Arc 21The Fall of Shu
Cao Mao led Wei to conquer Shu, then absorbed its officials and dealt with Deng Ai’s unauthorized actions. As Wei prepared for war with Wu, Liu Shan settled into his new life in Luoyang and Cao Mao continued reshaping the realm.
- Cao Mao launched a personal campaign against Shu as Deng Ai and other Wei commanders attacked from multiple fronts, while Jiang Wei gathered Qiang and Hu troops.
- Wei forces captured Hanzhong and broke Shu’s defenses, and Deng Ai bypassed Jiange through the mountains to reach Chengdu.
- Zhuge Zhan’s army was defeated, and Liu Shan surrendered Chengdu to Deng Ai despite Liu Chen’s plea to resist.
- Jiang Wei surrendered to Zhong Hui but secretly hoped to rescue Liu Shan, then refused Cao Mao’s offer of service and died after drinking poisoned wine.
- Cao Mao spared Deng Ai but stripped him of office and rank for making appointments and acting without imperial authority.
- Cao Mao welcomed Liu Shan and Shu’s ministers, assigned them titles and positions, and began reorganizing Shu’s territory and administration.
- Wei forces attacked Wu’s Jingnan region as Sun Xiu considered Lu Kang’s warnings, while Cao Mao returned to Luoyang and learned Sima Zhao had killed himself.
- Cao Mao rewarded the generals who conquered Shu, allowed Liu Shan to return to his fief, and asked Zhang Yi to choose whether to serve Wei.