Liu Shan: The Historical Image of the Last Ruler of Shu Han and an Interpretation of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"

Brief Introduction

Liu Shan (207–271), courtesy name Gongsi and childhood name Adou, was the son of Liu Bei, the Zhaolie Emperor of Shu Han, and the second emperor of Shu Han. His reign lasted forty years, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs of the Three Kingdoms period. Later generations often described him with the phrase "Adou who cannot be supported" to denote his incompetence, but this image is largely derived from the literary shaping in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". In reality, historical records depict Liu Shan as a ruler who stabilized the political situation and effectively utilized talent. During his reign, the internal situation of Shu Han was relatively stable.

Core Knowledge Points

* Succession and Regency: After Liu Bei entrusted his orphan at Baidicheng, Liu Shan succeeded to the throne with Zhuge Liang as regent. After Zhuge Liang's death, Liu Shan gradually assumed personal rule, employing figures such as Jiang Wan and Fei Yi, maintaining stability in Shu Han.
* Eunuch Interference in Politics: In his later years, Liu Shan favored the eunuch Huang Hao, leading to the marginalization of General Jiang Wei, who was forced to conduct military farming at Tazhong. This indirectly weakened Shu Han's defensive capabilities, planting hidden dangers for Wei's destruction of Shu.
* Fall of the State and Surrender: In 263 AD, the war for Wei's conquest of Shu broke out. Deng Ai secretly crossed Yinping, directly threatening Chengdu. When Jiang Wei's suggestion to resist failed, Liu Shan chose to open the city and surrender, avoiding slaughter among the common people, leading to the end of Shu Han.
* "Happy in Shu": After surrendering, Liu Shan was relocated to Luoyang. Sima Zhao hosted a banquet to test him, and Liu Shan replied, "I am happy here and do not miss Shu." This became a laughingstock for eternity but also reflected his wisdom in preserving himself, ultimately allowing him to die a natural death.

Connection to "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"

In Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Liu Shan's image is further dramatized to highlight the tragic color of Shu Han.

1. Strengthening the Image of an Incompetent Ruler: The novel repeatedly depicts Liu Shan favoring the eunuch Huang Hao, leading to Jiang Wei's marginalization, indirectly accelerating the fall of Shu Han. This aligns with historical records stating that Liu Shan distanced himself from Jiang Wei and relied heavily on Huang Hao in his later years, but the novel exaggerates his incompetence, making him one of the direct responsible parties for the nation's fall.
2. The Plot of Entrusting the Orphan: The book details the scene of Liu Bei entrusting his orphan to Zhuge Liang, establishing the tone of Liu Shan "relying on the Prime Minister", highlighting Zhuge Liang's loyalty of "devotion until death", and contrasting Liu Shan's weakness from the side.
3. Description of the Ending: In Chapter 120 of the novel, the "Happy in Shu" scene after Liu Shan's surrender is vividly depicted, becoming one of the climaxes of the book's ending. Although this plot originates from Pei Songzhi's notes on "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Shu: Biography of the Later Ruler" citing "Spring and Autumn of Han and Jin", the novel imbues it with stronger satirical meaning.

In summary, Liu Shan is both a historical figure and a literary archetype. Understanding the differences between his true image and the novel's depiction helps us gain a more comprehensive understanding of the distinction between Three Kingdoms history and literary art, avoiding the simple definition of this monarch, who reigned for forty years, solely by the label of an "incompetent ruler".