Chapter 120

The Veteran General Recommends Du Yu and Offers a New Plan; Sun Hao Surrenders and the Three Realms Become One

Now Sun Xiu, ruler of Wu, heard that Sima Yan had usurped the throne of Wei and knew that he would surely attack Wu. Anxiety brought on an illness, and he took to his bed, unable to rise. He summoned Chancellor Puyang Xing into the palace and ordered Crown Prince Sun Wan to come forth and bow before him. The ruler of Wu gripped Xing’s arm, pointed with his hand to Sun Wan, and died. Puyang Xing withdrew and consulted with the assembled ministers, intending to enthrone Crown Prince Sun Wan. But Wan Yu, Left Commander of the Central Army, said, “Sun Wan is too young to govern in his own right. It would be better to bring in Sun Hao, Marquis of Wucheng, and enthrone him.” Zhang Bu, General of the Left, also said, “Sun Hao possesses talent, discernment, clarity, and resolution. He is fit to be an emperor.” Chancellor Puyang Xing could not decide, so he entered the palace and reported the matter to Empress Dowager Zhu. She said, “I am only a widowed woman. What do I know of affairs of state? Weigh the matter among yourselves and enthrone whomever you deem fit.” Puyang Xing thereupon welcomed Sun Hao and made him ruler.

Sun Hao’s courtesy name was Yuanzong. He was the son of Sun He, the crown prince of the Great Emperor Sun Quan. In the seventh month of that year, he ascended the imperial throne and inaugurated the first year of Yuanxing. He enfeoffed Crown Prince Sun Wan as Prince of Yuzhang, posthumously honored his father Sun He as Emperor Wen, elevated his mother, Lady He, to empress dowager, and appointed Ding Feng Grand Marshal of both the Left and the Right. The following year he changed the era name to the first year of Ganlu. Sun Hao grew more savage and violent by the day, abandoning himself cruelly to wine and women and lavishing favor upon Cen Hun, Central Regular Attendant. When Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu remonstrated with him, Sun Hao angrily had both men beheaded and exterminated their families to the third degree. From then on, the ministers at court sealed their lips and dared offer no further remonstrance. He later changed the era name to the first year of Baoding and made Lu Kai and Wan Yu chancellors of the Left and Right. At that time Sun Hao resided in Wuchang, and the people of Yangzhou suffered greatly from having to transport provisions upstream. Moreover, his extravagance knew no bounds, and both public and private resources were exhausted. Lu Kai submitted a memorial of remonstrance, saying:

“Though no calamity has struck, the people’s lives are being spent; though no great enterprise is undertaken, the wealth of the state is exhausted. Your servant privately grieves over this. In former times, when the house of Han declined, three powers stood like the legs of a cauldron. Now Cao and Liu, having lost the Way, have both been absorbed by Jin. This is clear proof before our very eyes. In my folly, I speak only because I cherish Your Majesty’s realm. Wuchang is rugged, barren country, no proper capital for a sovereign. Moreover, a children’s rhyme says:

“‘Better to drink the water of JianyeThan eat the fish of Wuchang.Better to return to Jianye and dieThan stay and dwell in Wuchang.’

“This is enough to reveal the hearts of the people and the will of Heaven. The state now lacks provisions sufficient for a single year, and there are signs that its roots will soon lie exposed. Officials harass the people with cruel exactions, yet no one shows them compassion. In the time of the Great Emperor, the women of the inner palace numbered fewer than a hundred; since the reign of Emperor Jing, they have numbered in the thousands. This is among the greatest drains upon our wealth. Furthermore, those about Your Majesty are not the proper men. Factions support one another, injuring the loyal and keeping the worthy in obscurity. All these things corrupt government and afflict the people. I pray that Your Majesty reduce the hundred forms of compulsory service, abolish harsh disturbances, send away the superfluous palace women, and select all officials with purity and care. Then Heaven will rejoice, the people will give their allegiance, and the realm will be secure.”

When the memorial was presented, Sun Hao was displeased. He embarked upon still greater building works, constructing the Zhaoming Palace and ordering every civil and military official to go into the mountains to cut timber. He also summoned the diviner Shang Guang and commanded him to cast the yarrow stalks and inquire about the conquest of the empire. Shang Guang replied, “Your Majesty’s divination has produced an auspicious omen. In the gengzi year, the imperial carriage beneath its azure canopy shall enter Luoyang.” Sun Hao was overjoyed and said to Hua He, Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, “The late emperor accepted your counsel, divided the commands among his generals, and established several hundred camps along the length of the river, placing the veteran general Ding Feng in overall command. I wish to annex the lands of Han and avenge the ruler of Shu. Which place should I take first?” Hua He remonstrated: “Now that Chengdu has fallen and its altars of state have collapsed, Sima Yan is certain to harbor the ambition of swallowing Wu. Your Majesty should cultivate virtue and thereby bring peace to the people of Wu. That is the highest policy. If you insist on moving the army, it will be like wearing hempen clothes to fight a fire: you will surely burn yourself. I pray Your Majesty consider this.” Sun Hao flew into a rage. “I wish to seize the moment and restore our former dominion, yet you utter these inauspicious words! Were it not for your standing as an old minister, I would behead you as a warning to all!” He shouted to the guards to thrust Hua He from the hall. As Hua He left the court, he sighed, “Alas for these splendid rivers and mountains! Before long they will belong to another.” He then withdrew into seclusion and appeared no more. Sun Hao consequently ordered Lu Kang, General Who Guards the East, to station his troops at the river mouth and prepare to seize Xiangyang.

Word of this had already reached Luoyang. A close attendant reported it to Sima Yan, emperor of Jin. When the emperor heard that Lu Kang was threatening Xiangyang, he consulted with his officers. Jia Chong stepped from the ranks and memorialized: “I have heard that Sun Hao of Wu does not cultivate virtuous government but devotes himself wholly to lawless conduct. Your Majesty should command the commander-in-chief Yang Hu to lead troops against him. Then, when upheaval arises within his realm, we may seize the opportunity and attack. Eastern Wu can be taken as easily as turning over one’s hand.” Sima Yan was delighted. He immediately issued an edict and sent an envoy to Xiangyang to proclaim his command to Yang Hu. Yang Hu received the edict, reviewed and ordered his forces, and prepared to meet the enemy. From that time, while guarding Xiangyang, Yang Hu won the hearts of soldiers and civilians alike. Any men of Wu who surrendered and later wished to leave were permitted to do so. He reduced the number of troops assigned to garrison and patrol duties and employed them instead in cultivating more than eight hundred qing of farmland. When he first arrived, the army had less than a hundred days’ provisions; by the following year, it had accumulated enough for ten years. While in the army, Yang Hu habitually wore a light fur robe with a broad sash and did not put on armor. No more than a dozen guards attended him before his tent.

One day, a subordinate general entered Yang Hu’s tent and reported, “Our scouts say that the soldiers of Wu have all grown lax. If we take advantage of their unpreparedness and attack them by surprise, we are certain to win a great victory.” Yang Hu laughed. “Do all of you think so little of Lu Kang? He is a man of abundant wisdom and many stratagems. Not long ago the ruler of Wu ordered him to storm and capture Xiling, where he beheaded Bu Chan and scores of his officers and men. I tried to rescue them but could not reach them in time. While this man commands their army, we can do no more than defend ourselves. Only when upheaval arises within their realm may we attempt to seize it. To advance rashly without judging the times and circumstances is the way to defeat.” The generals acknowledged the soundness of his argument and did nothing but guard their own frontiers.

One day, Yang Hu led his generals out hunting, and it so happened that Lu Kang had also gone hunting. Yang Hu gave an order: “No man in our army is to cross the border.” His generals obeyed and conducted the hunt only on Jin territory, without trespassing into Wu. Seeing this from afar, Lu Kang sighed and said, “General Yang’s army is disciplined. It must not be provoked.” At sunset, each party withdrew. When Yang Hu returned to camp, he inspected the game that had been taken and sent back every animal that had first been wounded by an arrow from a man of Wu. The men of Wu were all delighted and reported the matter to Lu Kang. Lu Kang summoned the messenger and asked, “Does your commander drink wine?” The man replied, “He drinks when he can obtain a fine vintage.” Lu Kang smiled. “I have a jar of wine that I have kept for a long time. I now entrust it to you to carry back with my respects to the commander-in-chief. I brewed this wine myself for my own drinking, but I offer him a measure of it as a token of the feeling inspired by yesterday’s hunt.” The messenger assented, took the wine, and departed. Lu Kang’s attendants asked, “General, what purpose do you have in giving wine to the enemy?” Lu Kang replied, “Since he has shown me virtue, how can I fail to repay him?” They were all astonished.

The messenger returned to Yang Hu and recounted in full Lu Kang’s inquiry and his gift of wine. Yang Hu laughed. “So he, too, knows that I can drink?” He ordered the jar opened and prepared to drink. His subordinate general Chen Yuan said, “There may be treachery in it. Commander, you should refrain from drinking for the present.” Yang Hu laughed. “Lu Kang is not one to poison another. There is no need for suspicion.” He drained the jar after all. From that time onward, the two exchanged messengers to inquire after each other and maintained regular communication.

One day, Lu Kang sent a man to pay his respects to Yang Hu. Yang Hu asked, “Is General Lu well?” The messenger replied, “My commander has been ill in bed for several days and has not gone out.” Yang Hu said, “I imagine his illness is the same as mine. I have already compounded a proven medicine here. Take it to him to swallow.” The messenger carried the medicine back to Lu Kang. His generals said, “Yang Hu is our enemy. This can hardly be wholesome medicine.” Lu Kang replied, “Could Yang Shuzi ever be a man who poisons others? Do not be suspicious.” He swallowed the medicine, and the next day his illness was cured. All his generals bowed and congratulated him. Lu Kang said, “He treats me wholly with virtue, while I treat him wholly with violence. In this way he will subdue me without fighting. Henceforth we should each guard our own borders and seek no petty advantage.” His generals received the order.

Suddenly it was reported that an envoy from the ruler of Wu had arrived. Lu Kang received him and asked his purpose. The envoy said, “The Son of Heaven commands the general to advance with all speed and not permit the men of Jin to strike first.” Lu Kang said, “Return ahead of me. I shall send a memorial after you.” When the envoy had taken his leave, Lu Kang immediately drafted a memorial and sent a man to carry it to Jianye. A close attendant presented it, and Sun Hao opened and read it. The memorial fully explained why Jin could not yet be attacked. It also urged the ruler of Wu to cultivate virtue, exercise care in punishments, and make internal security his chief concern rather than devoting himself to reckless warfare. When Sun Hao finished reading, he flew into a rage. “I have heard that Lu Kang has been communicating with the enemy on the frontier. Now it proves true!” He sent an envoy to strip Lu Kang of his military command and demote him to marshal, appointing Sun Ji, General of the Left, to take over his army. None of the ministers dared remonstrate. From the time Sun Hao changed the era name to Jianheng until the first year of Fenghuang, he acted entirely according to his own wild desires, exhausting the army in warfare and garrison duty until high and low alike sighed and complained. Chancellor Wan Yu, General Liu Ping, and Lou Xuan, Grand Minister of Agriculture, saw that Sun Hao had abandoned the Way and remonstrated with him frankly and bitterly. All three were put to death. Over little more than ten years, he killed more than forty loyal ministers. Whenever Sun Hao went abroad, he was accompanied by fifty thousand armored horsemen. His ministers lived in terror, and none knew what could be done.

When Yang Hu heard that Lu Kang had been deprived of his command and that Sun Hao had lost all virtue, he saw that Wu offered an opportunity to be seized. He therefore composed a memorial and sent a man to Luoyang to request an attack upon Wu. In substance it read:“Though the appointed course of events is bestowed by Heaven, great achievements must be accomplished through men. Today the defenses of the Yangtze and Huai are not so formidable as the Sword Pass; Sun Hao’s brutality surpasses that of Liu Shan; the distress of the people of Wu is greater than that of the people of Ba and Shu; and the military strength of Great Jin is mightier than in former times. If we do not seize this moment to pacify and unite all within the Four Seas, but instead continue to maintain armed forces against one another and keep the empire exhausted by campaigns and garrison duty, then after passing through cycles of prosperity and decline, our present advantage cannot long endure.”

Sima Yan read the memorial and was delighted, and he at once ordered the army mobilized. But Jia Chong, Xun Xu, and Feng Chun argued vehemently against the campaign, and on that account Sima Yan took no action. When Yang Hu heard that the emperor had denied his request, he sighed. “Of all things under Heaven, eight or nine in ten do not turn out as one wishes. Heaven now offers us the opportunity, yet we do not take it. Is that not deeply regrettable?” In the fourth year of Xianning, Yang Hu entered court and requested leave to return home and nurse his illness. Sima Yan asked, “What policy have you for securing the realm that you might teach to me?” Yang Hu replied, “Sun Hao’s savage tyranny has reached its height. At present he may be conquered without a battle. But if Sun Hao should die and a worthy ruler be established in his place, then Wu will not be something Your Majesty can obtain.” Sima Yan came to a sudden understanding. “Then what if you lead the army against Wu at once?” Yang Hu replied, “Your servant is old and beset by illness. I cannot bear this responsibility. Your Majesty should select another man of wisdom and courage.” He then took leave of Sima Yan and returned home. In the eleventh month of that year, Yang Hu became gravely ill, and Sima Yan personally drove to his residence to inquire after him. When the emperor came before his sickbed, Yang Hu shed tears and said, “Though your servant were to die ten thousand deaths, I could not repay Your Majesty!” Sima Yan also wept. “I regret that I could not adopt your proposal to attack Wu. Who now can carry on your purpose?” With tears in his eyes, Yang Hu said, “Your servant is dying and dares not withhold the whole of his foolish sincerity. Du Yu, General of the Right, is equal to the task. If Your Majesty wishes to attack Wu, you must employ him.” Sima Yan said, “To promote the good and recommend the worthy is a noble act. Why, then, whenever you recommend a man at court, do you burn the draft of your memorial and allow no one to know of it?” Yang Hu replied, “To receive office in the public court but offer thanks at a private door is something your servant will not countenance.” When he had finished speaking, he died. Sima Yan wept bitterly and returned to the palace, then issued an edict posthumously appointing Yang Hu Grand Tutor and Marquis of Juping. When the people of the southern provinces heard of Yang Hu’s death, they closed their markets and wept. The soldiers guarding the frontier north of the Yangtze also mourned him. Remembering how Yang Hu had often roamed Mount Xian while alive, the people of Xiangyang built a shrine and erected a stele there, offering sacrifices to him in all four seasons. No traveler who read its inscription could refrain from tears, and it therefore became known as the “Stele of Falling Tears.” A later poet lamented:

At dawn I climb and grieve for Jin’s great minister;The ancient stele stands weathered in Mount Xian’s spring.Among the pines, the lingering dew falls drop by drop—As though they were the tears men shed for him of old.

The emperor of Jin, heeding Yang Hu’s words, appointed Du Yu Senior General Who Guards the South and commander-in-chief of the affairs of Jingzhou. Du Yu was mature, experienced, and accomplished, and he studied tirelessly. He was especially fond of reading Zuo Qiuming’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. Whether sitting or lying down, he always kept it beside him; whenever he went out, he had someone carry the Zuo Commentary before his horse. People of the time therefore called him “the Zuo Commentary Addict.” After receiving the Jin emperor’s command, he went to Xiangyang, where he comforted the people, trained the troops, and prepared to attack Wu.

By this time Ding Feng and Lu Kang of Wu were both dead. Whenever Sun Hao feasted his ministers, he made them drink until they were stupefied. He also appointed ten Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate as officers of impeachment. After each banquet, they reported every transgression committed, and those found guilty might have the skin stripped from their faces or their eyes gouged out. The people of the realm were therefore terrified. Wang Jun, Inspector of Yizhou under Jin, submitted a memorial requesting an attack upon Wu. It read:“Sun Hao is debauched, savage, and rebellious, and should be attacked without delay. If Sun Hao should suddenly die and a worthy ruler be enthroned, our enemy will be strengthened. Your servant has been building ships for seven years, and every day some fall into decay. Your servant is seventy years old and may die any day. If any one of these three conditions changes, the enterprise will become difficult. I pray that Your Majesty not let the opportunity escape.”

The ruler of Jin read the memorial and consulted his assembled ministers. “Duke Wang’s argument agrees in secret with that of Commander Yang. My resolve is fixed.” Palace Attendant Wang Hun memorialized: “I have heard that Sun Hao intends to march north and that his ranks are fully prepared. His power and prestige are now at their height, and it will be difficult to meet his point. Delay another year and wait until his strength is exhausted; only then can we succeed.” The ruler of Jin accepted his advice and issued an edict ordering the army to halt and make no move. He then retired to the inner palace and passed the time playing Go with Zhang Hua, Director of the Palace Library. A close attendant reported that a memorial had arrived from the frontier. The ruler of Jin opened and examined it. It was from Du Yu and read in substance:

“In former days, Yang Hu did not consult broadly with the ministers at court but planned the matter privately with Your Majesty. Thus the court ministers produced many conflicting opinions. In every undertaking, advantage and harm must be weighed against each other. By my estimation, this enterprise has eight or nine chances in ten of yielding advantage, while the sole possible harm is that it may accomplish nothing. Since autumn, our intention to suppress the rebels has become quite apparent. If we now halt midway, Sun Hao will take alarm, move his capital to Wuchang, repair and complete the cities south of the Yangtze, and relocate the inhabitants. Then his cities cannot be attacked, and there will be nothing to seize in the countryside. By next year, any further plan will already be too late.”

The ruler of Jin had only just finished reading the memorial when Zhang Hua abruptly rose, pushed aside the Go board, folded his hands, and memorialized: “Your Majesty is sagacious and mighty; the state is wealthy and the people strong. The ruler of Wu is licentious and cruel; his people suffer and his realm is exhausted. If we attack him now, Wu may be pacified without great effort. I pray Your Majesty entertain no doubts.” The ruler of Jin said, “Your words clearly penetrate every advantage and danger. What further doubt can I have?” He immediately went forth and ascended the audience hall. He appointed Du Yu, Senior General Who Guards the South, commander-in-chief and ordered him to lead one hundred thousand troops from Jiangling; Sima Zhou, Prince of Langya and Senior General Who Guards the East, was to march from Chuzhong; Wang Hun, Senior General Who Conquers the East, from Hengjiang; Wang Rong, General Who Establishes Might, from Wuchang; and Hu Fen, General Who Pacifies the South, from Xiakou. Each was to lead fifty thousand troops and all were placed at Du Yu’s disposal. He also dispatched Wang Jun, General of the Soaring Dragon, and Tang Bin, General of Widespread Might, to sail eastward down the Yangtze. The combined land and naval forces numbered more than two hundred thousand men, with tens of thousands of warships. Yang Ji, General Who Crowns the Army, was ordered to station himself at Xiangyang and coordinate the men and horses of the various routes.

Word soon reached Eastern Wu. Sun Hao was greatly alarmed and hastily summoned Chancellor Zhang Ti, Minister over the Masses He Zhi, and Minister of Works Teng Xiu to devise a plan for repelling the invaders. Zhang Ti memorialized: “Appoint Wu Yan, General of Chariots and Cavalry, as commander-in-chief and order him to advance upon Jiangling and meet Du Yu. Let Sun Xin, General of Agile Cavalry, advance to resist the enemy forces around Xiakou. Your servant dares undertake command of the main army. With Shen Ying, General of the Left, and Zhuge Jing, General of the Right, I shall lead one hundred thousand troops and take station at Niuzhu, where we can support the armies on every route.” Sun Hao accepted his proposal and ordered Zhang Ti to lead the army forth. Sun Hao then withdrew into the inner palace, his face filled with worry. Cen Hun, Central Regular Attendant and imperial favorite, asked the reason. Sun Hao said, “The Jin armies are advancing in great strength, and troops have already gone to meet them on every route. Yet Wang Jun is leading tens of thousands of men, with warships fully prepared, straight down the current. His assault is exceedingly fierce. That is why I am troubled.” Cen Hun said, “Your servant has a plan that will reduce all Wang Jun’s ships to powder.” Sun Hao was delighted and asked him to explain. Cen Hun memorialized: “The lands south of the Yangtze contain much iron. Have more than a hundred linked iron chains forged, each several hundred zhang long, with every link weighing twenty or thirty catties, and stretch them across the river at strategic points. Then forge tens of thousands of iron spikes, each more than a zhang long, and place them beneath the water. If the Jin ships come with the wind, they will strike the spikes and be shattered. How then can they cross the river?” Sun Hao rejoiced and ordered craftsmen to work through the night beside the river, making iron chains and spikes and setting them all in place.

Meanwhile, Du Yu, commander-in-chief of Jin, marched from Jiangling. He ordered his staff officer Zhou Zhi to take eight hundred sailors in small boats, cross the Yangtze secretly, and make a night attack upon Lexiang. He was to plant many banners in the wooded hills, fire cannon and beat drums by day, and light fires everywhere by night. Zhou Zhi received the command, led his men across the river, and lay in ambush at Mount Ba. The next day, Du Yu advanced with his great army by both land and water. The scouts reported, “The ruler of Wu has sent Wu Yan by land and Lu Jing by water, with Sun Xin as vanguard. They are advancing by three routes to meet us.” Du Yu led his army forward. Sun Xin’s ships arrived first. As soon as the two armies engaged, Du Yu withdrew. Sun Xin brought his troops ashore and pursued him in a long column. Before they had gone twenty li, a cannon sounded and Jin troops surged in from every side. The Wu soldiers hastily turned back. Du Yu took advantage of their disorder and fell upon them, killing more men than could be counted. Sun Xin fled toward the city, but Zhou Zhi’s eight hundred men mingled with his troops, entered among them, and lit fires atop the walls. Sun Xin cried in astonishment, “The northern armies must have flown across the river!” He was about to retreat when Zhou Zhi gave a great shout and cut him down beneath his horse. From his ship, Lu Jing saw flames rising in a vast sheet on the southern bank of the Yangtze. On Mount Ba, a great banner streamed in the wind, bearing the words: “Du Yu, Senior General of Jin Who Guards the South.” Lu Jing was aghast and tried to flee ashore, but the Jin general Zhang Shang galloped up and slew him. When Wu Yan saw that every army had been defeated, he abandoned the city and fled, but troops lying in ambush seized him, bound him, and brought him before Du Yu. Du Yu said, “There is no use in keeping him!” He shouted to the guards to behead him. Jiangling was thus captured. Thereupon, throughout the region of the Yuan and Xiang rivers and as far as the commanderies around Huangzhou, every governor and magistrate surrendered at the mere report of Jin’s approach, bringing his official seal. Du Yu sent emissaries bearing his credentials to pacify them, and his men committed not the slightest offense. He then advanced upon Wuchang, which also surrendered.

Du Yu’s military prestige rose greatly. He assembled all the generals to discuss a plan for taking Jianye. Hu Fen said, “An enemy entrenched for a hundred years cannot yet be wholly subdued. The spring floods are now rising, and it will be difficult for us to remain long. We should wait until next spring and then launch a greater campaign.” Du Yu replied, “In former times, Yue Yi fought a single battle west of the Ji River and annexed the mighty state of Qi. Now the power of our army has been greatly magnified. Our advance is like splitting bamboo: once the first few joints are broken, all the rest will yield before the blade, with no further place to lay a hand.” He therefore dispatched urgent proclamations summoning all the generals to advance together and capture Jianye.

At that time Wang Jun, General of the Soaring Dragon, was leading his naval forces downstream. His scouts reported, “The men of Wu have forged iron chains and stretched them across the river. They have also set iron spikes beneath the water as a defense.” Wang Jun laughed heartily. He had several dozen great rafts constructed, bound straw into human figures atop them, clothed the figures in armor, placed weapons in their hands, and stood them all around the edges. He then released the rafts into the current. When the Wu soldiers saw them, they took them for living men and fled at their approach. The concealed spikes caught in the rafts and were all dragged away. Wang Jun also made torches upon the rafts, each more than ten zhang long and more than ten arm spans around, and soaked them in sesame oil. Whenever a raft encountered an iron chain, the torches were ignited and burned through it; in moments, every chain had snapped. The two columns came down the Great River, victorious wherever they went.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ti, chancellor of Eastern Wu, ordered Shen Ying, General of the Left, and Zhuge Jing, General of the Right, to meet the Jin army. Shen Ying said to Zhuge Jing, “The armies upstream made no preparations for defense. I expect the Jin army will surely reach this place, and we must exert all our strength to oppose it. If by good fortune we win, the lands south of the Yangtze will remain secure. But if we cross the river to fight and suffer defeat, then the great cause is lost.” Zhuge Jing said, “Your words are correct.” Before he had finished speaking, a man reported that the Jin troops were sweeping downstream with irresistible force. The two were greatly alarmed and hastened to consult Zhang Ti. Zhuge Jing said to him, “Eastern Wu is doomed. Why do you not escape?” Zhang Ti wept. “That Wu is about to perish is known to wise and foolish alike. But if ruler and ministers all surrender and not a single man dies in the national calamity, would that not be shameful?” Zhuge Jing also shed tears and withdrew. Zhang Ti and Shen Ying led their troops against the enemy, but the Jin army closed around them on every side. Zhou Zhi was the first to break into the Wu camp. Zhang Ti fought alone with desperate courage and died amid the confusion of battle. Shen Ying was slain by Zhou Zhi. The Wu soldiers scattered and fled. A later poet praised Zhang Ti:

On Mount Ba, Du Yu raised his mighty banner;East of the river, Zhang Ti died in loyalty.He knew the royal aura of the south was spent,Yet could not live in shame and betray all he knew.

The Jin forces captured Niuzhu and drove deep into Wu territory. Wang Jun sent a man riding at full speed to report the victory. When Sima Yan heard the news, he was overjoyed. Jia Chong memorialized: “Our soldiers have long toiled abroad and are unaccustomed to the climate and water. Illness is certain to arise among them. We should recall the army and make further plans later.” Zhang Hua said, “Our great army has already entered the enemy’s lair, and the men of Wu have lost their courage. Within a month, Sun Hao is certain to be captured. If the army is lightly recalled, all our former achievements will be wasted. That would truly be regrettable.” Before the ruler of Jin could reply, Jia Chong rebuked Zhang Hua: “You understand neither the season decreed by Heaven nor the advantages of the terrain, yet you seek recklessly to claim merit and exhaust our soldiers. Even if you were beheaded, it would not suffice to make amends to the empire!” Sima Yan said, “The decision was mine. Zhang Hua merely shares my opinion. Why must you quarrel?” Suddenly it was reported that an urgent memorial had arrived from Du Yu. The ruler of Jin read it, and it likewise urged that the army advance without delay. The ruler of Jin therefore doubted no further and issued the command to press the campaign.

Wang Jun and the other commanders received the Jin emperor’s order and advanced by land and water. Their movement stirred the world like wind and thunder, and the men of Wu surrendered at the sight of their banners. When Sun Hao heard this, he turned pale with alarm. His ministers told him, “The northern army draws nearer every day, while soldiers and civilians south of the Yangtze surrender without fighting. What are we to do?” Sun Hao asked, “Why do they not fight?” They replied, “The present calamity is entirely Cen Hun’s fault. We beg Your Majesty to execute him. Then we shall go outside the city and fight to the death.” Sun Hao said, “How could one mere palace eunuch ruin a state?” The ministers cried out, “Has Your Majesty not heard of Huang Hao of Shu?” Without waiting for Sun Hao’s command, they surged into the palace together, hacked Cen Hun to pieces, and devoured his flesh raw. Tao Jun memorialized: “The warships under your servant’s command are all small. I beg for twenty thousand troops to board great ships and give battle. With these, I shall be fully able to defeat the enemy.” Sun Hao accepted his proposal and assigned the Imperial Forest troops to Tao Jun, ordering him upstream to meet the enemy. Zhang Xiang, General of the Vanguard, led naval forces down the river to oppose them. The troops of both commanders had just set out when a great northwesterly wind suddenly arose. None of the Wu banners could remain upright, and all had to be lowered and stowed in the ships. The soldiers refused to go aboard and scattered in flight, leaving Zhang Xiang with only a few dozen men to await the enemy.

Meanwhile, the Jin general Wang Jun proceeded under full sail. After he passed the Three Mountains, his sailors said, “The wind and waves are too violent, and the ships cannot proceed. Let us wait until the wind has eased somewhat.” Wang Jun flew into a rage. Drawing his sword, he rebuked them: “At this very moment I intend to take Stone City. Why do you speak of stopping?” He ordered the drums beaten and pressed forward with all speed. The Wu general Zhang Xiang led the remaining soldiers to request surrender. Wang Jun said, “If your surrender is sincere, serve as my vanguard and win merit.” Zhang Xiang returned to his own ship, sailed directly beneath Stone City, and called for the gates to be opened to admit the Jin troops. When Sun Hao heard that the Jin army had entered the city, he wished to cut his own throat. Hu Chong, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Xue Ying, Minister of Ceremonies, memorialized: “Why does Your Majesty not follow the example of Liu Shan, Duke of Anle?” Sun Hao accepted their advice. He had himself bound and brought along in a carriage an empty coffin, then led all his civil and military officials to Wang Jun’s camp and surrendered. Wang Jun released him from his bonds, burned the coffin, and treated him with the honors due a king. A poet of the Tang lamented:

Wang Jun’s towered ships sailed down from Yizhou;The royal aura of Jinling darkened and died.A thousand-fathom iron chain sank beneath the river;From Stone City a single flag of surrender rose.How often in this human world we grieve for bygone things;The mountains, as of old, still rest beside the cold current.Today, when all within the Four Seas is one household,Autumn reeds and rushes sigh around the ancient forts.

Thus the four provinces, eighty-three commanderies, and three hundred thirteen counties of Eastern Wu, comprising five hundred twenty-three thousand households, thirty-two thousand officials, two hundred thirty thousand soldiers, two million three hundred thousand men, women, old people, and children, two million eight hundred thousand hu of rice and grain, more than five thousand boats and ships, and more than five thousand women of the inner palace, all passed to Great Jin. With the great enterprise settled, proclamations were issued to reassure the people, and all treasuries, granaries, and storehouses were sealed. The following day, Tao Jun’s army collapsed without fighting. Sima Zhou, Prince of Langya, and Wang Rong arrived with their great armies. When they saw that Wang Jun had accomplished so great a deed, they rejoiced in their hearts. The next day, Du Yu also arrived. He richly rewarded the three armies and opened the granaries to relieve the people of Wu, who were thereby allowed to live in peace. Wu Yan, Administrator of Jianping, alone held his city and refused to submit; only when he heard that Wu had fallen did he surrender. Wang Jun submitted a memorial reporting the victory. When the court heard that Wu had been pacified, ruler and ministers offered congratulations and drank to the emperor’s longevity. The ruler of Jin held his cup and shed tears. “This achievement belongs to Grand Tutor Yang. I grieve only that he did not live to see it!” Sun Xiu, General of Agile Cavalry, withdrew from court, faced south, and wept. “In former days, the General Who Suppresses Rebellion, while still in the vigor of youth and holding only the rank of commandant, founded this great enterprise. Now Sun Hao has cast away all the lands south of the Yangtze. O vast and distant Heaven! What manner of man was he?”

Wang Jun then led his victorious army home and escorted Sun Hao, former ruler of Wu, to Luoyang for an audience with the emperor. Sun Hao ascended the hall, bowed his head to the floor, and presented himself before the emperor of Jin. The emperor granted him a seat and said, “I prepared this seat for you long ago.” Sun Hao replied, “In the south, your servant likewise prepared such a seat for Your Majesty.” The emperor laughed heartily. Jia Chong asked Sun Hao, “I have heard that when you ruled in the south, you often gouged out men’s eyes and stripped the skin from their faces. What manner of punishments were those?” Sun Hao replied, “Such punishments were inflicted upon ministers who murdered their rulers and upon treacherous, fawning men who proved disloyal.” Jia Chong fell silent and was deeply ashamed. The emperor enfeoffed Sun Hao as Marquis Who Returns to His Destiny and granted his sons and grandsons the rank of Gentlemen of the Household. All the chief ministers who had surrendered with him were enfeoffed as marquises. Since Chancellor Zhang Ti had died in battle, titles were granted to his descendants. Wang Jun was appointed Senior General Who Supports the State, and all the remaining commanders received additional titles and rewards.

From this time onward, the Three Kingdoms belonged to Sima Yan, emperor of Jin, thereby establishing the foundation of unity. This fulfilled the saying: “The great affairs of the empire, long united, must divide; long divided, must unite.” Later, Liu Shan, emperor of the Later Han, died in the seventh year of Taishi under Jin; Cao Huan, ruler of Wei, died in the first year of Tai’an; and Sun Hao, ruler of Wu, died in the fourth year of Taikang. All three died natural deaths. A later writer composed an old-style ballad recounting these events:

Gaozu raised his sword and entered Xianyang;A blazing crimson sun rose over Fusang.Guangwu arose like a dragon and restored the great unity;The golden crow flew to the center of Heaven.Alas! Emperor Xian inherited the realm,But the red wheel sank west beside the Pool of Xian.He Jin lacked all foresight; palace favorites caused disorder;Dong Zhuo of Liangzhou occupied the court.Wang Yun laid his plan and slew the traitorous faction;Li Jue and Guo Si raised swords and spears.Throughout the land, bandits swarmed like ants;Across the world, bold villains soared like hawks.Sun Jian and Sun Ce arose east of the Yangtze;Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu rose by the Yellow River bridges.Liu Yan and his son held Ba and Shu;Liu Biao massed his armies in Jing and Xiang.Zhang Xiu and Zhang Lu dominated Nanzheng;Ma Teng and Han Sui guarded Western Liang.Tao Qian, Zhang Xiu, and Gongsun ZanEach displayed heroic talent and seized a region.Cao Cao monopolized power from the chancellor’s mansion,Ensnaring heroes and employing civil and martial arts.He overawed the emperor and commanded the lords,Leading his fierce warriors to hold the central lands.Xuande of Lousang was born an imperial descendant;He swore brotherhood with Guan and Zhang to uphold the sovereign.He wandered east and west, lamenting that he had no home,With few generals and scant troops, a stranger wherever he went.How deep the devotion of the three visits to Nanyang!At one meeting, the Sleeping Dragon divided the world.First take Jingzhou and afterward seize the Riverlands:The design for kingship and empire lay in the Heavenly Province.Alas! After three brief years, the sovereign passed away;How grievous the entrusting of the orphan at Baidi!Kongming marched six times before Mount Qi,Longing with one hand to mend the vault of Heaven.Who could have known the allotted span would end there,And the long star fall at midnight beyond the mountain fort?Jiang Wei relied alone upon his lofty courage;Nine campaigns in the Central Plain brought only fruitless toil.Zhong Hui and Deng Ai advanced with divided armies;The Han dynasty’s realm passed wholly to the house of Cao.Pi, Rui, Fang, Mao, and then Huan—The Sima clan in turn received the empire.Cloud and mist rose before the Terrace of Abdication;No waves stirred beneath Stone City.Chenliu, Guiming, and Anle—Their princely and ducal titles passed to their descendants.The tumultuous affairs of the world are never-ending;Heaven’s inscrutable decree cannot be escaped.The realm’s threefold division has become a dream;Those who come after mourn in vain and pour out empty grief.

The Veteran General Recommends Du Yu and Offers a New Plan; Sun Hao Surrenders and the Three Realms Become One

Now Sun Xiu, ruler of Wu, heard that Sima Yan had usurped the throne of Wei and knew that he would surely attack Wu next. His anxiety made him ill, and he became bedridden. He summoned Chancellor Puyang Xing to the palace and ordered Crown Prince Sun Wan to come forward and bow to him. The ruler of Wu took Puyang Xing by the arm, pointed at Sun Wan, and died. Puyang Xing went out and consulted with the ministers, intending to enthrone Crown Prince Sun Wan. Wan Yu, Left Commandant of the Central Army, said, “Sun Wan is too young to govern on his own. It would be better to bring in Sun Hao, Marquis of Wucheng, and enthrone him.” Zhang Bu, General of the Left, also said, “Sun Hao is talented, discerning, clear-minded, and decisive. He is fit to be an emperor.” Chancellor Puyang Xing could not decide, so he entered the palace and reported the matter to Empress Dowager Zhu. The empress dowager said, “I am only a widowed woman. What do I know of affairs of state? Weigh the matter among yourselves and enthrone whomever you consider suitable.” Puyang Xing therefore welcomed Sun Hao and made him ruler.

Sun Hao’s courtesy name was Yuanzong. He was the son of Sun He, crown prince of the Great Emperor Sun Quan. In the seventh month of that year, he ascended the imperial throne, proclaimed the first year of the Yuanxing era, enfeoffed Crown Prince Sun Wan as Prince of Yuzhang, posthumously honored his father Sun He as Emperor Wen, honored his mother Lady He as empress dowager, and elevated Ding Feng to the office of Grand Marshal of both the Left and Right. The following year he changed the era name to Ganlu, beginning its first year. Sun Hao grew more brutal by the day, cruelly indulging in wine and women and lavishing favor on Cen Hun, Palace Attendant Regular. Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu remonstrated with him. In anger, Sun Hao had both men executed and exterminated their three clans. From then on, the court ministers sealed their lips and dared not remonstrate again. He later proclaimed the first year of the Baoding era and appointed Lu Kai and Wan Yu as chancellors of the Left and Right. At the time Sun Hao resided in Wuchang, and the people of Yangzhou suffered greatly from having to transport supplies upstream. His extravagance was also boundless, leaving both public and private resources depleted. Lu Kai submitted a memorial of remonstrance:

Though there has been no disaster, the people’s means of survival are exhausted; though nothing has been accomplished, the state’s wealth is gone. I grieve deeply over this. In former times, after the Han dynasty declined, three houses stood like the legs of a tripod. Now Cao and Liu have both lost the Way, and their realms have passed entirely into the hands of Jin. This is clear proof before our very eyes. In my foolishness, I speak only because I cherish Your Majesty’s realm. Wuchang is a rugged and barren earthen stronghold, not a capital fit for a sovereign. Moreover, a children’s rhyme says:

“We would rather drink the water of JianyeThan eat the fish of Wuchang.We would rather return to Jianye and dieThan stay in Wuchang and live.”

This is enough to make clear both the will of the people and the will of Heaven. The state now lacks provisions for even a single year and is gradually approaching utter destitution. Officials harass the people with harsh demands, yet no one shows them any compassion. In the time of the Great Emperor, the women of the inner palace numbered fewer than a hundred. Since the reign of Emperor Jing, they have numbered in the thousands. This is one of the greatest drains on the treasury. Moreover, none of those close to Your Majesty are suitable men. Their factions support one another, injure the loyal, and keep the worthy hidden. All these things corrupt the government and afflict the people. I pray that Your Majesty will reduce the many forms of compulsory service, abolish harsh harassment, dismiss unnecessary palace women, and select the officials with care. Then Heaven will rejoice, the people will give their allegiance, and the state will be secure.

When the memorial was presented, Sun Hao was displeased. He then launched vast construction projects to build the Zhaoming Palace, ordering civil and military officials alike into the mountains to cut timber. He also summoned the diviner Shang Guang and ordered him to cast yarrow stalks and inquire about the conquest of the empire. Shang Guang replied, “Your Majesty’s divination has produced an auspicious sign. In the gengzi year, the imperial carriage beneath its green canopy will enter Luoyang.” Sun Hao was overjoyed and said to Hua He, Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, “The late emperor accepted your advice, divided the commands among his generals, established several hundred camps all along the Yangtze, and placed the veteran general Ding Feng in overall command. I wish to annex the lands of Han and avenge the ruler of Shu. Which territory should I take first?” Hua He remonstrated, “Now that Chengdu has fallen and its dynasty has collapsed, Sima Yan is sure to intend the conquest of Wu. Your Majesty should cultivate virtue to bring peace to the people of Wu. That is the best policy. If you insist on mobilizing the army, it will be like wearing hempen clothes to put out a fire: you will certainly burn yourself. I pray that Your Majesty consider this carefully.” Sun Hao flew into a rage. “I intend to seize this opportunity to restore our former dominion, yet you utter these inauspicious words! If not for the regard I bear you as an old minister, I would cut off your head as a warning to others!” He shouted for the guards to drive Hua He from the hall. As Hua He left the court, he sighed, “What a pity that this splendid realm of brocade will soon belong to another!” He then retired into seclusion and no longer appeared at court. Sun Hao accordingly ordered Lu Kang, General Who Guards the East, to station his troops at the mouth of the river and prepare to take Xiangyang.

Word of this soon reached Luoyang. A close attendant reported it to Sima Yan, emperor of Jin. When the emperor heard that Lu Kang was threatening Xiangyang, he consulted with his officials. Jia Chong stepped forward from the ranks and said, “I have heard that Sun Hao of Wu does not cultivate virtuous government but practices nothing except tyranny. Your Majesty may issue an edict ordering Governor-General Yang Hu to lead troops against him. When internal disorder arises in Wu, we may take advantage of the situation and attack. Eastern Wu will then be ours as easily as turning over the palm of one’s hand.” Sima Yan was delighted. He immediately issued an edict and sent a messenger to Xiangyang to proclaim his instructions to Yang Hu. Yang Hu received the edict, reviewed and organized his troops, and prepared to meet the enemy. From that time onward, Yang Hu guarded Xiangyang and won the deep affection of both soldiers and civilians. Whenever men of Wu surrendered and later wished to leave, he allowed them to do so. He reduced the number of garrison and patrol troops and used the men to cultivate more than eight hundred qing of farmland. When he first arrived, the army had less than a hundred days’ provisions. By the following year, it had accumulated enough for ten years. While in the army, Yang Hu usually wore a light fur robe with a loose sash and did not put on armor. No more than ten or so guards stood before his tent.

One day, a subordinate general entered Yang Hu’s tent and reported, “Our scouts say that the Wu troops have all grown lax. If we take advantage of their unpreparedness and launch a surprise attack, we are certain to win a great victory.” Yang Hu laughed. “Do all of you take Lu Kang so lightly? This man is resourceful and full of strategy. Not long ago, the ruler of Wu ordered him to assault and capture Xiling. He executed Bu Chan and several dozen of his officers and men before I could arrive to save them. So long as this man is their commander, we can do no more than defend ourselves. Only when internal disorder arises in Wu may we attempt to take it. To advance rashly without judging the circumstances would be the way to defeat.” The generals accepted his argument and did nothing more than defend the frontier.

One day, Yang Hu led his generals out hunting, just as Lu Kang also happened to be hunting. Yang Hu issued an order: “Our troops are not to cross the border.” Obeying his command, the generals encircled game only on Jin territory and did not trespass into Wu. Lu Kang saw this from a distance and sighed. “General Yang’s troops are disciplined. They must not be provoked.” At sunset, both sides withdrew. When Yang Hu returned to camp, he inspected the game that had been taken and ordered that every animal previously wounded by an arrow from a Wu hunter be returned. The men of Wu were all delighted and reported this to Lu Kang. Lu Kang summoned the messenger and asked, “Does your commander drink wine?” The man replied, “He drinks it if he can obtain a fine vintage.” Lu Kang laughed. “I have a jar of wine that I have stored for a long time. I now entrust it to you to take back with my respects to the governor-general. This wine was brewed by me for my own drinking. I offer him a measure of it as a token of the sentiments inspired by yesterday’s hunt.” The messenger acknowledged the command and departed with the wine. Lu Kang’s attendants asked him, “General, what is your intention in giving him wine?” Lu Kang replied, “Since he has treated us with kindness, how could I fail to repay him?” Everyone was astonished.

The messenger returned to Yang Hu and reported in full what Lu Kang had asked and how he had presented the wine. Yang Hu laughed. “Does he also know that I can drink?” He ordered the jar opened and prepared to drink from it. His subordinate general Chen Yuan said, “There may be some treachery in it. Governor-General, you should refrain from drinking for the moment.” Yang Hu laughed. “Lu Kang is not a man who poisons others. There is no need for suspicion.” He drained the jar to the bottom. From then on, the two exchanged messengers to inquire after one another and remained in regular contact.

One day, Lu Kang sent a man to pay his respects to Yang Hu. Yang Hu asked, “Is General Lu well?” The messenger said, “My commander has been ill in bed for several days and has not gone out.” Yang Hu said, “I judge that his illness is the same as mine. I have some prepared medicine here. Take it to him so that he may use it.” The messenger carried the medicine back to Lu Kang. The generals said, “Yang Hu is our enemy. This cannot be good medicine.” Lu Kang replied, “How could Yang Shuzi be a man who poisons others? Do not be suspicious.” He took the medicine, and the next day his illness was cured. All the generals congratulated him. Lu Kang said, “He devotes himself to virtue, while I devote myself to force. In this way, he will subdue me without fighting. From now on, we should each do no more than guard our own frontier and not contend for petty gains.” The generals accepted his order.

Suddenly, a report came that an envoy from the ruler of Wu had arrived. Lu Kang received him and asked his business. The envoy said, “The Son of Heaven commands the general to advance with all speed and not allow the men of Jin to strike first.” Lu Kang replied, “Return ahead of me. I will soon submit a memorial.” After the envoy departed, Lu Kang drafted a memorial and sent a man to carry it to Jianye. A close attendant presented it to Sun Hao, who opened and read it. In the memorial, Lu Kang fully explained why Jin could not yet be attacked. He also urged the ruler of Wu to cultivate virtue, exercise caution in punishment, and make domestic security his chief concern rather than engaging in constant warfare. When Sun Hao had finished reading, he flew into a rage. “I have heard that Lu Kang has been communicating with the enemy on the frontier, and now it has proved true!” He sent an envoy to strip Lu Kang of his military authority and demote him to army marshal, then ordered Sun Ji, General of the Left, to take command of his troops. None of the ministers dared remonstrate. From the time Sun Hao proclaimed the Jianheng era until the first year of Fenghuang, he acted willfully and recklessly, exhausting the army in campaigns and garrison duty. High and low alike groaned with resentment. Chancellor Wan Yu, General Liu Ping, and Lou Xuan, Grand Minister of Agriculture, saw that Sun Hao had abandoned the Way and remonstrated with him directly and earnestly. All three were put to death. Over a span of more than ten years, Sun Hao killed more than forty loyal ministers. Whenever he went out or returned, he was accompanied by fifty thousand armored cavalrymen. The ministers lived in terror, but no one dared do anything.

When Yang Hu heard that Lu Kang had been deprived of his command and that Sun Hao had lost all virtue, he saw that Wu could now be taken. He therefore composed a memorial and sent a man to Luoyang to request an invasion of Wu. In outline, it said:

Though the appointed time and fortune are bestowed by Heaven, achievement must be brought to completion by men. The natural defenses of the Yangtze and Huai rivers are not as formidable as Jiange; Sun Hao’s brutality exceeds that of Liu Shan; the hardships of the people of Wu are worse than those of Ba and Shu; and the military strength of Great Jin is greater than in former times. If we do not now unite all within the Four Seas, but instead continue to maintain armies against each other and leave the empire burdened by campaigns and garrison duty, then after passing through cycles of strength and decline, this situation cannot endure for long.

Sima Yan read the memorial and was delighted. He was about to order the army mobilized, but Jia Chong, Xun Xu, and Feng Chun argued forcefully against it, and because of them he did not proceed. When Yang Hu heard that the emperor had rejected his request, he sighed. “Eight or nine things out of ten in this world do not go as one wishes. Heaven now offers us this opportunity, yet we do not take it. Is that not a great pity?” In the fourth year of Xianning, Yang Hu came to court and asked leave to return home to recover from illness. Sima Yan asked, “What policy for bringing peace to the state can you teach me?” Yang Hu replied, “Sun Hao’s savagery and oppression have reached an extreme. At present he can be overcome without a battle. But if Hao should happen to die and a worthy ruler be enthroned in his place, then Wu will no longer be something Your Majesty can obtain.” Sima Yan suddenly understood. “Then what if you lead an army against Wu at once?” Yang Hu replied, “I am old and often ill. I cannot bear this responsibility. Your Majesty should choose another man of wisdom and courage.” He then took leave of Sima Yan and returned home. In the eleventh month of that year, Yang Hu became critically ill, and Sima Yan personally drove to his home to inquire after him. When the emperor came to his bedside, Yang Hu wept and said, “Though I died ten thousand deaths, I could never repay Your Majesty!” Sima Yan also wept. “I regret that I could not follow your plan to attack Wu. Who can now carry on your purpose?” With tears in his eyes, Yang Hu said, “I am dying, so I dare not fail to offer my last sincere counsel. Du Yu, General of the Right, is fit for the task. If Your Majesty wishes to attack Wu, you must employ him.” Sima Yan said, “To promote the good and recommend the worthy is an admirable thing. Why, then, whenever you recommend someone to the court, do you burn the draft of your memorial and refuse to let anyone know?” Yang Hu replied, “To receive an official appointment at the public court but offer thanks at a private door is something I will not accept.” As soon as he finished speaking, he died. Sima Yan wept bitterly and returned to the palace, then issued an edict posthumously appointing him Grand Tutor and Marquis of Juping. When the people of the southern provinces heard that Yang Hu had died, they closed their markets and wept. The officers and soldiers guarding the frontier along the southern Yangtze also shed tears. The people of Xiangyang remembered that while Yang Hu lived, he had often visited Mount Xian, so they built a shrine and erected a stele there, making offerings to him in all four seasons. No traveler who read the inscription could keep from weeping, and it therefore became known as the “Stele of Falling Tears.” A later poet sighed:

At dawn I climb, remembering Jin’s loyal lord;The ancient stele stands weathered in Mount Xian’s spring.Among the pines, the lingering dew falls drop by drop—Perhaps those are the tears men shed for him long ago.

Following Yang Hu’s advice, the ruler of Jin appointed Du Yu Senior General Who Guards the South and governor-general of the affairs of Jingzhou. Du Yu was mature, experienced, and accomplished. He studied tirelessly and especially loved reading Zuo Qiuming’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. He always kept it with him whether sitting or lying down, and whenever he went out, he had someone carry the Zuo Commentary before his horse. People of the time called him “the Zuo Commentary addict.” After receiving the ruler of Jin’s command, he went to Xiangyang, where he comforted the people, trained the troops, and prepared to attack Wu.

By this time, Ding Feng and Lu Kang of Wu were both dead. Whenever Sun Hao held a banquet for his ministers, he ordered them all to become thoroughly drunk. He also appointed ten Gentlemen of the Yellow Gate as officers responsible for denouncing misconduct. After each banquet, they reported every fault committed. Those found guilty might have the skin stripped from their faces or their eyes gouged out. The people of the realm were therefore terrified. Wang Jun, Jin’s inspector of Yizhou, submitted a memorial requesting an invasion of Wu. It said:

Sun Hao is dissolute, savage, and rebellious. He should be attacked without delay. If Hao should suddenly die and a worthy ruler be established in his place, our enemy will grow stronger. I have been building ships for seven years, and every day some decay and deteriorate. I am seventy years old and may die at any time. If any one of these three conditions changes, the enterprise will become difficult. I pray that Your Majesty will not miss this opportunity.

After reading the memorial, the ruler of Jin consulted his ministers. “Duke Wang’s argument agrees perfectly with Governor-General Yang’s. My mind is made up.” Palace Attendant Wang Hun memorialized, “I have heard that Sun Hao intends to advance northward and that all his forces are already prepared. His momentum is now at its height, and it will be difficult to withstand him. If we wait another year until his strength is exhausted, then we may succeed.” The ruler of Jin accepted his advice and issued an edict halting the army and forbidding any movement. He withdrew to the inner palace and played a game of Go with Zhang Hua, Assistant Director of the Palace Library, to pass the time. A close attendant reported that a memorial had arrived from the frontier. The ruler of Jin opened it and saw that it was from Du Yu. In outline, it said:

In the past, Yang Hu did not discuss his plans broadly with the court ministers but deliberated secretly with Your Majesty. For this reason, the court ministers voiced many conflicting opinions. In every undertaking, the advantages and disadvantages must be weighed against one another. I estimate that this enterprise has eight or nine chances in ten of bringing advantage, while its only possible harm is failure to achieve success. Since autumn, our intention to attack the enemy has become quite apparent. If we now stop, Sun Hao will grow alarmed, move his capital to Wuchang, complete repairs to all the cities south of the Yangtze, and relocate the inhabitants. The cities will then be impossible to attack, and there will be nothing to seize in the countryside. By next year, even the best plan will come too late.

The ruler of Jin had just finished reading the memorial when Zhang Hua abruptly rose, pushed away the Go board, folded his hands, and memorialized, “Your Majesty is sagacious and mighty; the state is wealthy and the people strong. The ruler of Wu is licentious and cruel; his people are distressed and his state exhausted. If we attack him now, we can pacify the realm with little effort. I pray that Your Majesty will not hesitate.” The ruler of Jin said, “Your words penetrate to the heart of the advantages and dangers. What doubt can I have now?” He immediately went out and ascended the court hall. He appointed Du Yu, Senior General Who Guards the South, as chief governor-general and ordered him to lead one hundred thousand troops from Jiangling. Sima Zhou, Prince of Langya and Senior General Who Guards the East, was to advance from Chuzhong; Wang Hun, Senior General Who Conquers the East, from Hengjiang; Wang Rong, General Who Establishes Might, from Wuchang; and Hu Fen, General Who Pacifies the South, from Xiakou. Each was to lead fifty thousand troops and obey Du Yu’s direction. He also dispatched Wang Jun, General of the Dragon-Prowed Fleet, and Tang Bin, General of Expansive Might, to sail eastward down the Yangtze. The land and naval forces numbered more than two hundred thousand, with tens of thousands of warships. He further ordered Yang Ji, Champion General, to take up a position at Xiangyang and coordinate all the armies.

Word soon reached Eastern Wu. Sun Hao was horrified and hurriedly summoned Chancellor Zhang Ti, Minister of Education He Zhi, and Minister of Works Teng Xiu to devise a plan for repelling the invaders. Zhang Ti memorialized, “Appoint Wu Yan, General of Chariots and Cavalry, as governor-general and order him to advance to Jiangling to oppose Du Yu. Order Sun Xin, General of Agile Cavalry, to advance against the armies at Xiakou and the surrounding areas. I myself dare to serve as commander and lead Shen Ying, General of the Left, and Zhuge Jing, General of the Right, with one hundred thousand troops to Niuzhu, where we can support the armies on the various routes.” Sun Hao followed his advice and sent Zhang Ti out with the army. Sun Hao then withdrew to the inner palace with worry on his face. His favorite minister, Cen Hun, Palace Attendant Regular, asked the reason. Sun Hao replied, “A great Jin army is approaching. Troops have already gone to oppose it on every route, but Wang Jun is leading tens of thousands of men with a fully prepared battle fleet downriver with the current. His advance is extremely fierce, and that is why I am worried.” Cen Hun said, “I have a plan that will reduce all Wang Jun’s ships to splinters.” Sun Hao was delighted and asked for the plan. Cen Hun memorialized, “There is much iron south of the Yangtze. We can forge more than a hundred linked iron chains, each several hundred zhang long and each link weighing twenty or thirty catties, then stretch them across the river at strategic points. We can also make tens of thousands of iron spikes, each more than a zhang long, and set them beneath the water. When the Jin ships come with the wind, they will strike the spikes and break apart. How could they cross the river then?” Sun Hao was overjoyed. He issued orders assigning craftsmen to work beside the river through the night, forging the iron chains and spikes and setting them in place.

Du Yu, the Jin governor-general, led his army out from Jiangling. He ordered his aide-de-camp Zhou Zhi to take eight hundred sailors across the Yangtze secretly in small boats and make a night attack on Lexiang. They were to plant numerous banners in the wooded hills, fire signal guns and beat drums by day, and light fires everywhere by night. Zhou Zhi accepted the order, led his men across the river, and concealed them at Mount Ba. The next day, Du Yu led his main army forward by both land and water. Scouts reported, “The ruler of Wu has sent Wu Yan by land, Lu Jing by water, and Sun Xin as vanguard. They are approaching by three routes.” Du Yu advanced with his army. Sun Xin’s ships arrived first. As soon as the two forces engaged, Du Yu retreated. Sun Xin led his troops ashore and pursued him in a long column. Before they had gone twenty li, a signal gun sounded, and Jin troops converged from every direction. The Wu troops hastily turned back. Du Yu took advantage of the situation and charged them down, killing incalculable numbers. Sun Xin fled back toward the city, but Zhou Zhi’s eight hundred men mingled with his troops and entered among them, then lit fires on the city walls. Sun Xin was horrified. “The northern armies must have flown across the river!” As he hurried to withdraw, Zhou Zhi gave a great shout and cut him down from his horse. From his ship, Lu Jing saw flames rising in a solid mass along the southern bank. On Mount Ba, the wind unfurled a great banner inscribed: “Du Yu, Senior General of Jin Who Guards the South.” Lu Jing was terrified and tried to go ashore and flee for his life, but the Jin general Zhang Shang rode up and killed him. When Wu Yan saw that all the armies had been defeated, he abandoned the city and fled, only to be captured by troops lying in ambush. They bound him and took him before Du Yu. Du Yu said, “There is no use in keeping him!” He ordered the guards to behead him. Jiangling was thereby taken. From there through the regions of the Yuan and Xiang rivers and as far as the commanderies around Huangzhou, all the governors and magistrates surrendered at the mere report of Du Yu’s approach, bringing their official seals with them. Du Yu sent officers bearing credentials to reassure the people and allowed his troops to take nothing, not even the finest autumn down. He then advanced against Wuchang, which also surrendered.

Du Yu’s military prestige rose tremendously. He convened a great assembly of his generals to discuss a plan for taking Jianye. Hu Fen said, “These enemies of a hundred years cannot yet be brought completely to submission. The spring floods are now rising, and it will be difficult to remain here for long. We should wait until next spring and then launch another great campaign.” Du Yu replied, “In the past, Yue Yi won a single battle west of the Ji River and annexed the powerful state of Qi. Now our military might has shaken the enemy. Our advance is like splitting bamboo: once the first few joints have been broken, all the rest will split at the touch of the blade, and there will be no further place where resistance can take hold.” He therefore sent urgent dispatches to arrange a meeting of the generals and ordered every army to advance together and capture Jianye.

At this time, Wang Jun, General of the Dragon-Prowed Fleet, was leading his naval forces downriver with the current. Scouts reported, “The men of Wu have forged iron chains and stretched them across the river. They have also set iron spikes beneath the water as a defense.” Wang Jun laughed loudly. He had dozens of enormous rafts built, with straw figures tied around them, dressed in armor and holding weapons. These were released to float downriver. When the Wu troops saw them, they mistook them for living men and fled before they arrived. The submerged spikes caught in the rafts and were all pulled away. Wang Jun also placed torches on the rafts, each more than ten zhang long and over ten arm spans around, and soaked them in sesame oil. Whenever they encountered an iron chain, the torches were lit to burn it, and in moments every chain snapped. The two armies came down the great river, and wherever they went, they were victorious.

Zhang Ti, chancellor of Eastern Wu, ordered Shen Ying, General of the Left, and Zhuge Jing, General of the Right, to oppose the Jin army. Shen Ying said to Zhuge Jing, “The armies upstream made no preparations for defense. I expect that the Jin army will certainly reach this place, and we must exert all our strength against it. If we are fortunate enough to win, the lands south of the Yangtze will be secure. But if we now cross the river to fight and suffer defeat, the great cause will be lost.” Zhuge Jing said, “What you say is correct.” Before he had finished speaking, a man reported that the Jin army was coming downriver with irresistible force. The two were horrified and hurried to consult Zhang Ti. Zhuge Jing said to him, “Eastern Wu is doomed. Why do you not escape?” Zhang Ti wept. “That Wu is about to perish is known to both wise and foolish. But if ruler and ministers all surrender, and not one person dies in the national calamity, would that not be a disgrace?” Zhuge Jing also shed tears and departed. Zhang Ti and Shen Ying directed their troops against the enemy, but the Jin forces surrounded them from every side. Zhou Zhi was the first to charge into the Wu camp. Zhang Ti fought on alone with all his strength and died amid the chaos of battle. Shen Ying was killed by Zhou Zhi. The Wu troops scattered and fled in defeat. A later poet praised Zhang Ti:

Du Yu raised his great banner on Mount Ba;East of the river, Zhang Ti died a loyal man.He knew the royal aura of the south was spent,But would not buy his life by betraying what he knew.

After the Jin army captured Niuzhu, it penetrated deep into Wu territory. Wang Jun sent a courier with news of the victory. When Sima Yan, emperor of Jin, heard it, he was delighted. Jia Chong memorialized, “Our troops have long been laboring abroad. They are unaccustomed to the climate and terrain and are certain to fall ill. We should recall the army and make further plans later.” Zhang Hua said, “Our great army has now entered the enemy’s lair, and the courage of the men of Wu has collapsed. Within a month, Sun Hao will certainly be captured. If we lightly order the troops to return, all our previous achievements will be lost. That would truly be a pity.” Before the ruler of Jin could reply, Jia Chong rebuked Zhang Hua. “You do not understand the timing of Heaven or the advantages of terrain. You seek recklessly to claim merit while exhausting the soldiers. Even beheading you would not be enough to answer to the empire!” Sima Yan said, “This was my own intention. Zhang Hua merely agreed with me. Why must you argue?” Suddenly, a report came that an urgent memorial had arrived from Du Yu. The ruler of Jin read it and saw that Du Yu also urged a rapid advance. The ruler of Jin no longer doubted and issued the order to press on with the campaign.

Wang Jun and the others received the ruler of Jin’s order and advanced by land and water. Their drums roared like wind and thunder, and the men of Wu surrendered at the sight of their banners. When Sun Hao heard this, his face changed with terror. His ministers told him, “The northern army draws closer every day. The soldiers and civilians south of the Yangtze are surrendering without a fight. What are we to do?” Sun Hao asked, “Why do they not fight?” They replied, “Today’s disaster is entirely Cen Hun’s fault. We ask Your Majesty to execute him. Then we will go out of the city and fight to the death.” Sun Hao said, “How could a mere palace eunuch have brought the state to ruin?” The ministers all cried, “Has Your Majesty not heard of Huang Hao of Shu?” Without waiting for the ruler of Wu’s command, they surged into the palace together, hacked Cen Hun to pieces, and ate his flesh raw. Tao Jun memorialized, “The warships under my command are all small. I request twenty thousand troops and large ships with which to fight. That will be enough to defeat the enemy.” Sun Hao accepted his advice and assigned troops from the Imperial Guard to Tao Jun, who went upstream to oppose the enemy. Zhang Xiang, General of the Van, led naval troops down the river to meet them. As the forces of both men were moving into position, a strong northwest wind suddenly arose. None of the Wu banners could remain upright, and all fell backward into the boats. The soldiers refused to disembark and scattered in flight, leaving Zhang Xiang with only a few dozen men to await the enemy.

The Jin general Wang Jun sailed onward and passed Sanshan. The fleet commander said, “The wind and waves are too violent, and the ships cannot proceed. Let us wait until the wind subsides a little.” Wang Jun flew into a rage. Drawing his sword, he shouted at him, “At this very moment I intend to take Shitou City! How dare you speak of stopping?” He ordered the drums beaten and pressed forward. The Wu general Zhang Xiang led his remaining troops forward to surrender. Wang Jun said, “If your surrender is genuine, go ahead as our vanguard and earn merit.” Zhang Xiang returned to his own ship, sailed directly beneath Shitou City, called for the gates to be opened, and brought the Jin troops inside. When Sun Hao heard that the Jin army had entered the city, he intended to cut his own throat. Hu Chong, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and Xue Ying, Minister of Imperial Household, memorialized, “Why does Your Majesty not follow the example of Liu Shan, Duke of Anle?” Sun Hao accepted their advice. He had himself bound and brought along an empty coffin. Leading all his civil and military officials, he went before Wang Jun’s army and surrendered. Wang Jun released him from his bonds, burned the coffin, and treated him with the courtesy due a king. A Tang poet sighed:

Wang Jun’s tower ships sailed down from Yizhou;The royal aura of Jinling faded away.Iron chains a thousand fathoms long sank beneath the river;A single surrender banner rose above Shitou.How often has mankind grieved over vanished deeds?The mountains still rest beside the cold current.Today, when all within the Four Seas is one house,Autumn reeds whisper around the ancient forts.

Thus Eastern Wu’s four provinces, eighty-three commanderies, three hundred and thirteen counties, five hundred and twenty-three thousand households, thirty-two thousand officials, two hundred and thirty thousand soldiers, two million three hundred thousand men, women, old people, and children, two million eight hundred thousand hu of rice and grain, more than five thousand boats and ships, and more than five thousand women of the inner palace all passed to Great Jin. With the great affair settled, proclamations were posted to reassure the people, and all government treasuries and granaries were sealed. The next day, Tao Jun’s army collapsed without fighting. Sima Zhou, Prince of Langya, and Wang Rong both arrived with their great armies. When they saw that Wang Jun had accomplished so great a feat, they rejoiced. The following day, Du Yu also arrived. He richly rewarded the three armies, opened the granaries to relieve the people of Wu, and restored peace among them. Only Wu Yan, governor of Jianping, held his city and refused to surrender. When he heard that Wu had perished, he too submitted. Wang Jun sent a memorial reporting the victory. When the court heard that Wu had been pacified, ruler and ministers all offered congratulations and wished the emperor long life. The ruler of Jin held his wine cup and shed tears. “This was Grand Tutor Yang’s achievement. I regret only that he did not live to see it!” Sun Xiu, General of Agile Cavalry, withdrew from court, faced south, and wept. “In former times, the Rebel-Quelling General was still a young man when, with the rank of a mere colonel, he founded this great enterprise. Now Sun Hao has thrown away all the lands south of the Yangtze. Vast and distant Heaven—what kind of man was he?”

Wang Jun then returned in triumph, bringing Sun Hao, the ruler of Wu, to Luoyang for an audience with the emperor. Sun Hao ascended the court hall, bowed his head to the ground, and appeared before the emperor of Jin. The emperor gave him a seat and said, “I have had this seat prepared for you for a long time.” Sun Hao replied, “In the south, I also had such a seat prepared for Your Majesty.” The emperor laughed loudly. Jia Chong asked Sun Hao, “I have heard that while you were in the south, you often gouged out men’s eyes and stripped the skin from their faces. What sort of punishment was that?” Sun Hao replied, “That punishment was imposed on ministers who murdered their rulers and on treacherous, disloyal flatterers.” Jia Chong fell silent, deeply ashamed. The emperor enfeoffed Sun Hao as Marquis Who Submits to Destiny, and Sun Hao’s sons and grandsons were appointed Gentlemen of the Household. All the chief ministers who had surrendered with him were enfeoffed as ranked marquises. Because Chancellor Zhang Ti had died in battle, his descendants were also granted titles. Wang Jun was appointed Senior General Who Assists the State. All the others likewise received additional titles and rewards.

From this time onward, the Three Kingdoms belonged to Sima Yan, emperor of Jin, laying the foundation for a united empire. This exemplifies the saying, “The general course of the world is that after long unity comes division, and after long division comes unity.” Later, Liu Shan, emperor of the Later Han, died in the seventh year of Jin’s Taishi era; Cao Huan, ruler of Wei, died in the first year of Tai’an; and Sun Hao, ruler of Wu, died in the fourth year of Taikang. All died natural deaths. A later writer composed an old-style ballad recounting these events:

Gaozu raised his sword and entered Xianyang;A blazing red sun rose above Fusang.Guangwu rose like a dragon and restored the great realm;The golden crow flew to the center of heaven.Alas! Emperor Xian inherited all beneath the seas,But the red wheel sank west beside the Pool of Xian.

He Jin lacked a plan; the palace favorites brought chaos;Dong Zhuo of Liangzhou occupied the court.Wang Yun devised a scheme and killed the traitorous faction;Li Jue and Guo Si raised swords and spears.Bandits gathered like ants from every quarter;Across the realm, treacherous heroes soared like hawks.

Sun Jian and Sun Ce rose east of the river;Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu gained power by the Yellow River.Liu Yan and his son occupied Ba and Shu;Liu Biao massed his armies in Jing and Xiang.Zhang Xiu and Zhang Lu ruled over Nanzheng;Ma Teng and Han Sui guarded Western Liang.Tao Qian, Zhang Xiu, and Gongsun ZanEach displayed his prowess and seized a region.

Cao Cao monopolized power from the chancellor’s mansion,Ensnaring men of talent and using both civil and martial arts.His might overawed the Son of Heaven and commanded the lords;He led his fierce warriors and held the central lands.Xuande of Lousang was born an imperial descendant;He swore brotherhood with Guan and Zhang to support the throne.He ran east and west, grieving that he had no home,With few generals and weak troops, a wanderer in exile.

How deep was the devotion of the three visits to Nanyang!At one meeting, the Sleeping Dragon divided the world.First take Jingzhou, then take the Riverlands:The design for kingship and empire lay in Heaven’s Granary.Alas! After only three years, the emperor passed away;At Baidi he entrusted his orphan—what bitter grief!

Kongming marched six times before Mount Qi,Hoping with a single hand to mend the sky.Who could have known the ordained count had reached its end?At midnight, the long star fell beyond the mountain fort.Jiang Wei relied alone on his soaring spirit;Nine campaigns in the Central Plain brought only empty toil.Zhong Hui and Deng Ai advanced with divided armies,And all the Han realm passed into Cao’s hands.

Pi, Rui, Fang, Mao, and then Huan—Then the Sima clan took the empire in its turn.Cloud and mist rose before the Abdication Altar;No waves remained beneath Shitou City.Chenliu, Guiming, and AnleReceived princely and ducal ranks for themselves and their heirs.The tumultuous affairs of the world never end;Heaven’s numbers are obscure, and none can escape them.The tripod realm of three divisions has become a dream;Those who come after mourn it, but lament in vain.