The Military Colonies and the Fall of Shu

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

This flow traces Jiang Wei’s attempt to preserve Shu’s military strength at Tazhong and the invasion that eventually bypasses its defenses.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Strategic Retreat A Strategic Retreat from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Preparing for a Future War Political Recall Huang Hao’s influence leads Liu Shan to recall Jiang Wei during a campaign.

A Strategic Retreat from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Preparing for a Future War Political Recall Huang Hao’s influence leads Liu Shan to recall Jiang Wei during a campaign.

Preparing for a Future War Political Recall Huang Hao’s influence leads Liu Shan to recall Jiang Wei during a campaign. Jiang Wei returns without achieving his objective. A New Base Rather than remain exposed to court interference, Jiang Wei establishes military colonies at Tazhong, combining agriculture with military preparation.

Wei Plans a Conquest Wei Plans a Conquest from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Opponent Exploits Disunity Sima Zhao’s Decision Sima Zhao recognizes that Shu is vulnerable because of internal corruption and repeated military strain.

Wei Plans a Conquest from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Opponent Exploits Disunity Sima Zhao’s Decision Sima Zhao recognizes that Shu is vulnerable because of internal corruption and repeated military strain.

The Opponent Exploits Disunity Sima Zhao’s Decision Sima Zhao recognizes that Shu is vulnerable because of internal corruption and repeated military strain. He gives Zhong Hui and Deng Ai major commands. A Coordinated Invasion Wei forces advance on multiple fronts while Shu’s court fails to respond decisively to Jiang Wei’s warnings. Military pressure exposes the state’s political weakness.

The Jian Pass Defense The Jian Pass Defense from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Jiang Wei Holds the Main Route Reinforced Resistance Jiang Wei retreats to Jian Pass and joins other Shu forces.

The Jian Pass Defense from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Jiang Wei Holds the Main Route Reinforced Resistance Jiang Wei retreats to Jian Pass and joins other Shu forces.

Jiang Wei Holds the Main Route Reinforced Resistance Jiang Wei retreats to Jian Pass and joins other Shu forces. The steep terrain gives the defenders a strong position against Zhong Hui. A Diversion Elsewhere While Jiang Wei holds the pass, Deng Ai seeks a route through the mountains that can bypass the principal defenses.

Deng Ai Crosses the Mountains

A Route Beyond the Defense A Dangerous Descent Deng Ai leads his men over Heaven-Scraping Mountain, descending by a route considered nearly impassable. Chengdu Exposed He takes Jiangyou and advances toward Mianzhu, forcing Zhuge Zhan to defend the capital’s approach. The unexpected route makes Jiang Wei’s strong position insufficient to protect Shu.

The State Surrenders The State Surrenders from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Kingdom Ends Mianzhu Falls Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang die defending the city.

The State Surrenders from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The Kingdom Ends Mianzhu Falls Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang die defending the city.

The Kingdom Ends Mianzhu Falls Zhuge Zhan and Zhuge Shang die defending the city. Deng Ai orders them buried with honor, but their deaths leave Chengdu exposed. Liu Shan’s Decision Liu Shan surrenders, and Jiang Wei receives the order to yield. Liu Chen refuses submission and dies, leaving the state divided between survival and resistance.

After Jiang Wei’s later Northern Expeditions

AD 263

During the Wei invasion

During the fall of Shu in AD 263

AD 263