Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao worried that Sima Shi’s rapid campaign against Guanqiu Jian would threaten Wei and began planning ways to distract Sima Shi and strengthen the court. The chapter ended with Cao Mao urgently asking Wang Xiang who had been appointed Colonel Director of Retainers, startling him.

• Cao Mao considered Guanqiu Jian’s encirclement, the threat from Wu and Shu, and the weaknesses of Wei’s aristocratic officers.
• Sima Yan told Cao Mao that the Central Army’s officers lacked military ability, and Cao Mao explained that appointments should depend on character and ability.
• Sima Yue approached Cao Mao but said she needed nothing, while privately reflecting on what she had overheard about the conflict.
• Cao Mao planned to press Chen Qian to raise reform of the Zhongzheng System and to ask the Empress Dowager to issue an edict concerning the Imperial Clan.
• Cao Mao waited in the East Hall for Wang Xiang, then urgently asked him who had received the post of Colonel Director of Retainers, leaving Wang Xiang shocked and afraid.

Wang Xiang suspected that Zhong Hui had secretly become one of Cao Mao’s allies, while Cao Mao tried to gather ministers for an East Hall Banquet and move his plans forward. The Empress Dowager Guo refused to see Cao Mao after Guo Li and Guo Zhi turned her against him, leaving Cao Mao to watch them leave smugly.

• Wang Xiang realized Zhong Hui might be working for Cao Mao and agreed to support Wang Jing for Inspector of the Capital.
• Cao Mao asked Wang Xiang to invite more ministers to the East Hall Banquet, and Wang Xiang reported Xun Yi’s support for Zhong Hui’s proposal.
• Eunuch Guo warned Cao Mao that Guo Li and the others were accusing him of colluding with the Sima Family.
• Guo Li and Guo Zhi persuaded Empress Dowager Guo to refuse Cao Mao an audience, then left Zhaoyang Hall looking smug.

Cao Mao warned Empress Dowager Guo that Sima Shi planned to kill them and urged her to advance reforms and summon members of the Imperial Clan to distract him. At court the next day, the ministers learned of Guanqiu Jian’s appointment as Grand Commandant, while Sima Zhao proposed making Wang Jing Inspector of the Capital.

• Cao Mao confronted Guo Li and Guo Zhi, then forced his way into Zhaoyang Hall to speak with Empress Dowager Guo.
• Cao Mao convinced Empress Dowager Guo that Sima Shi would arrange his murder and frame the Guo Family, and urged her to support reforms before Sima Shi marched.
• Cao Mao asked Empress Dowager Guo to summon several princes of the Imperial Clan, and she reluctantly agreed.
• The court announced Wang Xiang’s appointment as Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Guanqiu Jian’s appointment as Grand Commandant.
• Sima Zhao proposed appointing Wang Jing as Inspector of the Capital, leaving Wang Xiang staring at him in surprise.

After Sima Shi moved against Guanqiu Jian sooner than expected, the ministers maneuvered over their roles and loyalties. Sima Shi questioned Zheng Mao, then ordered Sima Zhao to watch him after Zheng refused to offer a strategy.

• Chen Qian resolved to approach the emperor and Empress Dowager before the campaign began so he could claim responsibility for the plan.
• Pei Xiu ran wild after leaving court, and Gao Rou told Gao Guang that Guanqiu Jian had recommended Pei Xiu to Cao Shuang.
• Wang Xiang invited the ministers to lecture young scholars in the East Hall, and Chen Qian wondered whether the emperor had prompted him.
• Sima Shi asked Zheng Mao why he had stopped submitting memorials and demanded his strategy for campaigning against Guanqiu Jian, but Zheng Mao said he did not know.
• Sima Zhao wanted to punish Zheng Mao for refusing to side with them, but Sima Shi said he would entrust him with important duties if their campaign succeeded and ordered Zheng watched in the meantime.

Jiang Wei persuaded Liu Shan to approve another northern expedition despite Zhang Yi’s objections, then began planning the campaign with his generals. He left confident of victory after learning that Sima Wang would assist Chen Tai.

• Zhang Yi argued that Shu Han’s depleted treasury, exhausted troops, and suffering people could not endure another campaign, while Jiang Wei countered that their recent victory made this the ideal time to strike.
• Chen Zhi supported a northern expedition, and Jiang Wei invoked Zhuge Liang’s final wish to restore the Han dynasty until Liu Shan ordered the army to march north.
• Liu Shan left the campaign’s arrangements to Jiang Wei, who persuaded the angry Zhang Yi to remain and assigned Xiahou Ba to join the expedition.
• Jiang Wei asked Xiahou Ba about Sima Wang, learned that he was cautious and capable but had no past military exploits, and declared that Shu Han would win decisively.

Cao Mao hosted an East Hall Banquet to learn from Ji Kang, enlist Chen Qian, and counter the Guo Family, but the arrival of powerful ministers complicated his plans. The gathering grew lively, and Cao Mao cautiously questioned Sima Fu and Zheng Chong about why they had come.

• Cao Mao reflected on the banquet’s growing influence and planned to speak with Ji Kang and Chen Qian while addressing the Guo Family’s influence over Empress Dowager Guo.
• Sima Yan arrived with the scholars, and Cao Mao was surprised to see Ji Kang sober and composed.
• Wang Xiang arrived with ministers including Sima Fu, Zheng Chong, Chen Qian, and Zheng Mao, while Zhong Hui remained absent.
• Sima Yan told Cao Mao that he had invited Sima Fu, and Cao Mao began the banquet by urging everyone to speak freely.
• Ruan Xian broke the tense mood with a joke, and Cao Mao sat beside Sima Fu before asking Zheng Chong for instruction.

Cao Mao debated Zheng Chong about the merits of Shao Kang and Liu Bang, using the exchange to disguise his real purpose at the banquet. He realized Sima Shi suspected Chen Qian and possibly Zheng Mao, while Lü An reported that their task was done; Cao Mao hoped the suspicions would push Wang Xiang and Chen Qian to act together.

• Cao Mao challenged Zheng Chong to debate whether Shao Kang or Liu Bang was the greater ruler, and the two argued for nearly two hours before Sima Fu stopped them because Zheng Chong was exhausted.
• Cao Mao suspected that Sima Shi had sent Zheng Chong to assess the debate and Sima Fu to investigate Wang Xiang, Chen Qian, and the others.
• Cao Mao resumed mingling with the luminaries, noticed Sima Fu watching Chen Qian, and urged Chen Qian to drain his wine cup.
• Cao Mao noticed Sima Fu also watching Zheng Mao, then abandoned his attempt to pass Chen Qian instructions and stayed among the guests with Lü An.
• Lü An told Cao Mao that the task was done, and Cao Mao hoped Sima Shi's suspicions would persuade Wang Xiang to join Chen Qian in acting against him.
• Cao Mao smiled toward Sima Fu, raised his cup, and toasted the Grand General.

Liu Lu reached Shouchun disguised as a poor refugee and delivered the emperor’s letter to Guanqiu Jian. After Liu Lu described his mission, Guanqiu Jian praised his courage and affirmed that Huainan’s eighty thousand troops shared Wen Yang’s resolve to oppose Sima Shi.

• Lu Shun gave Liu Lu clothes and food at Shouchun’s gate, while nearby people debated the emperor’s benevolence and the merchants’ charitable acts.
• Liu Lu presented his papers to the gate guards, entered Shouchun, and hurried to Guanqiu Jian’s residence to request an urgent audience.
• Wen Yang knocked Liu Lu down when Liu Lu tried to force his way past him, then carried him into Guanqiu Jian’s study.
• Liu Lu gave Guanqiu Jian the emperor’s letter and recounted his journey and mission, earning Guanqiu Jian’s admiration.
• Liu Lu asked whether Huainan’s troops were all as formidable as Wen Yang, and Guanqiu Jian said Wen Yang was exceptional but all eighty thousand troops shared his resolve.

Wen Yang and Liu Lu discussed Wen Yang’s future and the emperor, while Guanqiu Jian decided to conserve supplies and wait for the ailing Sima Shi to act. An Imperial Court envoy arrived at Shouchun to order Guanqiu Jian to surrender his command and go to Luoyang.

• Wen Yang reassured Liu Lu that he would become as formidable as Lord Gang, and Liu Lu invited him to drink and talk about the emperor.
• Wen Qin questioned Guanqiu Jian about the danger posed by Sima Shi’s forces, and Guanqiu Jian urged him to stockpile grain and hold their defenses rather than launch an offensive.
• Wen Qin volunteered to fight alongside his son Ayang if their provisions ran out, while Guanqiu Jian privately reread a letter from his son and wept.
• Guanqiu Jian openly organized grain purchases and stockpiling across Huainan, including seeking supplies from local great clans and the Wu Kingdom.
• Hua Biao arrived at Shouchun with an Imperial Edict ordering Guanqiu Jian to relinquish command and accompany him to Luoyang, then was brought alone to Guanqiu Jian’s study.

Guanqiu Jian rejected Sima Shi’s offer of titles and honors, denounced his rule as illegitimate, and urged Hua Biao to join him against the Sima Family. Hua Biao left alive but remained conflicted about whether to defect.

• Guanqiu Jian questioned Hua Biao’s claim that the imperial mission sought peace and accused Sima Shi of trying to strip him of Huainan’s elite troops.
• Hua Biao relayed Sima Shi’s offer of high office, honors for Guanqiu Jian’s clan, and a promise to forgive past grievances.
• Guanqiu Jian rejected the offer, defended the Cao emperors’ legitimacy, and condemned Sima Shi’s actions as unworthy of Heaven’s mandate.
• Guanqiu Jian helped the frightened Hua Biao up and accused Sima Shi of hoping the envoy would provoke him into killing him.
• Guanqiu Jian allowed Hua Biao to return to protect his family and urged him to join the campaign against the Sima Family.
• Hua Biao listened to Guanqiu Jian’s appeal but remained torn about what to do.

Sima Shi suspected Zheng Mao and Chen Qian but chose to monitor them rather than arrest them, while learning that Guanqiu Jian was gathering provisions to defend himself. Cao Mao and Wang Xiang decided to move ahead with their plan at the next court deliberation, leaving the court poised for a confrontation with Sima Shi.

• Sima Fu reported that Zheng Mao and Chen Qian had behaved normally, but Sima Shi ordered them watched and considered restricting their movements; Sima Fu warned that this could alienate powerful allies.
• Sima Shi told Sima Fu he would take him on the campaign and entrust him with command if anything happened, then received news that Guanqiu Jian was openly gathering provisions.
• Sima Fu realized Guanqiu Jian was preparing to defend himself, not launch an immediate attack, and Sima Shi asked him to handle Chen Qian and Zheng Mao.
• Wang Xiang told Cao Mao that Sima Shi had grown suspicious, and Cao Mao urged him to act before the situation worsened.
• Wang Xiang agreed to propose their plan with Chen Qian and other ministers at the next court deliberation, while Cao Mao promised to secure the Empress Dowager's support.

Wang Xiang learned that Sima Shi was pressuring ministers over suspected treachery and, fearing Chen Qian and Zheng Mao had been seized, resolved to act before they could reveal more. At court, he concealed his own larger plans while maneuvering Lu Yu toward confronting Sima Shi.

• Wang Xiang received Sima Fu, who warned that Sima Shi would punish ministers aiding a tyrant, and Wang Xiang answered that traitors should have their clans exterminated.
• After Sima Fu left, Wang Xiang suspected Sima Shi had acted against Chen Qian and Zheng Mao and decided he had to move quickly.
• At court, Wang Xiang found Chen Qian and Zheng Mao absent, and Lu Yu angrily demanded to know what had happened.
• Wang Xiang blamed Chen Qian and Zheng Mao’s contact with the Empress Dowager, while Lu Yu said Fu Gu had already told Sima Shi about their reform proposal.
• Lu Yu promised to intervene for Chen Qian and Zheng Mao and urged Wang Xiang not to rush, but Wang Xiang privately resolved to push Lu Yu into confronting Sima Shi.

Cao Mao encouraged Empress Dowager Guo to support Wang Xiang’s planned challenge to Sima Shi, while privately preparing to fight to the death if the effort failed. At court, Sima Zhao pressed the ministers to condemn Guanqiu Jian, but Wang Xiang argued against rushing to judgment before the envoy returned.

• Cao Mao told Empress Dowager Guo that Wang Xiang planned to challenge Sima Shi at court and urged her to endorse the proposal.
• Cao Mao reassured Empress Dowager Guo while privately admitting that he could not predict the outcome and would fight to the death if necessary.
• Sima Zhao took his ill brother’s place at the assembly and accused Guanqiu Jian of stockpiling grain and harboring disloyal intentions.
• Sima Zhao demanded that the ministers declare their positions, but Sima Fu stayed silent and recognized that Sima Zhao was trying to intimidate him.
• Wang Xiang argued that Guanqiu Jian’s grain stores might be meant to resist Wu and warned that acting before the envoy returned could provoke rebellion.

Wang Xiang forced Lu Yu to present reforms to the Zhongzheng System, turning the court’s dispute over Huainan into a confrontation with Sima Zhao. Wang Xiang then declared that the Empress Dowager had approved the proposal, leaving the court in uproar.

• Wang Xiang rebuked Sima Zhao in court, and Zhong Yu stopped Sima Zhao from confronting him.
• Wang Xiang’s actions left Lu Yu fearing Sima Shi’s suspicion, so Lu Yu rose to propose reforming the Zhongzheng System.
• Lu Yu proposed ranking clans and giving the Secretariat authority to select and appoint officials, and Wang Xiang and several ministers supported him.
• Zhao Feng denounced the proposal, but Wang Xiang defended it as a fairer way to select worthy men.
• Sima Zhao declared that he would not permit the reforms, and Wang Xiang replied that the Empress Dowager had approved them.

Wang Xiang challenged Sima Zhao by invoking the Empress Dowager’s support for court reforms, prompting senior ministers to rise against the general. As Sima Zhao lost control of the court, Sima Shi arrived at the hall.

• Wang Xiang declared that the Empress Dowager supported reforming official appointments and easing taxes for meritorious clans.
• Sima Zhao shouted down Wang Xiang and threatened to summon the guards, but Meng Kang and Lu Zhi challenged his authority.
• Gao Rou and other ministers rose to support Wang Xiang and condemn Sima Zhao’s conduct.
• Sima Zhao looked to Sima Fu for help as the court turned against him.
• A frail figure entered the hall, and Sima Zhao recognized his elder brother, Sima Shi.

Sima Shi faced down ministers demanding reform, while Sima Fu secured a delay until an imperial envoy returned. The ministers left united against the Sima Family, and Sima Shi collapsed, coughing blood as he asked for help to reach his carriage.

• Sima Shi confronted Gao Rou over alleged bribes from Guanqiu Jian, and Gao Rou could not answer.
• Sima Shi challenged Xun Yi and the ministers over seeking the Empress Dowager’s intervention, while Lu Yu pressed him to approve their reform.
• Sima Fu urged the ministers to delay deciding until the imperial envoy returned, and they accepted gradual discussion of the policies.
• Wang Xiang left believing the ministers would unite around the Empress Dowager and end the Sima Family’s authority.
• Sima Zhao argued that Sima Shi should have detained or executed the ministers, and Zhong Yu revealed there was no incriminating evidence in Gao Rou’s home.
• Sima Shi rebuked Sima Zhao, then suddenly coughed blood and asked him to help him into the carriage.

Lu Yu and the ministers challenged Sima Shi’s control by seeking the Empress Dowager’s backing, and Empress Dowager Guo summoned them to an audience. The ministers entered Zhaoyang Hall while Sima Xun and Yang Hu stood aside.

• Lu Yu led more than forty ministers toward Zhaoyang Hall, where Gao Rou demanded that Sima Xun let them pass.
• Yang Hu allowed Lu Yu to enter alone and ask Empress Dowager Guo to issue an edict summoning the ministers.
• Lu Yu told Empress Dowager Guo that Sima Shi was gravely ill and urged her to take charge, while Cao Mao recognized that the ministers needed her authority to oppose Sima Shi.
• Empress Dowager Guo summoned the ministers, and Yang Hu let them pass into Zhaoyang Hall.
• Xin Chang stopped to remind Yang Hu that he had not visited since arriving in Luoyang, and Yang Hu promised to visit him.

Empress Dowager Guo accepted the ministers’ support and took control of the court, while Cao Mao watched their ambitions and secured the appointment of two new Yellow Gates. The chapter ended with Cao Mao leaving Zhaoyang Hall as the Sima Family’s Yellow Gates anxiously awaited what would happen next.

• The ministers paid their respects to Empress Dowager Guo, and Cao Mao silently assessed their ambitions and intentions.
• Gao Rou persuaded Empress Dowager Guo to dismiss Sima Xun and appoint his son Gao Dan as Palace Commandant.
• After the ministers left, Empress Dowager Guo celebrated her new power and asked Cao Mao who should replace Sima Shi as Grand General.
• Cao Mao asked Empress Dowager Guo to replace his two Yellow Gates, and she agreed to appoint Zhang Hua and Wei Shu to serve him.
• Cao Mao left Zhaoyang Hall smiling while the Sima Family’s Yellow Gates stood pale and uneasy.

Cao Mao watched the Empress Dowager and the great clans move against the weakened Sima Shi, while positioning himself to recruit two promising officials. As ministers formed alliances and prepared to divide the spoils, Cao Mao chose to wait for a better opportunity.

• Cao Mao reflected on Zhang Hua and Wei Shu’s talents and decided this was the right time to secure them for his service.
• Cao Mao told Old Eunuch Xu that the Grand General was gravely ill and the Empress Dowager would take charge, then continued calmly to the Western Hall.
• Wang Xiang visited Chen Qian, explained that the plan had succeeded, and joined him in building support for Lu Yu and Gao Rou against Sima Shi.
• Cao Mao declined Cheng Ji’s suggestion to exploit the upheaval, saying they should wait rather than enter the ministers’ struggle.
• Cao Mao considered Sima Shi’s possible moves and judged that the Empress Dowager was directing the great clans to attack both Great Wei and the Sima Family.

After Sima Shi collapsed, Sima Zhao and Zhong Hui argued over how to resist the ministers stripping the Sima clan of power. As Sima Shi’s life seemed to fade, he woke briefly to Sima Zhao’s tearful face.

• Sima Shi remained unconscious after the imperial physician said his illness had reached his vitals, while Sima Fu urged Sima Zhao to deal with the ministers’ moves.
• Zhong Hui arrived and rejected Sima Zhao’s suggestion to kill Cao Mao, arguing that the Sima clan should ally with the emperor against the great families.
• Zhong Hui warned that the Sima clan could not rely on the Central Army to crush the ministers and said the emperor’s edicts could counter the Empress Dowager’s.
• Xun Xu proposed accepting the ministers’ demands and then persuading them to side with the Sima clan, but Zhong Hui condemned the plan as surrender.
• As Sima Zhao wept beside Sima Shi, memories of Sima Shi’s life and family filled his fading consciousness, and Sima Shi finally opened his eyes.