Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao tested Wang Chang’s views on unification, then recognized that Wang Chang shared his plans to reform the officials and govern Wei. The chapter ended with Cao Mao summoning senior ministers to begin turning Wang Chang’s seven policies into concrete reforms.

• At a banquet in the East Hall, Wang Ji warned Cao Mao not to underestimate Sun Jun of Wu.
• Cao Mao questioned Wang Chang about unification, and Wang Chang endorsed gradual pressure on Shu and preparation against Wu while prioritizing internal reform.
• Wang Chang presented seven policies for governing the realm, including restrictions on officials’ conduct and standardized local administration.
• Cao Mao apologized for neglecting Wang Chang and declared that their shared aims could begin Wei’s resurgence.
• Cao Mao summoned Zhuge, Wang, Zheng, Chen, Zhong, Zheng, and Xiahou to discuss implementing Wang Chang’s policies immediately.

Cao Mao convened the ministers to turn Wang Chang’s seven policies into a program of governance, and the court worked together to develop plans for education, examinations, and local administration. After declaring that implementation would begin the next day, Cao Mao told Zhong Hui he would use his military authority to overcome resistance and rule as a decisive emperor.

• Cao Mao summoned the senior ministers and asked Wang Chang to explain his policies, then announced that he wanted to implement them rather than reward Wang Chang immediately.
• Zhong Hui proposed establishing schools throughout Great Wei and using examinations to select officials and clerks.
• Zhuge Dan suggested assessing retired veterans for local clerk positions, while Wang Su recommended tailoring examinations to different ranks and posts.
• The ministers exchanged proposals for hours, and Zheng Chong suggested compiling a governance manual and publicly praising or criticizing officials to set standards.
• Cao Mao praised the ministers’ cooperation, declared that the work of governing Great Wei would begin the next day, and told Zhong Hui that he would use his control of the armies to deal with anyone who resisted.

Guo Ze’s reputation grew as Liu Lu built support among the mountain chiefs and helped organize the displaced people. After receiving Cao Mao’s secret orders, Liu Lu prepared to clear out the emperor’s designated enemies and considered recruiting Wang Yuan to help.

• Liu Lu spread tales that Guo Ze had driven Sima Zhao’s army away, boosting Guo Ze’s prestige and his own standing among the mountain chiefs.
• Guo Ze issued orders to clear land, register households, and organize the people, then left Liu Lu to address the gathered chiefs.
• Wang Yuan tried to undermine Liu Lu by emphasizing seniority, but Liu Lu argued that ability and service mattered more than arrival order.
• Liu Lu warned the chiefs that Sima Zhao would attack again, then went to Guo Ze with a letter from Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao’s secret orders called for Liu Lu to organize river bandits and clear designated weeds, and Liu Lu decided to consider bringing Wang Yuan into the effort.

Xun Yi feared the emperor was sidelining the ministers and summoned them to discuss the eunuchs’ influence. He then visited the confined Wang Xiang, who urged him to trust the emperor, leaving Xun Yi’s plans unresolved.

• Xun Yi learned that the emperor had met with senior ministers without inviting him and ordered other ministers to gather at his residence.
• Xun Yi warned the assembled ministers that eunuchs were responsible for the realm’s unrest, and they joined him in condemning them.
• After the ministers left, Xun Yi went to Wang Xiang’s residence, where the emperor had confined him under watch.
• Xun Yi told Wang Xiang about the eunuchs’ growing influence and sought his help in countering them.
• Wang Xiang said the eunuchs’ crimes were well known but insisted that the emperor was perceptive and would not disappoint men of aspiration.

Xun Yi met Guo Pei, who urged him to oppose the emperor more openly and offered a plan to free Wang Xiang. Xun Yi gained confidence and began arranging the plan, while Guo Pei warned him to keep their preparations secret.

• Xun Yi left Wang Xiang’s residence, worried about how to secure Wang Xiang’s freedom and restore his influence.
• Guo Pei visited Xun Yi, criticized his reluctance to challenge the emperor, and argued that the ruler should be deposed for lacking virtue.
• Xun Yi described the emperor’s growing power and achievements, leaving Guo Pei astonished at his praise.
• Guo Pei advised Xun Yi to have Wang Xiang write a remorseful account so the emperor could acknowledge Gao Rou’s crimes and end Wang Xiang’s confinement.
• Guo Pei urged Xun Yi to investigate Wang Su’s misconduct and keep the plot restricted to reliable clansmen; Xun Yi agreed and took heart from the advice.

Cao Mao raised the Central and Border Armies’ provisions and benefits while tightening military discipline, winning the soldiers’ cheers. Zhuge Dan publicly claimed credit for the reforms, and Cao Mao later ordered Wang Xiang kept under watch as Xun Yi gathered support among ministers.

• Cao Mao announced increased grain allowances and new protections and benefits for soldiers, prompting the Central Army to acclaim him.
• Zhuge Dan declared that he would punish abuses in the army, drawing cheers that unsettled Xiahou Xian, Wen Yang, and other generals.
• After returning to Taiji Hall, Cao Mao defended Zhuge Dan’s contribution to the reforms and told Cheng Ji not to speak of killing him.
• Zhang Hua warned Cao Mao that Zhuge Dan’s conduct had undermined imperial dignity, then reported Wang Xiang’s confession and Xun Yi’s growing ties with ministers.
• Cao Mao ordered Zhang Hua to keep Wang Xiang confined and watched, and said Wang should die of illness if the confession sparked a political attack.

Cheng Ji foiled an attempt to rescue Wang Xiang, and Cao Mao confronted his former teacher about their competing visions for governing the realm. Wang Xiang refused to abandon his belief in rule by capable ministers and clans, while Cao Mao argued that powerful clans had brought ruin to the people.

• Cheng Ji's guards ambushed and captured the death warriors who attacked Wang Xiang's residence, then escorted Wang Xiang to the palace.
• Zhong Hui explained to Cao Mao that the failed rescue attempt had followed from the ministers' campaign to save Wang Xiang, and Cao Mao praised his foresight.
• Cao Mao questioned whether Wang Xiang still believed his preferred political order would improve the realm and offered him a chance to help suppress the great clans.
• Wang Xiang refused, arguing that capable ministers and clans could preserve stability even when emperors were incompetent.
• Cao Mao countered that powerful clans had seized authority, abandoned the people to disaster, and repeatedly worsened the realm's suffering.

Cao Mao bid farewell to Wang Xiang, who left Taiji Hall and died after an assassination, while Cao Mao and Zhang Hua used the killing to reshape the court. Xun Yi blamed Guo Pei for the plot and was allowed to leave, as Cao Mao planned Wang Xiang’s appointment and further changes to government posts.

• Cao Mao challenged Wang Xiang’s defense of the established court, thanked him for what he had learned, and said farewell as Wang Xiang departed Taiji Hall.
• A servant told Xun Yi that Wang Xiang had been killed by death warriors, and Xun Yi rushed to the palace to report that Guo Pei had planned the assassination.
• Cao Mao accused Xun Yi of complicity, but Xun Yi blamed Guo Pei and Zhang Hua persuaded Cao Mao to let him leave.
• Cao Mao and Zhang Hua agreed to appoint Wang Xiang Director of the Secretariat and use the assassination to pressure the ministers.
• Cao Mao planned to replace Yuan Liang and Zheng Chong, establish a Ministry of Justice under Zhong Hui, and return Chen Qian to military service.

Wang Chang reported progress on Cao Mao’s seven strategies of governance and accepted appointment as Grand Tutor and Director of the Secretariat. Empress Dowager Guo then visited Cao Mao with Zheng Xian, and their performance left Cao Mao recognizing how effectively they had worked together to steady her.

• Wang Chang reported that Zheng Chong and the other ministers had revised the laws and that work on the remaining strategies was advancing.
• Cao Mao appointed Wang Chang Grand Tutor and Director of the Secretariat, and Wang Chang pledged to serve him faithfully.
• Empress Dowager Guo visited Cao Mao with Zheng Xian and handed him a letter criticizing the ministers who were making matters difficult for him.
• Cao Mao scolded Zheng Xian for worrying Empress Dowager Guo, but she defended Zheng Xian and offered Cao Mao her support.
• Cao Mao realized Zheng Xian had helped Empress Dowager Guo feel needed by sharing his troubles, and he silently praised their teamwork.

Liu Lu revealed to Wang Yuan that he was the emperor’s envoy and urged him to help attack bandits and the great clans. Wang Yuan accepted the opportunity and prepared his followers to make the clans bleed.

• Wang Yuan’s trusted aides plotted to poison Yang Zongfu, but Wang Yuan ordered them to leave when Liu Lu arrived alone to see him.
• Liu Lu told Wang Yuan that his real name was Liu Lu and that the emperor had sent him to the mountains.
• Liu Lu praised Wang Yuan’s loyalty and proposed forming the Water Bandit Organization to campaign against bandits and strike at the great clans.
• Wang Yuan asked whether Guo Ze knew of the plan and whether Liu Lu had an imperial edict, then listened as Liu Lu shared details meant to confirm his imperial ties.
• After Liu Lu left, Wang Yuan told his trusted aides that the emperor would entrust them with important duties and urged them to prepare to make the great clans bleed.

Cao Mao visited the Imperial Academy with Sima Yan to assess its declining scholarly life and consider how to revive it. There, he encountered the deaf scholar Huangfu Mi, whose identity left him stunned.

• Guo Pei defiantly denied ordering Wang Xiang's assassination, and Cao Mao sent him to the Minister of Justice while directing Zhang Hua to investigate his arrangements.
• Sima Yan told Cao Mao about his visits to the Imperial Academy and complained that the rewards he had given diligent students were too small.
• Cao Mao and Sima Yan entered the Imperial Academy in disguise, where Cao Mao saw how few students studied and resolved to make the academy more lively.
• A man accidentally collided with Cao Mao, and the guards pinned him down before learning he was deaf and had not intended an offense.
• The man identified himself as Huangfu Mi, and Cao Mao was startled by the scholar's identity.

Cao Mao met the ailing scholar Huangfu Mi, granted him access to the Imperial Palace’s medical books, and ordered Sima Yan to protect and assist him. Meanwhile, Guo Pei dismissed his nephew’s hopes of rescue and remained confident in his own position as Cao Mao received Cao Yu and the indignant Cao Yan.

• Cao Mao learned that Huangfu Mi had come to borrow books, revealed himself as the Son of Heaven, and gave him permission to consult the Imperial Palace’s collection.
• Cao Mao praised Huangfu Mi’s determination, instructed Sima Yan to help him and prevent anyone from bullying him, then left for the Imperial Palace.
• In prison, Guo Pei told Guo Zhang that the ministers would not rescue him and privately convinced himself that his own clan ties and lack of evidence would protect him.
• Zhang Hua’s investigation found little evidence that Guo Pei had hidden support, leaving him to wonder whether Guo Pei was simply overconfident.
• Cao Mao received Cao Yu and former Central Army commander Cao Yan in the Western Hall, where Cao Yan appeared arrogant and indignant.

Cao Mao questioned Cao Yu and Cao Yan about Wang Xiang’s stabbing, warned them against associating with treacherous officials, and sent them away. Cao Yan later boasted that he had rejected command of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, then went to confront Wen Yang and found him fighting a group of men in the camp.

• Cao Yu told Cao Mao that he had attended a banquet with Xun Yi and others but had stayed silent when they discussed Wang Xiang.
• Cao Mao urged Cao Yu to bring troubling matters directly to him and rebuked Cao Yan for his hostility and past dealings with the Sima Family.
• Cao Mao warned Cao Yan to avoid treacherous scoundrels, and Cao Yan left the palace with Cao Yu.
• Cao Yan told his aides that Cao Mao had offered him the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry but that he had turned it down.
• Cao Yan’s aides criticized Wen Yang and Wen Qin, prompting Cao Yan to head to the cavalry camp to teach Wen Yang a lesson.
• Cao Yan entered the drill ground and saw Wen Yang repeatedly rise and knock down the men grappling with him.

Wen Yang impressed Cao Yan enough to abandon his plan to take over the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, while Yang Hu struggled to send the Imperial Clan members in Hebei back to their fiefs despite their terror of the emperor. Cao Mao heard of the princes’ resistance, praised Yang Hu’s efforts to restore Hebei, and ordered Guo Pei disposed of without implicating Pei Xiu.

• Wen Yang dragged Cao Yan through the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry camp and showed him the troops’ training and battle record, convincing Cao Yan to give up taking command of them.
• Yang Hu tried to reassure the Imperial Clan members in Hebei that Cao Mao would treat them well, but Cao Ti and the others feared being sent back to their fiefs.
• Yang Hu forcibly escorted the princes from Hebei, while they wept and feared the emperor’s intentions.
• Yang Hu began restoring order in Hebei by inspecting officials, dismissing many, and recommending capable scholars to the court.
• Cao Mao learned that the Imperial Clan members still distrusted him, praised Yang Hu’s recommendations, and ordered Guo Pei disposed of while protecting Pei Xiu from implication.

Cao Mao encouraged Ma Jun to develop printing and shared scientific ideas with him, then visited Zheng Chong and Wang Chang as they worked on a practical guide for officials. After Zhang Hua reported that Shi Bao and Hu Fen were approaching Sili, Cao Mao ordered them welcomed normally and reflected on the risks of relying on newly recruited talent while preparing for unification.

• Ma Jun demonstrated printing to Cao Mao and asked for ten days to improve the process, while Cao Mao outlined ideas about movable type and other sources of power.
• After Cao Mao left, Ma Jun recognized gravity from the emperor’s explanation and ordered his retainer to find a water vat.
• Cao Mao visited Zheng Chong and Wang Chang, praising their work on a practical governance manual for officials.
• Zhang Hua informed Cao Mao that Shi Bao and Hu Fen were approaching Sili, and Cao Mao told him to welcome them with the usual courtesies.
• Cao Mao considered how quickly he had entrusted former members of the Sima Family’s legacy with important duties and concluded that the Great Clans remained a threat to Great Wei.

Shi Bao and Hu Fen arrived in Luoyang, where Cao Mao confronted Shi Bao over Qingzhou’s corruption but reassured Hu Fen of his trust in Hu Zun. Hu Fen left impressed by the emperor’s regard for his father and sent Hu Zun a letter.

• On the journey to Luoyang, Hu Fen explained that Hu Zun planned to cooperate with court officials to inspect Qingzhou and Xuzhou, while Shi Bao grew anxious about Qingzhou’s corruption.
• Xiahou He and Zhang Hua welcomed Shi Bao and Hu Fen to Luoyang, and Zhang Hua asked why Hu Zun had not come himself.
• At Taiji Hall, Cao Mao rebuked Shi Bao over Qingzhou’s corrupt officials and warned that future offenders would face severe punishment.
• Cao Mao showed concern for Hu Zun’s illness and praised his administration of Xuzhou and Qingzhou, leaving Hu Fen deeply moved.
• After leaving the palace, Hu Fen wrote to Hu Zun and sent the letter by mounted courier.

Hu Zun recovered his resolve after receiving Cao Mao’s praise and began preparing to enforce the emperor’s orders in Qingzhou and Xuzhou. In the palace, Huangfu Mi treated Guo Ping, while Cao Mao learned that Shu and Wu were increasing contact and ordered an investigation into their intentions.

• Hu Zun read Hu Fen’s urgent letter conveying Cao Mao’s praise and orders, then summoned his generals and commanded them to support the palace inspectors and punish anyone who obstructed them.
• Huangfu Mi treated Guo Ping with acupuncture and told Cao Mao that he could cure the child over time.
• Huangfu Mi explained that his medical studies began as an effort to treat his own illness, and Cao Mao proposed establishing a Medical Bureau to develop and spread medical knowledge.
• Sima Yue thanked Cao Mao for saving Guo Ping and admitted that she had taught Zheng Xian methods to ease Cao Mao’s troubles.
• Zhang Hua told Cao Mao that Shu and Wu had been exchanging envoys and that their military movements were growing more frequent, so Cao Mao ordered an investigation into their plans.

Sun Jun received Jiang Xian, who sought grain from Wu rather than committing Shu to an alliance, and decided to provide supplies to keep Shu fighting Wei. As Sun Jun planned further cooperation, Princess Quan accused Princess Zhu of involvement in Sun Yi’s rebellion, adding to Wu’s internal turmoil.

• Sun Jun welcomed Jiang Xian and proposed that Wu and Shu form an alliance against Cao Wei.
• Jiang Xian praised Shu’s recent campaign but asked Wu to trade grain and military supplies for Shu’s silk, saying he could not decide on an alliance himself.
• After Jiang Xian left, Sun 𬘭 protested against providing grain, but Sun Jun explained that Shu had to be supported so it could continue tying down Wei.
• Sun Jun ordered grain supplied to Shu and rebuked Sun 𬘭, then resumed planning cooperation with Shu’s ministers.
• A servant sent by Princess Quan interrupted Sun Jun with her accusation that Princess Zhu had been involved in Sun Yi’s rebellion.

Cao Mao challenged the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove to compare the aspirations and achievements of the Four Hao of Shangshan with Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and Han Xin. He left the gathering having forced the scholars to concede that the three Han founders surpassed the recluses in aspiration, achievement, and conduct.

• Cao Mao asked the scholars whether the Four Hao of Shangshan or Xiao He, Zhang Liang, and Han Xin had loftier aspirations.
• Ruan Ji and Wang Rong defended the Four Hao, but Cao Mao argued that the three Han figures acted to benefit the world and that their deeds embodied the Way.
• Cao Mao argued that the three men’s achievements benefited later dynasties and that the Four Hao’s withdrawal from public life could not compare.
• Liu Ling questioned Cao Mao by comparing the Four Hao with Lü Buwei and Li Si, and Ruan Xian criticized the Former Han emperor for slighting worthy men.
• Cao Mao invoked Chancellor Cao, frightening Ruan Xian, and Ruan Ji tried to excuse his nephew’s words.
• Ji Kang told Cao Mao that the Seven Sages agreed Xiao He, Han Xin, and Zhang Liang surpassed the Four Hao in aspiration, achievement, and conduct.

Cao Mao used his debate with the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove to challenge scholars’ admiration of reclusion and empty talk, while Zhong Hui regretted missing it. Zhong Hui then assessed Shu and Wu’s political weaknesses and urged Cao Mao to deepen Shu’s internal conflict without sending troops.

• Zhong Hui rushed to Cao Mao and complained that he had missed the debate, while Cao Mao explained that he had deliberately kept him away to prevent him from joining the Seven Sages.
• Zhong Hui said the debate had become a topic of discussion among scholars, and Cao Mao considered holding more debates to promote a new school of thought in Great Wei.
• Cao Mao asked Zhong Hui to compare the aspirations of the Four Whiteheads with those of the Three Outstanding Figures, and Zhong Hui said Xiao He and the others had loftier aspirations before seeking the Great Way like Zhang Liang.
• Zhong Hui rebuked Zhang Hua for not visiting his imprisoned clansman Zhang Yi, then told Zhang Hua to go comfort him so he would remain alive.
• Zhong Hui told Cao Mao that Shu had sent Jiang Xian to Wu and argued that Shu and Wu were unlikely to form a reliable alliance because of their internal divisions.
• Zhong Hui advised Cao Mao to focus on Shu and intensify its internal struggle without deploying troops, proposing that Great Wei create another nominal General Who Attacks Shu.