The Last Days of Wu

This flow traces Wu’s transition from a durable southern kingdom to court tyranny, political paralysis, and surrender to Jin.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Sun Quan’s Final Succession

A Kingdom Loses Its Founder Sun Quan’s Death After decades of rule, Sun Quan dies and leaves the court without the authority that had held its competing factions together. A Young Emperor Sun Liang becomes ruler, but senior officials rapidly gain control. Wu’s stability now depends on court figures whose interests do not match the survival of the state.

Zhuge Ke’s Failed Campaign

Ambition Without Prudence The Attack on Xincheng Zhuge Ke invades Wei, underestimating the defenders and the difficulties his army will face. Loss of Authority The campaign fails, sickness and desertion weaken the troops, and Zhuge Ke returns humiliated. His use of power and prior arrogance leave him vulnerable to rivals.

A Banquet Assassination

The Minister Is Removed A Court Plot Sun Jun and allies exploit Zhuge Ke’s isolation, inviting him to a banquet with the emperor’s apparent approval. Sudden Execution At the signal, Sun Jun kills Zhuge Ke and his brother. Their family is also destroyed, demonstrating that Wu’s internal politics have become as dangerous as its wars.

Sun Chen’s Tyranny

Power Without Consent A Ruler Deposed Sun Chen dominates the court, deposes Sun Liang, and installs Sun Xiu as emperor. He uses fear and executions to prevent resistance. A Counter-Coup Ding Feng and Zhang Bu help Sun Xiu lure Sun Chen to a banquet, where he is seized and executed. Removing him does not repair Wu’s deeper political weakness.

Sun Hao’s Collapse

Tyranny Makes Surrender Likely Abuses at Court Sun Hao taxes the people heavily, expands the palace, and relies on cruel punishments. Lu Kang warns that Wu is undermining itself. The Jin Invasion Du Yu and Wang Jun lead Jin forces into Wu. Sun Hao’s army fragments, the capital falls, and he surrenders, ending the Three Kingdoms’ final independent state.

AD 252

Soon after Sun Liang’s accession

AD 253

After Sun Jun’s death

AD 265–280