When Yang Yi received word that an army was blocking the road ahead, he immediately dispatched scouts to investigate. The scouts returned with the news that Wei Yan had burned the plank roads and was blocking the pass with his troops. Yang Yi was shaken. "The Chancellor always said this man would one day rebel, and now it has come to pass! He has cut off our retreat—what are we to do?" Fei Yi replied, "He will surely send a false memorial to the Emperor, accusing us of rebellion, and has burned the roads to trap us. We must also send a memorial to the Son of Heaven, exposing Wei Yan's treason, and then plan our next move." Jiang Wei added, "There is a narrow path here called Mount Cha. Though rugged and dangerous, it can bypass the burned roads and bring us out behind them." So they wrote a memorial to the Emperor and led their men along the mountain trail.
Meanwhile, in Chengdu, the Later Ruler could find no peace, neither in sleep nor in waking. One night, he dreamed that the Brocade Screen Mountain behind the city crumbled into dust. He woke with a start and sat until dawn, then summoned his officials to the court to interpret the dream. Qiao Zhou reported, "Last night, I observed the heavens. A red star with jagged rays fell from the northeast to the southwest—an omen of great calamity for the Chancellor. Your Majesty's dream of a mountain's collapse matches this sign." The Later Ruler grew even more fearful. Suddenly, Li Fu was announced. The Emperor urgently summoned him and asked for news. Li Fu, weeping, prostrated himself and reported that the Chancellor had passed away, recounting every detail of his final words. The Later Ruler wailed, "Heaven has destroyed me!" and collapsed upon his dragon throne. Attendants carried him to the inner palace. When Empress Dowager Wu heard the news, she too wept without restraint. All the officials mourned deeply, and the common people shed tears. The Later Ruler, overcome with grief, could not hold court for days. Then came a report that Wei Yan had submitted a memorial accusing Yang Yi of rebellion. The officials were alarmed and went to the palace to inform the Emperor, who was with Empress Dowager Wu. Shocked, the Later Ruler ordered a eunuch to read Wei Yan's memorial. It read:
"Your subject, Wei Yan, General of the Western Expedition and Marquis of Nanzheng, in fear and trembling, prostrates himself to report: Yang Yi, having seized military command, has led his troops in rebellion, seized the Chancellor's coffin, and intends to bring enemies into our land. I have burned the plank roads and am defending the pass with my troops. This I humbly submit for Your Majesty's attention."
After hearing this, the Later Ruler asked, "Wei Yan is a brave general, more than capable of stopping Yang Yi. Why would he need to burn the plank roads?" Empress Dowager Wu replied, "I recall the late Emperor saying that Kongming saw a bone of rebellion behind Wei Yan's head and often wanted to kill him, but spared him for his courage. Now he accuses Yang Yi of rebellion—we must not believe him lightly. Yang Yi is a scholar, and the Chancellor entrusted him with the position of Chief Clerk; surely he was a man of worth. If we listen only to one side, Yang Yi and his men will surely defect to Wei. This matter requires deep thought and careful deliberation." As the court debated, another urgent memorial arrived—from Chief Clerk Yang Yi. The eunuch opened and read it aloud:
"Your subject, Yang Yi, Chief Clerk and General Who Pacifies the Army, in fear and trembling, prostrates himself to report: On his deathbed, the Chancellor entrusted all matters to me. Following his orders, I dared not change anything, and commanded Wei Yan to guard the rear, with Jiang Wei next in line. But Wei Yan, disobeying the Chancellor's final instructions, took his own troops and entered Hanzhong ahead of us, burning the plank roads and seizing the Chancellor's funeral carriage, plotting treason. In this sudden crisis, I humbly submit this urgent report."
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager asked, "What do you all think?" Jiang Wan stepped forward. "In my humble opinion, Yang Yi is by nature impatient and intolerant, but he has long served the Chancellor in managing supplies and planning campaigns. The Chancellor, on his deathbed, entrusted him with great responsibility—he is no traitor. Wei Yan, always proud of his achievements, expected everyone to defer to him, but Yang Yi alone showed him no special favor. This bred resentment. Now that Yang Yi commands the army, Wei Yan, in jealousy, has burned the roads to trap him and filed false accusations. I stake my entire family's honor on Yang Yi's loyalty. I cannot vouch for Wei Yan." Dong Yun added, "Wei Yan, relying on his merits, has long harbored discontent and spoken resentfully. The only reason he did not rebel before was his fear of the Chancellor. Now that the Chancellor is gone, he seizes the opportunity to rebel—this is inevitable. As for Yang Yi, he is capable and was trusted by the Chancellor; he would never betray." The Later Ruler asked, "If Wei Yan has truly rebelled, how shall we stop him?" Jiang Wan replied, "The Chancellor always suspected him and must have left a plan with Yang Yi. If Yang Yi had no support, how could he have retreated safely into the valley? Wei Yan will surely fall into a trap. Your Majesty need not worry." Soon after, another memorial from Wei Yan arrived, again accusing Yang Yi of rebellion. While the Emperor was reading it, yet another memorial from Yang Yi came, accusing Wei Yan of treason. The two men exchanged accusations, each claiming the other was the traitor. Then Fei Yi arrived. The Later Ruler summoned him, and Fei Yi detailed Wei Yan's rebellion. The Emperor said, "If this is true, let Dong Yun take an imperial decree to persuade Wei Yan with kind words." Dong Yun accepted the order and departed.
Wei Yan, having burned the plank roads, stationed his troops at Nangu Pass, holding the strategic point, believing he had outsmarted his enemies. He did not expect that Yang Yi and Jiang Wei, marching day and night, would circle around behind Nangu Pass through the mountain trail. Fearing that Hanzhong might fall, Yang Yi ordered the vanguard commander He Ping to take three thousand men and advance first, while he and Jiang Wei followed with the Chancellor's coffin toward Hanzhong.
He Ping's force arrived behind Nangu Pass and began beating drums and raising war cries. Scouts rushed to report to Wei Yan: "Yang Yi has sent He Ping with troops through Mount Cha to challenge you!" Wei Yan, enraged, quickly donned his armor, mounted his horse, and took up his blade to meet the enemy. The two armies drew up in formation. He Ping rode out and shouted, "Where is the traitor Wei Yan?" Wei Yan shouted back, "You are helping Yang Yi rebel—how dare you insult me!" He Ping cried, "The Chancellor has just died, his bones are still warm, and you dare to rebel!" Then he raised his whip and pointed at the soldiers from Shu. "You men are all from western Sichuan. Your parents, wives, children, brothers, and friends are there. The Chancellor never treated you poorly. Do not aid this traitor now. Return to your homes and await rewards." At these words, the soldiers gave a great shout, and more than half of them scattered. Wei Yan, furious, spurred his horse and charged He Ping, blade swinging. He Ping met him with his spear. After a few exchanges, He Ping feigned defeat and fled. Wei Yan pursued. But He Ping's men loosed a volley of arrows, forcing Wei Yan to turn back. Seeing his army in disarray, Wei Yan grew even angrier. He galloped after his fleeing men, killing several, but could not stop the rout. Only Ma Dai and his three hundred men remained. Wei Yan said to Ma Dai, "If you truly help me, I will never forget your loyalty once we succeed." Together, they pursued He Ping, who fled swiftly. Wei Yan gathered his remaining troops and consulted Ma Dai. "Should we defect to Wei?" he asked. Ma Dai replied, "That would be unwise, General. A true man should seek to build his own kingdom, not kneel to others. You have both wisdom and courage—who in the two Sichuan provinces can stand against you? I vow to help you take Hanzhong first, then conquer western Sichuan."
Wei Yan, delighted, led his army with Ma Dai toward Nanzheng. Jiang Wei, standing on the city walls of Nanzheng, saw Wei Yan and Ma Dai advancing with great arrogance, their troops surging like a storm. He ordered the drawbridge raised. Wei Yan and Ma Dai shouted, "Surrender now!" Jiang Wei summoned Yang Yi to discuss the situation. "Wei Yan is fierce, and with Ma Dai's help, even though his army is small, how can we defeat him?" Yang Yi replied, "On his deathbed, the Chancellor left me a silk pouch with instructions. He said: 'If Wei Yan rebels, open this only when you face him in battle, and you will find a plan to kill him.' Let us open it now." He brought out the pouch and broke the seal. Inside was a note that read: "Open only when facing Wei Yan in battle, and only while on horseback." Jiang Wei was delighted. "Since the Chancellor left such instructions, you, Chief Clerk, should keep it. I will lead the troops out of the city and form our ranks. You may join me then." Jiang Wei donned his armor, mounted his horse, and took up his spear. With three thousand men, he opened the city gates and charged out to the sound of thunderous drums, forming a battle line. He stood beneath the command banner, spear raised, and shouted, "Traitor Wei Yan! The Chancellor never wronged you—why do you rebel?" Wei Yan, blade in hand, reined in his horse. "Jiang Wei, this has nothing to do with you. Send Yang Yi out!" Yang Yi, hidden behind the command banner, opened the silk pouch and read the plan. A smile spread across his face. He rode out on a light horse, stopped before the battle line, and pointed at Wei Yan with a laugh. "The Chancellor knew you would one day rebel and told me to be prepared. Now his words have come true. If you dare to shout three times from horseback, 'Who dares to kill me?' you will truly be a man, and I will surrender the city of Hanzhong to you." Wei Yan laughed heartily. "Listen, you wretch Yang Yi! When Kongming was alive, I feared him somewhat. But now he is dead—who under heaven dares to stand against me? Three shouts? I could shout thirty thousand times!" He raised his blade, steadied his reins, and roared from his horse: "Who dares to kill me?" Before the echo of his voice faded, a voice behind him answered sharply: "I dare!" A blade flashed, and Wei Yan was cut from his horse. The assembled troops were stunned. The man who killed Wei Yan was Ma Dai. It turned out that Kongming, on his deathbed, had given Ma Dai a secret order: when Wei Yan shouted, strike him down without warning. When Yang Yi read the plan in the silk pouch, he knew Ma Dai was waiting, and so followed the scheme exactly. Thus, Wei Yan was slain.
A poet of the time lamented: Kongming foresaw Wei Yan's treacherous heart, knowing he would one day bring chaos to western Shu. The plan hidden in the silk pouch was beyond mortal reckoning, yet its success was sealed by Ma Dai's blade.
Before Dong Yun could reach Nanzheng, Ma Dai had already killed Wei Yan and joined forces with Jiang Wei. Yang Yi sent a memorial to the Later Ruler by swift courier. The Emperor decreed: "Though his crime is clear, let his past merits be remembered. Grant him a coffin and burial." Yang Yi and the others brought Kongming's coffin to Chengdu. The Later Ruler, with all his officials dressed in mourning white, went twenty li outside the city to meet the procession. The Emperor wailed aloud. From the highest ministers to the common folk of the hills, men and women, young and old, all wept bitterly, their cries shaking the earth. The Emperor ordered the coffin brought into the city and placed in the Chancellor's residence. His son, Zhuge Zhan, observed the mourning rites.
When the Later Ruler returned to court, Yang Yi, bound in ropes, came to beg punishment. The Emperor ordered his bonds removed. "Had you not followed the Chancellor's final instructions, when would his coffin have returned? How would Wei Yan have been destroyed? You have preserved the realm—this is all your doing." He promoted Yang Yi to Central Army Advisor. Ma Dai, for his service in suppressing the rebellion, was granted Wei Yan's title and rank. Yang Yi presented Kongming's final memorial. The Later Ruler read it and wept bitterly, ordering a suitable burial site. Fei Yi reported, "The Chancellor ordered that he be buried at Mount Dingjun, with no walls, bricks, or stones, and no sacrificial offerings." The Emperor agreed. An auspicious day was chosen in the tenth month, and the Later Ruler personally escorted the coffin to Mount Dingjun for burial. He issued a decree of sacrifice, posthumously honoring Kongming as Marquis Zhongwu, and ordered a temple built at Mianyang, with seasonal offerings. The poet Du Fu later wrote, commemorating the Chancellor's legacy: Where may the Chancellor's shrine be found? Beyond Brocade City, beneath a dark cypress grove. Green grass reflects the steps in spring's own hue; Orioles sing sweetly through the leaves in vain. Thrice visited for the realm's great plan, Two reigns he served with an old minister's heart. He died before his northern campaign was won—A sorrow that makes heroes' sleeves forever wet. And
another verse: Zhuge's great name echoes through the cosmos; His solemn portrait commands awe and reverence. With cunning plans, he split the realm in three; A single feather floating through ten thousand ages. Between Yi and Lü of old, he stands their peer; In command, he outshone Xiao and Cao. But Heaven's mandate for Han could not be restored; His will was broken by the toils of war.
When the Later Ruler returned to Chengdu, a courtier reported: "Border scouts say that Eastern Wu has sent Quan Cong with tens of thousands of troops to Baling Pass—their intentions are unknown." The Emperor was alarmed. "The Chancellor has just died, and now Wu breaks our alliance and invades our borders—what shall we do?" Jiang Wan replied, "I will vouch for Wang Ping and Zhang Ni to lead tens of thousands of troops to Yong'an to guard against any threat. Your Majesty should also send an envoy to Eastern Wu to report the Chancellor's death and probe their intentions." The Emperor said, "We need a skilled diplomat for this task." A man stepped forward. "Your servant will gladly go." All eyes turned to him. He was Zong Yu, styled Deyan, a native of Anzhong in Nanyang, serving as a Right General of the Household and a military advisor. The Later Ruler, pleased, ordered Zong Yu to go to Eastern Wu to announce the mourning and assess the situation.
Zong Yu took his orders and traveled to Jianye, where he was received by Sun Quan. After the formalities, Zong Yu noticed that all the attendants were dressed in white mourning robes. Sun Quan's face darkened. "Wu and Shu are now one family," he said. "Why has your lord increased the defenses at Baidi?" Zong Yu replied, "I see that you have strengthened your garrison at Baling in the east, and we have strengthened ours at Baidi in the west. Both are prudent measures for the times—neither warrants questioning." Sun Quan laughed. "You are no less than Deng Zhi." He continued, "I have wept daily since hearing of Chancellor Zhuge's death and have ordered all my officials to wear mourning. I feared that Wei might take advantage of your mourning to invade Shu, so I added ten thousand troops at Baling to be ready to aid you. There is no other motive." Zong Yu bowed in thanks. Sun Quan declared, "Since I have sworn an alliance, how could I betray it?" He took a golden-tipped arrow, broke it in two, and swore, "If I break this oath, may my descendants be cut off!" He then sent envoys with incense, silk, and funeral gifts to Sichuan for the mourning rites.
Zong Yu took his leave of the Wu lord and returned to Chengdu with the Wu envoys. He reported to the Later Ruler: "The Wu lord wept at the news of the Chancellor's death and ordered all his officials into mourning. The troops he added at Baling were only to guard against a Wei attack—he has no treacherous intent. He broke an arrow as a vow not to break the alliance." The Later Ruler was overjoyed. He rewarded Zong Yu generously and treated the Wu envoys with honor before sending them away. Following Kongming's final instructions, he promoted Jiang Wan to Chancellor and Grand General, with authority over all state affairs; Fei Yi was made Prefect of the Masters of Writing, to assist in the Chancellor's duties; Wu Yi was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry, with an imperial warrant to oversee Hanzhong; and Jiang Wei was made General Who Supports Han and Marquis of Pingxiang, in supreme command of all military forces, to garrison Hanzhong with Wu Yi against Wei. All other officers retained their posts.
Yang Yi, believing his seniority and service surpassed Jiang Wan's, was resentful that his rank was lower. Proud of his achievements and feeling unrewarded, he complained openly. To Fei Yi, he said, "When the Chancellor died, if I had led the entire army to defect to Wei, would I be so neglected now?" Fei Yi secretly reported these words to the Later Ruler. The Emperor, enraged, ordered Yang Yi arrested and tried, intending to execute him. Jiang Wan interceded: "Yang Yi is guilty, but he rendered great service under the Chancellor. He should not be executed—let him be stripped of rank and made a commoner." The Emperor agreed and banished Yang Yi to Hanjia Commandery as a commoner. There, in shame and despair, Yang Yi took his own life.
In the thirteenth year of the Jianxing era of Shu Han, which was the third year of the Qinglong era of Wei and the fourth year of the Jiahe era of Wu, the three kingdoms did not go to war. Let us turn to Wei, where Emperor Cao Rui appointed Sima Yi as Grand Commandant, with supreme command of the military to pacify the borders. Sima Yi thanked the Emperor and returned to Luoyang. Meanwhile, in Xuchang, Cao Rui embarked on a massive construction project, building palaces and halls. In Luoyang, he erected the Chaoyang Hall, the Taiji Hall, and the Zongzhang Tower, each ten zhang high. He also built the Chonghua Hall, the Qingxiao Pavilion, the Phoenix Tower, and the Nine-Dragon Pool, commissioning the scholar Ma Jun to oversee the work. The buildings were magnificent—carved beams, painted rafters, jade-green tiles, and gold bricks that gleamed in the sunlight. He conscripted thirty thousand skilled artisans and over three hundred thousand laborers, who worked day and night without rest. The people were exhausted, and their complaints filled the air.
Cao Rui also ordered construction in the Fanglin Garden, forcing even high ministers to carry earth and plant trees. The Minister of Education, Dong Xun, submitted a stern memorial of remonstrance: "Since the Jian'an era, war has ravaged the land. Many families have been wiped out; the survivors are orphans and the elderly. If the palace is too small and needs expansion, it should be done in due season, without harming agriculture—not by building useless ornaments. Your Majesty honors your ministers with caps and robes and fine carriages to distinguish them from commoners. Now you force them to carry wood and earth, soiling their bodies and feet, destroying the dignity of the state for worthless projects—this is senseless. Confucius said: 'A ruler employs his ministers with propriety; a minister serves his ruler with loyalty.' Without propriety and loyalty, how can the state stand? I know my words will bring death, but my life is like a single hair from an ox—worthless while alive, no loss when gone. I write this with tears, bidding farewell to the world. I have eight sons; after my death, I leave them to Your Majesty's mercy. In trembling fear, I await Your Majesty's judgment."
Cao Rui read the memorial and fumed. "Is Dong Xun not afraid of death?" His attendants requested permission to execute him. But the Emperor said, "This man has always been loyal. Depose him to commoner status. Anyone else who speaks recklessly will be executed." At that time, Zhang Mao, a tutor to the crown prince, also submitted a sharp remonstrance. Cao Rui ordered him executed. That same day, he summoned Ma Jun and asked, "I wish to build high towers and pavilions to commune with the immortals and seek the secret of eternal youth." Ma Jun replied, "Of the twenty-four emperors of Han, only Emperor Wu reigned the longest and lived to the greatest age. This was because he consumed the essence of the sun and moon. In Chang'an, he built the Cypress Beam Tower, atop which he placed a bronze figure holding a platter—called the Dew-Collecting Platter—to catch the celestial water that falls at the third watch under the Northern Dipper. This water, called 'Heavenly Nectar' or 'Sweet Dew,' when mixed with powdered jade and consumed, can restore youth and prevent aging." Cao Rui was overjoyed. "Take laborers to Chang'an at once, day and night, and bring back the bronze figure and the platter. Place them in the Fanglin Garden."
Ma Jun led ten thousand men to Chang'an. They erected wooden scaffolding around the Cypress Beam Tower. Five thousand men climbed up with ropes and pulleys. The tower was twenty zhang high, and the bronze pillar was ten arm-spans thick. Ma Jun ordered the bronze figure dismantled first. As the workers strained to pull it down, tears streamed from the bronze figure's eyes. Everyone was terrified. Suddenly, a fierce wind rose around the tower, whipping up sand and stones like a sudden storm. With a sound like the splitting of heaven and earth, the tower collapsed, crushing over a thousand men to death. Ma Jun salvaged the bronze figure and the golden platter and returned to Luoyang. He presented them to the Wei Emperor, who asked, "Where is the bronze pillar?" Ma Jun replied, "The pillar weighs a million jin—it cannot be transported." Cao Rui ordered the pillar broken into pieces and brought to Luoyang, where it was cast into two bronze figures, called Wengzhong, placed outside the Sima Gate. He also cast a bronze dragon, four zhang high, and a bronze phoenix, over three zhang high, and set them before the palace. In the Shanglin Garden, he planted exotic flowers and rare trees and kept strange birds and beasts. The Junior Tutor, Yang Fu, submitted a memorial of remonstrance: "I have heard that Yao lived in a thatched hut, yet the realm was at peace; Yu dwelt in a humble palace, yet all under heaven prospered. In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, halls were only three feet high and nine spans wide. The sage emperors and enlightened kings of antiquity never built grand palaces at the expense of their people's strength. Jie built the Jasper Chamber and Ivory Corridor; Zhou built the Inclined Palace and Deer Terrace—and both lost their kingdoms. King Ling of Chu built the Zhanghua Tower and brought disaster upon himself. The First Emperor of Qin built the Epang Palace, and his son suffered for it; the realm rebelled, and the Qin fell in two generations. He who does not measure the strength of his people but indulges his own desires will surely perish. Your Majesty should take Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, Wen, and Wu as your models, and Jie, Zhou, Chu, and Qin as your warnings. To seek only leisure and pleasure, to decorate only palaces and towers, will surely bring disaster. The ruler is the head, the ministers are the limbs—they share the same fate, the same gains and losses. Though I am dull and timid, I dare not forget the duty of a remonstrating minister. If my words are not sharp enough to awaken Your Majesty, I have prepared my coffin and bathed myself, awaiting the heaviest punishment."
This memorial was ignored. Cao Rui only urged Ma Jun to build the high tower and install the bronze figure and the dew-collecting platter. He also issued an edict to select beautiful women from across the realm to fill the Fanglin Garden. Officials submitted remonstrance after remonstrance, but the Emperor paid them no heed.
Empress Mao, Cao Rui's wife, was a native of Henei. When Cao Rui was still the Prince of Pingyuan, they had been deeply in love. After he ascended the throne, he made her empress. But later, he grew fond of Lady Guo, who was beautiful and clever, and Empress Mao fell from favor. Cao Rui doted on Lady Guo, spending every day with her in pleasure, not leaving the inner palace for over a month. In the spring of that year, the flowers in the Fanglin Garden burst into bloom. Cao Rui and Lady Guo went to the garden to drink and enjoy the scenery. Lady Guo asked, "Why not invite the Empress to join us?" Cao Rui replied, "If she were here, I could not swallow a single drop." He ordered the palace maids to ensure Empress Mao did not learn of their outing. Empress Mao, noticing that the Emperor had not visited her for over a month, went to the Green Jade Tower with a dozen attendants to pass the time. Hearing music drifting through the air, she asked, "Where is that music coming from?" A eunuch replied, "His Majesty and Lady Guo are in the imperial garden, enjoying the flowers and drinking." Empress Mao's heart filled with bitterness. She returned to her chambers and retired. The next day, she took a small carriage to tour the palace grounds and encountered Cao Rui in a winding corridor. She smiled and said, "Your Majesty enjoyed the northern garden yesterday—it must have been quite pleasant!" Cao Rui flew into a rage. He ordered the attendants who had served him the previous day to be brought before him. "I commanded that Empress Mao was not to know of my visit to the northern garden!" he roared. "How did it leak out?" He ordered the eunuchs to execute all the attendants. Empress Mao, terrified, fled back to her palace. Cao Rui issued an edict ordering her to commit suicide. He then made Lady Guo his new empress. No minister dared to remonstrate.
Then, one day, a memorial arrived from Guanqiu Jian, the Inspector of You Province, reporting that Gongsun Yuan of Liaodong had rebelled, proclaimed himself King of Yan, changed the reign title to Shaohan, built palaces, appointed officials, and launched an invasion, shaking the northern borders. Cao Rui was alarmed and summoned his officials to discuss how to raise an army to stop Gongsun Yuan. Truly: No sooner had the realm been wearied by grand constructions than war erupted on the distant frontier. What strategy would be employed to defeat this threat? The answer must be revealed in the next chapter.