Chapter 2: The Chronicles of the Zhuge Family - The Heir of the Martial Marquis

In the year 258 AD, Zhuge Dan was defeated and died in battle, and Jiang Wei withdrew his troops, resuming his position as Grand General. Since the death of Fei Yi, Jiang Wei had launched military campaigns every year, which not only yielded little success but also led to the deterioration of the people's livelihood and widespread discontent. Jiang Wei changed his strategy, no longer launching attacks lightly, and focused on strengthening the defense of Hanzhong. He altered the long-standing practice of the Shu Han of confronting the enemy outside the national borders by allowing the enemy forces to enter Yangping Pass, concentrating his strength to defend the city, and establishing guerrilla units specifically to target the enemy's weak points, thereby extending the enemy's supply lines and exhausting their forces, forcing them to retreat. When the enemy retreated, he would launch a counter-offensive to annihilate the invading forces. In simple terms, this meant taking the risk of weakening defensive capabilities to enhance offensive power.

In the year 227 AD, Zhuge Liang launched his first northern expedition, leaving Zhang Yi, the Chief of the Historical Office, and Jiang Wan to oversee the daily operations of the Chancellor's office.

In the year 257 AD, Zhuge Dan, the Grand General of the Eastern Expedition of the Wei Kingdom, openly opposed Sima Zhao, igniting the Three Rebellions in Huainan. The Wu Kingdom dispatched troops to support Zhuge Dan. Such an excellent opportunity would naturally not be missed by Jiang Wei, who mobilized troops to Qin Chuan, while the Wei army remained steadfast and refrained from battle, leading to a prolonged standoff between the two sides

Despite knowing that Fei Yi was deceiving him, Jiang Wei was still unwilling to give up the opportunity and truly led an army of 10,000 to the north for a campaign. In front of him stood three renowned generals: Guo Huai, a close comrade of Sima Yi; Chen Tai, the leader of the aristocratic families of the realm; and Deng Ai, who would later bring about the fall of the Shu Kingdom. In such a situation, even if Jiang Wei were captured, it would not be considered a failure on his part. Remarkably, he was able to confront the Wei army for a considerable time, only retreating when Sima Zhao led a large force to provide assistance. During the retreat, the generals in charge of the rear guard, Ju An and Li Xin, surrendered to the Wei army.

In the year 225 AD, Zhuge Liang returned to court after his southern campaign, and numerous civil and military officials came out to greet him from several dozen miles away. Most of these officials were older and held higher positions than Fei Yi, yet Zhuge Liang uniquely invited Fei Yi to ride in his carriage, engaging him in lively conversation. From that moment on, everyone regarded Fei Yi with newfound respect. Soon after, Fei Yi was appointed as the Prefect of Zhao Xin and sent as an envoy to Eastern Wu.

Unlike the heated discussions surrounding Wei Yan's strategy at Ziwugu, which have persisted for eighteen hundred years, Jiang Wan's plan for the eastern expedition, much like himself, is seldom mentioned. If Wei Yan aimed to gamble with one-tenth of Shu's military strength, Jiang Wan intended to go all in with the entirety of Shu. This plan has numerous shortcomings, such as the unreliability of the ally Wu, the immediate danger of national extinction in the event of failure, and the difficulty of holding onto Shangyong City even if it were captured. The historical account of Sima Yi marching twelve hundred miles in eight days to reach Shangyong and capture Meng Da remains vivid in memory. The plan has many deficiencies, such as the unreliability of the ally Wu, the immediate danger of national extinction in the event of failure, and the difficulty of holding onto Shangyong City even if it were captured. The historical account of Sima Yi marching twelve hundred miles in eight days to reach Shangyong and capture Meng Da remains vivid in memory.

In the year 243 AD, after six years of deliberation, Jiang Wan proposed that during the five northern expeditions led by Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, the northern routes were too rugged and difficult to traverse. Instead, he suggested a change in strategy to launch an eastern campaign, descending along the Han River and collaborating with the Kingdom of Wu to attack the Wei state in Shangyong County, located at the intersection of the three kingdoms. This plan faced opposition from the majority of court officials. The reason for their opposition was that while a waterway attack was indeed convenient, if they were unable to capture Shangyong, it would be difficult to withdraw the troops. They selected Fei Yi and Jiang Wei to go to Hanzhong to persuade Jiang Wan.

Thirdly, during the years 244 to 245 AD, the State of Wei was engaged in warfare with the Goguryeo Kingdom. Although the military forces dispatched by Wei were not substantial, Goguryeo was by no means a match for them. However, the deployment of troops at this time could still place Wei in a passive situation of multi-front warfare. Who knows when the next opportunity like this will arise?

In that year, Jiang Wei was busy dealing with the rebellions of the ethnic minorities. He employed both grace and authority, swiftly quelling the unrest. This achievement accelerated his promotion and also drew the "great attention" of Fei Yi.

In the year 262 AD, Jiang Wei launched his final northern expedition, and General Deng Ai of the Wei army confronted him. Deng Ai seized upon the weaknesses of Jiang Wei's long-distance campaign, which stretched the supply lines and made it difficult to sustain. He occupied advantageous terrain and set up camp at Houhe (northeast of present-day Zhuoni) east of Taoyang, waiting for the weary troops to arrive, and launched a counterattack against the Shu army. After intense fighting, the Wei army initiated a counteroffensive, resulting in a significant defeat for the Shu army, which suffered heavy losses

During the era of Fei Yi's governance, in terms of domestic affairs, the people lived in peace and contentment, praising his leadership. In foreign relations, the relationship with the Wu state was exceptionally good. Militarily, it is remarkable that he managed to cut off the retreat of Cao Shuang's army from behind. As for Fei Yi's private life, it was astonishingly simple; his sons did not use carriages when going out and wore clothing similar to that of commoners. After his death, his family had no savings at all. As for Fei Yi's private life, it was astonishingly simple; his sons did not use carriages when going out and wore clothing similar to that of commoners. After his death, his family had no savings at all

Liu Shan asked Jiang Wan and Dong Yun for their opinions, and both recommended Yang Yi while expressing doubts about Wei Yan

Fei Yi ( ? - 253 AD), courtesy name Wenwei, was from Meng County, Jiangxia Commandery, Jingzhou (present-day Luoshan County, Henan). He lost his father at a young age and relied on his cousin Fei Boreng for support. Fei Boreng was a maternal cousin of Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, who sent someone to invite him. Fei Boreng took Fei Yi with him to Sichuan to pursue his studies, hoping to benefit from the connections. However, upon their arrival in Yizhou, Liu Zhang was replaced by Liu Bei. With no connections to rely on, Fei Yi had to work hard on his own. He became renowned for his scholarship and was on par with Dong Yun, the son of Dong He, the Chief of Internal Affairs, and they became close friends.

2. The baiting plan of luring the enemy deep and then counterattacking. This is riskier than Zhuge Liang's old tactics, yet safer than Jiang Wan's eastern expedition. It is truly remarkable that he could conceive such a strategy, but unexpectedly, what was caught was a shark, and the cost was that the Shu Han lost the strategically important region of Hanzhong. Jiang Wei must bear the undeniable responsibility for this. However, to be fair, this was already the only method at that time that could allow Shu Han to inflict large-scale casualties on the Wei army.

In the year 238 AD, Gongsun Yuan, the governor of Liaodong in the Wei state, declared independence. Wei Mingdi, Cao Rui, dispatched Sima Yi to conquer Liaodong. Liu Shan issued a decree to Jiang Wan, stating: "The traitor has not yet been eliminated, and the traitor leader Cao Rui is both ruthless and arrogant. The people of Liaodong are living in dire straits, enduring a life of hunger and cold, worse than cattle and horses. Now they have finally risen in rebellion. In the past, the downfall of the tyrannical Qin was due to Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rebelling first to draw fire. Now that we have such an opportunity, it is truly excellent, the best possible. Looking back at the past and considering the present, I have come up with an idea—please organize a force to garrison in Hanzhong. Once the Wu state takes action, we will send troops to encircle the traitors." This time, Liu Shan did not merely issue a document to convey his directives; he promoted Jiang Wan to the position of Grand Marshal and granted him authority to govern, bestowing upon him powers akin to those of Zhuge Liang in the past. This action indicates that after four years of evaluation, Jiang Wan has gained Liu Shan's complete trust. Of course, it is also possible that Liu Shan is reminiscing about the carefree days of four years ago when he had nothing to worry about.

In the year 235 AD, Yang Yi, who was idly at home, felt increasingly frustrated. Not long ago, he held significant power, but now he had to watch as Jiang Wan, who was inferior to him in age, qualifications, and contributions, took the lead. It was unbearable, truly unbearable. Consequently, he vented his grievances to anyone he could find, and everyone kept their distance. Only Fei Yi took the initiative to visit him, offering comfort and encouraging him to voice his discontent openly. Yang Yi had always had a good relationship with Fei Yi, and now, with both of them in less than favorable positions—one as the Central Army Strategist and the other as the Rear Army Strategist—they were the perfect confidants for each other. Under Fei Yi's warm care, Yang Yi's complaints only deepened his sense of bitterness, and he finally expressed the most weighty remark in a fit of anger: "If I had led my troops to defect to Wei back then, how could I be so desolate today!" This was exactly what Fei Yi wanted, and he promptly reported it in secret that very night.

Jiang Wei deceived Zhong Hui into killing the generals who were unwilling to resist the Sima family. Since the families of these generals were in the hands of the Sima family, naturally none would oppose them. This was essentially to use Zhong Hui's hand to eliminate the core strength of the Wei state that he had not had the opportunity to deal with for many years, preparing for the next step of killing Zhong Hui and restoring the Shu Han. In a secret letter to Liu Shan, Jiang Wei stated: "I hope Your Majesty can endure a few days of humiliation; I wish to make the state perilous yet restore its peace, and bring back the light of the sun and moon." This was essentially to use Zhong Hui's hand to eliminate the core strength of the Wei state that he had not had the opportunity to deal with for many years, preparing for the next step of killing Zhong Hui and restoring the Shu Han. In a secret letter to Liu Shan, Jiang Wei stated: "I hope Your Majesty can endure a few days of humiliation; I wish to make the state perilous yet restore its peace, and bring back the light of the sun and moon."

Indeed, perhaps General Fei's brilliant strategies and calculations were all within his expectations. Regardless, he became the greatest beneficiary of Cao Shuang's campaign against Shu, with his power and prestige surpassing that of Jiang Wan

1. Following in the footsteps of Zhuge Liang, his advantageous condition was that he encountered the internal turmoil of Wei during Zhuge Liang's era, which was both desirable and unattainable. However, he never attained the same level of power as his three predecessors. Not only was there a lack of military strength, but the quality of troops could not be compared to that of Zhuge Liang's time. Moreover, the Sima family consistently acted to extinguish the flames of chaos in a timely manner, preventing the extent of the turmoil from escalating and the duration of the civil war from prolonging. The best opportunity arose from the largest and longest-lasting civil war in Wei, triggered by Zhuge Dan. Zhuge Dan's defeat and death marked the failure of this plan. Furthermore, the Sima family consistently acted to extinguish the flames of chaos in a timely manner, preventing the extent of the turmoil from escalating and the duration of the civil war from prolonging. The best opportunity arose from the largest and longest-lasting civil war in Wei, triggered by Zhuge Dan. Zhuge Dan's defeat and death marked the failure of this plan.

Fei Yi led the main forces to cultivate land in Hanzhong, and all governmental affairs in the court had to be sent to Hanzhong for his approval before they could be processed. The one who naturally presided over the court affairs in his absence was not Jiang Wei, but rather Chen Zhi, whom he valued and promoted as the Minister of Personnel.

When I first read this story, I couldn't help but admire Fei Yi's composure. Upon my second reading, I began to ponder the feelings of those soldiers who stood in formation, fully prepared, yet found themselves penalized to stand for hours because their leader inexplicably chose to play chess with an old man. What must they have felt when the leader finally finished the game and they had to rush to catch up? Fei Wenwei, you truly know how to handle people!

Jiang Wei's father, Jiang Juan, was a minor official in the Wei state, who died in battle to protect his superiors. As a result, Jiang Wei was granted the minor official title of Zhonglang by the Wei state. In his work, he was responsible for military affairs in Tianshui Commandery, and in his personal life, he relied on his mother for companionship. Intellectually, he enjoyed studying the teachings of the Confucian master Zheng Xuan.

In the year 209 AD, following the Battle of Red Cliffs, Liu Bei captured the four commanderies of Wuling, Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang in Jingzhou. Jiang Wan sought employment and, after an interview, entered the service of the Left General Liu Bei's court, becoming a distinguished grassroots civil servant—an assistant in the provincial administration.

In the year 254 AD, Emperor Cao Fang of Wei sought to instigate a coup to overthrow Sima Shi. The news leaked, resulting in a bloody retaliation by Sima Shi. The Wei state experienced turmoil, and the county magistrate of Didao County surrendered the entire city to Jiang Wei. Jiang Wei unexpectedly gained a strategically important location along with a significant amount of military supplies, which greatly encouraged him to advance from Didao. Wei general Xu Zhi launched a surprise attack, killing the Shu general Zhang Yi, who suffered from rheumatism and needed crutches to walk. Soon after, Xu Zhi was killed by Jiang Wei. Both sides experienced victories and defeats, and after seizing a considerable number of people from Wei, Jiang Wei withdrew his troops.

The Southern Barbarians have revolted again, and Jiang Wan has dispatched troops to quell the rebellion

Fei Yi is the most complex figure in the Shu Han Empire. He is duplicitous, seeking personal gain at the expense of friends, outwardly compliant yet secretly defiant, flattering those in power, deceiving Jiang Wan, and suppressing Jiang Wei, making him a representative of oppression from above and below. Yet, his abilities are remarkable: he has an extraordinary memory, can multitask, and is capable of playing chess, eating, engaging in games, entertaining guests, and handling official duties simultaneously, all without neglecting his responsibilities or failing to entertain his guests. When Dong Yun took over his position as Minister of Personnel, he aspired to emulate Fei Yi's nonchalance, but within ten days, he had delayed numerous matters. Dong Yun lamented, "I am puzzled; why is there such a vast difference in performance among ministers of the same state?"

In the year 252 AD, after waiting for six years, the long-anticipated imperial edict was finally issued, allowing Fei Yi to establish his office and govern! Perhaps Liu Shan did not fully trust him, or perhaps Liu Shan wanted to enjoy being emperor for a few more years; Fei Yi never managed to take that final step to establish his office. He was so close to the pinnacle of power, and at last, he had endured until this day, becoming a winner in life. It seems that listening to the fortune teller was indeed correct; leaving Chengdu would truly bring good fortune!

In the year 211 AD, Liu Bei entered Sichuan, and Jiang Wan accompanied the army

By the time Zhuge Liang passed away, Jiang Wei had been with the Shu Kingdom for less than six years after switching allegiances. As a defector, he lacked a solid foundation, and his time spent following Zhuge Liang was too brief to establish any significant achievements. Although he was deeply appreciated and trusted by the Martial Marquis, he evidently did not possess the qualifications to be a successor. Zhuge Liang imparted military strategies to Jiang Wei with the hope that he would serve as a military assistant to Jiang Wan and Fei Yi, compensating for their shortcomings in military affairs. In a letter to Jiang Wan, Zhuge Liang praised Jiang Wei extensively, likely hoping that Jiang Wan would protect, nurture, and promote him. Therefore, during Zhuge Liang's illness, when Liu Shan sent someone to inquire about the succession, Zhuge Liang stated that in his absence, Jiang Wan could succeed him, and after Jiang Wan, Fei Yi could take over. However, regarding who would succeed Fei Yi, Zhuge Liang remained silent, as it was inappropriate for him to personally nominate Jiang Wei at that time.

In the year 255 AD, Sima Shi, the Grand General of the Wei state, was overly frightened during the suppression of the two rebellions in Huainan, causing his eyes to bulge out of their sockets. He soon died from the pain in Xuchang. Jiang Wei launched another northern expedition. Wang Jing, the Inspector of Yongzhou in the Wei state, was loyal to the Cao family and had conflicts with the generals under Sima's command. He was responsible for slaying over ten thousand enemies, achieving Jiang Wei's greatest victory.

In fact, Fei Yi's eloquence is not inferior to that of Zhuge Ke. He clearly took into account that Zhuge Ke was both a favored minister of Sun Quan and the nephew of Zhuge Liang, and thus deliberately showed deference to him. Due to Fei Yi's appropriate remarks, he neither brought shame to the Shu state nor failed to flatter Sun Quan and Zhuge Ke. Sun Quan expressed great admiration for him, praised his potential for high office, gifted him a treasured sword, and was reluctant to let him leave. After returning to his country, Fei Yi was promoted to the position of Shizhong.

In the year 228 AD, Jiang Wei and several colleagues accompanied the governor of Tianshui Commandery on a business trip to inspect work, when they were suddenly attacked by the Shu Han army. Caught off guard by Zhuge Liang's first northern expedition, several commanderies surrendered at the first sign of danger. The governor deemed Jiang Wei and his companions unreliable and fled overnight to Shanggui Commandery. When Jiang Wei and his group arrived at Shanggui, the city gates were already closed, preventing their entry. They returned to Jixian, but Jixian also refused to open its gates. Having done nothing and abandoned by the Wei state, Jiang Wei and his companions had no choice but to seek refuge with Zhuge Liang. Coincidentally, at that time, Ma Su had lost Jieting, and Zhuge Liang returned to Shu with over a thousand households, including Jiang Wei and others. Jiang Wei, hailing from a prominent family in Tianshui, was familiar with the geography of Liangzhou, well-educated, and knowledgeable in military affairs. Additionally, he had Qiang ancestry, which naturally connected him to the Qiang forces that both Wei and Shu were striving to win over. Most importantly, he studied Confucian classics and aspired to the legitimacy represented by the Han dynasty that Shu stood for. It is estimated that Zhuge Liang spoke to him about revolutionary ideals, igniting Jiang Wei's passion, and he expressed his willingness to sacrifice his life and blood for the sake of the Han dynasty's territory and state.

The incident of Jiang Wan drinking during work hours has been attributed to Pang Tong in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," which renders Jiang Wan's image even more insubstantial. If this had truly happened to the notoriously unattractive Pang Tong, it would be somewhat understandable. However, Jiang Wan is renowned for his exceptional looks and is a celebrated talent of his time, making it quite puzzling that he was so disfavored by Liu Bei.

Jiang Wei (202 - 264), courtesy name Boyue, was from Jixian, Tianshui Commandery, Liangzhou (present-day Gangu, Gansu)

Fei Yi (pronounced Tong Yi) before the year 234 AD

In the year 253 AD, during the Spring Festival, Fei Yi held a grand banquet in Hanshou to celebrate this joyous occasion. Fei Yi, who usually did not enjoy drinking, was particularly happy this time and drank excessively, failing to realize what was happening until he was assassinated by Guo Xiu, without even having the chance to utter a final word. Guo Xiu was also killed on the spot. As for the motive behind the murder, the official explanation states that Guo Xiu, feeling nostalgic for his homeland, did not wish to become a subject of Shu. He initially intended to assassinate Liu Shan but, having found no opportunity, decided to change his target. There is also a conspiracy theory suggesting that the assassination of Liu Shan and Fei Yi would not benefit the Wei state, and that the greatest beneficiary of Fei Yi's death would undoubtedly be Jiang Wei, who had a penchant for 'nurturing hidden assassins' from a young age. Pei Songzhi's description of Guo Xiu's identity strongly supports this theory. Jiang Wei had the opportunity, and only he had the opportunity, to disguise a hidden assassin as a middle general of Wei, allowing him to remain undercover for an extended period while seeking a chance to assassinate Fei Yi. To date, the claim that Jiang Wei orchestrated the assassination remains unproven, yet it cannot be disproven either.

The narrative of Chinese history in relation to figures typically revolves around two main styles: the biographical style centered on key individuals and the chronological style that unfolds along a timeline. However, if this text were to adopt the biographical style, many historical events shared by the three main figures would have to be recounted repeatedly. Conversely, if the chronological style were employed, it would be impossible to narrate the early experiences of these individuals. Therefore, this article uses the year 234 AD, the year of the death of Zhuge Liang, as a watershed moment, combining biographical and chronological styles to recount the tumultuous fates of the three successors—Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei—and the often-overlooked history of the Shu Han Empire during the thirty years following Zhuge Liang's era.

The Eastern Expedition plan was permanently shelved following the death of Jiang Wan. Given the increasingly stark disparity in national strength between Wei and Shu over time, Jiang Wan spared no effort in depleting the already limited resources of the state to construct warships in large numbers. He repeatedly relinquished power in exchange for the support of Fei Yi, exhausting his lifelong efforts, contemplating for ten years to break through the impasse.

In October of the year 241 AD, Fei Yi traveled to Hanzhong to engage in discussions with Jiang Wan, exchanging sentiments and deliberating on national affairs, continuing their discussions until the end of that year

After reporting Yang Yi, Fei Yi was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel

This year, Dong Yun also passed away. Fei Yi recommended Chen Zhi to take over the position of Minister of Personnel previously held by Dong Yun. Chen Zhi was adept at catering to Liu Shan and Huang Gonggong, winning Liu Shan's favor, while Huang Gonggong began to interfere in state affairs. Of course, this posed no problem for the very diplomatic Fei Yi. He ordered a nationwide amnesty, to which the Minister of Agriculture, Meng Guang, remarked that the sudden amnesty was merely a means to win people's hearts and to condone treachery. Fei Yi was unable to refute this, and Meng Guang's career thus came to a halt. He ordered a nationwide amnesty, to which the Minister of Agriculture, Meng Guang, remarked that the sudden amnesty was merely a means to win people's hearts and to condone treachery. Fei Yi was unable to refute this, and Meng Guang's career thus came to a halt.

By the way, Mr. Yang Xi, who once treated Jiang Wan with indifference, was dismissed this year due to his sarcastic remarks about General Jiang Wei. After all, not everyone has a temperament as good as Jiang Wan's

It is evident that Jiang Wan is a trusted confidant carefully protected and promoted by Zhuge Wuhou. ... However, Liu Bei's regard for Jiang Wan ... is indeed quite limited. After Zhuge Liang's passing, will Jiang Wan, as the successor, be able to gain the trust of Liu Shan? Will he receive recognition from his colleagues and subordinates? Will he become a second Ma Su?

When Jiang Wan was newly appointed as the Grand General, the East Cangyuan (Director of Jiang Wan's Office Personnel Department) Yang Xi, who was arrogant due to his talent, would often ignore Jiang Wan when they spoke. At this time, it was inevitable that some instigators would come to Jiang Wan and say, "This Yang Xi is really outrageous, how dare he treat a leader with such disdain!" Jiang Wan replied, "People are not the same; those who speak sweetly in front of you but oppose you behind your back are the ones to be wary of. Yang Xi does not want to hypocritically agree with me, nor does he wish to oppose me and point out my faults, so he chooses to remain silent. This indicates that he is consistent in his words and actions."

There was an official in charge of managing the farm, Yang Min, who looked down on Jiang Wan, claiming that Jiang Wan was incompetent and not as good as his predecessor. Indeed, some people were eager to record a video on their phones to show Jiang Wan, demanding an investigation into Yang Min. Jiang Wan replied, "I indeed do not measure up to my predecessor; he is right. Why should there be an investigation?" The complainants were not disheartened, saying, "This guy even said you are incompetent!" What does it mean to be incompetent? Jiang Wan responded, "Improper handling of matters is incompetence; incompetence is improper handling of matters. Is this even a question?" Later, Yang Min was imprisoned for his crimes, and everyone believed he was doomed. However, Jiang Wan handled the case impartially and did not seek personal revenge. Jiang Wan reiterated, "I indeed do not measure up to my predecessor; he is right. Why should there be an investigation?" The complainants were still not satisfied, insisting, "This guy even said you are incompetent!" What does it mean to be incompetent? Jiang Wan replied, "Improper handling of matters is incompetence; incompetence is improper handling of matters. Is this even a question?" Eventually, Yang Min was imprisoned for his crimes, and everyone thought he was doomed, but Jiang Wan handled the case fairly and did not seek personal revenge. From then on, no one dared to gossip in front of Jiang Wan. The winds and rains of five thousand years have sung countless dreams; how many leaders like Jiang Wan can prevent their subordinates from reporting on each other?

Zhuge Liang's five northern expeditions were all supported by Jiang Wan, who silently provided logistical support from the rear. Zhuge Liang often publicly stated: "Jiang Wan is both loyal and principled; he is someone who can assist me in supporting the Emperor." He also secretly submitted a memorial to Liu Shan, saying: "If I am no longer here, the important affairs of the state can be entrusted to Jiang Wan."

Jiang Wan's voluntary relinquishment of power is unparalleled in the late Han and Three Kingdoms period, and is also extremely rare in the entirety of Chinese history. He was tolerant yet genuine, impeccable in his roles as a leader, subordinate, and colleague. Although he did not possess the extraordinary talent of his predecessor, he inherited and further developed the great character of his predecessor. Shortly after Jiang Wan's passing, Liu Shan issued an edict to no longer appoint a Grand General, just as there was no appointment of a Chancellor after Zhuge Liang's death. Many years later, when Zhong Hui, who once controlled Shu, looked down on others with arrogance, the only two individuals he would personally pay respects to out of deep reverence were Zhuge Wu Hou and Jiang Gong Hou.

Zhuge Liang passed away suddenly. Since his arrangements for a successor had not yet been made public, the Northern Expedition army was led by Yang Yi based on seniority. Yang Yi sent Fei Yi to test Wei Yan. Wei Yan said to Fei Yi: "The Prime Minister is gone, but am I not still here? You can carry the Prime Minister's coffin back to Chengdu, while I continue to lead the army against the bandits. How can we delay national affairs because of one person? Moreover, who is Wei Yan? Why should I listen to Yang Yi's commands and provide support for this fellow? You can carry the Prime Minister's coffin back to Chengdu, while I continue to lead the army against the bandits. How can we delay national affairs because of one person? Moreover, who is Wei Yan? Why should I listen to Yang Yi's commands and provide support for this fellow? Well, let's make this decision happily. Wen Wei, you and I will co-sign and notify the entire army!" Fei Yi replied: "OK! I will go back and persuade Yang Yi on your behalf. Yang Yi is a civil official and does not understand military matters. In the current situation, how dare he not listen to you?" Fei Yi rode back at full speed to Yang Yi's camp to inform him of Wei Yan's attitude. Yang Yi immediately decided to abandon Wei Yan and return to Chengdu. When Wei Yan learned that he had been abandoned, he realized he had been outsmarted by Fei Yi. Knowing that his troops were few and could not engage in a direct confrontation, he maneuvered ahead of Yang Yi's army, burned the supply routes, and wrote to Liu Shan accusing Yang Yi of treason. At the same time, Yang Yi's memorial accusing Wei Yan of treason was also delivered.

Firstly, the soldiers who followed Liu Bei into Sichuan and those who participated in Zhuge Liang's northern expeditions have either aged or passed away. The soldiers recruited in Shu are very proactive in defending their homeland, yet they fall short in taking the initiative to strike. Meanwhile, in the state of Wu, Sun Quan is preoccupied with battling against heaven, earth, and the entire nation of Wu, becoming increasingly distracted from his duties day by day

In the year 219 AD, Liu Bei declared himself the King of Han, and Jiang Wan was transferred to the central government to serve as the Minister of Personnel (reserve cadre)

In the year 230 AD, Fei Yi was appointed as the Central Guard General and soon thereafter transferred to the position of Sima. At that time, Zhuge Liang's chief administrative assistant Yang Yi and chief military assistant Wei Yan were at odds with each other, often quarreling upon meeting, and at times, Wei Yan would even brandish a knife in a threatening manner. The only person who maintained good relations with both was Fei Yi, who would sit between them at every meeting, separating them, mediating their disputes, and providing guidance.

Fei Yi's characteristic will change the fate of many people in the later Zhuge era

Renowned for his boastful and unruly demeanor, this old scholar, who had been dismissed multiple times throughout his life, was repeatedly reinstated due to his status as a veteran intellectual and his role as the chief steward of the Eastern Palace during Liu Shan's time as crown prince. At the age of 79, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Lai Min, sought out Fei Yi, insisting on playing a game of Go with him. At a time when the army was poised for action and urgency was paramount, any normal commander would have dismissed such a frivolous request. However, Fei Yi, who was adept at managing people, was not an ordinary individual; he agreed to the game. Playing Go is inherently time-consuming, and it is well-known that older individuals play even more slowly. Fei Yi remained unhurried and indifferent, disregarding the repeated requests and urgings from his subordinates, and steadfastly accompanied the old man to finish the game. The old man was quite satisfied, stating, "I just wanted to see if you could endure the wait. Young man, you truly have talent; this expedition will surely succeed." It must be said that Fei Yi indeed possessed remarkable skills; despite wasting several precious hours, he not only arrived in Hanzhong on time but also managed to flank the Wei army, cutting off Cao Shuang's retreat. The Wei army suffered losses of tens of thousands before they could escape. The old man was very pleased, reiterating his earlier sentiments about Fei Yi's capabilities. Fei Yi achieved this great merit and was conferred the title of Marquis of Chengxiang. This story has since been passed down as a tale of excellence.

In the year 214 AD, Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yizhou, surrendered to Liu Bei. Jiang Wan was finally promoted from a non-leadership position to a leadership role—County Magistrate of Guangdu County (present-day Shuangliu County in Chengdu). According to the administrative system of the Qin and Han dynasties, the leaders of large counties with a population exceeding 10,000 households were referred to as County Magistrates, while those of smaller counties with fewer than 10,000 households were referred to as County Heads

When his long-lost mother wrote to him asking him to return home, Jiang Wei replied: "A hundred acres of good land is not worth one acre; yet having lofty ambitions is not about returning home. (One should not give up a hundred acres for the sake of one acre, nor should one abandon great aspirations for the sake of returning home.)" This incident is often used to criticize Jiang Wei for being unfilial, but in an era like the Three Kingdoms, where people generally prioritize family over country, Jiang Wei's choice can be considered exceptional and quite rare.

General Cao Shuang of the Wei state personally led an army of 200,000 to invade Hanzhong, while the Shu army in Hanzhong was reduced to only 30,000 due to troop withdrawals.

In the year 221 AD, Liu Bei declared himself emperor and established Liu Shan as the crown prince, with Fei Yi and Dong Yun appointed as officials serving the crown prince

Fei Yi is not greedy for wealth; what he loves is only power. His character may be questionable, but his achievements cannot be dismissed. In the face of the difficulties faced by Shu Han, his wall-facing plan is very practical and is most easily accepted by the majority of the people in Shu—living in the present

By the way, regarding Guo Youzhi, although Zhuge Liang held him in high regard, ranking him even above Fei Yi and Dong Yun, he lacked initiative in both political and military matters, aside from being well-educated and serving as Liu Shan's tutor. Some unscrupulous individuals even go so far as to say that he was merely a filler in the leadership team

Zhong Hui can be regarded as a remarkable figure of his time, but his happiness came too suddenly. His mind was filled with the ambition of becoming the second Liu Bei, which was inseparable from Jiang Wei's support. Moreover, Jiang Wei's grand plan for restoring the country was unprecedented and unfathomable, making it difficult for even Sima Yi to discern. Thus, Zhong Hui followed Jiang Wei's advice and gradually fell into his trap. Unfortunately, Zhong Hui's plan to massacre the generals was inadvertently leaked, leading to a desperate counterattack from the generals, resulting in both Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei perishing amidst the chaos. Jiang Wei's wife and children were all killed, and his remains were not preserved, leaving only a tomb of clothes and hats. Regrettably, Zhong Hui's plan to massacre the generals was inadvertently leaked, leading to a desperate counterattack from the generals, resulting in both Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei perishing amidst the chaos. Jiang Wei's wife and children were all killed, and his remains were not preserved, leaving only a tomb of clothes and hats. In the final moments of Shu Han, the one who dedicated himself most thoroughly was this defector from Wei. Reading history to this point, how can one not feel a deep sense of sorrow?

Liu Shan intended to be a true emperor, yet he did not wish to bear the heavy responsibilities of governance. Thus, he retained control over personnel matters and delegated the troublesome affairs to Jiang Wan. At this time, Jiang Wan found himself in a very awkward position; he lacked the authority of Zhuge Liang but was required to perform Zhuge Liang's duties. Taking over from a great figure is inherently one of the most challenging tasks in the world. Now, the people of the Shu Han Empire felt as if the sky was falling and the earth was collapsing, and everyone was watching how he would respond. If Jiang Wan wore a frown, it would only exacerbate the public's anxiety; if he appeared cheerful, people would accuse him of being heartless. This was a classic case of being caught in a dilemma. Jiang Wan had no choice but to strictly control his expressions every day, appearing perpetually neutral, which ultimately stabilized the situation and earned him the approval of the majority.

Fei Yi arrived in Hanzhong and immediately expressed his firm support for the leadership of the Grand General, while Jiang Wei held reservations. For Jiang Wan, this was sufficient; he wrote to Liu Shan stating: "It is my responsibility to eliminate traitors for the Han Dynasty. I have been ordered to Hanzhong for six years, and due to my average abilities and poor health, I have not achieved any significant results, which makes me feel ashamed and unable to eat or sleep well. The territory of Cao Wei is vast, and its national strength is growing stronger, making it increasingly difficult to eliminate them. If we join forces with Wu to launch a joint attack, even if we cannot swiftly conquer Wei, we can gradually wear them down. However, Wu always agrees to take action but postpones the date when the time comes. Despite my exhaustion and neglect of food and sleep, I still find it difficult to make progress. Therefore, I discussed with Fei Yi and others and came up with a compromise plan—appointing Jiang Wei as the Inspector of Liangzhou, allowing him to advance from the northern route and unite with the Qiang forces, while I would be stationed in Fuxian (present-day Mianyang, Sichuan), where the waterways are developed, facilitating troop movements from the eastern route. In case Wei attacks from the northeast, I would also be able to provide timely support."

In the year 264 AD, at the age of 62, Jiang Wei, a general of a fallen nation, remained undeterred and devised a grand plan for the restoration of his country that would shine throughout the Three Kingdoms. He exploited Zhong Hui's ambition, inciting him to become a second Liu Bei. Consequently, Zhong Hui falsely accused Deng Ai of treason and took control of Deng Ai's troops. Zhong Hui and Jiang Wei became sworn brothers, mutually utilizing each other.

In the year 248 AD, having achieved military success the previous year, Jiang Wei, emboldened, once again proposed a northern expedition. Fei Yi responded: "We are no match for Prime Minister Zhuge. If he cannot succeed, how can we? It is better to maintain our territory and ensure the well-being of the people. If a genius arises in the future, let him recover the Central Plains. We should not always be thinking of making headlines, hoping that a single battle will change everything. If something goes wrong, it will be too late for regrets"

In the year 244 AD, Jiang Wan stationed the main forces in Fuxian. For ten years, there was peace and stability, but unexpectedly, this year brought a series of calamities and conflicts

This plan was approved. Fei Yi was promoted to Grand General and took charge of the Ministry of Personnel, establishing a dual leadership system between Jiang Wan and Fei Yi. At the same time, Jiang Wei was promoted to Grand General of the Western Expedition and concurrently served as the Governor of Liangzhou

Jiang Wan—speaking ill of others is shameful. Character is truly the most important.

Having gained power and stabilized the people's hearts, Jiang Wan could finally unleash his ambitions. He entrusted the administration to Fei Yi and personally led the main forces of Shu to garrison in Hanzhong (present-day southwestern Shaanxi). He promoted Jiang Wei to the position of Sima (Chief of Staff) and ordered him to lead small contingents to attack Wei multiple times, both to display an offensive posture and to probe the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, while Wei continued to adopt a defensive stance.

There are also many commendable aspects to reflect upon

Sun Quan hosted a banquet and first informed the officials: "When Fei Yi arrives, you all just focus on eating and drinking, and do not pay any attention to him." When Fei Yi entered the hall, Sun Quan put down his chopsticks to show his welcome. The ministers, following orders, did not lift their heads and continued to eat heartily. Fei Yi, not holding back, mocked while eating a large pancake: "A phoenix has flown down from the sky, and even the qilin has put down its food, yet those donkeys and mules only know how to eat."

As Fei Yi was about to lead the reinforcements from Chengdu, a very strange scene occurred in history

In the year 223 AD, Liu Shan ascended to the throne, and Fei Yi and Dong Yun were appointed together as the Palace Attendants (imperial attendants)

Indeed, Yang Yi is both intelligent and capable, yet he is narrow-minded. Therefore, although Zhuge Liang valued him highly, he did not arrange for him to be his successor, which led Yang Yi to feel quite pleased with himself. Upon the army's return to Chengdu, Jiang Wan, who had been promoted to the position of Minister of Works and took over state affairs, characterized the incident involving Wei Yan: Wei Yan never contemplated surrendering to Wei; he merely had grievances against Yang Yi, and it cannot be said that he is a traitor. This was tantamount to publicly slapping Yang Yi in the face. Yang Yi was stripped of all his powers and was only granted the idle position of Rear Army Master. Upon the army's return to Chengdu, Jiang Wan, who had been promoted to the position of Minister of Works and took over state affairs, characterized the incident involving Wei Yan: Wei Yan never contemplated surrendering to Wei; he merely had grievances against Yang Yi, and it cannot be said that he is a traitor. This was tantamount to publicly slapping Yang Yi in the face. Yang Yi was stripped of all his powers and was only granted the idle position of Rear Army Master. Meanwhile, Jiang Wei was also promoted and granted titles, being appointed as Right General Supervisor, Assistant General of Han, and Marquis of Pingxiang, commanding the troops. As for Fei Yi, he was transferred from the position of Sima to that of Central Army Master.

Jiang Wan's name appears 24 times in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," which is completely disproportionate to Zhuge Liang's 1,747 mentions and also differs from Jiang Wei's 302 mentions by a factor of 12.5. "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was written during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, a time when the Han people, suffering from oppression by foreign tribes, generally revered strong and extraordinary leaders. Jiang Wan, not aligning with the tastes of Mr. Luo Guanzhong, had his role significantly reduced and altered, resulting in this designated successor of Zhuge Liang becoming almost imperceptible in the minds of the people. In fact, Jiang Wan's virtue should be on par with Sima Lang and Zhuge Jin, as he was one of the few loyal and honest elders during the late Han and Three Kingdoms period.

Secondly, although the State of Wu is unreliable, relying solely on the State of Shu would certainly be insufficient. If we cannot depend on them, we must rely on them nonetheless! Advancing through the eastern route is the only way to potentially coordinate our operations, concentrating the strengths of both states at a single point. If we were to launch a northern expedition, the exchange of information would inevitably be severely delayed. Furthermore, if there is internal strife in Wu, stationing the main forces in the east would also facilitate opportunistic attacks.

The character of Jiang Wei is so exhausting to write about that it feels like a monumental task. His unwavering dedication throughout history, coupled with his numerous Northern Expeditions, could easily fill a book. It is truly difficult to imagine the hardships he endured over the decades. Confronted with the inevitable demise of Shu Han, where "to fight is to perish, and to not fight is also to perish," Jiang Wei did not believe in fate and insisted on pressing forward. He devised as many as three strategies for his wall-facing plan: in the face of the inevitable demise of Shu Han, where "to fight is to perish, and to not fight is also to perish," Jiang Wei did not believe in fate and insisted on pressing forward. He devised as many as three strategies for his wall-facing plan

Once, Fei Yi and Dong Yun attended the funeral of a high-ranking official's child together. Dong Yun asked his father to send a car, but Mr. Dong only sent a shabby little vehicle for them. Upon arriving at the funeral venue, where leaders like Zhuge Liang were present, the parking lot was filled with impressive cars. Dong Yun felt embarrassed, while Fei Yi seemed completely unfazed. After inquiring with the driver, Dong said, "Son, I have always wanted to know who has the higher caliber between you and Fei Yi, and today I believe I have found the answer." Logically, it would be expected that the relatively poorer Fei Yi would feel more uncomfortable, especially since his family didn't even own a broken-down car. This incident clearly demonstrates that Fei Yi's psychological resilience is indeed quite remarkable.

In the year 227 AD, Zhuge Liang appointed Fei Yi as a military advisor in the government and frequently sent him on missions to the Wu Kingdom. Zhuge Liang focused on cultivating Jiang Wan's administrative skills, while he emphasized developing Fei Yi's diplomatic abilities

I sincerely wish my readers never to encounter a person like Fei Yi

The post-Zhuge Liang era

The death of Jiang Wei marked the permanent end of the Han Empire, which had been established by Liu Bang, revitalized by Liu Xiu, preserved by Liu Bei, and had named the nation, dominating the Eurasian continent for over four centuries

In the year 229 AD, Zhuge Liang appointed the 27-year-old Jiang Wei as the Chief of Granaries (the head of the military grain department in Zhuge Liang's office), General of Loyalty (an honorary title without actual duties), and conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Dangyang Pavilion (being granted a marquis title upon arrival, this treatment is comparable to Cao Cao's treatment of Guan Yu). Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the Deputy General and General of the Western Expedition (a position with actual responsibilities)

However, all of this was permanently shelved due to Jiang Wan's accumulated ailments, Fei Yi's duplicity, and Jiang Wei's lack of understanding. If one were to describe his wall-facing plan with a single term, a fitting pun would be—"to be cast into the east wind"

Without the support of the court, Wei Yan's already limited subordinates defected at a critical moment, forcing him to flee to Hanzhong with his son and a few loyal followers. Yang Yi dispatched Ma Dai to pursue him, and after beheading Wei Yan, he trampled on Wei Yan's head while cursing: "Bastard! Can you still be arrogant now?" He ordered the execution of all of Wei Yan's relatives. Yang Yi's treatment of Wei Yan was excessively cruel, leaving the court and the public with an unsatisfactory explanation.

Indeed, the hardships and exhaustion of the soldiers are not a significant concern, as long as the battle can be won, everything else can be discussed. But does Fei Yi have such confidence? The failure of Cao Shuang, aside from his own capabilities, was also due to Sima Yi stirring up anti-war sentiments in the court, Sima Zhao continuously sabotaging in the military, and Cao Shuang's father, Cao Zhen, treating the Qiang and Di tribes well while he was alive. This time, relying on them for logistical support turned out to be a mistake, as these individuals were only interested in taking advantage without bearing any losses.

In the year 256 AD, Jiang Wei was promoted to General and was filled with ambition and satisfaction. Unlike previous occasions when he took advantage of the Wei state’s troubles to launch military campaigns, this time he coordinated a strong offensive with General Hu Ji of the Western Command. However, Hu Ji did not arrive on time, and Jiang Wei was defeated by Deng Ai, suffering heavy losses and incurring the resentment of the populace. Jiang Wei subsequently demoted himself by three ranks and thereafter served in the capacity of General while holding the title of acting General.

In Chengdu, Huang Gonggong and Zhuge Liang's only son, Zhuge Zhan, surprisingly united to oppose Jiang Wei, vowing to strip him of his military authority. Jiang Wei, who had never obtained the qualifications to govern throughout his life, found himself completely isolated in the court. He attempted to request the execution of Huang Gonggong, but Liu Shan naturally refused. Consequently, Jiang Wei dared not return to Chengdu and retreated to Tazhong (now northwest of Zhouqu, Gansu) to avoid disaster. After this, the strength of the Shu army significantly diminished, shifting to a passive defensive posture. Thus, Jiang Wei dared not return to Chengdu and retreated to Tazhong (now northwest of Zhouqu, Gansu) to avoid disaster. After this, the strength of the Shu army significantly diminished, shifting to a passive defensive posture

Liu Shan was greatly enraged and exiled Yang Yi to a remote area to live as a commoner. Yang Yi was so furious that he nearly spat blood, repeatedly writing letters to Liu Shan with extremely intense language, likely accusing Fei Yi of being a treacherous person who sold out his friends for personal gain. The court, however, did not even want him to remain a commoner and planned to directly imprison him. In his despair and indignation, Yang Yi committed suicide.

Jiang Wan ( ? - 246 AD), courtesy name Gongyan, was from Lingling, Xiangxiang in Jingzhou (present-day Xiangxiang County, Hunan Province). He gained fame around the age of twenty due to his outstanding appearance and exceptional talent

Fei Yi - Political character cannot be separated from pure character, but it will never completely coincide with pure character

In the "Memorial on the Expedition," it is stated that "the attendants Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, and Dong Yun are all virtuous individuals, with loyal and pure intentions." The official Dong Yun, who once felt embarrassed due to his poor carriage, later became an important figure in the Shu Han. He inherited his father's position and advanced further, overseeing the imperial guards and supervising the emperor. During Dong Yun's tenure, the number of Liu Shan's concubines was strictly limited to twelve, and the eunuch Huang Hao, who was favored by Liu Shan, was kept in check. Dong Yun is often mentioned alongside Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, and Fei Yi as one of the "Four Prime Ministers of Shu Han." During Dong Yun's tenure, the number of Liu Shan's concubines was strictly limited to twelve, and the eunuch Huang Hao, who was favored by Liu Shan, was kept in check. Dong Yun is often mentioned alongside Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, and Fei Yi as one of the "Four Prime Ministers of Shu Han."

Jiang Wei before the year 234 AD

Jiang Wan before the year 234 AD

Jiang Wan's health was already poor, and this illness further worsened his condition. He ceded the position of Governor of Yizhou to Fei Yi, marking the point at which Fei Yi's actual power surpassed his own

At this time, it is necessary to mention Liu Shan, who had been a nominal emperor for twelve years and was already 27 years old. He was certainly dissatisfied with Zhuge Liang's behavior of treating him like a child and taking over his responsibilities for so many years. He refused to establish a temple for Zhuge Liang, but he also clearly understood that denying Zhuge Liang would not benefit him. Therefore, on one hand, he accepted Zhuge Liang's designated successor, bestowing Jiang Wan with the titles of Grand General, Governor of Yizhou, and Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel. On the other hand, he announced the permanent abolition of the position of Chancellor and did not grant Jiang Wan the authority to establish a government office, instead taking charge of state affairs himself. This marked that Jiang Wan had to work in the palace and could not select his own subordinates to work in the official residence. Thus, he accepted Zhuge Liang's designated successor, bestowed Jiang Wan with the titles of Grand General, Governor of Yizhou, and Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel, while also announcing the permanent abolition of the position of Chancellor and not granting Jiang Wan the authority to establish a government office, taking charge of state affairs himself. This indicated that Jiang Wan had to work in the palace and could not select his own subordinates to work in the official residence.

In the year 223 AD, Liu Bei passed away, and Zhuge Liang established his office to manage affairs, selecting his own officials. He promoted Jiang Wan to serve as the Eastern Censor (the head of Zhuge Liang's personnel department). Not long after, he intended to promote him again, but Jiang Wan felt embarrassed and resolutely declined. Zhuge Liang was even more determined and insisted on promoting him to the position of military advisor. In the "Memorial on the Expedition," it states, "The Palace Attendant, the Minister of Works, the Chief Clerk, and the Military Advisor are all loyal and righteous ministers who are willing to serve the Emperor faithfully. If Your Majesty trusts and values them, the prosperity of the Han dynasty can be awaited in a matter of days." Here, the term "Military Advisor" refers specifically to Jiang Wan.

Sun Quan's lifelong close friend, Zhuge Jin's son, Zhuge Liang's nephew, and the eloquent figure of Eastern Wu, Zhuge Ke, immediately retorted: "As for us, we planted the phoenix tree to attract the phoenix. Now that only a sparrow has come, how can it dare to claim it has come to roost? Why not use a slingshot to shoot it away, letting it go back where it came from!" Upon hearing this, Fei Yi put down his pancake and requested paper and pen to compose a poem themed around wheat (the thought of wheat was inspired by the pancake, mainly to shift the topic). Zhuge Ke, in turn, decided to write a poem about the millstone (for grinding wheat). After finishing, both felt a deep connection and could not help but praise each other.

Zhang Gongzi commented on Jiang Wei: I find it quite difficult to imagine to what extent a person must be devoted in order to continuously challenge fate over such a long period of time, in such a narrow gap, and against such an overwhelming trend. In terms of dedication alone, he truly surpasses Zhuge Liang.

Looking at Fei Yi again, he truly has principles. Faced with such an opportunity, he remains completely unmoved, still only granting Jiang Wei ten thousand men, allowing him to proceed with his plans!

In a letter to Jiang Wan, Zhuge Liang praised Jiang Wei for his diligent and meticulous work, stating that even the top seed of that year, Ma Liang, could not compare to him. He regarded Jiang Wei as a first-rate talent from Liangzhou and suggested that he should first lead five to six thousand soldiers for some practical training. Due to his loyalty to the Han dynasty, his courage and insight, and his understanding of military affairs, I intend to impart all my lifelong military strategies to him

Time can no longer be delayed

In the year 250 AD, a year that does not pose a challenge for readers' memory, Jiang Wei once again led his meager forces on a northern expedition. This time, he allied with the Qiang tribes but still failed to gain a single inch of territory. However, in a certain sense, this northern expedition was the most fruitful of Jiang Wei's eleven campaigns, as he captured a mysterious man named Guo Xiu (variously recorded in different historical texts as Guo Xiu, Guo Xiu, or Guo Xun, but it can be confirmed that they all refer to the same individual). According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, he was a Zhonglang General of the Wei state. However, Pei Songzhi, in his annotations to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, insisted that he was merely a commoner. The identity of this person is of great importance, but for now, it shall remain unmentioned.

In the year 230 AD, Zhang Yi passed away, and Jiang Wan not only succeeded him in the position of Chief Clerk but was also granted the honorary title of General of the Guarding Army.

In this year, Sun Quan increased his troops at the border between Wu and Shu, intending to take advantage of any invasion of Shu by Wei. Jiang Wan responded calmly and also reinforced the troops at the Wu-Shu border. Both sides understood each other tacitly, and thus, they managed to coexist peacefully.

Jiang Wei—Throughout my life, I have never given up

At this point, Jiang Wei finally obtained the opportunity to mobilize troops. Is this not what the Chancellor's "Longzhong Plan" pointed out as "changes in the world"? Moreover, with the assistance of the living map, Xiahou Ba, Jiang Wei, who had always felt quite lonely, was greatly encouraged. Jiang Wei asked Xiahou Ba: "Since Sima Yi has taken control of the Wei court, do you think he will have ambitions to invade other countries?" Xiahou Ba replied: "He is currently focused on managing internal affairs and does not have the capacity to launch external campaigns. However, there is a young man named Zhong Hui; if he is given significant responsibility, he will pose a serious threat to both Wu and Shu." Jiang Wei inquired again: "Since Sima Yi has taken control of the Wei court, do you think he will have ambitions to invade other countries?" Xiahou Ba reiterated: "He is currently focused on managing internal affairs and does not have the capacity to launch external campaigns. However, there is a young man named Zhong Hui; if he is given significant responsibility, he will pose a serious threat to both Wu and Shu."

In the year 251 AD, Fei Yi returned to Chengdu from Hanzhong, where a fortune teller advised him that staying in Chengdu would be detrimental to him. Consequently, Fei Yi indeed left Chengdu and led his troops to cultivate land in Hanshou. In historical records, there are very few instances of individuals leaving an administrative center based solely on the words of a fortune teller. Generally speaking, the sayings of fortune tellers recorded in history indicate that those who do not heed their advice will face misfortune; however, Fei Yi is the only one who listened and still encountered misfortune.

In the year 247 AD, Jiang Wei was promoted to the position of General of the Guard (Commander of the Capital Garrison) and, together with the Grand General Fei Yi, co-managed the affairs of the state, presiding over the court. Jiang Wei sought to launch a northern expedition, and although Fei Yi did not outright refuse, he limited the troops assigned to Jiang Wei to no more than 10,000 men. Undeterred, Jiang Wei seized the opportunity to support the Qiang people in their rebellion against the Wei state with this contingent of 10,000 troops, successfully bolstering the military strength of the Shu state.

In the year 263 AD, Zhong Hui, who was regarded by Xiahou Ba as a significant threat to the states of Wu and Shu, was appointed as the main general for the campaign against Shu. Jiang Wei submitted a letter to Liu Shan, urging him to prepare for defense. Liu Shan consulted Huang Gonggong, who in turn consulted a diviner. The diviner assured them that there was nothing to worry about, and regardless of whether others believed it, Liu Shan certainly did. That year, the Wei state dispatched Zhong Hui, Deng Ai, and Zhuge Xu to attack Shu from three directions. Faced with the encroaching Wei army, Jiang Wei, with a maximum force of no more than 60,000, found himself surrounded by Deng Ai in the area of Ta. He had no choice but to abandon Hanzhong as a price to pay. He fought through Yinping Bridge, maneuvered around Zhuge Xu, returned to Jian Gate, and managed to hold off Zhong Hui, significantly undermining Wei's western campaign plans. After seizing command from Zhuge Xu and angering his direct superior Deng Ai, Zhong Hui had already planned to withdraw his troops. Unexpectedly, Deng Ai took the unguarded Yinping path, crossing mountains and descending into Mianzhu, where he killed Zhuge Zhan and advanced to Chengdu. The prominent families in Shu had suffered oppression from the Shu Han court for forty years and were eager to align themselves with the Wei state, which favored the powerful families. Although Chengdu still had an army of 30,000, the morale had already dissipated. Liu Shan lacked the resolve of a ruler willing to sacrifice everything for his state and chose to surrender to Deng Ai, instructing Jiang Wei to surrender to Zhong Hui. At this point, Zhong Hui had ambitions of seizing the world, so he treated Jiang Wei with great respect, allowing him to continue leading his troops.

The three successors of Zhuge Wuhou—Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei—represent the highest standards of morality, intelligence, and willpower in the Shu Han dynasty. Each of them spent ten years contemplating behind a wall, devising and implementing entirely different wall-breaking strategies. It is not necessarily Jiang Wan who is well-liked; it could very well be Fei Yi. Likewise, being unpopular does not preclude one from becoming Jiang Wei. Who is right and who is wrong has been a topic of endless debate for a thousand years, and even a thousand years from now, consensus may remain elusive. In fact, whether one supports or opposes any of them is not important. What matters is to remember the insights that these three wall-breakers have left us:

3. The Restoration Plan of the Shining Three Kingdoms, in a situation where both the emperor and the ministers were content to be subjects of a fallen state, Jiang Wei, the last general of the Han, still attempted to stage a remarkable reversal. Although the plan ultimately failed, it did take down the two terminators of Shu Han, Deng Ai and Zhong Hui, along with it. The fall of Shu Han under Liu Shan is not worthy of lamentation; it is regrettable, however, that this earth-shattering plan cost the lives of Jiang Wei and his wife and children.

Why must we reclaim the Central Plains? Do we still have any chance to do so? Why bother to struggle against a superpower? Enjoy today as it comes, find joy in every moment, drink today for tomorrow may bring worries! Fei Yi is such a complex individual that it is impossible to determine whether he is a pessimist or an optimist! His intelligence even surpasses that of Zhuge Liang, the embodiment of wisdom, and his numerous achievements are worthy of the title of an outstanding politician, yet such a person is absolutely unsuitable to be a friend. Fei Yi is such a complex individual that it is impossible to determine whether he is a pessimist or an optimist! His intelligence even surpasses that of Zhuge Liang, the embodiment of wisdom, and his numerous achievements are worthy of the title of an outstanding politician, yet such a person is absolutely unsuitable to be a friend.

In the year 246 AD, Jiang Wan passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Duke Gong.

In the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, any individual with a notable title who was willing to work would generally secure a minimum position as a county magistrate. Jiang Wan, having gained fame at a young age and endured five years of hardship to build his credentials, surprisingly found himself in such a dismal situation. In despair, he began to drown his sorrows in alcohol. Indeed, he was caught red-handed drinking during work hours by Liu Bei, who was inspecting the work. Contrary to the impression given by "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," historical records indicate that "Cao Cao often wept, while Liu Bei was frequently angry." This time, Liu Bei was certainly furious and prepared to impose severe punishment on Jiang Wan. Logically, this incident should have concluded with "the magistrate of Guangdu being seriously dealt with for drinking during work hours." However, a miracle occurred when Zhuge Liang advised Liu Bei, saying: "Jiang Wan is a pillar of the state, not merely a figure suited for governing a small county. He is wholeheartedly dedicated to the well-being of the people and does not engage in superficial efforts. I urge the leadership to reassess him." Liu Bei, needing to uphold procedural justice while also considering Zhuge Liang's reputation, chose not to strike or scold Jiang Wan, nor did he label him as permanently unfit for service; he merely dismissed him from his position. Soon after, Zhuge Liang arranged for Jiang Wan to be reinstated and promoted to the position of county magistrate.

Jiang Wan's plan touched Sun Quan's sensitive nerve, prompting the Wu state to once again increase its military presence along the Wu-Shu border

Fei Yi is a person skilled in interpersonal relations. In terms of leadership, he is both a core member of Liu Shan's administration and a cadre nurtured by Zhuge Liang. Among colleagues, whether it is Jiang Wan, Dong Yun, or Wei Yan, Yang Yi, he is well-liked. Externally, Sun Quan finds him agreeable, and he shares a mutual affinity with Zhuge Ke.

This year coincided with the time when Zhuge Ke, the Grand Tutor of Wu, led the state to attack Wei. Jiang Wei, with the clouds parting and the mist clearing, was excited and immediately mobilized his troops. The Grand General of Wei, Sima Shi, adopted a defensive stance against the Wu army while taking an offensive approach against the Shu army. Jiang Wei bore immense pressure and ultimately retreated due to a shortage of supplies, without suffering any losses. In contrast, Zhuge Ke, who had enjoyed smooth sailing since birth, suffered a defeat with his nation's troops at the foot of the new city of Hefei, and shortly after returning home, he was killed in a palace coup.

The commander of the Hanzhong region in the Shu Han Empire was Wang Ping, who had distinguished himself in the Battle of Jieting. He took advantage of the advantageous geographical terrain of Hanzhong to establish multiple defensive lines as much as possible, delaying time to await reinforcements

In the year 234 AD, Jiang Wan and Dong Yun were in Chengdu. Zhuge Liang was gravely ill at Wuzhang Plain and entrusted his final affairs to Yang Yi, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei. Yang Yi was to proceed first, Wei Yan was to bring up the rear, and Jiang Wei was to lead the army in between. If Wei Yan did not obey orders, he was to be disregarded.

In the year 249 AD, Sima Yi, the Grand Tutor of the Wei state, launched a coup to overthrow the faction of General Cao Shuang, causing a shock throughout the court and the populace. Seeing that the Sima family was about to usurp power, Xiahou Ba, the Right General of Wei and Protector of the Campaign against Shu, defected to Shu, where he was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry. In terms of official rank, this was even higher than that of Jiang Wei, equivalent to the position held by Zhang Fei during his lifetime (Zhang Fei's wife, Xiahou, was the cousin of Xiahou Ba, and the mother-in-law of Liu Shan). Thereafter, Xiahou Ba devoted himself wholeheartedly to serving as a guide for the Shu state.