Now, Sun Xiu, the ruler of Wu, upon hearing that Sima Yan had usurped the throne of Wei and knowing that he would inevitably turn to conquer Wu, fell ill from anxiety and took to his bed, unable to rise. He summoned his Chancellor, Puyang Xing, to the palace and ordered his son, Sun Wan, to come forth and pay his respects. The ruler took Puyang Xing’s arm, then grasped his son’s hand, and with a final, trembling sigh, he died. Puyang Xing left the palace and consulted with the other officials. They wished to establish Sun Wan as the new sovereign. However, the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard, Wan Yu, argued, “Sun Wan is too young and cannot govern alone. It would be better to enthrone Sun Hao, the Marquis of Wucheng.” The Left General, Zhang Bu, agreed, saying, “Sun Hao’s talent and judgment are clear and decisive. He is worthy of being emperor.” Chancellor Puyang Xing could not decide and went to inform Empress Dowager Zhu. The Empress Dowager said, “I am but a widow. How could I understand matters of state? You must deliberate and decide for yourselves.”
Sun Hao, whose style name was Yuanzong, was the son of Sun He, who himself was the son of Sun Quan, the Great Emperor of Wu. In the seventh month of that year, Sun Hao ascended the throne, changing the reign era. He made Sun Wan the Prince of Yuzhang, posthumously honored his father, Sun He, as Emperor Wen, and elevated his mother, Lady He, to Empress Dowager. He appointed Ding Feng as Right Grand Marshal. The following year, he changed the reign era to Ganlu. Sun Hao grew increasingly cruel and violent. He was deeply addicted to wine and women and favored the eunuch Cen Hun. When Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu admonished him, Sun Hao flew into a rage, executed both of them, and annihilated their entire clans. From that day forward, the court officials sealed their lips, daring not to offer further remonstrance. He again changed the reign era to Baoding and appointed Lu Kai and Wan Yu as his Left and Right Chancellors. At this time, Sun Hao resided in Wuchang. The people of Yang Province were forced to transport supplies upstream against the current, suffering greatly. He was also extravagantly wasteful, draining both the public treasury and private wealth.
“Now, though there is no natural disaster, the people’s strength is exhausted. Though there is no great undertaking, the nation’s coffers are empty. Your servant feels this pain deeply. In the past, when the Han dynasty declined, three houses stood in a tripod. Now, Cao and Liu have lost the Way, and both have been swallowed by Jin. This is a clear lesson before our eyes. Your servant is foolish, but I only wish for Your Majesty to cherish the state. The land of Wuchang is rugged and barren—it is no place for a king’s capital. A children’s rhyme says: ‘Better to drink the waters of Jianye than eat the fish of Wuchang; better to die in Jianye than live in Wuchang.’ This clearly shows the will of the people and the mandate of Heaven. Now the state does not have a single year’s reserves, and the roots of the tree are beginning to show. The officials are cruel and oppressive, and no one shows any pity. In the time of the Great Emperor, the number of palace women did not exceed one hundred. Since Emperor Jing’s reign, there have been over a thousand! This is a great drain on the treasury. Furthermore, the men around you are unworthy; they form cliques and factions, harming the loyal and hiding the virtuous. These are the very things that ruin governance and harm the people. I beg Your Majesty to reduce the countless corvée labors, abolish the harsh exactions, and send out the palace women.”
Sun Hao was displeased by this memorial. He then embarked on a massive construction project, building the Zhaoming Palace, and ordered all civil and military officials to go into the mountains to cut timber. He also summoned a magician named Shang Guang to perform divination with yarrow stalks, asking about the fate of his empire. Shang Guang replied, “Your Majesty has cast a most auspicious omen: in the year of Gengzi, a green canopy shall enter Luoyang.” Sun Hao was overjoyed and said to the Imperial Secretary, Hua He, “The former emperor heeded your words and sent generals to establish hundreds of camps along the Yangtze, placing the veteran general Ding Feng in overall command. I wish to annex the lands of Han to avenge the Emperor of Shu. Which territory should we take first?” Hua He admonished him, “Now that Chengdu has fallen and the state of Shu has collapsed, Sima Yan surely harbors the ambition to swallow Wu. Your Majesty should cultivate virtue to pacify the people of Wu—that is the highest strategy. To rashly move your armies would be like trying to put out a fire with hemp—you will only burn yourself. I beg Your Majesty to consider this.” Sun Hao roared in anger, “I wish to seize this opportunity to restore our ancient heritage, and you speak such ill-omened words! If not for the sake of your service as a former minister, I would have you beheaded and your corpse displayed!” He ordered his guards to drive Hua He from the palace hall. Hua He left the court and sighed, “Alas, this land of silk and rivers will soon belong to another!” He then went into seclusion and would not emerge. Sun Hao then ordered the garrison commander of Wuchang to lead a campaign into Xiangyang.
Word of this soon reached Luoyang, and a courtier reported it to the Jin emperor, Sima Yan. When Sima Yan heard that Lu Kang was raiding Xiangyang, he convened his officials for consultation. Jia Chong stepped forward and said, “Your servant has heard that Sun Hao of Wu does not cultivate virtuous governance but instead pursues evil policies. Your Majesty should issue an edict to the Commander-in-Chief, Yang Hu, ordering him to lead troops to resist, and then wait for an opportunity to arise from within Wu. When that happens, we can take advantage of the chaos to attack, and the eastern lands will fall into our hands as easily as turning over a hand.” Sima Yan was delighted and immediately sent an envoy to Xiangyang to inform Yang Hu of the decree. Yang Hu accepted the command, marshaled his troops and horses, and prepared to meet the enemy. From that point on, Yang Hu guarded Xiangyang and won the hearts of both his soldiers and the people. Any man of Wu who wished to surrender and leave was allowed to do so. He reduced the number of patrols and garrison troops, using them instead to cultivate over eight hundred qing of farmland. When he first arrived, his army had less than a hundred days’ worth of grain. But by the end of his tenure, the army had a ten-year supply stored up. Yang Hu often wore light furs and a loose belt, never donning his armor. No more than ten or so guards stood before his tent. One day, a subordinate general came to his tent and reported, “Scouts report that the Wu soldiers are all lax and negligent. We could take advantage of their unpreparedness and attack them, securing a great victory.” Yang Hu laughed and said, “You all underestimate Lu Kang! This man is full of stratagems. Not long ago, the Wu ruler ordered him to take Xiling. He executed Bu Chan and several dozen of his officers, and I could do nothing to save them. As long as he is their general, we can only hold our ground. We must wait for internal turmoil in Wu before we can make a move. If we advance rashly without considering the situation, we will only court disaster.”
One day, Yang Hu led his generals on a hunting expedition, just as Lu Kang was also out hunting. Yang Hu gave the order: “Our troops are not to cross the border.” The generals obeyed and hunted only within Jin territory, never trespassing into Wu. Lu Kang watched from afar and sighed, “General Yang commands a disciplined army. He cannot be provoked.” As evening fell, both sides withdrew. When Yang Hu returned to camp, he examined the game that had been taken. All the animals that had been wounded first by Wu hunters were sent back to them. The Wu men were delighted and reported this to Lu Kang. Lu Kang summoned the messenger and asked, “Does your commander drink wine?” The messenger replied, “He will drink only if it is fine wine.” Lu Kang laughed and said, “I have a jug of wine that I have kept for a long time. Take it back with you and present it to your commander. This wine was brewed and aged by my own hand. I offer this single cup to express my feelings from our hunting encounter yesterday.” The messenger accepted the gift and departed with the wine. Lu Kang’s attendants asked him, “General, what is your intention in giving him wine?” Lu Kang replied, “Yang Hu is a man of virtue. I know his character well. This is the way of the superior man: when I treat him with courtesy, he will respond in kind.”
The messenger returned to Yang Hu and reported everything—Lu Kang’s questions and the gift of wine. Yang Hu laughed and said, “So he knows I can drink!” He ordered the jug opened and began to pour. His subordinate, Chen Yuan, said, “There may be treachery in this, Commander. You should drink slowly.” Yang Hu laughed again and said, “Lu Kang is not a man who would poison another. There is no need for suspicion.” He drained the entire jug. From then on, the two sides exchanged envoys and maintained a constant correspondence. One day, Lu Kang sent a man to inquire after Yang Hu. Yang Hu asked, “Is General Lu well?” The messenger replied, “My commander has been ill in bed for several days and has not gone out.” Yang Hu said, “I suspect his illness is the same as mine. I have prepared a remedy for it. Take it back to him.” The messenger brought the medicine to Lu Kang. His generals said, “Yang Hu is our enemy. This medicine cannot be good.” Lu Kang said, “Would Yang Shuzi ever use poison against anyone? Do not doubt him.” He then took the medicine. The next day, he was fully recovered, and all his generals came to congratulate him. Lu Kang said, “He specializes in virtue, while I specialize in violence. He will defeat me without even fighting.”
Suddenly, an envoy arrived from the Wu court. Lu Kang received him and asked his purpose. The envoy said, “The Son of Heaven has commanded you to advance your army immediately, lest the Jin forces strike first.” Lu Kang replied, “Return ahead of me. I will soon send a memorial.” After the envoy departed, Lu Kang composed a memorial and sent it to Jianye. The courtier presented it to Sun Hao, who opened it and read it. In the memorial, Lu Kang fully explained why Jin could not yet be attacked and urged the Wu ruler to cultivate virtue, be cautious in punishment, focus on pacifying the state, and not engage in reckless warfare. After reading it, Sun Hao flew into a rage and said, “I have heard that Lu Kang has been communicating with the enemy at the border. Now I have proof!” He sent an envoy to strip Lu Kang of his command, demoting him to a colonel, and ordered General Sun Yi to take command of his army. None of the courtiers dared to remonstrate. From the time Sun Hao changed the reign era to Jianheng until the first year of Fenghuang, he acted with reckless abandon, exhausting his military in endless campaigns. High and low alike, all sighed in resentment. The Chancellor Wan Yu, General Liu Ping, and Grand Minister of Agriculture Lou Xuan all dared to speak out against Sun Hao’s tyranny. All three were executed. Over the course of more than a decade, he killed countless loyal ministers.
When Yang Hu heard that Lu Kang had been relieved of his command and that Sun Hao had lost all virtue, he saw his chance. He sent a memorial to Sima Yan, which read: “Though the cycles of fate are granted by Heaven, great achievements must be accomplished by men. Now, the natural defenses of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers are no match for the Sword Pass. Sun Hao’s cruelty surpasses that of Liu Shan. The suffering of the Wu people is greater than that of Ba and Shu. And the military power of Great Jin is far greater than in times past. If we do not take this opportunity to pacify the four seas, we will have failed.”
Sima Yan was overjoyed to read this memorial and immediately ordered the army to mobilize. But Jia Chong, Xun Yi, and Feng Dan all strongly opposed the campaign, and Sima Yan held back. When Yang Hu learned that his request had been denied, he sighed and said, “Of ten things in this world, eight or nine do not go as we wish. Heaven offers us this chance, and we refuse to take it. Is this not a great pity?” In the fourth year of the Xianning reign, Yang Hu came to court and requested permission to return to his hometown to recover from illness. Sima Yan asked him, “Do you have any strategy for stabilizing the state to teach me?” Yang Hu replied, “Sun Hao’s tyranny is extreme. He can now be conquered without a fight. But if Sun Hao should unfortunately die and a wise ruler takes his place, then Wu will be beyond Your Majesty’s grasp.” Sima Yan was enlightened and said, “What if you lead the army now and attack?” Yang Hu said, “I am old and ill. I cannot bear this burden.”
In the eleventh month of that year, Yang Hu’s illness grew critical. Sima Yan personally visited his home to inquire after him. When the emperor reached his bedside, Yang Hu wept and said, “Your servant cannot repay Your Majesty even with ten thousand deaths!” Sima Yan also wept and said, “I deeply regret not heeding your strategy to conquer Wu. Who can continue your ambition now?” Yang Hu said through his tears, “Your servant is dying, and I dare not withhold my last sincere counsel. The Right General, Du Yu, is fit for the task. To carry out the conquest of Wu, you must use him.” Sima Yan asked, “Recommending the worthy is a fine thing. But why did you burn the drafts of your memorials and not let anyone know you had recommended him?” Yang Hu replied, “To be recommended at court and then thank the recommender in private—that is not something I would do.” Having spoken, he died. Sima Yan wept bitterly as he returned to the palace. He posthumously granted Yang Hu the title of Grand Tutor and Marquis of Juping. When the people of Nanzhou heard of Yang Hu’s death, they closed their shops and wept. The soldiers guarding the border south of the Yangtze also wept. The people of Xiangyang, remembering that Yang Hu had often roamed Mount Xian during his lifetime, built a temple and erected a stele in his honor, offering sacrifices to him in all four seasons.
A poet of the time, seeing this, lamented: “The morning sun rises, and men still shed tears before this stele.”
Following Yang Hu’s advice, Sima Yan appointed Du Yu as the Grand General of the South, with command over all military affairs in Jing Province. Du Yu was a man of mature judgment and experience. He was an avid scholar, most fond of reading Zuo Qiuming’s Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. He carried it with him wherever he went, whether sitting or lying down, and whenever he went out, he always had a retainer carry the Zuo Commentary before his horse. People of the time said he had the Zuo Commentary in his bosom. He now prepared to conquer Wu.
By this time, Ding Feng and Lu Kang of Wu had both died. Every time Sun Hao feasted his ministers, he forced them all to drink until they were dead drunk. He also appointed ten eunuchs as censors to report on the officials’ misdeeds after the banquet. Those who had committed any fault were punished by having their faces flayed or their eyes gouged out. This led to a general atmosphere of terror. Wang Jun, the Inspector of Yizhou, submitted a memorial to the Jin court urging an immediate attack on Wu. His memorial read: “Sun Hao is a depraved and violent tyrant. We should attack him at once. If he should die and a wise ruler takes his place, he will become a formidable enemy. I have been building ships for seven years. I beg Your Majesty not to miss this opportunity.”
Sima Yan read the memorial and discussed it with his ministers, saying, “Wang Jun’s proposal perfectly matches Yang Hu’s strategy. My mind is made up.” The Attendant-in-Waiting, Wang Hun, then spoke: “Your servant has heard that Sun Hao intends to march north. His army is fully prepared, and his momentum is strong. It will be difficult to contend with him. We should wait another year until his strength is exhausted before we can succeed.” Sima Yan heeded this advice and issued an edict halting the campaign. He retired to the inner palace, where he was playing chess with Zhang Hua. Just then, another memorial from Du Yu arrived. The memorial read in part: “In the past, Yang Hu did not widely consult with the court officials but secretly planned with Your Majesty. That is why there were so many differing opinions among the ministers. All matters should be weighed by their advantages and disadvantages. In my estimation, this campaign has a ninety percent chance of success, and its only harm lies in the possibility of failure. Since autumn, our plans to attack have become quite apparent. If we stop now, Sun Hao will be terrified and will move his capital and fortify his defenses. Then even next year’s plans will be too late.”
Just as Sima Yan finished reading the memorial, Zhang Hua suddenly rose from his seat, pushed aside the chessboard, and, clasping his hands, said, “Your Majesty is a sage and a warrior. The state is wealthy and the army strong. The ruler of Wu is lewd and cruel. His people are troubled and his state is in decay. If we attack now, we can conquer him without great effort. I beg Your Majesty to have no more doubts.” Sima Yan said, “Your words have clearly illuminated the pros and cons. What more doubts could I have?” He immediately left the inner palace and ascended the throne. He appointed Du Yu, the Grand General of the South, as Commander-in-Chief, ordering him to lead 100,000 troops from Jiangling. He ordered the Grand General of the East, Sima Zhou, the Prince of Langya, to advance from Tuzhong; the Grand General of the East, Wang Hun, to cross from Hengjiang; the General Who Establishes Might, Wang Rong, to advance from Wuchang; and the General Who Pacifies the South, Hu Fen, to advance from Xiakou. Each was to lead 50,000 troops, and all were to obey Du Yu’s commands. He also sent the Dragon-Soaring General, Wang Jun, and the General of Extensive Martial Prowess, Tang Bin, to sail east down the river with their fleet, while Wang Jun was also ordered to garrison Xiangyang and oversee all the armies.
Word of this soon reached Eastern Wu. Sun Hao was greatly alarmed and hastily summoned his Chancellor, Zhang Ti, his Minister of Education, He Zhi, and his Minister of Public Works, Teng Xun, to discuss a strategy for repelling the invasion. Zhang Ti said, “Order the Chariot and Horse General, Wu Yan, to lead an advance on Jiangling to confront Du Yu. Order the Cavalry General, Sun Xin, to advance and confront the forces at Xiakou. I will serve as your military advisor, leading the Left General, Shen Ying, and the Right General, Zhuge Jing, with 100,000 troops to Niu Zhu, where we can support the various armies.” Sun Hao agreed and ordered Zhang Ti to depart. After retiring to the inner palace, Sun Hao was visibly worried. His favored eunuch, Cen Hun, asked him why. Sun Hao said, “The Jin armies are approaching on all sides, and I have sent troops to meet them. But Wang Jun is leading tens of thousands of troops with a fleet of warships, sailing downriver. His vanguard is extremely sharp. That is what worries me.” Cen Hun said, “Your servant has a plan that will shatter Wang Jun’s ships into dust.” Sun Hao was overjoyed and asked what it was. Cen Hun replied, “The south of the Yangtze has much iron. We can forge hundreds of iron chains, each several hundred zhang long, with each link weighing twenty to thirty jin. We can stretch these across the river at all the key points. We can also forge tens of thousands of iron spikes, each over a zhang long, and place them in the water. If the Jin ships come with the wind, they will be pierced by the spikes or caught by the chains. They will not be able to move.” Sun Hao was delighted and ordered the construction of these chains and spikes. They were quickly set up in all the strategic locations.
Meanwhile, the Jin Commander-in-Chief, Du Yu, marched out of Jiangling. He ordered his lieutenant, Zhou Zhi, to lead eight hundred sailors in small boats to secretly cross the Yangtze at night and attack Lexiang. They were to plant many flags in the forests and hills, fire cannons and beat drums during the day, and set fires in various places at night. Zhou Zhi obeyed and led his men across the river, hiding at Mount Ba. The next day, Du Yu led his main army in a combined land and water advance. Scouts reported that Sun Hao had sent Wu Yan by land, Lu Jing by water, and Sun Xin as the vanguard—three armies converging on them. Du Yu advanced, and Sun Xin’s fleet arrived first. At the first clash, Du Yu feigned a retreat. Sun Xin led his men ashore and pursued. After less than twenty li, a cannon blast sounded, and Jin troops surrounded them from all sides. The Wu troops tried to retreat, but Du Yu took advantage and attacked, killing countless Wu soldiers. Sun Xin fled to the city walls, where Zhou Zhi’s eight hundred men had already mixed in with the defenders and set the city ablaze. Sun Xin cried out in alarm, “These northern troops have flown across the river!” Just as he tried to flee, Zhou Zhi shouted and cut him down from his horse. Lu Jing, on his ship, saw the flames rising from the southern bank and a great banner fluttering in the wind on Mount Ba, bearing the words: “Du Yu, Grand General of the South, Pacifying the South.” Lu Jing was terrified and tried to escape ashore, but was cut down by the Jin general Zhang Shang. Wu Yan saw that all his armies were defeated and tried to retreat, but Du Yu had already taken Jiangling.
From the Yuan and Xiang rivers all the way to the commanderies of Guangzhou, the local magistrates, seeing the Jin army’s momentum, surrendered, bringing their seals of office with them. Du Yu sent officers to pacify the people, and not a hair was disturbed. He then advanced on Wuchang, which also surrendered. Du Yu’s military prestige soared. He convened a grand council of all his generals to discuss the capture of Jianye. Hu Fen said, “This is a century-old enemy. They cannot be completely subdued in one stroke. The spring waters are rising now, and it will be difficult to stay here long. We should wait until next spring to launch a larger offensive.” Du Yu replied, “In ancient times, Le Yi defeated the powerful state of Qi in a single battle at Jixi. Now our army’s momentum is like splitting bamboo—once the tip splits, the rest follows. We must advance and take Jianye.”
At this time, the Dragon-Soaring General, Wang Jun, was sailing downriver with his fleet. Scouts reported that the Wu forces had forged iron chains and stretched them across the river and had placed iron spikes in the water. Wang Jun laughed heartily. He ordered the construction of dozens of large rafts, each covered with straw figures dressed in armor and holding weapons, placed around the perimeter. These were set adrift downriver. When the Wu soldiers saw them, they thought they were real men and fled before they even arrived. The hidden spikes caught on the rafts and were all pulled out. Then, on the rafts, he built huge torches, each over ten zhang long and ten spans thick, soaked in oil. When the wind was favorable, the rafts were set alight and sent down the river, burning the iron chains until they melted and broke apart. The fleet then sailed through unimpeded. Wherever they went, they conquered.
Meanwhile, the Wu Chancellor, Zhang Ti, ordered the Left General, Shen Ying, and the Right General, Zhuge Jing, to meet the Jin army. Shen Ying said to Zhuge Jing, “The armies upstream have made no preparations. I suspect the Jin forces will surely reach here. We must do our utmost to resist them. If we are fortunate enough to win, the south of the Yangtze will be safe. But if we cross the river to fight and lose, all will be lost.” Zhuge Jing agreed. But before he could reply, scouts reported that the Jin army was sailing downriver with an unstoppable momentum. The two generals were alarmed and hurried to Zhang Ti to discuss the situation. Zhuge Jing said to Zhang Ti, “Eastern Wu is in peril. Why not flee?” Zhang Ti wept and said, “That Wu is about to fall is known to both the wise and the foolish. But if all of us, ruler and ministers alike, surrender without a single man dying for his country, would that not be a disgrace?” Zhuge Jing also wept and departed. Zhang Ti and Shen Ying led their troops to resist, but the Jin army surrounded them. Zhou Zhi was the first to break through the Wu lines, and the Wu soldiers scattered in all directions.
A poet of the time praised Zhang Ti, saying: “He alone faced the enemy’s steel, choosing death over surrender. His name shall be remembered for a thousand years.”
The Jin army captured Niu Zhu and advanced deep into Wu territory. Wang Jun sent a messenger to report the victory. When Sima Yan heard the news, he was overjoyed. But Jia Chong said, “Our troops have been in the field for a long time and are not accustomed to the climate. They will surely fall ill. We should recall the army and plan again later.” Zhang Hua said, “Our great army has already entered their nest. The Wu people’s courage has fled. Within a month, Sun Hao will be captured. If we rashly recall the army, all our previous efforts will be wasted. It would be a great pity.” Before Sima Yan could reply, Jia Chong rebuked Zhang Hua, “You do not understand the timing of Heaven or the advantages of the earth. You wantonly seek to claim merit for yourself, wearying our soldiers. Even beheading you would not be enough to apologize to the realm!” Sima Yan said, “This is my will. Zhang Hua merely agrees with me.” He then issued the order for a full-scale advance.
Wang Jun and the others, obeying the Jin emperor’s command, advanced by both land and water with the force of a thunderstorm. The Wu people surrendered at the mere sight of their flags. When Sun Hao heard this, his face turned pale with terror. His ministers said, “The northern armies are drawing nearer every day. The people south of the Yangtze are surrendering without a fight. What is to be done?” Sun Hao asked, “Why do they not fight?” The ministers replied, “The calamity of today is all the fault of Cen Hun. We beg Your Majesty to execute him. We will then go out of the city and fight to the death.” Sun Hao said, “How could a single eunuch ruin the state?” The ministers cried out, “Does Your Majesty not remember Huang Hao of Shu?” Without waiting for the ruler’s command, they rushed into the palace, seized Cen Hun, cut him to pieces, and devoured his flesh raw. Tao Jun then said, “Your servant commands only small warships. Give me 20,000 troops on large ships, and I will be enough to defeat them.” Sun Hao agreed and ordered the Imperial Guard to go with Tao Jun to the upper reaches to meet the enemy. The Front General, Zhang Xiang, was ordered to lead the navy downriver to meet the enemy. But as they were marching, the soldiers refused to board the ships and scattered in all directions. Only Zhang Xiang and a few dozen men remained to fight.
Wang Jun sailed on with full sails. When they passed the Three Mountains, the pilot said, “The wind and waves are too strong. The ship cannot proceed. Let us wait for the wind to die down a little.” Wang Jun flew into a rage, drew his sword, and shouted, “My eyes are set on taking the Stone City! How dare you speak of stopping!” He ordered the drums to beat and the fleet to advance with all speed. The Wu general, Zhang Xiang, came with his men and surrendered. Wang Jun said, “If you truly surrender, you shall be the vanguard and win merit.” Zhang Xiang returned to his ship and sailed straight to the Stone City. He called for the gates to be opened and let the Jin army in. When Sun Hao heard that the Jin army had already entered the city, he wanted to kill himself. But the Imperial Secretary, Hu Chong, and the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, Xue Ying, said, “Why does Your Majesty not imitate the Duke of Anle, Liu Shan?” Sun Hao then had his coffin prepared, bound himself, and surrendered to Wang Jun. Wang Jun untied his bonds, burned the coffin, and treated him with the courtesy due a king. A Tang poet lamented this scene: “The king of Wu surrendered, his kingdom lost, and the Stone City fell. The flags of Jin now flew over the southern shore.”
Thus, the four provinces, forty-three commanderies, and three hundred and thirteen counties of Eastern Wu, with a population of 523,000 households, 32,000 officials, 230,000 soldiers, and 2,300,000 men, women, old, and young, all came under the rule of Great Jin. With the great task accomplished, proclamations were posted to reassure the people, and all the treasuries and granaries were sealed.
The next day, Tao Jun’s army scattered without a fight. Sima Zhou, the Prince of Langya, and Wang Rong arrived with their great armies. Seeing that Wang Jun had achieved the great victory, they were filled with joy. The day after that, Du Yu also arrived. He held a great feast for the three armies, opened the granaries to relieve the Wu people, and the people were at peace. Only the Grand Administrator of Jianping, Wu Yan, held his city and refused to surrender. When he heard that Wu had fallen, he finally capitulated. Wang Jun sent a memorial to report the victory. When the Jin court heard that Wu had been pacified, all the ministers offered their congratulations and toasted the emperor. Sima Yan held his cup and wept, saying, “This is the achievement of Grand Tutor Yang Hu. What a pity he did not live to see it!” The Cavalry General, Sun Xiu, then said, “Sun Hao has abandoned the entire south of the Yangtze. O vast and boundless Heaven! What kind of man is this?”
Wang Jun then led his army back to the capital and brought Sun Hao to Luoyang to pay homage to the emperor. Sun Hao prostrated himself before the Jin emperor. The emperor granted him a seat and said, “I have had this seat prepared for you for a long time.” Sun Hao replied, “Your servant, in the south, also had a seat prepared for Your Majesty.” The emperor laughed heartily. Jia Chong asked Sun Hao, “I have heard that in the south, you often gouged out men’s eyes and flayed their faces. What kind of punishment is that?” Sun Hao replied, “It is for ministers who assassinate their sovereigns or who are treacherous and disloyal.” Jia Chong fell silent, deeply ashamed. The emperor granted Sun Hao the title of Marquis and enfeoffed his sons and grandsons. He appointed Wang Jun as the General Who Assists the State. All the other officers were also granted titles and rewards.
From this point forward, the Three Kingdoms were united under the Jin emperor, Sima Yan, forming a single foundation. This is what is meant by the saying: “The great trend of the realm: long divided, must unite; long united, must divide.” Later, the last emperor of Shu Han, Liu Shan, died in the seventh year of the Taishi reign of Jin; the last emperor of Wei, Cao Huan, died in the first year of the Tai’an reign; and the last emperor of Wu, Sun Hao, died in the fourth year of the Taikang reign. All died natural deaths. A poet of later times composed a long verse to narrate these events: “The Supreme Ancestor drew his sword and entered Xianyang; the blazing red sun rose from the land of Fusang. Emperor Guangwu revived the great dynasty; the golden crow flew to the center of Heaven. Alas, Emperor Xian inherited a shattered realm; the red sun sank into the Xianchi pool! He Jin, without a plan, caused the eunuchs to rebel; Dong Zhuo of Liangzhou sat in the court. Wang Yun devised a plan to kill the traitors, but Li Jue and Guo Si raised their spears again. Thieves rose like ants from all directions; heroes of the six directions soared like eagles. Sun Jian and Sun Ce rose in Jiangdong; Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu rose along the Yellow River. Liu Yan and his son held Ba and Shu; Liu Biao’s army camped in Jingxiang. Zhang Yan and Zhang Lu ruled over Nanzheng; Ma Teng and Han Sui guarded Xiliang. Tao Qian, Zhang Xiu, and the others... Cao Cao monopolized power as Chancellor, gathering heroes with civil and military skills. He intimidated the Son of Heaven and ordered the lords about. Liu Xuande of Zhuojun was a true imperial descendant; he swore brotherhood with Guan and Zhang to support his lord. He wandered east and west, seeking to restore the Han. At Nanyang, he paid three visits, a deep bond of feeling; the Sleeping Dragon saw the realm divided at a glance. The first emperor... Alas! After three years, he ascended to Heaven; leaving his orphan at Baidi, a painful scene! Who would have thought the cycle of fate would end here? The long star fell at Wuzhang Plains. Zhong Hui and Deng Ai split their armies and advanced; the Han dynasty’s rivers and mountains all fell to Wei. Amidst the clouds at the Abdication Altar, the Stone City had no more waves. Chenliu surrendered his fate... The endless affairs of the world are infinite; the numbers of Heaven are vast and cannot be escaped. The tripod of three legs has become a dream; later men mourn in vain.”