Chapter Summaries

Wen Yang returned from his campaign against Wa Island and was rewarded as he prepared to take charge of Hebei’s military affairs. After Yang Hu and Guanqiu Jian departed, Wen Yang began organizing the army and setting priorities for his new command.

• Wen Yang returned to Lelang Commandery, then traveled to the Yan Kingdom to meet Yang Hu, who welcomed him and prepared to hand over command.
• At a royal banquet, Guanqiu Jian announced Wen Yang’s rewards, while Cheng Ji became the General Who Subdues the North and Zhou Chu was promoted to Deputy General.
• Guanqiu Jian told Wen Yang that the emperor intended to entrust him with Hebei’s military affairs, but warned him to avoid interfering in local government and gave him six months to prove himself.
• After Guanqiu Jian and Yang Hu left, Wen Yang assigned his commanders, rewarded the returning troops, and ordered an investigation into corruption and false military claims.
• Wen Yang set goals to monitor the frontier, eradicate banditry, and protect the army, while communicating with local officials by letter rather than meeting them.

Pei Xiu pressured Long Hui over his unauthorized killing of the King of Kucha and laid out three ways to avoid punishment. Long Hui leaned toward following the Shanshan King's example after Pei Xiu assured him he could still go out for amusement.

• Long Hui arrived in Luoyang and waited anxiously for Pei Xiu while officials kept him from seeing the emperor or his horsemen.
• Pei Xiu explained that Long Hui’s troops had killed an imperial vassal king, making the act a crime that could draw calls for his execution.
• Pei Xiu offered Long Hui three options: confess and accept punishment, relinquish his throne to a younger brother, or request a chancellor or commandery for his kingdom.
• Long Hui hesitated over the choices, then asked whether following the Shanshan King's example would leave him free to go out for amusement.
• Pei Xiu assured Long Hui that he would still be free to go out.

After Long Hui was enfeoffed as King of Yanqi, Cao Mao discussed Sha Province’s administration and the compilation of the New Code with his ministers. The chapter ended with the law debate yielding agreement on a more rigorous code, while Pei Xiu stayed behind after the others left.

• Cao Mao enfeoffed Long Hui as King of Yanqi, and ministers debated whether his vengeance for his father had been justified.
• Cao Mao reflected on Great Wei’s changing literary and intellectual culture and praised the more vigorous spirit of its ministers.
• Hua Yi presented the Ministry of Personnel’s proposed appointments for Sha Province, which Cao Mao planned to divide into five commanderies and sixty-four counties.
• Zhong Hui urged Cao Mao to delay Sha Province appointments until capable younger officials could be selected, then argued that the New Code should be compiled in a new form rather than modeled on Han law.
• Zhang Hua and Pei Xiu argued over Zhong Hui’s proposal, and Cao Mao supported organizing the code into general provisions, separate offense chapters, and defined grades of punishment.
• After Zhong Hui and the others left, Pei Xiu stayed behind, and Cao Mao felt pleased by his willingness to keep working.

Pei Xiu warned Cao Mao that Buddhist institutions were spreading and wasting resources, prompting Cao Mao to order Liu Song to address the problem. Meanwhile, Zhong Hui arranged for Long Hui to serve as a general under Ma Long, while Liu Yuan prepared for the coming examinations.

• Pei Xiu reported that Buddhist rulers and temples were imposing costs on the people and consuming labor and farmland, and Cao Mao ordered Liu Song to handle the matter.
• Cao Mao taught Cao Wen, told him that Guanqiu Jian would soon take over his lessons, and brought him to visit the Inner Palace, where Sima Yue was caring for the children while Zheng Xian was pregnant.
• Zhong Hui offered Long Hui a place at the Imperial Academy or service as a general, and Long Hui accepted a position assisting Ma Long.
• Liu Yuan questioned Zhong Hui's decision to summon Long Hui, and Zhong Hui rebuked him for looking down on men without learning.
• Liu Yuan continued studying the Classics for the summer examinations of Ganlu Year Seven and resolved to make a name for himself.

Yang Hu rode back toward Luoyang with Guanqiu Jian, reflecting on the changes brought by unification and worrying about his upcoming post under Zhong Hui. Guanqiu Jian reunited with the Crown Prince and Pei Xiu, then met Cao Mao outside the city.

• Yang Hu and Guanqiu Jian discussed how peaceful roads and prosperous villages reflected deeper changes after unification.
• Cao Wen waited outside Luoyang to welcome Guanqiu Jian, and Cao Qi coached him on how to address his teacher.
• Guanqiu Jian greeted Cao Wen and praised Pei Xiu for his recent work, prompting Pei Xiu to admit his past shortcomings.
• Yang Hu asked Pei Xiu about Zhong Hui and learned that Zhong Hui now mainly disliked incompetent subordinates and Zhang Hua.
• Cao Mao welcomed Guanqiu Jian outside Luoyang, and Cao Wen led them forward with practiced ease.

After Guanqiu Jian reported that the northern campaign had secured Hebei, Cao Mao entrusted him with instructing Cao Wen and overseeing court affairs. Meanwhile, Yang Hu began planning a revival of Han-era moral policies, and Wei Shu submitted the first draft of the New Code for Cao Mao to review.

• Guanqiu Jian told Cao Mao that the northern frontier had no serious threats and defended the campaign as a way to secure lasting peace.
• Cao Mao asked Guanqiu Jian to teach Cao Wen and help monitor the ministers at court.
• Zhong Hui assigned Yang Hu the task of promoting learning and moral conduct throughout the regions, and Yang Hu considered restoring Han-era practices such as honoring virtuous elders.
• Yang Hu worked through the night drafting proposals for moral instruction and local rewards for virtue and diligent farming.
• Wei Shu completed a first draft of the Ganlu Code, and Cao Mao saw the New Code the following day.

Cao Mao guided the ministers in drafting the Ganlu Code, replacing the New Code with a clearer system and promoting Wei Shu for his work. Meanwhile, Yang Hu proposed restoring revised Han-era commendations and the Three Elders System, and Zhong Hui assigned him and Pei Xiu to develop the reforms.

• Cao Mao reviewed Wei Shu’s draft, ordered clearer provisions and the removal of obsolete offenses, then personally settled disputes over the code.
• After eight revisions, Cao Mao completed the Ganlu Code, which officials across the country welcomed as a practical replacement for the New Code.
• Cao Mao promoted Wei Shu to Senior Secretary, while Zhang Hua’s appointment as a minister drew opposition from Zhong Hui and other ministers.
• Yang Hu sent Zhong Hui proposals for honoring virtuous commoners and restoring a revised Three Elders System to protect them from local abuses.
• Zhong Hui praised Yang Hu’s proposals, ordered Pei Xiu to assist him, and set a deadline for them to carry out the reforms.

Cao Mao’s officials debated reforms to strengthen Great Wei, while Guanqiu Jian saw how different the court had become. Far away, Zhuge Xu and his diminished party reached the Yuezhi royal city at Bactra, where they had been welcomed as people from their ancestral homeland.

• Cao Mao’s palace officials argued over revenue, population, living standards, and military strength, and agreed on proposals including expanding the Good Works Office and adopting Zhang Hua’s sixfold benevolent relief.
• Guanqiu Jian told Cao Mao the meeting differed from those of the past, and Cao Mao said he hoped Great Wei would enjoy a golden age and establish contact with distant nations such as Persia.
• Cao Mao wondered whether Zhuge Xu had reached Yuezhi territory, noting that the journey there and back could take years.
• Zhuge Xu arrived at Bactra with a weary, much-reduced party after more than a hundred companions had died along the way.
• Kushan officials treated Zhuge Xu and his companions as people from their homeland, and Zhuge Xu accepted the welcome as they reached the Yuezhi royal city.

Zhuge Xu reached Lan City and secured the Kushan king’s support for restoring relations and opening a duty-free trade market with Great Wei. The Kushan king then asked Great Wei to help defend Kushan against the Sasanians, leaving Zhuge Xu doubtful that his empire could afford to intervene.

• Kanishka III arranged a lavish reception for Zhuge Xu, whose arrival impressed the weakened Kushan court.
• The Kushan king welcomed Zhuge Xu to the Royal Palace, where local governors and marshals showed little deference to their monarch.
• Zhuge Xu described Great Wei’s recovery and proposed a duty-free market in Sha Province to expand trade between the two countries.
• Kanishka III enthusiastically accepted the trade proposal and asked Great Wei to help Kushan resist the Sasanians.
• Zhuge Xu doubted that Great Wei could afford to send troops so far from home.

Zhuge Xu negotiated with the Kushan king and governors, gathering scholars, trade opportunities, and information before beginning his long journey back to Great Wei. When he reached Kucha Commandery, he found Sha Province transformed by the establishment of commanderies and effective administration.

• Kushan governors tried to prevent the Kushan king from speaking privately with Zhuge Xu, but the king used his guards to lead the envoy away.
• The Kushan king asked Great Wei for help against internal rivals and foreign enemies, offered to serve Wei, and sent his grandson Vasudeva with Zhuge Xu to Luoyang.
• Zhuge Xu spent three months in the royal city discussing trade and assistance, collecting maps from Roman merchants, and allowing his officials to speak with Persian contacts.
• Zhuge Xu left with scholars, specialists, and other goods, then met more Kushan governors and marshals along the return route.
• At the end of the Sixth Year of Ganlu, Zhuge Xu reached Kucha Commandery and learned that Sha Province had five commanderies and had grown prosperous under their officials.

Zhuge Xu returned to Luoyang after years abroad and reported that the Kushan Empire had fragmented, making Persia a better partner for opening a trade route. Meanwhile, Cao Mao discussed Lu Zhi’s retirement, the growing prosperity of Great Wei, and the imperial examination, leaving the question of how to respond to the Kushans’ desperate need for help.

• Zhuge Xu traveled through Dunhuang and other cities, marveling at Great Wei’s population growth, bustling markets, and prosperity.
• Cao Mao met with Lu Zhi, who was retiring, and discussed rising state revenues, improved grain production, and the need to break the great clans’ monopoly on education.
• Cao Mao learned that Liu Yuan had placed first in the imperial examination after Zhang Gui did not compete.
• Yang Zong told Cao Mao that Zhuge Xu had returned, and Cao Mao summoned him to Taiji Hall.
• Zhuge Xu reported that the Kushan Empire had broken apart and advised Cao Mao to deal with the Persians to establish a trade route.
• Cao Mao listened to Zhuge Xu’s account and wondered how Great Wei could help the Kushans.

Cao Mao assessed reports on the failing Kushan Empire and considered pressure to take more consorts before holding the palace examination on the Advancement Edict. After reviewing Liu Yuan’s essay, he saw Zhong Hui’s influence in it and considered placing the young man under Cao Wen.

• Cao Mao concluded from visiting officials’ accounts that the Kushan Empire was close to collapse and that trade with Persia would be more reliable.
• Sima Yue told Cao Mao that Empress Zheng Xian had again urged him to take more consorts, but Cao Mao remained reluctant to disturb the Inner Palace.
• Cao Mao chose the Advancement Edict as the palace examination question to test candidates’ policies and political positions toward the great clans.
• Cao Mao presided over the examination, where Liu Yuan wrote confidently, Guo Ping struggled, and Liu Hong handled the question steadily.
• Cao Mao read Liu Yuan’s essay, recognized Zhong Hui’s influence in its proposals to expand the Advancement Edict, and thought Liu Yuan could be left to Cao Wen.

Cao Mao reviewed the examination papers while Guo Ping confidently boasted about his answers to Crown Prince Cao Wen. At Guanqiu Jian’s residence, Cao Wen discussed imperial policy and learned that Zhuge had died, marking the passing of the era of the old generals.

• Cao Mao praised Liu Yuan’s paper but became furious when he read Guo Ping’s shallow answers about the Advancement Edict.
• Guo Ping told Cao Wen he expected to rival Liu Yuan and defended his answers as proof of loyalty, while Cao Wen urged him to return to the other candidates.
• Cao Wen visited Guanqiu Jian, who asked why the court had established the Spring and Autumn Annals Ranking before continuing the Crown Prince’s lessons.
• Cao Wen asked why Zhang Hua was reprimanded despite receiving promotions, and Guanqiu Jian explained that the ministers feared him while Cao Mao hoped to guide him toward better conduct.
• A Gentleman of the Court informed Guanqiu Jian that Zhuge had died, and Guanqiu Jian mourned the passing of the old generals’ era.

At the East Hall Banquet, Cao Mao reflected on the examination results and discussed the lack of humble-born candidates and overseas trade with Pei Xiu. The chapter ended with Cao Wen asking Cao Mao to let his teacher visit Jingzhou for Zhuge’s funeral, and Cao Mao agreeing.

• Cao Mao hosted the successful examination candidates, and Pei Xiu announced Liu Yuan, Liu Hong, and Pei Kang as the top three and their court appointments.
• Cao Mao asked Pei Xiu why the successful candidates all came from great clans, and Pei Xiu explained that humble-born scholars were increasing and would eventually appear among the top ranks.
• Cao Mao discussed the Kushan Empire, Persia, and overseas trade with Pei Xiu, then entrusted him with overseeing trade and foreign affairs.
• Cao Wen asked Cao Mao to grant the Grand Marshal two months to visit Jingzhou and attend the funeral of Grand Commandant Zhuge.
• Cao Mao agreed and praised Cao Wen for caring about his teacher.

At a court assembly, Xun Xu formally took office as Minister of Revenue and defended the Preparedness Office’s work, including its preparations for drought in Liangzhou. Most ministers remained skeptical of the office’s value, while a few considered his report carefully.

• Zhong Hui mocked Zhang Hua for keeping his disciple out of the spring examination, and Zhang Hua calmly defended his decision.
• Zhong Hui confronted Xun Xu before the assembly, and Xun Xu later criticized his uncle’s selfishness to Zhang Hua and Lu Kang.
• Cao Mao brought the composed crown prince to the assembly, where ministers discussed conditions in Shu and Wu territories.
• Xun Xu formally assumed the office of Minister of Revenue and reported that the Preparedness Office had built reservoirs, diverted water, transported grain, and relocated people ahead of Liangzhou’s drought.
• Most ministers doubted that the Preparedness Office had achieved anything, though a few listened to Xun Xu’s account thoughtfully.

Cao Mao reviewed the threat of impending natural disasters as Xun Xu presented plans to protect the provinces from flooding. After Zhang Rong condemned the preparations as defiance of Heaven, Cao Mao defended disaster control, dismissed him, and instructed Cao Wen on governing and judging ministers.

• Cao Mao considered how he had contained the Menfa and surrounding peoples, then focused on the disasters expected to strike Great Wei.
• Xun Xu described severe flooding in Qing and Xu provinces and detailed plans for water diversion, evacuations, construction, and grain relief.
• Zhang Rong objected that the disaster preparations defied Heaven and would waste the treasury and disrupt the people.
• Cao Mao challenged Zhang Rong's beliefs about virtue and disasters, declared that capable rulers managed disasters, and sent Zhang Rong to Sha Province.
• Cao Mao told Cao Wen to treat disasters as the nation's greatest enemy, judge ministers by their actions, and deal decisively with those who needed to be removed.

Xun Xu, Du Yu, and Cao Mao planned a major corvée levy to address floods in Qingxu and drought in the Northwest. In Qingzhou, Guanqiu Jian arrived to lead the flood-control effort as officials prepared for an unusually severe disaster.

• Zhong Hui praised Xun Xu for his recent work and urged him to meet the expectations of his elder brother and sister.
• Du Yu brought Xun Xu to Cao Mao, where they discussed levying workers for flood control and learned that the Northwest also needed at least fifty thousand laborers because of drought.
• Cao Mao, Du Yu, and Xun Xu planned regional labor quotas, oversight, and defenses as Great Wei began mobilizing against the disasters.
• Hu Wei received the Imperial Court’s severe flood forecast for Qingzhou and Xuzhou but hesitated to announce it to the public.
• Guanqiu Jian arrived in Guang County, told Hu Wei to keep the edict private for now, and ordered the commandery governors to assemble so he could direct the corvée levy.

Guanqiu Jian led Qingzhou’s flood preparations while Xuzhou and Yanzhou joined the effort, and Cao Mao worried about the old marshal’s safety and the growing costs. Lu Kang agreed to go assist Guanqiu Jian, while Cao Mao resolved to keep mobilizing labor to prevent future disasters.

• Guanqiu Jian assigned Qingzhou’s governors flood-control work and traveled through the region to inspect it.
• Qingzhou began large-scale flood preparations, and Liu Yi’s arrival allowed Guanqiu Jian to start similar work in Xuzhou as Yanzhou also prepared.
• Cao Mao asked Lu Kang to replace Guanqiu Jian, but Lu Kang refused and offered to travel to assist and watch over him.
• Lu Kang reviewed his successful diplomacy in Funan, where Great Wei had gained a base, shipyards, and stronger ties.
• Cao Mao examined Pei Xiu’s new map and resolved to continue imposing corvée labor rather than risk widespread loss from floods and other disasters.

Guanqiu Jian inspected the floodworks and, disguised as a commoner, visited a laborers’ camp to learn what the workers thought of the flooding and the Sage. He found them eager to help control the waters and fiercely loyal to the Sage, then left the baffled laborers behind.

• The Commandery Governor warned Guanqiu Jian that the rising river would soon submerge three villages and that rumors of disaster were spreading among the people.
• Lu Kang escorted Guanqiu Jian away from the river and prepared a report for Cao Mao while Guanqiu Jian changed into plain clothes and set out for a laborers’ camp.
• Guanqiu Jian entered the camp alone in disguise and joined a group of laborers sheltering from the rain.
• The laborers said they wanted to recruit more volunteers to help control the waters and described how the Sage’s policies had improved their lives.
• Guanqiu Jian praised the laborers’ unity, claimed the rain had stopped, and left as they looked outside in confusion.

Guanqiu Jian mobilized Qingxu’s armies to help civilians defend against flooding, and the work prevented the disaster from spreading. Encouraged by reports of popular support, Cao Mao ordered Great Wei to launch disaster defenses across the realm and left the story with the effort gathering momentum.

• Guanqiu Jian ordered the Qingxu armies to join flood defenses despite Lu Kang’s concerns about unsettling the people.
• Guanqiu Jian sent troops to urgent worksites, where soldiers and civilians dug channels and strengthened barriers as flooding began around Qiancheng County.
• The rain eased and the surrounding villages remained safe; Guanqiu Jian told Lu Kang that benevolent rule meant ensuring people could eat and stay warm.
• Cao Mao read Guanqiu Jian’s memorial and, reassured by the people’s and soldiers’ support, ordered defenses to begin in Yongliang and other regions.
• Cao Mao issued edicts to four ministries, and Xun Xu sent more than six hundred wagons of grain to Yongliang as armies and civilians mobilized.
• Scholars voluntarily donated grain and supplies, saying they did so because of Cao Mao’s benevolent governance.