Chapter Summaries

Wu Zhi introduced Xiahou Xian to his daughter Wu Yu and asked him to look after her in the Capital, then Xiahou Xian continued south and stopped in Wen County because of heavy rain. There, a dispute with a local bully brought him together with Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, and Sima Shi ended the chapter by demanding that Zhao Ping kowtow.

• Wu Zhi explained that he had wanted Wu Yu and Xiahou Xian to meet and asked Xiahou Xian to look after her in the Capital.
• Xiahou Xian set off for the Capital, and he and Shi Feng stopped in Wen County when heavy rain made the roads difficult.
• A burly servant tried to drive Xiahou Xian and Shi Feng from their table, then threw Sima Zhao aside when he intervened.
• Sima Shi arrived, identified himself as Sima Ziyuan, and sent the servant to fetch his master, Zhao Ping.
• Sima Shi and Sima Zhao joined Xiahou Xian and Shi Feng, and Zhao Ping arrived with gifts and made his servant kneel and apologize.
• After Sima Shi told Zhao Ping to make the servant stop kowtowing, he quietly demanded that Zhao Ping kowtow instead.

After returning to the Capital, Xiahou Xian resumed teaching at Princess Anyang’s residence and tried to end their private relationship, while his mother urged him to help Anyang. At court, Cao Rui pressed ahead with a campaign against Wu despite warnings, and Xiahou Xian left fearing that a general’s star was about to fall.

• Xiahou Xian returned from Wen County and taught the Xun boys after Princess Anyang asked him to resume their lessons.
• Anyang asked Xiahou Xian about his arranged marriage and tried to draw him close, but he told her they should stop seeing each other and find another teacher for her sons.
• Princess Qinghe grew angry that Cao Rui had sent Xiahou Xian into danger, then instructed him to help Anyang beyond the lessons.
• Cao Rui rejected Man Chong and Jiang Ji’s warnings about the eastern campaign because Cao Xiu claimed Zhou Fang had revealed Wu’s secret deployments.
• Cao Rui ordered Sima Yi to halt his advance on Jiangling and withdraw to Xiangyang while the campaign aimed to seize Poyang and divide Wu’s forces.
• Xiahou Xian left court unconvinced by Sima Yi’s silence and saw what seemed to be a general’s star falling in the southeast.

Cao Xiu marched his Wei army toward Wan City after trusting Zhou Fang’s apparent surrender, but Zhou Fang lured him into a Wu ambush at Shiting. Surrounded by Lu Xun’s forces, Cao Xiu’s army was battered from the river, hills, and Quan Cong’s cavalry as Lu Xun offered a reward for Cao Xiu’s capture or death.

• Cao Xiu welcomed Zhou Fang and believed his detailed account of Sun Quan’s five-pronged invasion, promising to secure him a reward.
• Zhou Fang led Cao Xiu’s army toward Shiting and claimed Wu ships on the river carried supplies as a welcoming gift.
• Cao Xiu recognized the trap and ordered a controlled withdrawal, but Zhou Fang fled toward the river and was struck by Wei arrows before Wu sailors rescued him.
• Lu Xun launched the river assault while Zhu Huan’s forces attacked from the hills with arrows, logs, and boulders.
• Quan Cong’s cavalry charged into the confused Wei ranks, leaving Cao Xiu’s army surrounded on three sides.
• Lu Xun offered a thousand-household fief to anyone who killed Cao Xiu.

After Cao Xiu’s defeat at Shiting, his army broke into a chaotic retreat while Sun Quan ordered Zhuge Ke to intercept the Wei forces at Jiashi. Jia Kui’s reinforcements defeated Zhuge Ke and secured Cao Xiu’s escape, forcing Lu Xun’s pursuit to end.

• Cao Xiu’s defeated army mutinied and fled northeast in disorder, abandoning most of its supplies.
• Sun Quan received Lu Xun’s proposal to block Cao Xiu at Jiashi and sent Zhuge Ke with ten thousand elite troops.
• Jia Kui marched south to reinforce Jiashi and attacked Zhuge Ke’s smaller, inexperienced force.
• Jia Kui drove Zhuge Ke from Jiashi Pass, allowing Cao Xiu’s army to escape to Shouchun.
• Lu Xun and the other Wu forces abandoned the pursuit and returned.

Cao Rui defended Cao Xiu after the defeat at Shiting, then went on an autumn hunt at Mount Beimang with his ministers. Xiahou Xian encountered Guanqiu Jian, who helped bring down a wild boar and introduced himself.

• Cao Rui rejected ministers' calls to punish Cao Xiu and said he had sent Yang Ji to reassure the Grand Marshal at Shouchun.
• Cao Rui led his ministers on an autumn hunt at Mount Beimang, with Cao Zhao commanding five hundred imperial guards.
• Xiahou Xian learned from Wang Su that Guanqiu Jian, Cao Rui's former friend and trusted official, was accompanying the emperor.
• Xiahou Xian shot at a charging wild boar but struggled to stop it as it advanced toward him.
• Guanqiu Jian shot the boar in the forefoot, immobilized it, killed it with his sword, and introduced himself to Xiahou Xian.

Xiahou Xian earned Cao Rui’s praise during a hunt and received a Precious Carved Bow, while Cao Rui’s concerns about Yong and Liang lingered. After Cao Xiu’s death, Cao Rui appointed Man Chong to command Yang Province and asked Xiahou Xian whether he would accept a post in Huainan.

• Xiahou Xian and Guanqiu Jian brought the enormous wild boar to Cao Rui, and Guanqiu Jian credited Xiahou Xian with the kill.
• Cao Rui rewarded Xiahou Xian with a Precious Carved Bow and served rare black pepper at the hunting feast.
• Cao Shuang mentioned Yong and Liang during the feast, stirring Cao Rui’s worries about the troubled region.
• Cao Xiu died, and Cao Rui granted him the posthumous title Marquis Zhuang while Cao Zhao inherited his rank.
• Cao Rui consulted senior ministers and appointed Man Chong as commander of Yang Province.
• Cao Rui asked Xiahou Xian whether he was willing to take up a post in Huainan.

Cao Rui appointed Xiahou Xian Administrator of Huainan Commandery and sent him to Yang Province to gain experience serving the Wei court. At Xiahou Xuan’s farewell banquet, He Yan revealed Five Minerals Powder and claimed it enhanced health and sexual prowess, prompting Sima Zhao to volunteer to try it.

• Cao Rui promoted Man Chong to act as commander of Yang Province and appointed Xiahou Xian Administrator of Huainan Commandery.
• Qinghe prepared a large caravan of goods, servants, attendants, cooks, and maids for Xiahou Xian’s journey.
• Xiahou Xuan hosted a farewell banquet for Xiahou Xian and praised him before the guests, including Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
• He Yan arrived at the banquet flushed and bare-chested, then introduced Five Minerals Powder and offered to share its formula.
• He Yan claimed the powder doubled prowess in bed, and Sima Zhao immediately stepped forward to try it.

Xiahou Xian traveled to Shouchun to take up his post as governor of Huainan and met resistance at the city gates. He won over the gate commander Wen Qin with praise and a gift of Shu brocade, then explained to Shi Feng that building alliances would help him secure his position.

• At a banquet, He Yan offered Sima Zhao a chance to try his formula, but Sima Shi stopped him and asked about obtaining the recipe another day.
• Xiahou Xian departed for Yang Province and reached Shouchun with a conspicuous procession of carriages.
• Gate officials stopped Xiahou Xian’s party to inspect its credentials and goods, while Shi Feng tried to explain that Xiahou Xian was the newly appointed governor.
• Wen Qin, the officer overseeing Shouchun’s defenses, tried to claim the party’s Shu brocade before Xiahou Xian identified himself as governor of Huainan.
• Xiahou Xian praised Wen Qin’s vigilance and promised to recommend him to Inspector Wang, then gave him the brocade as a gift.
• Shi Feng asked why Xiahou Xian rewarded Wen Qin, and Xiahou Xian explained that cultivating useful relationships would help him establish his authority.

Xiahou Xian visited Man Chong and found him pushing ahead with an investigation despite Wang Ling’s objections and the threat of war with Shu Han and Eastern Wu. Before Xiahou Xian left, Man Chong asked how he would have handled a past case involving the Prince of Yongqiu, leaving him under the general’s piercing scrutiny.

• Xiahou Xian visited Man Chong’s residence and learned that over a thousand people from Runan had followed Man Chong to Yang Province.
• Man Chong and Wang Ling argued over an investigation, with Wang Ling urging him to focus on defending Huainan while Shu Han prepared to attack Wei.
• Man Chong insisted that the investigation proceed swiftly, and Wang Ling left the hall in anger.
• Man Chong dismissed Xiahou Xian, then stopped him to ask how he would have handled a case in which the Prince of Yongqiu had been falsely accused of treason.

Xiahou Xian agreed to investigate Wu State’s spy network in Huainan after Man Chong explained his plan to halt all merchant traffic and lure the spies into action. Realizing he needed local knowledge of Shouchun’s defenses, Xiahou Xian ordered horses prepared.

• Xiahou Xian told Man Chong he would report the truth and clear Cao Zhi’s name rather than bend the law to please the powerful.
• Man Chong entrusted Xiahou Xian with investigating Wu State’s spy network and disclosed plans to stop all merchant traffic in a month to flush out the spies.
• Man Chong said Wu State’s agents had connections with Huainan officials and generals, making their infiltration a threat beyond stolen intelligence.
• Xiahou Xian returned to his residence and considered recruiting capable local assistants because he lacked a foundation in Huainan.
• Xiahou Xian realized he needed someone familiar with Shouchun’s defenses and told Shi Feng to prepare the horses.

Xiahou Xian recruited Wen Qin to command Huainan’s troops, restoring Wen Qin’s ambition to distinguish himself. After Wen Qin reported that two unclaimed battalions contained over four thousand men, Xiahou Xian tasked him with taking them over and enforcing merchant inspections; Wen Qin then mentioned a renowned young man in Huainan.

• Xiahou Xian visited Wen Qin’s camp and appointed him commandant of the Huainan Prefect’s Office, entrusting him with command of the commandery’s troops.
• Wen Qin recalled his past disgrace and isolation, and realized Xiahou Xian’s trust had rekindled his desire to build a career.
• The next day, Wen Qin reported that the Huainan Guard had 820 men and that two unclaimed battalions should contain more than four thousand troops.
• Xiahou Xian entrusted Wen Qin with taking over the two battalions and carrying out Man Chong’s orders, including strict inspections of traveling merchants.
• Wen Qin said he was ill-suited to secretly investigate city officials, then told Xiahou Xian of a remarkably intelligent young man in Huainan; Xiahou Xian asked where he was.

Xiahou Xian visited Lady Liu’s home seeking a talented aide and discovered that the rumored scholar was her thirteen-year-old son, Jia Chong. He appointed Jia Chong chief clerk, and Jia Chong accepted while refusing to readily acknowledge anyone as his lord.

• Wen Qin led Xiahou Xian to the Jia residence, where Lady Liu explained that her sons were still young.
• Jia Chong entered, introduced himself, and sharply traded insults with Wen Qin.
• Jia Chong correctly guessed why Xiahou Xian had come and impressed him with his insight.
• Xiahou Xian offered Jia Chong the position of chief clerk, and Lady Liu allowed him to accept.
• Jia Chong accepted the appointment but said he would serve only as an official and would not readily acknowledge anyone as his lord.

Xiahou Xian accepted Jia Chong's request and returned to his residence, where Wen Qin asked him to take Wen Qiluo, his martial-arts-skilled sister who had secretly served as a soldier, as a household guard. The next morning, Xiahou Xian met Wen Qiluo and tested her interest in archery, leaving her challenge hanging as he asked where he should shoot.

• Xiahou Xian agreed to Jia Chong's request and left the Jia residence with Wen Qin.
• Xiahou Xian ordered Wen Qin to oversee the troops and tighten inspections at the city gates.
• Wen Qin revealed that Wen Qiluo had secretly joined his army and asked Xiahou Xian to employ her as a household guard.
• Xiahou Xian agreed to consider Wen Qiluo for other discreet tasks and told Wen Qin to bring her to his residence.
• Wen Qin brought Wen Qiluo to Xiahou Xian the next morning, and she eagerly asked him to demonstrate his two-shi bow.
• Xiahou Xian asked Wen Qiluo where he should shoot.

After Wen Qiluo joined Xiahou Xian’s household as a guard, Jia Chong impressed Xiahou Xian with a plan to expose Wu State spies by leaking false military intelligence. Jia Chong then tested Chen Yuan’s remarkable recall of tax records, leaving Xiahou Xian curious about the clerk’s memory.

• Xiahou Xian demonstrated his archery to Wen Qiluo, who was impressed and accepted a place as a household guard.
• Wen Qiluo asked Shi Feng for servants to train and began working immediately.
• Jia Chong told Xiahou Xian that Man Chong’s plan to seal Shouchun’s gates would not catch spies and proposed secretly leaking urgent military intelligence instead.
• Ji Shao arrived late and drunk, while Chen Yuan returned with annotated tax records for Jia Chong.
• Jia Chong asked Chen Yuan for Hefei County’s grain levy, and Chen Yuan recalled the exact figure, prompting Jia Chong to ask whether he had a photographic memory.

Xiahou Xian questioned Elder Gu, a merchant from Wu Commandery, after Wen Qin detained his caravan, while Jia Chong suspected the merchant was concealing something. Elder Gu later met Ji Shao to trade and then used a coded phrase at a hidden door, leaving his purpose uncertain.

• Xiahou Xian planned a covert investigation alongside Wen Qin's overt inquiry and questioned Wen Qin's detained merchant caravan from Wu Commandery.
• Elder Gu appeared to be a genuine traveling merchant, but he revealed that Wen Qin had told him Huainan might be sealed off.
• Jia Chong offered to follow Elder Gu and find out whom he intended to contact in Shouchun.
• Elder Gu sold salt and Wu embroidery to Ji Shao at the Ji Clan Trading House.
• Elder Gu left his wagon with his attendant, took a bundle to a hidden door, and spoke a coded phrase after knocking.

Xiahou Xian and his officials planned to flush out a suspected Wu spy by searching places Elder Gu had visited and using Ji Shao as a pretext. Jia Chong intercepted Elder Gu as he tried to leave Shouchun and arrested him, calling him a spy from rebel Wu.

• Jia Chong told Xiahou Xian that Elder Gu had lingered in a shop while his attendant returned alone to the guesthouse.
• Ji Shao recognized Elder Gu as a longtime family business contact, and Xiahou Xian told Ji Shao and Chen Yuan that Huainan would investigate merchants and travelers from Wu State.
• Chen Yuan proposed searching the places Elder Gu had visited to make him flee, and Xiahou Xian decided to involve Ji Shao in the plan.
• Elder Gu ordered A Da to pack so they could leave Shouchun after hearing that officials had searched places they visited and detained Ji Shao.
• Jia Chong stopped Elder Gu's carriage, ordered his men to seize him, and accused him of being a spy from rebel Wu.

Xiahou Xian interrogated Elder Gu about suspected ties to Wu State and learned that he had been secretly trading illicit maritime goods. A name on the register led Xiahou Xian to question Wang Guang, whose reaction prompted him to send a warning to his father in Lujiang.

• Xiahou Xian threatened to hand Elder Gu over to Man Chong, and Elder Gu confessed that he had been secretly trading Wu State's illicit goods.
• Jia Chong reported that everyone who had contact with the Wu merchants had been identified and placed under surveillance.
• Xiahou Xian noticed Wang Guang's name in the register and went to visit him at the Wang residence.
• Xiahou Xian showed Wang Guang a portrait of a suspected Wu spy, and Wang Guang denied knowing the man while offering to help with the investigation.
• After Xiahou Xian left, Wang Guang ordered a servant to ride to Lujiang and deliver a message to his father.

Wen Qiluo watched Wang Ling after he secretly met a man in Liu'an, then followed another visitor from the residence to a tavern. She cornered the blue-robed man’s masked escort, but an unseen archer intervened as the opponent fled.

• Wang Ling scolded a servant, arranged to return to Shouchun, and met with a shadowed man who advised him to cut ties when the time came.
• Wen Qiluo and her men watched Wang Ling’s residence; after Wang Ling left by carriage, she searched the grounds for another exit.
• Wen Qiluo spotted a man in blue scholar’s robes leaving through a side gate and followed him to a tavern.
• The blue-robed man disappeared from the tavern, and Wen Qiluo chased him into an alley, where a masked opponent attacked her.
• Wen Qiluo wounded the masked man and pursued him, but an arrow from concealment forced her to dodge.

Wang Ling returned to Shouchun and told Wang Guang that Wu State was preparing for Sun Quan to proclaim himself emperor, while discussing Man Chong’s investigation and a possible move into Yang Province. Xiahou Xian pieced together clues implicating Wang Ling but lacked proof, and Man Chong received word that a subordinate had brought someone back.

• Wang Ling returned to Shouchun, warned Wang Guang that Man Chong might investigate Huainan, and ordered him to keep a low profile.
• Wang Ling told Wang Guang that Sun Quan planned to ascend the throne and that Wu State was moving troops to Jing Province, possibly leaving Yang Province vulnerable.
• Xiahou Xian reviewed the links between Elder Gu, Wang Guang, and Wang Ling, then decided to report the leads to Man Chong.
• A black-robed man met Man Chong and said he had brought the person back.

Xiahou Xian and Man Chong confronted Wang Ling about his dealings with the suspected Wu spy, Elder Gu. Wang Ling denied knowing the man was a spy until Man Chong brought in a badly injured witness who recognized him from the previous day.

• Xiahou Xian told Man Chong that Wang Guang had confirmed buying rare treasures from Elder Gu, whom Xiahou suspected of being a Wu spy.
• Wang Ling arrived to report on Lujiang and Hefei, then reacted angrily when Man Chong asked whether he had colluded with Wu rebels.
• Xiahou Xian explained that Wang Guang had been one of Elder Gu's buyers and showed Wang Ling the man's portrait.
• Wang Ling admitted knowing Elder Gu and buying rare treasures from him, but denied that he had known he was a spy.
• Man Chong had two officials bring in a badly injured man, who told Wang Ling they had met the previous day.