Wang Ling, also known as Yan Yun, was a native of Qi County in Taiyuan. His uncle Wang Yun had served as the Minister of Personnel in the Han Dynasty and was the one who executed Dong Zhuo. In retaliation, Dong Zhuo's generals Li Jue, Guo Si, and others attacked Chang'an, killed Wang Yun, and killed his entire family. Wang Ling and his brother Wang Chen were still young at the time, and they managed to escape from Chang'an and return to their hometown.
Later on, Wang Ling was recommended for his exemplary filial piety, appointed as a district official, and gradually rose to become the Prefect of Zhongshan. Wherever he went, he was able to govern the region effectively. Cao Cao summoned him to serve as an official in the Prime Minister's office.
After Emperor Wen took the throne, Wang Ling was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant and later sent to Yanzhou as an Inspector. He joined forces with Zhang Liao and others to campaign against Sun Quan in Guangling. One night by the Yangtze River, a strong wind blew, causing the ships of Wu generals like Lu Fan to drift to the northern bank. Wang Ling and the other generals immediately counterattacked, defeated the enemy, killed many captives, captured enemy ships, and achieved great success. He was then titled as the Marquis of Yicheng and promoted to General Who Establishes Martial Might, before being later assigned as the Inspector of Qingzhou.
At the time, the coastal regions were still recovering from the chaos of previous wars, with social order and laws not yet fully restored. Wang Ling diligently implemented policies, educated the people, and ensured clear rewards and punishments. The social order in Qingzhou greatly improved under his governance, which earned him widespread praise from the people. He later accompanied Cao Xiu in the campaign against Sun Quan, where they clashed with the enemy at Jiashi. Although Cao Xiu's army was defeated, Wang Ling bravely fought to break the siege, enabling Cao Xiu to escape unharmed. Subsequently, he was successively appointed as the Inspectors of Yangzhou and Yuzhou, gaining deep respect and affection from both the military and the civilian populace. Upon his arrival in Yuzhou, he recognized the descendants of virtuous figures and sought out undiscovered talents. He implemented numerous regulations to educate the populace, all of which proved highly effective.
When Wang Ling was young, he befriended Sima Lang and Jia Kui. Later on, he served as the Inspector of Yanzhou and Yuzhou, achieving great achievements like them. During the Zhengshi era, he was appointed as General of the East, holding authority over the military affairs in Yangzhou. In the second year, the Wu general Quan Cong led tens of thousands of troops to attack Shaobi. Wang Ling led his army to confront them, fighting for control of the water source, and fought fiercely for several days, eventually forcing the enemy to retreat. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Nanxiang, with a fief of 1,350 households, and promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as being appointed as Commander of the Right.
At that time, Ling Cao's nephew, Ling Huyu, used his talents to become the Inspector of Yanzhou, stationed in Ping'a. The uncle and nephew duo both held military power, controlling the heavy troops in Huainan. Later on, Ling Cao was promoted to Minister of Works. After Sima Zhao had Cao Shuang executed, he promoted Ling Cao to Grand Commandant and granted him the Imperial Seal (symbolizing the highest military command). Ling Cao and Ling Huyu secretly conspired, believing that Prince Qi, Sima You, was unfit to be emperor, while Prince Chu, Sima Biao, was old and capable, so they planned to enthrone Sima Biao and make Xuchang the capital.
In the ninth month of the first year of Jiaping, Ling Huyu sent General Zhang Shi to Baima to make secret contact with Sima Biao. Ling Cao also sent his attendant, Lao Jing, to Luoyang to communicate with Sima Yan (styled Ziguang). Sima Yan said, "For such a major event as deposing and enthroning an emperor, make sure you don't get into trouble first!" In the eleventh month of the same year, Ling Huyu sent Zhang Shi to see Sima Biao again, but before he returned, Ling Huyu died.
In the second year, the Southern Dipper experienced celestial changes (a strange phenomenon). Ling Cao said: "There have been changes in the stars in the Dipper Constellation, suggesting that a nouveau riche noble will emerge!" In the third year of spring, the Wu army launched an invasion of Tu Shui. Ling Cao sought to seize this opportunity to mobilize his troops, reorganize his forces, and petition the court for permission to attack the Wu rebels, but the court refused his request. Ling Cao's conspiracy to rebel grew increasingly serious, as he sent General Yang Hong to conspire against the government with the Governor of Yanzhou, Huang Hua. Huang Hua and Yang Hong jointly reported to Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao led his naval forces against Ling Cao, first issued an edict pardoning Ling Cao's crimes, then sent a letter to persuade him to surrender. The army quickly approached Ling Cao. Knowing that the situation was hopeless, Ling Cao went alone by boat to meet Sima Zhao and sent his aide Wang Yu to apologize, presenting his seal and ceremonial axe. When the army reached Qiutou, Ling Cao bound his own hands and waited by the water. Sima Zhao, acting on the imperial decree, ordered the registrar to free him, restored his attire, offered him words of comfort when they met, returned his seal and ceremonial axe, and sent six hundred troops to escort him back to the capital. Upon returning to Xiang County, Ling Cao took his own life by poisoning. Sima Zhao subsequently arrived in Shou Chun. Zhang Shi and his associates all surrendered, resulting in a thorough investigation of their crimes. Sima Biao was sentenced to death, and all those associated with them were exterminated. The court, referencing the "Spring and Autumn Annals," noted that Cui Zhu of Qi and Gui Sheng of Zheng were both hunted down, their bodies displayed, and their coffins destroyed, all recorded in history. The crimes of Ling Cao and Ling Hu Yu were to be dealt with according to precedent. Consequently, their tombs were opened, and their coffins were displayed in the nearby market for three days, their seals and court attire burned, and then hastily buried. Yang Hong and Huang Hua were granted the title of marquises. Sima Yan was ambitious, learned, and virtuous, passing away in his early forties.
Guoqiu Jian, whose courtesy name was Zhonggong, was from Wenxi in Hedong. His father, Guoqiu Xing, served as the Governor of Wuwei during the early years of the Han Dynasty, was a formidable warrior who quelled rebellions and developed irrigation in the Hexi region, earning a reputation that rivaled that of Su Ze, the Governor of Jincheng. Due to his achievements in defeating Zhang Jin and the rebellious Hu people, he was granted the title of Marquis of Gaoyang and later appointed as the Director of Works (the official in charge of palace construction). Guoqiu Jian inherited his father's title and became the literary marquis of Pingyuan. When Emperor Ming ascended to the throne, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Writing Bureau and later promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards. Because of his prior experience in the Eastern Palace (the Crown Prince's residence), the Emperor had a close relationship with him. He was later assigned to Luoyang as the Colonel Director of Agriculture to oversee agricultural production.
At that time, a large number of farmers were conscripted to build palaces. Guoqiu Jian wrote to the Emperor, stating, "I believe the most pressing issues right now are to eliminate rebellions and address the people's food and clothing needs. If we don't quell the rebellions and the people are hungry and cold, building luxurious palaces won't matter at all!" He was later promoted to Inspector of Jingzhou.
During the Qinglong era, the emperor planned to attack Liaodong, believing Guanqiu Jian to be highly capable. He transferred him to Youzhou as the governor and appointed him as General of Duliang, granting him full authority and the additional title of Protector of the Wuhuan Xiaowei (an official in charge of managing the Wuhuan tribe). Guanqiu Jian led the Youzhou army to Xiangping and stationed at Liaosui. The Wuhuan Chanyu Kou Loudun and the Wuhuan Duwei Wang Hu Liu from the west of Liaodong, who had previously fled to Liaodong alongside Yuan Shang, surrendered with more than five thousand followers. Kou Loudun even sent his brother Aropan and others to the capital to offer tribute. The emperor granted titles to over twenty Wuhuan leaders, making them marquises, rewarding them with chariots, horses, silk, and various other gifts, each at different ranks. Gongsun Yuan engaged in battle with Guanqiu Jian, suffered defeat, and subsequently retreated. The next year, the emperor dispatched Grand Commandant Sima Xuanwang to lead the central army, accompanied by Guanqiu Jian and others, totaling tens of thousands of troops, to attack Gongsun Yuan, successfully pacifying Liaodong. Guanqiu Jian was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anyi, with a fief consisting of three thousand nine hundred households.
In the Zhengshi period, Goguryeo kept invading and causing trouble. At that time, a general named Sima Jian emerged, leading over ten thousand infantry and cavalry from Xuanfu, dividing into multiple routes to engage Goguryeo. The Goguryeo king, with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry, fled to Feiliu River, where they clashed with our forces in a major battle at Liangkou, which resulted in significant damage to the palace and a hasty retreat in disgrace. Sima Jian pursued the victory, secured the horses and halted the chariots, climbed Wandou Mountain, capturing the Goguryeo capital and taking thousands of prisoners.
Goguryeo had a minister called Delai, who repeatedly advised the king, but sadly, the king ignored him. Delai sighed and said, "I can see that this place will be overgrown with weeds in the future!" After saying this, he fasted to death, and he was revered by the entire nation. Sima Jian ordered the army to spare his tomb, not to cut down the trees around it, and even set his wife and children free. The king fled with his wife and children. Sima Jian then returned to lead another campaign against Goguryeo six years later, and this time the king fled to Maigou. Sima Jian sent the Prefect of Xuantu, Wang Qi, to pursue him, chasing him for over a thousand li, until they reached the southern region of Sushen. They erected stone monuments to commemorate their achievements, and even carved a tablet on Wandu Mountain, inscribing the name of the city known as Nonai (referring to Goguryeo's city). This time they captured more than 8,000 prisoners, awarded them based on their merits, and ennobled over a hundred people. Sima Jian also opened new mountain paths, constructed canals, and improved the lives of the people.
Later, Sima Jian was promoted to Left General, given the title of Jiedu, supervised military affairs in Yuzhou, served as the Governor of Yuzhou, and was subsequently promoted to Southern Garrison General. Once, Zhuge Dan fought at Dongguan and was defeated, so he was reassigned in favor of Sima Jian. Zhuge Dan became the General of the Southern Garrison, overseeing Yuzhou; Sima Jian became the General of the Eastern Garrison, overseeing Yangzhou. Wu Guotai Fu Zhuge Ke besieged Hefei's new city, and Sima Jian and Wen Qin joined forces to resist. Grand Commandant Sima Fu led the central army to break the siege from the east, and Zhuge Ke then withdrew his troops.
At first, Wen Qin had a good relationship with He Yan and had deep friendships with Xiahou Xuan, Li Feng, and others. Wen Qin was the Inspector of Yangzhou, a former general, and a hometown buddy of Cao Shuang. He was brave and fierce in battle, often bragging about his military achievements to seek recognition and rewards, which only fueled his resentment. He Yan used clever tactics to win Wen Qin over, and their relationship grew very close. In January of the second year of Zhengyuan, a comet several dozen zhang in length appeared in the sky, crossing from the northwest and appearing at the border of Wu and Chu. He Yan and Wen Qin were both delighted, thinking it was a good omen. They then faked a decree from the Empress Dowager, wrongly accusing Grand General Sima Jingwang, and sent out proclamations to different counties to stir up rebellion. They forced the generals, garrisons, and other troops in Huainan, as well as officials and civilians, to enter the city of Shou Chun. They set up altars to worship the heavens on the west side of the city, swore blood oaths, and left the old, weak, sick, and disabled to guard the city. He Yan and Wen Qin led about fifty to sixty thousand troops themselves across the Huai River and marched west toward Xiangcheng. He Yan was in charge of the defense, while Wen Qin took on guerrilla tactics outside the city.
The Grand General led the combined forces of local and foreign armies to attack them. In addition, Zhuge Dan led the troops from various regions of Yuzhou to advance on Shou Chun from the Anfengjin direction, and also sent the Eastern General, Hu Zun, to lead the troops from Qingxu to Qiaoxian and Songxian to block their escape route. The Grand General himself stationed in Ruyang, and sent the military supervisor Wang Ji to position the vanguard troops at Nandun and wait for the right moment. At that time, all the troops remained in defensive positions to avoid engaging with the rebels. He Yan and Wen Qin were in a dilemma, unable to defeat the enemy in battle, and afraid of being ambushed in Shou Chun if they retreated. They were at their wits' end, unsure of what to do. The soldiers of Huainan all had their families in the north, morale was low, and many surrendered; only the newly recruited Huainan farmers continued to fight for them. The Grand General sent the Inspector of Yanzhou, Deng Ai, to lead more than ten thousand soldiers and horses to Lejia, intentionally feigning weakness to lure them in, and the Grand General himself rushed from Zuxian. Unaware of the Grand General's strategy, Wen Qin launched a night attack on Deng Ai and his forces. At dawn, seeing the formidable army of the Grand General, they quickly retreated. The Grand General sent elite cavalry to pursue, defeated the rebels, and Wen Qin fled.
That day, He Yan heard that Wen Qin was defeated and was very afraid, so he fled at night, which led to the disbandment of his troops. When they arrived in Shen County, the soldiers around him deserted him, leaving only He Yan, his younger brother He Xiu, and Sun Chong hiding in the grass by the water. Zhang Shu, an officer under Anfengjin, shot He Yan and sent his head to the capital. Zhang Shu was subsequently granted nobility. He Xiu and Sun Chong fled to the state of Wu. The soldiers who had been coerced by He Yan and Wen Qin all surrendered to the Grand General.
Jian Zidian, who held the position of Imperial Secretary for Rites, had been suspected of plotting a rebellion, so he secretly fled to Xinan Ling Mountain with his family. Later, the rebellion was quelled, and the Jian family was annihilated. Qin (Wen Qin) fled to the state of Wu, where he was appointed as Protector General, Acting General, Grand General of the Northern Garrison, Governor of Youzhou, and Marquis of Qiao.
Zhuge Dan, courtesy name Gongxiu, was a resident of Yangdu in Langya and a descendant of Zhuge Feng. He initially served as an Assistant Minister, then became the magistrate of Xingyang County, and later returned to the court as a minister of the Ministry of Personnel. When others recommended talents to him, he always accurately conveyed the recommendations and only publicly discussed the success or failure of the matter once there were results, to evaluate the recommender's judgment. After that, court officials were very cautious about the candidates he put forward. He continued to rise in ranks, eventually becoming the Imperial Historian and Shangshu. He had a good relationship with Xiahou Xuan and Deng Yang and was well-regarded both at court and in the capital, where people praised him highly. However, some accused him and his associates of being showy, which was unsustainable. Emperor Ming disliked them and removed Zhuge Dan from office. After Emperor Ming's death and during the Zhengshi period, Xiahou Xuan and others were still in office. Zhuge Dan was reappointed as the Imperial Historian and Shangshu and was granted the additional title of General of Martial Valor. When Wang Ling rebelled, the Grand Tutor Sima Xuanwang led troops eastward and appointed Zhuge Dan as the General for Pacifying the East, giving him command of the army in Yangzhou and the title of Marquis of Shanyang Pavilion. When Zhuge Ke rebelled at Dongguan, the court sent Zhuge Dan to lead the army to quell the uprising, but they were defeated. After the battle, Zhuge Dan was reassigned to the position of General for Pacifying the South.
Later, Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin staged a rebellion. They sent envoys to reach out to Zhuge Dan, hoping he would join their cause and rally the people of Yuzhou to rise up together. Zhuge Dan killed their messengers, then issued a proclamation to inform everyone of Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin's treachery. General Sima Jing Wang launched an eastern campaign, appointing Zhuge Dan to lead the army of Yuzhou, cross the Anfeng Crossing, and advance towards Shou Chun. After Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin were defeated, Zhuge Dan was the first to arrive in Shou Chun. When the over 100,000 inhabitants of Shou Chun heard about the defeat of Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin, they were afraid of being killed, so they burst through the city gates and fled into the mountains, waterways, or sought refuge in the state of Wu. Because Zhuge Dan had long been in the Huainan region, the court appointed him as Grand General of the East, Yitong San Si, and Governor of Yangzhou. Generals Sun Jun, Lu Ju, and Liu Zan of Wu heard about the rebellion in Huainan, and since Wen Qin had also joined them, they swiftly led their troops, along with Wen Qin, straight to Shou Chun. By this time, Zhuge Dan's army had already reached Shou Chun. The defenses of Shou Chun were strong, making it impossible to capture, so they retreated. Zhuge Dan sent Liu Zan's head back to the court along with his seal and insignia. Zhuge Dan was elevated to Marquis of Gaoping, granted a fief of 3,500 households, and further promoted to Grand General of the East.
Speaking of Zhuge Dan, he was close with his relatives Xuan and Yang, but he watched as Wang Ling and Guan Qiu Jian were killed, feeling extremely anxious and terrified for his own safety. So he emptied his family fortune, lavished favors, won over people's hearts, and even paid a large sum to support several thousand desperados from Huainan to serve as his death soldiers. In the winter of the first year of Ganlu, when the Wu army wanted to attack Xuzhou, the court believed Zhuge Dan had enough troops, but he asked for another hundred thousand troops to defend Shou Chun and also requested to fortify defenses near Lihuai to firmly control Huainan. The court began to suspect Zhuge Dan's treacherous intentions; after all, he was an old minister, so they decided to put him to the test. In May of the second year, the court summoned him to be the Minister of Works. Upon receiving the imperial edict, Zhuge Dan grew even more fearful and chose to rebel! He gathered his generals, personally led an attack against the Inspector of Yangzhou, Le Chen, killing him. He then gathered the farmers from various counties in Huainan and Huaibei, totaling over a hundred thousand, along with forty to fifty thousand elite soldiers who had recently surrendered from Yangzhou, and concentrated them all, stocking enough food for a year and sealing the city for defense. He also sent his Chief Clerk Wu Gang with his son Zhuge Jing to seek help from the Wu kingdom. When Wu heard the news, they were thrilled and immediately sent Quan Yi, Quan Duan, Tang Zi, Wang Zuo, and others to lead thirty thousand troops secretly to support Zhuge Dan alongside Wen Qin. The court also promoted Zhuge Dan, appointing him as Left Protector-General, Acting General-in-Chief, Grand Minister of State, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Qingzhou, and Marquis of Shouchun. Wow, he reached the highest ranks!
At this time, General Wang Ji of Zhen Nan had just arrived and was leading a massive army to besiege Shou Chun, though the fighting had not yet started. Tang Zi and Wen Qin, along with their troops, burst into the city from the northeast, taking advantage of the rugged terrain. In June, the Emperor of Wei personally led a massive army eastward, reaching Xiang County. Grand General Sima Zhao commanded a total of 260,000 troops to besiege Zhu Ge Dan near Lin Huai. Sima Zhao stationed himself at Qiu Tou, ordering Wang Ji and General Chen Qian to encircle the city from all directions, with two layers of robust fortifications. He also dispatched military supervisors such as Shi Bao and the Governor of Yanzhou, Zhou Tai, to select elite soldiers for a guerrilla unit to defend against external threats. Wen Qin and his men launched repeated assaults on the Wei army, driving them to flee in all directions. Wu general Zhu Yi led a large army to support Zhu Ge Dan, crossing the Lijiang River, but each time they clashed, Zhou Tai and his forces defeated them. Frustrated by Zhu Yi's failure to capture the city, Sun Chen killed him in a fit of rage. The food in Shou Chun was running out, and with no reinforcements arriving, the morale of the city's defenders was plummeting. Zhu Ge Dan's trusted generals Jiang Ban and Jiao Yi, who had once been his loyal supporters, also betrayed him and surrendered to Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao employed various cunning tactics to mislead Quan Yi and his forces, leading them to surrender along with a few thousand troops. The city's inhabitants were terrified and utterly bewildered.
In January of the year 258 AD, Wen Qin, Tang Zi, and Wang Zhuo constructed numerous siege engines and fought relentlessly for five or six days, trying to break through the besieging circle to the south. Our army on the city walls had the high ground, fiercely bombarding them with catapults and fire arrows, burning all their siege weapons. Bodies were strewn everywhere, with blood filling the moat. They had to retreat back into the city. The city's food supplies were nearly depleted, and tens of thousands had already surrendered. Wen Qin wanted to release all the northerners to reduce food consumption and defend against the Wu army, but Guanqiu Jian disagreed, which led to growing animosity between them. Wen Qin and Guanqiu Jian had conflicts from the beginning, only cooperating for mutual benefit. When things became urgent, their suspicions of each other deepened. When Wen Qin saw that Guanqiu Jian's plan was failing, Guanqiu Jian ordered Wen Qin's execution. Wen Qin's son Wen Yang and his general Hu were in a small city at the time. Upon learning of Wen Qin's death, they rallied their troops for a rescue attempt, but the soldiers ignored their commands. Wen Yang and Hu were forced to escape on their own, climbing over the wall and seeking refuge with Grand General Sima Zhao. The officers called for their execution, but Sima Zhao ordered, "Wen Qin's crimes are indeed unforgivable, his son should be put to death, but Wen Yang and Hu surrendered only because they had no other choice, and the city has not yet fallen. Executing them would only bolster the defenders' resolve." So Wen Yang and Hu were pardoned, permitted to patrol outside the city with a contingent of several hundred cavalry, calling out to the citizens within the city, "Wen Qin's sons have not been killed, what more do you have to fear?" Sima Zhao subsequently appointed Wen Yang and Hu as generals, bestowing upon them the title of Marquis of the Interior.
The people in the city were both relieved and anxious, and they were hungry every day. Guanqiu Jian and Tang Zi were also out of options. General Sima Zhao personally came to the city, attacking from all sides while shouting as they climbed the city walls. No one in the city dared to move. Guanqiu Jian had no escape route, so he rode out alone with his soldiers through a small city gate. General Sima Zhao's subordinate, Sima Hu Fen, led the troops to intercept and killed Guanqiu Jian, sending back his head and wiping out his entire family. Hundreds of Guanqiu Jian's men were killed for not surrendering, shouting, "We die for Zhuge Gong, no regrets!" Their loyalty to Guanqiu Jian was unwavering! Tang Zi, Wang Zuo, and other generals were captured, and the Wu army, numbering ten thousand, had weapons and equipment stacked high.
Legend has it that during the siege of Shou Chun, many urged for an immediate assault, but the general believed it wasn’t a viable option. He said, "This city is strong, with a strong garrison. A direct assault would likely lead to significant losses. If an outside enemy were to attack now, it would pose a danger from both inside and out. Now these three rebels are holed up in a single city; perhaps fate wants them to meet their end together! Let’s take a cautious approach and wait them out." As a result, in May of the second year, the rebel leader turned against them, and in February of the third year, the city of Shou Chun was breached. Our forces were well-prepared, having dug trenches and built high walls, and the rebels fell into chaos, allowing us to take them down without a fight.
After the fall of Shou Chun City, some people suggested that all the rebel soldiers in Huainan should be eliminated; after all, the families of Wu soldiers and generals were all in Jiangnan, and they couldn't be allowed to go back. However, the Grand General replied, "In ancient times, the most crucial aspect of warfare is to preserve the nation. Killing the leaders is enough. Let the soldiers of the Wu Kingdom go back; it will also show the generosity of our Great Han!" So, no one was killed. They were assigned to some counties near Sanhe to settle down and live a good life.
Tang Zi, from Li City. During the early years of the Huang Dynasty, Li City rebelled, killed the Prefect Xu Ji, and elected Tang Zi as the leader. The court sent troops to fight, and Tang Zi ran to the seaside, ultimately escaping to the Wu Kingdom. He became the General of the Left, was appointed as a marquis, and held military authority. The previous rebels, Le Jiu and Qin Dou, were killed; only Tang Zi was captured alive. The three leaders of the rebellion were all caught, and the entire nation rejoiced. The court appointed Tang Zi as the General of An Yuan, and the other minor generals were also promoted. The Jiangdong populace was very satisfied with the court. The people were also very grateful since the court spared their family members. As for the Huainan generals, soldiers, and civilians who were coerced by Le Jiu, only the leaders were executed, while the rest were granted amnesty. The court also ordered Le Jiu's subordinates to retrieve the bodies of Le Jiu and Qin, provided them with vehicles and horses, and buried them in their original graves.
Deng Ai, courtesy name Shizai, was from Jiyang in Yiyang. His father died when he was young, and after Cao Cao captured Jingzhou, his family moved to Runan. He herded cattle for others to support himself. At the age of twelve, he followed his mother to Yingchuan, where he read the epitaph of Chen Shi, a former official from Taichiu, which said, "Literature as a model for the world, conduct as a scholar should be." Deng Ai then adopted the name "Fan" and the courtesy name "Shize." Later, he found out that someone in his clan had the same name, so he changed it. He served as a junior officer, but due to his speech impediment, he was unable to advance and could only serve as a low-ranking official in charge of rice fields. A local official's father, seeing his family's poverty, provided him with financial assistance, which Deng Ai initially did not thank him for. He often envisioned military camp locations in the mountains and marshes, which others mocked. Later, he was appointed to manage agricultural affairs and met with the Grand Commandant Sima Xuanwang in the course of his duties. Sima Xuanwang found his talents remarkable and brought him on as an aide, eventually promoting him to a court gentleman.
It is said that Cao Cao wanted to expand farmland, stockpile food, and prepare for war. He sent Ai to Chen County, Xiang County, and all the way to Shou Chun to investigate the situation. Ai found that the area had "fertile land but scarce water, which hindered the full potential of the land," and suggested, "We should dig canals, divert water for irrigation, to stockpile substantial military provisions and ease transportation." He also wrote a treatise titled "On the Ji River" to explain his ideas.
Aishi said, "Back in the time after defeating the Yellow Turbans, we established farms in Xudu, accumulated food, and only then were we able to control all directions. Now, we are stable on three sides, with the main battlefield in Huainan. Every time a large army goes out, just transporting the soldiers consumes a lot of energy and resources; it's a huge project! The land around Chen County and Cai County is fertile; we can free up the rice fields near Xuchang, plant something else, and divert the water to the east. Station twenty thousand troops in Huai North and thirty thousand in Huainan, implementing a twelve-hour shift rotation system, allowing us to maintain a standing army of forty thousand for both farming and defense. Huainan has abundant water resources; the grain output is several times that of the west. Considering all expenses, we can save five million hu in grain for military supplies each year. In six or seven years, we can accumulate thirty million hu of grain on the banks of the Huai River, enough to feed a hundred thousand people for five years! With this grain, we can go and defeat the state of Wu, and become invincible in battle." Cao Cao found Aishi's ideas to be sound and adopted all his suggestions. In the second year of Zhengshi, a vast canal was constructed, ensuring a sufficient food supply without the worry of flooding, so that every time there was a battle in the southeast, the army could sail downstream and reach the Jianghuai region directly, all thanks to Aishi's ideas.
Later, Ai Shi was sent to participate in military campaigns against the western territories and was promoted to the Administrator of Nan'an. In the first year of the Jiaping period, he, along with General Guo Huai, faced the Deputy General of Shu, Jiang Wei. After Jiang Wei's retreat, Guo Huai seized the opportunity to strike against the Qiang tribes to the west. However, Ai Shi remarked, "The enemy has just left; they might return. We should split our forces and establish defenses just in case." Thus, Ai Shi remained behind to position his troops north of Baishui. Three days later, Jiang Wei dispatched Liao Hua to camp south of Baishui, directly across from Ai Shi's camp. Ai Shi informed his soldiers, "Jiang Wei is attacking us again. We are outnumbered; ordinarily, he would cross the river, but he hasn't built a bridge. Jiang Wei wants to use Liao Hua to hold us back and prevent us from returning. His true aim is to launch a surprise attack on Taicheng from the east!" Taicheng lay sixty li north of Ai Shi's position. That night, Ai Shi stealthily led his troops to Taicheng, and indeed, Jiang Wei attempted to cross the river, but Ai Shi had already arrived first and occupied Taicheng, thus avoiding defeat. Consequently, Ai Shi was appointed Marquis of the Passes, promoted to General of Bandit Suppression, and later became the Administrator of Chengyang.
It is said that at that time, Liu Bao, the Righteous King of Binzhou, was in charge of a large area. A man named Ai suggested to the court: "Those Rongdi tribes are like wild beasts; they completely lack an understanding of righteousness and morality. When they are strong, they invade and plunder; when they are weak, they surrender and submit. Look, during the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, there was an invasion by the Xiongnu, and during the time of Emperor Gaozu of Han, there was the siege of Pingcheng City. Whenever the Xiongnu grow powerful, they become a significant threat to the previous dynasties. Now the Chanyu is outside, and there's no one who can keep him in check. It would be wiser to lure him here to serve in the court. In this way, the Qiang and Yi tribes will be left leaderless, leading to chaos. If the Chanyu is at court, peace will prevail across the land. But now the Chanyu's influence is waning day by day, while the power of the border regions is growing stronger, so we must remain vigilant against the threat posed by these tribes. I heard that there are rebellious tribes among Liu Bao's ranks; we can use this opportunity to split them into two factions and weaken their strength. General Bei has rendered significant service to the court in the past, but his son has not continued his legacy. His son should be awarded a distinguished title and stationed at Yanmen Pass. This will create discord among enemy factions and weaken them, and it will also honor past achievements, which is a good strategy for long-term governance of the border regions." He continued: "The Qiang and Hu people who live mixed with the Han people should gradually be moved away, allowing Han residents to embrace moral integrity and close off avenues for wrongdoing." At that time, the Grand Marshal Sima Jingwang had just started assisting in governance and believed Ai's advice, so he promoted Ai to be the Prefect of Runan. Upon taking office, Ai sought out the father of an official who had once shown him kindness, but unfortunately, he had passed away. Ai sent people to pay respects and generously thanked his mother, and arranged for his son to work under him. Wherever Ai went, prosperity followed him, as wastelands were cultivated and both the military and civilians lived good lives.
Zhuge Ke attacked the new Hefei city but failed to capture it and retreated. Ai then said to Sima Jingwang, "Sun Quan has died, and the ministers of Wu have not yet returned to their senses. The prestigious families of Wu all have their own armies, and they're powerful enough to set themselves up as kings. Zhuge Ke had just taken control of the political power in Wu, but the people's hearts were unsettled. Instead of calming the situation and solidifying his rule, he focused on external warfare, cruelly exploiting the people, and focusing all his troops on fortified cities, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands, ultimately resulting in failure. This is why Zhuge Ke faced consequences. In the past, figures like Wu Zixu, Wu Qi, Shang Yang, and Yue Yi were favored by the rulers of their day, but once the rulers died, they failed. Moreover, Zhuge Ke's skills didn't match those of the four wise ministers, and he did not consider the potential dangers. His downfall was inevitable." After Zhuge Ke returned to his country, he was indeed killed. Ai was promoted to the Governor of Yanzhou and promoted to General of Might. He also suggested to the court, "The most crucial aspects for a country are agriculture and warfare. A country can only be strong if it's thriving, and a strong military is needed to win battles. But agriculture is the backbone of warfare. Confucius said, 'Sufficient food, sufficient soldiers,' food comes before soldiers! If the court doesn't create titles to motivate people to work hard, then the common folks won't be motivated to create wealth. If rewards for achievements are based on saving food and enriching the people, then the culture of competition and waste can be curbed."
The nobleman of Gaogui Township was promoted in rank and appointed as the Marquis of Fangcheng Pavilion. Later, Guanqiu Jian rebelled and sent urgent messages on fast horses to confuse everyone, but he ended up getting his head chopped off. While sending messages, he led his troops straight to Lejia City and even ordered the quick construction of a pontoon bridge. Sima Jingwang arrived and promptly occupied Lejia City. Wen Qin led a large army outside the city and was chased to the hilltop, and ultimately escaped to the state of Wu.
Grand General Sun Jun of Wu and his allies led an army of a hundred thousand troops, preparing to cross the river. The General of Zhen Dong, Zhuge Dan, ordered him to defend Feiyang, but he thought Feiyang was too distant from the enemy and not strategically important, so he went off to Futing by himself. He then sent Prefect Zhuge Xu of Mount Tai and others to engage the enemy at Lijiang, successfully driving them away. That year, the court appointed him as Chief Water Officer. His achievements in defeating Wen Qin and others led to another promotion, and he was made the Marquis of Fangcheng Township, as well as General of Anxi.
He lifted the siege of Wang Jing, the Governor of Yongzhou, at Didi. Jiang Wei retreated to Zhongti, and the court appointed him as the General of Anxi, granting him military authority to manage the Eastern Qiang. Many believed Jiang Wei was past his prime and wouldn't lead troops again. However, he asserted, "The defeat at Taosi was no small matter! The army was defeated, the generals were killed, the granaries were empty, the people were displaced, and the country was almost finished. Now, let’s break down the situation: first, they are in a position of strength, and we are in a position of weakness; second, they work well together at all levels, have well-equipped weapons, we have new soldiers, and our weapons are not fully equipped; third, they transport by water, we march by land, resulting in varying levels of fatigue; fourth, Didi, Longxi, Nan'an, and Qishan all need garrisons to defend, they concentrate their forces to attack one place, while our forces are scattered; fifth, the enemy is cunning and changeable, they will definitely come to attack. We can set off from Nan'an and Longxi, using the Qiang people's food. If they attack Qishan, the wheat there will be ripe, covering several thousand acres, which should be enough for our supplies."
Before long, Jiang Wei indeed launched an attack on Qishan, but when he heard that the enemy was prepared, he turned and went from Dongting to Nan'an. He occupied Wucheng Mountain, facing off against Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei tried to seize the advantageous terrain but failed. That night, he crossed the Wei River and headed up to Shanggui along the mountain road. He clashed with Jiang Wei at Duangu and achieved a resounding victory.
In the first year of Ganlu, the court issued a decree: "The rebel Jiang Wei has caused disturbances year after year, causing unrest among the people and minority ethnic groups, and the western regions have never been peaceful. This man is clever in his strategies, courageous, and loyal; he has killed over a dozen generals and beheaded over a thousand. The nation's prestige has reverberated throughout Ba Shu, and his military achievements have spread throughout the rivers and mountains. He has now been appointed as the General of Zhenxi, in charge of military affairs in the Longyou area, and titled as the Marquis of Deng. His son Zhong is also titled as the Marquis of Ting, and granted him five hundred households."
In the second year, he resisted Jiang Wei's attack at the Great Wall, and Jiang Wei retreated. He was promoted again and became the General of the Western Campaign, with his fiefdom increased to a total of 6,600 households. In the third year of Jingyuan, he defeated Jiang Wei at Houhe, and Jiang Wei retreated to Dazhong. In the autumn of the fourth year, the court commanded various armies to launch an attack on Shu, with Grand General Sima Wenwang personally leading the operation and instructing him and Jiang Wei to keep each other in check; Zhuge Xu, the governor of Yongzhou, also besieged Jiang Wei to prevent his return. He sent the Prefect of Tianshui, Wang Qi, and others to directly attack Jiang Wei's main camp, while the Prefect of Longxi, Qian Hong, and others intercepted from the front, and the Prefect of Jincheng, Yang Xin, and others attacked from the direction of Gansong. Jiang Wei heard that Zhong Hui's army had entered Hanzhong, so he retreated. Yang Xin and others pursued to Qiangchuan Pass, had a big battle with Jiang Wei, and defeated him. Jiang Wei heard that the road to Yongzhou had been blocked, so he set up camp at the bridgehead, took the northern route through Konghangu, and tried to bypass Yongzhou. When Zhuge Xu heard this, he retreated thirty miles. Jiang Wei traveled more than thirty miles along the northern route, heard that Zhuge Xu had retreated, and returned, crossing the bridgehead. Zhuge Xu hurried to intercept him, but was a day late. Jiang Wei went east to defend Jiange. Zhong Hui launched an attack on Jiange but was unsuccessful in capturing it.
He wrote: "Now that the enemy has been defeated, we should pursue them, take the back roads from Yinping, pass through Handeyangting, and head straight to Fucheng. From the west side of Jiange, it is over a hundred miles from there to Chengdu, where we can launch surprise attacks to hit the enemy at their core. The garrison at Jiange will definitely reinforce Fucheng, allowing Zhong Hui to advance smoothly; if the troops at Jiange do not return, the troops at Fucheng will be diminished. As Sun Tzu says in The Art of War: 'Strike when the enemy is unprepared and appear where they least expect you.' Now that they are vulnerable, we can surely defeat them!"
In October, during the winter, Deng Ai set out from the Yinping Road, traversing over a thousand miles of desolate region, carving paths through mountains and constructing bridges and pavilions. The mountains were high and the valleys deep, very dangerous, and the food supplies were running low, risking defeat at any moment. Deng Ai wrapped himself in a felt blanket, rolled down the hill, while the soldiers climbed trees and navigated cliffs and precipices, advancing in formation like fish.
Finally arriving at Jiangyou, the Shu general Ma Mai surrendered. The Shu general Zhuge Zhan retreated from Fucheng to Mianzhu, setting up his formation to wait for Deng Ai. Deng Ai sent his son Deng Zhong (Marquis of Ting) to attack from the right and sent Sima Shi to attack from the left. As a result, Deng Zhong and Sima Shi were defeated and fell back, exclaiming, "This enemy is tough to deal with!" Upon hearing this, Deng Ai became furious and shouted, "This is a matter of life and death; we will see in this battle, what’s so hard about it?!" He was ready to execute Deng Zhong and Sima Shi right then and there, frightening them into returning to fight once more. As a result, they scored a decisive victory, beheading Zhuge Zhan and Minister Zhang Zun, and the army advanced directly towards Chengdu. Liu Shan quickly dispatched a messenger with the imperial seal and royal insignia, writing a letter to Deng Ai to request his surrender.
Deng Ai arrived in Chengdu. Liu Shan, along with the crown prince, princes, and a large group of ministers—more than sixty people in total—all bound and with coffins, went to the military camp to surrender. Deng Ai took the command insignia, untied their ropes, burned the coffins, and forgave them. After Deng Ai led his troops into the city, he did not plunder or loot, pacified those who surrendered, and let them return to their original jobs. The people of Shu praised him. Following the example of Deng Yu in the past, he took it upon himself to appoint Liu Shan as General of Chariots and Cavalry, the crown prince as Palace Attendant, and the princes as Commandants of the Cavalry. Officials of Shu were also appointed various positions according to their ranks, and some were even arranged to work in Deng Ai's team. Shi Zuan was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou, and officials such as Qian Hong, the Prefect of Longxi, were arranged to serve in various counties of Shu. Deng Ai built a high platform in Mianzhu to commemorate his military achievements, and he buried the soldiers who died in battle alongside Shu soldiers. Deng Ai was quite proud and boasted to the scholars of Shu, "It is all thanks to me, Deng Ai, that you have what you have today! If you had encountered someone like Wu Han, your clan would have been wiped out long ago!" He also said, "Jiang Wei can be considered a hero for a time, but unfortunately he encountered me, and that's why he found himself in a tight spot!" Those in the know laughed at him.
In December, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Aiyou, you are brave and a master of warfare. You have deeply infiltrated enemy lines, vanquished enemy generals, seized their banners, eliminated their leaders, and captured the pretender who dared to claim the title of emperor. The rebellion that had plagued us for generations, you have quelled in one decisive blow! Your army is swift, and battles conclude in no time, sweeping across like a storm, pacifying Ba Shu. Even Bai Qi defeating the powerful Chu state, Han Xin defeating the powerful Zhao state, Wu Han capturing Zi Yang, Zhou Yafu pacifying the rebellion of the Seven States, in terms of merit and reward, your achievements far surpass theirs! You are hereby appointed Grand Commandant, with an expanded fief of twenty thousand households, and your two sons are each granted the title of Marquis, each awarded a fief of one thousand households."
Ai Huan cheerfully said to Sima Zhao (Sima Wenwang): When using troops in battle, you need to build momentum first before taking action. Now, taking advantage of the momentum from pacifying the Shu territory, we should pursue and strike against Wu. The people of Wu will definitely be scared; it’s the perfect time to strike! But after a big battle, the troops will be worn out and can't be deployed right away. We should take our time; let’s leave behind 20,000 troops from Longyou and 20,000 from Shu to supply the army with what it needs, while also building ships in preparation for downstream travel. Next, we should send envoys to let Wu know the benefits; Wu will definitely surrender without a fight. We should treat Liu Shan right to win over Sun Xiu, and appease the people to attract those from afar. If we send Liu Shan to the capital right away, the people of Wu will see it as exile and will not have the intention to surrender. Liu Shan should stay behind for now until next autumn or winter; by then, Wu will be almost pacified. We can make him the King of Fufeng, rewarding him with money and supplies for his daily needs. Let’s pick Dong Zhuo's old camp in the county and build him a palace. Give his son the title of marquis and grant him land in the county to show our favor. We should open up land in Guangling and Chengyang to welcome the people from Wu; they’ll fear our might and appreciate our kindness, and will surrender once they hear the news.
Sima Zhao sent the military officer Wei Guan to persuade Ai Huan, saying: "We should wait for the imperial decree before taking action, instead of acting on our own." Ai Huan reiterated: "I was ordered to launch an expedition, carrying out the court's strategy. The primary enemy has already surrendered. Regarding the acceptance of the court's appointments and rewards to pacify the newly surrendered, I view this as a pragmatic approach. With all of Shu having surrendered and its borders reaching the South Sea while connecting to the state of Wu to the east, we should stabilize the situation as soon as possible. Waiting for the court's orders will waste considerable time on back-and-forth journeys. The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' states that when a minister is sent abroad, if they can stabilize the state and benefit the country, they may make their own decisions. Wu has not yet surrendered and is geographically connected to Shu; we cannot be bound by conventions and miss the opportunity. In 'The Art of War,' it is said that when attacking, do not seek fame, and when retreating, do not fear responsibility. While I may lack the integrity of ancient generals, I will not allow my actions to jeopardize the country's interests. Zhong Hui, Hu Lie, Shi Zuan, and others all reported that Ai Huan's actions were rebellious and the root of chaos. Therefore, the emperor ordered him to be taken back to the capital in a prisoner's cart. Ai Huan and his son were both arrested. When Zhong Hui arrived in Chengdu, he first sent Ai Huan there and then rebelled. After Zhong Hui's death, Ai Huan's army rescued him from captivity and brought him back. However, Jiang Wei sent Tian Xu and others to confront Ai Huan. They encountered him at Mianzhu to the west and killed him. Ai Huan's son, Ai Zhong, also died with him. All of Ai Huan's remaining sons in Luoyang were executed, and his wife and grandson were exiled to the distant Western Regions.
At first, when Ai Huan wanted to attack the State of Shu, he dreamed of sitting on a mountain where water flowed, so he asked the military strategist Yuan Shao what this meant. Yuan Shao said, "According to the hexagram of the Book of Changes, flowing water on a mountain is called the 'Jian' hexagram. The explanation of the 'Jian' hexagram is: 'Obstruction brings success to the southwest, but not to the northeast.' Confucius said: 'Obstruction brings success to the southwest; there will be success in going forward; not to the northeast, the path is obstructed.' In other words, attacking the State of Shu is likely to succeed, but you might not return!" After hearing this, Ai Huan felt very uncomfortable and unhappy.
In the year 266 AD, the Jin Dynasty was established. The emperor decreed, "Former Grand Commandant Wang Ling wanted to depose the Prince of Qi, but he couldn't even keep his own position. General Deng Ai, who conquered the West, because of his arrogance, was liable to execution for making a big mistake. However, on the day he was captured, he disbanded his troops and honestly accepted his punishment, which sets him apart from those who commit further wrongs to save themselves. Now, with a general amnesty in place, if his family has no descendants, they may adopt a child to carry on the family line."
Three years later, the Yilang, Duan Zhuo wrote a memorial to defend Deng Ai, saying: "Deng Ai harbors loyalty in his heart, yet he has been accused of treason; after pacifying Ba Shu, he suffered the punishment of extermination of his clan. I feel deeply sorry for him! It's a shame that Deng Ai was accused of treason! Deng Ai has a strong and impulsive personality; he despises worldly etiquette and laws and cannot maintain good relationships with his colleagues, so no one is willing to speak up for him. I dare say Deng Ai did not commit treason. When Jiang Wei wanted to establish himself in Longyou, Deng Ai built defensive fortifications, stored food, and strengthened the army. In bad harvest years, Deng Ai personally went to the fields to farm, wearing coarse clothes and carrying farming tools, leading his soldiers to work together. Everyone was moved, and no one did not work wholeheartedly. Deng Ai guarded the border with tens of thousands of soldiers under his command, yet he could easily defeat the enemy and reduce the burden on the people. If it weren't for his unwavering loyalty, who else could accomplish this? Therefore, in the battles of Luomen and Duangu, he was able to win with few against many, defeating powerful enemies. The late emperor knew he was capable and entrusted him with important tasks. After receiving his orders, Deng Ai, disregarding his own safety, secured his horses and left behind his chariot, charging into battle, displaying unmatched valor, boosting the morale of his soldiers, ultimately leading to the surrender of Liu Shan and his son. Deng Ai's achievements are undeniable and should be recorded in history for future generations. At over seventy years old, what more could he possibly desire? Deng Ai indeed relied on the emperor's favor, accepted his orders, and stabilized the country; although unconventional, it was in line with ancient principles, and he should be judged based on his true intentions. Zhong Hui, envious of Deng Ai's reputation, conspired against him. Loyalty was killed, honesty was doubted, Deng Ai was beheaded, and his sons were also executed. Those who witnessed this couldn't help but shed tears, and those who heard about it sighed. Your Majesty, after ascending the throne, showed great magnanimity, dispelling suspicions, and those who were punished are no longer restricted. In the past, the people of Qin sympathized with the wrongly accused Bai Qi, and the people of Wu lamented the injustice suffered by Wu Zixu, both of whom were honored with ancestral shrines. Now, people everywhere feel pity and resentment for Deng Ai for similar reasons. I believe that Deng Ai's body, discarded in the wilderness, should be properly buried, and his properties restored. In recognition of his efforts in pacifying Shu, his grandson should be posthumously recognized, allowing him to rest in peace without regrets. Only then can the wronged soul be comforted, ensuring his legacy endures, burying a person whom all the world admires, pacifying a departed spirit whom all the world respects for his righteous deeds. Few have achieved what he did, but many hold him in high regard.
There is no content to translate or edit. Please provide a complete source text for a proper analysis and translation.
Nine years later, the emperor proclaimed, "Deng Ai has made contributions and did not escape punishment, but his descendants have become commoners. I have always felt sympathy for him. Let his legitimate grandson Deng Lang become a physician."
General Ai, when he was in the western region, focused on strengthening defenses and building strong cities and fortresses. Later, during the Taishi period, the Qiang people rebelled, killing successive governors, and the roads to Liangzhou were severed. Those officials and commoners who survived were able to escape death by hiding in the fortresses built by General Ai.
When General Ai was in the local area, his colleague General Tai from Nanyang also aspired to achieve greatness and was good at leading troops in battle. He held positions such as General Conquering the Barbarians and Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Military Affairs. He died in the second year of Jingyuan and was posthumously honored as General Wei and given the title Zhuanghou.
Zhong Hui, styled Shiji, was from Changshe in Yingchuan and was a descendant of the Grand Tutor Sima Yi. He was intelligent and talented from a young age, demonstrating exceptional talent from an early age. The Central Protector Jiang Ji once wrote, "Just by looking at him, you can tell what kind of person he is." When Zhong Hui was five years old, Sima Yi took him to meet Jiang Ji, who was astonished and remarked, "This child will have a remarkable future!" As he grew up, Zhong Hui was talented in many ways, well-versed in various knowledge, and often studied late into the night, earning a great reputation. During the Zhengshi period, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Secretariat and later promoted to the position of Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat. After Gaozu Xiang ascended to the throne, he was also granted the title of Marquis of Guannei.
When Guanqiu Jian rebelled, General Sima Jing led an eastern campaign to pacify the rebellion, with Zhong Hui accompanying him to manage sensitive affairs. General Sima Wen guarded the rear. After Sima Jing passed away in Xuchang, Sima Wen took command of the army, with Zhong Hui providing strategic advice within the military. At that time, the court issued an edict to Fu Ga, the Minister of Works, temporarily stationing General Sima Wen in Xuchang to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, and ordered Fu Ga to lead other troops back to the court. Zhong Hui conferred with Fu Ga and had him submit a memorial, and then they set off together with General Sima to camp south of the Luoshui River. The court then appointed Sima Wen as Grand General and Chief Minister, while Zhong Hui was promoted to the Yellow Gate Attendant, granted the title of Marquis of Dongwu Pavilion, with a fief of three hundred households.
In the second year of Ganlu, the court summoned Zhuge Dan to serve as Minister of Works. At that time, Zhong Hui was in mourning at home and doubted that Zhuge Dan would accept the court's appointment, so he quickly informed Sima Wen of the situation. Sima Wen felt that the orders had already been issued, so he did not pursue any changes. When Zhuge Dan did indeed rebel, the Emperor's entourage stopped in Xiangcheng, Sima Wen arrived in Shou Chun, and Zhong Hui followed.
At first, General Quan Cong of Wu, a relative of Sun Quan and a key minister, along with his son Quan Yi, Sun Jing, and Quan Cong's nephews Quan Duan, Quan Pian, Quan Ji, etc., led troops in an attempt to rescue Zhuge Dan. Quan Yi, along with his nephews Quan Hui and Quan Yi, who were left in Jianye at the time due to family conflicts, crossed the Yangtze River with their mother and dozens of subordinates to defect to Sima Zhao. Sima Zhao quickly came up with a plan and secretly wrote a letter to Quan Hui and Quan Yi, instructing them to send their most trusted men to deliver the letter to Quan Yi and the others. The letter expressed Wu's extreme anger over the failure to capture Shou Chun and planned to kill the families of these generals, so Quan Hui and Quan Yi escaped and surrendered.
When they heard this, they were terrified and immediately opened the east gate to surrender. Sima Zhao treated them all very well, giving them titles and positions, leading to a sense of unrest among the city's inhabitants. With the fall of Shou Chun, Sima Zhao's strategies played a crucial role, and his trust in him grew day by day, and people began to compare him to Zhang Liang. After returning from the battle, Sima Zhao promoted him to the position of Grand Preceptor, but he resolutely declined. Later, he took on the role of a Chamberlain in the General's residence, responsible for recording documents, and was a trusted confidant of Sima Zhao. Due to his outstanding contributions in the campaign against Zhuge Dan, Sima Zhao gave him titles and made him the Marquis of Chen, but he consistently refused to accept the title. The Emperor subsequently issued a decree stating, "Sima Zhao, you have managed military affairs, participated in strategic planning, assessed the enemy, and secured victory. Your contributions are indeed substantial! And your humility in declining rewards, your repeated refusals, demonstrates your determination, which is truly admirable. The ability to remain humble after achieving success is a trait highly esteemed by the ancients. I shall grant your request and honor your wishes." Therefore, Sima Zhao was promoted to Colonel of the Directorate. Although he held office in a distant place, he was involved in significant political affairs, whether favorable or unfavorable, administering rewards and punishments as necessary, and was well-acquainted with all of it. Later, when Ji Kang and others were executed, it was also orchestrated by Sima Zhao.
Once upon a time, Cao Mao, known as Wen Wang, the son of Cao Cao of the Wei Kingdom, felt that the Shu Kingdom general Jiang Wei was always troubling the border, likely wearing out the people of Shu and draining the country's resources. So, he decided to launch a big offensive to wipe out the Shu Kingdom. Sima Zhao, also known as Hui, thought the Shu Kingdom could be taken, so he began studying the terrain and analyzing the situation with Cao Mao. In the winter of the third year of Jingyuan, Cao Mao appointed Sima Zhao as General Who Guards the West, putting him in charge of the military in the Guanzhong area. Cao Mao also ordered the construction of ships in Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and other areas, and asked Tang Zi to build massive warships that could sail the seas, claiming it was for taking on the Wu Kingdom. In the fall of the fourth year of Jingyuan, Cao Mao ordered Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu to each lead over 30,000 troops. Deng Ai attacked from Gansong and Dazhong to cut off Jiang Wei's escape route, while Zhuge Xu attacked from Wujie and Qiaotou with the same goal. Sima Zhao personally led more than 100,000 troops, marching from Xiegu and Luogu in two different directions.
At the beginning, Sima Zhao ordered the Yamen generals to repair the road first, and he would follow later. Consequently, the bridge collapsed, the horses got stuck in the mud, and Sima Zhao actually had Xu Yi executed! Xu Yi was the son of Xu Chu, and he also made contributions to the Wei imperial family. Sima Zhao showed no mercy. The news struck fear into all the various armies. The Shu kingdom ordered all besieged troops to refrain from resistance and retreat to Hancheng and Lecheng to defend. Liu Qin, the Xingping Prefect of Wei, led his troops from the Ziyu Valley, and the Wei army advanced on multiple fronts, directly threatening Hanzhong. Wang Han guarded Lecheng for the Shu kingdom, and Jiang Bin guarded Hancheng, each side sending five thousand troops. Sima Zhao sent Hu Lie and others to attack, broke through the city gate, and seized a substantial amount of military supplies.
Jiang Wei withdrew from Dazhong, returned to Yinpings, gathered troops and horses, and wanted to rush to the city gate. Before he arrived, he heard that the city gate had been breached, so he retreated to Baishui and defended alongside Shu generals Zhang Yi, Liao Hua, and others at Jiange, preparing to resist Sima Zhao's attack. Sima Zhao wrote to the generals, soldiers, and people of Shu:
In the past, as the Han Dynasty declined and the country fractured, the people struggled to survive. Our founding Emperor Wu was wise and valiant, restored order, saved the nation from ruin, and laid the foundation for the Great Xia Dynasty. Then came Emperor Wen, who won the people's support and ascended to the throne. Followed by Emperor Ming, who upheld our ancestors' legacy and ruled the kingdom with even greater prosperity.
However, outside our country, there are many different regimes and customs where the common people still do not accept our rule, which has long been a lingering regret for our ancestors. Now, the emperor is both wise and martial, inheriting and carrying forward the great achievements of our ancestors, and the court officials are loyal and diligent, working hard for the country, ruling with benevolence, and uniting all nations in harmony; even the so-called barbarian tribes are paying tribute.
Unfortunately, in the Ba and Shu regions, there are rebellious factions causing chaos, and the common folk are oppressed and suffering. Therefore, the emperor has ordered the six armies to march out to enact divine punishment, with the Western Expedition Army, the Yongzhou Army, and the Zhenxi Army all launching simultaneous attacks. In ancient times, warfare emphasized benevolence and righteousness as the foundations of military governance; the emperor's army sought to avoid battle whenever possible; much like Emperor Shun, who subdued the Miao tribe with dance and song, and King Wu of Zhou, who distributed wealth, provided food, and commended meritorious officials.
Now, the Zhenxi Army has received orders to march out, taking command of the forces, hoping to convey this reasoning to everyone in order to save the common folk. We do not seek to wield military force for show or to satisfy fleeting desires for control. Therefore, I will briefly discuss the crucial matters of peace and danger; I ask that you listen carefully.
Liu Bei was indeed an extraordinary figure in his time, rising up north, facing numerous hardships around Jizhou and Xuzhou, and being held back by Cao Cao and Lu Bu. Later, Cao Cao saved him, and their relationship was initially good but later soured. Zhuge Liang consistently aimed to seize Guanzhong, and Jiang Wei repeatedly led troops to the Longyou region, causing unrest along our borders and troubling the Di and Qiang tribes. The country has faced many troubles before, leaving us with little time to engage in warfare properly.
The border is now stable, the country is peaceful, we are accumulating strength, waiting for the opportunity, concentrating our forces, and capturing Shu in one fell swoop. The military forces of Shu Han are scattered in various defensive positions and cannot stop our powerful army. Duan Gu, Hou He, and Ju Sang's small victories cannot compare to our formidable lineup. Over the years, the people have been suffering greatly; continuous warfare has brought immense hardship to the common people. You wise men have all seen these circumstances.
Prime Minister Zhuge Liang of Shu Han was ultimately defeated by us, and Gongsun Shu was ultimately eliminated by us. The nine provinces of the world have finally returned to unity. All you wise men have heard of these things. Wise people can foresee potential dangers, and the wise can prevent disasters before they happen. So Duke Wei left the Shang Dynasty and eventually became a guest of the Zhou Dynasty; Chen Ping betrayed Xiang Yu and eventually made great achievements in the Han Dynasty. Must we wait until disaster strikes to feel regret?
Now the court is benevolent, the prime minister is generous, offering chances before punishment, cherishing the lives of the people, and abhorring killing. Previously, Wu general Sun Yi surrendered to us; we appointed him as a high-ranking officer, granting him great honors and privileges. Wen Qin and Tang Zi committed serious crimes, betrayed their country, and defected, and were later captured by us. After Tang Zi was captured, he continued to participate in national affairs; Wen Qin's two sons who surrendered also became generals and marquises. Even though Sun Yi and others surrendered while holding low ranks, we have given them generous treatment, not to mention the wise men of Ba and Shu!
You should seriously learn from the lessons of success and failure, look ahead with foresight, follow the example set by Weizi, and take a page from Chen Ping's book. Then your fortunes will be passed down to future generations, the people will enjoy peace and happiness, farm with ease, prosper in trade, avoid the threat of extinction, and move towards lasting peace. Isn't that wonderful? If you remain complacent and unrepentant, when the enemy forces close in, the consequences could be dire, and it'll be too late to turn back. I urge you to carefully weigh the pros and cons, consider your future, and share these words with everyone, so they all know.
Deng Ai chased Jiang Wei to Yinping, carefully selecting a select group of elite troops, planning to travel from Hanzhong to Deyang, through Jiangyou and Zuodan, to Mianzhu, heading straight to Chengdu, and acting together with Zhuge Xu. Zhuge Xu, who was originally tasked with controlling Jiang Wei, arrived early at Baishui to await his arrival because Deng Ai's westward advance was not an official imperial decree. Deng Ai dispatched General Tian Zhang and others to advance from the western side of Jiange, directly towards Jiangyou. Before they had even traveled a hundred miles, Tian Zhang defeated three ambush camps of the Shu army, so Deng Ai designated him as the vanguard. The army pressed forward with determination. Deng Ai and Zhuge Xu's armies advanced towards Jiange together. Deng Ai sought to consolidate control of the army, so he secretly claimed that Zhuge Xu was timid and reluctant to move forward, and had him returned in a prisoner’s cart. With the army under Deng Ai's command, they attacked Jiange but failed to capture it, so they retreated. The Shu army mounted a fierce defense of the city. Deng Ai then arrived at Mianzhu, where he fought a significant battle and killed Zhuge Zhan. When Jiang Wei and others heard of Zhuge Zhan's defeat, they led their troops in retreat to Badi to the east. Deng Ai advanced his troops to Fuxian, sending Hu Lie, Tian Xu, Pang Hui, and others to pursue Jiang Wei. Deng Ai's army advanced towards Chengdu, where Liu Shan capitulated to Deng Ai and sent envoys ordering Jiang Wei and others to surrender to Deng Ai. Jiang Wei arrived at Qixian in Guanghan, ordering his soldiers to surrender their weapons, hand over the seal of the governor to Hu Lie, and then made his way eastward to surrender to Deng Ai.
Deng Ai reported to the court, saying, "Jiang Wei, Zhang Yi, Liao Hua, Dong Jue, and others want to escape and flee to Chengdu. I immediately dispatched Sima Xiahou Xian, Hu Lie, and others from Jian Ge to intercept their path at Xindu and Dadu, while Yuan Qingshan, Ju An, and others chased after them. Huangfu Kai, Wang Mai, and others attacked their flanks from the south of Fuxian County. I stationed myself in Fuxian County to support both flanks. Jiang Wei and his troops, consisting of infantry and cavalry totaling forty to fifty thousand, clad in armor with weapons drawn, filled the valleys for hundreds of miles, advancing westward in formation. I ordered Xiahou Xian, Huangfu Kai, and others to occupy advantageous positions, set up traps, block their escape routes to Wu, Chengdu, and the north, encircle them from all sides and launch frontal and rear attacks, sealing off all paths of retreat. I personally wrote to them, offering them a path to safety. The rebels, surrounded and with no way out, realized the situation was hopeless, dropped their weapons and surrendered, and countless letters of surrender and piles of supplies accumulated. It was like the ancient dance of Gan Qie that compelled the Miao people to submit to Emperor Shun in ancient times, or the Battle of Muye where the Shang army defected. To subdue without fighting is the ultimate goal of military strategy; protecting the state comes first; defeating the enemy is secondary—this is the principle of warfare. Your Majesty, your wisdom rivals that of ancient sage kings, and you are supported by loyal ministers and capable generals. Your virtues are comparable to the Duke of Zhou, your benevolent treatment of the people and just punishment leave no room for complaint; the people everywhere submit willingly to you. There was no protracted war, no bloodshed, and the land thrived. I executed your orders and spread your benevolence, restored their country, stabilized their people, relieved them of taxes, and abolished their corvee labor. I used moral principles to change their customs and established laws to reshape their habits. The people are happy and content, living in peace and prosperity, and will surely thrive in the future. Nothing could be better than this." Deng Ai then prohibited looting by soldiers, treated surrendering Shu officials with sincerity, and maintained a good relationship with Jiang Wei. In December, the court issued a decree stating, "Deng Ai has been victorious wherever he went, facing no formidable enemies, capturing many cities, and apprehending fleeing rebels. The Shu generals have all surrendered; his strategies were flawless, and his actions successful. Tens of thousands of rebels were killed, achieving complete victory without battle. The western Shu region has been pacified, and the borders secured. Deng Ai is appointed as Minister of State, elevated to the title of County Marquis, and granted an additional ten thousand households of land. His two sons are appointed as Viscounts, with each receiving one thousand households.
Please provide the content that needs to be translated. I did not see what you need me to translate. Please provide the text, and I will try my best to translate it into modern spoken Chinese sentence by sentence, and divide it according to your request.
There were people inside who had ill intentions. Because Deng Ai held absolute power, someone secretly informed Deng Ai that he was plotting a rebellion. As a result, the court summoned Deng Ai using a prison cart. Sima Zhao was afraid that Deng Ai would not obey orders, so he ordered the army to march to Chengdu together. General Wei Guan led the army, announcing Sima Zhao's orders to Deng Ai's troops. Deng Ai's army all laid down their weapons, and Deng Ai was then taken away in a prison cart.
The army feared Deng Ai the most. After Deng Ai was captured, the army quickly arrived in Chengdu. Zhong Hui led the army alone, striking fear in the hearts of the Western Shu. He believed that his achievements were unparalleled and could no longer submit to others, especially since the brave generals and elite troops were under his command. Therefore, he plotted a rebellion. He planned to have Jiang Wei and others lead the Shu army out of Xiegu, while he himself led the main army to follow. After arriving in Chang'an, he planned for the cavalry to take the land route while the infantry would go by water, downstream from the Wei River to the Yellow River, estimating that they could reach Mengjin in five days and meet the cavalry in Luoyang. In this way, the world could be subdued in an instant.
Zhong Hui received a letter from Sima Zhao, which said: "Worried that Deng Ai may not obey the summons, I am now sending the Central Protector Jia Chong to lead ten thousand infantry directly into Xiegu, stationed in Lecheng. I myself will lead one hundred thousand troops stationed in Chang'an, and we will soon meet." After reading the letter, Zhong Hui exclaimed to his trusted followers: "If we just capture Deng Ai, the Prime Minister will see that I can handle this on my own. Now that so many troops have been sent, they must think I have ulterior motives and I need to act fast. If the plan succeeds, I will gain the world; if it fails, I can retreat to Shu Han and become king like Liu Bei. Ever since I started my campaign in Huainan, I've never miscalculated, and everyone knows it. Can I really go back with this plan?"
On the fifteenth day of the first month of the fifth year, Zhong Hui arrived in Chengdu. The next day, he summoned military officers, governors, cavalry commanders, and former officials of Shu Han to the court to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. He forged the Empress Dowager's testament, mobilized troops to overthrow Sima Zhao, and presented these documents to the attendees for their discussion and signatures. His trusted aides took command of the troops in place of the summoned officials, who were all confined in different government offices across Yizhou. The city and palace gates were shut tight, heavily guarded by soldiers. Qiu Jian, under Zhong Hui's command, was originally recommended by Hu Lie to Sima Zhao. Zhong Hui kept him close and valued him highly. Qiu Jian, feeling pity for Hu Lie being all alone, informed Zhong Hui and arranged for one of Hu Lie's soldiers to go out for food, and, as was customary, each cavalry command also sent someone out. Hu Lie secretly warned his soldiers and his son: "Qiu Jian is scheming to betray us. Zhong Hui has dug a large pit, prepared thousands of white wooden sticks, and intends to summon the outside troops. Each person will receive a white stick, be appointed as a 'scattered general,' and then they'll be killed one by one in the pit with those sticks." The soldiers of each cavalry command also heard this information, spreading like wildfire through the army overnight. Some advised Zhong Hui, "We could eliminate all the military officers and commanders." Zhong Hui found himself wavering.
On the 18th at noon, Hu Lie's army and Hu Lie's son rushed out of the camp gate with drums and gongs sounding. Other armies also rushed out noisily, with no one urging them on, and instead surged towards the city gate. At that time, they were distributing armor and weapons to Jiang Wei, and someone reported that there was a commotion outside, as if there was a fire breaking out. Soon after, the army surged towards the city gate. Zhong Hui asked Jiang Wei in surprise, "The army's coming in hot, like they're about to cause trouble. What should we do?" Jiang Wei said, "Then fight!" Zhong Hui ordered soldiers to execute all the imprisoned county guards, and the officials joined forces to brace the city gate. The soldiers hacked at the gate, but it wouldn’t budge. In a while, people outside the city put up ladders to climb the city walls, some set fire to houses, swarming in like a horde of ants, arrows raining down. The county guards and officials all escaped from the rooftops and joined their soldiers. Jiang Wei led Zhong Hui's forces into battle, personally taking down five or six enemies. After Jiang Wei was taken down, they rushed to kill Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui, who was forty at the time, suffered hundreds of casualties among his troops.
At first, Ai and Hui, one took on the role of Grand Commandant while the other became Minister of Works, both leading their armies with imperial seals, just as they had before. Unfortunately, both of them met their end before they received the emperor's official appointment. Hui's elder brother, Yu, passed away in the winter of the fourth year, and Hui was completely unaware. Yu's son Yong also perished alongside Hui. Yu's adopted sons Yi, Jun, and Chan were all imprisoned and faced execution.
Sima Wen Wang submitted a memorial to the emperor, and the emperor issued a decree saying: "The ancestors of the Jue family (峻家) have served as high-ranking officials in the court for three generations, assisting the emperor in establishing achievements and enjoying ancestral worship. Their father, Yu (毓), held important positions both inside and outside the court, contributing significantly. When Si Ziwen was in power in the State of Chu, he did not extinguish the Dou family's lineage; in the State of Jin, because of the loyalty of Cheng Gong and Xuan Gong, the descendants of the Zhao family were preserved. Now, because of the offenses committed by Hui and Yong, the line of Jue and Yu has been cut off, which I find truly lamentable! The Jue and Chan brothers are granted special pardons; those holding official positions and titles will retain them. Only the sons of Yi and Yong will be dealt with according to the law."
It is said that Yu once secretly wrote to Sima Wen Wang, stating that Hui is a formidable individual who is difficult to control, thus he should not be allowed to monopolize power, which explains why Jue and the others were pardoned.
At the beginning, Emperor Wen of Wei wanted to send Zhong Hui to attack the State of Shu. Shaotai, an official from the Western Cao, came to seek an audience and said, "Now you want to send Zhong Hui to lead more than 100,000 troops to attack the State of Shu. I feel that Zhong Hui is not capable enough to bear such a great responsibility. It's better to send someone else." Emperor Wen smiled and said, "How could I not know? The State of Shu has caused unrest throughout the realm, and the people are suffering. This time, attacking it will be as easy as reaching into a bag and taking something out. But everyone says the State of Shu is not easy to defeat. If someone is afraid at heart, their intelligence and courage will be diminished. If both intelligence and courage are exhausted and he is forced to act, he will only become a captive of the enemy. Only if Zhong Hui aligns with everyone's opinions, and now sending him to attack the State of Shu, will definitely be able to destroy it. After destroying the State of Shu, what can be done as you are worried? Defeated generals cannot talk to them about bravery, officials of a fallen country cannot discuss plans for restoration, because their courage has already been shattered. If the State of Shu is broken, the remaining people will be terrified and unable to carry out tasks; our soldiers here are all thinking of going home and unwilling to cooperate. If they rebel, they will only bring destruction upon themselves. You don't need to worry about these things, but don't let others know."
Later, Zhong Hui had a falling out with Deng Ai, and Emperor Wen was about to go west. Shaotai said again, "Zhong Hui's army is five to six times larger than Deng Ai's. Just order Zhong Hui to take down Deng Ai; there is no need for you, Emperor Wen, to personally intervene." Emperor Wen said, "Have you forgotten what you just said? Now you are saying there is no need for me to go personally? Although that may be the case, this is not something that can be said. I treat others with honesty, but I cannot allow others to betray me. How can I be the first to suspect others? A few days ago, General Jia asked me, 'Do you suspect Zhong Hui?' I replied, 'If I send you now, do I still suspect you?' General Jia could not refute me. When I reach Chang'an, everything will become clear." When the army arrived in Chang'an, Zhong Hui had indeed died, just as Emperor Wen had anticipated.
Zhong Hui once commented on the "Book of Changes," believing that without mutual interdependence (referring to the mutual root and use of yin and yang), there would be both similarities and differences in nature. After Zhong Hui's death, twenty works were found in his home, called "Discourses on the Way," which were actually the teachings of the Legalist school, with a writing style very similar to Zhong Hui's. When Zhong Hui was young, he was on par with Wang Bi from Shanyang. Wang Bi was skilled in debating Confucian and Daoist thoughts, with a magnificent and fluent style of writing and excellent eloquence. He annotated the "Book of Changes" and the "Laozi," served as a court gentleman, and died in his twenties.
It is said that Wang Ling, Guanqiu Jian, Zhuge Dan, and Zhong Hui are all prominent figures known for their illustrious reputations and high ranks. Wang Ling was of noble character, Guanqiu Jian was exceptionally talented, Zhuge Dan was stern and mighty, and Zhong Hui was astute and capable, with first-class strategies and tactics. The reason they have reached their current positions is because of their true abilities. However, each of them had grand ambitions and lofty aspirations, never considering that disaster would strike. As a result, things changed suddenly, like a snare hidden in their hair, and in the blink of an eye, their families were annihilated, and they faced execution. Isn't this foolish?
As for Deng Ai, he was a formidable figure, robust and strong, with many achievements and accomplishments. However, he failed to recognize the danger before him, and his downfall came swiftly and violently, just like Zhuge Ke, who could see far but not within himself, truly exemplifying the ancient saying of "eye judgment"! "Commentary: Wang Ling was known for his noble character and integrity, Guanqiu Jian for his talent and foresight, Zhuge Dan for his sternness and might, and Zhong Hui for his astuteness and strategic mind. All sought fame and glory, yet they were blinded by their grand ambitions, failing to foresee disaster. Their fortunes changed abruptly, leading to the ruin of their families. Was this not foolish? Deng Ai, strong and accomplished, was similarly oblivious to danger, and his swift downfall mirrored that of Zhuge Ke, who could see far but not within himself, perfectly illustrating the ancient saying of 'eye judgment'."
