assaulted vigorously. Then the commander of the north gate, Zeng Xuan, treacherously opened the gate and let in the Wei soldiers.
When Zhuge Dan heard that the enemy were in the city, he called his guards and tried to escape. He took his way along the smaller streets to the gate, but on the drawbridge he met Hu Fen, who cut him down. His followers were made prisoners.
Wang Ji fought his way to the west gate, where he fell in with the Wu general, Yu Quan.
“Why do you not yield?” shouted Wang Ji.
“Where is the principle for yielding when I have my orders to rescue the city and so far have not succeeded?” Throwing off his helmet, he cried, “The happiest death a man can die is on the battlefield.”
Whirling his sword about, Yu Quan dashed among his enemies and fought till he fell under many wounds.
When Sima Zhao entered the city, he put to death the whole family of Zhuge Dan. Some of his guards fell into the hands of Sima Zhao alive, and he offered them their lives if they would yield.
They all refused, saying, “We would rather share the fate of our leader.”
They were sent out of the city to be beheaded, but orders were given to offer each one his life at the last moment. Thus, before a person was about to receive the fatal blow, that one was asked to yield. Not one accepted, and they all died. In admiration for their fortitude, they were honorably interred by order of Sima Zhao.
As has been said, many of the troops of Wu surrendered. Then said Pei Xiu, “The parents and children of these soldiers are living all over River Huai; and if you spare them and they return home, they will foment rebellion by and by. The best way is to bury them.”
But Zhong Hui said, “No; When the ancients made war, their policy was to maintain the state as a whole, and so they only put to death the originators of trouble. It would be inhumane to slay all. Rather let them return home as witnesses to your liberal policy.”
“That is better advice,” said Sima Zhao. So the soldiers of Wu were released and allowed to return home.
Tang Zi dared not return to his own place in Wu for fear of the cruel Sun Chen, so he went over to Wei, taking his company with him. He was well received, and his people were employed over the counties of the three rivers.
The country about River Huai being now quiet, Sima Zhao decided to march homeward. Just then the news came that Jiang Wei, the Shu General, was attacking Changcheng and interfering with the supplies; and so a
council was called to discuss this matter.
At this time in Shu, the reign style was changed from Long Enjoyment, the twentieth year, to Wonderful Sight, the first year (AD 258). In Hanzhong Jiang Wei had recruited two generals, Fu Qian and Jiang Shu, both of whom he loved greatly, and set them to train the army, horse and foot.
Then came the news: “Zhuge Dan has set out to destroy Sima Zhao; Sun Chen of Wu has supported him with a large army; and Sima Zhao has led the army himself, bringing with him the Empress Dowager and the Ruler of Wei.”
Jiang Wei said, “The great opportunity has come at last.”
So he asked the Latter Ruler's authority to make another expedition.
But Qiao Zhou heard this with grief, for internal affairs were not well.
Said he, “The court is sunk in dissipation, and the Emperor's confidence is given to that eunuch, Huang Hao; state affairs are neglected for pleasure, which is the Emperor's sole aim. Jiang Wei has led many expeditions and wasted the lives of many soldiers, so that the state is falling.”
Qiao Zhou then wrote an essay on “Enemy Kingdoms,” which he sent to Jiang Wei.
