Recaps

Cao Mao gave Xun Xu authority to establish a permanent disaster-prevention and relief office after hearing his proposals. Zhong Hui arrived and warned Cao Mao not to trust Xun Xu, then Cao Mao asked why he had come in such a hurry.

• Xun Xu urged Cao Mao to prioritize disaster relief and create permanent envoys to coordinate relief and prevent disasters.
• Cao Mao appointed Xun Xu Deputy Censor-in-Chief for Preparedness and ordered him to establish a department, take over disaster-relief authority, and draft laws.
• Cao Mao warned Xun Xu that the new post could bring great rewards or tempt him into corruption, and Xun Xu promised to punish any subordinate who did wrong.
• Zhong Hui entered Taiji Hall, objected to Xun Xu's presence, and warned Cao Mao that Xun Xu was untrustworthy.
• Cao Mao dismissed Zhong Hui's complaint and asked what urgent matter had brought him there.

Zhong Hui reported that Zhuge Dan had agreed to come to Luoyang, and explained how Cao Mao’s actions had eased his fears. After praising Zhong Hui with another poem, Cao Mao discussed his next recruitment target and the possibility of a campaign against Shu, which Zhong Hui offered to handle.

• Xun Xu left after Zhong Hui warned Cao Mao that he was deceitful and should not be trusted with great responsibility.
• Zhong Hui presented Zhuge Dan’s letter agreeing to come to Luoyang, then explained that Cao Mao’s treatment of Sima Zhao and Xiahou Xuan had addressed Zhuge Dan’s fears.
• Cao Mao wrote Zhong Hui another poem, and Zhong Hui suggested appointing Zhuge Dan Grand Commandant and assigning him difficult anti-corruption work.
• Zhong Hui named Wang Chang as his next target for winning over, while Cao Mao considered Wang Chang’s family and their connections to Zhong Hui.
• Zhong Hui inferred that Cao Mao was preparing a campaign against Shu and offered to handle the ministers’ opposition to sending troops.

Deng Ai took command of Cao Mao’s reinforcements and led them into Yong Province, where he rejected a direct attack on Jiang Wei and ordered his army to seize Zhongdi instead. As Deng Ai marched to intercept Jiang Wei’s expected retreat, Jiang Wei continued attacking Chen Tai’s hilltop position, determined to win.

• Cao Mao appointed Deng Ai General Who Guards the West and entrusted him with more than forty thousand troops to campaign against Jiang Wei.
• Deng Ai consulted Cheng Cui, Ma Long, Wen Yang, and the other commanders, then rejected plans to charge Didao or raid Jiang Wei’s supply lines.
• Deng Ai reasoned that Jiang Wei would retreat toward Zhongdi after failing to defeat Chen Tai, and ordered the army to seize the town and wait there.
• Wen Yang questioned Deng Ai’s predictions, but Deng Ai took responsibility and ordered the army to march toward Zhongdi instead of Didao.
• Jiang Wei continued assaulting Chen Tai’s position after two days without progress, refusing to withdraw because he was determined to win.

Jiang Wei ordered a retreat from Didao, but his army was ambushed on the way back by Wei forces led by Wen Yang. Jiang Wei tried to rally his scattered troops as Wen Yang charged toward him and called out his name.

• Jiang Wei accepted responsibility for the failed attacks on Didao and ordered the army to withdraw, while Chen Tai chose not to pursue.
• As the Shu army marched toward Zhongti County with captured people and supplies, Zhang Yi spotted signs of an ambush and halted the vanguard.
• Wei troops attacked from three sides, and Wen Yang led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry through Zhang Yi's forces, knocking down his command banner.
• Jiang Wei sent his main force to support Zhang Yi, but Wen Yang's cavalry charged at Jiang Wei and disrupted his formations.
• Jiang Wei moved his chariot to higher ground and tried to rally his troops as Wen Yang called out, asking whether the old general knew Wen Ciqian of Pei.

Deng Ai’s rested Central Army overwhelmed Jiang Wei’s exhausted Shu Han forces, and Jiang Wei ordered a retreat rather than risk the kingdom’s remaining strength. Zhang Yi stayed behind to hold off the Wei troops as Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba led the main force through the enemy lines.

• Wen Yang led the Wei assault against Jiang Wei, while Zhang Yi’s vanguard was engulfed and thrown into chaos.
• Jiang Wei ordered the rearguard to attack from both flanks and led the main force toward Zhang Yi, but Deng Ai kept the initiative and sent Sima Jun into the fight.
• Realizing the battle was turning into a disaster, Jiang Wei ordered the army to break out, and Zhang Yi offered to hold the Wei troops back.
• Jiang Wei refused to abandon his generals and charged with his soldiers, while Zhang Yi attacked the vanguard to ease the pressure on the main force.
• Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba broke through the Cao Wei forces and fled as Deng Ai encircled the Shu soldiers left behind.

Deng Ai defeated Jiang Wei outside Zhongdi and captured Zhang Yi alive, then reorganized his army and awaited Chen Tai. After Chen Tai arrived and praised the victory, he privately asked Deng Ai about the situation in Luoyang.

• Deng Ai defeated Jiang Wei outside Zhongdi, inflicting heavy losses and capturing Zhang Yi, while Jiang Wei fled with his forces in disarray.
• Deng Ai ordered Zhang Yi kept alive and sent to Luoyang, and he instructed his officers to reorganize the army and wait for Chen Tai.
• Sima Jun worried that capturing Zhang Yi would draw unwanted attention to him and the Sima Family.
• Deng Ai saw civilians forced into the campaign and arranged for the survivors to return home.
• Chen Tai arrived with elite cavalry, and Deng Ai welcomed him before recounting the battle.
• Chen Tai praised Deng Ai's victory, then quietly asked him about the situation in Luoyang.

Deng Ai reassured Chen Tai that Cao Mao had entrusted him with the campaign, and the two arranged the handover of Yongliang’s forces and discussed their return to court. In Luoyang, Cao Mao sent Ji Kang and Lü An to see evidence against Lü Xun while considering appointments and the loyalty of other generals.

• Deng Ai told Chen Tai how Cao Mao had appointed him and ordered him to obey Chen Tai, easing Chen Tai’s fears that he would be treated as an enemy.
• Chen Tai and Deng Ai divided their responsibilities, planned for Chen Tai to return to Luoyang, and began recording the campaign’s merits and reporting the victory.
• Chen Tai told Deng Ai that he had withheld Sima Fu’s letter to Sima Wang during the war, and Deng Ai advised letting Cao Mao address Sima Wang in person after he returned to Luoyang.
• Ji Kang and Lü An pleaded with Cao Mao to show mercy to Lü Xun, but Cao Mao sent them to the Ministry of Justice to see Lü Xun and the witnesses for themselves.
• Cao Mao considered replacing Chen Tai in Yong Province and wondered whether Wang Chang, Hu Zun, and Shi Bao would remain loyal.

Ji Kang and Lü An learned that Lü Xun’s crimes were supported by strong evidence, while Zhang Hua pressed Ji Kang to publicly denounce the criminals and their clans. Elsewhere, Pei Kai accepted a post in Xun Xu’s newly established disaster-relief office after Pei Xiu explained its purpose.

• Xun Yu showed Ji Kang and Lü An the imprisoned women and Feng Zhan, whose testimony confirmed Lü Xun’s crimes and implicated others.
• Ji Kang abandoned his effort to defend Lü Xun and agreed to publicly condemn him and the other criminals after Zhang Hua urged him to make amends.
• Lü An visited Lü Xun, who begged to be freed, and Xun Yu warned that Lü Xun’s crimes could implicate his entire clan.
• Pei Kai received an appointment as Deputy Censor-in-Chief for Preparedness and went to ask Pei Xiu about the unfamiliar office.
• Pei Xiu explained that Xun Xu led the new disaster-response and relief office, then urged Pei Kai to take the post and follow orders.

Yang Xiu persuaded Zhou Tai that the General of the Guards was following the late Grand General’s wishes by supporting Cao Mao, while Hua Yi tried to recruit Zhuge Dan for the imperial court. Zhuge Dan first refused an appointment, then agreed to go to Luoyang and purge corruption in the army, leaving Jiang Ban alarmed.

• Yang Xiu delivered the General of the Guards’ orders to Zhou Tai and claimed Sima Shi was honoring the late Grand General’s final wishes by supporting Cao Mao.
• Hua Yi presented Cao Mao’s edict appointing Zhuge Dan as one of the Three Excellencies, but Zhuge Dan declined and suggested the Grand General instead.
• Jiang Ban warned Zhuge Dan that refusing the emperor too plainly could be seen as defiance, while Zhuge Dan maintained his humble pose.
• Hua Yi returned and urged Zhuge Dan to become Grand Commandant to investigate widespread corruption in the army.
• Zhuge Dan indignantly agreed to depart for Luoyang and purge the villains, leaving Jiang Ban fearing the consequences.

Cao Mao used Ji Kang’s letter to discredit those who framed Lü An, rewarded Zhang Hua, and sent Sima Yan to investigate the Grand Granary’s reserves. The chapter ended with Cao Mao asking how ministers had reacted to the Central Army’s campaign and learning that they were furious.

• Cao Mao praised Zhang Hua for bringing him Ji Kang’s letter, which silenced the Imperial Academy Students and drove implicated families to make amends.
• Cao Mao appointed Zhang Hua Regular Attendant Cavalry and advised him to recommend Shan Tao and Wang Rong for government service.
• Sima Yan visited Cao Mao, who criticized his idle associates and challenged him to investigate the Grand Granary’s grain reserves in Luoyang.
• Sima Yan accepted the assignment, while Yang Jin warned Cao Mao that villains might deceive him; Cao Mao saw the investigation as a way to expose Sima Zhao’s responsibility.
• Cao Mao asked Yang Jin about the ministers’ response to the Central Army’s campaign, and Yang Jin reported that they were furious and the General of the Guards’ residence was lively.

Sima Yan tried to inspect the Grand Granary on Cao Mao’s orders, but officials repeatedly obstructed him while his friends refused to join him. He Zeng urged He Shao to catch up with Sima Yan, then welcomed Feng Fu, whose plea for help gave He Zeng an opportunity to act.

• Sima Yan summoned friends to help inspect the Grand Granary, but they panicked at the prospect of exposing powerful clans and hurried away.
• Sima Yan brought Sima clan aides to the Grand Granary, where officials used one excuse after another to delay him for nearly half a month.
• He Shao told He Zeng that he had refused Sima Yan’s request, and He Zeng ordered him to go help Sima Yan instead.
• Feng Fu visited He Zeng and asked him to help his imprisoned brother and their troubled clan.
• He Zeng promised Feng Fu they would gather allies to oppose Chen Qian and Ji Kang, privately seeing the request as a chance to pledge his loyalty to Cao Mao.

Cao Mao pressed Sima Zhao to join forces against the ministers and used his agreement to bring him along to welcome Zhuge Dan. Zhuge Dan arrived in Luoyang to a grand imperial reception, and both he and Cao Mao greeted each other tearfully while Sima Zhao watched in dismay.

• Ministers berated Sima Zhao over the campaign against Jiang Wei, and he began trading insults with them.
• Cao Mao privately asked Sima Zhao whether Sima Shi had instructed him to leave the court, then urged him to ally against the ministers.
• Sima Zhao agreed outwardly, and Cao Mao invited him to welcome the General Who Guards the South outside the city.
• Zhuge Dan hurried toward Luoyang and found Cao Mao, Sima Zhao, and a grand procession waiting to receive him.
• Cao Mao helped Zhuge Dan up as they exchanged tearful greetings, while Sima Zhao silently called them filthy creatures.

Cao Mao appointed Zhuge Dan Grand Commandant and assigned him to confront corruption in the military, then learned that the Grand Granary had caught fire during Sima Yan’s investigation. Cao Mao convinced Sima Yan that the fire was sabotage and ordered him to work under Zhang Hua, leaving the effort to reform the court to proceed step by step.

• Cao Mao welcomed Zhuge Dan, praised his willingness to protect the emperor, and appointed him Grand Commandant at a palace banquet.
• Zhang Hua reported that the Grand Granary had caught fire, and Cao Mao told him to inform Zhuge Dan so he could handle the provocation.
• Sima Yan arrived distressed and explained that the granary caught fire while he and his men used torches to investigate its grain reserves.
• Cao Mao assured Sima Yan that officials who opposed the investigation had likely started the fire and described the widespread corruption surrounding the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Cao Mao ordered Sima Yan to stop reading books and work with Zhang Hua to gain experience, while Sima Yan recommended General He’s son Shao for important duties.

Cao Mao visited the gravely ill Wang Su and persuaded him to abandon his feud with Wang Xiang in favor of serving the realm. Wang Su accepted appointment as Minister over the Masses, while Cao Mao turned his attention to reforming the Imperial Secretariat and awaited news from the northwest.

• Wang Su lamented that political maneuvering had left his dispute with Wang Xiang unresolved and had driven him into illness.
• Cao Mao visited Wang Su, challenged him to focus on lasting achievements, and urged him to serve the people instead of pursuing his feud.
• Cao Mao offered Wang Su the post of Minister over the Masses, and Wang Su accepted, believing he could set aside his personal grievances for the realm.
• Cao Mao reflected on the unsuitable Three Excellencies he had appointed and resolved to bring the Imperial Secretariat firmly under his control.
• Cao Mao awaited news of Deng Ai's campaign in the northwest, hoping for a victory that would strengthen his standing and help him reform the armies.

After a crushing defeat, Jiang Wei worried that the losses would endanger the Northern Expeditions and his standing at court. Liu Shan learned the campaign had gone poorly while Huang Hao concealed the truth and turned him against Jiang Wei, as ministers at Duke Wei’s birthday banquet prepared to oppose further expeditions.

• Jiang Wei led his battered army home and feared that the defeat, Zhang Yi’s fate, and heavy casualties would undermine the Northern Expeditions.
• Liu Shan played games with his beauties, and Huang Hao informed him that the campaign had gone poorly and Jiang Wei had requested funds for the dead and wounded.
• Huang Hao blamed the conflict between Jiang Wei and Zhang Yi for the defeat, while hiding that Zhang Yi’s fate was unknown and the army had been routed.
• Liu Shan agreed to send money and said he would settle matters with Zhang Yi when he returned, not knowing Huang Hao had withheld the truth.
• At Duke Wei’s birthday banquet, ministers blamed Jiang Wei for the campaign’s costs and planned a joint appeal against the Northern Expeditions.

Xun Kai organized Imperial Secretariat ministers to oppose Cao Mao’s appointments and secretly planned to unite the court against him. He Zeng exposed their discussions to Cao Mao and volunteered to deal with the plotters, leaving the emperor to accept his offer with an ambiguous smile.

• Xun Kai criticized Wang Su’s appointment and Zhuge Dan’s promotion, then decided to secretly unite ministers to pressure Cao Mao.
• Cui Zan left the meeting uneasy, while Xun Kai told the remaining ministers that Cui was secretly colluding with the emperor and said Sima Shi was key to breaking the deadlock.
• He Zeng reported the ministers’ plans to Cao Mao, claiming they meant to challenge the emperor and attack Sima Shi’s legacy.
• Cao Mao recognized that He Zeng had tricked the information out of the ministers but kept him in his service.
• He Zeng offered to eliminate the ministers, and Cao Mao told him to proceed.

Sun Yi and his allies plotted to kill Sun Jun and restore the emperor’s authority, but Sun Jun learned of the conspiracy and raided Sun Yi’s residence. Sun Yi killed himself before Sun Jun could question him, leaving Sun Jun shaken and haunted by his ancestors.

• Sun Yi persuaded Zhang Yi and Lin Xun to help kill Sun Jun, then assigned them roles in a plan to control the court and protect the emperor.
• Sun Jun met with a Shu Han envoy, accepted gifts, and brought Shu brocade to Princess Quan, where he complained about Guanqiu Jian’s grain deception.
• Sun 𬘭 warned Sun Jun that Sun Yi, Zhang Yi, and Lin Xun were plotting against him, prompting Sun Jun to send men to arrest the conspirators.
• Sun Jun’s forces overwhelmed Sun Yi’s followers and captured them at Sun Yi’s residence.
• Sun Yi condemned Sun Jun and cut his own throat, leaving Sun Jun terrified by thoughts of his ancestors as Sun 𬘭 helped him return home.

At a tense court assembly, Guo Zhang accused Zheng Mao of abusing appointments, prompting officials to demand the right to resign in protest. Zhong Hui proposed standardized evaluations and promotions, leaving Xun Yi to consider whether the rules could limit Cao Mao’s power while preserving the great clans’ influence.

• Wang Su and Zhuge Dan arrived at court angry, while Cao Mao calmly assessed the ministers and the great-clan faction.
• Guo Zhang accused Zheng Mao of arbitrary appointments and framed dismissals, implicitly criticizing Cao Mao, who stayed silent after Zhong Hui advised restraint.
• Wang Su challenged Guo Zhang’s qualifications, and Guo Zhang requested permission to resign.
• Yuan Liang and other Secretariat officials, followed by ministers from other offices, collectively asked to resign, while Xun Yi remained seated.
• Zhong Hui proposed evaluating officials by their achievements, abilities, and conduct, with promotions and dismissals following established standards.
• Xun Yi considered supporting the proposal because it could constrain Cao Mao’s appointments while leaving assessments in the great clans’ hands.

Cao Mao accepted Zhong Hui’s proposal to reform official appointments and began planning a new Imperial Secretariat to replace the ministers who had coerced him. He then turned to breaking the Great Clans’ monopoly on knowledge through paper-making and printing, and set out to meet a talented worthy.

• Cao Mao approved Zhong Hui’s proposal for standardized assessments of officials and ordered Guo Zhang punished for disrespecting him.
• Zhuge Dan seized Xun Yi and dragged him away to help investigate the burning of the Grand Granary.
• Cao Mao discussed replacing the current ministers with Zhong Hui, naming candidates for leadership of the Imperial Secretariat and its six ministries.
• Cao Mao asked Zhong Hui for ideas to continue Emperor Wen’s cultural and educational reforms, but Zhong Hui admitted he had no solution yet.
• Cao Mao planned to promote paper-making and printing as ways to spread books beyond the Great Clans, then ordered Zhang Hua to prepare his carriage for a meeting with a talented worthy.

Cao Mao visited the inventor Ma Jun in disguise and urged him to help the court spread useful technologies. Ma Jun discovered afterward that his guest was the emperor, while Cao Mao ordered him protected and saw him as vital to restoring Wei.

• Cao Mao traveled to Ma Jun’s home with Zhang Hua and introduced himself as a descendant of Cao Xi.
• Cao Mao showed Ma Jun designs for the New Plow and argued that inventions such as improved looms and repeating crossbows could benefit the realm.
• Ma Jun examined Cao Mao’s designs, explained ways to reduce paper costs, and enthusiastically showed him his workshop and unfinished inventions.
• Cao Mao invited Ma Jun to a private banquet and left without revealing his identity, saying his name was Mao and he could be called Yanshi.
• Ma Jun’s servant told him that Mao had become a taboo name after the era-name change, and Ma Jun realized his visitor had been Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao told Zhang Hua he had concealed his identity to learn Ma Jun’s true character and ordered men to protect him, declaring that Wei’s restoration would depend on him.

After the ministers secured limits on the emperor’s power, Xun Yi refused to protect Guo Zhang from punishment. Cao Mao then celebrated Deng Ai’s victory over Jiang Wei and ordered Guo Zhang’s property confiscated to reward the returning troops, leaving the conflict with the ministers poised to escalate.

• Guo Zhang demanded Xun Yi’s protection, but Xun Yi blamed him for volunteering to lead the ministers’ gamble and sent him away with a promise to handle the matter.
• After Guo Zhang left, Xun Yi ordered his steward never to let him enter the residence again.
• Jiao Bo reported that Deng Ai had routed Jiang Wei and captured the Shu general Zhang Yi alive, and Cao Mao celebrated the victory.
• Cao Mao ordered the victory publicized and considered using the respite from Shu attacks to reform Wei’s administration and army.
• Cao Mao sent Old Eunuch Xu to confiscate Guo Zhang’s household and deliver him to the Minister of Justice, threatening severe punishment for anyone who obstructed the order or stole the property.

Guo Zhang expected his arrest by eunuchs to make him a celebrated martyr, but the realm focused instead on Deng Ai’s victory and the capture of a Shu general. As Guo Zhang continued to deny his offense and insult his questioners, Xun Yu gave up on helping him, while the ministers grew furious over the trouble he had caused.

• Old Eunuch Xu’s eunuchs raided the Guo Residence, beat Guo Zhang and his servants, and hauled the family away to be arrested.
• Chen Qian ordered Guo Zhang and his followers taken into custody, while Guo Zhang cursed him and assumed the scholars would rally to his defense.
• News that Deng Ai had captured Shu’s General Who Conquers the West overshadowed Guo Zhang’s arrest and brought widespread celebration and praise.
• Xun Yu questioned Guo Zhang about disrespecting His Majesty, but Guo Zhang denied wrongdoing and insulted him, prompting Xun Yu to abandon efforts to help him.
• Xun Yu told the Inner Chamber officials to sentence Guo Zhang for disrespecting His Majesty, while Cao Mao and the ministers handled the flood of victory memorials and complained about Guo Zhang.

Cao Mao welcomed the returning army and praised its commanders, but Deng Ai stayed in Yong Province instead of attending court. The reception ended with Zhang Yi, a captured Shu general, taken into custody after Cao Mao denounced Shu Han in front of him.

• Cao Mao and his ministers waited to welcome the victorious army, while Zhong Hui resented Deng Ai’s success and considered taking command of a campaign against Shu.
• Chen Tai arrived without Deng Ai and explained that Deng Ai had remained in Yong Province to reorganize the army and guard against Shu; Cao Mao publicly praised his loyalty and shifted attention to Chen Tai’s achievements.
• Cao Mao praised the returning commandants, learned that Sima Jun had captured Zhang Yi, and brought Sima Zhao forward to commend his younger brother.
• Cao Mao greeted Sima Wang and arranged for him to see his family, then examined Zhang Yi, who had been captured alive and gagged.
• Cao Mao condemned Shu Han’s ruler and ministers before ordering Zhang Yi taken away and held in custody.

At the victory banquet, Cao Mao rewarded Chen Tai and other officers, then used Zhong Hui’s proposal to recognize Ma Jun’s inventions and bring him back into imperial service. The banquet continued without Guo Zhang, who remained in his cell imagining that he would soon become one of the Three Excellencies.

• Cao Mao praised Chen Tai’s campaign service and privately invited him to remain in Luoyang as Senior Secretary, while Zhong Hui argued that Chen Tai and Deng Ai should also be punished for their actions.
• Zhong Hui prompted Cheng Cui to explain how Ma Jun’s improved weapons helped defeat the Shu army, then urged Cao Mao to reward Ma Jun.
• Cao Mao summoned Ma Jun to the banquet, promoted him, and had his contributions publicly recognized.
• Cao Mao planned to work with Ma Jun on further inventions as ministers gathered around the craftsman.
• Guo Zhang remained imprisoned, laughing as he imagined being appointed one of the Three Excellencies, while Xun Yu wondered if he had gone mad.

Zhong Hui and Xun Yi drafted standards for appointing and assessing officials while Cao Mao used the work to wear Xun Yi down and make room for Chen Tai in the Imperial Secretariat. Zhong Hui urged Cao Mao to launch a realm-wide investigation of local officials, and Cao Mao considered who should lead it.

• Zhong Hui presented Xun Yi with detailed rules for official promotion, appointment, and dismissal, and they argued over provisions for nearly eight hours.
• After Zhong Hui left, an envoy from the Grand Commandant arrived to ask Xun Yi about the Grand Granary, leaving him overwhelmed by his workload.
• Zhong Hui told Cao Mao that their Wear-the-Old-Man-Down Tactic was exhausting Xun Yi so he would seek Chen Tai's help as Right Senior Secretary.
• Zhong Hui urged Cao Mao to investigate local officials and remove corrupt or unfit men, criticizing an earlier inspection led by Xun Xu for failing to dismiss anyone.
• Zhong Hui proposed that Mouqiu Dian lead a new investigation, with Wei Shu, Man Changwu, Cui Zan's son, and two young men of the Xun Family assisting.