第一百二十回

第一百二十回 荐杜预老将献新谋 降孙皓三分归一统

却说吴主孙休，闻司马炎已篡魏，知其必将伐吴，忧虑成疾，卧床不起，乃召丞相濮阳兴入宫中，令太子孙出拜。吴主把兴臂、手指而卒。兴出，与群臣商议，欲立太子孙为君。左典军万彧曰：“幼不能专政，不若取乌程侯孙皓立之。”左将军张布亦曰：“皓才识明断，堪为帝王。”丞相濮阳兴不能决，入奏朱太后。太后曰：“吾寡妇人耳，安知社稷之事？卿等斟酌立之可也。”兴遂迎皓为君。

皓字元宗，大帝孙权太子孙和之子也。当年七月，即皇帝位，改元为元兴元年，封太子孙为豫章王，追谥父和为文皇帝，尊母何氏为太后，加丁奉为右大司马，次年改为甘露元年。皓凶暴日甚，酷溺酒色，宠幸中常侍岑昏。濮阳兴、张布谏之，皓怒，斩二人，灭其三族。由是廷臣缄口，不敢再谏。又改宝鼎元年，以陆凯、万彧为左右丞相。时皓居武昌，扬州百姓溯流供给，甚苦之，又奢侈无度，公私匮乏。陆凯上疏谏曰：

今无灾而民命尽，无为而国财空，臣窃痛之。昔汉室既衰，三家鼎立；今曹、刘失道，皆为晋有。此目前之明验也。臣愚但为陛下惜国家耳。武昌土地险瘠，非王者之都。且童谣云：“宁饮建业水，不食武昌鱼；宁还建业死，不止武昌居！”此足明民心与天意也。今国无一年之蓄，有露根之渐；官吏为苛扰，莫之或恤。大帝时，后宫女不满百，景帝以来，乃有千数，此耗财之甚者也。又左右皆非其人，群党相挟，害忠隐贤，此皆蠹政病民者也。愿陛下省百役，罢苛扰，简出宫女，清选百官，则天悦民附而国安矣。

疏奏，皓不悦。又大兴土木，作昭明宫，令文武各官入山采木。又召术士尚广，令筮蓍问取天下之事，尚对曰：“陛下筮得吉兆：庚子岁，青盖当入洛阳。”皓大喜，谓中书丞华曰：“先帝纳卿之言，分头命将，沿江一带，屯数百营，命老将丁奉总之。朕欲兼并汉土，以为蜀主复仇，当取何地为先？”覈谏曰：“今成都不守，社稷倾崩，司马炎必有吞吴之心。陛下宜修德以安吴民，乃为上计。若强动兵甲，正犹披麻救火，必致自焚也。愿陛下察之。”皓大怒曰：“朕欲乘时恢复旧业，汝出此不利之言！若不看汝旧臣之面，斩首号令！”叱武士推出殿门。华出朝叹曰：“可惜锦绣江山，不久属于他人矣！”遂隐居不出。于是皓令镇东将军陆抗部兵屯江口，以图襄阳。

早有消息报入洛阳，近臣奏知晋主司马炎。晋主闻陆抗寇襄阳，与众官商议。贾充出班奏曰：“臣闻吴国孙皓，不修德政，专行无道。陛下可诏都督羊祜率兵拒之，俟其国中有变，乘势攻取，东吴反掌可得也。”炎大喜，即降诏遣使到襄阳，宣谕羊祜。祜奉诏，整点军马，预备迎敌。自是羊祜镇守襄阳，甚得军民之心，吴人有降而欲去者皆听之，减戍逻之卒，用以垦田八百馀顷。其初到时，军无百日之粮，及至末年，军中有十年之积。祜在军，尝着轻裘，系宽带，不披铠甲，帐前侍卫者不过十馀人。一日，部将入帐禀祜曰：“哨马来报：吴兵皆懈怠。可乘其无备而袭之，必获大胜。”祜笑曰：“汝众人小觑陆抗耶？此人足智多谋，日前吴主命之攻拔西陵，斩了步阐及其将士数十人，吾救之无及。此人为将，我等只可自守，候其内有变，方可图取。若不审时势而轻进，此取败之道也。”众将服其论，只自守疆界而已。

一日，羊祜引诸将打猎，正值陆抗亦出猎。羊祜下令：“我军不许过界。”众将得令，止于晋地打围，不犯吴境。陆抗望见，叹曰：“羊将军有纪律，不可犯也。”日晚各退。祜归至军中，察问所得禽兽，被吴人先射伤者皆送还。吴人皆悦，来报陆抗。抗召来人入，问曰：“汝主帅能饮酒否？”来人答曰：“必得佳酿，则饮之。”抗笑曰：“吾有斗酒，藏之久矣。今付与汝持去，拜上都督：此酒陆某亲酿自饮者，特奉一勺，以表昨日出猎之情。”来人领诺，携酒而去。左右问抗曰：“将军以酒与彼，有何主意？”抗曰：“彼既施德于我，我岂得无以酬之？”众皆愕然。

却说来人回见羊祜，以抗所问并奉酒事，一一陈告。祜笑曰：“彼亦知吾能饮乎！”遂命开壶取饮。部将陈元曰：“其中恐有奸诈，都督且宜慢饮。”祜笑曰：“抗非毒人者也，不必疑虑。”竟倾壶饮之。自是使人通问，常相往来。一日，抗遣人候祜。祜问曰：“陆将军安否？”来人曰：“主帅卧病数日未出。”祜曰：“料彼之病，与我相同。吾已合成熟药在此，可送与服之。”来人持药回见抗。众将曰：“羊祜乃是吾敌也，此药必非良药。”抗曰：“岂有酖人羊叔子哉！汝众人勿疑。”遂服之。次日病愈，众将皆拜贺。抗曰：“彼专以德，我专以暴，是彼将不战而服我也。今宜各保疆界而已，无求细利。”众将领命。

忽报吴主遣使来到，抗接入问之。使曰：“天子传谕将军：作急进兵，勿使晋人先入。”抗曰：“汝先回，吾随有疏章上奏。”使人辞去，抗即草疏遣人赍到建业。近臣呈上，皓拆观其疏，疏中备言晋未可伐之状，且劝吴主修德慎罚，以安内为念，不当以黩武为事。吴主览毕，大怒曰：“朕闻抗在边境与敌人相通，今果然矣！”遂遣使罢其兵权，降为司马，却令左将军孙冀代领其军。群臣皆不敢谏。吴主皓自改元建衡，至凤凰元年，恣意妄为，穷兵屯戍，上下无不嗟怨。丞相万彧、将军留平、大司农楼玄三人见皓无道，直言苦谏，皆被所杀。前后十馀年，杀忠臣四十馀人。皓出入常带铁骑五万，群臣恐怖，莫敢奈何。

却说羊祜闻陆抗罢兵，孙皓失德，见吴有可乘之机，乃作表遣人往洛阳请伐吴。其略曰：

夫期运虽天所授，而功业必因人而成。今江淮之险，不如剑阁，孙皓之暴，过于刘禅，吴人之困，甚于巴蜀，而大晋兵力，盛于往时。不于此际平一四海，而更阻兵相守，使天下困于征戍，经历盛衰，不可长久也。

司马炎观表大喜，便令兴师。贾充、荀勗、冯三人力言不可，炎因此不行。祜闻上不允其请，叹曰：“天下不如意事，十常八九。今天与不取，岂不大可惜哉！”至咸宁四年，羊祜入朝，奏辞归乡养病。炎问曰：“卿有何安邦之策，以教寡人？”祜曰：“孙皓暴虐已甚，于今可不战而克。若皓不幸而殁，更立贤君，则吴非陛下所能得也。”炎大悟曰：“卿今便提兵往伐，若何？”祜曰：“臣年老多病，不堪当此任，陛下另选智勇之士可也。”遂辞炎而归。是年十一月，羊祜病危，司马炎车驾亲临其家问安。炎至卧榻前，祜下泪曰：“臣万死不能报陛下也！”炎亦泣曰：“朕深恨不能用卿伐吴之策。今日谁可继卿之志？”祜含泪而言曰：“臣死矣，不敢不尽愚诚。右将军杜预可任，若伐吴，须当用之。”炎曰：“举善荐贤，乃美事也，卿何荐人于朝，即自焚奏稿，不令人知耶？”祜曰：“拜官公朝，谢恩私门，臣所不取也。”言讫而亡。炎大哭回宫，敕赠太傅、巨平侯。南州百姓闻羊祜死，罢市而哭，江南守边将士，亦皆哭泣。襄阳人思祜存日，常游于岘山，遂建庙立碑，四时祭之。往来人见其碑文者，无不流涕，故名为“堕泪碑”。后人有诗叹曰：

晓日登临感晋臣，古碑零落岘山春。松间残露频频滴，疑是当年堕泪人。

晋主以羊祜之言，拜杜预为镇南大将军都督荆州事。杜预为人，老成练达，好学不倦，最喜读左丘明《春秋传》，坐卧常自携，每出入必使人持《左传》于马前，时人谓之“左传癖”。及奉晋主之命，在襄阳抚民养兵，准备伐吴。

此时吴国丁奉、陆抗皆死，吴主皓每宴群臣，皆令沉醉，又置黄门郎十人为纠弹官。宴罢之后，各奏过失，有犯者或剥其面，或凿其眼，由是国人大惧。晋益州刺史王濬上疏请伐吴，其疏曰：

孙皓荒淫凶逆，宜速征伐。若一旦皓死，更立贤主，则强敌也。臣造船七年，日有朽败。臣年七十，死亡无日。三者一乖，则难图矣。愿陛下无失事机。

晋主览疏，遂与群臣议曰：“王公之论，与羊都督暗合。朕意决矣。”侍中王浑奏曰：“臣闻孙皓欲北上，军伍已皆整备，声势正盛，难与争锋。更迟一年以待其疲，方可成功。”晋主依其奏，乃降诏止兵莫动，退入后宫，与秘书丞张华围棋消遣。近臣奏边庭有表到。晋主开视之，乃杜预表也，表略云：

往者，羊祜不博谋于朝臣，而密与陛下计，故令朝臣多异同之议。凡事当以利害相校，度此举之利十有八九，而其害止于无功耳。自秋以来，讨贼之形颇露，今若中止，孙皓恐怖，徙都武昌，完修江南诸城，迁其居民，城不可攻，野无所掠，则明年之计亦无及矣。

晋主览表才罢，张华突然而起，推却棋枰，敛手奏曰：“陛下圣武，国富民强，吴主淫虐，民忧国敝。今若讨之，可不劳而定，愿勿以为疑。”晋主曰：“卿言洞见利害，朕复何疑。”即出升殿，命镇南大将军杜预为大都督，引兵十万出江陵；镇东大将军琅琊王司马出涂中，安东大将军王浑出横江，建威将军王戎出武昌，平南将军胡奋出夏口，各引兵五万，皆听预调用。又遣龙骧将军王濬、广武将军唐彬，浮江东下，水陆兵二十馀万，战船数万艘。又令冠军将军杨济出屯襄阳，节制诸路人马。

早有消息报入东吴。吴主皓大惊，急召丞相张悌、司徒何植、司空滕循，计议退兵之策。悌奏曰：“可令车骑将军伍延为都督，进兵江陵，迎敌杜预；骠骑将军孙歆进兵拒夏口等处军马。臣敢为军师，领左将军沈莹、右将军诸葛靓，引兵十万，出兵牛渚，接应诸路军马。”皓从之，遂令张悌引兵去了。皓退入后宫，不安忧色。幸臣中常侍岑昏问其故，皓曰：“晋兵大至，诸路已有兵迎之。争奈王濬率兵数万，战船齐奋，顺流而下，其锋甚锐，朕因此忧也。”昏曰：“臣有一计，令王濬之舟，皆为齑粉矣。”皓大喜，遂问其计。岑昏奏曰：“江南多铁，可打连环索百馀条，长数百丈，每环重二三十斤，于沿江紧要去处横截之。再造铁锥数万，长丈馀，置于水中。若晋船乘风而来，逢锥则破，岂能渡江也？”皓大喜，传令拨匠工于江边连夜造成铁索、铁锥，设立停当。

却说晋都督杜预，兵出江陵，令牙将周旨引水手八百人，乘小舟暗渡长江，夜袭乐乡，多立旌旗于山林之处，日则放炮擂鼓，夜则各处举火。旨领命，引众渡江，伏于巴山。次日，杜预领大军水陆并进。前哨报道：“吴主遣伍延出陆路，陆景出水路，孙歆为先锋，三路来迎。”杜预引兵前进，孙歆船早到。两兵初交，杜预便退。歆引兵上岸，迤逦追时，不到二十里，一声炮响，四面晋兵大至。吴兵急回，杜预乘势掩杀，吴兵死者不计其数。孙歆奔到城边，周旨八百军混杂于中，就城上举火。歆大惊曰：“北来诸军乃飞渡江也？”急欲退时，被周旨大喝一声，斩于马下。陆景在船上，望见江南岸上一片火起，巴山上风飘出一面大旗，上书：“晋镇南大将军杜预”。陆景大惊，欲上岸逃命，被晋将张尚马到斩之。伍延见各军皆败，乃弃城走，被伏兵捉住，缚见杜预。预曰：“留之无用！”叱令武士斩之。遂得江陵。于是沅、湘一带，直抵广州诸郡，守令皆望风赍印而降。预令人持节安抚，秋毫无犯。遂进兵攻武昌，武昌亦降。杜预军威大振，遂大会诸将，共议取建业之策。胡奋曰：“百年之寇，未可尽服。方今春水泛涨，难以久住。可俟来春，更为大举。”预曰：“昔乐毅济西一战而并强齐，今兵威大振，如破竹之势，数节之后，皆迎刃而解，无复有着手处也。”遂驰檄约会诸将，一齐进兵，攻取建业。

时龙骧将军王濬率水兵顺流而下。前哨报说：“吴人造铁索，沿江横截，又以铁锥置于水中为准备。”濬大笑，遂造大筏数十方，上缚草为人，披甲执杖，立于周围，顺水放下。吴兵见之，以为活人，望风先走。暗锥着筏，尽提而去。又于筏上作大炬，长十馀丈，大十馀围，以麻油灌之，但遇铁索，燃炬烧之，须臾皆断。两路从大江而来，所到之处，无不克胜。

却说东吴丞相张悌，令左将军沈莹、右将军诸葛靓，来迎晋兵。莹谓靓曰：“上流诸军不作提防，吾料晋军必至此，宜尽力以敌之。若幸得胜，江南自安。今渡江与战，不幸而败，则大事去矣。”靓曰：“公言是也。”言未毕，人报晋兵顺流而下，势不可当。二人大惊，慌来见张悌商议。靓谓悌曰：“东吴危矣，何不遁去？”悌垂泣曰：“吴之将亡，贤愚共知，今若君臣皆降，无一人死于国难，不亦辱乎！”诸葛靓亦垂泣而去。张悌与沈莹挥兵抵敌，晋兵一齐围之，周旨首先杀入吴营。张悌独奋力搏战，死于乱军之中。沈莹被周旨所杀，吴兵四散败走。后人有诗赞张悌曰：

杜预巴山见大旗，江东张悌死忠时。已拚王气南中尽，不忍偷生负所知。

却说晋兵克了牛渚，深入吴境。王濬遣人驰报捷音，晋主炎闻知大喜。贾充奏曰：“吾兵久劳于外，不服水土，必生疾病。宜召军还，再作后图。”张华曰：“今大兵已入其巢，吴人胆落，不出一月，孙皓必擒矣。若轻召还，前功尽废，诚可惜也。”晋主未及应，贾充叱华曰：“汝不省天时地利，欲妄邀功绩，困弊士卒，虽斩汝不足以谢天下！”炎曰：“此是朕意，华但与朕同耳，何必争辩！”忽报杜预驰表到。晋主视表，亦言宜急进兵之意。晋主遂不复疑，竟下征进之命。王濬等奉了晋主之命，水陆并进，风雷鼓动，吴人望旗而降。吴主皓闻之，大惊失色。诸臣告曰：“北兵日近，江南军民不战而降，将如之何？”皓曰：“何故不战？”众对曰：“今日之祸，皆岑昏之罪，请陛下诛之。臣等出城决一死战。”皓曰：“量一中贵，何能误国？”众大叫曰：“陛下岂不见蜀之黄皓乎！”遂不待吴主之命，一齐拥入宫中，碎割岑昏，生啖其肉。陶濬奏曰：“臣领战船皆小，愿得二万兵乘大船以战，自足破之。”皓从其言，遂拨御林诸军与陶濬上流迎敌。前将军张象，率水兵下江迎敌。二人部兵正行，不想西北风大起，吴兵旗帜，皆不能立，尽倒竖于舟中，兵卒不肯下船，四散奔走，只有张象数十军待敌。

却说晋将王濬，扬帆而行，过三山，舟师曰：“风波甚急，船不能行，且待风势少息行之。”濬大怒，拔剑叱之曰：“吾目下欲取石头城，何言住耶！”遂擂鼓大进。吴将张象引从军请降，濬曰：“若是真降，便为前部立功。”象回本船，直至石头城下，叫开城门，接入晋兵。孙皓闻晋兵已入城，欲自刎。中书令胡冲、光禄勋薛莹奏曰：“陛下何不效安乐公刘禅乎？”皓从之，亦舆榇自缚，率诸文武，诣王濬军前归降。濬释其缚，焚其榇，以王礼待之。唐人有诗叹曰：

西晋楼船下益州，金陵王气黯然收。千寻铁锁沉江底，一片降旗出石头。人世几回伤往事，山形依旧枕寒流。今逢四海为家日，故垒萧萧芦荻秋。

于是东吴四州，四十三郡，三百一十三县，户口五十二万三千，官吏三万二千，兵二十三万，男女老幼二百三十万，米谷二百八十万斛，舟船五千馀艘，后宫五千馀人，皆归大晋。大事已定，出榜安民，尽封府库仓廪。次日，陶濬兵不战自溃。琅琊王司马并王戎大兵皆至，见王濬成了大功，心中忻喜。次日，杜预亦至，大犒三军，开仓赈济吴民，于是吴民安堵。惟有建平太守吾彦，拒城不下，闻吴亡乃降。王濬上表报捷。朝廷闻吴已平，君臣皆贺，上寿。晋主执杯流涕曰：“此羊太傅之功也，惜其不亲见之耳！”骠骑将军孙秀退朝，向南而哭曰：“昔讨逆壮年，以一校尉创立基业，今孙皓举江南而弃之！‘悠悠苍天，此何人哉！’”

却说王濬班师，迁吴主皓赴洛阳面君，皓登殿稽首以见晋帝。帝赐坐曰：“朕设此座以待卿久矣。”皓对曰：“臣于南方，亦设此座以待陛下。”帝大笑。贾充问皓曰：“闻君在南方，每凿人眼目，剥人面皮，此何等刑耶？”皓曰：“人臣弑君及奸回不忠者，则加此刑耳。”充默然甚愧。帝封皓为归命侯，子孙封中郎，随降宰辅皆封列侯。丞相张悌阵亡，封其子孙。封王濬为辅国大将军。其馀各加封赏。

自此三国归于晋帝司马炎，为一统之基矣。此所谓“天下大势，合久必分，分久必合”者也。后来后汉皇帝刘禅亡于晋泰始七年，魏主曹奂亡于太安元年，吴主孙皓亡于太康四年，皆善终。后人有古风一篇，以叙其事曰：

高祖提剑入咸阳，炎炎红日升扶桑。光武龙兴成大统，金乌飞上天中央。哀哉献帝绍海宇，红轮西坠咸池傍！何进无谋中贵乱，凉州董卓居朝堂。王允定计诛逆党，李傕郭汜兴刀枪。四方盗贼如蚁聚，六合奸雄皆鹰扬。孙坚孙策起江左，袁绍袁术兴河梁。刘焉父子据巴蜀，刘表军旅屯荆襄。张燕张鲁霸南郑，马腾韩遂守西凉。陶谦张绣公孙瓒，各逞雄才占一方。曹操专权居相府，牢笼英俊用文武。威挟天子令诸侯，总领貔貅镇中土。楼桑玄德本皇孙，义结关张愿扶主。东西奔走恨无家，将寡兵微作羁旅。南阳三顾情何深，卧龙一见分寰宇。先取荆州后取川，霸业图王在天府。呜呼三载逝升遐，白帝托孤堪痛楚！孔明六出祁山前，愿以只手将天补。何期历数到此终，长星半夜落山坞！姜维独凭气力高，九伐中原空劬劳。钟会邓艾分兵进，汉室江山尽属曹。丕睿芳髦才及奂，司马又将天下交。受禅台前云雾起，石头城下无波涛。陈留归命与安乐，王侯公爵从根苗。纷纷世事无穷尽，天数茫茫不可逃。鼎足三分已成梦，后人凭吊空牢骚。

CHAPTER 120. Recommending Du Yu, An Old General Offers New Plans; Capturing Of Sun Hao, Three Kingdoms Becomes One.

When Sun Xiu, the Ruler of Wu, knew that the House of Wei had fallen before the Jins, he also knew that the usurper's next thought would be the conquest of his own land. The anxiety made him ill, so that he took to his bed and was like to die. He then summoned to his bedside his Prime Minister, Puyang Xing, and his heir, Sun Wan. But they two came almost too late. The dying Ruler, with his last effort, took the Minister by the hand, but could only point to his son. Then he died.

Puyang Xing left the couch and called a meeting of the officers, whereat he proposed to place the heir on his father's throne.

Then Wan Yu, Left Army Inspector, rose and said, “Prince Sun Wan is too youthful to rule in such troublous times. Let us confer the throne to Sun Hao, Lord of Wucheng.”

Zhang Bu, General of the Left Army, supported his election, saying, “Sun Hao is able and prompt in decision. He can handle the responsibilities of an emperor.”

However, Puyang Xing was doubtful and consulted the Empress Dowager.

“Settle this with the officials;” she replied, “I am a widow and know nothing of such matters.”

Finally Sun Hao won the day, and in the seventh month he was enthroned as Emperor of Wu, and the first year of his reign was Prosperous Beginning (AD 264). Sun Hao was the son of Sun He, a former Heir Apparent, and grandson of Sun Quan the Great Emperor. The excluded prince, Sun Wan, was consoled with the title of Prince of Yuzhang. Posthumous rank was given to his late father, Sun He the Scholar Emperor, and his mother, Lady He, the Scholar Empress. The Veteran Leader Ding Feng was made Commander of the Right and Left Armies.

However, the year-style was changed to Sweet Dew the very next year. The new ruler soon proved himself cruel and oppressive and day by day grew more so. Sun Hao indulged in every form of vice and chose Eunuch Cen Hun as his confidant and favorite. When Prime Minister Puyang Xing and General Zhang Bu ventured upon remonstrance, both, with all their family, were put to death. Thereafter none dared to speak; the mouth of every courtier was “sewn up.”

Another year-style, Treasured Paramount, was adopted the next year(266), and the responsibility of the Prime Minister's office was shared by two officers, Lu Kai the Left and Wan Yu the Right.

At this time the imperial residence was in Wuchang. The people of Yangzhou shouldered heavy tribute and suffered exceedingly. There was no limit to the Ruler's extravagance; the treasury was swept clean and the income of the royal domain exhausted.

At length Lu Kai, Left Prime Minister, ventured a memorial, saying:

“No natural calamity has fallen upon the people, yet they starve; no public work is in progress, yet the treasury is empty. I am distressed. The country under the Hans has fallen apart and three states have arisen therefrom. Those ruled by the Caos and the Lius, as the result of their own folly, have been lost in Jin. Foolish I may be, but I would protect the state for Your Majesty against the evils we have seen in the other divisions. This city of Wuchang is not safe as a royal residence. There is a rhyme concerning it, the gist of which is that it is better to drink the water of Jianye than eat the fish of Wuchang, better to die in Jianye than to live in Wuchang. This shows the regard of the people as well as the will of Heaven. Now the public storehouses are nearly empty; they contain insufficient for a year's use. The officers of all grades vex and distress the people and none pity them.

“In former times the palace women numbered less than a hundred; for years past they have exceeded a thousand. This is an extravagant waste of treasure. The courtiers render no disinterested service, but are split into cliques and cabals. The honest are injured and the good driven away. All these things undermine the state and weaken the people. I beg Your Majesty to reduce the number of officers and remove grievances, to dismiss the palace women and select honest officers, to the joy of the people and the tranquillity of the state.”

But the Ruler of Wu was displeased, and showed his contempt for the minister's remonstrance by beginning to collect material for the building of a new palace complex to be called the Reflected Light Palace. He even made the officers of the court go into the forest to fell trees for the work.

The Ruler of Wu called in the soothsayer Shang Guang and bade him take the cast and inquire as to the attainment of empire.

Shang Guang cast a lot and replied, “All is propitious, and in the year of the 'mouse' your blue umbrella will enter Luoyang.”

And Sun Hao was pleased.

He said to Minister Hua Jiao, “The former rulers listened to your words and sent generals to various points and placed defensive camps along the rivers. And over all these was set Ding Feng. Now my desire is to conquer Han and avenge the wrongs of my brother, the Ruler of Shu. What place should be first conquered?”

Hua Jiao replied, “Now that Chengdu has fallen and the Throne there been overturned, Sima Yan will assuredly desire to absorb this land. Your Majesty should display virtue and restore confidence to your people. That would be the best plan. If you engage in war, it will be like throwing on hemp to put out a fire; the hemp only adds to the blaze. This is worthy of careful consideration.”

But Sun Hao grew angry and said, “I desire to take this opportunity to return to my real heritage. Why do you employ this ill-omened language? Were it not for your long service, now would I slay you and expose your head as a warning.”

He bade the lictors hustle Minister Hua Jiao from his presence, and Hua Jiao left the court.

“It is pitiful,” said Hua Jiao. “Ere long our silky, beautiful country will pass to another.”

So he retired. And the Ruler of Wu ordered Lu Kang, General Who Guards the East, to camp his army at Jiangkou in order to attack Xiangyang.

Spies reported this in Luoyang, and it was told the Ruler of Jin. When Sima Yan heard that the army of Wu threatened to invade Xiangyang, he called a council.

Jia Chong stood forth, saying, “I hear the government of Wu, under its present ruler, Sun Hao, is devoid of virtue and the Ruler of Wu has turned aside out of the road. Your Majesty should send Commander Yang Hu to oppose this army; and when internal trouble shall arise, let him attack, and victory will then be easy.”

The Ruler of Jin issued an edict ordering Yang Hu to prepare, and so he mustered his troops and set himself to guard the county.

Yang Hu became very popular in Xiangyang. Any of the soldiers of Wu who desired to desert to the other side were allowed to come over. He employed only the fewest possible troops on patrol duty. Instead he set his soldiers to till the soil, and they cultivated an extensive area, whereby the hundred days supplies with which they set out were soon increased to enough for ten years.

Yang Hu maintained great simplicity, wearing the lightest of garments and no armor. His personal escort and servants numbered only about a twenty.

One day his officers came to his tent to say that the spies reported great laxity in the enemy's camp, and they wished to attack.

But Yang Hu replied, “You must not despise Lu Kang, for he is able and crafty. Formerly his master sent him to attack Xiling, and he slew Bu Chan and many of his generals, before I could save that city. So long as Lu Kang remains in command, I shall remain on the defensive. I shall not attack till there be trouble and confusion among our enemies. To be rash and not await the proper moment to attack is to invite defeat.”

They found him wise and said no more. They only kept the boundaries.

One day Yang Hu and his officers went out to hunt, and it happened that Lu Kang had chosen the same day to hunt. Yang Hu gave strict orders not to cross the boundary, and so each hunted only on his own side.

Lu Kang was astonished at the enemy's scrupulous propriety.

He sighed, “The soldiers of Yang Hu have so high a discipline that I may not make any invasion now.”

In the evening, after both parties had returned, Yang Hu ordered an inspection of the slaughtered game and sent over to the other side any that seemed to have been first struck by the soldiers of Wu.

Lu Kang was greatly pleased and sent for the bearers of the game.

“Does your leader drink wine?” asked he.

They replied, “Only fine wines does he drink.”

“I have some very old wine,” replied Lu Kang, smiling, “and I will give of it to you to bear to your general as a gift. It is the wine I myself brew and drink on ceremonial occasions, and he shall have half in return for today's courtesy.”

They took the wine and left.

“Why do you give him wine?” asked Lu Kang's officers.

“Because he has shown kindness, and I must return courtesy for courtesy.”

When the gift of wine arrived and the bearers told Yang Hu the story of their reception, he laughed.

“So he knows I can drink,” said Yang Hu.

He had the jar opened, and the wine was poured out. One of his generals, Chen Yuan, begged him to drink moderately lest there should be some harm come of it.

“Lu Kang is no poisoner,” replied Yang Hu.

And he drank. The friendly intercourse thus begun continued, and messengers frequently passed from one camp to the other.

One day the messengers said that Lu Kang was unwell and had been ailing for several days.

“I think he suffers from the same complaint as I,” said Yang Hu. “I have some remedies ready prepared and will send him some.”

The drugs were taken over to the Wu camp.

But the sick man's officers were suspicious and said, “This medicine is surely harmful; it comes from the enemy.”

Lu Kang cried, “What! Think you that old Uncle Yang Hu would poison a person? Do not doubt.”

He drank the decoction. Next day he was much better; and when his staff came to congratulate him, he said, “If our opponents take their stand upon virtue and we take ours upon violence, they will drag us after them without fighting. See to it that the boundaries be well kept and that we seek not to gain any unfair advantage.”

Soon after came a special envoy from the Ruler of Wu to urge upon Lu Kang prompt activity.

“Our Emperor sends orders for you to press forward,” said the envoy. “You are not to await a Jin invasion.”

“You may return and I will send up a memorial,” replied Lu Kang.

So a memorial was written and soon followed the envoy to Jianye. When the Ruler of Wu, Sun Hao, read it, he found therein many arguments against attacking Jin and exhortations to exercise a virtuous rule instead of engaging in hostilities. It angered him.

“They say Lu Kang has come to an understanding with the enemy, and now I believe it,” said the Ruler of Wu.

Thereupon he deprived Lu Kang of his command and took away his commission and degraded him into Marching General. Sun Ji, General of the Left Army, was sent to supersede Lu Kang. And none dared to intervene.

Sun Hao became still more arbitrary and of his own will changed the year-style once more to the Phoenix (AD 269). Day by day his life became more wanton and vicious. The soldiers in every camp murmured with anger and resentment, and at last three high officers—Prime Minister Wan Yu, General Liu Ping, and Minister of Agriculture Lou Xuan—boldly and earnestly remonstrated with the Emperor for his many irregularities. They suffered death. Within ten years more than forty ministers were put to death for doing their duty.

Sun Hao maintained an extravagantly large guard of fifty thousand heavy cavalry, and these soldiers were the terror of everyone.

Now when Yang Hu, on the Jin side of the frontier, heard that his opponent Lu Kang had been removed from his command and that the conduct of the Ruler of Wu had become wholly unreasonable, he knew that the time was near for him to conquer Wu. Wherefore he presented a memorial:

“Although fate is superior to human, yet success depends upon human effort. Now as the geographic difficulties of the South Land are not as those of the Lands of Rivers, while the ferocity of Sun Hao exceeds that of Liu Shan, the misery of the people of Wu exceeds that of the dwellers in Shu. Our armies are stronger than ever before, and if we miss this opportunity to bring the whole land under one rule, but continue to weary our army with continual watching and cause the world to groan under the burden of militarism, then our efficiency will decline and we shall not endure.”

When Sima Yan read this, he gave orders for the army to move. But three officers—Jia Chong, Xun Xu, and Feng Dan—opposed it, and the orders were withdrawn.

Yang Hu was disappointed and said, “What a pity it is that of ten affairs in the world, one always meets with eight or nine vexations!”

In the fourth year of Universal Tranquillity, in Jin calendar (AD 278), Yang Hu went to court and asked leave to retire on account of ill health.

Before granting him leave to go, Sima Yan asked, “Do you have plans to propose to settle the state?”

Yang Hu replied, “Sun Hao is a very cruel ruler and could be conquered without fighting. If he were to die and a wise successor sat upon his throne, Your Majesty would never be able to gain possession of Wu.”

“Suppose your army attacked now; what then?” asked the Ruler of Jin.

“I am now too old and too ill for the task,” replied Yang Hu. “Some other bold and capable leader must be found.”

Yang Hu left the court and retired to his home. Toward the end of the year he was nigh unto death, and the Ruler of Jin went to visit him. The sight of his master at his bedside brought tears to the eyes of the faithful old leader.

“If I died a myriad times, I could never requite Your Majesty,” said Yang Hu.

Sima Yan also wept, saying, “My great grief is that I could not take advantage of your abilities to attack Wu. Who now is there to carry out your design?”

Hesitatingly the sick man replied, “I am dying and must be wholly sincere. General Du Yu is equal to the task, and is the one man to attack Wu.”

Sima Yan said, “How beautiful it is to bring good people into prominence! But why did you write a memorial recommending certain people and then burn the draft so that no one knew?”

The dying man answered, “I bowed before the officials in open court, but I did not beseech the kindness of the private attendants.”

So Yang Hu died, and Sima Yan wailed for him and then returned to his palace. He conferred on the dead leader the posthumous rank of Imperial Guardian and Lord of Juping. The traders closed their shops out of respect to his memory, and all the frontier camps were filled with wailing. The people of Xiangyang, recalling that he loved to wander on the Xian Hills, built there a temple to him and set up a stone and sacrificed regularly at the four seasons. The passers-by were moved to tears when they read Yang Hu's name on the tablet, so that it came to be called “The Stone of Tears.”

I saw the fragments of a shattered stone

One spring time on the hillside, when, alone,

I walked to greet the sun. The pines distilled

Big drops of dew unceasing; sadness filled

My heart. I knew this was the Stone of Tears,

The stone of memory of long-past years.

On the strength of Yang Hu's recommendation, Du Yu was placed over Jingzhou, and the title of General Who Guards the South was conferred upon him. He was a man of great experience, untiring in study and devoted to the Zuo Volume, the book of commentaries composed by Zuo Qiuming upon the Spring and Autumn Annals. In hours of leisure, a copy of Zuo Volume was never out of his hand; and when he went abroad, an attendant rode in front with the beloved book. He was said to be “Zuo mad.”

Du Yu went to Xiangyang and began by being kind to the people and caring for his soldiers. By this time Wu had lost by death both Ding Feng and Lu Kang.

The conduct of the Ruler of Wu waxed worse and worse. He used to give great banquets whereat intoxication was universal. He appointed Rectors of Feasts to observe all the faults committed by guests, and after these banquets all offenders were punished, some by flaying the face, others by gouging out the eyes. Every one went in terror of these Rectors.

Wang Jun, Imperial Protector of Yiazhou, sent in a memorial advising an attack upon Wu. He said:

“Sun Hao is steeped in vice and should be attacked at once. Should he die and be succeeded by a good ruler, we might meet with serious opposition. The ships I built seven years ago lie idle and rotting; we can use them. I am seventy years of age and must soon die. If any one three events happen—the death of Sun Hao, the destruction of these ships, or my death—then success will be difficult to ensure. I pray Your Majesty not to miss the tide.”

At the next assembly of officers Sima Yan said to them, “I have decided to act; I have received similar advice from Yang Hu and Wang Jun.”

At this arose Minister Wang Hun and said, “I hear Sun Hao intends to march north to the Middle Land and has his army ready. Report says it is formidable and would be hard to defeat. I counsel to await another year till that army has lost its first vigor.”

A command to cease warlike preparations was the result of this counsel. The Ruler of Jin betook himself to his private chamber where he engaged in a game of chess with Zhang Hua as opponent. While at the game, another memorial arrived; it was from Du Yu. It read:

“Formerly Yang Hu explained his plans confidentially to Your Majesty, but did not lay them before the court. The result has been much debate and conflict of opinion. In every project there are pros and cons, but in this the arguments are mostly in favor. The worst that can happen is failure. Since last autumn the proposed attack has become generally known, and, if we stop now, Sun Hao will be frightened and remove the capital to Wuchang, repair his fortifications in the South Land and move his threatened people out of danger. Then the capital cannot be assaulted, nor is there anything left in the countryside to rob. Hence next year's attack will also fail.”

Just as the Ruler of Jin finished reading, Zhang Hua pushed aside the board, rose and drew his hands into his sleeves, saying, “Your Majesty's skill in war is almost divine, your state is prosperous, and the army strong; the Ruler of Wu is a tyrant, his people are miserable, and his country mean. Now you can easily conquer him, and I pray that there be no further hesitation.”

“How could I hesitate after your discourse?” said Sima Yan.

Thereupon he returned to the council chamber and issued his commands. Du Yu was made Commander-in-Chief and, with one hundred thousand troops, was to attack Jiangling; Sima Zhou, Prince of Langye and General Who Guards the East, was to attack Tuzhong; Wang Hun, General Who Conquers the East, to go up against Hengjiang; Wang Rong, General Who Exhibits Prowess, to move against Wuchang; Hu Fen, General Who Pacifies the South, to attack Xiakou. And all divisions, fifty thousand troops each, were under the orders of Du Yu. In addition to the land forces, two large fleets were to operate on the river under Wang Jun, General Who Shows Dragon Courage, and Tang Bin, General Who Possesses Martial Bravery. Marines and lands troops amounted to more than two hundred thousand. A separate force under Yang Ji, General Who Holds the South, was sent away to Xiangyang to coordinate all forces.

The Ruler of Wu was greatly alarmed at the news of such armies and fleets, and he called to him quickly his Prime Minister Zhang Ti, Minister of the Interior He Zhi, and Minister of Works Teng Xun, to consult how to defend his land.

Zhang Ti proposed: “Send Commander of the Flying Cavalry Wu Yan to meet the enemy at Jiangling; Commander of the Flying Cavalry Sun Xin to Xiakou; I volunteer to take command of a camp at Niuzhu, together with the General of the Left Shen Rong and General of the Right Zhuge Xing, ready to lend help at any point.”

The Ruler of Wu approved his dispositions and felt satisfied that he was safe by land. But in the privacy of his own apartment he felt miserable, for he realized that no preparations had been made against an attack by water under the Wei leader Wang Jun.

Then the favorite eunuch Cen Hun asked the Emperor why he bore a sad countenance, and Sun Hao told him of his dread of the enemy navy.

“The armies of Jin are coming, and I have deployed troops for general defense. Only the water front, by which Wang Jun and his several thousand battleships sail east along the tide, makes me feel so worried.”

“But I have a scheme that will smash all Wang Jun's ships,” cried Cen Hun.

“What is it?” asked the Ruler of Wu, pleased to hear this.

“Iron is plentiful. Make great chains with heavy links and stretch them across the river at various points. Also forge many massive hammers and arrange them in the stream, so that when the enemy's ships sail down before the wind, they will collide with the hammers and be wrecked. Then they will sail no more.”

Blacksmiths were soon at work on the river bank welding the links and forging the hammers. Work went on day and night, and soon all were in place.

As has been said Du Yu was to attack Jiangling, and he sent General Zhou Zhi with eight hundred sailors to sail secretly along the Great River to capture Yuexiang. There they were to make an ambush in the Bashan Mountains and a great show of flags along the bank and among the trees. Drums were to be beaten and bombs exploded during the day and many fires lighted at night to give the appearance of a great army.

So Zhou Zhi sailed to the Bashan Mountains.

Next day Du Yu directed the army and the marine forces in a simultaneous advance. But the navy of Wu, under Sun Xin, came up, and at the first encounter Du Yu's army retired. Sun Xin landed his marines and pursued. But in the midst of the pursuit a signal bomb sounded, and Sun Xin was attacked on all sides by the Jin troops. He tried to retire, but the army he had been pursuing, Du Yu's force, turned back too and joined in the attack. Wu's losses were very heavy, and Sun Xin hastened back to the city. But the eight hundred Jin soldiers of Zhou Zhi mingled with the Wu army at the ramparts and so entered the gates. The Jin soldiers raised signal fires on the walls.

This maneuver amazed Sun Xin, and he said, “The northern troops had surely flown across the river into the city.”

Sun Xin made an effort to escape, but the leader of Jin, Zhou Zhi, unexpectedly appeared and slew him.

A fleet of the ships of Wu had accompanied Sun Xin. The Admiral Lu Jing, saw on the south shore, in the Bashan Mountains, a great standard bearing the name of Jin Commander Du Yu. Lu Jing became alarmed and landed to try to escape, but the Jin General Zhang Shang soon found and slew him.

At his position at Jiangling, Wu Yan heard of these defeats and knew his position was untenable, so he fled. However, he was soon captured and led into the presence of the victorious general.

“No use sparing you,” said Du Yu, and he sentenced the prisoner to death.

Thus Jiangling was captured and all the counties along the River Xiang and River Yuan as far as Huangzhou, which surrendered at the first summons.

Du Yu sent out officers to soothe the people of the conquered counties, and they suffered nothing from the soldiery. Next he marched toward Wuchang, and that city also yielded. So the glory of Du Yu became very great. He then summoned his officers to a council to decide upon attacking Jianye.

Hu Fen said, “A whole century's rebellion will not be reduced completely. The time of the spring rise of waters is near and our position is precarious. We should do well to await the coming spring.”

Du Yu replied, “In the days of old, Yue Yi overcame the powerful state Qi in one battle in Jixi. Our prestige is now high and success certain, easy as the splitting of a bamboo, which seems to welcome the knife after the first few joints have been overcome. We shall meet no great opposition.”

So Du Yu gave orders to the various leaders to move in concert against the city of Jianye.

Now the Jin leader Wang Jun had gone down the river with his naval force. From his scouts he heard of the iron chains and the hammers that had been laid in the river to hinder his progress. But he only laughed. He constructed great rafts of timber and placed on them straw effigies of soldiers in armors and sent them down river with the current. The defenders of Wu took them for real troops and, alarmed by their numbers, fled in panic. Then the great hammers and chains were dragged away as the rafts drifted on. Moreover, on the rafts they laid great torches many fathoms long, and very thick, made of straw soaked in linseed oil. When the raft was checked by a chain, the torches were lighted and the chains exposed to the heat till they melted and broke asunder. Thus the rafts went down stream conquering wherever they came.

Then the Prime Minister of Wu, Zhang Ti, sent two generals, Shen Rong and Zhuge Xing, to try to check the advance of the armies.

Shen Rong said to his colleague, “The forces above have failed to stop the enemy, and the enemy will surely come here. We shall have to put forth all our strength. If haply we can succeed, the safety of our South Land is assured. But suppose we fight and lose the battle, then is our country lost.”

“Sir, you only say what is too true,” said Zhuge Xing.

Just as they talked of these matters came reports of the approach of their enemies in irresistible force. The two leaders were seized with panic and went back to see the Prime Minister.

“Our country is lost,” cried Zhuge Xing. “Why not run?”

“We all know that the land is doomed;” replied Zhang Ti, “but if we make no defense, and no one dies for his country, shall we not be shamed?”

Zhuge Xing left, weeping; and Zhang Ti went with Shen Rong to the army. The invaders soon arrived, and the Jin General Zhou Zhi was the first to break into the camp. Zhang Ti resisted stubbornly, but was soon slain in a melee, and Shen Rong was killed by Zhou Zhi. The army of Wu was defeated and scattered.

Jin's army banners waved on Bashan Mountains

And trusty Zhang Ti in Jiangling fighting died;

He accepted not that the kingly grace was spent,

He rather chose to die than shame his side.

The armies of Jin conquered at Niuzhu and penetrated deeply into the country of Wu. From his camp Wang Jun sent a report of his victory to Luoyang, and Sima Yan was pleased.

But Jia Chong again opposed further fighting, saying, “The armies have been long absent, and the soldiers will suffer from the unhealthiness of the southern country. It would be well to call them home.”

Zhang Hua spoke against this course, saying, “The Jin army has reached the very home and center of the enemy. Soon Wu courage will fail, and the Ruler of Wu himself will be our prisoner. To recall the army now would be to waste the efforts already made.”

The Ruler of Jin inclined to neither side.

Jia Chong turned upon Zhang Hua savagely, saying, “You are wholly ignorant and understand nothing; you are bent upon winning some sort of glory at the expense of our soldiers' lives. Death would be too good for you.”

“Why wrangle?” said Sima Yan. “Zhang Hua agrees with me, and he knows my wishes.”

Just at this moment came a memorial from the leader Du Yu also recommending advance, whereupon the Ruler of Jin decided that the army should go on.

The royal mandate duly reached the camp of Wang Jun, and the Jin navy went out to the attack in great pomp. The soldiers of Wu made no defense, but surrendered at once.

When Sun Hao, the Ruler of Wu, heard his armies had surrendered thus, he turned pale, and his courtiers said, “What is to be done? Here the northern army comes nearer every day and our troops just give in.”

“But why do they not fight?” said Sun Hao.

The courtiers replied, “The one evil of today is the eunuch Cen Hun. Slay him, and we ourselves will go out and fight to the death.”

“How can a eunuch harm a state?” cried Sun Hao.

“Have we not seen what Huang Hao did in Shu?” shouted the courtiers in chorus.

Moved by sudden fury, the courtiers rushed into the Palace, found the wretched object of their hate and slew him, and even feeding on his palpitating flesh.

Then Tao Jun said, “All my ships are small, but give me large vessels and I will place thereon twenty thousand marines and go forth to fight. I can defeat the enemy.”

His request was granted, and the royal guards were sent up the river to join battle, while another naval force went down stream, led by Leader of the Van Zhang Xiang. But a heavy gale came on. The flags were blown down and lay over in the ships, and the marines would not embark. They scattered leaving their leader with only a few score men.

Wang Jun, the leader of Jin, set sail and went down the river. After passing Three Mountains, the sailing master of his ship said the gale was too strong for him to go on. He wished to anchor till the storm had moderated.

But Wang Jun would not listen. Drawing his sword, he said, “I wish to capture Shidou, and will not hear of anchoring.”

So he compelled the sailing master to continue. On the way Zhang Xiang, one of the leaders of Wu, came to offer surrender.

“If you are in earnest, you will lead the way and help me,” said Wang Jun.

Zhang Xiang consented, returned to his own ship, and led the squadron. When he reached the walls of Shidou, he called to the defenders to open the gates and allow the Jin army to enter. The gates were opened.

When the Ruler of Wu heard that his enemies had actually entered the city, he wished to put an end to his life, but his officers prevented this.

Secretary Hu Zhong and Minister Xue Rong said, “Your Majesty, why not imitate the conduct of Liu Shan of Shu, now Duke of Anle?”

So Sun Hao no longer thought of death, but went to offer submission. He bound himself and took a coffin with him. His officers followed him. He was graciously received, and the Jin General Wang Jun himself loosened the bonds, and the coffin was burned. The vanquished Ruler was treated with the ceremony due to a prince.

A poet of the Tang Dynasty wrote a few lines on this surrender:

Adown the stream ride storied warships tall;

With massive chains some seek to stop their way.

But Jiangling's independence fades away

And soon “We yield” is signaled from the wall.

Full oft I think of bygone days and sigh,

Along the stream, unmoved, the old hills rest,

While I am homeless on the earth's broad breast,

Where grim old forts stand gray beneath the sky.

So Wu was subdued and ceased to exist as a state; its 4 regions, 43 counties, 313 districts, 5,230,000 families, 32,000 civil officers, 230,000 soldiers and military officers, 23,000,000 inhabitants, its stores of grain and over five thousand large ships, all fell booty to the victorious Jin Dynasty. In the women's quarters of the palace were found more than five thousand persons.

Proclamations were issued; treasuries and storehouses were sealed. Tao Jun's army soon melted away without striking a blow. Wang Jun was greatly elated at his success. Sima Zhou, Prince of Langye, and General Wang Rong also arrived and congratulated each other.

When Du Yu, the Commander-in-Chief, arrived, there were great feastings and rewards for the soldiers. The granaries were opened and doles of grain issued to the people, so that they also were glad of peace.

One city only stood out; Jianping, under Governor Wu Yan. However, he too surrendered when he heard the capital had fallen.

The tidings of all these successes reached Luoyang just at the celebration of the birthday of the Ruler of Jin, and the rejoicings and congratulations were redoubled. At one of the banquets the Ruler of Jin did honor to the memory of the late Yang Hu.

Raising his wine cup, and in a voice broken by emotion, he said, “Today's success is the merit of the Imperial Guardian. I regret that he is not here to share our rejoicings.”

Sun Xiu, General of the Flying Cavalry in Wu, went away from the court and wailed, facing the south.

“Alas, ye blue heavens! What manner of man is this Sun Hao to yield thus the heritage of his family, won by the sword of General Sun Jian the Martially Glorious in the brave days that are past?”

Meantime the victors marched homeward, and Sun Hao went to Luoyang to present himself at court; and in his capacity of minister, he prostrated himself at the feet of the Emperor of the Jin Dynasty in the Hall of Audience. He was allowed a seat.

“I set that seat for you long since,” said the Ruler of Jin.

“Thy servant also set a seat for Your Majesty in the south,” retorted Sun Hao.

The Ruler of Jin laughed loudly.

Then Jia Chong turned to Sun Hao and said, “I hear, Sir, that when you were in the south, they gouged out people's eyes and flayed their faces; what crimes were so punished?”

“Murders of princes and malicious speech and disloyal conduct were so punished.”

Jia Chong was silenced, for he was ashamed.

Sun Hao was created Lord of Guiming. His sons and grandsons received minor ranks and other grades were conferred upon his ministers who had followed him in his surrender. The sons and grandsons of the late Prime Minister of Wu, Zhang Ti, who had perished in battle, were given ranks. The victorious leader, Wang Jun, was rewarded with the title General Who Upholds the State. And many other ranks were conferred to the

Jin officers.

The three states became one empire under the rule of Sima Yan of the Jin Dynasty. That is domains under heaven, after a long period of union, tends to divide; after a long period of division, tends to unite.

Liu Shan, the Emperor of Shu-Han, passed away in the seventh year of Great Beginning, in Jin calendar (AD 271); Cao Huang, the Emperor of Wei, passed away in the first year of Magnificent Peace (AD 302); and Sun Hao, the Emperor of Wu, passed away in the fourth year of Prosperous Peace (AD 283); all three died of natural causes.

A poet has summed up the history of these stirring years in a poem:

It was the dawning of a glorious day

When first the Founder of the House of Han

Xianyang's proud palace entered. Noontide came

When Liu Xiu the imperial rule restored.

Alas, that Liu Xian succeeded in full time

And saw the setting of the sun of power!

He Jin, the feeble, fell beneath the blows

Of palace minions. Dong Zhuo, vile though bold,

Then ruled the court. The plot Wang Yun

To oust him, failed, recoiled on his own head.

The Li Jue and Guo Si lit up the flame of war

And brigands swarmed like ants through all the land.

Then rose the valiant and deployed their might.

Sun Ce carved out a kingdom in the southeast,

North of Yellow River the Yuans strove to make their own.

Liu Zhang went west and seized on Pa and Shu,

Liu Biao laid hold on Jingzhou,

Zhang Lu, in turn held Hanzhong by force.

Ma Teng and Han Sui kept Xizhou.

Tao Qian and Gongsun Zan built up quarters,

Zhang Xiu and Lu Bu challenged the bold.

But overtopping all Cao Cao the strong

Became first minister, and to his side,

Drew many able people. He swayed the court,

Without, he held the nobles in his hand;

By force of arms he held the capital

Against all rivals. Of imperial stock

Was born Liu Bei, who with sworn brothers twain

Made oath the dynasty should be restored.

These wandered homeless east and west for years,

A petty force. But Destiny was kind

And led Liu Bei to Nanyang's rustic cot,

Where lay Reposing-Dragon, he who

Already that the empire must be rent.

Twice Liu Bei essayed in vain to see the sage

Once more he went? And then his fortune turned.

Jingzhou fell to him, followed the Lands of Rivers,

A fitting base to build an empire on.

Alas! He ruled there only three short years,

Then left his only son to Zhuge Liang's care.

Full nobly Zhuge Liang played protector's part,

Unceasing strove to win first place for Shu;

But Fate forbade; one night for aye his star

Went down behind the rampart of the hills.

Jiang Wei the strong inherited his task

And struggled on for years.

But Zhong Hui and Deng Ai

Attacked the Hans' last stronghold, and it fell.

Five sons of Cao Cao sat on the dragon throne,

And Sima Yan snatched the court from Cao Huang.

Before him bowed the kings of Shu and Wu,

Content to forfeit kingly power for life.

All down the ages rings the note of change,

For fate so rules it; none escapes its sway.

The three kingdoms have vanished as a dream,

The useless misery is ours to grieve.

THE END