Zhuge Ke, courtesy name Yuanxun, was the eldest son of Zhuge Jin. He gained fame at an early age. When he was young, he was appointed as a cavalry commander, serving the Crown Prince alongside Gu Tan and Zhang Xiu, engaging in discussions about knowledge and skills, and having good relationships with them. Later, he was promoted to Left Adjutant from an attendant.
Zhuge Ke's father, Zhuge Jin, had a long face that looked like a donkey. Once, Sun Quan invited his ministers to a banquet and had a donkey led in, pointing to Zhuge Jin's long face and writing "Zhuge Ziyu" beside it. Zhuge Ke knelt down and said, "May I add two more characters?" Sun Quan gave him the brush and ink. Zhuge Ke added the characters "the donkey" at the end. Everyone present burst into laughter, and Sun Quan rewarded the donkey to Zhuge Ke.
Days later, Sun Quan saw Zhuge Ke again and asked him, "Who do you think is better, your father or your uncle?" Zhuge Ke replied, "My father is more outstanding." When Sun Quan pressed for a reason, Zhuge Ke said, "My father knows what needs to be done, while my uncle does not, so my father is more outstanding." Sun Quan laughed heartily again. He then asked Zhuge Ke to toast, and when it came time for Zhang Zhao to toast, Zhang Zhao's face was already flushed from drinking and he refused to drink, saying, "That's not how you show respect to your elders!" Sun Quan said, "If you can convince Zhang Gong, he will drink." Zhuge Ke then argued with Zhang Zhao, "In the past, Jiang Taigong, at ninety years old, still led soldiers into battle with weapons, never once suggesting retirement. Now, the general directs the battle from the rear, but when it comes to drinking and eating, the general is at the forefront. How is that disrespectful to the elders?" Zhang Zhao was left speechless and had no choice but to finish his drink.
Later, envoys from the Shu Kingdom arrived, and all the ministers attended the banquet together. Sun Quan said to the envoys, "Zhuge Ke loves riding horses. Tell the Prime Minister to send over some good horses." Zhuge Ke promptly thanked him, and Sun Quan said, "The horses haven't arrived yet, why are you thanking me?" Zhuge Ke replied, "The Shu Kingdom is like Your Majesty's outer stable. Now that you have given the order, the horses will definitely arrive. How can I not thank you?" Zhuge Ke's intelligence and quick response were of this type. Sun Quan greatly admired him and wanted to test his abilities, so he put him in charge of managing provisions. Managing provisions involved overseeing military supplies and handling various administrative tasks, which was not to Zhuge Ke's liking.
Danyang was characterized by its high mountains and treacherous roads, and the people there were all particularly tough. When troops were sent to conquer the area before, they only caught some ordinary people from the surrounding counties, but none from the deeper mountains. Sun Ke had been requesting the court to let him take office and solve this problem. He claimed he could muster forty thousand elite soldiers within three years.
Everyone thought that Danyang's terrain was treacherous. It bordered the counties of Wu, Kuaiji, Xindu, and Poyang, spanning thousands of miles with its overlapping mountains and valleys. The mountain dwellers had never set foot in a city or encountered an official. They all carried weapons and roamed freely in the wild, even some with white hair still roamed the mountains. The fugitives and villains hid there. The people there were brave and fierce, all strong and robust, climbing mountains and crossing ridges as nimble as fish in water and monkeys in trees. They usually hid, but once they had the opportunity, they would come out as bandits. Every time troops were sent to suppress them, it took considerable effort to find their lairs. In battle, they swarmed like bees, but upon defeat, they scattered like birds. No one had been able to subdue them from ancient times to the present. As a result, everyone believed this task would be exceedingly challenging.
Sun Jin, the father of Sun Ke, heard about this matter and also thought that this matter was unlikely to succeed. He let out a sigh and said, "Ke, if you cannot develop our family well, then our Sun family will be completely ruined!" Sun Ke swore that he would succeed. Sun Quan then appointed Sun Ke as the General of Pacifying the Yue, concurrently serving as the Administrator of Danyang, and also assigned him three hundred honor guard and cavalry. After being appointed, Sun Quan specifically had Sun Ke don his finest attire, with drums and trumpets, to make a grand return home. That year, Sun Ke was thirty-two years old.
Upon arriving in the county, he wrote letters to the officials of the four counties and affiliated towns, ordering them to defend their territories and organize their military forces. He gathered the surrendered villagers to live in close quarters. Then, he divided his subordinates into several teams, deployed the military in strategic locations, repaired only the city walls and fences, steered clear of direct confrontations with the enemy, and waited until the crops were nearly ripe before sending troops to harvest, leaving no seeds to sow.
The old year's food was consumed, but there was no harvest of new food. The people living in close quarters had little to no source of income. As a result, the hungry and impoverished mountain folk gradually surrendered. Ke then ordered, "The people in the mountains who have turned from evil should be treated kindly. They should be relocated to other counties, without suspicion or fear of arrest." The county magistrate of Jiuyang, Hu Kang, captured a surrendered commoner named Zhou Yi. Zhou Yi had a history of wrongdoing, but surrendered temporarily due to life's pressures, yet still harbored rebellious thoughts. Hu Kang bound him and sent him to the county office. Ke believed that Hu Kang had violated his orders, so he had Hu Kang killed as a warning to others, and reported this matter to the court.
When they heard that Hu Kang was killed for arresting someone, the common people understood that the officials merely wanted them to come out, with no ulterior motives. Therefore, people of all ages emerged with their families. By the end of the year, the number of people was nearly what they had anticipated. Ke led ten thousand people himself, and the remaining troops were assigned to other generals.
The powerful official felt that they had made great achievements, so he sent the Grand Commandant Xue Zong to congratulate the army. Xue Zong first said to Sun Quan's generals, "The Shanyue people rely on the dangerous terrain and have refused to submit to the court for generations. If you treat them kindly, they will hesitate, but if you are tough, they will resist you. The emperor is very angry and has ordered the army to march west. With the heavens' blessing, our army is unstoppable. The battle was easily won; the soldiers didn't even touch their weapons, and their armor didn't get sweaty. The main offenders have been captured, their accomplices have surrendered, the mountainous regions have been thoroughly subdued, and we have captured a hundred thousand soldiers. There are no bandits in the wilderness, and no villains in the city. Not only have the villains been eliminated, but military supplies have also been replenished. Previously barren land is now filled with crops; the once fierce Shanyue people have now become loyal soldiers. This is undoubtedly due to the authority of the court, and also because of your excellent command as generals! Even famous ancient generals like Fang Shu and Shao Gong of the Zhou Dynasty, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty, their achievements cannot compare to yours! Your achievements surpass those of the ancients, and your military exploits exceed those of the past. The emperor is extremely pleased and even expressed his admiration! Thinking of rewarding you according to ancient customs, he sent me, a senior court official, to greet you, reward you, commend your achievements, and comfort your hard work." Then, Sun Quan appointed Sun Ke as the General of Weibei and Duke of Douxiang. Sun Ke requested to lead the army to cultivate the land near Lujiang and Wankou, and also to send light troops to attack Shu County, capture some civilians and return. He also sent scouts to scout the road to Shouchun, planning to attack it, but Sun Quan considered this plan unwise.
During the Chiwu era, Sima Xuanwang was planning to attack me. Sun Quan was sending troops to support me. The fortune teller said the omen was unfavorable, so I relocated to Chaisang to set up camp. I wrote to Prime Minister Lu Xun, saying, "Yang Jingshu mentioned in 'Qing Lun' that in this world today, there are very few people of high moral character, and even fewer who can uphold their principles. We should help each other, supporting one another like the spokes of a wheel do, serving our country above, and cherishing each other below. He also criticized people nowadays for liking to slander and undermine one another, casting doubts in the minds of talented people; those who want to achieve something are also not happy. I wholeheartedly agree with this! I think a gentleman should not expect perfection from others. Confucius had three thousand disciples, and among them, seventy-two had differing opinions, like Zizhang, Zilu, and Zigong. Although all were at the level of a near-sage, they still had their own shortcomings. Ziyu was expelled from the school, and Zilu did not obey Confucius's orders; let alone those who were less capable? Is it really possible for anyone to be without shortcomings? Confucius did not stop being friends with his disciples because they were not perfect, nor did he disregard their virtues due to their flaws. Moreover, when selecting talent today, we should be more tolerant than before. Why? Because the situation is complex now, and there are far too few outstanding individuals, and the country always lacks manpower. As long as a person has good character and the ambition to serve the country, they can be promoted and used, allowing them to display their talents. As for some minor faults and personal shortcomings, they should be overlooked; there’s no need to be overly critical. Furthermore, we shouldn't hold talent to overly strict standards. If the standards are too strict, even the wisest among us would struggle to meet them, let alone ordinary people. Therefore, it's challenging to hold people to moral standards, but it is much easier to demand people with human standards, so it is easy to distinguish between the wise and the foolish. Since the end of the Han Dynasty, the literati in China, like Xu Zijiang, slander and undermine one another, even causing disasters, not out of any profound hatred, but because they themselves struggle to fully adhere to etiquette, yet they impose strict moral standards on others. If their own behavior fails to earn others' recognition, and they use strict moral standards to criticize others, naturally, this will lead to mutual resentment. If resentment continues to build, villains will seize the opportunity to take advantage. With villains taking advantage, gossip will spread like wildfire; even for those with strong relationships and good judgment, it becomes difficult to navigate, especially for those who already have barriers and lack clarity. Therefore, Zhang and Chen ended up in a military confrontation, and Xiao and Zhu's friendship broke, all because of this reason. If one cannot overlook the minor faults of others, constantly nitpicking, over time, this will lead to resentment among families, and soon, no one in the country will be able to come out unscathed.
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I knew that Lu Xun was concerned about me for this reason, so I explained my views in detail and also agreed with his intentions. Later, after Lu Xun passed away, I was appointed as the Grand General, holding the command staff, stationed in Wuchang, taking over the administration of Jingzhou from Lu Xun. After a while, Sun Quan became seriously ill, and the Crown Prince was still quite young, so Zhuge Ke was summoned to serve as Grand General, also serving as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince; Sun Hong was appointed as the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince. Sun Quan's health deteriorated, and he summoned Zhuge Ke, Sun Hong, as well as Teng Yin, General Lu Ju, and Sun Jun, entrusting them with affairs concerning the state after his death.
The next day, Sun Quan died. Sun Hong had a bad relationship with Zhuge Ke, fearing retribution from him, so he secretly concealed Sun Quan's death, planning to forge an edict to eliminate Zhuge Ke. Sun Jun told Zhuge Ke about this, and Zhuge Ke summoned Sun Hong to discuss the matter, and killed him on the spot, before announcing Sun Quan's death to the public and holding a funeral. Zhuge Ke wrote a letter to his brother Zhuge Rong, saying: "On the sixteenth day of this month, the emperor has died, and people all over the world are deeply saddened. Our father and brothers have received the emperor's special grace, not like ordinary subjects, so we are extremely sad, heartbroken. The Crown Prince will ascend the throne on the appointed day, caught between sorrow and joy, not knowing what to do. I have been tasked to assist the young ruler, but I doubt my abilities to bear such a heavy responsibility, worried about letting down the late emperor's trust, thus I am filled with anxiety and find it hard to eat or sleep. Furthermore, the people are unhappy with the ruling class; any slight change will draw attention. When will things settle down? Now, I, with my limited wisdom, am serving as the Prime Minister, lacking in talent, with great responsibility—who will share my burden? In the late years of the Han Dynasty, there was rebellion in the Yan and Gai regions, with the uprising of officials like Shangguan Jie. Now, in such a time, how can I indulge in comfort and pleasure? Moreover, the area you are stationed in borders the enemy; now we must organize our military, inspire our soldiers, strengthen our defenses, even if it means putting our lives on the line, we must serve the court, not disappoint our ancestors' expectations. Each general has their own defense zone, but we still worry about the enemy taking advantage and plundering everywhere. I've already given orders to officials in the border regions, commanding all commanders not to leave their defense zones without permission. Although my heart is filled with immense sadness, justice prevails over personal feelings; like Bo Qin, I must don armor and go to battle. If those orders are disobeyed, the consequences could be dire. There is a difference between family and non-family; this is the advice of the ancients." Zhuge Ke was further promoted to Grand Tutor.
Therefore, Zhuge Ke stopped various grand undertakings, reduced the evaluations of officials, pardoned tax debts, abolished tariffs, and implemented numerous benevolent policies, which made everyone very happy. Whenever Zhuge Ke appeared, the people craned their necks to catch a glimpse of him.
In the first year of Huanglong, Sun Quan relocated the capital to Jianye, and in the second year, he built the Dongxing dike to prevent flooding. Later, when he campaigned against Huainan and the internal river fleet was defeated, he abandoned the repairs of the Dongxing dike. In October of the first year of Jianxing, Sun Xiu gathered everyone at Dongxing, rebuilt the dike, and constructed two cities on either side of it, each with a garrison of a thousand men, and sent Quan Duan and Liu Lue to oversee its defense while he led the army back.
The Wei Kingdom felt affronted when the Wu army entered their territory, so they commanded Generals Hu Zun, Zhuge Dan, and others to lead seventy thousand troops to besiege the two cities and destroy the dike. Sun Xiu mobilized forty thousand troops and marched tirelessly to the rescue. Hu Zun and the others ordered the army to set up floating bridges to cross the river, positioned their forces along the dike, and divided their troops to attack the two cities. The cities were situated on steep terrain, making them difficult to capture. Sun Xiu dispatched Generals Liu Zan, Lu Ju, Tang Zi, and Ding Feng as the vanguard.
During that time, the weather was cold and snowy. The Wei army generals were drinking and enjoying themselves. They saw that the troops of Liu Zan and others were few, and they had removed their armor and were not holding spears or halberds, only wearing helmets, holding shields, and climbing on the embankment in their bare skin, laughing loudly, which threw everything into chaos. The Wu soldiers charged forward, shouting loudly. The Wei army panicked, fled in all directions, and scrambled to cross the pontoon bridge. As a result, the pontoon bridge gave way, and many people jumped into the water, trampling on each other. Huan Jia, the Prefect of Le'an, and several others also drowned, and tens of thousands of Wei soldiers died. The rebel general Han Zong, commander of the Wei vanguard, was killed by Sun Xiu as well. The Wu army captured thousands of vehicles, tens of thousands of cattle, horses, donkeys, mules, as well as mountains of military supplies, and returned in triumph. Sun Xiu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yangdu, appointed as the Governor of Jing and Yangzhou, and overseeing military affairs both internally and externally, rewarded with one hundred pounds of gold, two hundred horses, and ten thousand pieces of silk and cloth.
As a result, Sun Xiu developed an underestimation of the enemy because he won a battle in December. In the spring of the following year, he wanted to go to war again. The ministers believed that repeated military campaigns would waste resources and advised Sun Xiu against it, but Sun Xiu ignored them. The Central Chamberlain Jiang Yan even argued vehemently but was forcibly removed. Sun Xiu seemed to have forgotten the ancient saying, "A strong army can lead to ruin, while a weak army leads to defeat."
Hello everyone, I wanted to share my thoughts with you all in this article. Our country cannot be as it once was, only focusing on immediate benefits without considering long-term development. In history, many countries have been destroyed because of underestimating the enemy and advancing recklessly. Take the Warring States period for example; those vassal states each believed they were strong and had vast territories, thinking they could pass on for generations, but what happened? Weren't they all gradually swallowed up by the Qin state? The principle is simple, just as there can't be two suns in the sky, a country can't have two emperors at once.
If a country only wants to live a peaceful life and doesn't think about unifying the entire country, that's not feasible. Liu Jingsheng from Jingzhou, with a hundred thousand troops and abundant resources, still got defeated and became a prisoner. Why? Because he was short-sighted and only focused on the present, not seeing the strength of Cao Cao. After Cao Cao unified the north and led three hundred thousand troops south, Liu Jingsheng was powerless to resist and had to surrender. Therefore, countries must swallow each other up, just like enemies must destroy each other. If you allow the enemy to grow stronger, the disaster won't just fall on you, but on your descendants too. This principle must be understood.
Wu Zixu famously said, "Give the Yue state ten years to recuperate, ten years to educate the people, and twenty years later, Wu will become a swamp!" King Fuchai of Wu thought he was powerful and didn't take Wu Zixu's words to heart. And what happened next? The Yue state ended up taking down Wu. The Yue state was smaller than Wu, yet it could destroy Wu. What about now, when the enemies are way stronger than before? In the past, the Qin state only occupied the Guanzhong area and could swallow six countries. Now, the enemies have occupied the territories of Qin, Zhao, Han, Wei, Yan, and Qi, all key strategic areas with abundant talents. Now, Wei's territory is several times bigger than what Qin used to have, and the combined forces of Wu and Shu can't even compare to the previous six countries. But we still have a shot at beating them because Cao Cao's army is really weakened, the new soldiers haven't fully grown, and it's when the enemy is at its weakest. Sima Yi just killed Wang Ling and died himself; his son is still young and unable to bear heavy responsibilities. Even if they've got smart folks, they can't really put their skills to good use. Now's the perfect time to strike, a once-in-a-lifetime chance!
The sage always seizes the opportunity, and I believe now is the best time. If we only focus on the stability of the moment, thinking that the peril posed by the Yangtze River can safeguard our territory, without considering the long-term development of the Wei Kingdom, then we are risking the fate of future generations, which concerns me greatly. Since ancient times, countries have always emphasized population growth. Now, the enemy's population is increasing, but they are still young and cannot be used immediately. However, in another ten years, their military strength will surely double, while our elite soldiers are aging. By then, only these old soldiers will be able to fight. If we do not use our soldiers now and wait until these old soldiers are even older, in another ten years, at least half of them will be gone, and the number of young soldiers will dwindle even further. If the enemy's military strength doubles while ours is halved, even bringing in wise ministers like Yi Yin and Guan Zhong will be of no use. Many people fail to grasp my perspective now, thinking that I am overly worried. Worrying before disaster strikes, many people think it is unnecessary. But when disaster really strikes, it will be too late to regret. This is a common problem for all countries throughout history, not just a one-time occurrence. In the past, the Wu Kingdom thought Wu Zixu was too worried, and when danger came, they were unable to turn the tide. Liu Jing Sheng did not consider the future ten years ahead, so he could not leave a foundation for his descendants. I carry the heavy burden of saving our nation, and like others, my vision is not as far-sighted as it should be. If we do not seize the opportunity now, and wait until I am old and the enemy is stronger, even if I commit suicide to apologize, what good would that do? I heard that some people think the people are still very poor now and want to recuperate first. These people do not understand the imminent threat but only focus on trivial matters. Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, had already occupied the land of Sanqin; why not just close the borders and enjoy peace? He insisted on attacking the Chu Kingdom, resulting in serious injuries, his armor covered in lice, and his soldiers tired of war. Who would willingly risk their lives for war when peace is an option? This is because, in the long run, you can't have both!
I often see people from Jingzhou and Handan persuading Gongsun Shu to be proactive, and I also see my uncle writing to the court, suggesting to contend with the enemy over territory. Every time I see these, I can't help but sigh. I am constantly worried, day and night, about these issues, so I jotted down these humble thoughts, hoping to draw everyone's attention. If I die one day and my thoughts cannot be realized, I hope future generations will know my concerns and think about the country’s welfare. Everyone thinks my ideas are correct, but no one dares to refute them.
Nie You, the Governor of Danyang, shared a close relationship with Zhuge Ke. He wrote a letter advising Zhuge Ke: "The late Emperor originally had a plan to stop the attack from Eastern Wu, but it has not been implemented yet. Now you are assisting the Emperor, fulfilling the late Emperor's wishes. The enemy is approaching, and the soldiers look up to your prestige as they bravely face the enemy. If a significant victory is won, it will be a great blessing for the country and ancestors! You should first organize the army, accumulate strength, and wait for the right moment. Now is not the right time for a large-scale attack. If you only focus on your own hot blood, I believe that would be unwise." After reading the letter, Zhuge Ke annotated it and replied to Nie You: "Although your words are reasonable, your perspective lacks breadth. If you carefully think about my plan, you will see the logic behind it."
Therefore, Zhuge Ke did not listen to advice and led his troops into battle, mobilizing two hundred thousand soldiers and horses from various provinces. The people were in turmoil and began to lose faith and loyalty. Zhuge Ke aimed to showcase his military strength in Huainan and plunder the civilians, but some of his subordinates advised him, "Now that we are deep in enemy territory, the border people will definitely flee one after another. This could lead to a waste of effort and resources, with little gain. It would be better to first besiege the new city. When the new city is besieged, the enemy will definitely come to rescue, and we can achieve a great victory when they come to rescue." Zhuge Ke followed their advice and returned to surround the new city. The siege of the city continued for several months, but the new city still remained unconquered. The soldiers were tired and hungry, drinking a lot of water due to the hot weather, leading to diarrhea and bloating, and they suffered numerous casualties. The officers of each camp reported every day that many soldiers were ill, but Zhuge Ke believed they were deceiving him and plotting against him, so no one dared to speak again. Zhuge Ke knew he had made a mistake and felt ashamed for not being able to capture the new city; his frustration was evident on his face. General Zhu Yi objected to his decision, and Zhuge Ke became furious, immediately taking away his military power. Captain Cai Lin proposed several strategies for battle, but Zhuge Ke dismissed them, and finally fled back to the state of Wei. Wei knew that the Shu soldiers were exhausted and many were sick, so they sent troops to rescue them. Zhuge Ke led his troops to retreat. The injured and sick soldiers dragged their weary bodies along the road; some fell into pits, and some were captured by the enemy, with their lives hanging by a thread, overwhelmed by sorrow and anger, as cries echoed one after another. Yet, Zhuge Ke remained unfazed. He stayed by the river for a month, even planning to start farming in Xunyang, until he received an imperial decree, and only then did he slowly lead his troops back. After this incident, the people were utterly disillusioned with Zhuge Ke, and complaints were heard everywhere.
In August, during autumn, the army triumphantly returned to the residence. Sun Ju immediately summoned the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Sun Hei, and questioned him loudly: "How dare you write edicts at will?" Sun Hei went pale with fear and stammered a few explanations before using illness as an excuse to leave. Upon returning from the punitive expedition, he conducted a major reshuffle of all officials appointed by Cao Shuang, replacing them with new appointees. He governed the country more strictly and imposed harsh punishments on many. Those who wanted to see him in the palace were so scared they hardly dared to breathe. He replaced the original guards with his own trusted men and ordered increased vigilance, preparing to attack Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Sun Ju, knowing that many people were dissatisfied with Ke and there were complaints, secretly sowed discord, claiming that Ke was planning to rebel. He then conspired with Liang, organized a banquet, and invited him. On the night when Ke was supposed to attend the banquet, he felt a sense of unease and tossed and turned all night. The next morning, when he prepared to wash up, he found that the water smelled fishy, and when the guards handed him clothes, they also smelled bad. Ke found it very strange; he changed clothes and water, but the smell remained the same, making him increasingly uneasy. After dressing neatly and preparing to leave, a dog suddenly grabbed hold of his clothes and wouldn’t let go. Ke said, "Is this dog trying to stop me?" So he sat back down, but after a while, he stood up again, and the dog bit his clothes again. Ke had to get his servant to shoo the dog away before he could get on the carriage.
Earlier, when Zhuge Ke was about to set out to Huainan, a devoted son wearing mourning clothes somehow walked into his office. His subordinates reported to him and asked him to find out what was going on. The devoted son said, "I don't know how I got in either." At that time, the mansion was under tight security, and no one noticed how he got in, which puzzled everyone. After Zhuge Ke left, the roof beams of the hall he had occupied collapsed. When he departed from Xincheng to Dongxing, a white rainbow appeared over his boat; when he paid respects to Jiangling, the white rainbow entwined around his carriage.
When Zhuge Ke was about to enter the palace to see the emperor, as soon as he arrived at the palace gate, Sun Jun had already laid ambush troops inside the palace. Sun Jun feared Zhuge Ke might not enter, risking exposure of the plan, so he came out to meet Zhuge Ke and said, "Sir, if you are not feeling well, you can come back later; I will report to the emperor." In fact, he wanted to gauge Zhuge Ke's intentions. Zhuge Ke replied, "I must go in." At this time, the eunuch Zhang Yue and others secretly wrote a letter to Zhuge Ke, saying, "The palace is heavily guarded today; something feels off; it might be a trap." After reading the letter, Zhuge Ke continued to walk inside.
Before he ran into Tai Chang Teng Yin, Zhuge Ke told Teng Yin, "I have a stomachache and cannot go in." Teng Yin, unaware of Sun Jun's conspiracy, urged Zhuge Ke, "You have not seen the emperor yet. The emperor has invited you to a banquet. You are already at the palace gate; you should hurry in!" Zhuge Ke hesitated for a moment but eventually turned back. He donned his court attire, went up to the hall to pay his respects, and then returned to his seat. The banquet was served, but Zhuge Ke did not pick up his chopsticks. Sun Jun said, "Sir, you are not completely well yet; you should have some of the medicinal wine you usually drink. Go get it yourself." Only then did Zhuge Ke feel at ease and drink the wine he had brought with him.
After drinking a few cups of wine, Emperor Sun Liang made his way back to the inner palace. Sun Ju stood up and said he needed to go to the restroom. He took off his long robe, changed into a short tunic, and came out shouting, "By imperial decree, arrest Zhuge Ke!" Zhuge Ke was taken aback and attempted to draw his sword but couldn't, as Sun Ju's blade was already descending. Zhang Yao struck at Sun Ju from the side, only injuring his left hand. Sun Ju retaliated with a strike, cutting off Zhang Yao's right arm. The palace guards rushed into the hall, and Sun Ju said, "The person I've captured is Zhuge Ke, and he is already dead." Sun Ju ordered everyone to sheath their weapons and went back to drinking.
There had long been a folk rhyme predicting: "Zhuge Ke, dressed in a single garment of reeds, the hook falls, seeking to find a place in the pavilion." "A place in the pavilion" is a euphemism for "Stone Hill." South of Jianye was a long tomb called Stone Hill, where people buried their dead. "The hook falls" refers to a decorative belt ornament known as a "hook belt." Zhuge Ke was indeed wrapped in a reed mat, tied around the waist with bamboo strips, and thrown onto Stone Hill.
Zhuge Ke's eldest son, Zhuge Chuo, was a cavalry captain. Due to an incident with the King of Lu, Sun Quan handed him over to Zhuge Ke for discipline, but Zhuge Ke ended up poisoning him. His second son, Zhuge Song, was a Captain of the Waters, while his youngest son, Zhuge Jian, was a chief infantry officer. It is said that after Zhuge Ke was killed, they fled with their mother. Sun Ju sent cavalry commander Liu Cheng to pursue Zhuge Song, and he was killed in Baidu. Zhuge Jian fled to the riverbank, planning to escape north to the Kingdom of Wei, but was caught by his pursuers after running over ten miles. Zhuge Ke's nephew, Duke Zhang Zhen of Duxiang, along with his attendant Zhu En and others, were all wiped out along with their families.
At the beginning, Zhuge Ke repeatedly advised Sun Jun, but Sun Jun never listened. Zhuge Ke always worried that this would bring disaster upon himself. After Zhuge Ke's death, the Governor of Linhuai, Zang Jun, requested in a memorial to collect and bury Zhuge Ke. He said, "I have heard that although thunder and lightning are fierce, they do not last all day; although the strong wind blows, it will not continue forever, but afterwards there will still be rain to nourish all things. This shows that the majesty of heaven and earth will not last long; the anger of the emperor should not continue indefinitely. I am foolish and unaware of the taboos, risking extermination to request Your Majesty's mercy. I think that the late Grand Tutor Zhuge Ke continued the glorious legacy of his ancestors; his uncles and fathers all faithfully served during the downfall of the Han dynasty, during the Three Kingdoms period, and they made contributions to the establishment and development of the Sun dynasty. Zhuge Ke grew up in the kingdom, bathed in the teachings of saints and sages; he was well-respected and loyal for decades, with no intentions of rebellion. The late emperor entrusted him with great responsibilities, like Yi Yin and the Duke of Zhou, to handle state affairs. However, Zhuge Ke was stubborn, arrogant, and disdainful of others; he was not cautious in safeguarding the state power, causing instability in the country. He raised troops, went to war repeatedly, consuming a lot of manpower and resources, depleting the treasury, overstepping his authority, appointing and dismissing officials based on his own preferences, and intimidating the people with the law; all officials were silent in fear. The Attendant Wuwei General, the Marquis of Duxiang, accepted the late emperor's trust, seeing Sun Jun's increasingly cunning and cruel behavior, fearing he would shake the foundation of the country, so they rose up in rebellion. Their strategy surpassed the gods, their wisdom and bravery exceeded Jing Ke and Nie Zheng; they personally killed Zhuge Ke in the hall, their merits surpassing the Marquis Zhu Xuhou and the Marquis Dong Mouhou. The country's disaster was cleared in one day; Sun Jun displayed Zhuge Ke's head to the public, and the entire army celebrated; from then on, the country was peaceful and the people were safe. This is truly the favor of the ancestral spirits, the result of the joint verification of heaven, earth, and man! Now the heads of Zhuge Ke and his two sons have been hanging for many days, viewed by tens of thousands, and the curses were deafening. The harsh punishment enacted by the state instilled fear in everyone; old and young, men and women all witnessed these events. People's emotions often swing from extreme joy to profound sorrow. Zhuge Ke was once prominent, a high-ranking official, but now he has fallen to such a fate, like a beast; it is heartbreaking to think about! Moreover, he is already dead, like the earth; digging and digging has no effect on him. I hope Your Majesty will follow the laws of nature, do not remain angry forever, and allow his hometown relatives and former subordinates to bury him in military attire, giving him a simple coffin. In the past, Xiang Yu was given a burial place, and Han Xin received the favor of collecting the body; these are the manifestations of Emperor Gaozu's benevolence. I hope Your Majesty will follow the kindness of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, show compassion, and extend imperial grace to the deceased Zhuge Ke, giving him the final grace, to spread the imperial grace far and wide, to warn the people of the world; would this not be a very good thing? In the past, Luan Bu arbitrarily pardoned Peng Yue; I personally disapprove of such actions, as he did not consult the emperor beforehand, acted on his own, and was not executed—truly fortunate! Now I dare not directly submit my humble opinions in a memorial, seeking the grand imperial grace; I am just presumptuously writing these words, requesting Your Majesty's mercy and attention." So Sun Liang and Sun Jun agreed to let Zhuge Ke's old subordinates collect and bury him, and finally buried him at Shizigang.
Nie You knew that Zhuge Ke was about to be defeated, so he wrote a letter to Teng Yin saying, "When a person's power is strong, they can even conquer lands, but once they become weak, people's hearts turn complex and fickle; it's truly a lamentable situation!" After Zhuge Ke was killed, Sun Jun harbored resentment towards Nie You, wanting to demote him to be the Prefect of Yulin. Nie You fell ill from worry and sorrow, ultimately passing away. Nie You, styled Wenti, was from Yuzhang.
Teng Yin, styled Chengsi, was from Juxian in Beihai. His uncle Nie Dan, father Nie Zhou, and Liu Yao were all fellow villagers and had a close bond. Amidst the chaos of the times, they crossed the river to seek refuge with Liu Yao. After Sun Quan was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, he appointed Nie Dan as Right Commander, known for his kindness and compassion, but sadly passed away young, leaving no son behind. Nie Zhou was skilled in writing, and Sun Quan treated him as an honored guest. He often had him revise important state documents, but unfortunately also passed away early. After Sun Quan became King of Wu, he remembered past favors and granted the title of Marquis of Duting to Teng Yin. From a young age, Teng Yin was known for his virtue and good looks, and he married a princess early on. By the age of thirty, he had become the Prefect of Danyang and was later reassigned as the Prefect of Wu County and Kuaiji, earning accolades wherever he served.
In the first year of the Taiyuan era, Sun Quan fell seriously ill. Teng Yin traveled to the capital to serve, and continued to serve as the Minister of Ceremonies, assisting the new monarch in accordance with Sun Quan's wishes alongside Zhuge Ke and others. After Sun Liang took the throne, Teng Yin was elevated to the rank of General of the Guards. Zhuge Ke intended to lead the entire army against the Wei Kingdom. Teng Yin advised him, saying: "At a time of national turmoil, you carry the heavy responsibility akin to that of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, pacifying internal unrest and launching an attack on a powerful enemy, gaining fame across the land and shaking the very foundations of the world. The people are looking to you for peace. Now, after wearing the people thin, launching another military campaign will only exhaust them more, and the enemy is already on guard. If the siege fails and we achieve no victories, the previous achievements will be lost, inviting criticism later on. It's wiser to pull back the troops, regroup, and wait for a better opportunity. Furthermore, war is a serious matter; success relies on having a strong force. If the soldiers' morale is low, how can you feel at ease?" Zhuge Ke said: "Those who say it can't be done are short-sighted, only seeking comfort and ease. If you think so as well, what more can I expect from you? Cao Fang is incompetent, and the court's power is held by private interests, and his subjects are already harboring thoughts of disloyalty. Now, drawing on the nation's resources and the prestige of our victories, what place is beyond our reach?" Therefore, Zhuge Ke appointed Teng Yin as the Deputy Governor, in charge of overseeing the affairs of the garrison. During the day, Teng Yin hosted guests, reviewed documents at night, and sometimes worked through the night.
Sun Jun, styled Ziyuan, is the great-grandson of Sun Jing, who was Sun Jian's younger brother. Sun Jing was the father of Sun Gao, who was the father of Sun Gong, who served as Cavalry Commandant, and Sun Gong had Sun Jun. Sun Jun excelled in horseback archery from a young age and was known for his decisiveness and bravery. When Sun Quan was on his deathbed, he designated Sun Jun as his regent and also designated him as the General of the Guards, in charge of palace security, and granted him the title of Duke of Duxiang. After executing him, Zhuge Ke was promoted to Prime Minister and Grand General, commanding the national army, was awarded the imperial seal, and further enfeoffed as Marquis of Fuchun.
Teng Yin wanted to resign due to his son-in-law, Zhuge Shuang, being the son of Zhuge Ke, but Sun Jun challenged him, "The sins of Gun and Yu are not related, Lord Teng, what are you doing?" Despite their strained relationship, they maintained a facade of mutual tolerance, with Sun Jun even promoting Teng Yin to Marquis of Gaomi, and they continued to cooperate. Sun Jun had a bad reputation for being arrogant, self-centered, treacherous, and cruel, which caused widespread grievances among the people. He had inappropriate relationships with palace maids and even had an affair with Princess Luban. In the first year of Wufeng, Marquis Ying of Wu attempted to kill Sun Jun, but the plot was exposed, and Wu Ying was killed.
The following year, the Wei generals Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled and fought against the Wei army at Lejia. Sun Jun led the General of the Flying Cavalry, Lv Ju, and the Left General, Liu Zan, to attack Shou Chun. They caught Wen Qin after his defeat, and the army returned. During this time, envoys from Shu came to pay respects in Wu, and generals Sun Yi, Zhang Yi, Lin Xun, and others plotted to kill Sun Jun. The plot was uncovered, resulting in the deaths of several dozen people, including Princess Luyu.
Sun Jun wanted to rebuild the city of Guangling, but the courtiers knew it was an impossible task and were too afraid to voice their concerns, except for Teng Yin, who advised against it. Sun Jun ignored the advice and ultimately failed to accomplish the repairs.
In the second year, Wen Qin urged Sun Jun to attack the Wei Kingdom. Sun Jun sent Wen Qin, Lv Ju, Liu Zuan, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Zhu Yi, and former general Tang Zi to enter the Huai River and Si River basins from Jiangdu, planning to attack Qingzhou and Xuzhou. Sun Jun and Teng Yin arrived at Shitoucheng, held a farewell banquet, and entered Lv Ju's camp with more than a hundred people. Lv Ju's army was disciplined, which Sun Jun found intolerable, so he left, claiming he had a headache. Later, he dreamt that Zhuge Ke was attacking him, which frightened him to death. He was only thirty-eight years old at that time and entrusted his affairs to Sun Chen before he died.
Sun Chen, styled Zitong, was a cousin of Sun Jun. His father, Sun Chuo, had served as a commander of the peacekeeping forces. Initially, Sun Chen was just a minor general. After Sun Jun's death, he was promoted to the position of Attendant Wuwei General, taking full control of court affairs and effectively acting as a regent. When Lv Ju heard about this, he was alarmed and quickly joined other generals in petitioning, recommending Teng Yin as Prime Minister. Sun Chen went further and directly promoted Teng Yin to Grand Marshal, sending him to Wuchang to take over Lu Dai's position. Lv Ju led his troops back and sent word to Teng Yin, hoping to ally with him to eliminate Sun Chen.
After Sun Zhen received the news, he immediately sent his cousin Sun Lu to intercept Lu Ju at Jiangdu with his troops, and also ordered Wen Qin, Liu Zuan, Tang Zi, and others to attack Lu Ju together. He also sent the General of the Left, Hua Rong, and the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Ding Yan, to communicate with Teng Yin, urging him to abandon his plans as soon as possible. Teng Yin realized he was in grave danger, so he decided to detain Hua Rong and Ding Yan, led his troops to ensure his own safety, and summoned the military officer Yang Chong and General Sun Zi, claiming that Sun Zhen had rebelled and forcing Hua Rong and the others to write a letter accusing Sun Zhen. Sun Zhen certainly did not heed their warnings and directly reported that Teng Yin had rebelled, promising a general's title to Liu Cheng, and ordered him to quickly surround Teng Yin with troops. Teng Yin then coerced Hua Rong and the others into forging an imperial edict and sending out troops. Hua Rong and the others refused, which led to their execution by Teng Yin. Teng Yin's expression remained unchanged, and he remained calm and composed as usual. Some suggested he lead his troops to Canglong Gate, saying that as long as the soldiers saw him come out, they would definitely turn their backs and support him. It was already midnight at the time, and Teng Yin, recalling that he had set a time with Lu Ju, was reluctant to lead his troops into the palace at such a late hour. Instead, he had his men inform Lu Ju of the situation, claiming he was taking a shortcut. As a result, Teng Yin's subordinates fought fiercely for him, and not one of them fled.
On that windy day, by morning, Lv Ju had not arrived yet. Sun Chen's army had already assembled, resulting in the deaths of Teng Yin and dozens of his soldiers, and exterminating Teng Yin's entire clan. Sun Chen was promoted to Grand General, given the seal of authority, and titled Marquis of Yongning. He wielded immense power, becoming proud and arrogant, acting arrogant and tyrannical, and engaging in numerous outrageous deeds. Earlier, Sun Jun's cousin Sun Lü participated in the plan to kill Zhuge Ke, and Sun Jun appreciated him and promoted him, eventually becoming the Right General and Commander of No Difficulty, also giving him the seal of authority to oversee the affairs of the Nine Officials. However, Sun Chen was far less favorably disposed towards Sun Lü than Sun Jun had been, which made Sun Lü very angry, and he conspired with General Wang Dun to kill Sun Chen. As a result, Sun Chen killed Wang Dun, and Sun Lü took poison and died.
Zhuge Dan, this old chap, rebelled in Shou Chun, but was unable to hold the city and sought to surrender. On the Sun Wu side, they dispatched Wen Qin, Tang Zi, Quan Duan, and Quan Yi, leading thirty thousand troops to provide support. Wei's General Wang Ji was besieging Zhuge Dan, but Wen Qin and his troops managed to carve a bloody path into the city. Wei invested heavily this time, mobilizing over two hundred thousand troops from inside and outside to besiege Shou Chun.
Zhu Yi brought thirty thousand troops to garrison in Anfeng City, wanting to boost the morale of Wen Qin and his men. As a result, Zhou Tai, the governor of Yanzhou in Wei, defeated Zhu Yi at Yangyuan, forcing Zhu Yi to retreat in defeat while being pursued, resulting in two thousand casualties. Sun Chen of Sun Wu grew anxious upon hearing this news and sent a large army to station in Huoli, and sent Zhu Yi, along with generals like Ding Feng and Li Fei, to lead fifty thousand troops against Wei, with the logistics based in Dulu. Zhu Yi set up camp at Lijiang and sent Ren Du and Zhang Zhen to recruit six thousand elite soldiers, who stealthily built a pontoon bridge six miles west of the camp, preparing for a night attack and constructing a crescent-shaped fort. Unfortunately, they were discovered by Shi Bao and Zhou Tai, the surveillance officers from Wei, and were caught off guard, prompting the army to quickly retreat to higher ground. Zhu Yi then devised another plan, using wagons to surround and attack Wumu City. However, they were once again defeated by Shi Bao and Zhou Tai, retreating back to camp. To make matters worse, Hu Lie, the Prefect of Taishan in Wei, led five thousand elite soldiers, took a hidden path, and launched a surprise attack on Dulu, burning all of Zhu Yi's provisions and supplies. Seeing this situation, Sun Chen sent another thirty thousand troops to Zhu Yi, ordering him to fight to the death. However, Zhu Yi refused, infuriating Sun Chen, who then had Zhu Yi executed in Huoli. He then sent Zhu Yi's brother Zhu En to rescue him, but unfortunately, Zhuge Dan had already been defeated and had retreated. This time, Sun Chen faced a complete failure; he not only failed to rescue Zhuge Dan but also lost a significant number of troops and executed a renowned general like Zhu Yi, resulting in widespread resentment against him.
Sun Zhen, since Sun Liang took over the government, had been constantly harassing him with questions, making Sun Liang terrified. After returning to Jianye, Sun Liang pretended to be ill and did not attend court, constructed a house south of Zhuque Bridge, and stationed troops at Canglong under the command of his younger brother, General Weiyuan Sun Ju. His other brothers, General Wujun Sun En, Adjutant General Sun Gan, and Chief Water Officer Sun Kai, were stationed in various military camps, in an attempt to control the court and solidify their power.
Sun Liang had long harbored dissatisfaction with Sun Zhen, so he seized the opportunity to explain to Lu Yu the circumstances and motives behind Sun Jun's assassination, and then shifted the blame onto Hu Lin Inspector Zhu Xiong and his brother, External Inspector Zhu Sun, for their failure to intervene in time. Therefore, Sun Liang commanded Ding Feng to execute Zhu Xiong in Hulin and Zhu Sun in Jianye. Sun Zhen attempted to persuade him, but Sun Liang refused to listen, and finally Sun Liang, along with Princess Luban, Minister of Ceremonies Quan Shang, and General Liu Cheng, removed Sun Zhen from power. Sun Liang's consort was Sun Zhen's cousin, and she told Sun Zhen about Sun Liang's plan.
Sun Zhen launched a nighttime assault on Quan Shang, sent his brother Sun En to kill Liu Cheng outside Canglong Gate, and then surrounded the palace. He sent the Imperial Secretary Meng Zong to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple, proclaiming his intent to depose Sun Liang, then summoned the officials for a meeting, stating, "The Young Emperor (Sun Liang) is gravely ill and unfit to continue as emperor, so we need to depose him as before to inherit our ancestors' legacy. If anyone disagrees, speak up." Everyone was intimidated and quickly said, "We will follow the general's orders!" Sun Zhen sent the Palace Attendant Li Chong to take away Sun Liang's seal and jade belt, and then publicly displayed Sun Liang's crimes everywhere. The Minister of Works Huan Yi refused to sign, prompting Sun Zhen to execute him in a fit of rage.
General Dianjun Shizheng persuaded Sima Zhao to name Sima Xiu as the Emperor of Langya. Sima Zhao listened to him and sent Zongzheng Sima Kai to deliver the message to Sima Xiu. The letter said: "I, Sima Zhao, have limited abilities, but have taken on such a great responsibility; I truly cannot assist the emperor properly. In the past few months, I have committed many foolish acts, especially getting close to Liu Cheng, indulging in pleasures, and seizing the wives of commoners and officials, retaining the more attractive ones in the palace. I also conscripted over three thousand young soldiers under eighteen to train in the palace gardens, shouting day and night, which resulted in damaging over five thousand spears and halberds stored in the warehouse, treating them like toys! Zhu Ju was a loyal minister to the late emperor; his sons Zhu Xiong and Zhu Sun have continued their father's achievements, upholding loyalty and righteousness. They killed the young emperor back then, which led to the current emperor, but the emperor failed to investigate the truth and killed Zhu Xiong and Zhu Sun. My counsel went unheeded; everyone was too scared to speak. The emperor has also commissioned over three hundred small boats in the palace, decorated with gold and silver, with craftsmen working day and night. Taichang Quan Shang, who has received imperial favor for generations, cannot control the royal relatives, resulting in Quan Shang and others surrendering to the Wei Kingdom. Despite Quan Shang's high rank, he never advised the emperor, instead communicating with the enemy and passing on messages, which could lead to the downfall of the nation! According to past laws and regulations, you should be proclaimed as the great king, so I plan to capture Quan Shang and Liu Cheng on the 27th of this month, then depose the emperor, making him the King of Kuaiji, and ask you to take over the world. All the ministers are eagerly discussing this and waiting for your response!"
Sima Zhao's remarks not only accused Sima Yan but also tried to win over Sima Xiu, revealing a sense of "the state is in danger, that only I can save it." He portrayed Sima Yan as a licentious and inept tyrant, while presenting himself as the hero who had to step forward to save the Wei dynasty. The veracity of his claims remains uncertain, but they undoubtedly marked a crucial step in Sima Zhao's usurpation of power.
General Sun Dan sent Zhuge Liang back to his country, then moved Princess Shang to Lingling and another princess to Yuzhang. Sun Dan became increasingly arrogant and disrespectful towards the people and the gods. He even burned the Wu Zixu temple at Daqiaotou, demolished a Buddhist temple, and even killed monks.
After Sun Xiu became emperor, he claimed to be a commoner and wrote to the emperor, saying, "Upon careful reflection, I have come to realize that I am wholly unfit to govern the country. Due to various coincidences, I have risen to a high position, but I have now met with dismal failure, and my wrongdoings are evident. I am filled with worry and fear day and night. I have heard that heaven will bless those with virtue, so the immoral actions of the kings You and Li led to the decline of the country, while King Xuan of Zhou's virtue and talent brought prosperity. Your Majesty, as a wise and martial sovereign who has inherited the throne, should be assisted by capable advisors to establish a peaceful and prosperous era. Even during the prosperous reign of Emperor Yao, wise ministers like Ji and Ke were needed to exemplify virtuous conduct. As the ancients said, 'Do your best, and if it doesn't work, stop.' Despite my best efforts, I have not contributed meaningfully to state affairs; therefore, I have willingly relinquished my seal of authority and military command, returning to the countryside to make way for the virtuous." Sun Xiu received him warmly, offering comfort and counsel.
Then he issued a decree saying, "Due to my insufficient virtue, I have been confined to my fief. Now, in this critical moment, the ministers of the court, including myself, have all been dedicated to the country. I am always on edge, as if walking on thin ice. General Sun Jun has shown unwavering loyalty and has played a key role in stabilizing the country, quelling unrest and preserving the nation. His contributions are truly outstanding. When Emperor Xuan of Han took the throne, Huo Guang held a prominent position and was richly rewarded for his contributions. This principle has held true throughout history. Now General Sun Jun has been appointed Prime Minister and Governor of Jingzhou, with five counties as his fief." Sun En was appointed Grand Master of Ceremonies, Guard General, and concurrently Right General, and was also made Marquis of Counties. Sun Gan was appointed General with a miscellaneous title, Marquis of Ting. Sun Kai was also appointed as Marquis of Ting. All five members of the Sun family were made Marquises, commanding the imperial army and wielding power that surpassed that of the emperor—an unprecedented occurrence in the history of Wu.
Sun Zhen brought wine to visit Zhuge Dan, but Dan did not accept it. Zhen then gave the wine to General Zhang Bu. After drinking, Zhen began to complain, saying, "When I deposed the young master, many people advised me to declare myself king. But I believed in the Emperor's wisdom, so I supported him. If it weren't for me, the Emperor would never have taken the throne. Now he is treating me so coldly, what's the difference between me and a common minister? It seems I need to reconsider." Zhang Bu told Zhuge Dan about these words, and Dan felt uneasy, afraid that Zhen would rebel. He rewarded Zhen multiple times, appointed him as an attendant minister, and had him assist with official documents. Someone reported that Zhen was holding a grudge, insulting the emperor, and planning to rebel. Zhuge Dan caught the informant and handed him over to Zhen, who killed him, which only increased his fear. Therefore, Zhen requested Meng Zong to lead troops to garrison Wuchang. Zhuge Dan agreed, providing him with over ten thousand elite soldiers and weapons from the armory. General Wei Miao advised Zhuge Dan, saying, "Zhen is definitely up to something out there." The guard Shi Shuo also reported, "There are clear signs that Zhen is plotting a rebellion." Zhuge Dan privately consulted Zhang Bu, who was planning with Ding Feng to take action against Zhen at the banquet.
In the twelfth month of the first year of the Yong'an era, rumors circulated in Jianye City that a change was coming. Chen was quite disturbed when he heard about it. In the evening, a strong wind whipped up, sending sand and stones flying, which made Chen even more afraid. On the day of Wuchen, which marked the Laba Festival, Chen pretended to be ill and skipped it. Zhuge Dan dispatched over ten envoys to compel him to attend, and Chen had no choice but to comply. Just as he was about to enter the palace, his subordinates blocked his way. Chen said, "The court has ordered me several times; I cannot not go. However, you should prepare the troops first, and when I set fire in the palace, seize the opportunity to escape back." So Chen entered the palace, and not long after, the palace caught on fire. Chen attempted to leave, but Zhuge Dan replied, "There are many soldiers outside; there's no need for you to worry." Chen tried to leave, but Ding Feng and Zhang Bu immediately signaled to the people around to tie him up. Chen pleaded for mercy, saying, "I wish to be exiled to Jiaozhou." Zhuge Dan retorted, "Why not exile Teng Yin and Lv Ju to Jiaozhou too?" Chen said, "I wish to become a slave official." Zhuge Dan said, "Why not turn Teng Yin and Lv Ju into slaves too?" So, Zhuge Dan ordered Chen's execution. Zhuge Dan then took Chen's head and addressed his subordinates, saying, "All those who conspired with Chen are pardoned." He pardoned five thousand soldiers. Sun Kai attempted to escape north by boat to surrender, but was pursued and annihilated along with his family. Zhuge Dan also dug up Sun Jun's coffin, took his seal, shattered the coffin, and buried it again, as a consequence of Sun Jun's killing of Lu Yu and others.
Zhuge Ke, that young lad, died when he was just twenty-eight. The emperor was embarrassed by his connection to Zhuge Dan and Zhuge Liang, so he removed him from the family genealogy and renamed him "Gu Jun" and "Gu Chen," implying that, like Zhuge Dan and Zhuge Liang, he was now a figure of the past. The emperor even issued a decree saying, "Zhuge Ke, Teng Yin, and Lv Ju clearly did not commit any crimes, yet they were killed by the brothers Zhuge Dan. It's really heartbreaking! Hurry to give them a proper burial and hold a decent memorial service. Bring back those who were exiled due to their ties with Zhuge Ke and the others!"
Puyang Xing, known by his courtesy name Ziyuan, was from Chenliu. His father was Puyang Yi, who fled to Jiangdong during the turmoil of the late Han Dynasty and eventually became the Governor of Changsha. Puyang Xing was famous from a young age, and during Sun Xiu's rule, he was appointed the magistrate of Shangyu County. He worked his way up the ranks, eventually becoming the Left Minister of Personnel, and even served as a General to Shu on a diplomatic mission, then returned to become the Governor of Kuaiji. At that time, Prince Sun Xiu of Langye was living in Kuaiji, and Puyang Xing had a close relationship with him. When Sun Xiu became emperor, he called Puyang Xing to his side, putting him in charge of state affairs, and made him the Marquis of Waihuang.
In the third year of Yong'an, the Commandant Yan Mi constructed a field in Danyang and initiated the Pulitang Project. After he reported this to the court, the officials discussed it, with most thinking the investment was too high and the returns too low; only Puyang Xing believed it could succeed. So, he rallied soldiers and civilians to kick off the project, which drained massive resources and resulted in countless soldier casualties, and even led to cases of infighting, causing widespread resentment among the people. Eventually, Puyang Xing was promoted to Prime Minister. He conspired with Sun Xiu's favorite, General Zuo Zhang Bu, which left the officials and the people disappointed.
In July of the seventh year of Yong'an, Sun Xiu died. The Left General Wan Yu had a good relationship with the Marquis of Wucheng, Sun Hao, so he encouraged Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu to depose Sun Xiu's legitimate son and enthrone Sun Hao as emperor. After Sun Hao ascended the throne, he promoted Puyang Xing to the position of minister and also appointed him as the governor of Qingzhou. Not long after, Wan Yu accused Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu of regretting their past actions. On the first day of the eleventh month, Puyang Xing and Zhang Bu went to the palace to attend court, and Sun Hao took the opportunity to arrest them, sending them to Guangzhou and executing them en route, exterminating their entire families.
Everyone lauded Zhuge Ke for his talent and capability, and the populace praised him highly. However, he was excessively arrogant and stingy, greatly inferior to Duke Zhou, not to mention Zhuge Ke. He always thought he was superior and looked down on others; how could he possibly succeed? If he had heeded the advice of Lu Xun and his brother Lu Rong, he would not have ended up in such regret, nor would there have been subsequent disasters.
Teng Yin was known for his upright character, honesty, and adherence to the rules. Even when Sun Jun was in power, he could still maintain his position, demonstrating that he was not in any danger. Sun Jun and Sun Chen, these two villains, were so nefarious that they hardly deserved mention. Puyang Xing became the prime minister, but he lacked the vision and insight necessary for effective governance. He colluded with scoundrels like Zhang Bu, followed Wan Yu's misguided counsel, which ultimately led to his downfall.
