The Assassination of Fei Yi and Its Aftermath
The year 253 CE began with a shocking political murder that would reverberate throughout the Shu Han kingdom. On the first day of the first month, General Fei Yi hosted a grand gathering of military commanders at Hanshou. Among the attendees was Guo Xun, a recent defector from Wei. Fei Yi, known for his generous and trusting nature, drank heavily during the festivities. This proved fatal when Guo Xun seized the opportunity to assassinate him.
Zhang Ni, the governor of Yuexi, had previously warned Fei Yi about the dangers of being too trusting with defectors, citing historical precedents of great generals like Cen Peng and Lai She who fell to assassins. Tragically, Fei Yi ignored this advice, leading to his untimely death. In a surprising twist, the Wei court posthumously honored Guo Xun as Marquis of Changle Village, allowing his son to inherit the title.
This assassination marked a turning point for Shu Han’s military strategy. With Fei Yi’s restraining influence gone, the ambitious general Jiang Wei would soon embark on more aggressive campaigns against Wei.
The Rise and Fall of Zhuge Ke
In Wu, the year 253 saw Zhuge Ke, nephew of the legendary Zhuge Liang, at the height of his power following a successful defense against Wei at Dongxing. However, his subsequent actions would demonstrate the dangers of overconfidence in military leadership.
After his victory, Zhuge Ke became increasingly dismissive of his advisors. When officials like Jiang Yan and Teng Yin cautioned against further military adventures, he stubbornly insisted on launching another northern expedition. His lengthy memorial justifying the campaign revealed a leader increasingly detached from reality, convinced of his own strategic brilliance while ignoring fundamental weaknesses in his position.
The campaign proved disastrous. Besieging the Wei fortress at Xincheng for months, Wu forces suffered from disease, supply problems, and mounting casualties. Zhuge Ke’s refusal to acknowledge these setbacks – even punishing officers who reported the true situation – eroded morale. When the battered army finally retreated, their losses were staggering, and public support for Zhuge Ke evaporated.
Upon returning to the capital, Zhuge Ke compounded his errors by becoming increasingly paranoid and authoritarian. He purged officials, increased security around himself, and planned yet another campaign. This behavior provided the perfect opportunity for his rival Sun Jun to orchestrate his downfall. At a palace banquet in October 253, Sun Jun had Zhuge Ke assassinated, along with his entire family.
Leadership Lessons from the Era
The turbulent years of 253-255 offer profound lessons about power and leadership that remain relevant centuries later:
1. The Perils of Overconfidence: Both Zhuge Ke and Jiang Wei demonstrated how excessive faith in one’s abilities can lead to disaster. As one contemporary observed, “Everyone overestimates themselves – often greatly so.”
2. The Importance of Self-Restraint: Fei Yi’s successor Jiang Wei failed to learn his predecessor’s caution. Where Fei Yi had kept Jiang Wei’s ambitions in check, his removal allowed reckless campaigns that drained Shu’s resources.
3. Accepting Responsibility: Sima Shi’s willingness to take blame for military setbacks, rather than scapegoating subordinates, strengthened his position – a stark contrast to Zhuge Ke’s refusal to acknowledge failure.
4. The Value of Ritual and Respect: As the scholar Lu Xun warned Zhuge Ke early in his career, true leadership requires humility and proper conduct toward both superiors and subordinates.
The Sima Clan Consolidates Power
In Wei, the Sima family continued their rise at the expense of the Cao imperial house. After suppressing rebellions by Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin in 255, Sima Shi fell ill and died, passing control to his brother Sima Zhao. This transition was managed skillfully, with key allies like Zhong Hui and Fu Gu ensuring a smooth transfer of power.
The period also saw the dramatic deposition of Emperor Cao Fang in 254. Accused of various improprieties, he was replaced by his cousin Cao Mao, the Duke of Gaoguixiang. The carefully staged transition, complete with Cao Mao’s humble refusal of imperial honors until properly invested, demonstrated the Simas’ growing control over state ceremonial.
Military Campaigns and Strategic Decisions
The years 253-255 witnessed several significant military engagements:
1. Jiang Wei’s Northwestern Campaigns: Freed from Fei Yi’s restraints, Jiang Wei launched multiple attacks against Wei’s western territories. His initial successes at Didao turned to disaster at Taoxi, where Wei forces under Chen Tai outmaneuvered him.
2. The Shouchun Rebellion: Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin’s revolt against Sima Shi in 255 initially threatened Wei’s stability. However, superior strategy and the rebels’ inability to gain broader support led to their defeat.
3. Wu’s Failed Interventions: Sun Jun attempted to take advantage of Wei’s internal troubles but achieved little beyond consolidating his own power through brutal purges.
Legal and Social Developments
Amid the political turmoil, some significant legal reforms emerged. The case of Guanqiu Jian’s granddaughter prompted a reevaluation of clan punishment laws. The new principle held that married women should only be punished for their husband’s family’s crimes, not those of their birth family – an early step toward more equitable treatment under the law.
Enduring Legacy
The events of 253-255 set the stage for the final acts of the Three Kingdoms period. The Sima family’s consolidation of power in Wei would lead to the establishment of the Jin Dynasty. Shu Han’s overextension under Jiang Wei would culminate in its eventual conquest. Wu’s internal strife under Sun Jun foreshadowed its later instability.
Perhaps most enduring are the leadership lessons from this era about the dangers of arrogance, the importance of self-awareness, and the value of ritual and respect in maintaining social order – principles that transcend their historical context and remain relevant to this day.