Chapter Summaries

Cao Mao grew alarmed by Deng Ai’s slaughter of the rebels and ordered him stopped, while suspecting the campaign might be designed to lure Zhong Hui and trap Jiang Wei’s army. After welcoming Cao Zhi and hearing Cao Yan’s account of crimes in Jibei, Cao Mao vowed to punish those responsible.

• Cao Mao judged that Deng Ai had gone beyond defeating the rebels and was killing them, so he sent an Attendant to stop him and reconsidered Deng Ai’s fitness for supreme command.
• Zhang Hua reported that the General Who Pacifies the North had sought to change Wang Rong’s exile to Youzhou and had approached Zhuge Dan, prompting Cao Mao to order that he be recalled to Luoyang.
• Cao Mao suspected Deng Ai was driving the rebels into Liangzhou to lure Zhong Hui and possibly encircle Jiang Wei’s army.
• Guo Ze, Cao Yan, Hu Lie, Cao Zhi, and the others returned to Luoyang, where Cao Mao welcomed them and comforted Cao Zhi, the Prince of Jibei.
• Cao Yan described Gongsha Hong and Liu Jie’s actions, along with the Public Fields Case and the King-Killing Case, and Cao Mao angrily condemned the crimes.

Cao Mao discussed how to counter the Great Clans’ land annexations with Zhong Hui, who proposed rewarding them with southern lands after unification. Zhong Hui then revealed Deng Ai’s plan to exploit Jiang Wei’s advance into Liangzhou, and Cao Mao decided to lead the campaign against Shu in person.

• Cao Mao heard Guo Ze confirm the account of Gongsha Hong’s land encroachment and asked Zhong Hui how to address the Great Clans behind it.
• Zhong Hui argued that punishing individual offenders would not solve the problem and proposed granting southern lands to the Great Clans after Shu and Wu were conquered.
• Cao Mao dismissed Guo Ze and asked Zhong Hui about Deng Ai’s movements against Shu.
• Zhong Hui mapped out how Deng Ai could exploit Jiang Wei’s advance into Liangzhou to attack Hanzhong and break Shu’s defenses.
• Cao Mao agreed to take Zhong Hui with him and announced that he would lead the campaign against the Shu Rebels in person.

Jiang Wei led a Shu army into Liangzhou to recruit Qiang and Hu tribes, while Deng Ai prepared a counteroffensive that would target Hanzhong rather than pursue Jiang Wei. Chen Qian recognized that Deng Ai’s plan could lead to the destruction of Shu.

• Jiang Wei and Hu Ji divided their forces, with Jiang Wei advancing toward Lintao to recruit local tribes and Hu Ji moving northeast to block Wei reinforcements.
• Jiang Wei welcomed scattered Qiang survivors, sent mounted messengers to rally tribes across Liangzhou, and continued toward Lintao as Sima Wang prepared its defenses.
• Pang Hui questioned Deng Ai’s refusal to send reinforcements against Jiang Wei, but Deng Ai waited for Chen Qian to arrive.
• Chen Qian studied the map and proposed trapping Jiang Wei in Liangzhou by attacking Tazhong and Wujie, then striking him with the Central Army.
• Deng Ai told Chen Qian that he and Zhuge Xu would attack Tazhong and Wujie while Chen Qian attacked Hanzhong, revealing a plan that could threaten Chengdu and destroy Shu.

Cao Mao won the ministers’ support for a campaign against Shu and personally led Wei’s army toward Chang’an. As Jiang Wei gathered Hu allies in Liangzhou, Tufa Shujineng overthrew his grandfather and took the Tufa Tribe to surrender to Wei.

• Cao Mao called a Court Assembly, where Zhong Hui urged war against Shu and the ministers backed the campaign.
• Cao Mao ordered grain and troops mobilized, appointed Zhong Hui as General of the Army Advisor, and announced that he would lead the campaign in person.
• Cao Mao and the Central Army set out for Chang’an while other Wei forces prepared to guard against Wu and support the war.
• Jiang Wei welcomed Qiang and Hu groups into his forces, and Tufa Shoutian decided to join him despite Tufa Shujineng’s objections.
• After Tufa Shoutian imprisoned him, Tufa Shujineng launched a mutiny, seized control of the tribe, and led it to surrender to Wei.

Jiang Wei’s forces were outmaneuvered as Deng Ai and other Wei commanders attacked Tazhong, Wudu, and Hanzhong, leaving Shu’s defenses in crisis. At Yangping Pass, Jiang Shu led a sortie against Chen Qian’s army, then suddenly offered to surrender.

• Jiang Wei probed Lintao while gathering Qiang and Hu troops, then learned Wei forces were advancing on Tazhong.
• Deng Ai captured Tazhong and held off Jiang Wei, while Zhuge Xu and Pang Hui attacked Wudu and Chen Qian assaulted Yangping Pass.
• Jiang Wei realized Wei aimed to destroy Shu, abandoned Tazhong, and split his forces to reinforce the threatened routes.
• Wujie fell, Hu Ji retreated to Yang'an Pass, and Cao Mao arrived in Chang'an and sent Zhong Hui to reinforce the campaign under Zhuge Dan’s command.
• Fu Qian defended Yangping Pass until Jiang Shu persuaded him to authorize a sortie with half the army.
• Jiang Shu charged Chen Qian’s position, then reined in his horse and declared that he was willing to surrender.

Cao Wei captured Yangping Pass and pressed its campaign against Shu as Hanzhong fell and Jiang Wei withdrew to defend Jiange. Shu’s leaders struggled to respond while Cao Wei’s armies attacked on multiple fronts, leaving the kingdom on the brink of collapse.

• Jiang Shu urged Fu Qian to surrender, but Fu Qian refused and Wen Yang killed him after Cao Wei captured Yangping Pass.
• Chen Qian ordered Fu Qian buried with the Shu soldiers, while Cao Mao reflected on the cost of unification and Great Han’s legacy.
• After learning Hanzhong had fallen, Jiang Wei ordered Hu Ji to withdraw toward Jiange and grieved over Fu Qian’s death and his own strategic failure.
• Liu Shan learned that Wudu and Hanzhong had fallen and ordered Zhuge Zhan back to Chengdu to prepare reinforcements.
• Zhuge Zhan abandoned his position and hurried to Chengdu, leaving Yan Yu’s forces at Yongan without the support they needed as Wang Ji and Wen Qin attacked.
• Hu Ji fought to hold Yang'an Pass while Jiang Wei returned to Jiange, and Deng Ai halted at Yinping without attacking.

Wei’s armies pressed their invasion of Shu while Zhuge Dan adopted Zhong Hui’s plan to isolate Yang’an Pass and prepare for a prolonged siege of Jiange. In Chang’an, Cao Mao approved the strategy and allowed Wang Ji to consider attacking Wu’s Jingmen, leaving the war expanding on multiple fronts.

• Zhong Hui advised Zhuge Dan to have Zhuge Xu seize Qiaotou and surrounding areas, isolating Hu Ji at Yang’an Pass while Wei prepared to wear down Jiang Wei at Jiange.
• Zhuge Dan approved Zhong Hui’s strategy, revised his deployments, and sent battle reports and captured generals to Chang’an.
• Cao Mao read Zhuge Dan’s memorial and told Zhang Hua that appointing Zhuge Dan commander had been the right decision.
• Wang Ji reported that Yongan remained difficult to capture and proposed attacking Wu-held Jingmen from Xiling, then advancing toward Lexiang.
• Cao Mao accepted Wang Ji’s judgment and allowed him to handle the proposed attack as he saw fit.
• Zhang Hua brought Cao Mao Deng Ai’s latest important memorial.

Deng Ai informed Cao Mao that he intended to bypass Jiange and attack Chengdu, while Cao Mao allowed him to proceed despite Zhang Hua’s objections. In Chengdu, the Shu court panicked over its worsening military position, and Liu Shan welcomed Zhuge Zhan back and kept him nearby to respond to threats at Jiange or Yongan.

• Deng Ai submitted a memorial announcing his plan to bypass Jiange and attack Chengdu, and Cao Mao decided to let him act despite Zhang Hua’s warnings.
• Shu ministers crowded around Dong Jue for news, then feared for their families as they learned the Cao army had reached Jiange and Yongan was also in danger.
• Zhuge Zhan returned to Chengdu and met Liu Shan, who regretted not replacing Jiang Wei sooner.
• Huang Hao briefed Zhuge Zhan on Shu’s military crisis, and Zhuge Zhan urged Liu Shan to seek Wu’s help for Yongan while keeping the existing command at Jiange.
• Liu Shan agreed with Zhuge Zhan’s proposals but kept him in Chengdu so he could reinforce either front if needed.

Deng Ai led his exhausted army through the mountains to bypass Jiange, then rolled down a cliff and captured Jiangyou after its defender surrendered. News of the Wei army’s arrival threw Chengdu into chaos, and Liu Shan sent Zhuge Zhan to block the invasion.

• Deng Ai led his army through the dangerous mountain forests, where dwindling supplies, venomous creatures, and heavy losses tested the soldiers’ resolve.
• Deng Ai’s troops emerged above a cliff after bypassing Jiange, then wrapped themselves in felt and rolled down to the foot of the mountain.
• Deng Ai rallied the battered survivors and led them toward Jiangyou, where Ma Miao surrendered without resistance.
• Deng Ai’s army entered Jiangyou to rest and reorganize as news of its arrival spread to Chengdu.
• Liu Shan ordered Zhuge Zhan to lead elite troops and build defenses against the Wei army, while many people fled Chengdu.

Zhuge Zhan led Chengdu’s elite troops against Deng Ai at Mianyang, but his poor decisions and inexperience led to a crushing defeat. Deng Ai had Zhuge Zhan’s head preserved as proof of victory and marched toward Chengdu.

• Huang Chong urged Zhuge Zhan to defend Fucheng, but Zhuge Zhan chose to remain at Mianyang, and Deng Ai soon took Fucheng and defeated Zhang Zun’s vanguard.
• After Deng Ai’s envoy offered Zhuge Zhan the title of Prince of Langya in exchange for surrender, Zhuge Zhan executed him and marched out to fight.
• Huang Chong and Li Qiu rallied Shu’s troops as Deng Ai attacked, but Huang Chong fell and the Shu army’s flanks collapsed.
• Surrounded and despairing, Zhuge Zhan charged the enemy and was struck down, while Deng Ai routed the remaining Shu forces.
• Deng Ai rejected a proposal to make a Jingguan, ordered Zhuge Zhan’s head preserved, and advanced toward Chengdu.

After Zhuge Zhan’s death, Liu Shan and his ministers debated whether to flee to Wu or Nanzhong or surrender to Wei, and Qiao Zhou persuaded them that surrender offered the best chance of safety. As Liu Shan prepared to send Qiao Zhou to negotiate with Deng Ai, he learned that Liu Chen had killed his family and taken his own life.

• After hearing that Zhuge Zhan had died, Liu Shan summoned his ministers to discuss how to respond to the approaching Wei army.
• Minister of Defense Wei proposed seeking refuge in Wu, while Jiang Xian argued for fleeing to Nanzhong and Qiao Zhou urged surrendering to Wei.
• Liu Shan leaned toward going to Nanzhong, but Qiao Zhou warned that the route was dangerous and the region unstable, persuading the ministers to favor surrender.
• Liu Chen rushed into the court and pleaded with Liu Shan not to surrender, but Liu Shan had him dragged away.
• Liu Shan decided to send Qiao Zhou to meet Deng Ai and discuss surrendering to Wei.
• Liu Shan learned that Liu Chen had killed his wife and children before taking his own life.

Deng Ai accepted Liu Shan’s surrender, entered Chengdu, and took charge as Shu’s generals and governors began submitting. Jiang Wei initially despaired at Shu’s fall, then saw Deng Ai’s unauthorized appointments as a chance to stir conflict and secretly sought to rescue Liu Shan.

• Liu Shan surrendered to Deng Ai, who promised to spare Shu’s officials and people and then entered Chengdu with his army.
• Deng Ai occupied Liu Shan’s seat, appointed Liu Shan and the Shu court to new offices, and ordered Liu Shan to tell the remaining forces to surrender.
• Jiang Wei learned that Hu Ji had fallen and received Liu Shan’s surrender order, leaving him convinced that Great Han had fallen.
• Jiang Wei noticed Deng Ai had independently granted titles and offices, then sent an envoy to tell Zhuge Dan he would surrender while secretly writing to Liu Shan about a rescue plan.
• Other Shu commanders and governors surrendered, while Deng Ai celebrated his victory and boasted to the emperor and ministers.

After Jiange fell and Jiang Wei surrendered, Zhuge Dan’s army celebrated the end of Shu. Jiang Wei tried to stir the Wei commanders against Deng Ai, but Zhong Hui exposed his plan and ordered him seized.

• Zhong Hui eagerly welcomed Jiang Wei, while Zhuge Dan accepted his surrender and led the army into Jiange.
• Zhuge Dan rewarded the soldiers and held a banquet for the surrendered Shu generals.
• Jiang Wei asked Zhuge Dan to lower his rank, explaining that Deng Ai had appointed Shu officials in Chengdu, even granting offices to Liu Shan and the crown prince.
• Wen Yang and the other generals condemned Deng Ai’s actions as rebellion, while Jiang Wei hoped their anger would ignite a conflict.
• Zhong Hui recognized that Jiang Wei was trying to provoke a clash so he could rescue Liu Shan, and ordered Wen Yang and Hu Fen to restrain him.
• Jiang Wei admitted Zhong Hui was right and asked to be killed, saying he had no wish to live after Great Han’s fall.

Zhuge Dan arrived in Chengdu, reassured Liu Shan and the Shu ministers, and took charge of pacifying the surrendered territories. Deng Ai urged an immediate campaign against Wu, but Zhuge Dan sent him with Chen Qian to Chang'an to report to Cao Mao.

• Wen Yang asked why Jiang Wei was not being executed, and Chen Qian explained that Jiang Wei was refusing food and water and that his fate belonged to the emperor.
• Zhuge Dan met Deng Ai and Liu Shan outside Chengdu, then promised the Shu ruler and ministers that Wei would respect their positions and not disturb the Shu lands.
• Zhuge Dan entered Chengdu with the Shu ministers and assigned troops to garrison different areas while Zhong Hui viewed Deng Ai with disgust.
• Deng Ai proposed marching from Chengdu into Jingnan to help destroy Wu, but Zhuge Dan ordered Chen Qian and Deng Ai to escort Liu Shan, the ministers, and the captured spoils to Chang'an.
• Zhuge Dan learned Deng Ai intended to build a Jingguan from nearby Wei and Shu soldiers' bodies and sent him to Chang'an quickly; Cao Mao had already received news from the front, though not of Deng Ai's conduct.

Cao Mao entered Hanzhong after hearing that Shu had fallen and began welcoming surrendered officials while honoring the dead. Jiang Wei arrived under escort, weakened by his refusal to eat or drink, and Chen Tai ordered him brought down so they could speak before he died.

• Cao Mao traveled toward Hanzhong despite his ministers’ objections, meeting local officials along the way and rewarding them.
• At Yangping Pass, Chen Tai told Cao Mao that Shu had fallen and that Jiang Wei had surrendered but was being escorted to Hanzhong on Zhong Hui’s orders.
• Cao Mao entered Shu territory, reassured the surrendered Jiang Bin and Wang Han, and proceeded into Hanzhong.
• Cao Mao led the ministers and surrendered officials in sacrificial rites for fallen generals and soldiers.
• Jiang Wei arrived in a prisoner cart after refusing food and drink, and Chen Tai ordered him released from the cart for a final conversation.

Jiang Wei refused Cao Mao’s offer to submit and died by poisoned wine after Shu Han fell. Cao Mao began planning how to govern the conquered Shu lands as Chen Qian escorted Liu Shan and his ministers toward Hanzhong, where the journey left them exhausted.

• Cao Mao offered Jiang Wei a chance to serve Wei, but Jiang Wei refused and asked for death; Cao Mao promised to protect his family and granted him wine.
• Jiang Wei drank the poisoned wine and died, and Chen Tai closed his eyes after telling him Shu Han’s fall was not his fault.
• Cao Mao heard proposals from Chen Tai and Zhang Hua about taxes, land, and relocating Shu’s great clans, then considered dividing the region and appointing new officials.
• Chen Qian rebuffed Liu Shan’s complaints about the rough road to Hanzhong, and Liu Shan asked whether Shu’s armies had traveled it to campaign against Wei and where Jiang Wei was.
• Liu Shan and his ministers arrived in Hanzhong exhausted, while Deng Ai traveled at the head of the procession.

After Shu surrendered, Cao Mao welcomed Liu Shan and his ministers in Hanzhong and granted Liu Shan the title Duke of Anle County. He also ordered Liu Lu to set Sima Zhao’s death and the reckoning with the Sima family in motion, while Deng Ai was taken aside to discuss a serious matter.

• Cao Mao read Chen Qian’s letters about Deng Ai’s bold conduct, and Zhang Hua urged him to punish the general severely.
• Cao Mao told Liu Lu that Sima Zhao should be made to die by suicide and instructed him to bring forward evidence against Sima Zhao’s crimes.
• Cao Mao met Liu Shan on the road to Hanzhong, welcomed him and his ministers, and praised Liu Shan for surrendering without further bloodshed.
• Cao Mao questioned Liu Xuan and greeted Shu’s ministers, then sent Zhang Hua with Deng Ai to hear the general’s report.
• Cao Mao led Liu Shan and the Shu ministers into Hanzhong and bestowed on Liu Shan the title Duke of Anle County.

Zhang Hua confronted Deng Ai over his unauthorized actions in Shu and nearly forced him to accept a death sentence, but Cao Mao spared him because of his talent. Cao Mao stripped Deng Ai of his office and rank and sent him back to Luoyang, then turned his attention to Shu’s ministers, including Chen Shou.

• Deng Ai urged Zhang Hua to tell Cao Mao that Wei should seize the opportunity to destroy Wu, and Zhang Hua took him to a nearby mansion.
• Zhang Hua accused Deng Ai of acting like a rebel by bypassing the court, assuming imperial authority, and making appointments in Chengdu, then presented him with a flask of wine as a death sentence.
• A eunuch announced Cao Mao’s summons, and Deng Ai was escorted to meet the emperor, where he admitted his errors and denied intending to rebel.
• Cao Mao spared Deng Ai because of his talent, stripped him of his office and noble rank, and ordered him to return to Luoyang.
• Cao Mao began considering Shu’s capable ministers and singled out Qiao Zhou and Chen Shou for special attention.

Cao Mao praised Shu’s ministers, rebuked Liu Shan for trusting Huang Hao, and offered the captured officials important posts or permission to remain in Hanzhong. The chapter ended with most of the ministers prepared to follow Cao Mao and serve under his rule.

• Cao Mao led Liu Shan through the Prefect’s Office and reminded him that he was staying in Jiang Wei’s plain mansion, while criticizing Huang Hao’s corruption and land seizures.
• Cao Mao named many Shu ministers and generals as capable men, then blamed Liu Shan’s fall on trusting Huang Hao and rejecting loyal remonstrance.
• Cao Mao urged the ministers to serve Great Wei, promising important duties in Luoyang while allowing elderly officials to remain in Shu.
• Zong Yu asked to stay in Hanzhong, and Cao Mao granted him a mansion, farmland, and permission for his clansmen to attend him.
• Liao Hua also asked to remain in Shu, and Cao Mao agreed; no other minister requested permission to stay.
• The ministers began anticipating better treatment under Cao Mao, while Cao Mao saw Shu’s officials as valuable additions to Great Wei’s administration.

Zhuge Dan received Huo Yi’s surrender and discussed how to govern Nanzhong, while Wei secured the rest of Shu with little resistance. At Yongan, Yan Yu surrendered to Jiao Bo and discovered that Wang Ji and Wen Qin’s main force had been absent during the supposed siege.

• Zhuge Dan welcomed Huo Yi, freed him from his bonds, and praised his loyalty after Huo Yi explained why he had resisted before surrendering.
• Huo Yi described Nanzhong’s grievances over heavy taxes and recommended restoring Zhuge Liang’s policies while regulating powerful local clans, and Zhuge Dan promised to recommend him to Cao Mao.
• Officials and remaining resisters across Shu surrendered after learning that Liu Shan had not been mistreated, while Cao Mao’s policies reassured the local clans.
• Yan Yu bound his hands and surrendered at Yongan, where Jiao Bo clarified that he was the governor, not Wang Ji.
• Jiao Bo told Yan Yu that Wang Ji and Wen Qin were away and revealed that he had used campfires, cooking smoke, and cavalry tracks to make the city believe a large army was still besieging it.
• Yan Yu realized that Wang Ji and Wen Qin’s main force had gone elsewhere and wondered where they had gone.