Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao planned a journey east to inspect flood control efforts and honor historical figures who had worked to manage the waters. He left Luoyang with Zhong Hui and a small escort, while Crown Prince Cao Wen remained in the palace to study.

• Zheng Xian told Cao Mao that the great clans' wives were anxious about his edict and sought her protection.
• Cao Mao reminded Sima Yue that Cao Liang's status required careful discipline, then urged Cao Wen to rise earlier and study diligently.
• Cao Mao gave Cao Wen important memorials to study while he traveled east to Mount Tai, where he would honor Yu the Great and others, pledge to control the waters, and reward those who had served.
• Zhong Hui asked to accompany Cao Mao, who agreed and left Luoyang three days later with fewer than twenty officials and two thousand cavalrymen.

Cao Mao toured Yanzhou and Qingxu to inspect local administration and flood-prevention works, finding that the people and officials had united to resist disaster. After punishing abuses and honoring flood-control contributors, he crossed into Hebei to continue his inspection.

• Cao Mao and Zhong Hui toured prosperous Yanzhou, where residents praised local officials, and Cao Mao ordered an investigation into possible intimidation.
• Cao Mao met Guanqiu Jian and Lu Kang in Xuzhou, then heard how officials, soldiers, and volunteers had worked together on disaster prevention.
• Cao Mao inspected the canals and reservoirs near Qiancheng County, questioned local officials, and rewarded those responsible for the work.
• Cao Mao held a simple sacrifice near Mount Tai, commemorated flood-control contributors in a temple, and continued traveling through Qingxu.
• Liu Lu reported abuses in Xuzhou, and Cao Mao severely punished officials who had exaggerated tool losses for profit.
• After more than two months in Qingxu, Cao Mao crossed the river into Hebei to continue his inspection.

Cao Mao returned to Yuan City and saw how its people and streets had changed, then reflected on the hardships he had endured and the realm he had helped rebuild. Surrounded by the familiar sounds of a thriving country, he fell asleep peacefully, ready to face the work ahead.

• Cao Mao arrived outside Yuan City with Liu Lu and Zhong Hui, and Sima Yan came to greet him as the county magistrate.
• Cao Mao toured the lively town and revisited his former princely residence, recalling how he had once feared sleeping alone in his room.
• Over wine and a meal, Cao Mao discussed disaster relief and said the people's willingness to help one another gave him confidence that calamities could be overcome.
• Cao Mao explained that he had sought only to help the people live decent lives, then sang a folk song at the banquet.
• Cao Mao spent the night in his old room, listened in his imagination to the sounds of people across the realm, and fell asleep peacefully.

In Luoyang, Cao Liang pressed Emperor Cao Wen to retaliate against Persian attacks, while ministers urged restraint. Zhang Hua warned against a full-scale campaign, and Cao Wen decided Great Wei should punish Persia without seeking to conquer it.

• Cao Liang presented an imperial edict and entered the palace, ordering the arrest of officials who had barred his way.
• Cao Liang urged Cao Wen to execute ministers opposing war and proposed assembling a force of 150,000 to fight Persia.
• Cao Wen received Zhang Hua, who advised striking Persia for its provocations but cautioned against launching a major campaign.
• After Zhang Hua and the ministers left, Cao Wen rebuked Cao Liang for advocating arrests and said Great Wei would retaliate without invading to govern Persia.