Adou: From the Rescue at Changbanpo to "Happy and Forgetting Shu", the Last Emperor of Shu Han

Brief Introduction

Adou, originally named Liu Shan, courtesy name Gongsi, nickname Adou, was the second son of Liu Bei, Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han, and one of the most famous lost-state rulers in Chinese history. In the classical masterpiece Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Adou's image is highly controversial. He is both the object of Zhao Yun's single-handed rescue of his master and the lost-state ruler who said "I am happy here and do not miss Shu" after the fall of Shu Han. This character not only carries the rise and fall of the Shu Han regime but has also become a synonym for "incompetent ruler" in Chinese culture, giving rise to idioms such as "An Adou who cannot be supported."

Core Knowledge Points

1. Identity Positioning: Adou was the successor of the Shu Han regime. He ascended the throne in 223 AD and reigned for 29 years until the fall of Shu Han in 263 AD.
2. Classic Allusions:
* Rescuing the Master at Changbanpo: Zhao Yun charged in and out of the enemy ranks seven times to save Adou amidst the chaos. It is one of the most famous stories of loyalty and righteousness in the Three Kingdoms period.
* Happy and Forgetting Shu: After surrendering to Wei, Adou showed an attitude of being content with the status quo and forgetting his homeland when tested by Sima Zhao.
3. Cultural Symbol: The idiom "An Adou who cannot be supported" originates from this, describing someone who lacks ability and cannot be helped to succeed.
4. Historical vs. Literary Differences: Historically, the interior of Shu Han was relatively stable during Liu Shan's rule; however, Romance of the Three Kingdoms portrays him as incompetent and overly dependent on regents to highlight Zhuge Liang's brilliance.

Connection to the Content of Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Chapter 41 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, titled "Liu Xuande Leads the People Across the River; Zhao Zilong Single-handedly Rescues His Master," Adou's image makes its first high-profile appearance. At the time, Liu Bei was retreating in defeat. Zhao Yun charged left and right among the Cao forces and finally found Adou in the arms of Lady Mi. After Lady Mi jumped into a well to commit suicide, Zhao Yun carried the infant and broke through the encirclement.

When Zhao Yun presented Adou to Liu Bei, Liu Bei took the child but threw him to the ground, angrily saying: "For this child, I almost lost a great general!" This plot point is full of dramatic tension. It demonstrates Liu Bei's cherishment of talent while also reflecting the potential risk of Adou as a "burden." However, it was this very child who had been thrown that later became the emperor of Shu Han.

In the latter part of the novel, following Zhuge Liang's death, Adou gradually trusted the eunuch Huang Hao, leading to corruption in the court and ultimately surrendering to Wei. Sima Zhao hosted a banquet to test him, and Adou replied, "I am happy here and do not miss Shu," solidifying his literary image as an "incompetent ruler." This plot contrasts sharply with Zhao Yun's rescue, highlighting the tragic color of Shu Han transitioning from an era of heroes to a lack of successors.

Summary

Adou is an important link connecting the Liu Bei era and the Zhuge Liang era in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Although his literary image leans negative, his life reflects the entire process of the Shu Han regime from its rise to its fall. Understanding Adou helps in deeply interpreting the profound themes of loyalty, talent, and political succession in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and serves as an important case study for researching historical and literary images of the Three Kingdoms period.