Chapter Summaries

Deng Ai traveled to Luoyang after realizing Sima Zhao’s bid for power had failed, and Cao Mao welcomed him while arranging to bring him into imperial service. Cao Mao left Deng Ai poised to serve the court in a senior agricultural and administrative role, while Sima Zhao remained under close watch.

• Deng Ai concluded that Sima Zhao had failed and traveled from Yanzhou to Luoyang, unable to challenge the emperor or the Central Army.
• Xun Xu welcomed Deng Ai outside Luoyang and tried to persuade him to serve Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao warmly received Deng Ai at the General of the Guards' Residence, where Sima Zhao sat under guard.
• Deng Ai pledged to defeat Jiang Wei for Cao Mao after Sima Zhao urged him to show respect to the emperor.
• Cao Mao praised Deng Ai’s military and governing abilities, proposed a senior agricultural post for him, and received Sima Zhao’s reluctant agreement.

Zheng Xian learned Yuan City dishes from Zheng Sheng and was astonished to hear that the emperor had supplied the recipes. Cao Mao discussed reorganizing the Imperial Secretariat with Du Yu, then sent him to reconcile with Sima Zhao, who was told to prepare for a reunion with his family.

• Zheng Xian brought Zheng Sheng to the imperial kitchen and asked him to teach her Yuan City dishes.
• Zheng Sheng said His Majesty had supplied the recipes for many Yuan City dishes, and Zheng Xian wondered how he could do everything.
• Cao Mao explained to Du Yu his plan to expand the Imperial Secretariat and organize its responsibilities into six ministries.
• Zhang Hua told Du Yu about locusts in Hebei and destructive winds in Bing Province, explaining why Cao Mao was anxious about the empire's affairs.
• Du Yu visited Sima Zhao, apologized, and heard Sima Zhao urge him to serve His Majesty wholeheartedly.
• After Du Yu left, Cao Mao emerged from the side door and told Sima Zhao to prepare to reunite with his family.

Cao Mao faced the corruption crippling Great Wei while Zheng Xian tried to cheer him up with disastrous egg fried rice. After Sima Yue explained why Cao Mao was suspicious and strict about waste, Zheng Xian began to understand how little she knew about his past, and realized Sima Yue also had hidden hardships.

• Cao Mao told Zhang Hua that Du Yu needed to help the realm and heard that supplies for Yongliang had vanished before leaving the Grand Granary.
• Zheng Xian brought Cao Mao homemade egg fried rice, but it was so salty that both of them spat it out.
• Cao Mao scolded Zheng Xian for wasting food and told her she could secure rewards for her clan simply by getting along with people in the palace.
• Zheng Xian complained to Sima Yue, who explained that Cao Mao had been watched closely at court and described the hardships princes faced in the regions.
• Zheng Xian ate the fried rice rather than waste it, while Sima Yue calmly joined her, leaving Zheng Xian to wonder about Sima Yue's past.

Liu Lu went undercover among the mountain rebels to assess Guo Ze’s situation and report back to Cao Mao. After reuniting with Guo Ze, he learned Wang Yuan was maneuvering to take power and decided to remain at Guo Ze’s side while awaiting the emperor’s plans.

• Liu Lu disguised himself as the wanderer Yang Zongfu and persuaded Hu Changran’s bandits to take him into the mountains.
• Wang Dahu appointed Liu Lu an attached Army Sima, and Liu Lu investigated the rebels while earning the bandits’ trust.
• Liu Lu discovered that Guo Ze held real authority, while Wang Yuan was trying to regain control after Sima Zhao withdrew.
• Liu Lu revealed to Guo Ze that Cao Mao had sent him and that the emperor had defeated Sima Shi and Sima Zhao and was worried about him.
• Liu Lu told Guo Ze he would stay beside him, bring more men up the mountain, and help assess Wang Yuan as Cao Mao’s plans developed.

Sima Zhao urged Sima Yan to serve Cao Mao and protect the Sima clan, while Cao Mao’s quarrels with Zheng Xian continued. Xun Xu then reported a network of dismissed officials linked to Feng Zhan, suspected of obstructing disaster relief and attacking the emperor’s new appointments.

• Sima Yan and Sima You reunited with Sima Zhao, who praised Sima Yan for remaining close to Cao Mao and told him to atone for his own crimes by serving the emperor.
• Sima Zhao reassured Wang Yuanji that the Sima clan would endure and one day complete the enterprise begun by his father and elder brother.
• Zheng Xian brought Cao Mao golden rice and mended clothes, but Cao Mao criticized both and ordered Old Eunuch Xu to keep people from touching his belongings.
• Xun Xu presented Cao Mao with a list of twenty-three ministers connected to Feng Zhan and reported that dismissed officials were implicated in past plots, delayed disaster relief, and the embezzlement of supplies.

Cao Mao gave Xun Xu authority to establish a permanent disaster-prevention and relief office after hearing his proposals. Zhong Hui arrived and warned Cao Mao not to trust Xun Xu, then Cao Mao asked why he had come in such a hurry.

• Xun Xu urged Cao Mao to prioritize disaster relief and create permanent envoys to coordinate relief and prevent disasters.
• Cao Mao appointed Xun Xu Deputy Censor-in-Chief for Preparedness and ordered him to establish a department, take over disaster-relief authority, and draft laws.
• Cao Mao warned Xun Xu that the new post could bring great rewards or tempt him into corruption, and Xun Xu promised to punish any subordinate who did wrong.
• Zhong Hui entered Taiji Hall, objected to Xun Xu's presence, and warned Cao Mao that Xun Xu was untrustworthy.
• Cao Mao dismissed Zhong Hui's complaint and asked what urgent matter had brought him there.

Zhong Hui reported that Zhuge Dan had agreed to come to Luoyang, and explained how Cao Mao’s actions had eased his fears. After praising Zhong Hui with another poem, Cao Mao discussed his next recruitment target and the possibility of a campaign against Shu, which Zhong Hui offered to handle.

• Xun Xu left after Zhong Hui warned Cao Mao that he was deceitful and should not be trusted with great responsibility.
• Zhong Hui presented Zhuge Dan’s letter agreeing to come to Luoyang, then explained that Cao Mao’s treatment of Sima Zhao and Xiahou Xuan had addressed Zhuge Dan’s fears.
• Cao Mao wrote Zhong Hui another poem, and Zhong Hui suggested appointing Zhuge Dan Grand Commandant and assigning him difficult anti-corruption work.
• Zhong Hui named Wang Chang as his next target for winning over, while Cao Mao considered Wang Chang’s family and their connections to Zhong Hui.
• Zhong Hui inferred that Cao Mao was preparing a campaign against Shu and offered to handle the ministers’ opposition to sending troops.

Deng Ai took command of Cao Mao’s reinforcements and led them into Yong Province, where he rejected a direct attack on Jiang Wei and ordered his army to seize Zhongdi instead. As Deng Ai marched to intercept Jiang Wei’s expected retreat, Jiang Wei continued attacking Chen Tai’s hilltop position, determined to win.

• Cao Mao appointed Deng Ai General Who Guards the West and entrusted him with more than forty thousand troops to campaign against Jiang Wei.
• Deng Ai consulted Cheng Cui, Ma Long, Wen Yang, and the other commanders, then rejected plans to charge Didao or raid Jiang Wei’s supply lines.
• Deng Ai reasoned that Jiang Wei would retreat toward Zhongdi after failing to defeat Chen Tai, and ordered the army to seize the town and wait there.
• Wen Yang questioned Deng Ai’s predictions, but Deng Ai took responsibility and ordered the army to march toward Zhongdi instead of Didao.
• Jiang Wei continued assaulting Chen Tai’s position after two days without progress, refusing to withdraw because he was determined to win.

Jiang Wei ordered a retreat from Didao, but his army was ambushed on the way back by Wei forces led by Wen Yang. Jiang Wei tried to rally his scattered troops as Wen Yang charged toward him and called out his name.

• Jiang Wei accepted responsibility for the failed attacks on Didao and ordered the army to withdraw, while Chen Tai chose not to pursue.
• As the Shu army marched toward Zhongti County with captured people and supplies, Zhang Yi spotted signs of an ambush and halted the vanguard.
• Wei troops attacked from three sides, and Wen Yang led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry through Zhang Yi's forces, knocking down his command banner.
• Jiang Wei sent his main force to support Zhang Yi, but Wen Yang's cavalry charged at Jiang Wei and disrupted his formations.
• Jiang Wei moved his chariot to higher ground and tried to rally his troops as Wen Yang called out, asking whether the old general knew Wen Ciqian of Pei.

Deng Ai’s rested Central Army overwhelmed Jiang Wei’s exhausted Shu Han forces, and Jiang Wei ordered a retreat rather than risk the kingdom’s remaining strength. Zhang Yi stayed behind to hold off the Wei troops as Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba led the main force through the enemy lines.

• Wen Yang led the Wei assault against Jiang Wei, while Zhang Yi’s vanguard was engulfed and thrown into chaos.
• Jiang Wei ordered the rearguard to attack from both flanks and led the main force toward Zhang Yi, but Deng Ai kept the initiative and sent Sima Jun into the fight.
• Realizing the battle was turning into a disaster, Jiang Wei ordered the army to break out, and Zhang Yi offered to hold the Wei troops back.
• Jiang Wei refused to abandon his generals and charged with his soldiers, while Zhang Yi attacked the vanguard to ease the pressure on the main force.
• Jiang Wei and Xiahou Ba broke through the Cao Wei forces and fled as Deng Ai encircled the Shu soldiers left behind.

Deng Ai defeated Jiang Wei outside Zhongdi and captured Zhang Yi alive, then reorganized his army and awaited Chen Tai. After Chen Tai arrived and praised the victory, he privately asked Deng Ai about the situation in Luoyang.

• Deng Ai defeated Jiang Wei outside Zhongdi, inflicting heavy losses and capturing Zhang Yi, while Jiang Wei fled with his forces in disarray.
• Deng Ai ordered Zhang Yi kept alive and sent to Luoyang, and he instructed his officers to reorganize the army and wait for Chen Tai.
• Sima Jun worried that capturing Zhang Yi would draw unwanted attention to him and the Sima Family.
• Deng Ai saw civilians forced into the campaign and arranged for the survivors to return home.
• Chen Tai arrived with elite cavalry, and Deng Ai welcomed him before recounting the battle.
• Chen Tai praised Deng Ai's victory, then quietly asked him about the situation in Luoyang.

Deng Ai reassured Chen Tai that Cao Mao had entrusted him with the campaign, and the two arranged the handover of Yongliang’s forces and discussed their return to court. In Luoyang, Cao Mao sent Ji Kang and Lü An to see evidence against Lü Xun while considering appointments and the loyalty of other generals.

• Deng Ai told Chen Tai how Cao Mao had appointed him and ordered him to obey Chen Tai, easing Chen Tai’s fears that he would be treated as an enemy.
• Chen Tai and Deng Ai divided their responsibilities, planned for Chen Tai to return to Luoyang, and began recording the campaign’s merits and reporting the victory.
• Chen Tai told Deng Ai that he had withheld Sima Fu’s letter to Sima Wang during the war, and Deng Ai advised letting Cao Mao address Sima Wang in person after he returned to Luoyang.
• Ji Kang and Lü An pleaded with Cao Mao to show mercy to Lü Xun, but Cao Mao sent them to the Ministry of Justice to see Lü Xun and the witnesses for themselves.
• Cao Mao considered replacing Chen Tai in Yong Province and wondered whether Wang Chang, Hu Zun, and Shi Bao would remain loyal.

Ji Kang and Lü An learned that Lü Xun’s crimes were supported by strong evidence, while Zhang Hua pressed Ji Kang to publicly denounce the criminals and their clans. Elsewhere, Pei Kai accepted a post in Xun Xu’s newly established disaster-relief office after Pei Xiu explained its purpose.

• Xun Yu showed Ji Kang and Lü An the imprisoned women and Feng Zhan, whose testimony confirmed Lü Xun’s crimes and implicated others.
• Ji Kang abandoned his effort to defend Lü Xun and agreed to publicly condemn him and the other criminals after Zhang Hua urged him to make amends.
• Lü An visited Lü Xun, who begged to be freed, and Xun Yu warned that Lü Xun’s crimes could implicate his entire clan.
• Pei Kai received an appointment as Deputy Censor-in-Chief for Preparedness and went to ask Pei Xiu about the unfamiliar office.
• Pei Xiu explained that Xun Xu led the new disaster-response and relief office, then urged Pei Kai to take the post and follow orders.

Yang Xiu persuaded Zhou Tai that the General of the Guards was following the late Grand General’s wishes by supporting Cao Mao, while Hua Yi tried to recruit Zhuge Dan for the imperial court. Zhuge Dan first refused an appointment, then agreed to go to Luoyang and purge corruption in the army, leaving Jiang Ban alarmed.

• Yang Xiu delivered the General of the Guards’ orders to Zhou Tai and claimed Sima Shi was honoring the late Grand General’s final wishes by supporting Cao Mao.
• Hua Yi presented Cao Mao’s edict appointing Zhuge Dan as one of the Three Excellencies, but Zhuge Dan declined and suggested the Grand General instead.
• Jiang Ban warned Zhuge Dan that refusing the emperor too plainly could be seen as defiance, while Zhuge Dan maintained his humble pose.
• Hua Yi returned and urged Zhuge Dan to become Grand Commandant to investigate widespread corruption in the army.
• Zhuge Dan indignantly agreed to depart for Luoyang and purge the villains, leaving Jiang Ban fearing the consequences.

Cao Mao used Ji Kang’s letter to discredit those who framed Lü An, rewarded Zhang Hua, and sent Sima Yan to investigate the Grand Granary’s reserves. The chapter ended with Cao Mao asking how ministers had reacted to the Central Army’s campaign and learning that they were furious.

• Cao Mao praised Zhang Hua for bringing him Ji Kang’s letter, which silenced the Imperial Academy Students and drove implicated families to make amends.
• Cao Mao appointed Zhang Hua Regular Attendant Cavalry and advised him to recommend Shan Tao and Wang Rong for government service.
• Sima Yan visited Cao Mao, who criticized his idle associates and challenged him to investigate the Grand Granary’s grain reserves in Luoyang.
• Sima Yan accepted the assignment, while Yang Jin warned Cao Mao that villains might deceive him; Cao Mao saw the investigation as a way to expose Sima Zhao’s responsibility.
• Cao Mao asked Yang Jin about the ministers’ response to the Central Army’s campaign, and Yang Jin reported that they were furious and the General of the Guards’ residence was lively.

Sima Yan tried to inspect the Grand Granary on Cao Mao’s orders, but officials repeatedly obstructed him while his friends refused to join him. He Zeng urged He Shao to catch up with Sima Yan, then welcomed Feng Fu, whose plea for help gave He Zeng an opportunity to act.

• Sima Yan summoned friends to help inspect the Grand Granary, but they panicked at the prospect of exposing powerful clans and hurried away.
• Sima Yan brought Sima clan aides to the Grand Granary, where officials used one excuse after another to delay him for nearly half a month.
• He Shao told He Zeng that he had refused Sima Yan’s request, and He Zeng ordered him to go help Sima Yan instead.
• Feng Fu visited He Zeng and asked him to help his imprisoned brother and their troubled clan.
• He Zeng promised Feng Fu they would gather allies to oppose Chen Qian and Ji Kang, privately seeing the request as a chance to pledge his loyalty to Cao Mao.

Cao Mao pressed Sima Zhao to join forces against the ministers and used his agreement to bring him along to welcome Zhuge Dan. Zhuge Dan arrived in Luoyang to a grand imperial reception, and both he and Cao Mao greeted each other tearfully while Sima Zhao watched in dismay.

• Ministers berated Sima Zhao over the campaign against Jiang Wei, and he began trading insults with them.
• Cao Mao privately asked Sima Zhao whether Sima Shi had instructed him to leave the court, then urged him to ally against the ministers.
• Sima Zhao agreed outwardly, and Cao Mao invited him to welcome the General Who Guards the South outside the city.
• Zhuge Dan hurried toward Luoyang and found Cao Mao, Sima Zhao, and a grand procession waiting to receive him.
• Cao Mao helped Zhuge Dan up as they exchanged tearful greetings, while Sima Zhao silently called them filthy creatures.

Cao Mao appointed Zhuge Dan Grand Commandant and assigned him to confront corruption in the military, then learned that the Grand Granary had caught fire during Sima Yan’s investigation. Cao Mao convinced Sima Yan that the fire was sabotage and ordered him to work under Zhang Hua, leaving the effort to reform the court to proceed step by step.

• Cao Mao welcomed Zhuge Dan, praised his willingness to protect the emperor, and appointed him Grand Commandant at a palace banquet.
• Zhang Hua reported that the Grand Granary had caught fire, and Cao Mao told him to inform Zhuge Dan so he could handle the provocation.
• Sima Yan arrived distressed and explained that the granary caught fire while he and his men used torches to investigate its grain reserves.
• Cao Mao assured Sima Yan that officials who opposed the investigation had likely started the fire and described the widespread corruption surrounding the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Cao Mao ordered Sima Yan to stop reading books and work with Zhang Hua to gain experience, while Sima Yan recommended General He’s son Shao for important duties.

Cao Mao visited the gravely ill Wang Su and persuaded him to abandon his feud with Wang Xiang in favor of serving the realm. Wang Su accepted appointment as Minister over the Masses, while Cao Mao turned his attention to reforming the Imperial Secretariat and awaited news from the northwest.

• Wang Su lamented that political maneuvering had left his dispute with Wang Xiang unresolved and had driven him into illness.
• Cao Mao visited Wang Su, challenged him to focus on lasting achievements, and urged him to serve the people instead of pursuing his feud.
• Cao Mao offered Wang Su the post of Minister over the Masses, and Wang Su accepted, believing he could set aside his personal grievances for the realm.
• Cao Mao reflected on the unsuitable Three Excellencies he had appointed and resolved to bring the Imperial Secretariat firmly under his control.
• Cao Mao awaited news of Deng Ai's campaign in the northwest, hoping for a victory that would strengthen his standing and help him reform the armies.

After a crushing defeat, Jiang Wei worried that the losses would endanger the Northern Expeditions and his standing at court. Liu Shan learned the campaign had gone poorly while Huang Hao concealed the truth and turned him against Jiang Wei, as ministers at Duke Wei’s birthday banquet prepared to oppose further expeditions.

• Jiang Wei led his battered army home and feared that the defeat, Zhang Yi’s fate, and heavy casualties would undermine the Northern Expeditions.
• Liu Shan played games with his beauties, and Huang Hao informed him that the campaign had gone poorly and Jiang Wei had requested funds for the dead and wounded.
• Huang Hao blamed the conflict between Jiang Wei and Zhang Yi for the defeat, while hiding that Zhang Yi’s fate was unknown and the army had been routed.
• Liu Shan agreed to send money and said he would settle matters with Zhang Yi when he returned, not knowing Huang Hao had withheld the truth.
• At Duke Wei’s birthday banquet, ministers blamed Jiang Wei for the campaign’s costs and planned a joint appeal against the Northern Expeditions.