Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao forced Magistrate Shu Wan to reopen the case against Shu Qu by publicly exposing the Shu clan’s abuse of power. He left Yuancheng after promising an old man that he would personally ensure justice if the magistrate failed.

• Cao Mao stormed into the county office with an unconscious woman and demanded that Shu Wan arrest Shu Qu, while Shu Wan warned him that his actions violated the laws governing imperial clansmen.
• Shu Qu arrived and accused Cao Mao of abducting his wife, but Cao Mao threatened to expose the Shu clan’s treatment of its guests and ruin its reputation unless Shu Wan reopened the case.
• Shu Wan agreed to reopen Zhang Sheng’s case against Shu Qu and ordered the guards to take Shu Qu and his wife into custody.
• Cao Mao told the old man that the magistrate had agreed to give justice for the old man’s son and daughter-in-law, whose case had been twisted by Shu Qu and the Shu clan.
• Cao Mao rode away with his retainers, while the gathered villagers praised him and the bailiffs dispersed the crowd without striking them.

Cao Mao maintained his unruly residence and used clever arguments to deflect Guo Ze’s efforts to correct him, while remaining popular among Hebei’s wandering swordsmen and commoners. The chapter ended with a frightened man rushing into the hall to warn him of disaster.

• Cao Mao entered his palace and brushed aside Guo Ze’s objections to his servants wrestling, gambling, and behaving improperly.
• Cao Mao argued that he had neither befriended scholars nor engaged in commerce, persuading Guo Ze to count the money merchants had given him.
• Cao Mao greeted the drunken Supervising Envoy, Lord Yang, who ignored him and went back to sleep.
• Cao Mao reflected on how he had built a reputation for helping commoners and outlaws while avoiding serious scrutiny from local officials.
• A rough-looking man rushed into Ke Rang Hall and cried out that disaster had struck.

After Cao Mao explained why he had seized Shu Qu’s wife, Guo Ze stood by him, while the arrival of a procession bearing what might be the Son of Heaven’s standard left everyone fearing the worst. Cao Mao doubted they had come to arrest him and waited as his retainers vowed to stay at his side.

• Cao Mao told Guo Ze that he had seized Shu Qu’s wife to expose the crimes against the family in Pan'an Hamlet and clear the farmer’s name.
• Guo Ze agreed Cao Mao had acted rightly and promised to confront the Shu family and appeal to the Three Excellencies if necessary.
• Liu Lu reported that an approaching army’s leader carried a bamboo pole with what looked like a dog’s tail, and Guo Ze identified it as the Son of Heaven’s Processional Standard.
• Cao Mao wondered whether Emperor Cao Fang had been deposed and feared he might be drawn into the deadly struggle against the Sima Family.
• Liu Lu offered to disguise himself as Cao Mao and help him escape, but Cao Mao told the retainers to stay hidden and insisted the procession might not be coming to arrest him.
• Guo Ze and the retainers declared they would stand by Cao Mao, who watched sunlight fall outside the hall.

Imperial envoys arrived in Yuan City and announced that Emperor Fang had been deposed and Cao Mao was to succeed him. Cao Mao recognized that the court had chosen him as a politically isolated, pliable ruler and faced the decree without excitement.

• Wang Su, Hua Biao, and the other imperial envoys rode into Yuan City, while Shu Wan tried to discredit Cao Mao.
• At Cao Mao's residence, Guo Ze challenged the envoys' horseman, and Wang Su identified himself as carrying the empress dowager's authority.
• Cao Mao came out and bowed to Wang Su before Hua Biao read the empress dowager's decree ordering Emperor Fang's deposition and Cao Mao's accession.
• The onlookers were stunned, and Shu Wan collapsed as he realized Cao Mao was to become emperor.
• Cao Mao considered why the Sima family had chosen him and recognized that his isolation made him a likely puppet.

Cao Mao refused the edict naming him emperor, claiming he lacked the virtue and ability to rule, while the envoys and onlookers reacted with astonishment. Back at his residence, he questioned the injustice of Cao Fang’s deposition and grew furious when Lord Yang argued that resisting Sima Shi was futile.

• Cao Mao knelt before Hua Biao and refused the Empress Dowager’s edict, saying he was unworthy of the throne.
• Wang Su invoked filial piety to challenge Cao Mao’s refusal, but Cao Mao argued that accepting the throne without the ability to rule would betray his ancestors and the Empress Dowager.
• Cao Mao shut himself inside his residence, while the envoys sought lodging and the onlookers praised his modesty and virtue.
• Guo Ze questioned why Cao Fang had to be deposed despite his good deeds, and Cao Mao explained that the adult emperor could become a threat to the powerful ministers.
• Liu Lu asked why Cao Mao had refused the throne, and Cao Mao dismissed his hope that an emperor could end injustice.
• Lord Yang warned Cao Mao that his preparations and reputation could not protect him from Sima Shi and advised him to submit; Cao Mao slammed his fist into the ground in anger.

Cao Mao struggled with the danger of being summoned to Luoyang to become emperor, then visited Yuan City and learned more about Lord Yang’s history. The chapter left Cao Mao with confirmation that Yang Zong had opposed Sima Shi and had once been spared through a powerful general’s intervention.

• Lord Yang warned Cao Mao that Sima Shi was ruthless and urged him to dismiss his wandering blades so they would not die with him.
• Cao Mao rose early, practiced martial arts with Liu Lu and the wandering blades, and then led them out to walk around Yuan City.
• At an eatery, the townspeople asked Cao Mao whether an imperial envoy had invited him to Luoyang to become the Son of Heaven, and Liu Lu confirmed it.
• Cao Mao privately asked the owner about Lord Yang, and the owner explained that Yang Zong had served Cao Shuang, later defied Sima Shi, and been demoted after a general pleaded for him.

After refusing Wang Su’s offer to ascend the throne, Cao Mao feared Sima Shi’s response and told Guo Ze he hoped to abandon his title and build strength at the frontier. Guo Ze urged him to challenge the Sima Family, while Yang Zong advised him to feign fear and recommend Cao Ju to protect his life.

• Cao Mao returned from a countryside walk, bought wine, and brought Guo Ze inside to thank him for years of loyal service.
• Cao Mao told Guo Ze he had refused the throne because he believed accepting it would lead to his death, and said he wanted to shed his title and flee to the frontier.
• Guo Ze warned Cao Mao that escape was unrealistic and urged him to draw his sword against the Sima Family for the people’s sake.
• Yang Zong entered, dismissed Guo Ze’s principles, and advised Cao Mao to appear terrified when Wang Su returned and recommend Cao Ju as emperor.

Cao Mao rejected Yang Zong’s plan to secure his survival by pledging the imperial clan’s allegiance to Sima Shi, but he struggled to see any way to escape Sima control. After an old man’s resilience renewed his resolve, Cao Mao declared that the people and the land endured despite dynastic changes and refused to give up.

• Yang Zong urged Cao Mao to support the Prince of Pengcheng’s succession and pledge the imperial clan’s allegiance to Sima Shi, warning that refusal could mean imprisonment or death.
• Cao Mao rejected the idea of becoming Sima Shi’s dog, while Yang Zong left in anger and condemned Guo Ze’s idealism.
• An old man and his grandson visited Cao Mao to thank him for clearing his dead son’s name and exposing Shu Qu’s crimes.
• The old man described how he would support his grandson through carpentry and encouraged Cao Mao not to let trouble torment him.
• Cao Mao seized Yang Zong by the collar and declared that the Great Han had not fallen, insisting that the people would endure and that he would not give up.

Cao Mao asked Yang Zong to pass warnings about the Hu People, enfeoffment, and Sima Yan to Sima Zhao, then sought Guo Ze’s guidance on defending the realm. Meanwhile, Wang Su and his allies decided to press Cao Mao to accept the throne again.

• Cao Mao urged Yang Zong to warn Sima Zhao about future threats from the Hu People, the dangers of empowering feudal lords, and Sima Yan’s unsuitability as heir.
• Cao Mao declared that he would risk death to save the realm, and Yang Zong was left overcome with grief as Cao Mao departed.
• Cao Mao asked Guo Ze to teach him how to punish traitors, uphold the realm, and bring peace to the people, and Guo Ze agreed.
• Wang Su, Hua Biao, and Zheng Mao discussed receiving the Son of Heaven under the empress dowager’s decree.
• After Zheng Mao argued that Cao Mao’s virtue made him worthy of the throne, Wang Su ordered preparations to ask him to take it again.

Cao Mao learned about the Guo clan’s ties to the Sima Family and arranged a letter to Empress Dowager Guo that concealed his plans. He secretly sent Liu Lu with another letter for Mouqiu Dian while using a tavern outing to cover his escape.

• Guo Ze explained his family’s connections to the Sima Family and Empress Dowager Guo, and Cao Mao concluded that the Guo clan’s chief interest was preserving her position.
• Cao Mao ordered Guo Ze to write Empress Dowager Guo, asking her to support the Prince of Pengcheng instead of Cao Mao, and persuaded Guo Ze that the letter would help restore Great Wei.
• Cao Mao privately gave Liu Lu a letter for Mouqiu Dian and all his saved gold, instructing him to deliver it without letting the Sima Family intercept it.
• Cao Mao led his retainers to their usual tavern and distracted the watchers with drinking and talk of charity while Liu Lu slipped away unnoticed.

Cao Mao refused Wang Su’s second attempt to persuade him to accept the throne, instead praising the Prince of Pengcheng and offering to yield the succession to him. He used the meeting to buy time for a plan that would come to a head during Wang Su’s third visit.

• Cao Mao reassured Guo Ze that Liu Lu had gone home and learned that his letter to the empress dowager would arrive within five days.
• Cao Mao trained with a wooden staff and told Guo Ze to prepare for Wang Su’s expected visit.
• Wang Su entered the Noble Rural Duke’s residence with Zheng Mao and privately demanded to know whether Cao Mao would defy the empress dowager’s decree.
• Cao Mao praised the Prince of Pengcheng as a worthy ruler and asked Wang Su to let him inherit the throne, leaving Wang Su unable to persuade him.
• Zheng Mao warned Cao Mao that he could offend Empress Dowager Guo, while Cao Mao decided to wait for Wang Su’s third visit before risking his plan.

Wang Su questioned Shu Wan about Cao Mao and learned of the duke’s notorious past, then sent a report to Luoyang. Empress Dowager Guo and her relatives discussed Cao Mao’s refusal of the throne and planned to press ahead with his enthronement.

• Wang Su invoked his friendship with Shu Hun to persuade Shu Wan to describe Cao Mao’s conduct in the county.
• Shu Wan accused Cao Mao of extorting merchants, sheltering criminals, and terrorizing commoners, while a cavalryman mocked the duke’s efforts to win popular support.
• Wang Su dismissed Shu Wan and ordered a report sent to Luoyang.
• Empress Dowager Guo’s relatives read Guo Zishou’s letter and learned that Cao Mao had refused to succeed to the throne.
• Guo De urged Empress Dowager Guo to place the Imperial Seal in Cao Mao’s hands, while he planned to speak with the General Who Conquers the West.

Guo De persuaded Sima Zhao to accept Cao Mao’s enthronement by offering a Sima woman as the young emperor’s Empress, while Du Yu warned that the Guo Family seemed unusually wary. Back in Yuan City, Cao Mao received a merchant’s report on his charitable deeds as local merchants helped build his reputation among commoners.

• Sima Zhao told Guo De that he preferred choosing a different imperial clansman to succeed the throne, but Guo De defended the Noble Rural Duke’s suitability.
• Guo De invoked the Empress Dowager’s offer to marry a Sima woman to the emperor, and Sima Zhao agreed to the order setting the enthronement for the Fifth Day of the Tenth Month.
• Du Yu warned Sima Zhao that Guo De seemed frightened and determined to enthrone Cao Mao, and Sima Zhao agreed to investigate possible contact with the Guo Family.
• Guo De returned to the palace, and Guo Jian rode out of Luoyang with more than twenty riders toward Yuan City.
• A merchant showed Cao Mao an account of his charitable donations, while Cao Mao considered how merchants were oppressed and how their support could help him win over Hebei’s commoners.

Cao Mao explained to Guo Ze why he was cultivating support among merchants, farmers, and wandering swordsmen to oppose the Sima clan. He revealed that he planned to rely on Guanqiu Jian and ordered preparations as Wang Su’s third visit approached.

• Cao Mao dismissed Guo Ze’s warnings about merchants and argued that dealing with them would help fund his plans despite damaging his reputation.
• Cao Mao told Guo Ze he aimed to build support among farmers, merchants, and wandering swordsmen because he expected the Sima clan to keep him under strict guard.
• Cao Mao identified Guanqiu Jian, the General Who Guards the East, as a powerful loyalist whom Sima Shi could not easily move against.
• Cao Mao recalled that Guanqiu Jian was already preparing to rebel, though his historical campaign would end in defeat and death.
• Cao Mao said he would rely on Guanqiu Jian, explained that he was refusing the Sima clan’s demands for now, and ordered his men to prepare before going out.

Cao Mao cultivated Hua Biao’s goodwill by praising his late father and promising that the future Prince of Pengcheng would promote worthy officials. After parting with Hua Biao, Cao Mao returned to the residence and rushed inside when he heard a commotion.

• Hua Biao blocked Cao Mao from entering the residence, so Cao Mao took him to an eating house to talk.
• Cao Mao asked Hua Biao about his father, Hua Xin, and listened as Hua Biao described his stalled career at court.
• When Hua Biao blamed his lack of advancement on the Prince of Qi, Cao Mao condemned the prince and praised the Prince of Pengcheng as a future wise ruler.
• Cao Mao and Hua Biao discussed creating more official posts and recommending more worthy men, leaving Hua Biao impressed by Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao considered Hua Biao a potential ally against the Sima Family, then returned to the residence and drew his sword after hearing curses inside.

Cao Mao welcomed Guo Jian, the empress dowager’s envoy, and used flattery and accusations against Sima Shi to turn him against the enthronement plan. When Guo Jian revealed that Cao Mao was expected to become emperor or risk being killed, Cao Mao and Guo Ze staged a suicide attempt, leaving Guo Jian desperately trying to stop them.

• Guo Jian arrived with armed men to escort Cao Mao to Luoyang, but Cao Mao dismissed his retainers’ hostility and called Guo Jian his uncle.
• Cao Mao charmed Guo Jian with claims of filial devotion to the empress dowager and invited him to a private meal instead of meeting Wang Su.
• Cao Mao argued that the Grand General had insulted the Guo Family and said he would not accept the throne if doing so endangered them.
• Guo Jian revealed that Sima Shi had ordered an emperor to ascend the throne on the fifth day of the tenth month and warned Cao Mao that refusal could get him killed.
• Cao Mao drew his sword and declared he would die rather than harm the empress dowager; Guo Ze joined the act, and Guo Jian called for help as he grappled with them.

Cao Mao persuaded Guo Jian that he would accept the throne only after Wang Su came to invite him personally, leaving Wang Su waiting and unsure why the Guo family had not arrived. Zheng Mao warned Hua Biao that Cao Mao was unusually capable and might be plotting something, but neither knew what he intended.

• Cao Mao convinced Guo Jian that the Guo family must not appear eager and should wait for Wang Su to invite them before agreeing to the enthronement.
• Guo Jian accepted Cao Mao's plan and enjoyed a feast with him, while Wang Su grew anxious at their failure to arrive.
• Wang Su asked Zheng Mao whether the Guo family had changed sides, and Zheng Mao advised him to wait rather than worry.
• Zheng Mao told Hua Biao that Cao Mao seemed exceptionally capable and urged him to retire from office after returning to Luoyang.
• Hua Biao asked whether they should warn Wang Su, but Zheng Mao declined because he had only suspicions about Cao Mao's plans.

Cao Mao charmed Guo Jian with a lavish meal, arranged for the Yuan City proprietor to open a restaurant in Luoyang, and convinced Guo Jian that Wang Su was maneuvering against the Guo Family. In Luoyang, Mouqiu Dian received Cao Mao’s letter from the exhausted messenger Liu Lu and agreed to carry out its instructions.

• Cao Mao impressed Guo Jian with unfamiliar dishes and arranged for the proprietor to open a restaurant in Luoyang and serve the Guo Family.
• Guo Jian gave Cao Mao a treasured jade pendant in gratitude for his hospitality.
• Cao Mao suggested Wang Su was plotting to replace the Guo Family, and Guo Jian vowed to wait for Wang Su to approach them.
• Mouqiu Dian wrote an appeal urging his father to raise a banner against traitors before Liu Lu burst into his study with a letter from Cao Mao.
• Liu Lu proved his identity with the phrase “Fuck Sima Shi,” and Mouqiu Dian read the letter and agreed to follow Cao Mao’s instructions.
• Liu Lu collapsed from exhaustion as he tried to leave, and Mouqiu Dian praised him as a hero.

Sima Zhao and the Guo Family blamed one another for the delay in bringing Cao Mao to court, while suspicion grew that the Sima Family meant to enthrone the Prince of Pengcheng. Guo De and Empress Dowager Guo resolved to secure Cao Mao’s claim by making him her adopted son and the rightful heir to Emperor Xiaoming.

• Sima Zhao questioned Guo De about the Guo Family’s delay, and Guo De insisted Wang Su was refusing to meet Guo Jian.
• Guo De promised to order Guo Jian to apologize to Wang Su, meet him, and bring Cao Mao to the Imperial Court.
• Sima Zhao sent Sima Yan to Yuan City to oversee the succession and return with the emperor.
• Guo De told Empress Dowager Guo that the Sima Family intended to control the palace and urged her to rally ministers behind Cao Mao.
• Guo De proposed that Empress Dowager Guo adopt Cao Mao as her son and establish him as Emperor Xiaoming’s rightful heir, and she approved.

Empress Dowager Guo secured Wang Xiang’s support for adopting Cao Mao as the late emperor’s heir, and public calls for Cao Mao’s succession put the Sima family under pressure. Sima Shi backed the proposal through Zhong Hui, leaving Sima Zhao to accept his brother’s decision.

• Empress Dowager Guo asked Wang Xiang to support adopting Cao Mao as the late emperor’s son and heir, and Wang agreed to tutor him.
• Wang Xiang’s endorsement helped calls for Cao Mao’s adoption and succession spread through Luoyang, challenging the Sima family over the late emperor’s interrupted sacrifices.
• Sima Zhao summoned officials and considered imposing martial law in response to the growing pressure.
• Zhong Hui arrived with Sima Shi’s order supporting the ministers’ concern for the late emperor’s posthumous affairs.
• Sima Zhao accepted Sima Shi’s decision, while Zhong Hui dismissed the opposition as a futile attempt to win public favor.