Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Here is the translation:

As for the Wu sovereign Sun Xiu, upon learning that Sima Yan had usurped the Wei throne and knowing that he would certainly attack Wu, he fell ill with anxiety and took to his bed, unable to rise. He summoned Chancellor Puyang Xing into the palace and ordered his son, Crown Prince Sun 𩅦, to come out and pay respects. The Wu sovereign grasped Xing's arm, pointed at Sun 𩅦, and passed away. Xing emerged and deliberated with the assembled ministers, wishing to install Crown Prince Sun 𩅦 as ruler. Left Director of the Imperial Guard Wan Yu said, "Sun 𩅦 is young and cannot govern alone. It would be better to bring in Marquis of Wuchchen, Sun Hao, and install him." Left General Zhang Bu also said, "Hao possesses talent, knowledge, and clear judgment—he is fit to be emperor." Chancellor Puyang Xing could not decide and went to report to Empress Dowager Zhu. The Empress Dowager said, "I am but a widow. How would I know matters of state? You gentlemen deliberate and decide whom to install—that will do." Xing thereupon welcomed Hao as sovereign.

Hao, courtesy name Yuanzong, was the son of Sun He, who had been Crown Prince to the Great Emperor Sun Xiu. In the seventh month of that year, he ascended the imperial throne, changed the reign era to the first year of Yuanxing, enfeoffed Crown Prince Sun 𩅦 as Prince of Yuzhang, posthumously honored his father He as Emperor Wen, honored his mother Lady He as Empress Dowager, and promoted Ding Feng to Grand Marshal of the Left and Right. The following year, the reign era was changed to the first year of Ganlu. Hao grew increasingly tyrannical by the day, wallowing in wine and sensual pleasures, and favored the Palace Attendant Cen Hun. Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu remonstrated with him; Hao in fury had both men executed and exterminated their three clans. From then on, the court ministers kept their mouths shut and dared not remonstrate again. The reign era was changed again to the first year of Baoding, and Lu Kai and Wan Yu were appointed as Chancellors of the Left and Right. At this time Hao resided in Wuchang; the people of Yangzhou had to transport supplies upstream, suffering greatly. Moreover, he was extravagant beyond measure, and both the public and private treasuries were depleted. Lu Kai submitted a memorial remonstrating:

"Today, though there are no natural disasters, the lives of the people are exhausted; though there is no great undertaking, the nation's wealth is depleted—I privately grieve over this. In former times, when the House of Han declined, the three powers stood in tripartite balance. Now Cao and Liu have lost the Way, and both have fallen to Jin—this is clear proof before our eyes. This foolish minister merely pities the state on Your Majesty's behalf. Wuchang is an earthen city, harsh and barren—it is not a capital fit for a king. Moreover, there is a children's rhyme that says: 'Better to drink the waters of Jianye than to eat the fish of Wuchang. Better to die returning to Jianye than to remain dwelling in Wuchang.' This sufficiently makes clear the will of the people and the will of Heaven. Today the state has no reserve of even one year's provisions, and the roots of the trees are being laid bare. The officials are harsh and oppressive, and no one shows any concern. In the time of the Great Emperor, the palace women did not exceed a hundred; since Emperor Jing, there have been over a thousand—this is an extreme drain of wealth. Moreover, those around Your Majesty are not the right men; cliques support each other, harming the loyal and concealing the worthy—these are all policies that corrupt the government and injure the people. I pray Your Majesty reduce the hundred labors, cease the harsh oppression, reduce the palace women, and carefully select the officials—then Heaven will be pleased, the people will attach themselves, and the state will be secure."

When the memorial was presented, Hao was displeased. He further undertook massive construction projects, building the Zhaoming Palace, and ordered all civil and military officials to go into the mountains to gather timber. He also summoned the diviner Shang Guang and ordered him to cast milfoil stalks to inquire about the matter of taking possession of the empire. Shang replied, "Your Majesty has obtained an auspicious omen. In the year of Gengzi, the green-canopied carriage shall enter Luoyang." Hao was overjoyed and said to Palace Library Director Hua He, "The late emperor heeded your counsel, dividing his forces and dispelling them to various commands, establishing hundreds of camps along the river, with veteran general Ding Feng in overall command. I wish to absorb the territory of Han to avenge the Shu sovereign—which region should I take first?" Hua He remonstrated, "Today Chengdu has not been held, the altars of state have collapsed, and Sima Yan certainly has the ambition to swallow Wu. Your Majesty should cultivate virtue to bring peace to the Wu people—this is the best plan. If you forcibly mobilize arms, it would be like putting out a fire with hemp—you will surely bring about your own destruction. I pray Your Majesty consider this." Hao flew into a rage and said, "I wish to seize the moment to restore the old enterprise. You utter such inauspicious words—if I did not consider your status as an old minister, I would have you beheaded as an example!" He ordered the guards to drag him out of the palace gates. Hua He emerged from court and sighed, "What a pity—these splendid rivers and mountains will soon belong to another!" Thereupon he withdrew into seclusion and did not come out again. Hao then ordered General Who Guards the East, Lu Kang, to lead his troops to garrison the river mouth, with the aim of seizing Xiangyang.

News of this soon reached Luoyang. The attendants reported it to the Jin sovereign Sima Yan. The Jin sovereign, upon hearing that Lu Kang was raiding Xiangyang, deliberated with his assembled ministers. Jia Chong stepped forward from the ranks and submitted a memorial: "This minister has heard that Sun Hao of Wu does not cultivate virtuous governance but practices the Way of no virtue. Your Majesty may decree that Commander Yang Hu lead troops to resist him. Wait until there is turmoil within his state, then seize the opportunity to attack and take it—Eastern Wu can be had as easily as turning one's hand." Yan was greatly pleased and immediately issued an edict dispatching an envoy to Xiangyang to convey his instructions to Yang Hu. Hu received the edict, marshaled his troops, and prepared to meet the enemy. From this time, Yang Hu garrisoned Xiangyang and won the hearts of both soldiers and civilians. When Wu men wished to surrender and leave, he allowed them to go. He reduced the garrison patrols and used the men to reclaim over eight hundred qing of farmland. When he first arrived, the army had not even a hundred days' worth of grain. By the following year, the army had a ten-year reserve. When in camp, Hu wore light furs and a broad sash, and did not don armor; his personal guards before his tent numbered no more than ten or so.

One day, a subordinate general entered Hu's tent and reported: "Scouts report that the Wu troops are all lax. We can strike them while unprepared and be certain of a great victory." Hu smiled and said, "You gentlemen underestimate Lu Kang. This man is resourceful and full of schemes. Recently the Wu sovereign ordered him to attack and take Xiling, where he killed Bu Chan and several dozen of his officers and men—I was unable to save them in time. With this man as their general, we can only defend ourselves. Wait until there is turmoil within their state, then we can make our move. If we advance recklessly without assessing the circumstances, this is the path to defeat." The generals were convinced by his reasoning and merely defended the borders.

One day, Yang Hu led his generals on a hunt, and it happened that Lu Kang was also out hunting. Yang Hu issued an order: "Our army must not cross the boundary." The generals received the command and confined their hunting to Jin territory, not encroaching upon Wu lands. Lu Kang, observing from afar, sighed and said, "General Yang's troops are disciplined—they cannot be provoked." At nightfall, both sides withdrew. When Yang Hu returned to camp, he inspected the game that had been taken and ordered that any animals previously wounded by Wu hunters be returned. The Wu soldiers were all pleased and reported this to Lu Kang. Lu Kang summoned the messenger and asked, "Can your commander drink wine?" The messenger replied, "He drinks only when fine wine is available." Lu Kang smiled and said: "I have a measure of wine that I have kept for a long time. I now entrust it to you to carry back and present to the Grand Commander. This wine was personally brewed by Lu Kang for his own enjoyment; I send a measure of it as a token of the camaraderie from yesterday's hunt." The messenger accepted the charge and departed with the wine. Those around Lu Kang asked, "What is the general's purpose in giving wine to the enemy?" Lu Kang replied: "Since he has shown me kindness, how could I not reciprocate?" All were astonished.

The messenger returned to Yang Hu and reported everything Lu Kang had asked, as well as the gift of wine. Yang Hu laughed and said: "So he knows I can drink!" He then ordered the jar opened and drank from it. His officer Chen Yuan said, "There may be treachery in this. The Commander should be cautious in drinking." Yang Hu laughed and said: "Lu Kang is not the sort of man to poison others. There is no need for suspicion." He drank the entire contents of the jar. From then on, the two sides maintained regular communication and exchanges.

One day, Lu Kang sent an envoy to inquire after Yang Hu. Yang Hu asked, "How is General Lu?" The envoy replied, "The Commander has been bedridden these past several days and has not emerged." Yang Hu said: "I suspect his illness is the same as mine. I have here a prepared medicine—take it back for him to take." The envoy carried the medicine back and reported to Lu Kang. The generals said, "Yang Hu is our enemy; this medicine is surely no good medicine." Lu Kang replied: "Would Yang Shuzi poison a man? You need not doubt." He took the medicine, and by the next day his illness had cured. All the generals congratulated him. Lu Kang said: "He relies entirely on virtue, while I rely entirely on force. He will subdue us without fighting. For now, each side should simply maintain its borders and seek no petty advantage." The generals obeyed.

Suddenly word arrived that an envoy from the Wu sovereign had come. Lu Kang received him and asked his purpose. The envoy said: "The Son of Heaven instructs the general to advance with all haste and not allow the Jin to act first." Lu Kang said: "Return first; I shall shortly have a memorial to present." The envoy departed, and Lu Kang at once drafted a memorial and sent it to Jianye. The palace attendants presented it to Sun Hao, who broke the seal and read it. The memorial laid out in full the reasons Wu should not attack Jin, and urged the Wu sovereign to cultivate virtue and be cautious in punishment, to focus on pacifying the interior rather than pursuing military adventurism. When the Wu sovereign had finished reading, he was furious. "I have heard that Lu Kang communicates with the enemy at the border, and now it is confirmed!" He at once dispatched an envoy to strip Lu Kang of his military authority, demoting him to the rank of Marshal of the Army, and ordered General of the Left Sun Ji to take command of the troops. None of the officials dared to remonstrate. From the time Sun Hao changed the era name to Jianheng through the first year of Fenghuang, he acted with reckless abandon, exhausting the army in garrison duty, and both high and low groaned in resentment. Chancellor Wan Yu, General Liu Ping, and Minister of Agriculture Lou Yuan, seeing Sun Hao's waywardness, spoke plainly in bitter remonstrance—and all were put to death. In the span of some ten years, more than forty loyal officials were killed. Sun Hao came and went always accompanied by fifty thousand armored horsemen. The officials were terrified, and none dared act.

When Yang Hu learned that Lu Kang had been relieved of command and that Sun Hao had lost the confidence of his people, he saw that Wu presented an opportunity and composed a memorial, sending it to Luoyang to request an invasion of Wu. It read in part:

Though the appointed course of fate comes from Heaven, the accomplishment of great deeds depends on human effort. Today the natural barriers of the Yangtze and Huai are not as formidable as the Sword Pavilion; Sun Hao's tyranny exceeds even that of Liu Chan; the suffering of the Wu people is greater than that of Ba and Shu; and the might of the great Jin army surpasses that of former times. If we do not use this moment to unify the four seas, but instead maintain our armies in mutual opposition, causing the empire to languish in endless campaigns through rise and decline, this cannot endure for long.

Sima Yan read the memorial and was greatly pleased, and was about to order the army to march. But Jia Chong, Xun Xu, and Feng Chun all strenuously argued against it, and Yan therefore did not proceed. When Yang Hu learned that the court had denied his request, he sighed and said: "In this world, things that go against our wishes are eight or nine out of ten. Heaven offers this and we do not take it—is that not a great pity?" In the fourth year of Xianning, Yang Yu came to court and petitioned to return to his hometown due to illness. Yan asked, "What strategy do you have to secure the realm and instruct me?" Yang Hu replied: "Sun Hao's cruelty is extreme; he could be conquered without a battle today. But should he die and a wise ruler succeed him, then Wu would no longer be within Your Majesty's grasp." Yan was greatly enlightened and said: "What if you were to lead the army to attack now?" Yang Hu replied: "I am old and plagued by illness—I am not equal to this task. Your Majesty should select another man of wisdom and courage." He then took his leave of Yan and returned home. In the eleventh month of that year, Yang Hu fell gravely ill, and Sima Yan went in person to his home to inquire after him. Yan approached the bedside, and Yang Hu wept, saying: "This worthless minister, though he die ten thousand deaths, cannot repay Your Majesty!" Yan also wept and said: "I regret that I did not heed your counsel to attack Wu. Who now can carry on your purpose?" Yang Hu said through tears: "I am dying; I dare not withhold my humble counsel. General of the Right Du Yu is the man for the task. If you wish to attack Wu, you must employ him." Yan said: "To recommend the worthy is a fine thing. But why is it that whenever you recommend someone to court, you burn your memorial so that no one knows?" Yang Hu replied: "To receive an office in the public court and then give thanks at a private gate—this is something I cannot accept." With these words he died. Yan wept bitterly and returned to the palace. He issued an edict posthumously bestowing the titles of Grand Tutor and Marquis of Jubing. When the people of Nanzhou heard of Yang Hu's death, they closed the markets and wept. The border garrison soldiers of Jiangnan also all wept. The people of Xiangyang, recalling how Yang Hu in life had often roamed Mount Xian, built a temple and erected a tablet there, making offerings in all four seasons. All who passed and read the inscription shed tears without fail, and so it was called the "Weeping Tear Tablet." A later poet composed this verse in lament:

At dawn I climb and ponder this minister of Jin,

Where the ancient tablet lies scattered in the spring of Mount Xian.

The lingering dew drips again and again among the pines—

I wonder if it is the man who once made tears fall here.

The Prince of Jin, heeding Yang Hu's counsel, appointed Du Yu as Grand General Who Guards the South and Commander of Jing Province's military affairs. Du Yu was a man of mature experience and thorough knowledge, devoted to learning without weariness. He was especially fond of reading Zuo Qiuming's *Spring and Autumn Annals* and always kept a copy at his side whether sitting or lying down. Whenever he went in or out, he had an attendant carry the *Zuo Tradition* before his horse. The people of the time called this his "*Zuo Tradition* obsession." Upon receiving the Jin sovereign's command, he went to Xiangyang to comfort the people and train the troops, preparing to campaign against Wu.

At this time, the Wu generals Ding Feng and Lu Kang had both died. Sun Hao, the ruler of Wu, whenever he feasted his court officials, insisted that they all become thoroughly drunk. He also appointed ten gentlemen of the Yellow Gate as censors to report on their misdeeds. After the banquet concluded, each would report the faults observed. Those found guilty would have their faces flayed or their eyes gouged out. Because of this, the people of the kingdom lived in great fear. Wang Jun, Governor of Yizhou under Jin, submitted a memorial requesting permission to attack Wu. His memorial read:

"Sun Hao is dissolute, cruel, and rebellious; he should be swiftly attacked and subdued. Should Sun Hao die and a worthy ruler be set up in his place, then our enemy will be strengthened. I have been building ships for seven days, and each day some decay and rot. I am seventy years old, and death is not far off. Should any of these three circumstances be lost, then the task will become difficult to accomplish. I pray Your Majesty not to let this opportunity slip."

The Jin sovereign read the memorial and then deliberated with his court officials, saying: "Lord Wang's proposal coincides with Commander Yang's views. My mind is made up." Palace Attendant Wang Hun submitted: "I have heard that Sun Hao intends to march north. His forces are fully prepared and his strength is at its peak; it would be difficult to contend with him. If we wait one more year until he is worn out, then success may be achieved." The Prince of Jin followed his advice and issued an edict halting all military movements. He retired to the inner palace to play chess with his Palace Library Chancellor Zhang Hua for diversion.

A court attendant reported that a dispatch had arrived from the frontier. The Jin sovereign opened and read it; it was a memorial from Du Yu. The memorial read in part:

"In the past, Yang Hu did not widely consult with the court ministers but instead made plans in secret with Your Majesty. This is why the court ministers held so many differing opinions. All matters should be weighed by comparing benefits and harms. I calculate that the benefits of this campaign amount to eight or nine out of ten, while its harm amounts to nothing more than achieving no success. Since autumn, the signs of our campaign against the rebels have become quite apparent. If we halt now, Sun Hao will be terrified and move his capital to Wuchang, fortifying the cities south of the river and relocating the people. If the cities cannot be attacked and the countryside offers nothing to seize, then next year's plans will also come to nothing."

The Jin sovereign had barely finished reading the memorial when Zhang Hua suddenly rose, swept aside the chess board, and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty is sage and martial, the state is wealthy and the people strong. The ruler of Wu is lewd and cruel, his people anxious and his state exhausted. If we attack now, we can achieve victory without great effort. I pray you have no doubts." The Jin sovereign said: "Your words penetrate to the heart of the matter. What doubt could I have?" He immediately ascended the throne hall and commanded Grand General Who Guards the South Du Yu to serve as Commander-in-Chief, leading one hundred thousand troops from Jiangling; Grand General Who Guards the East, the Prince of Langya, Sima You, to march from Tuzhong; Grand General Who Conquers the East, Wang Hun, to advance from Hengjiang; General Who Builds Might, Wang Rong, to advance from Wuchang; General Who Pacifies the South, Hu Fen, to advance from Xiakou—each leading fifty thousand troops, all under Du Yu's command. He also dispatched Dragon-Soaring General Wang Jun and General of Broad Martial Arts Tang Bin to sail down the river eastward. The combined land and water forces numbered over two hundred thousand, with tens of thousands of war vessels. He further ordered Champion General Yang Ji to garrison Xiangyang and coordinate the forces on all routes.

News of these movements soon reached Eastern Wu. The Wu ruler Sun Hao was greatly alarmed. He hastily summoned Chancellor Zhang Ti, Minister of Education He Zhi, and Minister of Works Teng Xiu to discuss plans for repelling the enemy. Zhang Ti submitted: "Command General of Chariot and Cavalry Wu Yan to serve as Commander-in-Chief and advance to Jiangling to meet Du Yu. Command Swift Cavalry General Sun Xin to advance and resist the forces at Xiakou and other points. I venture to serve as general, leading Left General Shen Ying and Right General Zhuge Jing with one hundred hundred thousand troops to garrison Niuzhu and coordinate the forces on all routes." Sun Hao approved and ordered Zhang Ti to lead his troops away.

Sun Hao retired to his inner palace with a worried expression. Among his favored officials, the Palace Regular Attendant Cen Hun asked the reason. Sun Hao said: "The Jin armies are approaching from all directions, and forces have already been sent to meet them on several fronts. But what concerns me is that Wang Jun leads tens of thousands of troops with fully equipped war vessels, sailing down the current with tremendous force. This is why I am troubled." Cen Hun said: "I have a plan that will reduce Wang Jun's ships to dust." Sun Hao was delighted and asked what the plan was. Cen Hun submitted: "The south of the river has abundant iron. We can forge over one hundred linked iron chains, each several hundred *zhang* in length, with each link weighing twenty or thirty *jin*, and stretch them across the river at strategic points along the riverbank. We can also forge tens of thousands of iron anchors over one *zhang* long and place them in the water. If the Jin ships come with the wind, they will strike the anchors and be destroyed. How could they cross the river?" Sun Hao was greatly pleased. He issued orders to set craftsmen to work by the riverbank through the night to forge the iron chains and iron anchors, and the defenses were duly established.

Now it must be told that the Jin Commander-in-Chief Du Yu, having marched his troops from Jiangling, ordered his lieutenant general Zhou Zhi to lead eight hundred sailors in small boats to secretly cross the Yangtze River and raid Lexiang by night. They raised many banners in the mountain forests, fired cannons and beat drums during the day, and lit fires everywhere at night. Zhou Zhi received his orders, led his men across the river, and concealed them at Bashan. The following day, Du Yu led the main army advancing by both land and water. The advance scouts reported: "The Wu ruler has sent Wu Yan by land, Lu Jing by water, and Sun Xin as vanguard—three routes advancing to meet us." Du Yu led his forces forward. Sun Xin's ships arrived first. The two armies had barely engaged when Du Yu withdrew. Sun Xin led his troops ashore and pursued along the road. Before they had gone twenty *li*, a cannon sounded and Jin forces surged in on all four sides. The Wu troops turned back in haste. Du Yu seized the moment to press the attack, and Wu soldiers fell in uncountable numbers. Sun Xin fled to the city walls, where Zhou Zhi's eight hundred soldiers had mingled among them and set fires atop the city. Sun Xin cried in alarm: "The northern armies have flown across the river!" He tried to retreat, but Zhou Zhi gave a great shout and cut him down from his horse.

Lu Jing, aboard his ship, saw flames rising all along the southern shore. From Bashan, carried on the wind, flew a large banner bearing the inscription "Jin Grand General Who Guards the South Du Yu." Lu Jing was greatly alarmed and tried to flee ashore, but the Jin general Zhang Shang arrived on horseback and cut him down. Wu Yan, seeing that all his forces had been defeated, abandoned the city and fled, but was captured by ambushed troops and brought in bonds before Du Yu. Du Yu said: "Keeping him serves no purpose!" He ordered the guards to behead him. Thus Jiangling was taken. From Yuan and Xiang regions all the way to the commanderies around Huangzhou, the governors and magistrates all surrendered upon hearing the wind of his approach, bringing their seals of office. Du Yu sent men with imperial credentials to reassure them, and his troops committed not the slightest offense. He then advanced to attack Wuchang. Wuchang also surrendered.

Du Pre's military prestige now soared high, and he assembled all his generals to deliberate on a strategy for taking Jianye. Hu Fen said, "These enemies have been entrenched for a hundred years—they cannot be entirely subdued all at once. Moreover, the spring floods are rising, and it will be difficult to maintain our position for long. We should wait until next spring and launch a greater campaign then." Du Pre replied, "In former times, Yue Yi fought a single battle west of the Ji River and annexed the powerful state of Qi. Now our army's might resounds everywhere—it is like splitting bamboo: after several joints have been severed, the rest falls apart effortlessly, leaving no further resistance to overcome." He thereupon dispatched a summons to convene all the generals and advanced together to attack Jianye.

At this time, Wang Jun, the Dragon-Soaring General, led his naval forces downstream. The advance scouts reported: "The men of Wu have stretched iron chains across the river to block passage, and they have also placed iron stakes in the water as a defensive measure." Wang Jun laughed heartily. He then constructed dozens of large rafts, upon which he bound bundles of straw fashioned into human forms, dressed in armor and holding weapons, standing all around. These were set adrift downstream. When the Wu soldiers saw them, they believed them to be living men and fled before the wind at the mere sight. The hidden iron stakes caught on the rafts and were all swept away. Wang Jun also prepared great torches on the rafts, each over ten zhang long and more than ten arm-spans in circumference, soaked in sesame oil. Whenever they encountered the iron chains, the torches were ignited and the chains were severed in an instant. Both routes of advance coming down the Great River met with victory wherever they went.

Now it must be told that Zhang Ti, Prime Minister of Eastern Wu, commanded General of the Left Shen Ying and General of the Right Zhuge Jing to meet the Jin forces. Shen Ying said to Zhunge Jing, "The armies upstream have made no preparations for defense. I reckon the Jin army will certainly reach this point. We must exert every effort to oppose them. If by good fortune we prevail, the south of the Yangtze will be secure of itself. But if we cross the river to engage them and are unlucky enough to lose, then all is lost." Zhuge Jing said, "What you say is right." Before he had finished speaking, a messenger reported that the Jin forces were sweeping downstream with unstoppable force. The two men were greatly alarmed and rushed to Zhang Ti to deliberate. Zhuge Jing said to Zhang Ti, "Eastern Wu is in peril—why do not you flee?" Zhang Ti replied with tears streaming down his face, "That Wu is about to perish is known to all, wise and foolish alike. If now our ruler and his ministers all surrender, and not a single man dies for his country in this hour of calamity, would that not be a disgrace?" Zhuge Jing also left with tears in his eyes. Zhang Ti and Shen Ying led their troops to resist the enemy, but the Jin forces surrounded them on all sides. Zhou Zhi was the first to charge into the Wu camp. Zhang Ti fought with all his strength and perished amid the chaos of battle. Shen Ying was killed by Zhou Zhi. The Wu soldiers scattered and fled in every direction. A later poet composed these lines in praise of Zhang Ti:

Du Pre raised his great banner at Bashan's side,

While Zhang Ti of Jiangdong died with loyal pride.

He had long resolved that the royal south would fade,

And would not live in shame, betraying those he obeyed.

Now it must be told that the Jin forces took Niuzhu and pressed deep into Wu territory. Wang Jun sent a messenger racing to report their victory. When Emperor Yan of Jin received the news, he was overjoyed. Jia Chong memorialized: "Our army has been toiling abroad for a long time; unaccustomed to the terrain and climate, they will surely fall ill. We should recall the troops and plan further action later." Zhang Hua said, "Now that our great army has entered their lair, the men of Wu have lost all courage. In less than a month, Sun Hao will certainly be captured. If we lightly recall our forces, all previous achievements will be wasted—truly a pity." Before the Emperor could respond, Jia Chong rebuked Zhang Hua sharply: "You take no account of the timing of Heaven or the advantages of terrain. You recklessly seek to claim merit and wear out the soldiers—even executing you would not suffice to make amends to all under heaven!" The Emperor said, "This is my own intention. Zhang Hua merely shares it with me. Why must you argue?" Suddenly it was reported that Du Pre's memorial had arrived. When the Emperor read it, it too urged a rapid advance. The Emperor harbored no further doubts and issued the order to press forward.

Wang Jun and the others, having received the Emperor's command, advanced by both land and water, with the fury of wind and thunder. The men of Wu surrendered at the mere sight of their banners. When the Wu ruler Sun Hao heard of this, he turned pale with terror. His ministers reported, "The northern forces draw closer by the day. The soldiers and people south of the Yangtze are surrendering without fighting. What shall we do?" Sun Hao said, "Why do they not fight?" They replied, "Today's calamity is entirely the fault of Cen Hun. We beseech Your Majesty to put him to death. We will then go out of the city and fight to the death." Sun Hao said, "How could a mere palace eunuch bring such ruin upon the state?" The ministers cried out, "Has Your Majesty not seen what Huang Hao did to Shu?" Without waiting for the Wu ruler's command, they rushed into the palace together, hacked Cen Hun to pieces, and devoured his flesh raw. Tao Jun memorialized: "All the warships under my command are small. I request twenty thousand troops to man large vessels—that will be sufficient to destroy the enemy." Sun Hao granted his request and assigned the Palace Guard forces to Tao Jun to meet the enemy upstream. General of the Front Zhang Xiang led naval forces down the river to engage the enemy. As the two were marching their troops, a great northwest wind suddenly arose. The Wu soldiers' banners could not stand upright—they all toppled flat in the boats. The soldiers refused to remain on board and scattered in every direction, leaving only Zhang Xiang with several dozen men to await the enemy.

Now it must be told that the Jin general Wang Jun hoisted his sails and proceeded forward. When he had passed the Three Mountains, the sailors said, "The waves are too violent—the ships cannot proceed. We should wait for the wind to subside before continuing." Wang Jun flew into a rage. He drew his sword and roared, "I intend to take Stone City this very moment—how dare you speak of stopping!" He then beat the drums and advanced with great force. The Wu general Zhang Xiang brought his men to request surrender. Wang Jun said, "If this is a genuine surrender, then serve as the vanguard and earn merit." Zhang Xiang returned to his own vessel and sailed straight to the foot of Stone City, called for the gates to be opened, and admitted the Jin forces. When Sun Hao heard that the Jin soldiers had entered the city, he tried to take his own life. Palace Secretary Hu Chong and Minister of Ceremonies Xue Ying memorialized: "Why does Your Majesty not follow the example of the Duke of Anle, Liu Shan?" Sun Hao followed their counsel, loaded himself onto a coffin and bound himself, and led all his civil and military officials to Wang Jun's camp to surrender. Wang Jun loosed his bonds, burned the coffin, and treated him with the rites due to a prince. A poet of the Tang dynasty composed these lines in lament:

Wang Jun's tower ships descended from Yuzhou's shore,

And the royal aura of Jinling was gathered no more.

A thousand fathoms of iron chains sank beneath the stream;

A single surrender banner rose from Stone City's seam.

How many times has man grieved over the affairs of the past?

The mountain's form endures, pillowed on the cold stream's blast.

Now that the world is united under one domain,

The old ramparts stand forlorn, where reeds and rushes complain.

Thereupon the four provinces and eighty-three commanderies of Eastern Wu, comprising three hundred and thirteen counties, with a registered population of five hundred and twenty-three thousand households, thirty-two thousand officials and clerks, two hundred and thirty thousand troops, and two million three hundred thousand souls of both sexes and all ages, two million eight hundred thousand bushels of grain, over five thousand vessels, and over five thousand women in the rear palace—all passed into the possession of the Great Jin. The great affair being settled, proclamations were issued to pacify the people, and all treasuries and granaries were sealed. On the following day, Tao Jun's army collapsed without a fight. The Prince of Langya, Sima Zhou, along with Wang Rong and their great forces, all arrived; seeing that Wang Jun had achieved the great deed, they rejoiced in their hearts. The next day, Du Yu also arrived. He bestowed rich rewards upon the three armies and opened the granaries to relieve the people of Wu, so that the people of Wu dwelt in peace. Only the Administrator of Jianping, Wu Yan, held his city and refused to surrender; he surrendered only upon hearing that Wu had fallen. Wang Jun submitted a memorial reporting the victory. When the court heard that Wu was pacified, the ruler and his ministers all offered congratulations and birthday wishes. The Lord of Jin, raising his cup, shed tears and said: "This is the achievement of Grand Tutor Yang! What a pity that he did not live to see it!" The Swift Cavalry General Sun Xiu, upon leaving court, wept facing south: "In the past, the late General, in his prime, founded this base with but a single commandery. Now Sun Hao has abandoned all of Jiangnan. O vast heavens—whose doing is this?"

Now Wang Jun led his army back in triumph and brought the Lord of Wu, Sun Hao, to Luoyang to have an audience with the Emperor. Sun Hao ascended the hall and bowed his head to the ground before the Jin Emperor. The Emperor gave him a seat and said: "I have set this seat awaiting you for a long time." Sun Hao replied: "Your subject in the south also set this seat awaiting Your Majesty." The Emperor laughed heartily. Jia Chong asked Sun Hao: "I hear that when Your Lordship was in the south, you would often gouge out men's eyes and peel the skin from their faces. What manner of punishment is this?" Sun Hao said: "For ministers who murder their rulers and for the wicked and disloyal, this punishment is applied." Jia Chong fell silent, deeply ashamed. The Emperor enfeoffed Sun Hao as the Marquis of Guiming; his sons and grandsons were made Gentlemen of the Palace, and the chief ministers who surrendered with him were all made Marquises. The Prime Minister Zhang Di had fallen in battle; his sons and grandsons were enfeoffed. Wang Jun was made Grand General Who Supports the State. All the rest received promotions and rewards accordingly.

From this point, the Three Kingdoms were united under the Jin Emperor Sima Yan, laying the foundation for a single unified empire. This is what is meant by the saying, "The general tendency of the world is that what has long been divided must unite, and what has long been united must divide." Later, the Later Han ruler Liu Shan perished in the seventh year of the Taishi era; the Wei ruler Cao Huan perished in the first year of the Tai'an era; and the Wu ruler Sun Hao perished in the fourth year of the Taikang era—all dying natural deaths. A later poet composed an old-style ballad recounting these events, which reads:

The Gaozu raised his sword and entered Xianyang,

A blazing red sun rose over Fusang.

The Guangwu rose in dragon splendor to achieve the Great Unity,

The golden crow flew up to the center of the sky.

Alas, the lamentable Emperor Xian inherited the seas and the land,

The red wheel sank westward beside the Xianchi Pool!

He Jin lacked stratagem, and the palace eunuchs brought disorder;

Dong Zhuo of Liangzhou occupied the court.

Wang Yun devised a plan to punish the rebel faction;

Li Jue and Guo Si raised swords and spears.

Robbers and bandits from the four quarters swarmed like ants;

Treacherous heroes from all directions soared like hawks.

Sun Jian and Sun Ce rose from the lands east of the river;

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu rose upon the Yellow River's span.

Liu Yan and his sons held Ba and Shu;

Liu Table's armies garrisoned Jing and Xiang.

Zhang Xiu and Zhang Lu ruled Nanzheng;

Ma Teng and Han Sui guarded Xiliang.

Tao Qian, Zhang Xiu, and Gongsun Zan—

Each displayed his bold talent and held his corner of the land.

Cao Cao monopolized power, seated in the Chancellor's residence,

Gathering around him the outstanding in civil and martial arts.

His might awed the Son of Heaven and commanded the lords;

He led the fierce armies to garrison the central plains.

Lou Sang's Xuande, himself of imperial stock,

In righteousness joined Guan and Zhang, vowing to support his lord.

He fled east and west, lamenting he had no home,

With few generals and small forces, a wanderer on the road.

Three visits to Nanyang—how deep his feeling!

The Sleeping Dragon, upon their first meeting, divided the realm.

He took Jingzhou first, then seized the Riverlands—

His kingly enterprise and royal plans lay in the Land of Abundance.

Alas, three years passed and he ascended to the beyond;

The entrustment of his orphan at Baidi—how full of grief!

Kongming, before his six campaigns from Qishan,

Wished with but a single hand to mend the heavens.

How could it be that the mandate of fate ended here—

The long star fell into the mountain ravine at midnight!

Jiang Wei alone, relying on lofty spirit,

Waged nine campaigns in the Central Plain—all toil and no reward.

Zhong Hui and Deng Ai advanced with divided forces;

The Han dynasty's mountains and rivers all belonged to Cao.

Pi, Rui, Fang, Mao—and then Huan—

Sima again delivered the empire to the throne.

Before the Terrace of Abdication, clouds and mist arose;

Beneath the Stone City walls, there were no more waves.

The Prince of Chenliu became Guiming, and the Duke of Anle—

Princely ranks and ducal titles took root from the beginning.

The affairs of the world, endlessly tumultuous;

The numbers of Heaven's decree are vast and cannot be escaped.

The tripartite division of the tripod has already become a dream;

Later generations may mourn, but their sorrow is in vain.

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The Romance of the Three Kingdoms — The End