Recaps

Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu after learning of Yan Yu’s defeat and resolved to strike Wei before Cao Mao’s reforms made it too strong. Chen Zhi warned that Shu could not afford another campaign and revealed that he was gravely ill.

• Jiang Wei read the delayed imperial edict in Hanzhong and learned that Yan Yu had been defeated in Jingzhou, while Wei’s military reforms and growing strength alarmed him.
• Jiang Wei decided Shu had to attack Yongliang soon, then left Hanzhong for Chengdu and took the eunuch who delivered the edict into custody.
• Liu Shan welcomed Jiang Wei and asked about joining Wu against Wang Ji, but Chen Zhi argued that Wang Ji was unlikely to attack and Shu could support Wu without sending troops.
• After leaving the palace, Jiang Wei urged Chen Zhi to approve a campaign and argued that Shu could fund it by confiscating the wealth of corrupt officials such as Huang Hao.
• Chen Zhi told Jiang Wei that Shu had no grain or money for war and disclosed that he was dying despite the physicians’ treatment.

Chen Zhi and Jiang Wei proposed assassinating Cao Mao as a way to disrupt Cao Wei without launching a costly northern expedition. Zhuge Zhan doubted the plan, while Chen Zhi entrusted him with supporting Jiang Wei if anything happened to him.

• Chen Zhi summoned the generals and argued that Shu Han needed to undermine Cao Wei, but the generals worried that the state lacked the provisions and funds for another expedition.
• After dismissing the generals, Chen Zhi asked Zhuge Zhan’s opinion, and Zhuge Zhan said a northern expedition was ill-timed because the treasury was depleted and talk of embezzled provisions would unsettle the army.
• Chen Zhi and Jiang Wei revealed that they did not actually intend to send troops and explained that they planned to exploit Cao Mao’s willingness to receive defectors by sending someone to assassinate him.
• Zhuge Zhan objected that a surrendered general would not be able to reach or kill Cao Mao, but Chen Zhi argued that even a failed attempt could discourage further defections to Cao Wei.
• Chen Zhi told Zhuge Zhan that he had been unwell and asked him to support Jiang Wei before Liu Shan if Chen Zhi died.

Chen Zhi and Jiang Wei chose Luo Xian for a mission to infiltrate Wei and assassinate Cao Mao, while Cao Mao continued receiving defectors from Wu. The chapter ended with Cao Mao learning that Luo Xian had surrendered to Wei.

• Chen Zhi proposed Fu Qian for the assassination mission, but Jiang Wei refused because he wanted to appoint him Hanzhong Inspector.
• Chen Zhi suggested Luo Xian, and Jiang Wei agreed to ask him to feign surrender and kill Cao Mao if he accepted.
• Chen Zhi told Luo Xian that his nephew would be cared for, while Jiang Wei warned that refusal meant he would have to leave the imperial court; Luo Xian rose without answering.
• Cao Mao reviewed reports about generals defecting from Wu and discussed the upcoming examinations with Guo Ze.
• Jiao Bo told Cao Mao that General Wang had sent a letter reporting that the Shu general Luo Xian had surrendered.

Cao Mao questioned the circumstances behind Luo Xian’s flight from Shu and ordered Wang Ji to escort him to Luoyang. Meanwhile, Zhang Hua trained Liu Lu and Wang Yuan to rebuild the School Affairs Office, then the ministers gathered to welcome Zheng Chong after He Zeng released him.

• Cao Mao read Wang Ji’s memorial about Luo Xian fleeing Shu after Huang Hao targeted him, ordered Wang Ji to escort Luo Xian to Luoyang, and sent word to Maoxian.
• Zhang Hua instructed Liu Lu and Wang Yuan to establish local School Affairs Offices and place covert agents near officials and great clans to gather firsthand evidence.
• Zhang Hua received Cao Mao’s command, wrote a reply, and continued directing Liu Lu and Wang Yuan’s work.
• Zhang Hua reorganized the Luoyang School Affairs Office, assigned Liu Lu to open surveillance and Wang Yuan to secret surveillance, and listed Xun Yi and He Zeng for scrutiny.
• The ministers gathered at the Censorate to welcome Zheng Chong, whom He Zeng had released after repeatedly arresting him as an alleged conspirator.
• Zheng Chong returned the ministers’ bows without showing pleasure, and the gathering dispersed when Zhang Hua arrived.

Zhang Hua secured Zheng Chong’s residence as a training ground and route for spreading secret agents, then joined Cao Mao to discuss Pei Xiu’s Southern Xiongnu proposals and Luo Xian’s suspicious surrender. Cao Mao agreed to treat Luo Xian generously while keeping him under close watch rather than entrusting him with important duties or killing him.

• Zhang Hua escorted Zheng Chong home, reassured him that he was safe in Luoyang, and arranged for Ministry of Personnel staff to look after him.
• Zhang Hua explained to Liu Lu and Wang Yuan that Zheng Chong’s residence would train secret agents and help place them in leading ministers’ households through letters of recommendation.
• Pei Xiu presented a radical plan to assimilate and disperse the Southern Xiongnu, and Cao Mao rejected its most extreme measures as likely to provoke rebellion.
• Zhang Hua told Cao Mao he suspected Luo Xian had feigned surrender to assassinate Minister Zhong, possibly at Shu’s behest.
• Zhang Hua advised Cao Mao to treat Luo Xian generously, monitor him closely, and withhold important duties; Cao Mao agreed that surrendered generals should not be killed without proof.

Luo Xian traveled through Wei on his way to Luoyang, where he was expected to assassinate the emperor, and saw how its farmland, markets, and administration differed from the Shu Kingdom. He began to understand why Wei had gained the advantage, though his mission remained ahead.

• Luo Xian agreed to Jiang Wei and Chen Zhi's demand, staged an escape, and surrendered to Wang Ji so he could be escorted to Luoyang.
• As Luo Xian traveled toward Xiangyang, Wang Qiao described Wei's public-field leases and argued that its farmers were thriving.
• Luo Xian saw cheerful farmers working the fields and reflected on how exhausted and hungry people in Shu Commandery had become.
• Wang Qiao boasted about Wei's frugal emperor, recruitment examinations, and enforcement of laws as the party continued toward Luoyang.
• After observing Wei's prosperous markets and efficient officials, Luo Xian concluded that Wei was recovering while Shu and Wu were declining.

Luo Xian arrived in Luoyang and met Cao Mao, intending to assassinate him but finding no chance to obtain a weapon. Cao Mao praised Luo Xian’s abilities and described his plans for the realm, leaving Luo Xian unsettled; Luo Xian feigned allegiance and agreed to serve him.

• Luo Xian entered bustling Luoyang and considered Jiang Wei’s advice to wait for a chance to assassinate Cao Mao while armed.
• Palace guards searched Luo Xian and Wang Qiao before Cheng Ji escorted them to the Western Hall.
• Cao Mao praised Wang Qiao’s family and promised honors for Wang Zhennan’s father and advancement for Wang Qiao’s father.
• Luo Xian searched the Western Hall for a weapon but found none, while Cao Mao questioned his loyalty to Shu and recognized his military abilities.
• Cao Mao described his plans to reform Wei, unify the realm, and bring peace, making Luo Xian question his mission.
• Luo Xian decided to feign allegiance until he could find another chance to assassinate Cao Mao, then agreed to assist him.

Cao Mao questioned Luo Xian about Shu and learned that Chen Zhi’s illness could destabilize Shu’s court, while Zhang Hua warned that Luo Xian had meant to assassinate the emperor. Wang Su tried to calm Zhuge Dan and other ministers frustrated by their loss of authority, then received an unexpected visit from Sima Gan.

• Cao Mao questioned Luo Xian about Chen Zhi and Shu’s court, and Luo Xian answered while realizing the emperor was assessing Shu’s weaknesses.
• Cao Mao sent Luo Xian to rest, heard Wang Qiao report on affairs in Jiangbei, and then learned from Zhang Hua that Luo Xian had been watching for a chance to attack him.
• Cao Mao dismissed the assassination threat and maintained his regular routine of eating and sleeping to preserve his health.
• Wang Su and Zhuge Dan discussed how the Imperial Secretariat had sidelined the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers, and Wang Su urged Zhuge Dan to show his usefulness to Cao Mao.
• After Zhuge Dan left, Wang Su resolved to manage the court’s discontent and seek Cao Mao’s help, but Sima Gan arrived unexpectedly.

Sima Gan sought Wang Su’s help in freeing Sima Zhao, but Wang Su warned him that the court served Cao Mao and drove him away. Wang Su then reported the visit to Cao Mao and realized Sima Gan had been used as bait.

• Sima Gan confronted Wang Su and demanded to know why he would not help free his elder brother, Sima Zhao.
• Wang Su explained that the court’s officials served Cao Mao, reminded Sima Gan that Sima Zhao had been pardoned after his failed attack on Luoyang, and warned him to stop stirring up trouble.
• Wang Su ordered servants to drive Sima Gan out, then hurried to Taiji Hall to discuss the matter with Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao finished sword practice with the Armored Guards and invited Wang Su to spar, but Wang Su declined and reported Sima Gan’s visit.
• Cao Mao guessed that Sima Gan had asked Wang Su to rescue Sima Zhao, and Wang Su realized Sima Gan had been bait.

Cao Mao tested his control over the court, rewarded Wang Su by appointing Wang Xun governor of Jiangling, and approved Zhong Hui’s proposal to assess Luo Xian before employing him. Luo Xian concealed his plan to assassinate Cao Mao and accepted the prospect of joining the Ministry of War, hoping it would bring him closer to the emperor.

• Cao Mao praised Wang Su for managing the ministers and told him the Three Excellencies and Nine Ministers would remain without authority over government affairs.
• Cao Mao offered Wang Xun the governorship of Jiangling, and Wang Su gratefully accepted the appointment for his son.
• Cao Mao concluded that the Sima Family no longer controlled the court after his test involving Sima Gan.
• Zhong Hui warned Cao Mao that Luo Xian might be a spy, and Cao Mao proposed placing him in the Ministry of War to learn Shu’s military methods.
• Zhong Hui visited Luo Xian, questioned his motives for surrendering without his family, and told him Cao Mao wanted him in the Ministry of War.
• Luo Xian dropped his immediate plan to kill Zhong Hui and decided to accept the post so he could seek an opportunity to assassinate Cao Mao.

Cao Mao teases three boys in the palace, then asks Empress Dowager Guo to help rehabilitate Xiahou Xuan and condemn Sima Shi for his past actions. Empress Dowager Guo eagerly agrees, leaving Cao Mao poised to revisit the political purges that shaped Wei.

• Cao Mao catches Guo Ping, Cao Qi, and Sima You after a football nearly hits him, teases them about their punishment, and sends them back to study.
• Cao Mao tells Sima Yue that the boys have potential and suggests military treatises for Guo Ping, while allowing them time to play.
• Cao Mao meets Guo Zhi and Guo Jian at Zhaoyang Hall, where Empress Dowager Guo praises their service.
• Cao Mao reminds Empress Dowager Guo that she deposed the King of Qi and raised him to the throne, then asks her to help rehabilitate Xiahou Xuan and those executed in the purge.
• Cao Mao condemns Sima Shi for overstepping his authority and argues that the executions were unjust; Empress Dowager Guo enthusiastically agrees that the matter should have been addressed long ago.

Cao Mao arranged to clear Xiahou Xuan and other ministers’ names while condemning Sima Shi’s abuses. He then forced Sima Zhao to seal a memorial concerning Sima Shi’s crimes, leaving Sima Zhao powerless before Cao Mao’s demand that they discuss the reckoning.

• Cao Mao told Empress Dowager Guo to issue an edict explaining Xiahou Xuan’s case and ordered Guo Zhi and Guo Jian to help clear the ministers’ names and release arrested scholars.
• Cao Mao told Guo Ze that Sima Shi’s remaining followers would not dare oppose him, then considered explaining the matter to Sima Yue.
• Cao Mao summoned Sima Zhao and asked whether he had submitted a memorial seeking leniency for Xiahou Xuan.
• When Sima Zhao challenged Cao Mao and invoked his family’s past service, Cheng Ji and the guards seized him and forced him to seal a memorial.
• Cao Mao threatened Sima Zhao with punishment for the Sima family’s crimes, then said they would discuss clearing Xiahou Xuan’s name and pursuing Sima Shi’s wrongs.

Cao Mao went to Shiqian Hall to tell Sima Yue that he intended to hold the Grand General accountable, but the two spent the night together before he could raise the matter. Meanwhile, Cao Mao’s campaign to clear Xiahou Xuan and the others’ names culminated in Sima Zhao acknowledging Sima Shi’s crimes.

• Cao Mao visited Sima Yue at Shiqian Hall, where she prepared for his arrival and they spent the night together.
• The next morning, Cao Mao warned Sima Yue not to heed anyone trying to divide them over the investigation into the Grand General.
• Cao Mao ordered the Censorate to investigate Xiahou Xuan and the others’ cases and clear their names, and the Empress Dowager declared that Sima Shi had been the one at fault.
• The King of Qi and the Censorate submitted memorials accusing Sima Shi of crimes and affirming Xiahou Xuan and the others’ innocence.
• Sima Zhao submitted a memorial admitting that Sima Shi had ignored his advice and deserved the blame for his actions.

Cao Mao welcomed the victorious Central Army, rewarded its soldiers, and honored Ma Long and Wen Yang at a banquet. After Ma Long assessed the strengths of Wu and Shu, Cao Mao ordered the creation of dedicated mountain and naval battalions to prepare for future campaigns.

• Cao Mao welcomed the returning Central Army, praised Ma Long and Wen Yang, and granted the troops honors, provisions, and three days of festivities.
• At the banquet, Wen Yang asked why Cao Mao had not destroyed the Sima Family, and Cao Mao explained that he planned to dismantle powerful clans gradually while preserving useful allies.
• Cao Mao asked Ma Long and Wen Yang to assess the armies of Wu and Shu, and Wen Yang dismissed them as weak.
• Ma Long warned Cao Mao not to underestimate Wu’s generals and navy or Shu’s mountain troops, and recommended training in naval and mountain warfare.
• Cao Mao agreed with Ma Long and ordered the Central Army to establish dedicated Mountain and Navy Battalions as models for regional forces.

Cao Mao rejected Ji Kang’s plea for benevolent governance and dismissed him, while Ji Kang blamed Wang Su’s teaching for the emperor’s harsh rule. Wang Su then proposed to Zhuge Dan that they reinterpret the Supreme Mystery to suit the needs of government, leaving the pair poised to establish a doctrine for Cao Mao.

• Cao Mao told Ji Kang that practical results mattered more than reputations and ordered him to go home, refusing to pardon Wang Rong.
• Ji Kang confronted Zhang Hua about failing to persuade Cao Mao, then blamed Wang Su for teaching the emperor badly.
• Ji Kang and other celebrated scholars accused Wang Su of distorting the Supreme Mystery, but their complaints gave Wang Su an idea.
• Wang Su hurried to Zhuge Dan and proposed writing a new annotation of the Supreme Mystery suited to contemporary government.

Wang Su began composing Classical writings to support Cao Mao’s policies, while Cao Mao learned of the effort and anticipated the political and scholarly benefits. The chapter left Liu Lu preparing to place more people near Liu Shan and Sun Xiu, as He Zeng’s unusual praise of the emperor came to light.

• Wang Su told Kong Chao that he would develop Classical arguments to support the emperor’s policies, despite Kong Chao’s reservations about Zhuge Dan’s scholarship.
• Wang Su wrote down principles including unification, practical action, good faith, and frugality, intending to ground Cao Mao’s policies in the Classics and the Supreme Mystery.
• Zheng Chong declined to get involved in Wang Su’s scholarly project and agreed to write letters of introduction for his servants, who feared being sent away after his son arrived.
• Cao Mao read Liu Lu’s letters about the project, praised his work, and told him to prepare to place people near Liu Shan and Sun Xiu.
• Liu Lu reported that He Zeng seemed to have discovered their placements and had been praising Cao Mao and bowing toward the Imperial Palace, but Cao Mao said there was no need to worry.

Cao Mao appointed Jiao Bo Governor of Nanping Commandery and planned how to advance his young officials. Meanwhile, Pei Xiu sought Liu Bao’s help with assimilating the Xiongnu, and Liu Bao agreed to consider leading by example.

• Cao Mao persuaded the anxious Jiao Bo to accept the governorship of Nanping, promising that Wang Zhennan and Hua Yi would support him.
• Cao Mao reviewed his plans for developing his officials and summoned Guo Ze to check whether Pei Xiu had been taking powder.
• Pei Xiu told Liu Bao that his two previous proposals for governing the Xiongnu had been rejected and asked for advice on a third.
• Pei Xiu argued that the Xiongnu should abandon their old titles and take positions in Great Wei, offering their people greater power and opportunity.
• Liu Bao asked how to proceed, and Pei Xiu proposed that Liu Bao set an example by accepting rewards and allowing his son to study with him.

Pei Xiu reported that Liu Bao would cooperate with the Wei court’s efforts to instruct and assimilate his Xiongnu tribe, and Cao Mao authorized him to proceed. At the Central Army drill ground, Cao Mao tasked Luo Xian with helping establish a mountain-warfare battalion, while Wen Yang watched him closely as Luo Xian secretly planned to assassinate the emperor later.

• Guo Ze brought Pei Xiu to Taiji Hall, where Pei Xiu told Cao Mao that Liu Bao had agreed to cooperate in changing his tribe’s customs and settlements.
• Pei Xiu argued that better living conditions and opportunities for office would draw other Xiongnu tribes into the court’s plans, and Cao Mao gave him authority to handle the matter.
• Cao Mao visited the Central Army drill ground, greeted its officers and soldiers, and praised Luo Xian for distributing their rewards well.
• Cao Mao ordered Luo Xian to remain with the Central Army and help establish a battalion skilled in mountain warfare.
• Luo Xian accepted the order while privately planning to earn Cao Mao’s trust before attempting an assassination, and Wen Yang moved close to guard the emperor.

Wang Su gathered the ministers to discuss governance, then presented Cao Mao with his annotated classics and a theory combining the Three Ages of the Gongyang Commentary with the Supreme Mystery. Cao Mao praised Wang Su as a great worthy, while Wang Su left his proposals open to the emperor’s suggestions.

• Wang Su invited the court ministers to his residence, where Zhuge Dan and others offered mostly empty proposals while Zhong Yu contributed practical ideas.
• After the ministers departed, Wang Su took his prepared manuscripts to the palace, and Kong Chao questioned why he was sharing credit with the others.
• Wang Su presented Cao Mao with his annotations, including the purported Confucius's Admonitions, and explained how the Supreme Mystery aligned with the Gongyang Three Ages Theory.
• Guo Ze challenged Wang Su’s claim that Confucius had commented on the Supreme Mystery, but Wang Su answered that the Sage knew its underlying mystery, leaving Guo Ze speechless.
• Wang Su outlined policies for the realm’s current age and asked Cao Mao for suggestions; Cao Mao clasped his hand and hailed him as a great worthy.

Cao Mao praised Wang Su’s synthesis of Xuanxue and Confucian Learning, rewarded him, and discussed how people-centered governance could bring Great Wei toward peace. After Du Yu read Wang Su’s work, Cao Mao proposed printing and distributing it throughout the realm, but Du Yu advised having Duke Pei handle its spread instead.

• Cao Mao praised Wang Su’s scholarship and granted him honors, rewards, and a marquis title for his heir.
• Cao Mao and Wang Su discussed how protecting the people’s livelihoods could establish benevolent governance and lead to the Age of Great Peace.
• Wang Su realized that people-oriented thought gave him a new argument against the Disciples of Zheng Learning and continued exchanging ideas with Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao summoned Du Yu, who read Wang Su’s work and praised how it had clarified his thinking.
• Cao Mao proposed printing the work widely, but Du Yu warned that conspicuous imperial promotion would provoke resistance and recommended having Duke Pei spread it.

Cao Mao managed regional rivalries and tasked Pei Xiu with promoting Wang Su’s new annotations. Wang Su accepted Liu Yuan as a disciple, while Pei Xiu reluctantly took charge of the emperor’s publishing plans.

• Cao Mao ordered Du Yu to stop approving Hu Zun and Yang Hu’s projects if they required more corvée labor, while promising support for Wang Zhennan’s work in Jingzhou.
• Du Yu recommended Yang Zong for service, but Cao Mao chose to wait until Pei Xiu had completed his assignment.
• Pei Xiu brought Liu Bao and Liu Yuan to visit Wang Su, who accepted the boy as his disciple.
• Pei Xiu returned to Taiji Hall, where Cao Mao assigned him to find a way to promote Wang Su’s new annotations.
• Pei Xiu agreed to oversee the undertaking after Cao Mao reminded him of his earlier ideas for the Eastern Hall’s book collection.

Cao Mao and Pei Xiu used secrecy and rumors to make Wang Su’s annotated Classics a sensation among Wei’s scholars, and Zhong Hui became one of their first admirers. Cao Mao then opened the Palace Examination by giving its candidates Wang Su’s annotated Supreme Mystery and asking how Wei could move from rising peace to great peace.

• Pei Xiu advised Cao Mao to conceal Wang Su’s books and let rumors of their importance spread, then copied the manuscripts and acted as though he had become Wang Su’s devoted student.
• Rumors about Wang Su’s new Classics spread through Luoyang and across the realm, while Wang Su and ministers refused to reveal their contents.
• Cao Mao gave Zhong Hui a copy of the books, and Zhong Hui read them, visited Wang Su formally, and publicly praised the works as a sage’s guide to governing.
• Cao Mao prepared for the Palace Examination, which fewer than twenty candidates passed, mostly scions of Great Clans.
• At the Palace Examination, Cao Mao gave the candidates Wang Su’s annotated Supreme Mystery and asked how Wei could advance from rising peace to great peace; Cui Hong was surprised to find the concepts could be connected.

Shi Ji urged Sun Xiu to ally Wu with Shu and bring Ding Feng back to Jianye, but Zhang Bu and Puyang Xing resisted to protect their influence. Sun Xiu approved the alliance mission, yet Wu’s envoys reached Chengdu amid the deaths and absences of Shu’s key officials and were sent home by Huang Hao.

• Shi Ji arrived in Jianye, blamed himself for losing Jiangbei, and outlined defenses while proposing an alliance with Shu and Ding Feng’s return to the capital.
• Puyang Xing opposed Shi Ji’s proposals, and Sun Xiu challenged him and Zhang Bu over their motives before ordering Shi Ji to pursue an alliance with Shu.
• Shi Ji sent envoys by a difficult route to Chengdu to meet Chen Zhi and discuss cooperation.
• The envoys learned that Xiahou Ba had died, Chen Zhi was gravely ill, and Jiang Wei was away in Hanzhong; Chen Zhi died eight days after they arrived.
• Huang Hao sent the Wu envoys back, and Shi Ji laughed when he heard the mission had failed.

After Chen Zhi died, Liu Shan appointed Dong Jue Director of the Secretariat and elevated Huang Hao to Central Regular Attendant and Commandant of Chariots. Dong Jue, Fan Jian, Zhuge Zhan, and Jiang Wei failed to restrain Huang Hao, who began building his influence at court, while Cao Mao saw Sun 𬘭’s likeness in him.

• Liu Shan chose Dong Jue over Zhuge Zhan to succeed Chen Zhi as Director of the Secretariat.
• Liu Shan appointed Huang Hao Central Regular Attendant and Commandant of Chariots, alarming Shu Han’s ministers.
• Dong Jue, Fan Jian, and Zhuge Zhan struggled to decide how to oppose Huang Hao, and Jiang Wei declined to take action against him.
• Huang Hao gathered supporters by securing favors from Liu Shan and began demoting or exiling officials who opposed him.
• Cao Mao heard of Huang Hao’s growing influence and compared him to Sun 𬘭.

After receiving news of Xiahou Ba and Chen Zhi's deaths, Cao Mao considered how Chen Zhi's death would hasten Shu's decline and blamed Liu Shan rather than Huang Hao alone. He reviewed the palace examination memorials and advanced Wang Learning, then learned that its ideas had stirred Luoyang; he ended by setting his next goal as destroying Shu.

• Cao Mao received news of Xiahou Ba's and Chen Zhi's deaths and reflected on how Chen Zhi's loss would destabilize Shu and worsen Jiang Wei's position.
• Cao Mao told Zhang Hua and Guo Ze that Liu Shan was ultimately responsible for Huang Hao's rise and Shu's decline.
• Cao Mao reviewed the palace examination memorials and was pleased that scholars offered practical proposals and embraced Wang Learning.
• Zhang Hua reported that the Supreme Mystery's new contents had spread through Luoyang, prompting widespread interest and even a burglary at Lord Zhong's residence.
• Cao Mao ordered books sent to the ministers who had helped compile Wang Learning and told them to keep the texts from circulating outside their circle.
• Cao Mao left Pei Xiu to continue promoting Wang Learning and chose destroying Shu as his next goal.