Zhuge Liang grows seriously ill while on…

Zhuge Liang grows seriously ill while on his final campaign against Wei in 234.

Liu Shan, hearing of Zhuge's illness, sends his secretary Li Fu to the front line to visit Zhuge Liang and to request Zhuge to leave instructions on important state matters.

Among other things, Zhuge recommends that Jiang Wan succeed him, and that Fei Yi succeed Jiang Wan.

Zhuge Liang refused to answer Li Fu's next question—who should succeed Fei Yi.

Zhuge Liang dies soon thereafter.

Liu Shan follows Zhuge's instructions and installs Jiang Wan as the new regent, but Jiang is more interested in domestic affairs than military expansion.

Thus the death of Zhuge Liang ends a huge strategic threat to Cao Wei and the Wei court soon begins development of ambitious public works.

Sima Yi's success and subsequent rise in prominence paves the way for his grandson Sima Yan's founding of the Jin dynasty, which will eventually bring an end to the Three Kingdoms period.