Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao recruited Imperial Guards through Jiao Bo and Li Zhao, then learned that Palace Commandant Yin Damu might be a loyal ally. He resolved to win Yin Damu over and lead the growing group against the Sima Family.

• Cao Mao judged the Guo Family cowardly and greedy, and decided he no longer needed their help to contact potential allies.
• Jiao Bo told Cao Mao that Li Zhao and more than ten Imperial Guards had agreed to serve him.
• Cao Mao privately praised Li Zhao and urged him to recruit more trusted people inside the palace.
• Li Zhao recommended Palace Commandant Yin Damu, and Cao Mao recalled Yin Damu's guilt over Cao Shuang's downfall and recognized the value of his eight hundred Armored Guards.
• Cao Mao assured Li Zhao that he trusted Yin Damu and urged him to tell the commandant the truth carefully, since the Sima Family had spies throughout the palace.
• Cao Mao reflected on Wang Jing's loyalty and resolved to lead the men gathering around him against those who had betrayed Wei.

Li Zhao recruited Yin Damu to support Cao Mao after explaining that the emperor wanted to gather loyal men and wait for the right moment. With Yin Damu joining his hidden network, Cao Mao realized he was no longer entirely powerless, but chose to keep building his strength before confronting the Sima Family.

• Li Zhao told Yin Damu that Jia Chong had ordered the guards to monitor Cao Mao and report his words and actions.
• Li Zhao explained that Cao Mao wanted him to contact loyal men, not launch an immediate attack against the Sima Family.
• Yin Damu admitted his guilt over betraying the Cao Family, then pledged to serve Cao Mao and warned that Sima Shi's health was failing.
• Li Zhao reported Yin Damu's allegiance to Jiao Bo, who relayed the news to Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao considered whether his growing network could help him kill Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, but decided to remain cautious and build his strength.

Jia Chong asked Sima Zhao to let him rest after his son’s death and his exhausting work supervising Cao Mao, but Sima Zhao persuaded him to stay and then confronted Wang Su about resigning. Cao Mao was turned away from the Empress Dowager’s hall by Eunuch Guo and found Wang Su waiting for him at the Western Hall.

• Jia Chong asked Sima Zhao for a few days of rest, explaining that his son had died and he could no longer manage his duties.
• Sima Zhao pleaded with Jia Chong to remain at his side, and Jia Chong agreed to continue working for him.
• Sima Zhao visited Wang Su, accepted his request to leave his post, then insisted that Wang Su personally handle an important matter.
• Eunuch Guo refused to let Cao Mao enter Zhaoyang Hall, and Cao Mao left without arguing despite Jiao Bo and Li Sheng’s anger.
• Cao Mao arrived at the Western Hall and saw Wang Su standing there.

Wang Su became Cao Mao’s teacher and was astonished by the emperor’s exceptional scholarship. As Cao Mao’s lessons kept him confined, he used Li Sheng to refuse the Empress Dowager’s summons, prompting Guo Li to prepare to intervene.

• Sima Zhao forced Wang Su to teach Cao Mao, and Cao Mao eagerly welcomed him as his teacher.
• Wang Su taught Cao Mao Supreme Mystery and was stunned when the young emperor quickly understood and challenged his explanations.
• Wang Su continued teaching Cao Mao for several days and brought him additional books after recognizing his talent.
• When Eunuch Guo summoned Cao Mao for the Empress Dowager, Cao Mao told Li Sheng to refuse unless the Grand General or Jia Chong approved.
• Li Sheng invoked orders from the Grand General and Jia Chong to block Eunuch Guo, who angrily reported the refusal to the Empress Dowager.
• Guo Li condemned Wang Su’s appointment and declared that he would go to Taiji Hall himself to bring Cao Mao to the Empress Dowager.

Cao Mao persuaded Empress Dowager Guo and Guo Jian that Wang Su and Jia Chong were oppressing him, then secured Guo Jian’s promise to send a guard. The guard proved to be Man Changwu, grandson of Man Chong, whom Cao Mao eagerly welcomed and rewarded.

• Guo Li brought Cao Mao to Zhaoyang Hall, where Guo Jian scolded him for refusing the Empress Dowager’s summons.
• Cao Mao blamed Wang Su and Jia Chong for keeping him under control and pretended he had given up resisting.
• Empress Dowager Guo and Guo Jian urged Cao Mao to continue, and Guo Jian promised to assign him a guard.
• The next day, Man Changwu arrived with four soldiers to patrol around the Western Hall.
• Cao Mao learned Man Changwu was Man Chong’s grandson, then warmly welcomed and generously rewarded him.

The celebrated scholars discussed Cao Mao’s poem “Sparrows in an Empty City,” whose imagery had angered powerful ministers and the General Who Conquers the South. As Ruan Ji went home with Lü An, he called himself and his companions owls whose cries grated on the ears.

• At a gathering in Luoyang, Ji Kang drunkenly argued that those called sparrows were really phoenixes being pecked at by self-proclaimed crows and kites.
• Liu Ling recited lines from “Sparrows in an Empty City,” prompting the scholars to recognize its bleak portrait of their place in the world.
• Wang Rong warned Ruan Ji that the poem had angered ministers and the General Who Conquers the South, and said the General Who Conquers the West had banned phoenixes from poetry.
• The scholars set aside political discussion and spent the rest of the gathering drinking and appraising poetry and celebrated figures.
• As Lü An walked Ruan Ji home, Ruan Ji described the emperor as crafty and a great ruler born in the wrong age.
• Ruan Ji said they were owls whose cries grated on the ears, and laughed when Lü An asked why he had spread the sparrow’s voice through Luoyang.

Sima Zhao sought Lu Yu’s help in stopping ministers from neglecting government work, but offended him by offering rewards, then sent Du Yu to order Pei Xiu to arrest scholars who had attacked Zhuge Dan’s residence. Pei Xiu abruptly feigned a powder-induced frenzy and fled, leaving Du Yu realizing he was evading the order.

• Sima Zhao asked Lu Yu to persuade the ministers to resume their duties, but Lu Yu stormed out after Sima Zhao proposed enfeoffing him and promoting his son.
• Du Yu told Sima Zhao that the offer had insulted Lu Yu, and advised him to send an apology without asking him to intervene again.
• Du Yu reported that scholars had forced their way into Zhuge Dan’s residence while searching for Zhuge Jing, worsening rumors that Zhuge Dan planned to compromise.
• Sima Zhao ordered Du Yu to have Pei Xiu arrest the scholars and investigate who was directing them.
• Pei Xiu suddenly stripped off his clothes and ran out laughing, and Du Yu concluded he was pretending to be overcome by powder to avoid making the arrests.

Cao Mao continued maneuvering amid Luoyang’s unrest while Sima Shi unexpectedly arrived at the palace to investigate the leaks and question Jia Chong’s associates. Zhong Hui hinted that the investigation could expose anyone who had concealed information, leaving Cao Mao under pressure to hide what he knew.

• Wang Su taught Cao Mao, who claimed Guo Jian had warned him to avoid Wang Su, and Wang Su insulted the Guo Family.
• Cao Mao told Guo Jian he planned to invite Sima Wang to banquets, then reported that Wang Su had called him a bird, prompting Guo Jian to curse.
• Sima Shi arrived at the palace with Jia Chong, and Cao Mao greeted him warmly before Zhong Hui escorted the emperor to the East Hall.
• Cao Mao suspected Sima Shi had come to investigate the leak about Zhuge Dan’s movements and believed Jia Chong was the chief suspect.
• Zhong Hui told Cao Mao that Sima Shi would question people connected to Luoyang’s disturbances and warned him against concealing anything.

Zhong Hui pressured Cao Mao into naming Wang Su as the source of the leaked military information, but Wang Su denied it and Jiao Bo revealed Jia Chong's efforts to silence the palace witnesses. Jia Chong collapsed, insisting that he had been framed.

• Zhong Hui questioned Cao Mao and persuaded him to blame Wang Su for revealing the General Who Conquers the South's whereabouts.
• Zhong Hui brought Cao Mao before Sima Shi and pleaded for him, but Cao Mao loudly repeated his accusation against Wang Su.
• Sima Shi summoned Wang Su, who denied speaking with Cao Mao and pointed out that Jia Chong could confirm their lack of contact.
• Jiao Bo told Sima Shi that Jia Chong had suppressed records, executed Zhou Sheng, and paid off palace eunuchs.
• Jia Chong collapsed and protested that he had been framed.

Cao Mao accused Jia Chong of revealing Sima Shi’s plans, and Jia Chong was arrested as Sima Shi’s allies blamed him for the turmoil in Luoyang. Sima Shi doubted Jia Chong was the true mastermind and suspected Cao Mao, though Zhong Hui argued the young emperor could not have arranged the leak.

• Cao Mao told Sima Shi that Jia Chong had discussed the plans and advised him about granting titles at his enthronement, while Jia Chong denied the accusation.
• After Sima Shi left, Zhong Hui rebuked Cao Mao for overhearing and repeating forbidden information, and Cao Mao feigned anger at his treatment.
• At the Grand General’s residence, Sima Zhao recounted Jia Chong’s attempt to blame Wang Su, and Sima Shi ordered Jia Chong held for the Minister of Justice rather than executed.
• Sima Shi told Zhong Hui and Sima Zhao that Jia Chong lacked the nerve to mastermind the affair and named Cao Mao as the likely culprit.
• Zhong Hui insisted that Cao Mao could not have orchestrated the leak, but Sima Shi challenged him by asking why a thirteen-year-old could not do it.

Zhong Hui persuaded Sima Shi that Cao Mao might have orchestrated the unrest and volunteered to deal with Jia Chong and the emperor’s supervision. Sima Shi rebuked Sima Zhao and revealed that his failing eye had to be removed soon, while Zhong Hui assured Jia Chong’s wife he would save her husband despite intending to use him for his own purposes.

• Sima Shi warned Zhong Hui against arrogance, and Zhong Hui reconsidered his theory that Cao Mao had arranged the leak and unrest.
• Zhong Hui urged Sima Shi to kill Jia Chong, replace the emperor’s attendants, investigate Guanqiu Jian’s son, and let him monitor Cao Mao; Sima Shi approved.
• Sima Shi slapped Sima Zhao for failing to control Luoyang and warned him to listen to advice and judge matters carefully.
• Sima Shi told Sima Zhao that his left eye had to be removed within two days and began instructing him how to govern if the operation failed.
• Jia Chong’s wife demanded to see her husband at the Court of the Commandant of Justice, and Zhong Hui promised her he would save him while privately mocking her.

Zhong Hui rescued Jia Chong from prison and pressured him to accuse Gao Rou of plotting against Sima Shi. Zhong Hui then confronted Gao Rou with the accusation, and Gao Rou angrily rejected it.

• Zhong Hui found Jia Chong beaten in his cell, freed him, and took him to his residence.
• Jia Chong pleaded for his life and agreed to help Zhong Hui regain Sima Shi's trust by accusing Gao Rou.
• Zhong Hui had Jia Chong write an impeachment memorial and brought it to Gao Rou's residence.
• Gao Rou read the accusation and denied plotting against Sima Shi.
• Zhong Hui conveyed Sima Shi's demand that Gao Rou reassure the ministers, and Gao Rou angrily denounced the situation.

Zhong Hui tried to persuade Gao Rou to curb the officials urging Sima Shi to ascend, arguing that it would protect Gao Rou and his family while disguising his influence. After leaving Gao Rou wavering, Zhong Hui told Jia Chong he would take him to meet the man who had designed the trap around him.

• Zhong Hui brought Jia Chong before Gao Rou, and Jia Chong falsely confessed that Gao Rou had ordered him to sow discord between Sima Shi and the emperor.
• Gao Rou angrily rejected the accusation, but Zhong Hui claimed he had intervened to help his uncle and warned that Sima Shi viewed Gao Rou's prestige as a threat.
• Zhong Hui urged Gao Rou to suppress the officials advocating Sima Shi's ascension, saying it would weaken Gao Rou's reputation and make Sima Shi lower his guard.
• Gao Rou hesitated as Zhong Hui left, unable to decide whether to cooperate or fight back.
• In the carriage, Jia Chong recognized the trap Zhong Hui had set around him, and Zhong Hui promised to take him to meet its designer.

Zhong Hui showed Cao Mao that Sima Shi had replaced the palace guards and then executed Jia Chong before him. Cao Mao fainted, while Zhong Hui suspected the young emperor was pretending to be more frightened than he was.

• Zhong Hui led Cao Mao outside Taiji Hall and showed him the soldiers Sima Shi had installed to replace the palace guards and officials.
• Zhong Hui told Cao Mao that Mouqiu Dian had been promoted, Gao Rou would denounce Jia Chong, and Zhuge Jing had informed the ministers about Jia Chong’s scheme.
• Armored soldiers dragged Jia Chong before Cao Mao, and Zhong Hui accused him of plotting against Sima Shi, slandering officials, and seeking to murder the emperor.
• Zhong Hui ordered Jia Chong’s execution, and an armored soldier beheaded him as Jia Chong vowed he would be waiting for Zhong Hui.
• Cao Mao cried out and fainted, and Zhong Hui ordered attendants to take him back inside while suspecting he had acted the part.

After Zhong Hui executed Jia Chong and took control of the palace, Cao Mao concealed his satisfaction and warned Sima Yan to guard against Zhong Hui and secure supporters. Cao Mao promised to help Sima Yan win over seven worthy men, leaving Sima Yan eager to seek their backing.

• Zhong Hui ordered four Palace Eunuchs to accompany Jia Chong’s body and left Cheng Ji overseeing the Imperial Guards around Cao Mao.
• Cao Mao learned that the eunuchs around him had been replaced and recognized that the palace staff and guards were now dominated by Sima family loyalists.
• Jia Chong’s execution stirred rumors across Luoyang, while Jia Chong’s wife protested Zhong Hui’s actions before her family took her away.
• Sima Yan visited Cao Mao, who pretended to be shaken by Jia Chong’s death and warned him that Zhong Hui was arrogant and dangerous.
• Cao Mao urged Sima Yan to build support among those who favored him as Sima Shi’s successor, then promised to find seven worthy men to back him.

Gao Rou suppressed the ministers’ petitions for rewards, only to discover that Sima Zhao and Zhong Hui had used him to weaken his faction and draw the court closer to the Sima Family. With political plans delayed and his health worsening, Sima Shi ordered the physician to operate immediately.

• At court, Gao Rou condemned the petitions for rewards and threatened punishment for officials who neglected their duties, while Sima Zhao presented himself as their protector.
• After Gao Rou left, Sima Zhao promised the ministers that the Grand General would consider reforming noble ranks, and the ministers turned away from Gao Rou toward the Sima Family.
• Sima Zhao praised Zhong Hui’s plan, while Sima Shi questioned the haste of Jia Chong’s death and directed them to handle the palace attendants, Wang Su, the Empress Dowager, and Mouqiu Dian cautiously.
• Sima Shi explained that his plans against Guanqiu Jian had been delayed and asked when the physician would operate.
• Sima Shi ordered the physician to perform the operation at once and told Sima Zhao and Zhong Hui not to blame him if it failed.

Guo Ze had the sons of powerful clans executed for murdering thirteen merchants, with the county commandant helping carry out the order. Guo Ze then recruited the commandant to his plan to rally support for the trapped emperor, contact the General Who Conquers the East, and attack Luoyang.

• Guo Ze presented evidence that the young men had murdered thirteen merchants and stolen their goods, but they accused him of taking bribes and threatened him with their family connections.
• Guo Ze ordered the county commandant to execute the young men, and the commandant obeyed despite the county deputy's protests.
• The county commandant revealed that the executed men had destroyed Zhao Hu's family and killed six of his subordinates' relatives; Guo Ze dismissed the deputy and thanked the commandant for helping avenge the wrong.
• Guo Ze told the county commandant that he had once served as the emperor's Director of Guidance and called for resisting the Sima Family and rescuing the emperor.
• The county commandant agreed to serve the emperor, and Guo Ze proposed rallying supporters, contacting the General Who Conquers the East, and attacking Luoyang.

County Commandant Wang chose to rally dismissed officials, prisoners, local leaders, and merchants to seize control of his county with the magistrate. In Luoyang, Zhong Hui visited Mouqiu Dian under armed guard and tried to recruit him, but Mouqiu restrained his anger because he was waiting for the Sima Family’s downfall.

• County Commandant Wang decided against fleeing to Xinfeng and persuaded his trusted men to join him in pursuing power and advancement.
• County Commandant Wang ordered his men to contact dismissed clerks, prisoners, Wanderer leaders, and great merchants to build support for taking control of the county town.
• Zhong Hui arrived with Armored Guards at Mouqiu Dian’s residence and claimed he had come on the Grand General’s orders to recruit him.
• Mouqiu Dian listened to Zhong Hui’s offer while suppressing his urge to fight, because he was waiting for Sima Shi’s death and the coming struggle against the Sima Family.

Zhong Hui brought Mouqiu Dian to Sima Zhao, who tried to win him over with promises of office, rank, land, and marriage. Meanwhile, Liu Lu remained stranded in Luoyang after Mouqiu Dian’s arrest, then decided to seek help from the local Wanderers.

• Zhong Hui searched Mouqiu Dian’s residence for a suspected associate but found no suspicious person, then escorted Mouqiu Dian to the Grand General’s residence.
• Sima Zhao warmly received Mouqiu Dian and offered his father the position of Minister over the Masses, along with further rewards and a marriage alliance, hoping to secure the family’s support.
• Mouqiu Dian remained silent as Sima Zhao entertained him and showered him with gifts in an effort to win him over.
• Liu Lu, disguised as a merchant, learned that East Street had been sealed and realized Sima Shi had acted while Mouqiu Dian was likely under arrest.
• Liu Lu, alone and without lodging, an identity, or his sword, spotted local Wanderers and decided to befriend them and seek a chance to act against the state’s traitors.

Cao Mao tried to warn Cheng Ji that Sima Zhao might move against him, but Cheng Ji failed to grasp his hints. The chapter ended with Cheng Ji welcoming his elder brother, whose visit gave Cao Mao a possible route to reach the man through family ties.

• Cao Mao questioned Cheng Ji’s hostility and suspected Sima Zhao had ordered him to keep the emperor under control.
• Cao Mao invited Palace Commandant Sima Xun and General of the Guards Sima Wang to a family banquet, then unnerved them with lavish affection and hints about Sima Shi’s illness.
• Sima Xun and Sima Wang fled after Cao Mao drank himself into a stupor, while Cheng Ji remained unmoved by the emperor’s hints.
• Cao Mao used Sima Hui to hint that he envied men with elder brothers who could advise them, hoping Cheng Ji’s brother would understand the danger.
• Cheng Ji returned home and joyfully greeted his elder brother, who had come to visit.