Recaps

Xiahou Xian helped Wei repel Zhuge Liang’s invasion, then became entangled in Cao Rui’s court intrigues and marriage plans. After Cao Xiu’s defeat in the eastern campaign, Xiahou Xian met Guanqiu Jian during a hunt at Mount Beimang.

• Xiahou Xian warned Cao Rui of Shu Han’s coming invasion and advised him to send Cao Zhen to Guanzhong, then joined the campaign as military adviser.
• Xiahou Xian helped Zhang He defeat Zhao Yun’s forces at Ji Valley, while Cao Zhen’s army drove Zhuge Liang from Longyou after the fighting at Jieting.
• Cao Rui appointed Xiahou Xian as a gentleman attendant, and Xiahou Xian met Wang Yuanji at Wang Lang’s residence and resolved to influence her future family.
• Xiahou Xian warned Cao Rui that Wu’s offer to surrender was a trap, then accepted Cao Rui’s arrangement for him to marry Wang Yuanji.
• Xiahou Xian delivered Cao Rui’s order to Wu Zhi, persuaded him to relinquish his command, and met Wu Zhi’s daughter Wu Yu before returning to the capital.
• Xiahou Xian met Sima Shi and Sima Zhao at an inn in Wen County, then returned to court as Cao Rui rejected warnings about the eastern campaign.
• Cao Xiu’s army fell into Lu Xun’s ambush at Shiting, but Jia Kui drove Zhuge Ke from Jiashi Pass and enabled Cao Xiu to escape to Shouchun.
• Cao Rui refused calls to punish Cao Xiu and held a hunt at Mount Beimang, where Guanqiu Jian killed a charging boar and introduced himself to Xiahou Xian.

Xiahou Xian built his authority in Huainan, recruited local talent, and helped uncover a Wu spy network before joining Man Chong’s military campaign. As Wei forces moved against Wu, Xiahou Xian punished Wen Qin’s men for massacring villagers and began investigating signs that Wu had learned of Wei’s advance.

• Cao Rui appointed Xiahou Xian Administrator of Huainan, and Xiahou Xian arrived in Shouchun, where he won Wen Qin’s cooperation by praising his vigilance.
• Xiahou Xian recruited Jia Chong as chief clerk and Wen Qiluo as a household guard, then worked with Jia Chong to investigate suspected Wu spies.
• Xiahou Xian and Jia Chong exposed Elder Gu’s smuggling network, and their investigation led Man Chong to arrest Wang Ling for exchanging intelligence with Wu.
• Man Chong announced a campaign against Dongguan, and Xiahou Xian prepared troops and supplies while Ji Shao proved himself in a cavalry trial.
• After receiving orders to join Yue Lin in Liu'an, Xiahou Xian discovered that Wen Qin and his men had slaughtered villagers and ordered them punished, though Yue Lin persuaded him to reduce the penalty.
• As Wei forces moved against Wu, Ji Shao and Jiao Yi scouted Wu troops near the Shu River, and Jiang Ban’s cavalry rescued them from pursuing riders.
• Xiahou Xian heard that Wu troops had abruptly prepared to destroy supplies, rejected a prisoner’s claim about Shu County’s defenses, and let another prisoner plead to speak.