Chapter Summaries

Liu Cheng managed the winter encampment near Shiliang Fort while navigating factional tensions among the generals and Huan Wen’s circle. He explained that his support for Huan Wen and the northern expedition rested on his determination to bring peace to the realm, then agreed to receive Zhu Xian and hear his apology.

• Liu Cheng rejected Xue Zhen’s proposal to trade warhorses for Zhou Cheng’s troops, and Xue Zhen stormed out after Liu Cheng warned him against disregarding court regulations.
• Wang Qia said he hoped to avoid returning to Luoyang, while Deng Xia advised Liu Cheng not to get entangled with Xue Zhen.
• Liu Cheng told Wang Qia and Deng Xia that he separated personal friendships from political aims and supported Huan Wen because he saw him as the only viable leader for a northern expedition.
• Wang Qia cautioned Liu Cheng to preserve his ideals if he gained power, and Liu Cheng accepted the warning.
• Deng Xia explained that Zhu Xian wanted to apologize for avoiding battle and hoped Deng Xia would mediate, so Liu Cheng invited Zhu Xian and other generals to join him for a drink.

The court’s envoys negotiated rewards and appointments with Huan Wen and his commanders in Luoyang, while Mao Muzhi’s refusal to join a petition led Huan Wen to assign him to govern distant Ningzhou. The chapter ended with Yuan Zhen tearing up the generals’ petition for Huan Wen’s appointment as Grand Marshal so he could sign it first, and the memorial was rewritten in his name.

• Che Guan and Yuan Zhen arrived in Luoyang as the emperor’s envoys and joined Huan Wen, Mao Muzhi, Liu Cheng, Xi Chao, and Xie An for discussions at Shiliang Fort.
• Xi Chao, Liu Cheng, and Xie An argued that Cai Mo deserved the posthumous name Wen, but Mao Muzhi declined to take part and left the meeting.
• Huan Wen proposed sending Mao Muzhi to govern Ningzhou while recommending rewards for Mao Muzhi’s campaign service and for his subordinates Chen Wu and Mao Qiu.
• The envoys and commanders discussed promotions for the Northern Yuzhou generals, Huan Huo’s appointment, and Liu Cheng’s proposed rewards.
• Xi Chao and Liu Cheng presented a petition asking the court to appoint Huan Wen Grand Marshal, and Yuan Zhen tore it up so it could be rewritten with his name first.
• Che Guan agreed to return to court with the petition, and Huan Wen announced a farewell banquet for him.

At Che Guan’s farewell banquet in Luoyang, Liu Cheng confronted the aristocratic order after Yuan Hong defended Wang Yan and other figures blamed for the dynasty’s decline. Liu Cheng left after delivering a furious account of aristocratic corruption, while Huan Wen reassured the gathering that he would protect the military men’s interests.

• Huan Wen’s victory brought promotions and titles to the commanders, advisers, and staff, while Liu Cheng received the prestigious appointment of Attendant-in-Chief but not the military authority he wanted.
• Liu Cheng discussed his prospects with Luo You and Xie An, saying he hoped to bear the staff and lead a Northern Expedition despite the powerful men ahead of him.
• At the banquet, Che Guan’s memories of Luoyang and Liu Cheng’s lines about its destruction darkened Huan Wen’s mood, and Huan Wen condemned Wang Yan and other advocates of empty talk.
• Yuan Hong argued that the dynasty’s decline arose from complex fortunes rather than individual responsibility, prompting Liu Cheng to challenge him and explain how aristocratic clans had contributed to the state’s collapse.
• Liu Cheng denounced the clans’ privileges and their contempt for northern soldiers, then left the banquet after telling Huan Wen he had spoken from pent-up anger.
• Huan Wen defended his position and promised the gathered military men fair treatment, while Xie An calmly picked up his cup and drank.

After Huan Wen secured the title of Grand Marshal, Liu Cheng withdrew south with his army and returned to Shouchun, where he discussed the court’s plans and his support for Xie Yi Shi. The chapter left Liu Cheng and Gao Song agreeing to cooperate amid the court’s uncertainty over Huan Wen’s growing power.

• Huan Wen’s petition for promotion to Grand Marshal overcame the court’s objections, and he received the gold seal before beginning his withdrawal from the North.
• Liu Cheng departed with his army, gave Huan Yi a farewell poem, and returned south while arranging posts and settlements for Zhou Cheng, Jiang Gan, and Shen Jin.
• Guo Man told Liu Cheng that Shouchun had paid compensation to the fallen soldiers’ families and enfeoffed Guo Man, Ding Zhun, and Ding Kuang as marquises.
• Liu Cheng returned to Shouchun and visited the ailing Xie Shang, reassuring him about Yao Xiang’s death and Xie Xuan’s survival.
• Gao Song told Liu Cheng that Xie An would remain nominally in command of the Western Command and asked where Liu Cheng stood regarding Xie Yi Shi.
• Liu Cheng declared that he would support Xie Yi Shi, and Gao Song urged cooperation against the northern forces despite the court’s unsettled politics.

Yi Yi returned to Jixian and confronted his son Yi Zhang over the court’s growing display of wealth, then struggled with feeling alienated from the Hebei he had once known. Murong Jun announced Murong Wei as crown prince and promoted Yi Zhang to Imperial Censor-in-Chief as the regime prepared to move its capital to Yecheng.

• Yi Zhang searched the Lu River crossing for his father and found Yi Yi traveling with his wife in a humble deer cart.
• Yi Yi challenged Yi Zhang over his silk-clad retainers and fine horses, but Yi Zhang argued that Hebei’s wealth and court customs had changed.
• Yi Yi entered Jixian under escort and remained unsettled by the contrast between his old values and his son’s life.
• Murong Jun announced that eight-year-old Murong Wei would become crown prince before the move to Yecheng.
• Murong Jun gave Yi Zhang the Jade-Feather Brocade Quilt and Soft Jade Pillow for Yi Yi, and named Yi Zhang Imperial Censor-in-Chief.
• After Yi Zhang returned home drunk with news of his promotion, Yi Yi abandoned plans to remonstrate and wept over feeling estranged from his home and sovereign.

After a year of relative peace, Murong Ke’s advance into Henan forced Liu Cheng to prepare Shouchun’s defenses. A report of a Xianbei night raid near Zan County left Liu Cheng to assess the threat and summon key staff.

• Murong Ping failed to capture Feng Yang, and the resulting lull let Liu Cheng expand Shouchun’s military farms, weapons production, and trade while writing his Three Kingdoms stories.
• Murong Jun ordered Muyugen to reinforce Murong Ping at Shangdang and sent Murong Ke into Henan after Xun Xian counterattacked in Yan Province.
• Murong Ke advanced past Linqiu and camped near Leize, prompting Liu Cheng to review Shouchun’s defenses and place his forces on alert.
• Fu Jian woke Liu Cheng to report that Ding Zhun’s forces had suffered heavy casualties in a Xianbei night attack at Zan County.
• Liu Cheng told Fu Jian to summon his senior staff, including Quan, Jiang, Fan, Ding, Xie Ae, and Zhu A Ming, while holding off on alerting the rest of the army.

Liu Cheng and his advisors assessed the Xianbei cavalry raid and concluded that Chen County might be their next target, so he ordered Zhu Chuo to warn his family and prepared a force to return to Zan County. The chapter ended with Ding Kuang agreeing to serve as bait while Liu Cheng prepared to send troops.

• Jiang Gan, Quan Yi, and Fu Jian judged that the Xianbei cavalry probably acted independently and might attack Chen County after their raid on Zan County.
• Quan Yi and Jiang Gan explained why Chen County was vulnerable, and Liu Cheng sent Zhu Chuo to warn his elder brother and father discreetly.
• Fan Ning said he could arrange boats, supplies, and provisions for a force of three thousand within two days.
• Xie Xuan suggested the rain might leave the Xianbei cavalry near Zan County, and Liu Cheng welcomed the possibility as he considered sending troops.
• Liu Cheng asked Ding Kuang to return to Zan County as bait, and Ding Kuang kowtowed in agreement.
• The historical account said Emperor Taizu rejoiced at the Xianbei advance and dispatched troops, while the author announced a monthly rest schedule.

Liu Cheng mobilized troops and boatmen to search for Xianbei cavalry trapped by the May floods between the Wo and Sui Rivers. After learning that mounted bandits had occupied an old settlement near Zan County, he ordered an immediate advance from both north and south.

• Liu Cheng assembled more than two thousand boatmen and troops, then sent Zhuge Heng and Ding Kuang north as bait while the main force traveled upriver.
• Liu Cheng's force reached Chengfu in seven days, aided by high water that let boats bypass rocks and shoals.
• Zhou Cheng reported that no Xianbei cavalry had appeared on the Wo River's western bank, and Liu Cheng concluded that the enemy was likely trapped by flooded waterways.
• Liu Cheng ordered troops, boats, and scouts to search the Wo River's eastern bank and coordinate with Shen Jin, Gao Heng, Zhuge You, Ding Kuang, and the Ding Clan.
• Ding Clan members reported that mounted bandits had occupied an old embanked settlement near Zan County, and Liu Cheng ordered a north-and-south assault by water and land.

Liu Cheng led an attack on Xianbei cavalry trapped by the Huai River region’s relentless rain and captured their commander. After the victory, he learned that his men had looted prisoners and that the commander claimed to have saved his life.

• Liu Cheng discussed the dangers of the rainy season and the prospects for uniting north and south with Jiang Gan, while Quan Yi explained to Fu Jian how much regional fortunes depended on their leaders.
• Zhang Zhong reported that debris blocked the boats, so Liu Cheng ordered the troops to continue overland toward the Walled Settlement.
• Ding Kuang reported that the Xianbei had left their northern and eastern approaches poorly guarded, and Liu Cheng divided his forces to surround and attack the settlement.
• Liu Cheng reached the settlement after Liu Jian and Liu Agan had defeated the cavalry, whose horses had suffered badly in the rain.
• Liu Huzi told Liu Cheng that Liu Aqian’s men had hidden captured valuables and Ding Kuang’s men were torturing prisoners, then reported that the captured Murong commander claimed he had once saved Liu Cheng’s life.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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