Chapter Summaries

Zhang Hua reassured the captured Zhang Yi that his family was safe and that Cao Mao would not execute him, while discussing the weakness of Shu. After seeing Ma Jun’s woodblock printing, Cao Mao proposed printing the imperial collection and opening libraries throughout Wei, leaving Zhong Hui and Du Yu enthusiastic about spreading learning.

• Zhang Hua told Zhang Yi that his clan had not been punished and urged him not to seek death, while Zhang Yi challenged his praise of Wei.
• Zhang Hua discussed Shu’s political condition with Zhang Yi, who became calmer before Zhang Hua departed.
• Cao Mao and Zhong Hui watched Ma Jun demonstrate woodblock printing of the Classic of Filial Piety, and Zhong Hui recognized its potential.
• Cao Mao proposed printing the Eastern Hall’s books and establishing libraries across Wei for anyone seeking knowledge.
• Zhong Hui agreed the plan could be carried out, and Du Yu praised Cao Mao for making learning more accessible through Ma Jun’s craft.

Cao Mao pressed ahead with reforms to Great Wei’s officials despite widespread resignations and warnings that local disorder could disrupt the autumn harvest. When Zang Ai rebelled and claimed he would restore the King of Qi, Cao Mao ordered his clan and the officials who had recommended him arrested and beheaded.

• Cao Mao appointed new regional Inspectors and put Zhong Hui in charge of a comparative system for assessing local officials.
• Zheng Mao struggled to fill vacancies as officials resigned and urgent transfer orders disrupted local administration ahead of the autumn harvest.
• Cui Zan urged Cao Mao to slow the reforms, but Cao Mao refused and insisted that officials could not hold the harvest hostage.
• Zhang Hua reported that Zang Ai had attacked a palace officials’ convoy and raised troops, claiming he would welcome back the King of Qi.
• Cao Mao recognized Zang Ai as the corrupt son of Zang Ba and ordered his clansmen and everyone who had recommended him for Inspector of Qingzhou arrested and beheaded.

Cao Mao confronted Shi Bao about his role in promoting the corrupt Zang Ai, who had raised an army in rebellion. Hu Zun received Zang Ai’s letter naming his fellow conspirators and immediately ordered his troops to capture them, leaving the campaign against the rebels about to begin.

• Shi Bao praised Cao Mao at home before Cheng Ji arrived with the emperor’s summons.
• Cao Mao questioned Shi Bao about recommending Zang Ai and explained that bribery made him unfit for office.
• Shi Bao confessed that he had accepted Zang Ai’s money and women, then learned that Zang Ai had rebelled.
• Cao Mao condemned the corruption that had allowed Zang Ai to seek high office and lamented how furious Hu Zun must be.
• Hu Zun showed his generals Zang Ai’s letter inviting him to join the rebellion and listing other conspirators.
• Hu Zun ordered his troops to pursue the named rebels and promised to request rewards for their military merits.

Sun Yu seized Cao Fang and used the deposed emperor to proclaim Cao Mao’s supposed crimes, hoping to rally the realm against him. Cao Fang silently resented being drawn into Sun Yu’s rebellion, while Sun Yu remained confident and awaited support from allies elsewhere.

• Sun Yu read a list of accusations against Cao Mao before Cao Fang and Qingzhou’s officials, demanding an edict calling for a campaign against him.
• The chapter recounted how Sun Yu and Zang Ai had planned their rebellion to protect Qingzhou’s powerful clans from investigation and punishment.
• Cao Fang stayed silent when Sun Yu asked him to issue the proclamation, fearing that the rebels’ defeat would cost him his life.
• Sun Yu declared that Cao Fang commanded the realm to rise against Cao Mao, and the assembled ministers acknowledged the order.
• Sun Yu kept his troops in place, guarded Cao Fang, and met with trusted aides to plan their next moves as he waited for responses and help from allies.

Sun Yu’s call for rebellion spread across the provinces, but Cao Mao’s inspectors largely rejected it and reported the plot. Meanwhile, Hu Zun’s rapid advance shattered Sun Yu’s forces, leaving Sun Yu preparing to lead the defense himself as his rebellion neared collapse.

• Pei Hui killed Sun Yu’s envoy, summoned local officials, and ordered them to contact General Yang after learning Sun Yu had rebelled.
• He Zhen had Sun Yu’s envoy bound and sent to Luoyang, while Fu Xuan denounced the rebellion and rode to meet Guanqiu Jian.
• Sun Yu’s proclamation stirred unrest across several provinces, prompting generals to ready their armies and some governors to waver or rebel.
• Wu Sheng reported that Hu Zun’s veteran army had routed his troops and seized cities across Qingzhou with remarkable speed.
• Sun Yu imprisoned Wu Sheng and declared that he would lead the troops to hold the line until reinforcements arrived.

Sun Jun secured approval to lead fifty thousand troops against Huainan after bargaining with Quan Shang and other Wu officials. In Wei, Cao Mao faced the spread of Sun Yu’s rebellion and condemned the officials who had recommended the rebel leaders, while preparing to punish Bao.

• Sun Jun proposed an expedition against Huainan, but Quan Shang and other generals objected over the risks and the cost of war.
• Sun Jun and Quan Shang compromised on a fifty-thousand-man expedition led by Sun Jun with Lü Ju and Liu Zan, and Wu began mobilizing.
• Zhuge Dan reported that Zang Ai had rebelled on Sun Yu’s orders and that Qingzhou commandery officials had joined him.
• Cao Mao viewed the rebellion as an opportunity to crack down on local officials, though he publicly expressed anger at the ministers who had recommended the rebels.
• Cao Mao accused Bao of failing to control Qingzhou and declared that the general must be punished.

Cao Mao ordered Sima Yan to take charge of the Imperial Academy and appoint officials to improve Great Wei’s administration. As Hu Zun’s forces besieged Linzi, Qingzhou officers killed Sun Yu and called for surrender.

• Shi Bao repeatedly confessed his guilt before Cao Mao, who ordered Zhuge Dan to end the Qingzhou unrest quickly.
• Cao Mao told Sima Yan to focus on appointing capable local officials and begin evaluations under Zhong Shiji’s assessment method.
• Cao Mao assigned Sima Yan to supervise the Imperial Academy, and Sima Yan asked for Lord Zhong’s help.
• Cao Mao arranged for Zhong Yu to assist Sima Yan, leaving Sima Yan stunned when he realized Cao Mao had misunderstood which Lord Zhong he meant.
• As Hu Zun’s forces attacked Linzi, Sun Yu ordered his men to withdraw so he could seek reinforcements.
• Sun Yu’s officers killed him, then shouted for the gates to be opened and the city to surrender.

Hu Zun crushed Sun Yu’s rebellion, secured the King of Qi, and began reorganizing Qingzhou and Xuzhou with new officials. After receiving the Imperial Court’s order to escort Cao Fang to Luoyang, he left the two provinces’ governance to Li Xi and Hu Wei.

• Hu Zun accepted the surrender of Qingzhou’s generals, captured Cao Fang, and sent Sun Yu’s head and other prisoners toward Luoyang.
• Hu Zun kept Cao Fang under guard while awaiting the Imperial Court’s decision and directed his trusted generals to suppress powerful local clans involved in the rebellion.
• Hu Zun learned about the newly appointed Inspector of Qingzhou, Li Xi, and eagerly planned to fill vacancies in both provinces with capable Governors.
• Li Xi arrived, and Hu Zun charged him and Hu Wei with governing Qingzhou and Xuzhou prosperously within two years.
• Hu Zun received the Imperial Court’s order to escort Cao Fang to Luoyang and left the provinces in Li Xi and Hu Wei’s hands.

Yang Hu, Pei Hui, and He Zhen responded to the swift suppression of the Qingzhou rebellion by planning arrests and administrative reforms, while Guanqiu Jian prepared for a possible Wu invasion. In Luoyang, Cao Mao assigned Zhong Yu to help reform the Imperial Academy, and Zhong Yu agreed despite rejecting rumors about his connection to Sun Yu.

• Yang Hu learned that Hu Zun had quickly quelled the Qingzhou rebellion, and He Zhen urged the inspectors to spread the news and guard against further uprisings.
• Yang Hu, Pei Hui, and He Zhen identified risky regions, ordered suspected rebels arrested, and discussed evaluating commandery governors under the new assessment system.
• Guanqiu Jian rejected Fu Xuan's suggestion to disband the army and prepared Yu Province and Yangzhou for a possible Wu attack on Qingzhou or Xuzhou.
• Cao Mao sent Zhang Hua and Sima Yan to ask Zhong Yu to help reform the Imperial Academy, citing Sima Zhao's support for the plan.
• Zhong Yu denied having improper dealings with Sun Yu but agreed to go to the Imperial Academy.

Sima Yan and Zhong Yu imposed stricter rules at the Imperial Academy, driving out Erudites who rejected propriety, while Zhong Hui urged Wang Jing to kill officials in Sili who had corresponded with Sun Yu. The chapter left Wang Jing resisting Zhong Hui’s proposed purge.

• Sima Yan visited the Imperial Academy with Zhong Yu and announced rules against misconduct.
• Several Erudites protested the rules and left after Zhong Yu dismissed them, and Li Kang arranged to inform the students and punish offenders.
• Zhong Yu took charge of finding replacements for the departed Erudites, while Sima Yan agreed to follow his advice.
• Zhong Hui urged Wang Jing to kill officials in Sili who had exchanged letters with Sun Yu, but Wang Jing objected that the purge would be excessive.
• Zhong Hui argued that ministers would oppose dismissals but would not defend the officials once they had been killed.

Cao Mao questioned Zang Ai about his corruption and learned that he had turned to bribery after honest work failed to earn him advancement. Cao Mao welcomed Hu Zun and Cao Fang to Luoyang, while the court continued to debate Zhong Hui’s harsh plans and Cao Fang’s fate; Hu Zun claimed he had recovered from his illness thanks to Cao Mao’s grace.

• Zhong Hui planned to use Sun Yu’s rebellion to purge local officials, but Wang Jing objected to executing officials merely for incompetence, and the two parted in disagreement.
• Cao Mao questioned the captured Zang Ai, who explained that he had resorted to bribery after merit and study failed to win him promotions.
• Zhang Hua relayed reports about official appointments, Zhong Hui’s proposed harsh laws, Hu Zun’s arrival, possible unrest in Wu, Qiang raids, and suspected rebels.
• Cao Mao ordered high honors for Hu Zun and left Cao Fang’s fate unresolved as officials speculated about whether the former emperor should be killed.
• Cao Mao welcomed Hu Zun and Cao Fang to Luoyang, reassured Cao Fang, and rode with Hu Zun toward Taiji Hall.
• Cao Mao asked about Hu Zun’s health, and Hu Zun said he had recovered thanks to Cao Mao’s grace.

After Hu Zun crushed the Qingzhou rebellion and brought the last military region under Cao Mao’s control, Cao Mao reflected on the limits of his power and his need to remain cautious. He reassured the former emperor Cao Fang that he would not kill him, then asked him to write pieces praising their kinship and Cao Mao’s care for the Imperial Clan.

• Cao Mao reminded himself not to rely too heavily on foreknowledge after seeing how his actions had changed events.
• Cao Mao hosted a banquet for Hu Zun but struggled to decide what title to grant him, since the available senior general post was General of Agile Cavalry.
• Hu Zun’s victory brought the last military region under Cao Mao’s control, leaving him in command of Cao Wei’s armed forces as the court’s factions settled into a wary balance.
• Cao Mao left the banquet with Zhang Hua and returned to the Western Hall, where Cao Fang waited in fear.
• Cao Mao told Cao Fang he would not kill him, explained that he needed trusted Cao family members in government, and asked Cao Fang to write works praising their brotherly affection and his care for the Imperial Clan.
• Cao Fang asked how Cao Mao had defeated Sima Shi, and Cao Mao replied that he had waited in Taiji Hall for Sima Shi to die of illness.

Cao Mao privately met Hu Zun, approved his harsh campaign against Qingzhou’s great clans, and appointed him Grand General of Agile Cavalry and military governor of Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Zhong Hui then rushed in, furious that Cao Mao had put his elder brother in charge of his affairs and disrupted his plans.

• Hu Zun asked whether Cao Mao would pardon Cao Fang, and Cao Mao explained that sparing him would keep the General of Chariots and Cavalry from feeling guilty and conflicted.
• Hu Zun reported that he had crushed the Qingzhou rebellion and that Sun Yu’s rebels had plundered and destroyed the local great clans; Cao Mao praised Hu Zun for helping clear the way for better governance.
• Cao Mao appointed Hu Zun Grand General of Agile Cavalry, Acting with Imperial Authority, and military governor of Qingzhou and Xuzhou.
• Hu Zun presented Cao Mao with a list of candidates for local posts, then found that Yang Hu had requested many of the same officials for his own territories.
• Hu Zun warned Zhong Hui not to disappoint the elder brother who had raised him, and Zhong Hui entered the hall furious that his brother had been put in charge of his affairs.

Cao Mao reshuffled Great Wei’s court, assigning capable officials to the new Imperial Secretariat and Six Ministries while redirecting Zhong Hui from his purge plans. In Huainan, Sun Jun ordered a feigned attack despite Lü Ju’s objections, unaware Cao Wei forces were closing in on his flanks.

• Cao Mao had Zhong Yu and Xiahou He review Zhong Hui’s list, then urged Zhong Hui to focus on nationwide assessments, civil service examinations, and schools rather than purging Sili officials.
• Cao Mao established the new Imperial Secretariat and appointed Wang Chang, Xun Yi, and Chen Tai to lead it, then assigned ministers to the Six Ministries and expanded the Central Secretariat and Attendant Office.
• Cao Mao completed his court reshuffle and judged that Great Wei now had a stronger lineup of officials for governing.
• In Huainan, Lü Ju urged Sun Jun to withdraw because the campaign was poorly timed and Cao Wei had entrusted Guanqiu Jian with command of nearby armies.
• Liu Zan proposed feigning an attack on Tuogao to draw out enemy reinforcements, and Sun Jun ordered Lü Ju to lead the feint while he and Liu Zan prepared an ambush.
• Lü Ju reluctantly advanced toward Tuogao as two Cao Wei armies silently moved onto Sun Jun’s flanks, poised to attack.

Lü Ju and Sun Jun struggled to coordinate a rescue after Guanqiu Jian trapped Liu Zan, while Guanqiu Jian deliberately used Liu Zan’s plight to pressure Wu. Gravely ill and abandoned with exhausted troops, Liu Zan led a final charge and was killed by Jiang Ban.

• Liu Zan encountered Guanqiu Jian’s main force, while Jiang Ban’s vanguard drove Sun Jun back and severed communications between the Wu armies.
• Lü Ju joined Sun Jun and urged a cautious rescue, but the two distrusted each other and failed to settle on a plan.
• Guanqiu Jian chose to focus on killing Liu Zan and Lü Ju rather than pursue Sun Jun, knowing Liu Zan’s capture would pressure Wu.
• Surrounded and gravely ill, Liu Zan gave his seal and insignia to Liu An and ordered him to escape and warn Sun Jun to withdraw.
• Liu An reluctantly left, and Liu Zan rallied his exhausted soldiers and charged the enemy with them.
• Jiang Ban killed Liu Zan in battle; Sun Leng and Jiang Xiu also died rather than surrender.

After receiving news of Guanqiu Jian’s victory over Sun Jun, Cao Mao discussed strategies for pressuring Shu Kingdom, containing Wu Kingdom, and preparing Great Wei’s forces for the future. He then left the palace for a casual stroll through Luoyang, where young literati invited the unfamiliar, handsome youth to drink.

• Jiao Bo reported that Jiang Ban had killed Liu Zan and other Wu generals, while Guanqiu Jian pursued Sun Jun.
• Cao Mao summoned Zhuge Dan, Chen Qian, and Xiahou Xian to discuss appointing Zhuge Xu General Who Conquers Shu and setting strategy against Shu Kingdom and Wu Kingdom.
• Cao Mao approved pressure on Shu Kingdom, relief for Wu Kingdom, operations against the Qiang and Hu, and preparations to build a navy.
• Cao Mao asked Cheng Ji to prepare a carriage so he could tour Luoyang without clearing the streets.
• Cao Mao walked through Luoyang and politely declined invitations from young literati to visit their residences for drinks.

Cao Mao visited a humble eatery in Luoyang and witnessed the fear, poverty, and injustice ordinary people faced under the ruling elites. After wandering the city, he was approached by a low-ranking official who recognized him as the Son of Heaven of Great Wei.

• Cao Mao entered a shabby eatery, where the customers and proprietor feared him because they assumed he was a dangerous noble.
• Cao Mao ate ordinary food and listened as the people around him endured memories of abuse, corruption, and loss.
• Cao Mao paid for more food for his guards, then left to wander Luoyang and resolved to purge the powerful men responsible for the suffering.
• Cheng Ji caught the father from the eatery following them and brought him before Cao Mao.
• The father asked whether Cao Mao was His Majesty, and Cao Mao confirmed that he was the Son of Heaven of Great Wei.

Cao Mao disguised himself to investigate Zuo Xi’s complaint that officials at the Censorate demanded bribes for entry. After witnessing the corruption, he arrested Mouqiu Dian and ordered Zhong Hui to lead a sweeping, ruthless investigation across Luoyang and the localities.

• Zuo Xi explained that he had been unable to deliver his reports because the Censorate’s gatekeeper demanded money, and Cao Mao disguised himself to investigate.
• At the Censorate, the gatekeeper claimed the bribes were official fees, and Cao Mao ordered Cheng Ji to behead him.
• Cao Mao entered the Censorate, denounced its corruption, and ordered Mouqiu Dian stripped of his post and sent to the Ministry of Justice.
• Cao Mao admitted to Zhong Hui that he regretted his restraint and ordered him to investigate officials throughout the realm with severe force.
• Zuo Xi trembled as he realized his complaint had set off a major purge.

Cheng Ji told Cao Mao that Wang Rong and other officials exploited their positions and threatened men of humble backgrounds, prompting Cao Mao to resolve to purge corrupt officials. At the Censorate, Zhong Hui recruited Zuo Xi for his new Ministry of Justice as Cao Mao prepared to confront the great clans.

• Cheng Ji told Cao Mao that Wang Rong was trying to take his elder brother’s farmland and profited by selling recommendations for office, then named other allegedly corrupt officials.
• Cao Mao returned to the palace furious, and Zhang Hua listened as Cheng Ji recounted the abuses at the Censorate.
• Zhong Hui praised Zuo Xi for bringing Cao Mao to the Censorate and ordered him to bring his family to Luoyang and serve in the new Ministry of Justice.
• Zhong Hui explained that he planned to recruit capable officials from lowly backgrounds to staff the Ministry of Justice.
• Zhang Hua warned that a purge could provoke the great clans and strengthen Wu and Shu, but Cao Mao insisted that the corrupt officials should all be eliminated.

After exposing corruption in the Censorate, Zhong Hui forced Wang Su to support a campaign against officials who had abused their power. Cao Mao then approved Wang Rong’s arrest after evidence confirmed his crimes, leaving Zhong Hui concerned about the political fallout.

• The court promoted Guanqiu Jian for his victory over Wu and stripped Mouqiu Dian of his office and noble rank for failing to discipline his subordinates.
• Zhong Hui searched Wang Su’s residence for Wang Kai, accusing him of cheating in an examination and helping the Censorate frame the scholar who reported him.
• Wang Su agreed to join Zhuge Dan and Sima Zhao in petitioning Cao Mao to punish corrupt officials, and Zhong Hui left with Wang Su’s support.
• Wang Su confronted Wang Kai about his ties to the Censorate, leaving his son frightened.
• Cao Mao ordered Jiao Bo and Zhang Hua to investigate Wang Rong, then decided to arrest him after confirming the charges.
• Zhong Hui worried that arresting the celebrated Wang Rong could provoke powerful clans and unrest in Liangzhou.