Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao argued that rewarding soldiers would strengthen rather than corrupt an army fighting for benevolence and righteousness, then visited the Central Army to honor its troops. The chapter ended with him asking Sima Jun about outstanding soldiers in his battalion.

• Cao Mao rejected Xiahou Xian's objections and declared that benevolent and righteous soldiers should be rewarded according to Xunzi's principles.
• Ma Long announced Cao Mao's decision, and the armored guards cheered as their morale rose.
• Cao Mao visited every Central Army battalion and rewarded outstanding soldiers, while Ma Long approved of his support for better troop treatment.
• Xiahou Xian asked whether Sima Jun should be replaced, but Cao Mao defended the capable commandant, Sima Yi's seventh son.
• Cao Mao praised Sima Jun's battalion and urged him to win the next contest, then asked whether any soldiers had stood out in the last one.

Cao Mao learned that the Empress Dowager was secretly seeking information about the Guo Family and decided the family could be useful. Meanwhile, ministers debated Wang Su’s return, the Empress, and vacant high offices, but their meeting ended without agreement.

• Cao Mao heard from Eunuch Guo that the Empress Dowager had asked him to investigate the Guo Family, then told him to follow her request and report future developments.
• Cao Mao wrote three names on documents, deciding he could now use them without concern.
• At Lu Zhi’s residence, ministers worried Wang Su might claim a seat among the Three Excellencies and argued over his ties to the Sima Family.
• Guo Zhang proposed that his niece become Cao Mao’s Empress, but Lu Zhi said the choice belonged to the emperor and suggested Guo Zhang discuss consorts with the Empress Dowager instead.
• After the ministers left, Xin Chang asked Lu Zhi whether he could serve among the Three Excellencies, then mentioned that some ministers wanted to nominate Cao Yu as Grand General.

Lu Zhi warned Xin Chang against the ministers’ plot to appoint a Grand General, while Cao Mao praised Hua Biao for the Central Secretariat’s work and revealed that Wei Guan had been responsible. Cao Mao then summoned Hua Yi and told him he had an edict and an opportunity to earn merit.

• Lu Zhi told Xin Chang that plotting to install a Grand General was a path to death and drove him away.
• Cao Mao visited Hua Biao and praised the Central Secretariat for promptly handling his edicts.
• Hua Biao credited Wei Guan with the Secretariat’s success, and Cao Mao judged that Hua Biao had acted rightly by acknowledging his subordinate’s ability.
• Cao Mao turned to Hua Yi, asked why he had not come to see him, and announced that he had an edict for him to obey.

Cao Mao forced Hua Yi to accept office by arguing that he must atone for his role in Lu Yu’s disastrous policies, then enlisted him to summon Lu Qin as Minister of Agriculture. Cao Mao prepared for the East Hall Banquet, where Zhong Hui warned him that traitors planned to act.

• Cao Mao rebuked Hua Yi for hiding from responsibility and made him accept a position in the court.
• Cao Mao asked Hua Biao to recommend a Minister of Agriculture, and Hua Yi proposed reinstating Lu Qin.
• Cao Mao assigned Hua Yi to summon Lu Qin to help manage finances and protect the people from famine.
• Cao Mao returned to Taiji Hall and prepared an elaborate East Hall Banquet with Zhang Hua’s help.
• Zhong Hui arrived at the banquet and warned Cao Mao that traitors planned to make a move.

Zhong Hui warned Cao Mao that ministers might cause trouble at the East Hall Banquet, while Wang Xiang struggled under close surveillance and saw how Cao Mao had changed the court and palace guards. The banquet gathered Luoyang’s renowned scholars, and it ended with Lü Xun addressing Cao Mao, who remembered that he had intended to kill him.

• Zhong Hui told Cao Mao that ministers had secretly plotted to disrupt the East Hall Banquet and offered to suppress them.
• Wang Xiang tried to arrange a secret message to Wang Su, but Zhao Guo’s close watch defeated his plans.
• Wang Xiang went to the palace and noticed the Armored Guards’ improved morale, while Guo Zhang blamed Ma Long for Cao Mao’s military rewards.
• Wang Xiang and Guo Zhang arrived at the crowded East Hall Banquet, where Wang Xiang saw that Cao Mao had gathered Luoyang’s renowned scholars.
• Lü Xun stood to address Cao Mao, who recognized him after Zhang Hua supplied his name and recalled that he had meant to kill him.

Lü Xun accused Chen Qian of colluding with Gao Rou, prompting Cao Mao to turn the charge into a sweeping purge of everyone implicated in the rebellion. The ministers begged Cao Mao to stop as he ordered Zhong Hui to mobilize troops and exterminate their clans.

• Lü Xun presented a letter from Gao Rou and accused Chen Qian of conspiring in rebellion.
• Zheng Chong advised an investigation, and Cao Mao ordered Chen Qian dismissed pending inquiry.
• Zhong Hui called for the arrest and extermination of everyone connected to Gao Rou, beginning with Chen Qian.
• Cao Mao ordered guards to arrest Chen Qian's clansmen and sent Zhong Hui to mobilize troops and surround Luoyang.
• Guo Zhang and the other ministers fell to their knees and pleaded with Cao Mao not to proceed.

At the East Hall banquet, ministers and young scholars clashed over whether Gao Rou’s associates should be punished, while Cao Mao watched the debate. Wang Su then accused Wang Xiang of stealing his scholarship and deceiving the world, leaving Wang Xiang to defend himself before the gathered scholars.

• Guo Zhang and other ministers urged Cao Mao to investigate Gao Rou’s associates carefully, while young scholars called for severe punishment.
• Cao Mao encouraged everyone at the banquet to speak freely, and the debate grew increasingly heated between high-ranking ministers and young scholars.
• Wang Su arrived with Sima Anshi, and Cao Mao asked him to weigh in on the dispute.
• Wang Su said Gao Rou’s case should be decided according to the law, then accused Wang Xiang of passing off Wang Su’s scholarship as his own.
• Wang Xiang rose and denied the accusation, claiming he had made discoveries of his own through studying the Classics.

At Cao Mao’s banquet, Wang Su accused Wang Xiang of stealing his Supreme Mystery scholarship, but the ministers and scholars backed Wang Xiang for their own reasons. Cao Mao left the dispute to Zhong Hui and walked with Sima Yan, discussing the Palace Guards and possible new talent.

• Wang Xiang denied stealing Wang Su’s work and argued that no scholar could claim sole right to study the Supreme Mystery Classic.
• Xun Yi and other ministers urged Wang Su to apologize, while the young scholars supported Wang Xiang’s claim that everyone could study the Classics.
• Cao Mao told Sima Yan that the ministers cared more about their interests than right and wrong, and watched the argument grow into a confrontation between Wang Su and Wang Xiang.
• Wang Su and Wang Xiang turned to find Cao Mao and Sima Yan gone, and Zhong Hui told them to carry on.
• Cao Mao explained to Sima Yan that Gao Rou’s confiscated wealth had been used to reward the Palace Guards.
• Sima Yan offered to recommend friends to Cao Mao, who said he already had plenty of talent around him.

Sima Zhao persuaded Yang Zong to help him counter the Ministers’ growing threat by taking control of the Hebei army. Yang Zong’s plan began with a staged clash between He Zeng’s and Chen Ben’s forces, allowing Sima Zhao to suspend both generals and leave the next move unresolved.

• Sima Zhao told Yang Zong that the Ministers had moved against the emperor and asked him how to respond.
• Yang Zong urged Sima Zhao to remove He Zeng and Chen Ben from command before they could side with the Ministers, then proposed using a manufactured military dispute as a pretext.
• The next day, troops under He Zeng and Chen Ben clashed over prisoners and spoils, leaving more than ten Armored Guards dead or wounded.
• He Zeng and Chen Ben separately confronted Sima Zhao, then argued in his presence over whose men had started the fight.
• Sima Zhao ordered both generals to return to their residences and reflect on their conduct, and they left without any real hostility toward each other.

After the East Hall Banquet, Cao Mao arranged for Lu Yu and Lu Qin to remain in Luoyang and confronted them with evidence that Hebei's Great Clans planned to kill them. Lu Qin agreed to resume serving as Minister of Agriculture, while Lu Yu was left grieving over how he had disgraced his father's name.

• Cao Mao left the East Hall Banquet's aftermath to Zhang Hua and visited the imprisoned Lu Yu and Lu Qin with Sima Yan.
• Cao Mao apologized to Lu Yu for keeping him in hiding and praised the late Lu Zhi while urging Lu Yu to let Lu Qin serve the court.
• Sima Yan showed Lu Yu genuine letters revealing that Hebei's Great Clans had plotted to kill him and his family.
• Lu Yu thanked Cao Mao, and Cao Mao persuaded Lu Qin to return as Minister of Agriculture by invoking the safety and prospects of his family.
• Cao Mao rebuked Lu Yu for neglecting government affairs, leaving him in tears over having ruined his father's good name.

Xun Yi, Cui Zan, and Guo Zhang questioned Lü Xun about his impeachment of Chen Qian, then ordered an investigation into his connections and past. Zhong Hui met with Chen Qian and arranged for him to accept a possible case against Wang Xiang, then went to ask Zhong Yu about the plan against Chen Qian.

• Xun Yi praised Lü Xun's memorial while Cui Zan accused him of risking the ministers' safety for fame, and Guo Zhang urged him to inform them of future plans.
• After Lü Xun left, Xun Yi ordered an investigation into his associates, household, and past, while the three men discussed how to deal with Lü Xun and Chen Qian.
• Zhong Hui confronted Chen Qian over letters linking him to Gao Rou, but Chen Qian said he could keep the ministers from knowing peace.
• Zhong Hui told Chen Qian to accept a case if Wang Su brought charges against Wang Xiang, promising to provide further instructions.
• Zhong Hui visited Zhong Yu and asked what he planned to do after directing Lü Xun to impeach Chen Qian.

Zhong Hui confronted his elder brother Zhong Yu over his suspected role in the campaign against Chen Qian, but Zhong Yu refused to abandon his loyalty to the General of the Guards. At Taiji Hall, Zhong Hui questioned Cao Mao about Yin Damu and mistakenly claimed he had known Yin’s allegiance all along, then concluded that Cao Mao intended to bring the Hebei army under his command.

• Zhong Hui accused Zhong Yu of directing the impeachment of Chen Qian and urged him to submit to Cao Mao, but Zhong Yu denied harming the emperor and remained loyal to the General of the Guards.
• Zhong Yu told his steward that he and Zhong Hui could support opposing sides while preserving their clan, and Zhong Hui hurried to Taiji Hall.
• Cao Mao appointed the pardoned Lu Qin Minister of Agriculture, and Zhong Hui warned Lu Qin to manage funds promptly and make amends for his past offenses.
• Zhong Hui asked Cao Mao whether Yin Damu was one of his men, and Cao Mao pretended that Zhong Hui already knew Yin’s allegiance.
• Zhong Hui claimed he had known about Yin Damu and concluded that Cao Mao intended to bring the entire Hebei army under his command.

Cao Mao and Zhong Hui planned to capture Sima Zhao and take command of the Hebei armies, while Wang Xiang faced the fallout from his dispute with Wang Su. Mouqiu Dian visited Wang Xiang and hinted at appointments that made him suspect Wang Su would become Minister of Works.

• Cao Mao told Zhong Hui that Sima Zhao was heading for Henei and would likely attack Luoyang, then proposed that Wen Yang and Yin Damu capture him in a coordinated raid.
• Cao Mao asked Zhong Hui to help plan the operation, and Zhong Hui agreed to take charge of it.
• Wang Xiang worried that Cao Mao had abandoned him after he confronted Wang Su at the East Hall Banquet.
• Wang Xiang received Mouqiu Dian and learned that Guanqiu Jian would visit him soon.
• Mouqiu Dian asked Wang Xiang what he thought of Zheng Chong becoming Minister over the Masses, prompting Wang Xiang to ask whether Wang Su would become Minister of Works.

Mouqiu Dian persuaded Wang Xiang to accept a role in Cao Mao’s plan to inflame debate over the Classics while the emperor consolidated military power. After placating Empress Dowager Guo by agreeing to restore members of the Guo Family to court, Cao Mao ordered Cheng Ji to guard her and kill anyone who entered without permission.

• Mouqiu Dian told Wang Xiang that Wang Su intended to bring charges against him, and Wang Xiang agreed to seek the Censorate’s protection against a possible collusion with Chen Qian.
• Mouqiu Dian reported Wang Xiang’s agreement to Cao Mao, who explained that Wang Xiang would help stir debate over imperial recognition of commentaries while Cao Mao dealt with Sima Zhao and secured the armies.
• Cao Mao visited Empress Dowager Guo, listened to her request to restore the Guo Family, and agreed to arrange positions for them.
• Cao Mao left Zhaoyang Hall and ordered Cheng Ji to prevent anyone from seeing Empress Dowager Guo without permission, authorizing him to kill anyone who forced entry.

Liu Lu brought Du Yu to Luoyang, where Cao Mao used his arrival to dismiss Xun Yi and discuss the court’s power struggle. Du Yu warned that Cao Mao’s conflict with the General of the Guards could lead to ruin, but Cao Mao declared his resolve to fight rebels and restore the realm.

• Liu Lu captured Du Yu and his mounted companions under the guise of bandits and escorted them toward Sili on Cao Mao’s orders.
• Du Yu questioned Liu Lu about his background and concluded that he was genuinely serving Cao Mao.
• Liu Lu delivered Du Yu to Taiji Hall, where Xun Yi protested Cao Mao’s appointments of Lu Qin and Hua Yi.
• Zhang Hua compared Xun Yi’s objection to the Partisan Prohibitions, and Cao Mao summoned Du Yu into the hall, prompting Xun Yi to withdraw.
• Du Yu warned Cao Mao that a clash with the General of the Guards could devastate the realm, but Cao Mao vowed to confront the rebels himself.

Cao Mao tried to win Du Yu’s allegiance by laying out his plans to bring Wei’s regional armies to heel and restore peace, then showed him an agricultural tool design. Du Yu left hoping Cao Mao would succeed, while Cao Mao went to the Central Army Camp to watch its contests and encourage the troops.

• Cao Mao told the hesitant Du Yu he could serve him after Cao Mao dealt with Sima Zhao, and described how he planned to secure the regional armies and govern Great Wei.
• Cao Mao gave Du Yu drawings of the Curved-Beam Plow and explained his plans to improve soldiers’ treatment, ease burdens on farmers, and spread education and technology.
• Du Yu praised Cao Mao and agreed to remain in Luoyang, where Cao Mao would summon him for advice on governing.
• Cao Mao praised Liu Lu for capturing fugitives and told him to rest before continuing to pursue Sima Zhao.
• Cao Mao hurried to the Central Army Camp for its contests, where his presence raised the troops’ morale and pleased Ma Long.

Jiang Wei captured Old Pass but learned that Wei had evacuated its supplies and concentrated its defenses at Didao, so he chose to draw Sima Wang’s army into a field battle. Sima Wang held to Chen Tai’s defensive plan while Chen Tai hurried toward Didao, troubled by upheaval in Luoyang and his uncle’s appeal to submit to the emperor.

• Jiang Wei’s army took Old Pass with little resistance, but Zhang Yi reported that Wei had moved its people and supplies to Didao.
• Jiang Wei rejected Zhang Yi’s warning and ordered a plan to lure Sima Wang’s forces into the open or ambush reinforcements.
• Xiahou Ba agreed with Jiang Wei, and the generals accepted his orders to prepare for battle.
• Sima Wang strengthened Didao’s defenses, ordered his commanders to remain behind the walls, and warned them not to disrupt Chen Tai’s plan.
• Chen Tai led his troops toward Didao while worrying about the upheaval in Luoyang and his uncle Xun Yi’s appeal for him to submit to the emperor.

Wang Yuan entrusted Guo Ze with leading the mountain resistance against Sima Zhao’s army, hoping to preserve himself if the defense failed. Meanwhile, Sima Zhao concealed his plans to move against Luoyang, as Yang Zong grew suspicious of Yin Damu and learned that Liu Lu had advised him.

• Wang Yuan panicked at reports of Sima Zhao’s approaching army, but Guo Ze proposed using the mountain terrain and delaying tactics to resist it.
• Wang Yuan publicly handed command of the campaign to Guo Ze, then told his trusted aides he could escape blame if Guo Ze failed and would support him if he succeeded.
• Sima Zhao ordered Yin Damu to present the expedition as a campaign against bandits and told Cheng Cui to investigate Luoyang and contact Sima Gan and their allies.
• Yang Zong questioned Yin Damu about his eagerness to guard Sima Zhao, and Yin Damu named Liu Lu as the friend who had advised him to seek merit.

Cao Mao prepared to deal with Sima Zhao before turning his attention to Jiang Wei’s advance into Yongliang. He asserted his authority over the Guo family and sent them to see the Empress Dowager, leaving Guo Zhi poised for a role at court.

• Yin Damu urged Yang Zong not to interfere against him, and Yang Zong realized the emperor might have prevailed and called for wine.
• Cao Mao received a report that Jiang Wei had invaded Yongliang and told Xiahou Xian that he would not send reinforcements until Sima Zhao was dealt with.
• Xiahou Xian warned Cao Mao not to underestimate Jiang Wei or let him defeat Chen Tai, and Cao Mao assured him the threat would be addressed soon.
• Cao Mao received Guo Li, Guo Zhi, Guo Jian, and Guo Zhang, then rebuked Guo Zhang and suggested he relinquish his post if he was too busy.
• Cao Mao allowed the three Guo relatives to visit the Empress Dowager and hinted that Guo Zhi could fill one of the court vacancies.

Empress Dowager Guo summoned three Guo clansmen, hoping to use them to regain influence, but they refused to accept her offer and urged her to leave government to Cao Mao. After she had them thrown out, Xun Yi, Cui Zan, and Guo Zhang also refused her summons, leaving her stunned.

• Empress Dowager Guo summoned Guo Li, Guo Zhi, and Guo Jian, hoping to restore them to office and signal her displeasure with Cao Mao.
• Guo Li and Guo Zhi refused her offer, saying they accepted their dismissal and would not act against Cao Mao.
• Guo Zhi urged Empress Dowager Guo to stay out of government and praise Cao Mao, then declared that he would not retract his words.
• Empress Dowager Guo ordered guards to throw the three men out and told Eunuch Guo to summon Xun Yi, Cui Zan, and Guo Zhang.
• Xun Yi, Cui Zan, and Guo Zhang each refused to visit Zhaoyang Hall, and Empress Dowager Guo reacted in disbelief.