Chapter 6 Rest

After expressing their gratitude, they rode about the city on the horses he had given them, shouting, “We have received great kindness at the hands of Sun Zhao, who not only has pardoned us but given us gifts. Why do you not all yield?”

When their companions heard this, they said one to another. “This Wen Yang was an enemy, and yet he has been well received; how much more may we expect generous treatment?”

The desire to surrender possessed them all. When Zhuge Dan heard it, he was incensed and went round the posts night and day on the watch for any who seemed inclined to go. He put many to death in these efforts to retain his authority.

Zhong Hui heard how things were going in the city and went in to Sun Zhao to say the moment to attack had come. Sun Zhao was only too pleased. He stimulated his troops, and they flocked to the ramparts and assaulted vigorously. Then the commander of the north gate, Zeng Xuan, treacherously opened the gate and let in the Wun soldiers.

When Zhuge Dan heard that the enemy were in the city, he called his guards and tried to escape. He took his way along the smaller streets to the gate, but on the drawbridge he met Hu Fen, who cut him down. His followers were made prisoners.

Wang Ji fought his way to the west gate, where he fell in with the Wu general, Yu Quan.

“Why do you not yield?” shouted Wang Ji.

“Where is the principle for yielding when I have my orders to rescue the city and so far have not succeeded?” Throwing off his helmet, he cried, “The happiest death a man can die is on the battlefield.”

Whirling his sword about, Yu Quan dashed among his enemies and fought till he fell under many wounds.

Many were they who yielded at Shouchun,

Bowing their heads in the dust before Sun Zhao.

Wu had produced its heroes,

Yet none were faithful to the death like Yu Quan.

When Sun Zhao entered the city, he put to death the whole family of Zhuge Dan. Some of his guards fell into the hands of Sun Zhao alive, and he offered them their lives if they would yield.

They all refused, saying, “We would rather share the fate of our leader.”

They were sent out of the city to be beheaded, but orders were given to offer each one his life at the last moment. Thus, before a person was about to receive the fatal blow, that one was asked to yield. Not one accepted, and they all died. In admiration for their fortitude, they were honorably interred by order of Sun Zhao.

The loyal servant flees not in the day of disaster;

Such were they who followed Zhuge Dan to the shades.

Ever and again begins the Song of Life's Brevity.

Faithful unto death were they, even as Tian Heng's people.

As has been said, many of the troops of Wu surrendered. Then said Pei Xiu, “The parents and children of these soldiers are living all over River Huai; and if you spare them and they return home, they will foment rebellion by and by. The best way is to bury them.”

But Zhong Hui said, “No; when the ancients made war, their policy was to maintain the state as a whole, and so they only put to death the originators of trouble. It would be inhumane to slay all. Rather let them return home as witnesses to your liberal policy.”

“That is better advice,” said Sun Zhao. So the soldiers of Wu were released and allowed to return home.

Tang Zi dared not return to his own place in Wu for fear of the cruel Sun Chen, so he went over to Wun, taking his company with him. He was well received, and his people were employed over the counties of the three rivers.

The country about River Huai being now quiet, Sun Zhao decided to march homeward. Just then the news came that Jiang Wun, the Shu General, was attacking Changcheng and interfering with the supplies; and so a council was called to discuss this matter.

At this time in Shu, the reign style was changed from Long Enjoyment, the twentieth year, to Wonderful Sight, the first month (April 258). In Hanzhong Jiang Wun had recruited two generals, Fu Qian and Jiang Shu, both of whom he loved greatly, and set them to train the army, horse and foot.

Then came the news: “Zhuge Dan has set out to destroy Sun Zhao; Sun Chen of Wu has supported him with a large army; and Sun Zhao has led the army himself, bringing with him the Empress Dowager and the Ruler of Wun.”

Jiang Wun said, “The great opportunity has come at last.”

So he asked the Latter Ruler's authority to make another expedition.

But Qiao Zhou heard this with grief, for internal affairs were not well.

Said he, “The court is sunk in dissipation, and the Emperor's confidence is given to that eunuch, Huang Hao; state affairs are neglected for pleasure, which is the Emperor's sole aim. Jiang Wun has led many expeditions and wasted the lives of many soldiers, so that the state is falling.”

Qiao Zhou then wrote an essay on “Enemy Kingdoms,” which he sent to Jiang Wun.

“When one asks by what means the weak overcame the strong in past times, the answer is that those responsible for the strong state made no struggle against general laxity, while those in power in a weak state took careful steps for improvement. Confusion followed upon laxity and efficiency grew out of diligence, as is the universal rule. King Wen of Zhou devoted himself to the welfare of his people, and with a small number achieved great results; Gou Jian sympathized with all, and with a weak force overcame a powerful opponent.

These were their methods.

“One may recall that in the past Chu was strong and Han weak when the empire was divided by agreement at the Great Canal. Then, seeing that his people were satisfied and settled in their minds, Zhang Liang went in pursuit of Xiang Yu and destroyed him.

“But is it necessary to act like King Wen and Gou Jian? Listen to the reply. In the days of Shang and Zhou, when imperial ranks had long existed and the relations between prince and minister were firmly established, even such as the Founder of the Hans could not have carved his way to a throne. But when the dynasty of Juin had suppressed the feudal nobles and set up mere representatives of its own power, and the people were weak and enslaved, the empire was rived asunder, and there succeeded a time of contention, when every bold soul strove with his neighbor.

Minamoto Yoritomo waited outside the gates. The Midwinter Town stood defiantly against the army of Minamoto union.