Now, Zhong Hui summoned Jiang Wei to discuss the strategy for arresting Deng Ai. Jiang Wei said, “First, order the Army Supervisor, Wei Guan, to arrest Deng Ai. If Deng Ai kills Wei Guan, his rebellion is proven. Then you can raise an army to punish him.” Zhong Hui was overjoyed and ordered Wei Guan to take several dozen men into Chengdu to arrest Deng Ai and his son. Wei Guan’s subordinates tried to stop him, saying, “This is Zhong Hui’s plot to have the General of the Western Expedition kill you, so he can claim rebellion. You absolutely must not go.” Wei Guan replied, “I have my own plan.” He first issued twenty or thirty proclamations, which read: “By imperial decree, we arrest Deng Ai. No one else will be questioned. Those who submit early will retain their ranks and rewards. Anyone who dares to resist will have their entire clan executed.” He then prepared two prison carts and traveled day and night toward Chengdu.
By the time the roosters crowed, Deng Ai’s officers who saw the proclamations had all come to surrender at Wei Guan’s horse. At that time, Deng Ai was still in bed in his residence. Wei Guan led several dozen men bursting in, shouting, “By imperial decree, we arrest Deng Ai and his son!” Deng Ai was shocked and rolled out of bed. Wei Guan ordered the soldiers to bind him and place him in the cart. His son, Deng Zhong, came out to investigate and was also seized and bound in a cart. The officers and officials in the residence were terrified and wanted to fight to free them, but they saw a great cloud of dust rising in the distance. Scouts reported that Zhong Hui’s main army had arrived. The crowd scattered in all directions. Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei dismounted and entered the residence. Seeing Deng Ai and his son already bound, Zhong Hui struck Deng Ai’s head with his whip and cursed, “You whelp! How dare you act like this!” Jiang Wei also cursed, “You reckless fool who risked everything for fortune—today you have met your end!” Deng Ai cursed them back. Zhong Hui sent Deng Ai and his son to Luoyang. Entering Chengdu, Zhong Hui took command of all of Deng Ai’s troops and horses, his prestige now immense. He said to Jiang Wei, “Today, I have finally achieved my life’s ambition!” Jiang Wei replied, “In the past, Han Xin did not listen to Kuai Tong’s advice and suffered the disaster at Weiyang Palace. The great minister Wen Zhong refused to follow Fan Li to the Five Lakes and ultimately fell on his sword. Did these two men not have glorious achievements and fame? It was merely that they failed to see the dangers clearly and did not seize the right moment. Now, your great deeds are accomplished, and your power overshadows your lord. Why not sail away into obscurity, climb the peaks of Mount Emei, and wander with the Immortal Master Red Pine?” Zhong Hui laughed and said, “You are mistaken. I am not yet forty, and I am just thinking of advancing my position. How could I imitate such a life of retirement?” Jiang Wei said, “If you do not retire, then you must devise a good plan early. This is within your intelligence and ability, and I need not say more.” Zhong Hui clapped his hands and laughed heartily, saying, “Bo Yue, you understand my heart.” From that day on, the two discussed great matters daily. Jiang Wei secretly sent a letter to the Later Ruler, Liu Shan, saying: “I hope Your Majesty can endure a few days of humiliation. I will make the state, which is in danger, secure again, and make the sun and moon, which are dim, shine again. I will never allow the Han dynasty to end.”
Just as Zhong Hui was plotting rebellion with Jiang Wei, a messenger arrived with a letter from Sima Zhao. Zhong Hui received the letter. It read: “I feared you might not be able to arrest Deng Ai, so I have stationed my army at Chang’an. We will meet soon, and I send this to inform you in advance.” Zhong Hui was greatly alarmed and said, “My army outnumbers Deng Ai’s several times over. If he only wanted me to capture Deng Ai, Sima Zhao knew I could handle it alone. Now he comes with his own army—he must suspect me!” He then consulted with Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei said, “When a lord suspects his minister, the minister must die. Did we not see what happened to Deng Ai?” Zhong Hui said, “My mind is made up! If we succeed, we will have the realm. If we fail, we can retreat to Western Shu and still be another Liu Bei.” Jiang Wei said, “I have heard that Empress Dowager Guo has recently died. We can forge an edict from her, ordering us to punish Sima Zhao for the crime of assassinating the emperor. With your talent, the Central Plains can be swept up and taken.” Zhong Hui said, “Bo Yue, you shall be the vanguard. When we succeed, we will share the wealth and honor.” Jiang Wei replied, “I am willing to serve like a dog or a horse, but I fear the other generals will not obey.” Zhong Hui said, “Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. We will light up the old palace with lanterns and invite all the generals to a feast. Those who refuse to join us will be killed.” Jiang Wei was secretly pleased.
The next day, Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei invited all the generals to a feast. After several rounds of wine, Zhong Hui held his cup and began to weep loudly. The startled generals asked him why. Zhong Hui said, “I have the late Empress Dowager Guo’s final edict here. She commanded that Sima Zhao, who assassinated the emperor at the southern gate, is guilty of high treason and will usurp Wei. She ordered me to punish him. Each of you must sign your name to join this cause.” The generals were all shocked and looked at each other in dismay. Zhong Hui drew his sword and said, “Anyone who disobeys will be executed!” The generals, terrified, were forced to comply. After they had all signed, Zhong Hui imprisoned them in the palace under heavy guard. Jiang Wei said, “I saw that the generals were unwilling. Please have them all buried alive.” Zhong Hui replied, “I have already ordered a pit to be dug in the palace and prepared several thousand clubs. Anyone who refuses will be beaten to death and thrown into the pit.”
At that time, a trusted general named Qiu Jian was present. Qiu Jian was a former subordinate of Hu Lie, the Protector of the Army, who was also imprisoned in the palace. Qiu Jian secretly reported Zhong Hui’s words to Hu Lie. Hu Lie was horrified and said tearfully, “My son, Hu Yuan, is leading troops outside. How would he know of Zhong Hui’s treachery? Remember our old friendship and get a message to him. I will die without regret.” Qiu Jian said, “My lord, do not worry. Let me find a way.” He then went to Zhong Hui and said, “My lord, the generals are being held inside without easy access to food and water. It would be good to allow one person to come and go to deliver supplies.” Zhong Hui, who always trusted Qiu Jian’s advice, ordered him to oversee the prisoners. Zhong Hui instructed him, “I entrust this important matter to you. Do not let anything leak out.” Qiu Jian replied, “Rest assured, my lord. I have a strict method.” Qiu Jian secretly allowed a trusted man of Hu Lie to enter the palace. Hu Lie gave the man a secret letter. The man took the letter and rushed to Hu Yuan’s camp, detailing everything and presenting the secret letter. Hu Yuan was shocked and showed it to all the other camps. The generals were enraged and rushed to Hu Yuan’s camp to discuss the matter, saying, “Even if we die, we will never follow a rebel!” Hu Yuan said, “On the morning of the eighteenth day of the first month, we will storm the palace and do this.” The Army Supervisor, Wei Guan, was very pleased with Hu Yuan’s plan. He immediately organized his men and had Qiu Jian relay the plan to Hu Lie, who then informed the other generals.
Meanwhile, Zhong Hui summoned Jiang Wei and asked, “Last night I dreamed that thousands of large snakes were biting me. What does this portend?” Jiang Wei replied, “Dreams of dragons and snakes are auspicious omens.” Zhong Hui, pleased, believed him and said, “The weapons are ready. Should we release the generals and question them?” Jiang Wei said, “These men are all disloyal at heart. They will cause trouble in time. It is better to kill them now.” Zhong Hui agreed and ordered Jiang Wei to lead the warriors to execute the Wei generals. Jiang Wei received the order and was about to act when he was suddenly struck by a sharp pain in his heart and collapsed unconscious. His attendants helped him up, and it was a long time before he revived. Suddenly, a commotion was heard outside the palace. Zhong Hui sent someone to investigate, but then a great shout arose, and from all directions, countless troops arrived. Jiang Wei said, “This must be the generals rebelling. We must kill them first.” But then word came that the soldiers had already broken into the palace. Zhong Hui ordered the palace gates closed and had his soldiers climb onto the roof to throw tiles at the attackers. Dozens were killed on both sides. Fires broke out on all sides outside the palace. The attacking soldiers hacked down the gates and rushed in. Zhong Hui drew his sword and killed several men himself, but he was struck down by a hail of arrows. The generals cut off his head. Jiang Wei drew his sword and charged into the hall, fighting left and right, but his heart pain grew worse. Jiang Wei looked up to the heavens and cried out, “My plan has failed! It is Heaven’s will!” He then fell on his own sword and died. He was fifty-nine years old. Several hundred people died in the palace that day. Wei Guan said, “All troops, return to your camps and await the king’s command.” The Wei soldiers, eager for revenge, cut open Jiang Wei’s belly. His gall bladder was as large as a chicken’s egg. The generals then killed all of Jiang Wei’s family.
When Deng Ai’s former subordinates heard that Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei were dead, they rushed that night to rescue Deng Ai. Someone reported this to Wei Guan. Wei Guan said, “I was the one who arrested Deng Ai. If he is allowed to live now, I will have no place to bury my bones.” The Protector of the Army, Tian Xu, said, “When Deng Ai took Jiangyou, he wanted to kill me, but other officials pleaded for my life. Today, I will have my revenge!” Wei Guan was overjoyed and ordered Tian Xu to lead five hundred troops to pursue Deng Ai. They caught up with him at Mianzhu, just as Deng Ai and his son were being released from their prison carts, intending to return to Chengdu. Deng Ai thought it was his own troops arriving and made no preparations. As he was about to speak, Tian Xu cut him down with a single stroke of his sword. Deng Zhong also died in the chaos.
A poet of the time lamented Deng Ai: From his youth, he could plan and scheme, resourceful and skilled in war. His steady gaze knew the lay of the land; his upturned face read the stars. His horse reached the mountain’s base, and the path through the rocky pass was cut. His deeds accomplished, he was slain, his spirit wandering by the clouds of the Han River.
Another poem lamented Zhong Hui: As a child, he was called precociously wise, once serving as a Palace Secretary. His brilliant schemes toppled Sima Zhao; in his day, he was hailed as a new Zhang Liang. At Shouchun, he offered many strategies; at Jiange, he spread his eagle-like wings. He did not learn from the recluse Tao Zhu, and his wandering ghost mourns his homeland.
Another poem lamented Jiang Wei: From Tianshui, they praised his heroic talent; Liangzhou produced this exceptional man. His lineage traced back to the Grand Duke; his art came from the Marquis of Wu. His great boldness knew no fear; his heroic heart swore never to turn back. On the day he died in Chengdu, the generals of Han were filled with lasting sorrow.
Now, with Jiang Wei, Zhong Hui, and Deng Ai dead, Zhang Yi and others also perished in the chaos. The Crown Prince, Liu Xuan, and Guan Yi, the Lord of Hanshou, were all killed by the Wei soldiers. The army and the people fell into great disorder, trampling each other, and countless numbers died. Ten days later, Jia Chong arrived first and posted proclamations to pacify the people. Only then did order begin to be restored. Wei Guan was left to guard Chengdu, and the Later Ruler, Liu Shan, was moved to Luoyang. Only a few officials, such as the Imperial Secretary Fan Jian, the Palace Attendant Zhang Shao, the Glorious Grand Master Qiao Zhou, and the Palace Secretary Xi Zheng, followed him. Liao Hua and Dong Jue both claimed illness and did not go, later dying of grief.
In the spring of the third month, the Wei calendar was changed from the fifth year of the Jingyuan era to the first year of the Xianxi era. The Wu general Ding Feng, seeing that Shu had fallen, withdrew his troops back to Wu. The Imperial Secretary Hua He memorialized the Wu ruler, Sun Xiu, saying, “Wu and Shu are like lips and teeth. When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. I fear that Sima Zhao will soon attack Wu. I beg Your Majesty to strengthen our defenses.” Sun Xiu heeded his advice and appointed Lu Kang, the son of Lu Xun, as the Grand General of the East, with the post of Governor of Jing Province, to guard the mouth of the Yangtze River. The Left General Sun Yi was ordered to guard the various passes at Nanxu. Along the river, several hundred camps were established, under the overall command of the veteran general Ding Feng, to defend against the Wei forces.
When the Grand Administrator of Jianning, Huo Ge, heard that Chengdu had fallen, he put on mourning clothes, faced west, and wept for three days. His generals all said, “Since the Han ruler has lost his throne, why not surrender quickly?” Huo Ge wept and replied, “The roads are cut off. I do not know the fate of my lord. If the Wei ruler treats him with courtesy, then we can surrender the entire city—it will not be too late. But if my lord is humiliated or harmed, then a minister must die when his lord is disgraced. How could I surrender?” His officers agreed, and they sent a messenger to Luoyang to discover the Later Ruler’s fate.
When the Later Ruler arrived in Luoyang, Sima Zhao had already returned to court. Sima Zhao reproached the Later Ruler, saying, “You were dissolute and tyrannical, abandoning the worthy and losing the state. You deserve execution.” The Later Ruler’s face turned ashen, and he did not know what to do. The civil and military officials all memorialized, saying, “The Shu ruler has lost his kingdom, but he has been wise enough to surrender early. He should be pardoned.” Sima Zhao then enfeoffed Liu Shan as the Duke of Anle, granted him a residence, a monthly stipend, ten thousand bolts of silk, and a hundred servants. His son, Liu Yao, and his ministers Fan Jian, Qiao Zhou, and Xi Zheng were all granted noble ranks. The Later Ruler thanked the emperor and withdrew from the court. Because Huang Hao had corrupted the state and harmed the people, Sima Zhao ordered the warriors to take him to the market and execute him by dismemberment. At that time, Huo Ge, having heard that the Later Ruler had been enfeoffed, led his troops to surrender.
The next day, the Later Ruler personally went to Sima Zhao’s residence to thank him. Sima Zhao prepared a banquet in his honor. First, Wei music and dances were performed before them. The Shu officials were grieved, but the Later Ruler alone showed a joyful expression. Sima Zhao then ordered Shu performers to perform Shu music. All the Shu officials shed tears, but the Later Ruler laughed and was completely at ease. When the wine was half finished, Sima Zhao said to Jia Chong, “A man can be so heartless! Even if Zhuge Liang were alive, he could not have preserved his kingdom for long. How much less Jiang Wei?” He then asked the Later Ruler, “Do you miss Shu?” The Later Ruler replied, “I am happy here. I do not miss Shu.” A little later, the Later Ruler rose to relieve himself. Xi Zheng followed him to a side room and said, “Your Majesty, how could you answer that you do not miss Shu? If he asks again, you should weep and reply, ‘The graves of my ancestors are far away in Shu. My heart turns westward with sorrow, and I think of them every day.’ The Duke of Jin will surely allow Your Majesty to return to Shu.” The Later Ruler memorized this and returned to the feast. When he was slightly drunk, Sima Zhao asked again, “Do you miss Shu?” The Later Ruler repeated Xi Zheng’s words, but he could not force himself to weep, so he simply closed his eyes. Sima Zhao said, “Why does that sound like Xi Zheng’s words?” The Later Ruler opened his eyes in surprise and said, “
Truly, as you say, my lord.” Sima Zhao and everyone present laughed at him. Sima Zhao, therefore, was deeply pleased with the Later Ruler’s honesty and no longer suspected him. A poet of the time lamented: He chased pleasure and laughed with joy, feeling no sorrow for the peril that was past. Happy in a foreign land, forgetting his homeland—truly, the Later Ruler was a mediocrity.
Now, the court ministers, because Sima Zhao had conquered Shu, proposed to honor him as a king, and they memorialized the Wei ruler, Cao Huan. At this time, Cao Huan was emperor in name only, without any real power. All government affairs were controlled by the Sima clan, and he dared not refuse. He therefore enfeoffed the Duke of Jin, Sima Zhao, as the King of Jin, posthumously honoring Sima Zhao’s father, Sima Yi, as King Xuan, and his elder brother, Sima Shi, as King Jing. Sima Zhao’s wife was the daughter of Wang Su. She bore him two sons: the eldest, Sima Yan, who was tall and imposing, with hair that reached the ground when he stood and arms that extended past his knees. He was intelligent, brave, and bold beyond measure. The younger son, Sima You, was gentle, respectful, frugal, and filial. Sima Zhao loved him greatly. Because Sima Shi had no sons, Sima You was adopted as his heir. Sima Zhao often said, “The realm belongs to my elder brother.” When Sima Zhao was enfeoffed as the King of Jin, he wanted to appoint Sima You as his heir. Shan Tao remonstrated, saying, “To depose the elder and establish the younger is to violate ritual and bring ill fortune.” Jia Chong, He Zeng, and Pei Xiu also remonstrated, saying, “The eldest son is intelligent and martially gifted, with talent surpassing the age. He has popular support and a heavenly appearance—he is no mere minister’s image.” Sima Zhao was still undecided. The Grand Commandant Wang Xiang and the Minister of Public Works Xun Yi remonstrated, saying, “In previous dynasties, establishing the younger son often led to chaos in the state. We beg Your Highness to consider this.” Sima Zhao then appointed his eldest son, Sima Yan, as his heir.
The ministers then memorialized, “In the past, in Xiangwu County, a man descended from Heaven. He was over two zhang tall, with footprints three chi and two cun long, white hair and a grey beard. He wore a yellow robe and a yellow turban, and carried a thornwood staff. He proclaimed, ‘I am the King of the People. I have come to tell you: The ruler of the realm is about to change, and peace will soon be established.’ He paraded through the market for three days, then suddenly disappeared. This is Your Highness’s auspicious omen. Your Highness should wear the twelve-beaded crown, set up the emperor’s banners, observe the imperial rituals of ‘clear the road’ and ‘stop the traffic,’ ride in the golden chariot drawn by six horses, elevate your consort to queen, and appoint your heir as crown prince.” Sima Zhao was secretly pleased. He returned to his palace and was about to eat when he suddenly suffered a stroke and could not speak. The next day, his condition was critical. The Grand Commandant Wang Xiang, the Minister of Education He Zeng, the Minister of Public Works Xun Yi, and other high ministers entered the palace to inquire about his health. Sima Zhao could not speak. He pointed with his finger at the crown prince, Sima Yan, and then died. It was the day of Xinmao in the eighth month. He Zeng said, “The great affairs of the realm all rest with the King of Jin. We should establish the crown prince as the new King of Jin, and then perform the funeral and burial.” That very day, Sima Yan ascended the throne as the King of Jin. He appointed He Zeng as the Chancellor of Jin, Sima Wang as the Minister of Education, Shi Bao as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Chen Qian as the General of Light Chariots. He posthumously honored his father as King Wen.
After the burial was completed, Sima Yan summoned Jia Chong and Pei Xiu to the palace and asked, “Cao Cao once said, ‘If the Mandate of Heaven is with me, let me be King Wen of Zhou.’ Is this true?” Jia Chong replied, “Cao Cao received the emoluments of the Han for generations. He feared the name of usurper, so he spoke these words. He was clearly instructing Cao Pi to become the Son of Heaven.” Sima Yan asked, “How does my father compare to Cao Cao?” Jia Chong replied, “Although Cao Cao’s achievements overshadowed the realm, the common people feared his power but did not cherish his virtue. His son, Cao Pi, succeeded him but imposed heavy corvée labor, and the realm was constantly at war, with no year of peace. Later, our King Xuan and King Jing accumulated great deeds, spreading benevolence and virtue. The hearts of the people have long been with us. King Wen swallowed up Western Shu, his achievements covering the entire world. How can he be compared to Cao Cao?” Sima Yan said, “Cao Pi still succeeded the Han line. How can I not succeed the Wei line?” Jia Chong and Pei Xiu bowed twice and memorialized, “Your Highness should indeed follow the precedent of Cao Pi succeeding the Han. Build another Abdication Altar, proclaim it to all under Heaven, and ascend the throne.”
Sima Yan was overjoyed. The next day, he entered the palace with his sword. At this time, the Wei ruler, Cao Huan, had not held court for several days. His mind was in turmoil, and his movements were erratic. Sima Yan went straight into the inner palace. Cao Huan, flustered, descended from his throne to greet him. After Sima Yan was seated, he asked, “Who is responsible for the realm of Wei?” Cao Huan replied, “It is all the gift of your father and grandfather, the Kings of Jin.” Sima Yan laughed and said, “I see that Your Majesty is neither skilled in civil governance nor in military command. Why not yield the throne to someone of talent and virtue?” Cao Huan was terrified and could not speak. A Palace Attendant, Zhang Jie, shouted, “The King of Jin is mistaken! In the past, our martial ancestor, Emperor Wu of Wei, campaigned east and west, north and south. It was not easy to gain this realm. The present emperor is virtuous and without fault. Why should he yield the throne to another?” Sima Yan was enraged and said, “This state is the state of Great Han! Cao Cao held the emperor hostage to command the warlords, made himself King of Wei, and usurped the Han house. My grandfather and father served Wei for three generations. The one who gained the realm was not Cao, but the Sima clan! All under Heaven knows this. How am I not worthy to succeed the realm of Wei?” Zhang Jie replied, “To do this is to be a rebel who usurps the state!” Sima Yan, in a fury, shouted, “I am avenging the Han house! What is wrong with that?” He ordered the warriors to beat Zhang Jie to death with clubs in the palace. Cao Huan, weeping, knelt and pleaded. Sima Yan rose and left the hall. Cao Huan said to Jia Chong and Pei Xiu, “The matter is urgent! What can I do?” Jia Chong replied, “The Mandate of Heaven is exhausted. Your Majesty cannot go against Heaven. You should follow the precedent of Emperor Xian of Han, rebuild the Abdication Altar, perform the great ritual, and abdicate the throne to the King of Jin. This will accord with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people, and Your Majesty will be safe.”
Cao Huan had no choice but to agree. He ordered Jia Chong to build the Abdication Altar. On the day of Jiazi in the twelfth month, Cao Huan personally held the Imperial Jade Seal and stood upon the altar, convening all the civil and military officials.
A poet of the time lamented: Wei swallowed the house of Han, and Jin swallowed Wei. The cycle of Heaven’s fate cannot be escaped. Zhang Jie died a loyal minister’s death—how could one fist block the height of Mount Tai? He invited the King of Jin, Sima Yan, to ascend the altar and receive the great ritual. Cao Huan descended from the altar, donned the robes of a minister, and stood at the head of the ranks. Sima Yan sat upright upon the altar. Jia Chong and Pei Xiu stood to his left and right, holding their swords, and ordered Cao Huan to kneel twice and prostrate himself, listening to the decree. Jia Chong proclaimed, “Since the twenty-fifth year of the Jian’an era of Han, when Wei received the abdication of Han, forty-five years have passed. Now, the Heavenly blessings have come to an end, and the Mandate of Heaven is with Jin. The virtue and achievements of the Sima clan are immense, reaching to the heavens and the earth. You shall ascend the imperial throne and succeed the line of Wei. Enfeoff Cao Huan as the Duke of Chenliu, and send him to reside in the city of Jinyong. He shall depart immediately. Without an imperial summons, he shall not enter the capital.” Cao Huan, weeping, thanked him and departed. The Grand Tutor, Sima Fu, knelt and wept before Cao Huan, saying, “I am a minister of Wei, and I will never betray Wei.” When Sima Yan saw Sima Fu’s loyalty, he enfeoffed him as the Prince of Anping. Sima Fu refused the title and withdrew. On that day, the civil and military officials all bowed twice before the altar, shouting, “Long live the Emperor!” Sima Yan succeeded the line of Wei, proclaimed the new dynasty as Great Jin, changed the reign title to the first year of the Taishi era, and declared a general amnesty. Thus, Wei came to an end. A poet of the time lamented: The scale of Jin was just like that of Wei’s king; the fate of the Duke of Chenliu mirrored that of Shanyang. The events before the Abdication Altar were reenacted, and looking back, one could only grieve.
Emperor Sima Yan of Jin posthumously honored Sima Yi as Emperor Xuan, his uncle Sima Shi as Emperor Jing, and his father Sima Zhao as Emperor Wen. He established the Seven Ancestral Temples to glorify his ancestors. Who were the seven? Sima Jun, the General of the Western Expedition of Han; his son, Sima Liang, the Grand Administrator of Yuzhang; his son, Sima Jun, the Grand Administrator of Yingchuan; his son, Sima Fang, the Grand Governor of the Capital; his son, Emperor Xuan, Sima Yi; his sons, Emperor Jing, Sima Shi, and Emperor Wen, Sima Zhao. These were the seven temples. With the great matters settled, the emperor held court daily to discuss the strategy for attacking Wu. Truly: The walls and moats of Han were already no more, and the rivers and mountains of Wu were about to change. As for how the campaign against Wu would proceed, that will be told in the next chapter.