The name of the later ruler is Liu Shan, styled Gongsi; he is the son of the late lord Liu Bei. In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Liu Bei was granted the title of King of Hanzhong, and Liu Shan was established as Crown Prince. After Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Liu Shan as Crown Prince, with the edict reading: "On the day of Xinsi in the fifth month of the first year of Zhangwu, the Emperor (Liu Bei) said: Crown Prince Shan, I have experienced the difficult years during the decline of the Han Dynasty, with treacherous officials seizing power, the state was in chaos, the people displaced; heaven has finally shown its favor, allowing me to inherit the throne. Now appointing Shan as Crown Prince, to inherit the ancestral temple, to protect the state. Sending envoys with imperial orders, to be granted the seal and ribbon by the Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, hoping he will diligently heed his master's teachings, achieving success in three aspects; should he not strive diligently?" In the summer of the third year of Jianxing, in the fourth month, Liu Bei passed away in Yong'an Palace. In May, the seventeen-year-old Liu Shan inherited the throne, ascending in Chengdu, honoring his mother as Empress Dowager, granting amnesty throughout the realm, and changing the era name. This year was the fourth year of Huangchu in the Wei Kingdom. In the summer of the first year of Jianxing, the Administrator of Zangke, Zhu Bao, led the troops of the commandery in rebellion. Prior to this, within the territory of Yizhou, the wealthy landowner Yong Ke led a rebellion, driving away the Administrator Zhang Yi to the state of Wu, refusing to submit to Shu Han, and the King of Yuezhu, Gao Ding, also betrayed Shu Han. That year, Liu Shan appointed Zhang Shi as the Empress. Sending the Palace Gentleman, Deng Zhi, to repair relations with the state of Wu, King Sun Quan also sent envoys to establish peace with Shu Han, formalizing friendly relations between the two states. In the spring of the second year of Jianxing, Liu Shan focused on developing agriculture, encouraging farming, and closing borders to allow the people to recuperate. In the spring of the third year of Jianxing, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang led a campaign to subdue four commanderies, renaming Yizhou Commandery as Jianning Commandery, and splitting a Yunnan Commandery from Jianning Commandery and Yongchang Commandery, as well as a Xinggu Commandery from Jianning Commandery and Zangke Commandery. In December, Zhuge Liang returned to Chengdu. In the spring of the fourth year of Jianxing, the Protector Li Yan returned from Yong'an to Jiangzhou and constructed a large city.
In the spring of the fifth year of the Jianxing era, Prime Minister Zhuge Liang stationed his troops in Hanzhong and camped in the area of Yangping Shima in the north of the Mian River. In the spring of the sixth year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang launched an attack on Qishan but was unable to achieve victory. In the winter, he launched another attack on Sanguan, surrounded Chencang, exhausted his supplies, and had to retreat. Wei general Wang Shuang pursued Zhuge Liang; they fought, and Zhuge Liang defeated and killed Wang Shuang before returning to Hanzhong.
In the spring of the seventh year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang sent Chen Shi to attack Wudu and Yinpings, ultimately conquering these two counties. In the winter, Zhuge Liang moved his headquarters to the flat land below Nanshan, where he built Hancheng and Lecheng. That year, Sun Quan declared himself emperor, formed an alliance with Shu Han, and divided the world together.
In the autumn of 226 AD, Wei sent Sima Yi from Xicheng, Zhang He from Ziwugu, and Cao Zhen from Xiegu (Xie, read as yú shē) to attack Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang awaited them in Chenggu, Chiban, and other locations, but heavy rain disrupted the roads, causing Cao Zhen and others to retreat. That year, Wei Yan defeated Guo Huai, the Yongzhou Inspector of Wei, at Yangxi. Prince Lu Liu Yong was reassigned as the King of Ganling, and Prince Liang Liu Li was reassigned as the King of Anping, as both Lu and Liang were near the border of Wu.
The next year, in the spring of February 227 AD, Zhuge Liang launched another campaign against Qishan and utilized wooden oxen and flowing horses for food transport for the first time. Wei's Sima Yi and Zhang He came to the aid of Qishan. By the summer of June, Zhuge Liang ran out of food and had to retreat. Zhang He pursued him to Qingfeng, where they fought, and he was killed by an arrow. In the autumn of August, the prefect Li Ping was dismissed and exiled to Zitong County.
In 228 AD, Zhuge Liang took a break to reorganize his forces in Huangsha, encouraged the local populace to engage in agriculture, completed the production of wooden oxen and flowing horses, trained soldiers, and practiced martial arts.
In the winter of 229 AD, Zhuge Liang ordered various armies to transport food to Xiegu Pass and build relay stations and houses there. That year, the southern barbarian leader Liu Zhou rebelled, and General Ma Zhong quelled the rebellion.
In the spring of February 230 AD, Zhuge Liang led troops out of Xiegu, using pack horses to transport supplies. In the autumn of August, Zhuge Liang died at Weibin. General Wei Yan and Prime Minister Yang Yi, due to power struggles, saw their relationship sour, and eventually clashed in battle. Wei Yan was defeated and killed, while Yang Yi led the troops back to Chengdu. The court then ordered a general amnesty, appointed General Wu Yi as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, granting him authority over Hanzhong; and appointed Prime Minister Jiang Wan as Chancellor, overseeing state affairs.
In the spring of January 231 AD, Central Military Adviser Yang Yi was dismissed and exiled to Hanjia County. In the summer of April, Jiang Wan was promoted to Grand General.
In the summer of April 232 AD, Emperor Liu Chan visited Jian County and ascended to Guanban, watching the waters of the Wenshui River, and returned to Chengdu ten days later. At the same time, the leader of the Di people in Wudu, Fu Jian, and more than four hundred households of the Di tribe were relocated to Guangdu.
In the summer of June 233 AD, Empress Zhang passed away.
In the spring of January 234 AD, Empress Zhang was re-crowned. The court ordered a general amnesty, renamed the era to Yanxi, and appointed Liu Xuan as the Crown Prince and Liu Yao as the Prince of Anding. In the winter of November, Grand General Jiang Wan led troops to garrison in Hanzhong.
In the spring of March 235 AD, Jiang Wan was promoted to Grand Marshal.
In the spring of 236 AD, the court sent Prefect Yue Jun Zhang Yi to quell the rebellion in Yue Jun County.
In the winter of October 238 AD, Chancellor Fei Yi went to Hanzhong with Jiang Wan to discuss military affairs, and only returned at the end of the year.
This is akin to modern leaders going on business trips for meetings; Fei Yi and Jiang Wan went to Hanzhong together to discuss work, and only returned to Chengdu after finishing their tasks. In January 239 AD, Military Supervisor Jiang Wei returned with part of the army from Hanzhong to be stationed in Fu County.
Jiang Wei led the team back to Chengdu to be stationed, somewhat like the military resting at their base after completing a mission. In the winter of 240 AD, General Jiang Wan returned from Hanzhong and stayed in Fu County. In November, the court granted amnesty to the whole country. At the same time, the Minister of Personnel, Fei Yi, was appointed as Grand General.
Jiang Wan returned to Fu County for rest, and then the court announced the amnesty and promoted Fei Yi to Grand General, which was seen as good news. In the intercalary month of 241 AD, Cao Shuang and Xiahou Xuan of the Wei Kingdom attacked Hanzhong. General Wang Ping set up an ambush to resist the Wei army, and Grand General Fei Yi led other troops to rescue them, resulting in the retreat of the Wei army. In April, Prince Anping, Li, passed away. In September, Fei Yi returned to Chengdu.
Fortunately, Wang Ping held off the Wei Kingdom's attack on Hanzhong, and Fei Yi provided timely support, eventually repelling the enemy. That year, Fei Yi returned to Chengdu. In August of 242 AD, the passing of the Empress Dowager was a significant event. In December, Grand General Fei Yi went to Hanzhong again to inspect the defense.
The passing of the Empress Dowager was a significant event, and Fei Yi had to go to Hanzhong to handle military affairs. In June of 243 AD, Fei Yi returned to Chengdu. In the autumn, the court granted another amnesty, but with Jiang Wan's passing, it was a bittersweet moment. In 244 AD, the Hu King Baihu Wen, along with Zhiwudai and others from Liangzhou, surrendered with their followers. General Wei Jiang Wei welcomed them and settled them in Fan County. That year, the Yi tribe in Pingkang of Wenshan rebelled, and Jiang Wei went to suppress the rebellion, pacifying it.
The surrender of the Hu people in Liangzhou and the suppression of the Yi tribe rebellion were both credited to Jiang Wei. In May of 245 AD, Grand General Fei Yi went to station in Hanzhong. In the autumn, the Yi tribe in Fuling rebelled, and General of Chariots and Cavalry Deng Zhi went to suppress the rebellion, successfully pacifying it.
Fei Yi went to Hanzhong, and Deng Zhi once again quelled the rebellion. In these years of Shu Han, although there have been battles, they have all been quelled. In January of the year 246 AD, the Wei kingdom executed Grand General Cao Shuang and others, and Xiahou Ba, the Right General of Wei, surrendered to Shu Han. In April, another general amnesty was declared throughout the realm. In the autumn, General Jiang Wei launched an attack on Yongzhou but was unsuccessful. Generals Ju An and Li Shao surrendered to the Wei kingdom.
With internal turmoil in the Wei kingdom, Xiahou Ba's surrender, Jiang Wei's failed attack on Yongzhou, and other generals surrendering to Wei, this indicated that the situation for Shu Han was quite bleak. In the year 247 AD, Jiang Wei once again led an expedition to the west but returned without success. Jiang Wei's two failed expeditions indicated that the military pressure on Shu Han was still significant. In the summer of the year 248 AD, Grand General Fei Yi returned to Chengdu. In the winter, he took position at Hanshou. Another general amnesty was declared.
After returning to Chengdu, Fei Yi went to Hanshou, and there was another general amnesty. That year, Sun Quan, the King of Wu, passed away, and his son Sun Cong succeeded as the King of Xihai. In January of the year 249 AD, Grand General Fei Yi was assassinated by Guo Xiu, a general who had defected to Wei, at Hanshou. In April, General Jiang Wei once again led troops to besiege Nan'an but returned without success.
Fei Yi's death was a significant blow to Shu Han. In January of the year 250 AD, Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu. A general amnesty was declared. In June, Jiang Wei once again led troops to march to Longxi. In the winter, he relocated the people of Dida, Heguan, and Lintao counties to Mianzhu and Fan counties.
Despite facing numerous defeats, Jiang Wei continued to actively resist Wei and ultimately relocated the people. In the spring of the 18th year, Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu. In the summer, he set out from Dida with his army and fought the Wei kingdom’s Governor of Yongzhou, Wang Jing, at Taosi, inflicting a crushing defeat on Wang Jing's forces. Wang Jing retreated to Dida city to defend, while Jiang Wei took position at Zhongti.
In the spring of the nineteenth year, Jiang Wei was promoted to Grand General, in charge of leading the army. He and General Hu Ji agreed to meet in Shanggui, but Hu Ji broke the agreement and did not show up. In August that autumn, Jiang Wei was defeated by the Wei general Deng Ai in Shanggui and was forced to retreat to Chengdu. That year, his son Jiang Zan was appointed as King of Xinping, and a general amnesty was declared.
In the twentieth year, hearing that the Wei general Zhuge Dan had rebelled in Shou Chun, Jiang Wei led his army from Logu and arrived at Mangshui. A general amnesty was declared that year as well.
In the first year of Jingyao, Jiang Wei returned to Chengdu. It was reported that the Jingxing star was seen, so the court declared a general amnesty and changed the reign. The eunuch Huang Hao began to wield power. The Wu general Sun Chen deposed the Emperor of Wu, Sun Liang, and enthroned Prince Sun Xiu.
In the second year of Jingyao, in the sixth month of summer, Jiang Wei's son Jiang Chen was appointed as King of Beidi, Jiang Xun was appointed as King of Xinxing, and Jiang Qian was appointed as King of Shangdang.
In the third year of Jingyao, in the ninth month of autumn, the late generals Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Pang Tong, and Huang Zhong were posthumously awarded honors.
In the fourth year of Jingyao, in the third month of spring, the late general Zhao Yun was posthumously awarded honors. In the tenth month of winter, a general amnesty was declared.
In the fifth year of Jingyao, in the first month, the King of Xihe, Cao Cong, died. That year, Jiang Wei led his army from Houhe again, but was once again defeated by Deng Ai and had to retreat to Bazhong.
In the sixth year of summer, Wei launched a major attack on Shu Han, sending out generals Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, and Zhuge Xu via multiple routes. Shu Han dispatched generals Zhang Yi, Liao Hua, and Dong Jue to fight back. Following this, Shu Han declared a general amnesty and changed the era to Yanxing.
In winter, Deng Ai defeated the Shu Han general Zhuge Zhan in Mianzhu. Deng Ai followed the advice of Guanglu Dafu Qiao Zhou, who wrote a letter persuading surrender. The letter said: "Our Shu Han and Wei are separated by the Jianghan River, far apart. Shu Han has been offending the destiny of Wei for many years. We are thousands of miles away from Wei's capital. In the early years of Emperor Wen of Wei, General Xianyu Fu was sent with an edict to express friendship and open the gates. This was a noble gesture, but Shu Han has been foolish and inept, seeking comfort and ease, failing to follow the teachings of Wei for decades. Now the might of Wei has intimidated the world, and both mortals and deities have submitted. Our Shu Han army is terrified and in disarray. Faced with the powerful army of Wei, how can we not change our stance and obey your commands? Therefore, we order all generals to lay down their weapons, and the government's treasury will remain unharmed. The common people are in the fields, with surplus grain awaiting Wei's grace, to preserve the lives of the people. We believe that Wei will surely show mercy and forgiveness, just like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou, forgiving our mistakes. Now we specially send Zhong Zhang Shao, Guanglu Dafu Qiao Zhou, and Fuma Duwei Deng Liang, with seals and edicts, to express loyalty to you, hoping that Wei will grant us a way out. The coffin is nearby; there’s no need for further words." On the same day, the King of Beidi, Chen, was so heartbroken over his country's destruction that he killed his wife and children before taking his own life. Zhang Shao and Deng Liang met Deng Ai in Lu County. Deng Ai was thrilled to receive the letter; he immediately replied and instructed Zhang Shao and Deng Liang to return first. Deng Ai arrived at the north of Chengdu city, where Emperor Liu Chan had bound himself and brought a coffin to the camp gate. Deng Ai untied him, burned the coffin, invited him to meet, and subsequently appointed Liu Chan as the General of the Flying Cavalry. All the besieged defenders obeyed Emperor Liu Chan's orders and surrendered. Deng Ai allowed Liu Chan to remain in the original palace and visited him there.
The matter was not over yet. In the spring of the second year, during the first month, Deng Ai was arrested. Zhong Hui rebelled on the way from Fucheng to Chengdu. After Zhong Hui's death, the Shu Han army rampaged, resulting in countless casualties, and it took several days to pacify the situation.
After the Emperor and his family moved to Luoyang, the Emperor issued an edict himself, announcing the appointment: "In the fifth year of Jingyuan, in the third month of the year of Dinghai, the Emperor, during his court session, appointed Liu Shan as the Duke of Anle County." The Emperor's intention is very clear, formally appointing Liu Shan as the Duke of Anle County. Then the Emperor began a long discourse, essentially stating that governing the world requires stability and unity, leading to a prosperous nation and peaceful people. Leaders should be as accommodating as the earth itself, in order to achieve harmony in the world and ensure the people's peaceful living and happy work. In the past, the Han Dynasty lost the country, causing chaos in the world. Our ancestors were so powerful, pacifying and unifying the world. Shu Han had long been isolated, clinging to a portion of the territory, confronting our Wei, resulting in ongoing warfare and immense suffering for the common people, which has lasted for several decades. I have always sought to fulfill my ancestors' wishes and bring peace to the world, so I sent troops to pacify Shu Han. You, Liu Shan, are a wise man who knows how to read the times. By giving up resistance, you have saved the people, which is quite an achievement! I now want to reward you well, appointing you as the Duke of Anle County, with a fief of ten thousand households, rewarding you with ten thousand bolts of silk and fabric, a hundred slaves, and many other things. Your descendants will have over fifty titles of nobility and generals. Also, your several ministers, Fan Jian, Zhang Shao, Qiao Zhou, Xi Zheng, Zhang Tong, have all been appointed as marquises. Liu Shan passed away in Luoyang during the seventh year of Taishi.
Liu Shan was appointed as the Duke of Anle County; what generous treatment this is! The emperor's words not only announced the appointment but also made a political statement, acknowledging Liu Shan's compliance and emphasizing the strength and legitimacy of the Wei kingdom. Just think, with ten thousand households, ten thousand pieces of silk, and a hundred slaves and maids, what immense wealth that must be! Not to mention the chance for his descendants to be granted titles as marquises; he is truly a winner in life! Of course, this also reflects Wei's strategy of appeasing surrendered officials, using generous treatment to consolidate its rule. However, behind this splendor lies the tragic fate of Shu Han. In the end, Liu Shan spent his remaining years in Luoyang.
People say the later ruler Liu Shan could have been a wise emperor if he had employed capable and virtuous officials, but if he had been misled by eunuchs and corrupt officials, he would have become a foolish and tyrannical ruler. The "Records of the Grand Historian" says, "white silk is not dyed; only what it touches is colored," which is really true! According to tradition, an emperor should change the era name after one year of reign, but in the third year of Zhangwu, it was changed to Jianxing, which is against tradition. Also, Shu Han did not have dedicated historians or officials responsible for recording, so many events went undocumented, and disasters were barely noted. Although Zhuge Liang was very capable in politics, he wasn't flawless in these areas.
However, during Zhuge Liang's twelve years in office, the era name remained unchanged, and despite leading multiple military campaigns, he never easily issued pardons. Isn't this worthy of praise? After Zhuge Liang's death, these systems gradually deteriorated; the contrast between good and bad is evident.
