Wu lord Sun Xiu heard that Sima Yan had already usurped Wei. Knowing he would surely move against Wu, he became worried and fell seriously ill. He summoned Chancellor Puyang Xing and ordered Crown Prince Sun Wan to enter for audience. Sun Xiu placed his hand on Xing’s arm, pointed to the crown prince, and then died.

Xing consulted the ministers on setting the crown prince as ruler. Commander Wan Yu said, “The prince is too young to govern alone. Better to set up the Marquis of Wucheng, Sun Hao.” Left General Zhang Bu also said, “Hao is clear-minded and decisive; he can serve as emperor.” Puyang Xing could not decide and reported to Empress Dowager Zhu. She replied, “I am only a widow; how can I know affairs of state and kingdom? You may deliberate and determine this yourselves.” Xing therefore brought Hao to the throne.

Hao, styled Yuanzong, was the son of the crown prince Sun He and grandson of Great Emperor Sun Quan. In the seventh month of that year he mounted the throne and changed the era to Yuanxing, its first year. He made Crown Prince Sun Wan the Prince of Yuzhang, posthumously honored his father as Emperor Wen, and raised Lady He to Empress Dowager. He promoted Ding Feng to Left and Right Grand Commander. The next year it became Ganlu.

Hao’s cruelty and violence increased by the day. He was heavily immersed in wine and lust and favored the eunuch Cen Hun. Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu remonstrated, and Hao angrily beheaded both, exterminating their three clans. From then on, ministers in court held their tongues and did not dare remonstrate again.

He again changed the era to Baoding, and made Lu Kai and Wan Yu Left and Right Chancellors. At this time Hao stayed at Wuchang. The people of Yang Province, sending grain by boat, suffered greatly and grumbled. He also spent lavishly and allowed no distinction between public and private scarcity.

Wan Yu submitted a memorial:

I am distressed. Though there is no current disaster, the people’s lives are nearly exhausted; without any effort the state granaries are empty. When the Han house had declined, the Three Houses contended; now Cao and Liu have lost the Way, and everything is to Jin. This is manifest proof before our eyes. I, only for Your Majesty’s sake, grieve for the state. Wuchang is rough and barren land, not fit for a ruler’s capital. I hear in folk songs: “Better to drink the water of Jianye and not eat Wuchang fish. Better to return to Jianye dead than live on in Wuchang.” This is enough to show both the people’s mind and Heaven’s intention. The state has not a year’s store; there is rot at the root. Officers are oppressive and overbearing, and none cares. In the Great Emperor’s time, women in the inner court were under one hundred; since the age of Emperor Jing, they are in the thousands. This is the greatest source of cost. Those beside Your Majesty are not worthy men; court cliques seize and obstruct, harming loyal ministers and hiding talent. These are the state’s diseases and the people’s burdens. If Your Majesty will reduce the burdens, cease extortion, dismiss palace women, and select proper officials, Heaven will be pleased, the people will attach themselves, and the state will be secure.

Hao disliked the memorial. He enlarged building works and began building Zhaoming Palace, ordering all civil and military officials to cut timber in the mountains. He also summoned diviner Shang Guang and asked him to read the stalks concerning the realm. Shang answered, “Your Majesty gains an auspicious omen. In a Gengzi year, a green canopy will enter Luoyang.”

Hao rejoiced and said to Hua He, deputy of the Secretariat, “Earlier the late emperor heeded you, sending generals by division to station hundreds of camps along the Yangtze, and he made old Commander Ding Feng in overall charge. I intend to recover Han lands and take revenge for Shu’s lord. Which place should be taken first?”

Hua He remonstrated, “At present Chengdu is not held and the royal state has collapsed. Sima Yan surely intends to swallow Wu. Your Majesty should first rectify your virtue and stabilize Wu people; that is the best strategy. If we now move arms and armor, it is like attempting to save a fire by spreading hay; it will only make us burn ourselves.”

Hao raged. “I intend to restore our former undertaking when the time comes. You speak only contrary words. If I do not look upon your former-service face, I should have your head chopped for bringing this speech,” and he shouted for guards to drag Hua He out.

Hua He said on leaving, “How regrettable that this brocaded state will soon belong to another,” and retired in seclusion.

Hao then ordered the General Who Guards the East, Lu Kang, to station troops at the river mouth and plan for Xiangyang.

Soon news reached Luoyang. Near officials informed Sima Yan that Lu Kang was attacking Xiangyang. Jia Chong stepped forward and said, “I hear that Sun Hao in Wu governs no virtue and acts lawlessly. You may issue an edict to Commander Yang Hu. When disorder appears in Wu and Heaven and earth grant opportunity, take and capture; Eastern Wu can be taken in a moment.” Sima Yan rejoiced, issued an edict, and sent it to Yang Hu.

Hu accepted and inspected the army, preparing to meet the enemy. Since then, while Yu stationed at Xiangyang, he won the heart of soldiers and people alike. Wu men who wished to submit were allowed. He reduced patrol troops and used them to reclaim over eight hundred qing of fields. When he first arrived, the army had not even a hundred days’ grain; by next year it held ten years’ grain.

In camp Hu dressed in light robes and broad belt, without armor and helmet; before his tent he had only around ten attendants.

One day a unit commander reported, “Scouts say Wu troops are lax; we can strike now and gain a great victory in surprise.” Hu laughed. “Do you all underestimate Lu Kang? The man is clever and versatile. Not long ago His Majesty ordered him to attack Xiling; he beheaded Bu Chan and dozens of his soldiers and I could not arrive to rescue him. As a commander he is no fool; we should only hold our borders and wait. If trouble appears inside him, we can seize then. If we push without testing affairs, it is the path to defeat.” The officers were convinced and held their positions.

On one occasion Hu led his generals hunting. Lu Kang likewise went out to hunt that day. Hu ordered, “My troops may not cross the border.” The commanders obeyed and hunted only in Jin land. Lu Kang watched from afar and sighed, “General Hu’s troops have discipline and may not be violated.” They withdrew at dusk.

Hu returned and inspected the game. Animals first wounded by Wu archers were all returned. The Wu were pleased and reported this to Lu Kang. He summoned the envoy, asked, “Can your commander drink?” The man answered, “If there is fine wine, he can.”

Kang laughed. “I have a dou of wine kept from long ago. Take it to him and present it. This is wine I myself brewed for my own drinking. This one ladle is from yesterday’s hunt.”

His officers asked, “General, why send wine to him?”

Kang replied, “He has shown grace to me; how can I not repay?”

When the envoy returned and gave report to Hu, Hu laughed. “Does he also know I can drink?” he said, and ordered the cask opened. Commander Chen Yuan said, “There may be guile in this; the grand commander should sip slowly.” Hu replied, “Kang is no poisoner; no suspicion is needed,” and drank it all. Thereafter they kept regular communication.

One day Kang asked after Hu by messenger. Hu asked, “How fares General Lu?”

The envoy said, “The commander has been sick in bed for several days and has not come out.”

Hu said, “His illness seems to match mine. I have already prepared a mature medicine. Send it for him.” The envoy carried it back. The commanders said, “Hu is our enemy; this medicine is surely not harmless.” Kang said, “Could Master Yang Hu poison men? Do not doubt,” and he took it. The next day his illness was gone. His officers congratulated him.

Kang said, “He subdues me with kindness while I subdue him with force. Now he submits without fighting. Each of you must hold your frontier and seek no small gain.”

Soon Wu’s envoy arrived. Kang received him and asked: “Why have you come?” The envoy said, “The Son of Heaven orders the general to make swift advance and not allow Jin men to enter first.”

Kang replied, “You first return. I will send a memorial.” The envoy withdrew. Kang sent a memorial to Jianye.

Hao read it through and was greatly angry: “I heard that Kang had contact with the enemy. This is now proven!” He removed Kang from command, reduced him to Sima, and appointed Left General Sun Ji to lead his troops. All ministers feared to remonstrate.

Hao changed the era to Jianheng and then to Phoenix Year One. He was willful and excessive, keeping soldiers in camp without end; all below groaned in complaint. Chancellors Wan Yu, General Liu Ping, and Minister of Revenue Lou Xuan all spoke against him plainly and were all executed. In the previous ten years he had killed over forty loyal ministers.

Hao moved with fifty thousand cavalry whenever he entered or left the palace, and officials were too terrified to resist.

Yang Hu, hearing of Kang’s removal and Hao’s depravity, saw a chance and sent to Luoyang requesting campaign against Wu with this memorial:

Even if the turn of fortune is bestowed by Heaven, achievement must still come through men. The defenses from the Yangtze and Huai are not like Jia-ge Pass. Sun Hao is cruel beyond Liu Shan. Wu people are in greater distress than Ba and Shu. Jin force is now far stronger than before. If our forces now hold back and keep soldiers facing one another, the realm will be exhausted by levy and campaign and cannot be sustained.

Sima Yan read the memorial and rejoiced. He was ready to raise troops, but Jia Chong, Xun Xu, and Feng Chun argued strongly against it, and he did not proceed.

When Hu heard the court did not approve, he sighed, “Not as one wishes is the result of the world. To have the moment but miss it is a great regret.”

In Xianning’s fourth year Hu came to court and petitioned to return and nurse his illness. Sima Yan asked, “What policy have you for preserving the state that I may learn?”

Hu said, “Sun Hao’s brutality has gone too far. He can be subdued without battle now. If Hao dies and a worthy ruler is later enthroned, Wu cannot be won.” Sima Yan understood at once, “If you were to move now and lead, what would you do?” Hu answered, “I am old and ill and cannot bear this task. Select another wise and brave man.”

He then left court. That November Hu fell ill and died. Sima Yan himself rode to his home in carriage to ask after him. At the bedside Hu said through tears, “I have ten thousand deaths and still cannot repay Your Majesty.” Sima Yan also wept, “I regret I did not let you attack Wu. Who now can carry your intent?”

Hu replied, “I am dead and dare not keep silent in my loyalty. The right General Du Yu can be trusted. If Your Majesty intends to strike Wu, he is the man.”

Sima Yan said, “To present merit and recommend the worthy is indeed good. Why did you keep your memorial private and burn it so no one knew?” Hu answered, “I do not accept private rewards; I cannot bow for my own honor.” He died after speaking.

The emperor wept on returning and posthumously honored him as Grand Tutor, Marquis of Juping. In southern prefectures, when they heard Hu was dead, markets were halted and people cried. Border officers in Jiangnan also wept. The people of Xiangyang, daily missing Hu, went to Mount Xian in attendance and built a temple and stele for him. All who saw the epitaph wept, and it came to be called the Stele of Tears.

A poem mourned him:

At dawn I climb and look back on Jin ministers; ancient steles on Mount Xian crumble in spring. Dew drips again among pines, like tears fallen from those of old.

Sima Yan, in accordance with Hu’s words, appointed Du Yu as Great General Who Guards the South and Chief Commander in charge of Jingzhou. Du Yu was mature and seasoned, and loved learning without fatigue. He most prized Zuo Qiuming’s Zuo Zhuan and carried it constantly; wherever he entered or departed he had someone hold the text before his horse. They called it his “Zuo Zhuan obsession.”

He followed orders in Xiangyang, relieving people and training troops, preparing for an assault on Wu.

Now in Wu Ding Feng and Lu Kang were both dead. The Wu ruler Hao at every banquet ordered all to drink and appointed ten Palace Attendants from the Yellow Gates as informers. After the feast each person’s faults were presented; offenders were sometimes flayed and sometimes gouged. As a result, all feared him.

Wang Jun, Inspector of Yizhou, submitted this memorial:

Sun Hao is wasteful and cruel. Strike quickly and suppress. If Hao dies and a worthy ruler is set up, then all becomes hard to plan. I have labored seven years constructing ships; decay appears daily. I am seventy; death has no fixed day. Should one of these three fail, success will be impossible. Do not miss the hour.

Sima Yan read and discussed with ministers: “Wang’s words match Yang Hu.” he said. “My mind is settled.” Assistant King Wang Hun said, “I hear Hao plans to march north; his armies are all marshalled and in high spirit. One year more would be better; if we wait until he tires, we can surely succeed.”

Sima Yan followed this and issued an order to stop the troops from moving, then withdrew with his close ministers and Secretary Zhang Hua to play board games inside the inner court. Reports soon arrived at the frontier that a memorial had come. It was Du Yu’s:

Earlier Yang Hu did not broadcast his plans among ministers, but discussed them privately with Your Majesty; so ministers held differing and conflicting arguments. In all matters, compare benefit and harm. Judging this campaign, benefits are eighteen to one, while harm is only no victory. Since autumn, signs of suppressing enemy have already appeared clearly. If now we stop, Sun Hao will be fearful and shift capital to Wuchang. He will fully repair the southern cities of Jiangnan and move his people. When cities cannot be captured and the fields cannot be plundered, next year’s plan will be gone.

As soon as Zhang Hua laid down the memorial he suddenly stood, pushed aside the game board, pressed hands together and said, “Your Majesty is holy and strong. The country is wealthy and the people strong. Wu is cruel and corrupt and the people suffer. Now we can settle it without toil. Please do not doubt.”

Sima Yan said, “Your view sees gain and loss clearly. How could I still doubt?” and issued command:

• Du Yu, Great Commander, would lead one hundred thousand from Jiangling;
• Prince Sima Zhou of Langye, who commanded the Great Eastern Army, would set out from Chuzhong;
• Wang Hun, General Who Conquers the East, would go out from Hengjiang;
• Wang Rong, General Who Builds Might, would go out from Wuchang;
• Hu Fen, General Who Pacifies the South, would go out from Xiaokou.

Each took fifty thousand and all were under Yu’s control. He also sent Dragon-raising General Wang Jun and Guangwu General Tang Bin downriver. There were over two hundred thousand troops on water and land, with tens of thousands of vessels. He also ordered Champion General Yang Ji to hold Xiangyang and regulate all route troops.

News entered Wu quickly. Hao panicked and called Chancellor Zhang Ti, Minister He Zhi, and Minister Teng Xiu to plan withdrawal. Zhang Ti said, “Let Cavalry General Wu Yan be Commander and move against Jiangling to meet Du Yu. Light General Sun Xin should advance by water and oppose near Xiaokou. I volunteer to lead Left General Shen Ying and Right General Zhuge Liang with ten thousand men, and set up camp at Niuzhu.” Hao accepted and sent Zhang Ti.

Hao withdrew to the rear hall with fear in his face. Henchman Cen Hun asked why. Hao said, “The Jin army is vast and has entered from several routes. Wang Jun especially leads many tens of thousands with complete fleets, ready to sweep down the river, and his edge is sharp.”

Cen Hun answered, “I have one plan. I can make every ship of Wang Jun into ji fen.”

Hao brightened and asked to be told. Cen Hun said, “Jiangnan has much iron. Make over a hundred linked chains of several hundred zhang, each ring two to three dozen jin. Stretch them across crucial points along the riverbank. Make iron spikes by the tens of thousands, each over one chi long, and place them in the water. If Jin ships come down with the wind, the spikes will shatter them; then they cannot cross.”

Hao gladly ordered workers night and day to forge chains and spikes on both banks.

Du Yu meanwhile moved out. He sent his subordinate Zhou Zhi with eight hundred sailors to silently cross the Yangtze in small boats, raid Leqiang by night, and raise many banners in woods and mountain clearings. By day they fired cannon and struck drums; by night they lit watchfires.

The next day Du Yu marched with both army and fleet. Scout reports said, “Wu has dispatched Wu Yan by land, Lu Jing by water, and Sun Xin in advance. Three routes come to meet us.”

Du Yu advanced. Sun Xin’s ships arrived first. At initial contact the two forces clashed and Yu withdrew.

Sun Xin pursued on foot. Before the distance closed to twenty li, one cannon shot came; within no time all sides surged with Jin forces. Wu men fled in panic. Yu seized the opening and gave no quarter; Wu dead were beyond count.

Sun Xin reached the city edge. Zhou Zhi’s eight hundred mixed among the crowd and raised fires on the wall. Sun Xin was startled: “The northern host crossed the river in airlike flight!” He tried to retreat, but Zhou Zhi gave one shout and cut him down from horseback.

Lu Jing, on boat, saw the south bank in flames. From Ba Mountain he saw a large banner reading “Great General-Duke of the South, Du Yu,” and a wind carried the sight. He attempted to disembark and escape, but was felled and beheaded by a horseman under Jin General Zhang Shang. Zhang Ti saw all armies had failed and fled. He was caught by an ambush, bound, and brought before Du Yu.

Yu said, “There is no use in keeping him,” and ordered him executed. Du Yu then entered Jiangling. From there he went through Huan and Xiang regions to Huangzhou prefectures. Local magistrates surrendered, handing over their seals. Yu’s envoys carried tallies to calm them and promised no robbery. He advanced on Wuchang, which surrendered as well.

Yu’s victories were immense. He gathered officers to discuss the next step of taking Jianye.

Hu Fen said, “This is a war of years and cannot end in one go. Spring water rises and we cannot remain too long. Better to wait until next spring and make one great expedition.”

Yu replied, “When Yue Yi once crossed on one campaign and absorbed the strong state of Qi, this was with no delay. Now our force has momentum like bamboo splitting. In a few knots it will all be cut apart.”

He sent summons and summoned all generals to push together on Jianye.

At that time Wang Jun led water troops downward. Scouts reported, “Wu has set iron chains across riverways and set iron spikes below for defense.” Wang Jun laughed, built many large rafts, bound reeds atop, and posted armoured men with spears and halberds on the perimeter. He sent them drifting with the stream.

Wu saw them and thought they were living men. They ran before the wind; when the rafts reached the spikes they all caught and were lifted away, then used as transport. Torches of more than ten zhang long were tied on each raft and soaked in hemp oil. When they encountered the iron chains, the burning fire scorched through them at once.

From both routes down the Yangtze, all they reached was victory.

Over in Wu, Chancellor Zhang Ti ordered Left General Shen Ying and Right General Zhuge Liang to meet the approaching Jin troops. Shen Ying said to Zhuge Liang, “The upper troops make no earthworks. I think Jin will certainly come. We should defend with all force. If they are defeated here, Jiangnan is at peace. If we cross and lose, state disaster follows.”

Zhuge said, “You are right,” but a messenger came: “Jin force is moving downstream in momentum.” They were already too late and ran back to Zhang Ti.

Zhuge told Zhang Ti, “Wu is ruined, wise and foolish both know it. Why not flee?” Zhang Ti wept, “If Wu perishes, good and evil alike know it. If ruler and ministers all submit and not one dies for the state, is that not shame?” Zhuge Liang also wept and withdrew.

Zhang Ti and Shen Ying raised their forces to resist. Jin troops encircled them together. Zhou Zhi first entered the Wu camp in assault. Zhang Ti fought alone and died in confusion; Shen Ying also died by Zhou Zhi. Wu troops scattered in flight.

A later poem praised Zhang Ti:

On Mount Ba Du Yu raised a great banner; Jiangdong Zhang Ti died at the hour of loyal men. He gave the kingly spirit of the south and center, Could not endure to save his own life and betray what he knew.

Jin troops then took Niuzhu and moved deeply into Wu. Wang Jun sent swift news.

When Sima Yan heard this, he rejoiced. Jia Chong said, “The army has been outside too long and the waters and soil do not suit them; they will befall disease. Send them back and make plans again.” Zhang Hua answered, “The great force has entered their nest. Wu people have already collapsed. Within one month Sun Hao is surely captured. If we pull them back now, all prior gains are lost.”

Jia Chong interrupted, “You do not grasp time and terrain; you seek private merit, weakening soldiers and exhausting the army. Even if I died, Heaven would still not be satisfied.” Sima Yan said, “This is my intention. Hua and I agree. Why still debate?”

At that moment Du Yu’s urgent memorial arrived. Sima Yan read and also saw it urged rapid advance. He no longer hesitated and gave the order to proceed.

Wang Jun and the rest obeyed. Water and land forces moved together as thunder and drums rose, while Wu men surrendered as they saw the banners. Hao heard this and turned pale. Ministers said, “Enemy troops are now close, and soldiers and civilians in Jiangnan surrender without battle. How are we to act?”

Hao asked, “Why should we not fight?”

They answered, “All this disaster is Cen Hun’s fault. Punish him. We will go out and die in one fight for the state.”

Hao said, “How can one of you noble and high still misjudge the state?” They immediately entered the hall, tore Cen Hun to pieces, and ate his flesh raw.

Tao Jun spoke: “All of my warboats are small. Give me twenty thousand men on large ships and I can break them.” Hao accepted, allocated the Imperial Guard troops, and sent Tao Jun to meet from upriver. The former General Zhang Xiang commanded river troops going downstream.

The two units moved, but a northwest wind arose. Their banners could not stay erect and hung over the boats. The troops would not descend and all ran in all directions; only a few dozens of Zhang Xiang’s men remained to face them.

By then Wang Jun sailed with his army. After passing through Three Mountains, river soldiers said, “The waves are sharp and wind severe; the ships cannot move. Let us wait until it eases.”

Wang Jun drew his sword and shouted, “I now wish to take Stone City. What reason is there to stand still?” He beat drums and drove forward quickly.

General Zhang Xiang came to offer surrender. Wang Jun said, “If it be true surrender, it will bring merit to the front ranks.” Xiang returned to his own boat and rowed to the foot of Stone City, where he called the gate open and guided Jin troops in.

When Hao heard Jin troops were inside the city, he wished to cut his own throat. The Secretariat Director Hu Chong and Court Gentleman Xue Ying said, “Why not follow Lord Liu Shan’s example from Anle?” Hao followed and had himself wrapped in mourning robes, bound himself in ropes, then with all civil and military officials went before Wang Jun to submit.

Wang Jun removed the bonds, burned the wrapped shroud, and received him with royal respect.

A Tang poem said:

Wang Jun’s towerships descend from Yizhou; Jianling’s kingly breath fades into stillness. A thousand lengths of iron sank beneath the river, Yet one surrendered banner rose from Stone City. How many times life in this world grieves old events; Mountain shapes still lie against the cold stream. Now the four seas are one home; in that day, The old ramparts stand still, reeds and lu reeds rustle.

Then, in four prefectures of Eastern Wu, eighty-three commanderies, three hundred thirteen counties, five hundred twenty-three thousand households, thirty-two thousand officials, two hundred thirty thousand troops, and two million three hundred thousand men, women, and children all submitted. Grain amounted to two million eight hundred thousand hu. Warships were over five thousand; more than five thousand of the inner court entourage were also brought.

With major matters decided, decrees were published to pacify the populace and open state granaries. The next day Tao Jun’s troops dissolved without fighting. The forces of Prince Sima Zhou of Langye and Wang Rong also arrived, and seeing Du Yu’s great achievement they rejoiced.

The next day Du Yu arrived, bestowed rewards on troops, and opened storehouses for aid so Wu people were settled.

Only the Administrator of Jianping, Wu Yan, refused and held his city; hearing Wu had fallen, he surrendered.

Du Yu submitted a report of victory. The court knew Wu was pacified and all ministers and officials congratulated and offered long life wishes. Sima Yan lifted his cup and wept: “This is the merit of Grand Tutor Yang. It is a pity he did not see it in person.”

Returning from office, General of Agile Cavalry Sun Xiu turned south and cried, “In youth, when as one xiaoxian I founded this state with one xiaolian, now Sun Hao has raised all the lands of Jiangnan and abandoned it. What kind of man is this, under the vast sky?”

Wang Jun then withdrew and took the former Wu ruler Sun Hao to Luoyang to face the Jin emperor.

Hao climbed the hall and knelt before His Majesty. The emperor said, “I prepared this seat to receive you for a long time.” Hao replied, “In the south I also prepared this seat for you.” The emperor laughed.

Jia Chong asked, “I have heard that in Wu you gouged men’s eyes and flayed faces. What kind of punishments were these?” Hao said, “For ministers who killed the ruler and for treacherous and disloyal men, these are the penalties.”

Jia Chong was silent, deeply ashamed.

Sima Yan made Hao Marquis of Returning Loyalty, made his descendants zhonglang, and granted marquisates to the surrendered Wu ministers. Zhang Ti’s descendants were enfeoffed though he had fallen. Wang Jun was made General Who Aids the State. Others all received awards.

From this point the Three Kingdoms returned to Jin emperor Sima Yan and a basis of unification was established. This is what is meant by “Long-standing order joins, then divides, and long division returns to joining.”

Later, Han emperor Liu Shan died in Taishi Year Seven, Wei ruler Cao Huan in Taian Year One, and Wu ruler Sun Hao in Taikang Year Four; all met fortunate ends. Later generations later wrote this old-style poem to record these events:

The High Ancestor drew a sword and entered Xianyang, the red sun rose over Fushang. Emperor Guangwu rose like a dragon and made the Great Unity; the sunbird flew to the heart of heaven. Alas, Emperor Xian inherited the sea of empire, the red wheel at dusk sank by Xianchi. He Ji had no strategy; discord spread among nobles, and Dong Zhuo occupied the imperial hall. Wang Yun planned and executed the reverse court, while Li Jue and Guo Fan rose with cleaving blades. Bandits and traitors gathered like ants across the four directions; six-road villains all spread like hawks. Sun Jian and Sun Ce rose from Jiangdong; Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu rose on the Yellow River banks. Liu Yan and his son held Ba-Su, and Liu Biao pitched campaigns in Jing and Xiang. Zhang Xiu and Zhang Lu dominated Nanzheng; Ma Teng and Han Sui held Xiliang. Tao Qian, Zhang Xiu, and Gongsun Zan each proved their heroic talent and each occupied a section. Cao Cao monopolized authority from the Prime Minister’s office, imprisoning brilliance and using every civil and military man. He shook Heaven’s Son with power, commanding peers and lords, keeping tiger-like guardians at center lands. Liu Bei, the Xuan-De of the imperial line, pledged to Guan and Zhang and wished to support the lord. Moving east and west he had no home; with few soldiers he became a stray retainer. At Nanyang the three visits were deep in feeling; one sight of the Sleeping Dragon divided the universe. First take Jingzhou and later take the river valley; a hegemonic king’s plan lay in Heaven’s granary. Alas, in three years he rose to heaven; White Emperor leaving his son to be entrusted was painful indeed. Kongming made six incursions at Qishan, hoping with one hand to fill Heaven’s order. Who expected history’s tally to end here? A long star fell at midnight on a mountain bank. Jiang Wei alone relied on sheer will; nine campaigns against the Central Plain exhausted him in vain. Zhong Hui and Deng Ai split forces and advanced; the Han landscape came wholly into Cao’s hand. Pei Rui and Fang Zhi died at once, and the Sima family handed over the world again. By the Hall of Abdication, clouds rose; no waves moved under Stone City. Returning ministers of Chenliu and Anle, prince and duke grew from one root and shoot. Affairs of the world are endless and changing; Heaven’s numbers are vast and cannot be escaped. The tripod of three-part division has already become a dream; later generations weep at empty laments.