Liu Zhang's surrender at Chengdu marks the decisive transfer of power in Shu from Liu Zhang to Xuande. Ma Chao’s arrival in Xuande’s service makes resistance appear hopeless, but Liu Zhang’s surrender is also presented as a choice to spare Chengdu’s people further suffering. The transition is followed by Xuande’s restraint toward former opponents, Liu Zhang’s removal from power, and the settlement of the newly conquered territory.

Causes and approach to Chengdu

The immediate cause is Ma Chao’s break with Zhang Lu and decision to join Xuande. After Zhang Lu’s adviser Yang Song spreads suspicions against Ma Chao, Zhang Lu’s demands and troop deployments leave Ma Chao trapped. Xuande’s strategist Kong Ming sends Li Hui to offer him a way out: service under Xuande. Ma Chao accepts, arrives at Jiameng Pass, and joins Xuande’s campaign against Chengdu.

Liu Zhang opens the gates

Some of Ma Chao’s men desert and carry news of his change of allegiance to Liu Zhang. With the combined armies approaching the city, Liu Zhang seals Chengdu’s gates and prepares for an assault. Ma Chao and his brother Ma Dai ride to the gate and ask Liu Zhang to speak with them from the city wall. Hearing Ma Chao explain his decision directly, Liu Zhang recognizes that the situation is lost and orders the gates opened, moved by the desire to spare the people further suffering.

Some commanders still favor fighting. A soothsayer’s report that the stars indicate the arrival of a bright new ruler reinforces Liu Zhang’s wish to surrender; that ruler is Xuande. The account thus places a political decision beside a celestial sign, while making Liu Zhang’s concern for the population the stated reason for ending the siege.

Transfer of power and terms

Chengdu’s population welcomes Xuande’s entry. He forbids reprisals against former opponents, including Huang Quan and Liu Ba, who had resisted him; both then surrender. Xuande initially wants Liu Zhang to remain in the city out of respect. Kong Ming argues that the city cannot accommodate two lords and that Liu Zhang’s indecision has cost him his rule. Liu Zhang is consequently sent to Jingzhou, where he lives in comfortable confinement and receives an honorific title.

Xuande rewards those who joined him with offices, titles, and money, and sends treasures to Guan Yu in Jingzhou. A proposal to redistribute the conquered land to Xuande’s followers is opposed by Zhao Zilong, who argues that the people have suffered enough and that generosity will win future support. The land of Shu passes into Xuande’s control; its laws are revised, corrupt or excessively harsh local governors are restrained, and the region is settled.

Significance

The surrender resolves the immediate contest for Chengdu without a final assault on the city. Liu Zhang’s choice ends resistance, while Xuande’s refusal to punish opponents and the decision not to seize the people’s land present consolidation as an exercise in restraint as well as military success. The episode therefore joins territorial expansion to a claim of benevolent rule: authority changes hands, but the new ruler’s conduct toward the population and defeated rivals is made part of the political settlement.