In the sixth month of the second year of the Zhangwu reign, Lu Xun of Eastern Wu had crushed the Shu army at the lands of Xiaoting and Yiling. The late Emperor, Liu Bei, had fled back to Baidicheng, where Zhao Yun held the city with his troops. Suddenly, Ma Liang arrived. Seeing the army already shattered, he was filled with bitter regret. He reported Zhuge Liang’s earlier warnings to the Emperor. Liu Bei sighed deeply and said, “Had I heeded the Chancellor’s words earlier, I would not have suffered this defeat! What face do I have to return to Chengdu and face my ministers?” He then issued an edict to remain in Baidicheng, converting the official guesthouse into the Yong’an Palace. Messengers reported that Feng Xi, Zhang Nan, Fu Tong, Cheng Ji, and Shamoke had all perished in the Emperor’s service. Liu Bei grieved endlessly. Then, a close minister reported, “Huang Quan, commanding the troops north of the river, has surrendered to Wei. Your Majesty should send his family to the authorities for punishment.” Liu Bei replied, “Huang Quan was cut off by Wu forces on the northern bank, with no path back to us. He surrendered to Wei only because he had no other choice. It is I who wronged Quan, not Quan who wronged me. Why punish his family?” He instead continued to provide them with a stipend of grain.
As for Huang Quan, after surrendering to Wei, he was brought before Cao Pi. The Wei Emperor asked, “Do you now surrender to me, hoping to emulate the famous defectors Chen Ping and Han Xin of old?” Huang Quan wept and replied, “I received the profound grace of the Shu Emperor, who entrusted me with the command of the army on the northern river. But Lu Xun cut off my retreat. I could not return to Shu, nor could I surrender to Wu, so I came to Your Majesty. A defeated general is fortunate merely to escape death. How dare I aspire to match the ancients?” Cao Pi was greatly pleased and immediately appointed Huang Quan as General Who Pacifies the South. Quan firmly refused the title. Suddenly, a minister reported, “Spies from Shu say that the Shu Emperor has executed Huang Quan’s entire family.” Quan said, “My lord and I trusted each other with complete sincerity. He knows my true heart and would never kill my family.” Cao Pi agreed.
A poet of the time lamented this affair, writing:
A poet of the time lamented: He could not surrender to Wu, so he surrendered to Wei instead. How could true loyalty and righteousness serve two opposing dynasties? It is a pity that Huang Quan clung so desperately to his life—the stern judgment of history would never forgive him.
Cao Pi then asked Jia Xu, “I wish to unify the realm. Should I first attack Shu or Wu?” Jia Xu replied, “Liu Bei is a man of heroic talent, and Zhuge Liang is skilled at governing the state. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu understands the true situation, and Lu Xun currently holds the strategic passes with his troops, separated by rivers and lakes. Neither can be easily overcome. In my view, none of our generals are a match for Sun Quan or Liu Bei. Even with Your Majesty’s heavenly authority leading them, I see no situation that guarantees victory. We should maintain a defensive posture and wait for changes within the two states.” Cao Pi said, “I have already sent three armies to attack Wu. How can we not win?” Minister Liu Ye interjected, “Lu Xun of Eastern Wu has just crushed the 700,000-strong Shu army. Their forces are united in spirit, and they hold the advantage of rivers and lakes. They cannot be subdued quickly. Lu Xun is full of stratagems and will surely be prepared.” Cao Pi asked, “You advised me to attack Wu before. Why do you now counsel against it?” Liu Ye replied, “The times have changed. Previously, Eastern Wu had suffered repeated defeats against Shu, and their momentum was broken. That was the time to strike. Now that they have achieved a complete victory, their morale is a hundred times stronger. They cannot be attacked.” Cao Pi said, “My mind is made up. Do not speak further.” He then led his Imperial Guard personally to support his three armies. Soon, scout riders reported that Eastern Wu was already prepared. They had sent Lü Fan to block Cao Xiu, Zhuge Jin to hold Nan Commandery against Cao Zhen, and Zhu Huan to guard the Ruxu Inlet against Cao Ren. Liu Ye warned, “Since they are prepared, going forward will be futile.” Cao Pi ignored him and marched his army out.
Now, the Wu general Zhu Huan was only twenty-seven years old but possessed great courage and strategy. Sun Quan held him in high esteem. At the time, he was commanding the garrison at Ruxu. When he heard that Cao Ren was leading a large army to attack Xianxi, Zhu Huan dispatched most of his troops to defend that position, leaving only five thousand cavalry to guard the city. Suddenly, a report arrived that Cao Ren had ordered the great general Chang Diao, along with Zhuge Qian and Wang Shuang, to lead 50,000 elite troops in a swift march on Ruxu City. The soldiers were all terrified. Zhu Huan, pressing his hand on his sword, declared, “Victory or defeat lies with the general, not with the number of troops. The Art of War says that even if the invader has twice the men of the defender, the defender can still win. Now Cao Ren has marched a thousand li; his men and horses are weary. You and I hold this high city, with the great river to the south and the safety of the mountains at our back. We can meet the tired with the rested, using our position as the defender to control the invader. This is a situation for a hundred victories. Even if Cao Pi himself were to come, we should not worry. How much less these men?” He then ordered his troops to lower their banners and muffle their drums, making the city appear unguarded.
The Wei vanguard commander, Chang Diao, led his elite troops toward Ruxu. From afar, he saw no soldiers on the walls. He urged his army forward at a rapid pace. When they were close to the city, a signal cannon boomed, and banners rose up all at once. Zhu Huan, wielding his blade, rode out at full speed and charged directly at Chang Diao. Before three exchanges were complete, Zhu Huan cut Chang Diao down from his horse with a single stroke. The Wu troops seized the momentum and charged, routing the Wei army and killing countless men. Zhu Huan won a great victory, capturing banners, weapons, and war horses without number. When Cao Ren arrived with the main force, Wu troops ambushed him from Xianxi. Cao Ren was thoroughly defeated and retreated. He returned to the Wei Emperor and reported the great defeat in detail. Cao Pi was greatly alarmed. While they were discussing the matter, a scout reported, “Cao Zhen and Xiahou Shang besieged Nan Commandery, but Lu Xun had hidden troops inside the city, and Zhuge Jin had troops in ambush outside. Attacked from both within and without, they were utterly defeated.” Before this report was finished, another scout arrived, saying, “Cao Xiu has also been defeated by Lü Fan.” Hearing that all three armies had been routed, Cao Pi sighed deeply and said, “Had I listened to Jia Xu and Liu Ye, I would not have suffered this defeat!” It was now the height of summer, and a great plague swept through the army, killing six or seven out of every ten cavalry and infantry. Cao Pi led his remaining forces back to Luoyang. From this point on, Wu and Wei were at odds.
Meanwhile, the late Emperor Liu Bei lay ill in the Yong’an Palace, his condition worsening day by day. By the fourth month of the third year of the Zhangwu reign, he knew the sickness had reached his limbs. His grief for his oath-brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, deepened his illness. His vision grew blurry, and he grew weary of his attendants. He dismissed them all and lay alone on his dragon couch. Suddenly, a cold wind arose, making the lamp flicker. It went out, then relit itself. In the shadow of the lamp, Liu Bei saw two figures standing. Angrily, he said, “My mind is unsettled. I told you all to leave! Why have you returned?” The figures did not retreat. Liu Bei rose to look at them. The one at the head was Guan Yu, and the one behind him was Zhang Fei. Liu Bei was astonished and cried out, “My brothers! Are you still alive?” Guan Yu replied, “We are not men, but spirits. The Lord of Heaven, seeing that we never lost our faith or righteousness in life, has appointed us both as gods. Brother, your reunion with us is not far off.” Liu Bei grasped them and wept bitterly. Suddenly, he woke with a start. His brothers were gone. He called for his attendants and asked the time. It was the third watch. Liu Bei sighed and said, “I will not be long for this world.” He sent messengers to Chengdu, summoning the Chancellor, Zhuge Liang, and the Master of Documents, Li Yan, to travel day and night to the Yong’an Palace to receive his final edict. Zhuge Liang, along with the Emperor’s second son, Liu Yong, the Prince of Lu, and his third son, Liu Li, the Prince of Liang, came to the palace to see the Emperor. The Crown Prince, Liu Shan, was left to guard Chengdu.
When Zhuge Liang arrived at the Yong’an Palace and saw the Emperor’s critical condition, he hurriedly knelt and prostrated himself before the dragon couch. The Emperor ordered him to be seated at his side. Stroking Zhuge Liang’s back, he said, “Since I gained your service, I was fortunate enough to establish an empire. But my knowledge was shallow, and I did not follow your counsel, bringing this disaster upon myself. My regret has turned to sickness, and death is near. My heir is weak and incompetent, and I must entrust the great affairs of state to you.” As he spoke, tears streamed down his face. Zhuge Liang, also weeping, replied, “I pray Your Majesty to preserve your dragon health, to fulfill the hopes of all under Heaven!” Liu Bei’s gaze swept the room and fell upon Ma Su, the younger brother of Ma Liang, who was standing nearby. The Emperor ordered him to withdraw. After Ma Su had left, Liu Bei said to Zhuge Liang, “Chancellor, what do you think of Ma Su’s talent?” Zhuge Liang replied, “He is a man of exceptional ability for our times.” Liu Bei said, “No. I have observed him. His words exceed his actual ability. He cannot be given great responsibility. You must examine him closely.” Having given this instruction, he ordered all his ministers to enter the hall. He took paper and brush and wrote his final edict. Handing it to Zhuge Liang, he sighed, “I have not studied the classics, but I know the broad outlines. The sage said: ‘When a bird is about to die, its cry is mournful; when a man is about to die, his words are good.’ I had wished to destroy the traitor Cao with you and restore the Han dynasty. But fate separates us midway. I ask you to give this edict to my son, Liu Shan, and tell him not to take it as ordinary words. In all matters, I rely on you to instruct him!” Zhuge Liang and the others wept and bowed, touching their foreheads to the ground. “May Your Majesty preserve your dragon body!” they said. “We will exhaust the strength of dogs and horses to repay the grace of your recognition.”
The Emperor ordered the eunuchs to help Zhuge Liang rise. With one hand wiping his tears and the other grasping Zhuge Liang’s hand, he said, “I am about to die. There is a matter of the heart I must tell you.” Zhuge Liang asked, “What is Your Majesty’s command?” Liu Bei wept and said, “Your talent is ten times that of Cao Pi. You are surely capable of securing the state and completing the great enterprise. If my heir is worthy of your support, then support him. If he is incompetent, you may take the throne of Chengdu for yourself.” When Zhuge Liang heard this, sweat broke out all over his body. His hands and feet trembled, and he prostrated himself, weeping. “How dare I not exhaust every ounce of my strength and loyalty, even to the point of death, to serve him!” He knocked his head on the ground until it bled. The Emperor then asked Zhuge Liang to sit on the couch. He called Liu Yong and Liu Li to his side and instructed them, “Remember my words. After I am gone, you three brothers must serve the Chancellor as you would your own father. Do not be negligent.” He then ordered the two princes to bow to Zhuge Liang. When they had finished, Zhuge Liang said, “Even if my liver and brains were spilled upon the ground, how could I ever repay the grace of your recognition?”
The Emperor then addressed the assembled officials: “I have entrusted my orphan to the Chancellor, and I have ordered my heir to serve him as a father. None of you must be negligent, so as to fail my hopes.” He then turned to Zhao Yun and said, “You and I have endured hardship together, from the very beginning until now. I never thought we would part in this place. Remember our old friendship. Watch over my son day and night. Do not fail my words.” Zhao Yun wept and bowed, saying, “Dare I not exert the strength of a dog or a horse?” The Emperor then said to his remaining officials, “I cannot give each of you individual instructions. I only ask that you all take care of yourselves.” With these words, he passed away at the age of sixty-three. It was the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month of the third year of the Zhangwu reign. Du Fu, the great poet of a later age, composed a lament:
The Lord of Shu, seeking to conquer Wu, marched toward the Three Gorges, but the year of his death found him still in Yong’an Palace. His royal banners are now but a phantom in the empty mountains; his jade halls are but a memory in a wild temple. In the ancient shrine, cranes nest among the pines and cypresses; at the seasonal sacrifices, village elders come to pay their respects. The temple of the Marquis of Wu stands ever near, and lord and minister are worshipped together for all time.
The late Emperor had passed away. The civil and military officials were all overcome with grief. Zhuge Liang led the officials in escorting the imperial coffin back to Chengdu. The Crown Prince, Liu Shan, came out of the city to receive the funeral cortege. The coffin was placed in the main hall. After the mourning rites were performed, the final edict was opened and read aloud. It said:
“When I first fell ill, it was only dysentery. Later, it turned into a complex of diseases, and I could not save myself. I have heard that a man who lives to be fifty is not considered to have died young. I am now over sixty. What regret can there be in death? My only concern is for you, my sons. Strive on! Strive on! Do no evil because it is small; neglect no good because it is small. Only worth and virtue can win men’s hearts. Your father’s virtue was shallow; do not imitate him. Serve the Chancellor as you would serve me. Do not be negligent! Do not forget! Let my sons seek to broaden their knowledge. This is my final charge! My final charge!”
After the edict was read, Zhuge Liang said, “The state cannot be without a lord even for a single day. I request that the heir be enthroned to continue the line of Han.” They then crowned the Crown Prince, Liu Shan, as Emperor, changing the reign title to Jianxing. Zhuge Liang was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Wuxiang and given the additional post of Governor of Yi Province. The late Emperor was buried at Huling, with the posthumous title of Emperor Zhaolie. The Empress Dowager, née Wu, was honored as Empress Dowager. The late Lady Gan was posthumously named Empress Zhaolie, and Lady Mi was also posthumously named Empress. The officials were promoted and rewarded, and a general amnesty was declared throughout the realm.
Soon, Wei spies learned of these events and reported them to the Wei court. Cao Pi was overjoyed. “Liu Bei is dead,” he said. “I have nothing to fear. Why not take advantage of the chaos in Shu to attack them?” Jia Xu counseled against it. “Though Liu Bei is dead, he will have entrusted his orphan to Zhuge Liang. Liang, moved by the grace of recognition, will devote his heart and strength to supporting the new ruler. Your Majesty cannot attack rashly.” As he was speaking, a man suddenly stepped forward from the ranks of officials. “If we do not advance now, when will we?” he exclaimed. Everyone looked. It was Sima Yi. Cao Pi was delighted and asked him for a plan. Sima Yi replied, “If we only raise troops from the Central Plains, it will be difficult to win quickly. We must use five armies to attack from all sides, cutting off Zhuge Liang’s ability to respond. Only then can we succeed.”
Cao Pi asked what the five paths were. Sima Yi explained: “First, send a letter to the Xianbei kingdom of Liaodong, to King Kebineng. Bribe him with gold and silk, and order him to raise 100,000 Qiang troops from west of the Liao River to attack Xiping Pass by land. Second, send another letter with official titles and rewards to the the Southern Tribes, to King Meng Huo, ordering him to raise 100,000 troops to attack the four commanderies of Yizhou, Yongchang, Zangke, and Yuexi, striking the south of western Sichuan. Third, send an envoy to Wu to repair relations, promising to cede territory, and order Sun Quan to raise 100,000 troops to attack the mouth of the Three Gorges and take Fucheng directly. Fourth, send an envoy to the defector Meng Da, ordering him to raise 100,000 troops from Shangyong to attack Hanzhong from the west. Fifth, appoint the Grand General Cao Zhen as Commander-in-Chief, leading 100,000 troops from the capital region to attack western Sichuan via Yangping Pass. With 500,000 troops advancing on five fronts, even if Zhuge Liang had the talent of Jiang Ziya, how could he withstand this?” Cao Pi was overjoyed. He immediately sent four eloquent envoys on their missions, and appointed Cao Zhen as Commander-in-Chief, leading 100,000 troops to take Yangping Pass. The veteran generals like Zhang Liao had all been enfeoffed as marquises and were stationed at strategic passes in Ji, Xu, Qing, and Hefei, so they were not recalled for this campaign.
Now, after the Shu-Han Emperor, Liu Shan, ascended the throne, many of the old officials had died of illness, and it would be tedious to list them all. All matters of state—selection of officials, finances, taxes, and legal disputes—were handled by the Chancellor, Zhuge Liang. At this time, the Emperor had not yet taken an empress. Zhuge Liang and the officials submitted a memorial: “The daughter of the late General of Chariots and Cavalry, Zhang Fei, is very virtuous and is now seventeen. She could be taken as the Empress.” The Emperor agreed and married her.
In the eighth month of the first year of the Jianxing reign, a border report suddenly arrived: “Wei has mobilized five armies to attack western Sichuan. The first army, with Cao Zhen as Commander-in-Chief, is 100,000 strong and is advancing on Yangping Pass. The second army, led by the defector Meng Da, is 100,000 strong from Shangyong and is attacking Hanzhong. The third army, led by Sun Quan of Eastern Wu, is 100,000 strong and is advancing on the mouth of the Three Gorges to enter Sichuan. The fourth army, led by King Meng Huo of the the Southern Tribes, is 100,000 strong and is attacking the four commanderies of Yizhou. The fifth army, led by King Kebineng of the Qiang tribes, is 100,000 strong and is attacking Xiping Pass. This five-pronged attack is extremely dangerous.” This news had already been reported to the Chancellor, but for reasons unknown, he had not emerged from his residence for several days to attend to affairs.
The Emperor Liu Shan was greatly alarmed. He immediately sent a eunuch with an imperial decree to summon Zhuge Liang to court. The messenger returned after half a day and reported, “The servants at the Chancellor’s residence say that the Chancellor is ill and cannot leave.” The Emperor grew even more anxious. The next day, he ordered the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Dong Yun, and the Remonstrance Advisor, Du Qiong, to go to the Chancellor’s bedside and inform him of this great crisis. The two men arrived at the Chancellor’s residence but were not allowed to enter. Du Qiong said, “The late Emperor entrusted his orphan to the Chancellor. Now the new Emperor has just taken the throne, and Cao Pi has invaded with five armies. The military situation is urgent. Why does the Chancellor pretend to be ill and refuse to come out?” After a long wait, a gatekeeper transmitted the Chancellor’s order: “His illness has eased slightly. He will come to the state hall to discuss affairs tomorrow morning.” Dong Yun and Du Qiong sighed and returned. The next day, many officials gathered again at the Chancellor’s residence. They waited from morning until evening, but he did not appear. The officials, growing anxious, had to disperse. Du Qiong went to the court and reported to the Emperor, “I beg Your Majesty to go in person to the Chancellor’s residence to ask for a plan.” The Emperor then led a group of officials into the palace to inform the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was greatly alarmed. “Why is the Chancellor acting this way?” she asked. “He is betraying the late Emperor’s trust! I shall go myself.” Dong Yun advised, “Your Majesty should not go rashly. I suspect the Chancellor has a plan of great wisdom. Let the Emperor go first. If the Chancellor is truly negligent, then Your Majesty can summon him to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and question him.” The Empress Dowager agreed.
The next day, the Emperor’s carriage arrived in person at the Chancellor’s residence. The gatekeepers, seeing the Emperor, hurriedly knelt to receive him. The Emperor asked, “Where is the Chancellor?” The gatekeeper replied, “We do not know. The Chancellor only ordered us to block all officials and not allow them to enter.” The Emperor then dismounted from his carriage and walked in alone. He passed through the third gate and saw Zhuge Liang, leaning on a bamboo staff, watching fish by a small pond. The Emperor stood behind him for a long time, then said slowly, “Is the Chancellor enjoying himself?” Zhuge Liang turned around and, seeing the Emperor, hurriedly dropped his staff and prostrated himself. “I deserve ten thousand deaths!” he said. The Emperor helped him up and asked, “Cao Pi has divided his troops into five armies and is pressing the border. Why, Foster Father, will you not leave your residence to attend to affairs?” Zhuge Liang laughed heartily. He helped the Emperor into an inner room and seated him. “How could I not know of the five armies?” he said. “I was not watching the fish. I was thinking.” The Emperor asked, “What is to be done?” Zhuge Liang replied, “The Qiang King Kebineng, the King Meng Huo of the Southern Tribes, the defector Meng Da, and the Wei general Cao Zhen—I have already repelled these four armies. As for Sun Quan’s army, I have a plan to repel them as well, but I need an eloquent envoy. I have not yet found the right man, so I have been pondering. Why should Your Majesty worry?”
The Emperor was both astonished and delighted. “Foster Father, your foresight is truly as unfathomable as a spirit or a god!” he said. “I beg to hear how you have repelled them.” Zhuge Liang replied, “The late Emperor entrusted Your Majesty to me. How dare I be negligent for even a moment? The officials in Chengdu do not understand that the subtlety of military strategy lies in keeping one’s plans unknown. How could I have leaked them? I knew that King Kebineng of the western Qiang would attack Xiping Pass. I calculated that Ma Chao, being a native of western Sichuan, has always commanded the loyalty of the Qiang people, who call him the ‘Heavenly General of Divine Might.’ I had already sent a man, riding day and night, with an urgent dispatch ordering Ma Chao to hold Xiping Pass, laying four ambushes that rotate daily. This front is not a worry. As for Meng Huo of the the Southern Tribes, attacking the four commanderies, I sent a flying dispatch ordering Wei Yan to lead an army in a feinting maneuver, attacking from the left and right in turns. the tribesmen rely on raw courage and are easily confused. When they see these feints, they will not dare to advance. This front is also not a worry. I also knew that Meng Da would attack Hanzhong. Meng Da and Li Yan once swore a bond of life and death. When I returned to Chengdu, I left Li Yan to guard the Yong’an Palace. I have written a letter in Li Yan’s own handwriting and sent it to Meng Da. He will certainly pretend to be ill and refuse to march, slowing down his army. This front is not a worry.
As for Cao Zhen attacking Yangping Pass, the terrain there is steep and easily defended. I have already ordered Zhao Yun to hold the pass with his troops and not to give battle. When Cao Zhen sees that we will not come out, he will soon retreat on his own. These four armies are all no cause for concern. But still, I was not entirely secure, so I secretly ordered Guan Xing and Zhang Bao to each lead 30,000 troops and station them at critical points, ready to reinforce any front. None of these deployments went through the Chengdu government, so no one knew. As for Sun Quan’s army, they may not even move. If they see that the other four armies are winning and Sichuan is in danger, they will certainly attack. But if those four armies fail, will they stir? I believe Sun Quan still resents Cao Pi’s three-pronged invasion of Wu and will not follow his orders. Even so, I need an eloquent envoy to go to Eastern Wu and persuade them with arguments of mutual interest. If we can first repel the Wu army, what worry are the other four? But I had not yet found the right man to send to Wu, so I hesitated. I never expected Your Majesty to trouble yourself by coming here!” The Emperor said, “The Empress Dowager also wished to come to see you. Now, hearing your words, I feel as if I have just awakened from a dream. What worry is there?”
Zhuge Liang drank several cups of wine with the Emperor and then escorted him out of the residence. The officials were all standing in a circle outside the gate. Seeing the Emperor’s joyful expression, they were all puzzled. The Emperor took leave of Zhuge Liang and returned to the palace in his carriage. Among the officials, Zhuge Liang noticed one man looking up to the sky and laughing, also with a look of joy. He was Deng Zhi, styled Baimiao, a native of Xinye in Yiyang, and currently the Minister of Revenue. He was a descendant of Deng Yu, the Han dynasty’s Grand Commandant. Zhuge Liang secretly ordered a servant to detain Deng Zhi. After the other officials had dispersed, Zhuge Liang invited Deng Zhi into his study and asked him, “Now the three kingdoms of Shu, Wei, and Wu stand in a tripod. If we wish to conquer the other two and restore the Han dynasty, which should we attack first?” Deng Zhi replied, “In my humble opinion, Wei, though a traitor to Han, is too powerful to be shaken quickly. We must plan slowly. Now that the new Emperor has just taken the throne and the people are not yet settled, we should form an alliance with Eastern Wu, like lips and teeth, and wash away the old grievances of the late Emperor. This is a long-term strategy. I do not know if the Chancellor agrees.” Zhuge Liang laughed heartily and said, “I have been thinking of this for a long time, but I had not found the right man. Today, I have found him!” Deng Zhi asked, “What does the Chancellor want this man to do?” Zhuge Liang said, “I want to send someone to form an alliance with Eastern Wu. Since you understand this plan, you will surely not disgrace your mission. The task of envoy to Wu cannot be given to anyone but you.” Deng Zhi replied, “My talent is shallow and my knowledge limited. I fear I am not worthy of this responsibility.” Zhuge Liang said, “Tomorrow I will inform the Emperor and ask you, Baimiao, to make the journey. Do not refuse.” Deng Zhi agreed and withdrew. The next day, Zhuge Liang obtained the Emperor’s approval and sent Deng Zhi to persuade Eastern Wu. Deng Zhi took his leave and set out for the lands of Wu. Truly:
No sooner had the men of Wu seen the clash of arms subside, than an envoy from Shu would come, bearing gifts of jade and silk to forge a bond.
What would become of Deng Zhi’s mission? Read the next chapter to find out.