Mao Mountain and assigned Wang Linzhi, Fan Ning, Xie Xuan, Zhang Zhong, Zheng Shengzhi, and Yu Shao their expedition duties.
• Liu Cheng confronted the Xu family in Jurong, demanding sixty percent of their movable wealth and promising tax registration and help securing Xu Changshi’s return.
• Liu Cheng divided the Xu family’s supplies among himself, the state, the army, and military slaves, and persuaded Fan Ning and Xie Xuan to accept their allotted rewards.
• Liu Cheng’s officers agreed on a tiered division of the army’s share, and he warned the Xu family to report on other local clans before moving east toward Qu’a.
• Sima Yu read Liu Cheng’s report and went with Wang Shu to inspect the supplies delivered to the Jiangcheng military storehouses.

Liu Cheng organized a campaign against the bandits of the Three Rivers and Five Lakes, assigning his officers to coordinate with nearby commanderies and plan how to deal with four major bandit leaders. After the council, he studied the region, wrote official and personal letters, and reflected on his family before preparing to march toward Tai Lake.

• Liu Cheng sent Wang Linzhi to coordinate an attack on Yibing with Jinling and Wu Commandery, while Fan Ning, Xie Xuan, and Zhang Zhong gathered intelligence and the army advanced toward Xu Lake.
• Fan Ning described Liao Xiong, Immortal Maiden An Miao, Yibing, and Xu Lake Chief, and Liu Cheng directed Wang Linzhi to arrange a joint effort to trap Yibing.
• Yu Shao warned that attacking Liao Xiong’s mountain stronghold could be dangerous, and Liu Cheng ruled out a campaign into the mountains.
• Fan Ning proposed recruiting Liao Xiong and pacifying Xu Lake Chief, but Liu Cheng insisted the army first needed a battle to establish its authority; he sent Fan Ning and Xie Xuan to Wuxing to plan an ambush against Liao Xiong.
• Liu Cheng ordered the army to continue toward Tai Lake, wrote to officials and family, and studied maps for clues about Liao Xiong and Immortal Maiden An Miao.
• Liu Cheng rewrote his personal letters, then went to sleep after recording that winter clothing should be sent.

Liu Cheng and Shen Jin led a surprise attack on Liao Xiong’s bandits near Tai Lake, routing them with an ambush. As Liao Xiong continued fighting, Liu Cheng sent Xie Xuan to offer him surrender, with orders to have him killed if he refused.

• Liu Cheng approved Shen Jin’s plan to lure Liao Xiong away from his waterside stronghold and ambush him on the road.
• Liu Cheng’s troops marched through the night and crossed the Middle River, then hid in reeds along the road as Shen Jin’s forces took their positions.
• Liao Xiong’s bandits walked into the ambush, and government crossbows and shield troops drove them into confusion and blocked their escape.
• Liao Xiong rallied his personal guard and continued charging through the battle, resisting the rout.
• Liu Cheng ordered Xie Xuan to offer Liao Xiong surrender once and, if he refused, to have Gao Heng kill him; Xie Xuan rode down with fifteen cavalrymen.

After defeating Liao Xiong, Liu Cheng pacified the Three Rivers and Five Lakes, uncovered the truth behind Immortal Maiden An Miao, and used the captured women to teach his aides about the social forces that created banditry. He learned that Awu and A She had safely borne his children, then moved against a clan tied to the Way of the Celestial Masters and prepared to negotiate with its leaders.

• Xie Xuan failed to persuade Liao Xiong to surrender, then beheaded him after Liao Xiong and his remaining guards were killed.
• Liu Cheng assigned his officers to secure Xu Lake, register minor bandit groups, and hunt Yibing and the leaders of the worst gangs.
• Liu Cheng’s forces took three encroaching estates, secured guarantees from the other estate owners, and posted a bounty that helped trap Yibing in Tai Lake.
• Liu Cheng led a surprise raid on Mo Mountain and captured 273 women and 39 children, then explained that Immortal Maiden An Miao was a title inherited by successive leaders of the group.
• Liu Cheng told Fan Ning, Wang Linzhi, and Xie Xuan that poverty and social exclusion kept producing groups like Immortal Maiden An Miao; he later named his newborn son A An and his newborn daughter A Miao.
• After Yibing’s head arrived, Liu Cheng punished That Family of Qu'a for colluding with bandits and received negotiators from the Way of the Celestial Masters.

Liu Cheng asked Lu Song to persuade the Northern Migrants Daoists to cooperate in his campaign against Master Du Ming and the South of the Yangtze Native Clans. Lu Song sought Liu Cheng’s support to eventually lead the Daoist Order, and left to approach the others while Liu Cheng kept his own ambitions guarded.

• Liu Cheng explained that Lu Song should contact the Northern Migrants Daoists and convince them to cooperate, since their control of the Daoist Congregation would determine whether the campaign could succeed.
• Lu Song asked Liu Cheng to overlook Master Xu’s past conduct, explaining that Xu’s family ties and trusted connections could help him reach Du Ming’s disciples.
• Lu Song said he did not want to enter official service and instead wanted to take Master Du Ming’s place as leader of the South of the Yangtze Daoist Order.
• Liu Cheng agreed to support Lu Song and proposed a Masters’ Council with elections every few years, allowing leaders to step down with dignity and successors to gain authority gradually.
• Lu Song accepted the plan and went to speak with the Northern Migrants Daoists, then asked whether Liu Cheng still intended to pursue the Northern Expedition.
• Liu Cheng avoided answering directly because he feared revealing his ambitions might unsettle Lu Song and interfere with the campaign.

Liu Cheng secured the Northern Migrants Daoists’ agreement to replace the Native Clans Daoists, promising protection in exchange for their support of his reforms and the Northern Expedition. He then met Master Du Ming at Mount Qiantang to arrange the transfer of power and assets, while Xie Eastern Mountain learned that Liu Cheng’s northern campaign meant he would have to leave seclusion.

• Lu Song led eleven Northern Migrants Daoist leaders to negotiate with Liu Cheng, who agreed to protect Master Du Ming’s family and reserve positions for leaders from Dongyang and Linhai.
• Liu Cheng proposed an oath document covering their offices and organization, then swore to protect them if they supported his reforms and the Northern Expedition.
• Fan Ning drafted the document, and Sun Tai volunteered to go reassure Master Du Ming while the other leaders returned to seize local Native Clans Daoists.
• Seven days later, Liu Cheng met Master Du Ming at Mount Qiantang and offered to divide the assets two-two-six; Master Du Ming accepted the transition and withdrew from leadership.
• In Kuaiji, Xie Eastern Mountain learned that Liu Cheng had begun his northern campaign and lamented that he would have to return to Jiankang.

Liu Cheng finished organizing the confiscated wealth and securing court approval for reforms to the Way of the Celestial Masters, then returned to Kuaiji to meet Wang Xizhi and Wang Biaozhi. News of a major Murong invasion of Qing Province arrived, and Wang Biaozhi accepted that the confiscations had to stand.

• Liu Cheng enlisted Shen Jin to manage the transport and storage of the confiscated wealth, while ordering soldiers to spend or exchange their coins locally.
• The Department of State Affairs approved Liu Cheng's proposed leadership structure and membership rolls for the Way of the Celestial Masters, and Sima Yu signaled willingness to pardon Shen Jin.
• Liu Cheng traveled to Kuaiji with Wang Linzhi and Xie Xuan, but Xu Xun refused to receive him, so Liu Cheng stayed at Sun Chuo's home.
• Wang Linzhi recounted his experiences to the Wang family, and Liu Cheng asked Wang Xizhi to let Wang Guannu accompany him, but Wang Xizhi refused.
• Wang Xizhi questioned Liu Cheng about confiscating the Way of the Celestial Masters' property, and Liu Cheng explained that the court needed funds to face the imminent invasion.
• Wang Biaozhi arrived with news that the Murong Clan had invaded Qing Province with a hundred thousand troops, and he agreed that the confiscated property should remain confiscated.

Liu Cheng’s success in Langya prompted Wang Xizhi to question whether he should let Wang Xianzhi leave home and join him, while Xie An arrived to discuss Liu Cheng’s likely Northern Expedition. The chapter ended with Wang Biaozhi urging Wang Xizhi to find out where Liu Cheng and Xie An intended to serve before deciding what to do.

• Liu Cheng secured letters recommending Shen Jin for service in the North, then left the Wang family dinner.
• Wang Xizhi compared Wang Linzhi favorably with his own sons and worried that Liu Cheng wanted to take twelve-year-old Wang Xianzhi into his service.
• Wang Biaozhi suggested that Liu Cheng wanted to train younger boys himself because Wang Xizhi’s sons had grown dispirited in Kuaiji.
• Xie An told Wang Xizhi that he was entering service and believed Liu Cheng was preparing for a Northern Expedition, though he advised against sending Wang Xianzhi away.
• After hearing that Wang Ningzhi’s wife, Xie Daoyun, was unhappy with him, Wang Xizhi wondered whether Liu Cheng’s interest in Wang Xianzhi was connected to the boy’s betrothal to the Xi Family.
• Wang Biaozhi advised Wang Xizhi to determine where Liu Cheng and Xie An planned to serve before deciding whether Wang Xianzhi should go with Liu Cheng.

Liu Cheng urged Zhi Daolin to establish a formal Buddhist leadership and considered a northern posting while Xie An prepared to enter office. During a snowy gathering on Mirror Lake, Liu Cheng exposed the Wang and Xie clans’ private ambitions and asked whether they would put the state before their families.

• Liu Cheng advised Zhi Daolin to establish a Buddhist leadership under court rules and offered to secure him the first position in the South of the Yangtze.
• Xie An asked Liu Cheng about going to Shouchun, but Wang Xizhi’s invitation brought them together with Zhi Daolin and Wang Biaozhi at the Orchid Pavilion.
• Wang Biaozhi raised Liu Cheng’s military supplies and the possibility of his appointment as Minister of the Board of Revenue, and Liu Cheng said he still intended to seek accomplishments north of the Yangtze.
• Liu Cheng recognized that Xie An planned to join Duke Huan’s staff in Jiangling and recommended him as Chief Secretary in the Western Expeditionary General’s Office.
• Liu Cheng explained that Xie An intended to work within Duke Huan’s faction while advancing the Xie Clan’s position over the Langya Wang Clan.
• As snow fell on Mirror Lake, Liu Cheng challenged Xie An and Wang Biaozhi to serve the state beyond their families’ interests.

Liu Cheng, Xie An, and Wang Biaozhi reached a limited pact aboard the boat, securing support for Liu Cheng's Northern Expedition and cooperation between their clans. Wang Xizhi pledged Guannu as a liaison, and Zhi Daolin accepted the position of Dharma Master after the others disembarked.

• Wang Xizhi urged the others to unite, prompting Xie An to promise support for Liu Cheng's Northern Expedition and pledge that the Chen Commandery Xie Clan would not abandon the Langya Wang Clan.
• Xie An confirmed his intention to serve Huan Yuanzi and encouraged the Wang Clan's sons to follow him.
• Wang Biaozhi tried to persuade Liu Cheng to remain in Jiankang, but Xie An stressed Liu Cheng's independent strength and persuaded Wang Biaozhi to support his Northern Expedition.
• Wang Xizhi agreed to send Guannu to serve under Liu Cheng alongside A'e as a liaison and urged the three men to cherish their pact.
• Liu Cheng, Xie An, and Wang Biaozhi reaffirmed their commitments ashore while recognizing that their agreement amounted only to a non-aggression pact.
• Zhi Daolin emerged from the boat and accepted the position of Dharma Master, and Liu Cheng agreed.

Liu Cheng returned to Jiankang and attended Wang Jianji’s discreet funeral, where Sima Yu praised his achievements and offered him the vacant post of Danyang Governor. Liu Cheng declined the chance to remain near the court and declared that he wanted to undertake the Northern Expedition.

• Liu Cheng attended Wang Jianji’s modest funeral with Sima Yu and a small group of relatives and officials.
• Sima Yu and Liu Cheng discussed Xie An’s plans to enter office under Huan Wen and Xi Yin’s possible return to government service.
• Sima Yu praised Liu Cheng’s successful collection and transport of money, grain, and cloth, and awarded him ten thousand bolts of cloth.
• Sima Yu offered Liu Cheng the vacant Danyang governorship after Wang Huzhi resumed the governorship of Sizhou.
• Liu Cheng rejected the Danyang post and told Sima Yu that he wanted to undertake the Northern Expedition.

Liu Cheng discussed his Northern Expedition appointment with Sima Yu and chose to serve in Huainan under Xie An, with the title General of the Vanguard Army. After Wang Jianji’s burial, Wang Tanzhi brought Liu Cheng and Liu Jili to Song Yi’s grave, where he broke down in grief.

• Sima Yu explained the court’s concerns about Liu Cheng’s possible posts in the Northern Expedition, and Liu Cheng said he wanted to serve in Shouchun to repay Xie An’s invitation.
• Liu Cheng told Sima Yu he would accept the Administrator of Huainan post and the title General of the Vanguard Army, while hoping eventually to command the Western Command on behalf of the Xie family.
• Sima Yu agreed to consider Liu Cheng’s appointment, and the two men watched Wang Jianji’s burial before parting from the others.
• Wang Tanzhi stayed with Liu Cheng and Liu Jili, then told them Song Yi had died that winter and took them to her grave.
• Wang Tanzhi fell to his knees at Song Yi’s grave and wept, so Liu Cheng pulled Liu Jili aside to give him space.

Liu Cheng accepted appointments as Administrator of Huainan and Qiao Commanderies and used his new authority to recommend officers, with most nominations approved but Gao Rou’s appointment blocked by Yuan Zhen’s influence. He began filling his staff posts and asked Wang Linzhi whether he would accept a nomination as Langya Interior Minister.

• Liu Cheng accepted his appointment as Administrator of Huainan and Qiao Commanderies and received ten thousand bolts of cloth from the military stores.
• The court pardoned Shen Jin and appointed him Army Advisor to Wang Huzhi, while Liu Cheng nominated Shen Jin and several other officers for new posts.
• The Department of State Affairs approved Gao Heng, Liu Jian, and Liu Shi, rejected Shen Jin’s proposed general’s rank, and appointed Gao Jian Infantry Colonel after Liu Cheng appealed.
• Liu Cheng’s nomination of Gao Rou as Administrator of Anfeng was rejected because Anfeng belonged to Yuan Zhen’s sphere of influence.
• Liu Cheng asked Fan Ning to become his Chief Clerk and then asked Wang Linzhi whether he would accept a nomination as Langya Interior Minister.

Liu Cheng explained the clan politics behind recommending Wang Linzhi as Langya Interior Minister, and Wang Linzhi agreed to take the post. After securing Wang Huzhi’s support and memorials, Liu Cheng sought another recruit for his Huainan command and received an unexpected suggestion.

• Wang Linzhi told Liu Cheng that Wang Huzhi supported his appointment while Wang Pengzhi opposed it.
• Liu Cheng explained that Wang Huzhi hoped to trade his branch’s political influence for future help for his sons, while Wang Pengzhi wanted to avoid creating an obligation.
• Wang Linzhi asked whether Liu Cheng truly believed in his ability and virtue, then agreed to become Langya Interior Minister.
• Liu Cheng submitted Wang Linzhi’s recommendation and visited the dying Wang Huzhi, who arranged a resignation memorial for Wang Maozhi and a final memorial praising Liu Cheng.
• Liu Cheng asked Wang Huzhi to recommend staff for his Huainan command, and Wang Huzhi suggested a promising young man from another Black Robe Alley clan.

Liu Cheng visited Huan Yi, a fellow townsman whose family had fallen into decline, and recruited him to serve as Chief Clerk in Qiao Commandery. He planned to bring Huan Yi and his younger brother Huan Bucai to South Garden before taking up his new post in Huainan.

• Liu Cheng learned from Xie An that the fellow townsman recommended by Wang Huzhi was Huan Jing’s son, Huan Yi, and went to visit him in Black Robe Alley.
• Xie Xuan mistakenly called Huan Jing “Huan White Deer” at the gate, provoking a commotion inside and revealing the household’s resentment over the nickname.
• Liu Cheng met Huan Yi and his younger brother, heard Huan Yi play the flute, and recognized that Huan Yi was presenting himself as a capable candidate.
• Liu Cheng offered Huan Yi several positions and invited him and Huan Bucai to stay at South Garden; Huan Yi chose to become Chief Clerk of Qiao Commandery and rebuild his family in their native land.
• Liu Cheng went next door to borrow carriages so he could bring Huan Yi and his brother with him.

Liu Cheng took leave of the Young Emperor and Empress Dowager, explaining his plans to defend Huainan and support a northern campaign, then traveled to Shouchun. Upon arrival, he learned that Xie Shang was mourning Song Yi on Mount Bagong and went there with Huan Yi.

• Liu Cheng assembled a staff for his new post, recruiting Huan Yi, Xiao Zhuo, and two younger clerks while declining other candidates.
• At his farewell audience, Liu Cheng showed the Young Emperor wooden maps and explained the confrontation with the Murong Xianbei and his plans for Huainan, Qiao Commandery, and a possible relief force for Luoyang.
• Liu Cheng resigned as Langya Interior Minister, bade farewell to his family, and departed north with his staff, leaving Liu Dage to maintain a communications network.
• Liu Cheng crossed the Yangtze, met Liu Shi, and reached Shouchun on the first day of the second month.
• Yuan Hong told Liu Cheng that Xie Shang was mourning Song Yi on Mount Bagong, so Liu Cheng took Huan Yi and a flute to ascend the mountain again.

Liu Cheng visited the ailing Xie Shang and tried to reassure him about the meaning of kindred spirits, then promised to strengthen Shouchun’s defenses. After learning that Xie Shang’s office had withheld an urgent report about fighting in Qing Province, Liu Cheng angrily challenged Yuan Hong’s authority and demanded that he take a county magistrate post.

• Liu Cheng and Huan Yi visited Xie Shang, who questioned whether kindred spirits could truly share one another’s feelings.
• Liu Cheng argued that people could share feelings without sustaining a bond across life and death, while Xie Shang remained unwilling to abandon his own beliefs.
• Liu Cheng introduced Huan Yi to Xie Shang, then promised to maintain Shouchun’s defenses and support the fighting near Luoyang.
• Liu Cheng told Huan Yi to keep Xie Shang company and learn from his pipa playing.
• Huan Yi brought Liu Cheng news that Xun Xian had reported a major defeat for Duan Kan’s forces in Qing Province and was advancing toward Langya.
• Liu Cheng rebuked Yuan Hong for failing to send him the urgent report and challenged him to accept the vacant magistrate post in Qiao County.

Liu Cheng asserted his authority in Shouchun, recruited northern émigré aides, and sought to build a staff by drawing local commanders into his service. His effort to appoint Zhu Fu as a provisioning officer put the Zhu family between Liu Cheng and Yuan Zhen, leaving Zhu Xian alarmed by the power struggle.

• Liu Cheng rebuked Yuan Hong for questioning his duties, then threatened to send him away if he delayed military intelligence again.
• Shen Yong revealed he was a Hebei émigré serving as a staff officer and agreed to ask their old companions whether they would join Liu Cheng.
• Liu Cheng visited Yuan Hong that evening, explained why he had challenged him publicly, warned him about his political conduct, and offered gold as an apology.
• Yu Shao and Zheng Shengzhi joined Liu Cheng’s staff as chief registrars.
• Liu Cheng summoned Zhu Fu of Hefei to become a provisioning officer and asked Zhu Xian to help recruit him, despite Zhu Fu’s existing agreement with Yuan Zhen.
• Zhu Xian feared Liu Cheng’s move would force the Zhu family to choose sides, so he wrote to his father and younger brother.