Recaps

Cao Mao extended Great Wei’s rule into the northeast and Western Regions while enforcing land policies, relocating powerful clans, and building local education and administration. The arc ended with Cao Mao ordering Zhong Hui to abolish the head tax despite concerns about revenue and evasion.

• Gu Rong decided to take a local assessment in Lelang Commandery to secure work and land for his clan.
• Guanqiu Jian defeated Tuoba Chuo with help from Goguryeo rebels, captured Tuoba Chuo and Gao Yeonbul, and arranged the relocation of Goguryeo prisoners.
• Cao Mao warned officials to obey the Rewarded Fields Edict, while Tuoba Liwei submitted to Great Wei and received a hereditary title.
• Cao Mao approved plans for local academic officials and established Sha Province to govern the Western Regions, appointing Zheng Mao’s nominees to key posts.
• Lu Kang pledged to serve Cao Mao, who appointed him to the Attendant Cavalry and discussed plans to relocate powerful clans from Shu and Jiangdong.
• Deng Ai and Mouqiu Dian coordinated raids on Shu’s great clans, uncovering hidden weapons and land as small rebellions broke out.
• Liu Song’s officials prepared to settle exiled Shu clans in Sha Province, while Liu Shi secured pledges of peace from Long An and Bai Shan.
• Cao Mao appointed Liu Yi to investigate injustices, then ordered Zhong Hui to abolish the head tax after Zhong Hui, Zhang Hua, and Lu Kang debated the plan.

Cao Mao pursued tax and administrative reforms while facing an assassination plot, managing powerful clans, and recruiting officials and explorers. The stretch ended as Wen Yang’s search for sailors in Ping Province brought him into conflict with a defiant Wu man.

• Cao Mao abolished the poll tax, won the commoners’ support, and encouraged Sima Yan to pursue office through the imperial examination.
• Cao Mao inspected Yong Province, punished corrupt officials, and learned that Qiang settlers had faced abuse despite the government’s cultural-instruction efforts.
• Cao Mao survived an assassination attempt and ordered the execution of the implicated clans, while Zhong Hui and Pei Xiu advanced a proposal to reform noble ranks.
• Zhong Yu died after urging Zhong Hui to serve the state, and Cao Mao encouraged Zhong Hui to work while arranging assessments and appointments for new officials.
• Cao Mao welcomed Sima Yan into government after he passed the assessments, and recruited Zhu Ying and Kang Tai to advise on overseas exploration.
• Cao Mao ordered Yamatai’s queen to come to Luoyang and appointed Zhong Jun to govern Gaochang, while he agreed to send Wen Yang to Wa Island.
• Hu Zun died, and Wen Yang began recruiting sailors in Ping Province, where a Wu man refused to serve Wei officials and soldiers raised their crossbows against him.

Cao Mao expanded Great Wei’s reach on Wa Island while confronting examination unrest, reforming noble ranks, and preparing for disaster and population growth. The arc ended with plans to govern Wa Island and gather powder masters to develop fertilizer.

• Wen Yang and Zhou Chu set out for Wa Island, defeated Kuna’s attack, and secured Zhibigou’s surrender before reaching Yamatai.
• Cao Mao granted the King of Shanshan privileges as Shanshan became a commandery and ordered Sun Chu’s clan sent south.
• Cao Qi investigated He Qiao’s loyalty, while Cao Mao and Guanqiu Jian promoted education and cultural programs across Ji Province.
• Xun Xu warned Cao Mao of impending drought, and Cao Mao ordered preparations including waterworks, grain stores, and relocation plans.
• Wen Yang compelled Wa’s rulers to submit to Great Wei, while Zhou Chu warned against trusting Zhibigou and the queen of Yamatai was sent to Luoyang.
• Cao Mao and Zhong Hui revised noble ranks, and Cao Mao addressed the examination protests with a grace examination and plans for separate regional lists.
• Cao Mao supported Pei Xiu’s atlas project and established an Academic Supervisor as the court prepared new examination and admissions rules.
• Cao Mao arranged for Taiyo and Yumeko to remain in Luoyang, entrusted Wa Island’s governance plans to Yang Hu, and summoned powder masters to develop fertilizer.

Cao Mao reshaped Wei’s education, laws, administration, and control over powerful clans while extending Wei’s influence abroad. As Shu Jinen distinguished himself in Liangzhou and Wei intervened in Funan, the kingdoms of Yanqi and Kucha went to war, ending with Long Hui bound for Luoyang and Liu Shi managing the aftermath.

• Cao Xi agreed to lead alchemists in producing fertilizer, while Chen Tai and Liu Lu arranged a southern mission and plans to pursue conspirators against Cao Mao.
• Zhu Ying persuaded Fan Xun to recognize Wei’s authority and send his son to Luoyang, while scholars flocked to Ji Commandery to examine the newly discovered Bamboo Annals.
• Cao Mao ordered the relocation of great clans and abolished privileged routes into the Imperial Academy, replacing them with centralized examinations open to men from humble families.
• Cao Mao appointed officials to enforce the new policies, investigated governors who protected powerful clans, and proposed restoring ancestral surnames and customs among the Hu peoples.
• Shu Jinen, renamed Cao Jiuwu, defeated the Xi chieftain Qijin and earned Ma Long’s praise, while Cao Mao assigned him military honors.
• Cao Mao arranged Wei’s involvement in Funan and proposed a government, roads, a fortified city, and a port, while ordering revisions to the New Code.
• Wen Yang brought Wa Island’s tribes under control through Zhou Chu and Cheng Ji’s campaigns, and Cao Mao advanced Zhong Hui to Minister over the Masses while planning further court appointments.
• Liu Shi and Deng Zhong failed to stop the Yanqi-Kucha war, and Long Hui conquered Kucha, claimed its throne, and agreed to travel to Luoyang after Liu Shi threatened to bring Wei’s army against Yanqi.