The Lost Opportunity of Shu Han: The Role of General Fei Yi in Its Downfall
Everyone is familiar with Zhuge Liang from The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and the famous story of Liu Bei's three visits to Zhuge Liang’s thatched cottage is known to all. His brilliance and strategic acumen are well documented, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that his intellect and military insight were among the very best throughout history.
Because of this, Liu Bei placed complete trust in Zhuge Liang’s abilities. Even as his death neared, Liu Bei made a decisive and unwavering choice: he entrusted the upbringing of his son to Zhuge Liang, demonstrating his total faith in the strategist’s wisdom. In essence, Liu Bei handed over the future of the entire Shu Han dynasty to Zhuge Liang. True to his word, Zhuge Liang served Liu Bei loyally, never letting down his responsibilities—even when he attained the highest positions of power, he remained unwavering in his devotion to his country.
展开剩余88%Even on his deathbed, Zhuge Liang was preoccupied with the fate of Shu Han. What Zhuge Liang could not have anticipated, however, was that sixteen years after his death, Shu Han would face a crucial opportunity for a comeback—an opportunity that was, tragically, ruined by one pivotal decision made by a key general. Who was this general, and what exactly did he do? Let’s explore.
The General Who Caused Shu Han's Downfall: Fei Yi
Fei Yi was a general well known to Zhuge Liang. He had been one of the two talents that Zhuge Liang recommended before his death, and his rise to power was partly due to Zhuge Liang’s trust. However, no one, not even Zhuge Liang, could have foreseen that this very general would play a role in squandering Shu Han’s last chance at revival.
Fei Yi was one of the prominent statesmen in the Three Kingdoms period and was recognized as one of the four chief ministers of Shu Han, alongside Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan, and Dong Yun. This status was not accidental; Fei Yi was highly capable, and it was this talent that made Zhuge Liang place such great faith in him. When Zhuge Liang passed away in 234 CE, his coffin was transported back to Chengdu, and the loss was deeply felt by the people of Shu Han, especially by Emperor Liu Shan, who saw Zhuge Liang as the pillar of the state. His death left the kingdom vulnerable, and Liu Shan was immediately confronted with a pressing issue: who could step into Zhuge Liang’s shoes?
Recalling Zhuge Liang’s recommendations, Liu Shan turned to Fei Yi and Dong Yun, both of whom had been nominated as successors. Liu Shan, following Zhuge Liang’s wishes, appointed Fei Yi as the new Prime Minister, entrusting him with the country’s military and political leadership.
Upon assuming power, Fei Yi quickly asserted control over both the military and the civil administration. He initiated various changes in government policies and, in his view, the best course for the faltering Shu Han was not further military action but rather a period of recovery and consolidation. He emphasized the importance of allowing the troops to rest and regroup, believing that it was the only way to restore the nation’s strength. This policy of \"rest and recuperation\" seemed wise at the time, especially since the war had taken a heavy toll on the kingdom’s resources. However, this strategy could only have short-term benefits.
The Missed Opportunity for a Comeback: The Gaopingling Incident
Zhuge Liang had long insisted on launching military campaigns, not out of blind ambition, but because he saw it as Shu Han’s last real chance for survival. A successful Northern Expedition would have greatly improved Shu Han’s situation and broken the constraints it faced. In contrast, Fei Yi’s strategy, while providing temporary stability, could not address the fundamental challenges facing the kingdom.
During the period when Shu Han was focused on recuperation, a major internal conflict erupted within the Wei Kingdom—the Gaopingling Incident. This event presented Shu Han with a golden opportunity to strike a decisive blow against Wei. In simple terms, if Shu Han had seized this chance and launched a full-scale attack, the outcome of the Three Kingdoms could have been radically different.
The Gaopingling Incident was a power struggle within the Wei court between two factions: one led by Sima Yi and the other by the Cao family’s powerful ministers. Although Emperor Cao Fang nominally held the throne, the real power was wielded by Cao Shuang, while Sima Yi held significant influence as well. The conflict ultimately led to Sima Yi’s victory, with him eliminating his rivals, including Cao Shuang, and seizing control of Wei. This internal turmoil caused major instability in Wei, providing an opening for Shu Han to launch an offensive.
However, despite this ideal opportunity, Shu Han failed to act decisively, and this was largely due to Fei Yi’s influence. Fei Yi, upon returning to Hanzhong after being honored by Liu Shan, became increasingly dismissive of the military, especially of the general Jiang Wei. While Jiang Wei advocated for aggressive military action, Fei Yi consistently countered, arguing that Shu Han should focus on internal stability rather than warfare. Every time Jiang Wei attempted to mobilize the army against Wei, Fei Yi restricted him, only allowing a meager force of 10,000 troops.
During the Gaopingling Incident, Jiang Wei did attempt to exploit the turmoil by leading a small force into the Yongliang region, but he was intercepted and blocked by Wei generals Guo Huai and Deng Ai. His small army was quickly overwhelmed and could not capitalize on the opportunity. Meanwhile, in Wei, Sima Yi decisively eliminated his rivals and established his dominance, stabilizing the situation and effectively ending Shu Han’s hopes for a comeback.
Fei Yi’s Words of Caution
So why did Fei Yi act in such a conservative manner? What was his reasoning? After the Gaopingling Incident, Fei Yi articulated his thoughts: “We are no match for the Prime Minister (Zhuge Liang); if he could not conquer Wei, how can we? It’s better to focus on the preservation of our country and its people, guarding the state and waiting for a capable successor. We should not gamble on a single battle to change our fate. If we fail, we will have no recourse.”
In other words, Fei Yi argued that even Zhuge Liang, with all his brilliance, had failed in his attempts to conquer Wei. Why, then, should Shu Han take such a risky step? Fei Yi believed that preserving the nation was more important than pursuing potentially catastrophic military ventures. This cautious stance ultimately prevented Jiang Wei from capitalizing on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Aftermath
Fei Yi’s policy of caution effectively sealed Shu Han’s fate. Instead of pushing for an immediate advantage during a time of turmoil in Wei, Shu Han stagnated, and by the time Sima Yi consolidated his power, it was too late. As Sima Yi expanded Wei’s power, Shu Han’s position weakened, eventually leading to its downfall.
In hindsight, one can’t help but question whether a more aggressive approach could have changed the course of history. The Gaopingling Incident was the most significant opportunity for Shu Han in the 16 years since Zhuge Liang’s death, yet it was squandered due to Fei Yi’s cautious approach.
After Sima Yi unified Wei, he began a relentless campaign of expansion, and Shu Han could do little to stop the inevitable collapse. This tragic turn of events can be traced back to Fei Yi’s actions, and his cautious leadership remains a key factor in the ultimate downfall of Shu Han.
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