The Former Shu was conquered by the Later Tang in 925, and in the following year general Meng Zhixiang arrived to assume governorship (jiedushi) of Xichuan (西川).
[2] In 948, after putting grand councilor Zhang Ye to death over suspicions of treason, Meng Chang began to centralize power.
It was said that Meng Chang discussed all important matters with them and allowed them free rein over the use of the national treasury, with nary a question asked.
Fearful of Song's powerful military, Meng Chang wanted to establish diplomatic relations with them, but Wang Zhaoyuan adamantly opposed.
Meng Chang named Wang Zhaoyuan overall commander and asked grand councilor Li Hao to send off the troops from Chengdu.
At the farewell banquet, Wang Zhaoyuan got drunk, and grabbing Li Hao's arm, he bragged:[2] For this trip, I will not just defeat the enemy.
After Zhao Chongtao was defeated and captured, Wang Zhaoyuan threw away his armor and weapons and fled, eventually hiding himself in a peasant home.
He kept reciting a line from a poem by Luo Yin, which lamented Zhuge Liang's lack of success despite his mental genius: Even a hero is limited when luck isn't on his side (運去英雄不自由)After Later Shu's conquest, Emperor Taizu of Song forgave him and gave him official titles.