Tears rise at the ancestral shrine, one king dies in filial devotion. One man in western Xichuan seeks to recover, two worthy men contend for merit.

Back in Chengdu, the Later Han emperor Liu Shan, whose courtesy name was Gongsi, heard that Deng Ai had taken Mianzhu and that Zhuge Zhan and his son had perished. He was greatly alarmed and hurriedly summoned civil and military officials to discuss the crisis.

A close court attendant reported: “Outside the city, the civilians are supporting old men and carrying children. Their cries are deafening. All are fleeing to save their lives.”

The emperor was frantic and at a loss. Just then a scouting rider arrived and announced that the Wei forces were close to the city walls.

Many officials then said, “Our troops are few and commanders are few; we cannot meet the enemy. It is best to abandon Chengdu at once, flee to the seven commanderies of Nanzhong. That land is rugged and defensible, so we can hold out there and then, with the aid of barbarian soldiers, come back to reclaim it before it is too late.”

Guanglu Dafu Qiao Zhou said, “That cannot be done. The southern non-Han peoples have long been prone to revolt and have never shown much loyalty. If we throw ourselves upon them, we will surely face calamity.”

Many officials again submitted, “Shu and Wu are already allied. In this emergency, we may submit to Wu.”

Qiao Zhou again remonstrated: “There has never, in all ages, been an emperor who gave himself into another state as a dependent ruler. I judge that Wei can swallow Wu, but Wu cannot swallow Wei. If we submit to Wu now, that is one humiliation. If Wu is later swallowed by Wei, and Your Majesty then submits to Wei, that will be a humiliation twice over. Better than throwing ourselves to Wu is to surrender to Wei. Wei will certainly divide up the land and enfeoff Your Majesty, so you may defend the ancestral temple above and secure the people below. Think on this.”

The emperor did not decide and withdrew into the palace.

The next day the debates were again crowded with arguments. Seeing the urgency, Qiao Zhou again submitted a memorial and again spoke out against surrender. The emperor followed Qiao Zhou’s counsel. He was about to go out in surrender when a man stepped from behind the screen and shouted at Qiao Zhou in a harsh voice: “A life-preserving rotten scholar—how dare you raise such reckless words in state affairs? Was there ever before an emperor who submitted?”

The emperor looked and saw it was his fifth son, Prince of Beidi, Liu Chen.

The emperor had seven sons: his first was Liu Xuan, his second Liu Yao, his third Liu Cong, his fourth Liu Zan, the fifth was Prince of Beidi Liu Chen, the sixth Liu Xun, and the seventh Liu Qu. Of those seven, only Liu Chen had been brilliant and keen since childhood; the rest were weak and compliant.

The emperor said to Liu Chen: “All my ministers urge surrender. Why do you alone rely on hot-blooded courage and wish the whole city to run with blood?”

Liu Chen said, “When the former emperor was alive, Qiao Zhou never interfered in state administration. Now he dares to talk of affairs of state and repeatedly raises disorderly words. This is utterly unreasonable. I privately judge that Shu’s remaining forces number in the tens of thousands. Jiang Wei has all his men in Jian'ge Pass. If he learns that Wei has entered the capital, he will come to the rescue. If we strike from within and without, we can gain complete victory. Could we follow this decayed scholar’s words and lightly discard the foundation laid by the former emperor?”

The emperor snapped at him: “You child, how could you read the signs of Heaven?”

Liu Chen knelt, struck his forehead, and wept: “If our strength fails and disaster comes, we should both, fathers and sons and lord and minister, make a last stand in the capital and die with the state so as to honor the former emperor. Why should we surrender?”

The emperor would not listen. Liu Chen cried out in a great voice: “The former emperor did not establish this realm with ease; now if we abandon it in an instant, I would rather die than live in disgrace!”

The emperor ordered attendants to escort him out from the palace. He then commanded Qiao Zhou to draft a surrender memorial and dispatch a private court gentleman-in-waiting Zhang Shao and Captain-in-Attendance Deng Liang, with Qiao Zhou, carrying the Jade seal to Luo City to submit surrender.

Each day Deng Ai had sent out several hundred armored riders to scout near Chengdu. When he saw that surrender flags had been raised, he was overjoyed.

Not long afterward Zhang Shao and the others arrived. Deng Ai ordered them welcomed inside. The three men knelt at the staircase and presented the surrender petition and the Jade seal. Deng Ai opened the memorial and rejoiced. He received the seal and treated Zhang Shao, Qiao Zhou, Deng Liang, and the others with great favor.

Deng Ai drafted a reply and gave the three men a copy to carry back to Chengdu in order to reassure the people.

The three men took leave of Deng Ai and returned straight to Chengdu. They entered before the emperor and presented the reply, explaining in detail how well Deng Ai had received them.

The emperor opened the letter, rejoiced, and immediately ordered Grand Equerry Jiang Xian to carry an edict commanding Jiang Wei to surrender early. He also dispatched the junior clerk Li Hu with administrative records for Deng Ai.

In total there were 280,000 households, 940,000 men and women, 120,000 fully armed soldiers, 40,000 officials, more than 400,000 stocks of grain, 3,000 jins of gold and silver, and 200,000 bolts each of brocade and dyed silk. What remained in the granaries was too many to itemize.

He chose the first day of the twelfth month for the sovereign and officials to go out and submit.

When Prince Liu Chen learned this, fury surged through him. He went into the palace with sword in hand. His wife, Lady Cui, asked, “Why is the king so changed in face today?”

Liu Chen said, “Wei forces are near. Our father emperor has already submitted the surrender petition. Tomorrow the king and ministers will go out and surrender, and our state will perish from here. I want to die first and face the former emperor in the ground, not kneel before others.”

Lady Cui said, “Excellent! Excellent! Then you can die now, and your death is not far.”

Liu Chen asked, “Why should you die?”

Lady Cui answered, “If a husband dies, it is right for the wife to die; what is there to ask?”

When she finished speaking, she struck a pillar and died.

Liu Chen then killed his three sons, then cut off his wife’s head, carried both to the Zhaolie Temple, knelt upon the ground and cried:

“Ministerial shame fills me to have seen our foundation abandoned to others. Therefore I first killed my wife and sons to sever all thought of worldly ties, then I shall repay my ancestors with this one life. If our ancestor has spirit, let him know my heart!”

After a great outburst of weeping and blood streaming from his eyes, he committed suicide by slitting his throat. The people of Shu heard and were all overwhelmed with grief.

Later people praised him in a verse:

A king and his ministers gladly bend and submit, yet one son alone is left to grieve. Xichuan’s work is gone from us now, how mighty was the Prince of Beidi! He fell to reward his revered ancestors, clawing his head and crying to the sky. A man of fierce upright spirit seems still present; who says Han has truly vanished?

When the later ruler heard of Liu Chen’s self-slashing, he ordered his burial.

The next day the Wei army arrived in force. The emperor went out with crown prince and royal sons, with more than sixty ministers and officials, faces bound and draped in funeral cloths, and traveled ten li north of the gate to surrender.

Deng Ai helped the emperor rise, personally untied his bindings, burned the funeral drapes, and brought him into the city in his carriage.

Later people sighed in verse:

Tens of thousands of Wei soldiers marched into Sichuan, yet the emperor escaped only by sacrificing his own judgment. Huang Hao long survived by deceiving the empire’s will, and Jiang Wei shouldered talent in saving the age in vain. Loyal men of upright principle, how fierce was their zeal, and King Sun’s resolve to keep his post is now a pity. What Zhaolie of Shu built was no light work, in one dawn that labor turned to ash.

Thus all the people of Chengdu brought fragrant flowers and welcome offerings. Deng Ai ennobled the former emperor as General of Agile Cavalry and then allowed all civil and military officials, one by one according to rank, to be granted offices. He ordered that the former emperor return to his palace, issue edicts to pacify the people, hand over the warehouses, and also appointed the Master of Rites Zhang Jun and Yizhou Deputy Administrator Zhang Shao to invite by amnesty every commandery’s military and civilians to submit.

He also sent word that Jiang Wei should come in and surrender.

At the same time he dispatched messengers to Luoyang to report victory.

When Deng Ai heard of Huang Hao’s treachery, he wished to execute him. Huang Hao bribed those near him with precious metal and therefore escaped.

From this point, Han had fallen.

Later people, reflecting on Han’s collapse, composed a verse:

Even ape and bird know to fear the decree-street message; wind and cloud seem to protect Shou Xu’s estate. The high commander labored with divine brush for nothing, and in the end the humbled king rides away in a public cart. Guan Yu had talent and did not bring shame, yet what path remained for Guan and Zhang? In later years, when you pass through brocade-lane shrines, you will hear Father Liang’s songs still full of sorrow.

Jiang Xian, the Grand Equerry, arrived at Jian'ge and entered before Jiang Wei, bearing the former emperor’s command and telling him of the surrender order. Jiang Wei was shocked and speechless.

When the officers under his command learned of it, they all grieved and complained together, gnashing their teeth and glaring, their hair standing on end. They drew their swords and struck at stone, crying out, “We fought for a war to the death. Why should we surrender first?” Their cries of lament were heard for dozens of li.

Seeing that the troops’ hearts still longed for Han, Jiang Wei used gentle words to soothe them: “Do not despair, generals. I have one plan that can restore Han’s house.”

The generals asked him. Jiang Wei and several officers bent near his ear and whispered their plan.

He then ordered surrender flags raised all along Jian'ge Pass. First he sent word into Zhong Hui’s camp that Jiang Wei was bringing Zhang Yi, Liao Hua, Dong Jue, and others to surrender. Zhong Hui rejoiced and sent men to receive Jiang Wei in his tent.

Zhong Hui said, “Why did Boyue arrive so late?”

Jiang Wei answered gravely, tears flowing, “The whole state’s armed force is under my command; coming as far as this is already swift enough.”

Zhong Hui was astonished and rose from his seat to bow and receive him as a high guest. Jiang Wei said to him:

“General Zhonghui, I have heard that since you came from Huainan, you have no obvious stratagem without flaw. If Cao Wei reaches this height, it is by Your Excellency’s own strength. I gladly submit and bow my head. Had I faced Deng Shizai, I would have fought him to the death. How could I have surrendered to him?”

Zhong Hui then broke an arrow as an oath and swore brotherly brotherhood with Jiang Wei, and their bond became close. He still ordered Jiang Wei to keep command of his troops as before.

Jiang Wei rejoiced inwardly and therefore had Jiang Xian return to Chengdu.

Now Deng Ai made Shi Zuan the Inspector of Yizhou, Qian Hong and Wang Qi other provincial commanders, and so on. At Mianzhu he built a raised platform to advertise his victory and summoned all surviving Shu officials to a banquet.

Deng Ai had drunk to near-saturation and, gesturing to the assembled officials, said, “You are fortunate to meet me, and so you have this day. Had it been any other general, all of you would have been destroyed by now.”

The officials rose and bowing thanked him. Just then Jiang Xian arrived and told them that Jiang Wei had surrendered to Zhonghui’s western command. Thus Deng Ai grew resentful of Zhong Hui and drafted a memorial to be carried to Luoyang for Sima Zhao.

Ai wrote:

I, Deng Ai, venture to suggest this: one must first make a sign and then bring substance to bear. Now, because we have just subdued Shu, this is the moment to sweep and subdue Wu. Yet after a major campaign the troops are exhausted and cannot be immediately employed. Keep 20,000 troops from Longxi and 20,000 Shu soldiers; begin salt-making and metallurgy, and build ships to prepare for a plan of going with the current waters. Then we can send envoys to explain advantage and danger, and Wu can perhaps be brought down without a campaign. Treat Liu Shan with great honor so as to win Sun Xiu’s submission. If we send him to the capital at once, the people of Wu will be suspicious and less moved toward yielding. Hold him in Shu for now, and let him come to the capital in winter next year. Grant him now the fief of Fufeng King, provide gifts and money, give stipends to his attendants, and make his sons ministers, so that his submission appears sincere. Then the people of Wu will fear our power and admire our virtue and will yield at once.

Sima Zhao read it through and deeply doubted that Deng Ai harbored intentions to act alone. He first sent a private memorial to Wei Guan, and afterward sent the surrender ennobling edict to him, written in his own hand:

General Who Conquers the West Deng Ai: your brilliance in the display of prestige and the vigor of arms drove deep into enemy lands, dragging the usurping ruler by the neck to surrender; your army never moved beyond time, your battles did not last through a day. Like the wind, you rolled up and swept all and settled both Ba and Shu. Even Bai Qi at the height of Chu and Han Xin in fierce Zhao cannot match your meritorious deed. Therefore you are named Grand Commandant. Your fief is raised by 20,000 households. Your two sons are made district marquises, each to hold a thousand households.

When Deng Ai finished receiving the decree, Weiguan, the monitor general, took out Sima Zhao’s own-letter and presented it to him. It said that Deng Ai’s proposals were to be held for formal report and not acted upon at once. Deng Ai replied, “The general is outside; a ministerial order from the ruler is not always one that must be accepted.” Since he had taken command as an envoy-for-haste, how could he be stopped? He drafted yet another letter and sent it by envoy to Luoyang.

At that time, all at court said that Deng Ai certainly had rebel intent. Sima Zhao grew even more suspicious. A messenger then returned and presented Deng Ai’s new letter.

Sima Zhao broke the seal and read:

Ai has been commissioned to campaign west. The once-entrenched enemies have been brought low; this is the hour when he should act with expedience to settle newly attached lands. If we wait for commands from court, we lose the travel days in going and returning. In government principle, when an official ministers abroad and there is a measure that can settle the realm and benefit the state, he may act on his own. Wu has not yet paid homage and still links with Shu; if we stand on custom, we may lose the opportunity for action. In warfare one advances not for praise and retreats not to avoid blame. Though Ai lacks the restraint of ancient men, he will never blush to use what harms the state. The matters already set forth are submitted for implementation.

Sima Zhao, after reading, was in a shock. He huddled with Jia Chong and said, “Deng Ai is haughty on account of his achievements and acts at will; his intention to rebel is revealed.”

Jia Chong replied, “My Lord, why not enfeoff Zhong Hui to keep him in check?”

Sima Zhao accepted that idea, dispatched an envoy with an edict naming Zhonghui as Minister over the Masses, and ordered Wei Guan to oversee both routes of the armies. He placed in Wei Guan’s hands a private order that he was to watch Zhonghui and Deng Ai carefully and prevent any revolt. Zhonghui read the order aloud:

General Who Guards the West Zhonghui: where you go you know no defeat. Before you, there is no strong rival; you regulate a number of city-states and collect fleeing men into your net. The commanders of Shu have come before you with bound faces to submit. No stratagem is unmade by you; no effort lacks accomplishment. Therefore you are appointed Minister over the Masses, promoted to county marquis, your fief increased by 10,000 households, and your two sons made district marquises, each to hold a thousand households.

Since Zhonghui had just been enfeoffed, he at once asked Jiang Wei for counsel:

“Deng Ai’s achievements seem greater than mine, and he now holds the Grand Commandant’s office. Now Master Sima suspects that Ai will rebel, and so has ordered Wei Guan to supervise him and commands me to restrain him. What counsel does Boyue have?”

Jiang Wei replied, “I heard that Deng Ai came from very modest origins; in childhood he was raised in a farming household to tend calves. By fortunate fortune he slipped through Yinping by a slant path, climbing trees and cliffs, and gained this great success. It is not pure good strategy, but the great blessing of the state at work. If not that Your Excellency and I blocked him at Jian'ge, how could Ai have made this achievement?

Now he seeks to enfeoff the Shu lord as King of Fufeng to bind the Shu people tightly to him. His rebellious heart is plain and need not be spoken. Sima-gong’s suspicions are correct.”

Zhonghui highly praised what he heard. Jiang Wei said, “Please send your attendants away; I have a confidential matter.”

He told Zhonghui to clear attendants. Jiang Wei took a map from his sleeve and said, “In former days Master Wuhou came from that thatched cabin and presented this map to the former emperor and said: ‘The land of Yizhou has broad fertile fields for miles, abundant people and rich state; it can become a hegemony.’ The former emperor therefore founded Chengdu.”

Jiang Wei unrolled the map and explained it point by point as Zhonghui inquired about rivers and terrain.

“Riding Sima’s present suspicion and jealousy, you must urgently submit a memorial saying that Ai is displaying signs of revolt. Sima will certainly order Your Excellency to punish him, and in one stroke you can capture him.”

Zhonghui followed that advice, sending an envoy with a memorial to Luoyang describing Ai’s self-assertive, uncontrolled command and his closeness to Shu men, warning that he would rebel at dawn or dusk.

Thus the whole court’s civil and military officers were alarmed. Zhonghui then had his men stop Deng Ai’s memorial while he was en route, then by imitating Ai’s hand, rewrote haughty phrases into his own words that supported reality.

When Sima Zhao saw Deng Ai’s petition, he was furious and sent men to Zhonghui’s camp ordering him to arrest Ai. He also sent Jia Chong with thirty thousand soldiers into Xie Valley. Then Sima Zao traveled in person with Wei emperor Cao Huan.

Xiao Cao, Assistant Clerk of the Right in the western department, Shàotì, remonstrated: “Zhonghui’s troops are six times larger than Deng Ai’s. As it now stands, arresting Ai is enough. Why does Your Lordship go yourself?”

Zhao laughed: “Have you forgotten your old words? You once said Zhonghui would rebel; this journey is not for Ai, it is for Zhonghui himself.”

Shàotì then laughed and said, “I fear Your Lordship has forgotten, so I ask. Now that this is the intention, it must be kept secret. Let it not leak.”

Zhao accepted those words and led his great force onward.

At that time Jia Chong also suspected Zhonghui of change and secretly informed Sima Zhao. Zhao said, “If I were to send you, would I also suspect you? When I reach Chang’an, all will be made clear.”

A secret informant had already told Zhonghui: Zhao had reached Chang’an. In a panic, Zhonghui sought Jiang Wei’s counsel on how best to bring Ai down.

Just then:

Just then a newly surrendered general from Western Shu is seen, and Chang’an is now in motion with vast forces. Who can say how Boyue will break Ai? How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.