The Swift Conquest of Later Shu

In the second year of the Qiande era (964), the Song Dynasty launched a military campaign against the Later Shu kingdom. By the seventh day of the first lunar month in 965, the Shu ruler, Meng Chang, surrendered after just sixty-six days of fighting. The fertile lands of Shu, long known as the “Land of Abundance,” were formally incorporated into the Song Empire. However, what should have been a seamless transition turned into a two-year-long rebellion that plunged Sichuan into chaos.

The Song army’s rapid victory was a testament to its military prowess, but the real challenge lay in governance. Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, understood that true stability required winning over the hearts of the Shu people. He issued a series of conciliatory policies:

– Restoring Order: Ensuring that the populace could resume their lives without disruption.
– Economic Relief: Waiving back taxes, reducing salt prices, and abolishing unjust corvée labor.
– Political Integration: Offering positions to former Shu officials and protecting cultural sites.
– Amnesty for Rebels: Allowing outlaws to surrender within a month.

On paper, these measures were sound. Yet, their execution faltered disastrously.

The Greed and Disarray of Song Commanders

The real power in Shu lay with the conquering generals, who saw the region as a prize to be plundered. Two rival factions emerged: the Northern Army under Wang Quanbin and the Eastern Army under Liu Guangyi. Resentment festered when rewards from both the deposed Shu emperor and Zhao Kuangyin were distributed equally, despite the Northern Army’s earlier arrival in Chengdu.

Wang Quanbin, the overall commander, grew negligent. He indulged in banquets while his troops looted freely. Officers extorted wealth from Shu nobles—even Meng Chang himself faced demands for concubines and gold. The common people suffered most, with soldiers pillaging unchecked.

The Spark of Rebellion

Zhao Kuangyin ordered the relocation of Shu soldiers to the capital to weaken local resistance. However, Wang Quanbin, resentful of the generous allowances given to these troops, withheld their pay and allowed abuses. The enraged soldiers revolted in Mianzhou, swelling into an army of 100,000 under the banner of the “Xingguo Army.”

Their leader, Quan Shixiong, was a reluctant figurehead. A former Shu general, he was coerced into leading the rebellion after Song envoys slaughtered his family. His forces seized Pengzhou, and soon seventeen prefectures joined the uprising. Isolated, Wang Quanbin panicked—ordering the massacre of 27,000 surrendered Shu troops in Chengdu, a move that only fueled further unrest.

The Tide Turns

The rebellion’s scale forced Zhao Kuangyin to intervene. He executed Song officers guilty of atrocities and appointed Kang Yanze to restore order in Puzhou. With minimal support, Kang recruited local militias, defeated rebel forces, and gradually stabilized the region. Meanwhile, Wang Quanbin’s forces besieged Quan Shixiong’s stronghold until the rebel leader’s death in 966.

By late 966, the rebellion was crushed, but its scars lingered. The Song Dynasty’s heavy-handed occupation and the greed of its generals had turned a swift victory into a protracted crisis.

Legacy and Lessons

The Shu rebellion exposed critical flaws in the Song’s governance:

1. The Perils of Poor Leadership: Wang Quanbin’s corruption and incompetence ignited unrest.
2. Cultural Integration Challenges: Despite Zhao Kuangyin’s enlightened policies, local resentment festered under military misrule.
3. The Cost of Brutality: The massacre of surrendered troops alienated the populace and prolonged the conflict.

Historically, the conquest of Shu marked the Song’s expansion into the southwest, but its turbulent aftermath served as a cautionary tale. The episode underscored that winning a war is only the beginning—governing justly is the true test of empire.

As for Meng Chang, his story ended tragically. After surrendering, he was brought to Kaifeng, where he died under mysterious circumstances at age 47—a fate that invites speculation about the Song court’s role in silencing a potential rallying figure.

The fall of Later Shu remains a vivid chapter in Chinese history, illustrating how quickly victory can unravel when power is wielded without wisdom.