Sun Quan declares himself emperor in 229, an act that almost damages the alliance with Shu, as many Shu officials see this as a sign of betrayal of the Han Dynasty—to which Shu claims to be the legitimate successor.

However, Zhuge Liang opposes ending the alliance and in fact confirms it with a formal treaty later this year, in which the two states pledge to support each other and divide Wei equally if they can conquer it.

Later this year, he moves his capital from Wuchang (in present-day Ezhou, Hubei) to …

Sun Hao forces the former Empress Dowager Zhu to commit suicide in 265 and exiles Sun Xiu's four sons—and soon executes the two oldest, Prince Wan of Yuzhang (the former crown prince) and Prince Gong of Ru'nan.

He then also, believing in a prophecy that the imperial aura had moved from Yang Province (modern Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and southern Jiangsu and Anhui) to the Jing Province (modern Hubei and Hunan) and that Jing forces would defeat Yang forces, undertakes a costly move of the capital from Jianye to Wuchang (modern Ezhou, Hubei).

He also begins regularly executing officials who show disapproval of his wasteful ways.

The only major official who is able to speak freely without consequences is Lu Kai, the nephew of Lu Xun and one of the prime ministers serving in tandem with Wan Yu, because of the great respect the people have for Lu.