Chapter Summaries

Huan Wen praised Xie Xuan and Chen Caozhi as future leaders, predicting Xie would command armies and Chen would become a Black-Headed Duke. Chen understood that Huan Wen’s prediction for him depended on Huan Wen founding a new dynasty and becoming emperor.

• The chapter recounted Wang Huizhi’s exchanges with Huan Chong, in which Wang showed little knowledge of his official duties.
• Huan Wen summoned Xie Xuan and Chen Caozhi daily to discuss affairs and praised their abilities.
• Huan Wen predicted Xie Xuan would wield military authority by forty and Chen Caozhi would become a Black-Headed Duke.
• Chen Caozhi realized that reaching the Three Excellencies from humble beginnings would require a change of dynasty and Huan Wen becoming emperor.

Chen Caozhi visited Xi Chao’s residence to play the recorder for Zhou Lin and a hidden female guest, then attended Huan Wen’s military drill in Gushu. Huan Wen asked whether his army could recover the Central Plains, and Chen Caozhi affirmed his ambition.

• Zhou Lin visited Chen Caozhi to thank him on behalf of his sister, Zhou Matou, and asked to hear his recorder playing.
• Chen Caozhi played two pieces at Xi Chao’s residence, where a mysterious female guest arrived behind a screen and sighed at the music.
• Zhou Lin asked Chen Caozhi to teach him the recorder, but Chen Caozhi offered to copy him several scores instead.
• Xie Xuan warned Chen Caozhi not to provoke Li Jingshu, whom he suspected was the female guest at Zhou Matou’s residence.
• Huan Wen summoned the Western Headquarters’ officers to watch two thousand infantrymen and five hundred cavalrymen drill in Gushu’s Inner City.
• Huan Wen asked Chen Caozhi whether his army could recover the Central Plains, and Chen Caozhi said it would fulfill Huan Wen’s ambition.

Chen Caozhi and Xie Xuan inspected the Western Headquarters’ armory and weapons production, then drafted a practical military reform plan for Huan Wen. On Dragon Boat Festival, news arrived that Emperor Sima Pi had died, and Chen Caozhi wondered whether the succession would accelerate the changes in history.

• Chen Caozhi and Xie Xuan toured the armory, where Chen Caozhi noted the cavalry’s single stirrups and the limits of the water-powered bellows used in weapon forging.
• Chen Caozhi and Xie Xuan wrote the “Strong Army Policy,” proposing expanded iron mining, better bellows, heavily armored cavalry, and greater rewards and status for military officers.
• Xie Xuan praised Chen Caozhi’s practical abilities and hoped his rising standing would help him marry Xie Daoyun.
• Xiao Chan prepared Chen Caozhi’s Dragon Boat Festival bath, tied a five-colored cord on his arm, and gave him a pouch, while Chen Caozhi chose to wear Lu Weiwei’s sachet.
• A messenger sent by Xi Chao told Huan Wen’s procession that Emperor Sima Pi had died; Huan Wen ordered the naval exercises to continue before mourning.
• Chen Caozhi suspected that Xi Chao might be influencing the selection of a new emperor and worried that history was changing unpredictably.

After helping Xie Xuan present the Strong Army Policy, Chen Caozhi rejected Huan Wen’s request to teach a concubine music and enjoyed swimming at Gushu Creek. He ended the chapter confronted by the beautiful concubine, who had stolen his clothes and demanded a promise.

• Chen Caozhi and Xie Xuan presented the Strong Army Policy, and Huan Wen ordered a search for iron near Wuchang and summoned Lai De to make military bellows.
• Chen Caozhi refused to teach music to one of Huan Wen’s concubines, insisting he was serving the state rather than acting as an entertainer.
• Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng went swimming at Gushu Creek after they could not find Xie Xuan, who was away on official business.
• Chen Caozhi and Ran Sheng discovered their clothes had vanished when they came ashore, and Ran Sheng went looking for the thief.
• A woman in white appeared and admitted she had taken Chen Caozhi’s clothes, offering to return them if he promised her one thing.

Chen Caozhi agreed to teach Li Jingshu the recorder after she took his clothes and threatened to damage his reputation. Back at his lodgings, he was joyfully reunited with Jing Nu and Lai De and read letters from his family in Qiantang.

• Li Jingshu held Chen Caozhi's clothes until he agreed to formally teach her the recorder, then returned them after he exposed himself to make her turn away.
• Chen Caozhi told Xie Xuan what had happened, and Xie Xuan advised him to keep Li Jingshu at a calm distance and accept her as a student.
• Jing Nu and Lai De arrived at Chen Caozhi's lodgings with A Zhu, four Chen Clan soldiers, money, and letters from Qiantang.
• Chen Caozhi read letters from Chen Xian, Ding Youwei, Zongzhi, and Run'er, learning about the family's affairs and Run'er's studies and painting.

Jing Nu revealed that Ran Sheng was Ran Yu, the youngest son of the King of Wei, and told him about his family’s fate. After Ran Sheng fled in shock, Chen Caozhi and Jing Nu rode after him and discussed how to handle his newfound identity.

• Ran Sheng happily read Run'er's letter while Jing Nu decided the time had come to reveal his origins.
• Jing Nu spoke privately with Ran Sheng, who let out an anguished howl, ran from the house, and disappeared into the stormy night.
• Chen Caozhi and Jing Nu rode out to find Ran Sheng, and Jing Nu confessed that he had concealed the young man's identity.
• Chen Caozhi revealed that he had long suspected Ran Sheng was descended from the King of Wei and cautioned Jing Nu to keep the secret guarded.
• Jing Nu identified Ran Sheng as Ran Yu, the King of Wei's youngest son, and asked Chen Caozhi to help them seek vengeance.
• Chen Caozhi said Ran Sheng might struggle to accept the revelation and urged Jing Nu to find him first so he could talk to him.

After learning that Ran Min was his father and the Murong Clan had killed his family, Ran Sheng gave way to grief and rage. Chen Caozhi guided him toward a future in the army, concealed his identity by naming him Chen Yu, and introduced him to Huan Shiqian, where Chen Yu demonstrated his great strength.

• Ran Sheng learned that Ran Min was his father and that the Murong Clan had killed his family, then smashed through the willow grove in a storm.
• Chen Caozhi brought Ran Sheng back and urged him to bury his hatred for now and pursue a life in the army.
• Ran Sheng agreed to enlist, and Chen Caozhi gave him the name Chen Yu, courtesy name Zisheng, and claimed him as a distant younger cousin.
• Chen Caozhi read Lu Weiwei's diary-letter, then took Chen Yu to join the army under Huan Shiqian.
• Huan Shiqian tested Chen Yu against one of his guards, and Chen Yu lifted and threw the man with ease.

Ran Sheng joined the army and was promised rapid promotion, while Chen Caozhi, Huan Shiqian, and Xie Xuan went to a banquet at the General's Residence. As Chen Caozhi rode away, he watched Ran Sheng remain at the city gate and reflected on the youth's sudden departure from his former life.

• Huan Shiqian told Chen Caozhi that Ran Sheng would begin as a squad leader and could become a company commander after three months.
• A subordinate of Wei Chang invited Huan Shiqian, Xie Xuan, and Chen Caozhi to the Grand Marshal's banquet.
• Chen Caozhi went to the General's Residence with Huan Shiqian and Xie Xuan, while Ran Sheng stayed in the Inner City.
• Chen Caozhi rode away and saw Ran Sheng watching him from before the city gate.

Huan Wen advanced his political and military plans while Chen Caozhi weighed whether serving him could secure Chen Caozhi’s future. After the imperial funeral, Chen Caozhi was ordered to Jiankang to recruit Zhu Yingtai and would have a chance to see the Lu Clan Lady.

• Huan Wen accepted Xi Chao’s recommendations to pursue a household census and tuduan, and considered using Xie Xuan, Chen Caozhi, and Zhu Yingtai to carry them out.
• Huan Wen sent Shen Jin north with his thousand-odd volunteers to defend Luoyang, while Chen Caozhi worried that Huan Wen had given him too few men and considered the risks of serving Huan Wen.
• Huan Wen appointed Lai De to make Back-and-Forth Bellows, and the first large bellows greatly strengthened the Western Headquarters’ forge.
• After the imperial funeral, Huan Wen declined the court post of Director of the Department of State Affairs and submitted his seven practical proposals for implementation.
• Li Jingshu sent Chen Caozhi gifts for taking him as her teacher, making clear that she still expected him to teach her the Recorder.
• Xi Chao told Chen Caozhi to travel with him to Jiankang and recruit Zhu Yingtai for the Western Headquarters, adding that Chen Caozhi could also visit the Lu Clan Lady.

Chen Caozhi accepted Huan Wen’s insistence that he teach Li Jingshu the recorder, then continued his journey to Jiankang with Xi Chao. Delayed by rain, he planned to ride ahead to meet Lu Weiwei at New Pavilion, while preparing to recruit Zhu Yingtai and seek Xie An’s support.

• Chen Caozhi told Xi Chao about Li Jingshu’s advances, and Xi Chao accompanied him to Huan Wen to return her apprenticeship gifts.
• Huan Wen revealed that Li Jingshu had already told him about Gushu Creek and insisted Chen Caozhi teach her; Li Jingshu performed the “Red Bean Song” and asked to see his Keting Flute.
• Chen Caozhi and Xi Chao set out for Jiankang with Zhou Matou, Zhou Lin, Lai Zhen, Huang Xiaotong, and Ran Sheng, while Xie Xuan entrusted Chen with a letter for Xie Wan and asked him to protect Xie Daoyun’s identity.
• Chen Caozhi sent Lai Zhen ahead to arrange a meeting with Lu Weiwei at New Pavilion, but heavy rain delayed the party’s journey.
• At Old Sheng Inn, Xi Chao urged Chen Caozhi to ride ahead to meet Lu Weiwei and told him Xie An had returned to Jiankang, where Chen should seek his help recruiting Zhu Yingtai.
• Chen Caozhi finished copying The General’s Garden, explained its military teachings to Ran Sheng, and fell asleep hoping the rain would clear before his meeting with Lu Weiwei.

After the rain cleared, Chen Caozhi rode to New Pavilion to meet Lu Weiwei, eager but worried that she might be ill. He and Lu Weiwei reunited joyfully on the road, holding hands after two months apart.

• Chen Caozhi left the relay station early with Ran Sheng and rode north toward New Pavilion.
• On the way, Chen Caozhi listened as Ran Sheng recited from The General's Garden and urged him to study military tactics and train hard.
• At New Pavilion, Chen Caozhi learned that Banli was approaching and hurried out to meet him.
• Banli told Chen Caozhi that Lu Weiwei was only three li away, so Chen Caozhi rode ahead to greet her.
• Lu Weiwei spotted Chen Caozhi, stopped her carriage, and ran to him; Chen Caozhi dismounted, lifted her into his arms, and reunited with her.

Chen Caozhi took Lu Weiwei out for a horseback excursion after her servants escorted her from the city. The Lu Clan servants stayed behind, trusting he would return her before noon.

• Chen Caozhi asked Lu Weiwei whether Aunt Zhang had come, and Lu Weiwei said Aunt Zhang had told her to come alone.
• Chen Caozhi told Lu Weiwei’s servants and private soldiers that he would take her on an excursion and bring her back before noon.
• Chen Caozhi offered to ride with Lu Weiwei, and she agreed after he suggested she sit sideways on the pommel.
• Chen Caozhi lifted Lu Weiwei onto Purple Lightning, mounted behind her, and rode toward New Pavilion.
• The Lu Clan private soldiers questioned Duan Chu, who said Lu Weiwei had gone willingly and Chen Caozhi would return her before noon.

Chen Caozhi reunited with Lu Weiwei in Jiankang, and the two spent a joyful morning riding and admiring flowers and lotus blossoms. After meeting Xi Chao and his wife, Chen arranged to visit Lu Weiwei’s home the next day and rode ahead into Jiankang with Ran Sheng and his soldiers.

• Chen Caozhi met Lu Weiwei and rode with her from the city, sharing affectionate conversation and learning that Aunt Zhang might be pregnant.
• Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei admired chrysanthemums at Chrysanthemum Terrace, then rode on together to a lotus lake.
• Lu Weiwei changed to riding astride Purple Lightning, and Chen Caozhi galloped with her before they strolled beside the lake.
• Chen Caozhi and Lu Weiwei met Xi Chao and Zhou Matou, who invited Lu Weiwei into her carriage.
• Chen Caozhi arranged to visit Lu Weiwei’s home the next day, then rode into Jiankang with Ran Sheng, Huang Xiaotong, and Ran Sheng’s soldiers.

Chen Caozhi discussed Huan Wen’s proposed reforms with Sima Yu and recommended Lu Na to help oversee the Tuduan census. Lu Na then summoned Chen Caozhi and offered to promise Wei Rui to him in marriage if he followed his advice.

• Chen Caozhi visited Gu Kaizhi, explained why Zhu Yingtai had been unable to meet him, and said he had returned to urge Zhu Yingtai to take office.
• Chen Shang brought Chen Caozhi to meet Sima Yu, who questioned him about Huan Wen’s seven practical measures and the proposed Tuduan.
• Chen Caozhi explained that he had proposed a unified census and recommended that Lu Shi jointly oversee the Tuduan with Xie Youdu.
• Lu Na invited Chen Caozhi to the Lu Residence and asked what he would do if he could not marry Wei Rui; Chen Caozhi said he would never marry.
• Lu Na offered to promise Wei Rui to Chen Caozhi if he agreed to follow his advice.

Lu Na proposed that Chen Caozhi conceal his identity and withdraw from society so he could marry Lu Weiwei, but Chen refused and insisted he would win the Lu Clan’s approval within their Three-Year Promise. After diagnosing Zhang Wenwan as pregnant, Chen left the family celebrating and was asked to view her and Lu Weiwei’s paintings.

• Lu Na suggested Chen Caozhi marry Lu Weiwei in secret and live in seclusion, but Chen explained that he could not abandon his family and hoped to marry her formally within three years.
• Chen told Lu Na that if he failed to overcome the family barriers, he would build a great ship and withdraw overseas with Lu Weiwei.
• Zhang Wenwan entered with Lu Weiwei, and Lu Na asked Chen to examine his wife.
• Chen took Zhang Wenwan’s pulse, recognized signs of pregnancy, and congratulated Lu Na and Zhang Wenwan.
• Zhang Wenwan asked Chen to advise her on a painting and had a maid fetch it alongside Lu Weiwei’s painting.

Chen Caozhi identified Lu Weiwei’s painting and discussed her skill with her parents. After Lu Na and Zhang Wenwan left them alone, Weiwei reassured Chen Caozhi that she trusted his promise to wait three years, and he was moved by her understanding.

• Chen Caozhi identified the Love Vine Painting on the right as Lu Weiwei’s work, describing its understated style.
• Zhang Wenwan praised Lu Weiwei’s technique, and Lu Weiwei modestly said she could not paint as well as her mother.
• Zhang Wenwan said she wanted to walk in the rear garden and asked Chen Caozhi to stay, then Lu Na and Zhang Wenwan left the study.
• Lu Weiwei told Chen Caozhi that her parents seemed happy, and he repeated what Lu Na had said and asked how he should answer.
• Lu Weiwei told Chen Caozhi that he had already answered and that she believed in his promise to wait three years.

Chen Caozhi learned that Ge Hong had died and received his final letter and Treatise on Pestilential Qi, which warned of an epidemic in the Three Wu. He arranged for medicines to be prepared while preparing to meet Xie An and Xi Chao.

• Lu Qin learned that Lu Na was entertaining Chen Caozhi and confronted Chen, insisting the Lu Clan would oppose his marriage to Lu Weiwei.
• Lu Na told Chen Caozhi that the Lu Clan would comply with the coming household registration review and Tuduan if it was enforced equally.
• Li Shouyi delivered Ge Hong’s final letter and Treatise on Pestilential Qi to Chen Caozhi, who mourned his teacher and learned that Ge had died after entrusting the books to him.
• Chen Caozhi declined Xie An’s banquet invitation at first, then arranged to visit the Xie Residence and meet Xie An and Xi Chao that evening.
• Chen Caozhi asked Li Shouyi to prepare plague medicines at Chuyangtai Taoist Monastery, promised that Chen Family Cove would pay the costs, and copied the treatise for him to carry back.

Chen Caozhi visited the Xie Residence to recruit Zhu Yingtai for the Western Headquarters, while Xie An tested his ability without revealing whether he approved. The next evening, Chen Caozhi returned to play for Xie An, unaware that Xie Daoyun was waiting in the shadows to hear him.

• Chen Caozhi met Xie Daoyun by Vermilion Bird Bridge, and she asked him to prepare for questions from Xie An about her identity and his intentions.
• Chen Caozhi presented the Western Headquarters summons and Xie Xuan’s letter at the Xie Residence, then discussed Ge Hong’s epidemic remedies and the Seven Practical Measures with Xie An, Xie Wan, and Xi Chao.
• Xie An questioned Chen Caozhi about policy, praised his answers, and invited him to play the recorder the following evening.
• Chen Caozhi visited Waguansi and the Zhang Residence, where Zhang Ping discussed concerns about the Great Tuduan.
• Chen Caozhi returned to the Xie Residence at dusk, while Xie Daoyun watched from the locust trees, hoping to hear him play once more.

Xie An decided that Xie Daoyun would enter the Western Headquarters, moved by Chen Caozhi’s music and concerned for the Xie family’s future. As Chen and Xie Daoyun visited the construction site for his family’s garden, she called him an exiled immortal, stirring memories of his life across two lifetimes.

• Chen Caozhi played “A Moonlit Night of Flowers on the Spring River” for Xie An, while Xie Daoyun listened from behind a curtain.
• Xie An told Chen Caozhi that Xie Daoyun would enter the Western Headquarters and later asked her to serve as his aide after a year of experience.
• Xie An counseled Xie Daoyun to serve the court and encouraged her and A'e to support Chen Caozhi in serving the state.
• The next morning, Xie Daoyun visited Chen Caozhi, thanked him for helping her enter service, and joined him to inspect construction of the Chen family’s eastern garden.
• Xie Daoyun remarked that Chen Caozhi seemed to come from heaven and called him an exiled immortal, stirring his thoughts about their paths across two lifetimes.

Chen Caozhi, Xi Chao, and Xie Daoyun visited the gravely ill Wang Xizhi, then Chen handled court affairs and met the young Emperor Sima Yi. The emperor dismissed Chen coolly, but Chen remained useful to Xi Chao and the powerful Prince of Kuaiji.

• Xi Chao met Chen Caozhi and Xie Daoyun at the Chen Clan building site and offered money for the residence, which Chen declined.
• Xi Chao, Chen Caozhi, and Xie Daoyun visited Wang Xizhi, but Wang refused to receive them because of his illness; Wang Xianzhi told them that Du Zigong believed Wang would not recover.
• Chen Caozhi and Xie Daoyun left the Wang residence and reflected on mortality as they walked along the Qinhuai River.
• Chen Caozhi spent seven days in Jiankang, sent Lu Weiwei a Galloping Horse Picture through Zhang Tongyun, and summarized opinions on Xi Chao's proposed reforms.
• Sima Yu took Chen Caozhi to meet Emperor Sima Yi, who questioned him briefly and dismissed him with a reward of three hundred bolts of silk.