Novel scene
Yu Quan Dies Loyal Relieving Shouchun 救壽春於詮死節
About this event
This scene is the episode named in the chapter title of Chapter 112 of the Romance, "Trying to relieve Shouchun, Yu Quan dies true to his principles," the passage in Zhuge Dan's Rebellion in which Yu Quan, a Wu general who entered the city of Shouchun to rescue Zhuge Dan, refuses to surrender when the city falls and dies fighting. The Romance sets this scene within the course of events in which the Wu relief armies collapse one after another, the generals in the city surrender in succession, and finally Sima Zhao breaks Shouchun. Romance, Ch. 112 §6 · 9–11 · 15–16
Yu Quan does not appear in Chen Shou's text; only Gan Bao's Jin Annals, quoted in Pei Songzhi's commentary, records that he took off his helmet, plunged into the enemy ranks and died. The siege of Shouchun and the Wu relief efforts are recorded in the Biography of Zhuge Dan, Records of Wei 28, the Biographies of the Three Successor Rulers, Records of Wu 3, and the biography of Sun Chen in Records of Wu 19. Records, Wei 28 §36–42Records, Wu 3 §16–18Records, Wu 19 §84–86
In the Romance
In Chapter 112 of the Romance, following Zhong Hui's plan, Sima Zhao lays out oxen, horses, donkeys and mules as bait to lure out Zhuge Dan and the Wu army, routs them with the forces of Shi Bao and Zhou Tai (州泰) and of Wang Ji and Chen Qian, and drives them into the city of Shouchun. Zhong Hui proposes attacking from three sides only and leaving the south gate open so that the enemy will run of its own accord, and Sun Chen, staying at Anfeng, rebukes Zhu Yi, saying he will behead him if he fails to win again. Romance, Ch. 112 §1–5
The Wu general Yu Quan proposes to enter through the south gate, which has not been surrounded, to help Zhuge Dan so that they can strike from inside and outside together, and he enters the city with ten thousand men together with Quan Yi (全懌), Quan Duan, Wen Qin and others. But Zhu Yi, who was to attack from outside, is beaten by Wang Ji and Chen Qian and beheaded by Sun Chen, and when Quan Duan's son Quan Yi (全禕) surrenders to Sima Zhao and sends a letter, Quan Yi (全懌) and Quan Duan also open the city gate and go out. Even Jiang Ban and Jiao Yi climb over the walls to surrender; Wen Qin, who proposes sending out the northern troops when the provisions run out, is killed by Zhuge Dan, and his sons Wen Yang and Wen Hu surrender to Sima Zhao and are made Marquises Within the Passes. Romance, Ch. 112 §6–14
When the mood in the city turns, Sima Zhao launches an all-out attack, Zeng Xuan opens the north gate to let the Wei army in, and Zhuge Dan, slipping out by a byway, is cut down by Hu Fen. Meeting Wang Ji at the west gate, Yu Quan says that having come under orders to rescue others in their distress, it would be against righteousness to fail to rescue them and then surrender as well; he throws his helmet to the ground, cries that it is good fortune to be able to die on the battlefield, fights more than thirty bouts and dies amid the confused troops. Sima Zhao buries the several hundred of Zhuge Dan's men who died rather than surrender, and on Zhong Hui's advice sends the Wu soldiers back to their own country. Romance, Ch. 112 §15–22
Where the Romance differs
How the Wu troops entered the city: In Chapter 112 of the Romance, Yu Quan, Quan Yi (全懌), Quan Duan and Wen Qin enter through the south gate, left empty by Zhong Hui's plan. In the account of Zhuge Dan in Records of Wei 28, when Wang Ji had only just arrived and the encirclement was not yet complete, Tang Zi, Wen Qin and others led their men in from the northeast of the city, taking advantage of the steep hills. Romance, Ch. 112 §4–6Records, Wei 28 §36
Zhu Yi's death: In Chapter 112 of the Romance, Zhu Yi returns after being beaten by Wang Ji and Chen Qian and is beheaded by Sun Chen. In the Biography of Sun Chen in the Records, after Hu Lie burned Zhu Yi's provisions stored at Dulu, Sun Chen gave Zhu Yi thirty thousand men and told him to fight to the death, and when Zhu Yi would not comply, beheaded him at Huoli. Romance, Ch. 112 §7–8Records, Wu 19 §86
The fate of the Wu soldiers: In Chapter 112 of the Romance, Pei Xiu proposes burying them alive, but Zhong Hui dissuades him and the Wu soldiers are sent back to their own country. In the Biography of Zhuge Dan in the Records, when those in council all proposed burying them, the General-in-Chief said that killing only the ringleaders was enough, killed not a single one, and settled them dispersed among the commanderies near the Three He. Romance, Ch. 112 §21–22Records, Wei 28 §44
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.