Recaps

Cao Mao launched a realm-wide investigation into local officials, prompting the Censorate and palace envoys to depart Luoyang. He then proposed mobilizing the Four Conquering and Four Stabilizing Generals to protect the investigation, and Mouqiu Dian agreed.

• Mouqiu Dian urged Zheng Chong and the Censorate to support Cao Mao’s campaign and punish any censors who obstructed it.
• Palace officials and Censorate envoys left Luoyang to investigate the provinces as great clans sent riders to warn their people.
• Cao Mao told Mouqiu Dian that entrenched clan connections would impede the investigation, but that the effort could still protect commoners.
• Cao Mao proposed ordering the Four Conquering and Four Stabilizing Generals to help inspectors and envoys discipline local officials and execute traitors.
• Mouqiu Dian initially worried that mobilizing the generals would cause unrest, then supported the plan and offered to serve as its vanguard.
• Cao Mao revealed that the General of the Guards was already writing a memorial to request the generals’ cooperation.

Sima Fu urged Sima Wang to serve Cao Mao rather than seek revenge, then revealed his lingering regret over failing to see Sima Ziyuan before his death. In the Inner Palace, Sima Yue advised Zheng Xian to win the Empress Dowager’s favor, while hinting that she kept herself from seeking greater influence.

• Sima Wang reunited with Sima Fu and regretted returning too late to spare his father punishment.
• Sima Fu told Sima Wang to follow Du Yuan Kai’s example, accept Cao Mao’s rule, and serve the emperor instead of becoming like Xiahou Ba.
• Sima Fu said he could accept his punishment but regretted failing to see Sima Ziyuan before he died.
• Sima Yue advised Zheng Xian to earn Cao Mao’s favor by helping him manage the Inner Palace and gaining the Empress Dowager’s affection.
• Sima Yue explained how to approach the Empress Dowager, then answered Zheng Xian’s question about her own restraint by saying too much ambition turned people into beasts.

Xun Xu established the Preparedness Office with a small group of ambitious young scholars, while Cao Mao arranged an East Hall Banquet to raise Ma Jun’s reputation and promote craftsmanship. The chapter ended with Zhuge Dan and Xun Yi arriving before Cao Mao in a heated dispute over Xun Yi’s duties.

• Xun Xu explained why he had chosen a humble, spacious residence for the Preparedness Office and inspired his young recruits with its mission.
• Xun Xu turned away clan visitors seeking appointments by explaining that the office oversaw disaster prevention rather than controlling grain distribution.
• Cao Mao encouraged Ma Jun to present his moving puppets at the East Hall Banquet so celebrated scholars would help make him famous.
• Du Yu arrived, recognized Cao Mao’s plan to promote Ma Jun, and agreed to support him at the banquet.
• Zhuge Dan brought an exasperated Xun Yi before Cao Mao, accusing the Grand Commandant of demanding that Xun Yi handle granaries and military corruption.

Cao Mao managed court appointments while postponing military reform, then hosted a banquet where Ma Jun’s water-powered puppets won the celebrated scholars’ acclaim. The lively gathering ended with Du Yu quietly remembering the ancients.

• Cao Mao urged Xun Yi to choose a deputy, and Xun Yi recommended Chen Tai for the Imperial Secretariat.
• Cao Mao told Zhuge Dan that he would address military discipline only after reforming official administration, then persuaded him to stay for the banquet.
• Du Yu and Ma Jun became acquainted, and Ji Kang apologized to Cao Mao for misjudging Lü Xun.
• Cao Mao hosted the celebrated scholars and had Ma Jun demonstrate dozens of water-powered puppets, astonishing the guests.
• Cao Mao promoted Ma Jun’s inventions through praise and poetry, while Ji Kang’s music brought the banquet to its height.
• Cao Mao asked Du Yu why he seemed glum, and Du Yu said he was remembering the ancients.

Zheng Xiaotong arrived in Fengqiu on imperial orders to investigate local officials and found County Magistrate Guo and other officials intoxicated on Stone Powder. After Guo’s behavior exposed the county’s corruption, Zheng Xiaotong recognized that such officials were still considered relatively good under Yanzhou’s prevailing standards.

• County Deputy rushed to County Magistrate Guo and forcibly sobered him after warning that Zheng Xiaotong was approaching with the imperial tally.
• County Magistrate Guo prepared to welcome Zheng Xiaotong as his grandfather’s old family friend, but Zheng Xiaotong rebuked him for addressing him as “Second Father.”
• Zheng Xiaotong questioned commoners who had been knocked down by officials galloping through town, then declared that he had come to investigate injustice and official conduct.
• Zheng Xiaotong inspected Fengqiu’s records while County Magistrate Guo grew disoriented again and ran off tearing at his clothes.
• County Deputy defended the officials as practitioners of refined pursuits, and Zheng Xiaotong sorrowfully recognized that they were still regarded as good by Yanzhou’s standards.

Hu Zun and Shi Bao argued over the emperor’s intentions, and Shi Bao persuaded Hu Zun that he might be destined to become Grand General. Hu Zun sent his son Hu Fen to Luoyang to pledge loyalty, but when an imperial edict ordered the generals to cooperate with an Attendant, Hu Zun took it as another test from the emperor.

• Hu Zun asked Shi Bao whether he had received an imperial edict and complained that the emperor had overlooked him while recalling or replacing other generals.
• Shi Bao told Hu Zun that the emperor’s failure to interfere in the east showed trust and might mean he intended to appoint Hu Zun Grand General.
• Shi Bao offered to travel to Luoyang on Hu Zun’s behalf, and Hu Zun agreed to send him to pay respects to the emperor.
• After Shi Bao left, Hu Zun accused him of using their meeting to advance his own career and ordered Hu Fen to go to Luoyang to express the family’s loyalty.
• A swift rider brought an edict requiring the Four Conquering and Four Stabilizing Generals to cooperate with an Attendant, and Hu Zun interpreted it as a test of his obedience.

Cao Mao welcomed Chen Tai to the Imperial Secretariat and privately discussed replacing corrupt officials, while Chen Tai warned him about the growing Hu presence on the frontier. After Cao Mao showed Chen Tai his trust, He Zeng met Yuan Liang and secretly considered how the emperor was preparing to bring him down.

• Cao Mao visited the Imperial Secretariat to welcome Chen Tai as Right Senior Secretary and praised the officials there.
• Cao Mao privately told Chen Tai that the secretariat was full of corrupt men and planned to replace Yuan Liang with Wei Shu.
• Chen Tai warned Cao Mao that Hu influence was growing in Yongliang, Bing, and You, and urged the court to address the frontier situation.
• Cao Mao trusted Chen Tai to handle the matter according to his judgment, and Chen Tai thanked him for his confidence.
• He Zeng visited Yuan Liang, who mistook Cao Mao's attention for a sign of promotion, while He Zeng knew the emperor was gathering evidence against him.

After Jiang Wei’s disastrous campaign, Liu Shan considered punishing him, but Chen Zhi and Huang Hao helped secure his pardon. Jiang Wei warned that Shu Han faced ruin if it did not act, and proposed approaching Wu Kingdom’s Grand General about another campaign.

• Liu Shan angrily confronted Jiang Wei over the defeat and Zhang Yi’s capture, while Huang Hao hoped to use the moment to strip Jiang Wei of power.
• Chen Zhi defended Jiang Wei, explained that Zhang Yi had volunteered to cover the retreat, and urged Liu Shan to weigh Jiang Wei’s losses against his past achievements.
• Huang Hao supported Chen Zhi’s proposal to investigate Jiang Wei’s case, and Liu Shan pardoned Jiang Wei while ordering him not to fail again.
• After leaving the hall, Jiang Wei bitterly said that being spared through Huang Hao’s influence was humiliating, while Chen Zhi explained through his silence that he had to court the eunuch circle to influence Liu Shan.
• Jiang Wei described the Cao army’s improved strength and coordination, warned that Shu Han might not survive three years, and suggested sending another envoy to discuss a campaign with Wu Kingdom’s Grand General.

Cao Mao reviewed reports of provincial corruption and realized that a shortage of capable replacements made sweeping dismissals impossible. He resolved to reform the Zhongzheng System with examinations and enforce change more forcefully, leaving Zheng Mao to understand the emperor’s determination.

• Cao Mao grew furious over reports of corrupt and incompetent officials, but Zhang Hua warned that dismissing County Magistrate Guo of Fengqiu could leave the county with an even worse successor.
• Cao Mao ordered Guo’s salary docked and directed him to resume neglected duties, then concluded that inspections had exposed problems and could gradually improve officials’ conduct.
• Cao Mao sorted the reports into piles for execution, dismissal, admonition, and promotion, then repeatedly rearranged them until the piles were more even.
• Cao Mao told Zheng Mao that the Zhongzheng System needed examinations to assess officials’ learning and ability, and Zheng Mao supported the proposal.
• Cao Mao rejected the idea of yielding to the great clans and declared that he would impose the examinations and use harsher measures to address the realm’s deep administrative corruption.

Wang Chang and Wang Ji traveled to Luoyang, observing that the emperor’s inspection policies had begun improving local administration. After deciding to support Cao Mao, Wang Chang arrived at court and considered raising his long-standing proposals for reform, while Cao Mao focused on Wang Ji’s military ability.

• Wang Chang and Wang Ji saw local officials fulfilling their duties more diligently and discussed whether Wang Chang should align himself with Cao Mao or the ministers.
• Wang Ji asked Wang Chang to compare Cao Mao with the Grand General, and Wang Chang concluded that he should choose Cao Mao’s side.
• Wang Chang reflected on his five proposals for improving governance and resolved to raise them with Cao Mao despite doubts that the ministers would support them.
• Wang Chang and Wang Ji reached Luoyang, where Cao Mao welcomed Wang Chang and asked after his health.
• Cao Mao studied Wang Chang’s political loyalties and recognized Wang Ji as a formidable strategist who could defend Great Wei against Wu.

Cao Mao tested Wang Chang’s views on unification, then recognized that Wang Chang shared his plans to reform the officials and govern Wei. The chapter ended with Cao Mao summoning senior ministers to begin turning Wang Chang’s seven policies into concrete reforms.

• At a banquet in the East Hall, Wang Ji warned Cao Mao not to underestimate Sun Jun of Wu.
• Cao Mao questioned Wang Chang about unification, and Wang Chang endorsed gradual pressure on Shu and preparation against Wu while prioritizing internal reform.
• Wang Chang presented seven policies for governing the realm, including restrictions on officials’ conduct and standardized local administration.
• Cao Mao apologized for neglecting Wang Chang and declared that their shared aims could begin Wei’s resurgence.
• Cao Mao summoned Zhuge, Wang, Zheng, Chen, Zhong, Zheng, and Xiahou to discuss implementing Wang Chang’s policies immediately.

Cao Mao convened the ministers to turn Wang Chang’s seven policies into a program of governance, and the court worked together to develop plans for education, examinations, and local administration. After declaring that implementation would begin the next day, Cao Mao told Zhong Hui he would use his military authority to overcome resistance and rule as a decisive emperor.

• Cao Mao summoned the senior ministers and asked Wang Chang to explain his policies, then announced that he wanted to implement them rather than reward Wang Chang immediately.
• Zhong Hui proposed establishing schools throughout Great Wei and using examinations to select officials and clerks.
• Zhuge Dan suggested assessing retired veterans for local clerk positions, while Wang Su recommended tailoring examinations to different ranks and posts.
• The ministers exchanged proposals for hours, and Zheng Chong suggested compiling a governance manual and publicly praising or criticizing officials to set standards.
• Cao Mao praised the ministers’ cooperation, declared that the work of governing Great Wei would begin the next day, and told Zhong Hui that he would use his control of the armies to deal with anyone who resisted.

Guo Ze’s reputation grew as Liu Lu built support among the mountain chiefs and helped organize the displaced people. After receiving Cao Mao’s secret orders, Liu Lu prepared to clear out the emperor’s designated enemies and considered recruiting Wang Yuan to help.

• Liu Lu spread tales that Guo Ze had driven Sima Zhao’s army away, boosting Guo Ze’s prestige and his own standing among the mountain chiefs.
• Guo Ze issued orders to clear land, register households, and organize the people, then left Liu Lu to address the gathered chiefs.
• Wang Yuan tried to undermine Liu Lu by emphasizing seniority, but Liu Lu argued that ability and service mattered more than arrival order.
• Liu Lu warned the chiefs that Sima Zhao would attack again, then went to Guo Ze with a letter from Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao’s secret orders called for Liu Lu to organize river bandits and clear designated weeds, and Liu Lu decided to consider bringing Wang Yuan into the effort.

Xun Yi feared the emperor was sidelining the ministers and summoned them to discuss the eunuchs’ influence. He then visited the confined Wang Xiang, who urged him to trust the emperor, leaving Xun Yi’s plans unresolved.

• Xun Yi learned that the emperor had met with senior ministers without inviting him and ordered other ministers to gather at his residence.
• Xun Yi warned the assembled ministers that eunuchs were responsible for the realm’s unrest, and they joined him in condemning them.
• After the ministers left, Xun Yi went to Wang Xiang’s residence, where the emperor had confined him under watch.
• Xun Yi told Wang Xiang about the eunuchs’ growing influence and sought his help in countering them.
• Wang Xiang said the eunuchs’ crimes were well known but insisted that the emperor was perceptive and would not disappoint men of aspiration.

Xun Yi met Guo Pei, who urged him to oppose the emperor more openly and offered a plan to free Wang Xiang. Xun Yi gained confidence and began arranging the plan, while Guo Pei warned him to keep their preparations secret.

• Xun Yi left Wang Xiang’s residence, worried about how to secure Wang Xiang’s freedom and restore his influence.
• Guo Pei visited Xun Yi, criticized his reluctance to challenge the emperor, and argued that the ruler should be deposed for lacking virtue.
• Xun Yi described the emperor’s growing power and achievements, leaving Guo Pei astonished at his praise.
• Guo Pei advised Xun Yi to have Wang Xiang write a remorseful account so the emperor could acknowledge Gao Rou’s crimes and end Wang Xiang’s confinement.
• Guo Pei urged Xun Yi to investigate Wang Su’s misconduct and keep the plot restricted to reliable clansmen; Xun Yi agreed and took heart from the advice.

Cao Mao raised the Central and Border Armies’ provisions and benefits while tightening military discipline, winning the soldiers’ cheers. Zhuge Dan publicly claimed credit for the reforms, and Cao Mao later ordered Wang Xiang kept under watch as Xun Yi gathered support among ministers.

• Cao Mao announced increased grain allowances and new protections and benefits for soldiers, prompting the Central Army to acclaim him.
• Zhuge Dan declared that he would punish abuses in the army, drawing cheers that unsettled Xiahou Xian, Wen Yang, and other generals.
• After returning to Taiji Hall, Cao Mao defended Zhuge Dan’s contribution to the reforms and told Cheng Ji not to speak of killing him.
• Zhang Hua warned Cao Mao that Zhuge Dan’s conduct had undermined imperial dignity, then reported Wang Xiang’s confession and Xun Yi’s growing ties with ministers.
• Cao Mao ordered Zhang Hua to keep Wang Xiang confined and watched, and said Wang should die of illness if the confession sparked a political attack.

Cheng Ji foiled an attempt to rescue Wang Xiang, and Cao Mao confronted his former teacher about their competing visions for governing the realm. Wang Xiang refused to abandon his belief in rule by capable ministers and clans, while Cao Mao argued that powerful clans had brought ruin to the people.

• Cheng Ji's guards ambushed and captured the death warriors who attacked Wang Xiang's residence, then escorted Wang Xiang to the palace.
• Zhong Hui explained to Cao Mao that the failed rescue attempt had followed from the ministers' campaign to save Wang Xiang, and Cao Mao praised his foresight.
• Cao Mao questioned whether Wang Xiang still believed his preferred political order would improve the realm and offered him a chance to help suppress the great clans.
• Wang Xiang refused, arguing that capable ministers and clans could preserve stability even when emperors were incompetent.
• Cao Mao countered that powerful clans had seized authority, abandoned the people to disaster, and repeatedly worsened the realm's suffering.

Cao Mao bid farewell to Wang Xiang, who left Taiji Hall and died after an assassination, while Cao Mao and Zhang Hua used the killing to reshape the court. Xun Yi blamed Guo Pei for the plot and was allowed to leave, as Cao Mao planned Wang Xiang’s appointment and further changes to government posts.

• Cao Mao challenged Wang Xiang’s defense of the established court, thanked him for what he had learned, and said farewell as Wang Xiang departed Taiji Hall.
• A servant told Xun Yi that Wang Xiang had been killed by death warriors, and Xun Yi rushed to the palace to report that Guo Pei had planned the assassination.
• Cao Mao accused Xun Yi of complicity, but Xun Yi blamed Guo Pei and Zhang Hua persuaded Cao Mao to let him leave.
• Cao Mao and Zhang Hua agreed to appoint Wang Xiang Director of the Secretariat and use the assassination to pressure the ministers.
• Cao Mao planned to replace Yuan Liang and Zheng Chong, establish a Ministry of Justice under Zhong Hui, and return Chen Qian to military service.

Wang Chang reported progress on Cao Mao’s seven strategies of governance and accepted appointment as Grand Tutor and Director of the Secretariat. Empress Dowager Guo then visited Cao Mao with Zheng Xian, and their performance left Cao Mao recognizing how effectively they had worked together to steady her.

• Wang Chang reported that Zheng Chong and the other ministers had revised the laws and that work on the remaining strategies was advancing.
• Cao Mao appointed Wang Chang Grand Tutor and Director of the Secretariat, and Wang Chang pledged to serve him faithfully.
• Empress Dowager Guo visited Cao Mao with Zheng Xian and handed him a letter criticizing the ministers who were making matters difficult for him.
• Cao Mao scolded Zheng Xian for worrying Empress Dowager Guo, but she defended Zheng Xian and offered Cao Mao her support.
• Cao Mao realized Zheng Xian had helped Empress Dowager Guo feel needed by sharing his troubles, and he silently praised their teamwork.

Liu Lu revealed to Wang Yuan that he was the emperor’s envoy and urged him to help attack bandits and the great clans. Wang Yuan accepted the opportunity and prepared his followers to make the clans bleed.

• Wang Yuan’s trusted aides plotted to poison Yang Zongfu, but Wang Yuan ordered them to leave when Liu Lu arrived alone to see him.
• Liu Lu told Wang Yuan that his real name was Liu Lu and that the emperor had sent him to the mountains.
• Liu Lu praised Wang Yuan’s loyalty and proposed forming the Water Bandit Organization to campaign against bandits and strike at the great clans.
• Wang Yuan asked whether Guo Ze knew of the plan and whether Liu Lu had an imperial edict, then listened as Liu Lu shared details meant to confirm his imperial ties.
• After Liu Lu left, Wang Yuan told his trusted aides that the emperor would entrust them with important duties and urged them to prepare to make the great clans bleed.

Cao Mao visited the Imperial Academy with Sima Yan to assess its declining scholarly life and consider how to revive it. There, he encountered the deaf scholar Huangfu Mi, whose identity left him stunned.

• Guo Pei defiantly denied ordering Wang Xiang's assassination, and Cao Mao sent him to the Minister of Justice while directing Zhang Hua to investigate his arrangements.
• Sima Yan told Cao Mao about his visits to the Imperial Academy and complained that the rewards he had given diligent students were too small.
• Cao Mao and Sima Yan entered the Imperial Academy in disguise, where Cao Mao saw how few students studied and resolved to make the academy more lively.
• A man accidentally collided with Cao Mao, and the guards pinned him down before learning he was deaf and had not intended an offense.
• The man identified himself as Huangfu Mi, and Cao Mao was startled by the scholar's identity.

Cao Mao met the ailing scholar Huangfu Mi, granted him access to the Imperial Palace’s medical books, and ordered Sima Yan to protect and assist him. Meanwhile, Guo Pei dismissed his nephew’s hopes of rescue and remained confident in his own position as Cao Mao received Cao Yu and the indignant Cao Yan.

• Cao Mao learned that Huangfu Mi had come to borrow books, revealed himself as the Son of Heaven, and gave him permission to consult the Imperial Palace’s collection.
• Cao Mao praised Huangfu Mi’s determination, instructed Sima Yan to help him and prevent anyone from bullying him, then left for the Imperial Palace.
• In prison, Guo Pei told Guo Zhang that the ministers would not rescue him and privately convinced himself that his own clan ties and lack of evidence would protect him.
• Zhang Hua’s investigation found little evidence that Guo Pei had hidden support, leaving him to wonder whether Guo Pei was simply overconfident.
• Cao Mao received Cao Yu and former Central Army commander Cao Yan in the Western Hall, where Cao Yan appeared arrogant and indignant.

Cao Mao questioned Cao Yu and Cao Yan about Wang Xiang’s stabbing, warned them against associating with treacherous officials, and sent them away. Cao Yan later boasted that he had rejected command of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, then went to confront Wen Yang and found him fighting a group of men in the camp.

• Cao Yu told Cao Mao that he had attended a banquet with Xun Yi and others but had stayed silent when they discussed Wang Xiang.
• Cao Mao urged Cao Yu to bring troubling matters directly to him and rebuked Cao Yan for his hostility and past dealings with the Sima Family.
• Cao Mao warned Cao Yan to avoid treacherous scoundrels, and Cao Yan left the palace with Cao Yu.
• Cao Yan told his aides that Cao Mao had offered him the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry but that he had turned it down.
• Cao Yan’s aides criticized Wen Yang and Wen Qin, prompting Cao Yan to head to the cavalry camp to teach Wen Yang a lesson.
• Cao Yan entered the drill ground and saw Wen Yang repeatedly rise and knock down the men grappling with him.

Wen Yang impressed Cao Yan enough to abandon his plan to take over the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, while Yang Hu struggled to send the Imperial Clan members in Hebei back to their fiefs despite their terror of the emperor. Cao Mao heard of the princes’ resistance, praised Yang Hu’s efforts to restore Hebei, and ordered Guo Pei disposed of without implicating Pei Xiu.

• Wen Yang dragged Cao Yan through the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry camp and showed him the troops’ training and battle record, convincing Cao Yan to give up taking command of them.
• Yang Hu tried to reassure the Imperial Clan members in Hebei that Cao Mao would treat them well, but Cao Ti and the others feared being sent back to their fiefs.
• Yang Hu forcibly escorted the princes from Hebei, while they wept and feared the emperor’s intentions.
• Yang Hu began restoring order in Hebei by inspecting officials, dismissing many, and recommending capable scholars to the court.
• Cao Mao learned that the Imperial Clan members still distrusted him, praised Yang Hu’s recommendations, and ordered Guo Pei disposed of while protecting Pei Xiu from implication.

Cao Mao encouraged Ma Jun to develop printing and shared scientific ideas with him, then visited Zheng Chong and Wang Chang as they worked on a practical guide for officials. After Zhang Hua reported that Shi Bao and Hu Fen were approaching Sili, Cao Mao ordered them welcomed normally and reflected on the risks of relying on newly recruited talent while preparing for unification.

• Ma Jun demonstrated printing to Cao Mao and asked for ten days to improve the process, while Cao Mao outlined ideas about movable type and other sources of power.
• After Cao Mao left, Ma Jun recognized gravity from the emperor’s explanation and ordered his retainer to find a water vat.
• Cao Mao visited Zheng Chong and Wang Chang, praising their work on a practical governance manual for officials.
• Zhang Hua informed Cao Mao that Shi Bao and Hu Fen were approaching Sili, and Cao Mao told him to welcome them with the usual courtesies.
• Cao Mao considered how quickly he had entrusted former members of the Sima Family’s legacy with important duties and concluded that the Great Clans remained a threat to Great Wei.