Lu Xun, courtesy name Boyan, was from Wu County in the Wu region. His original name was Lu Yi, and his family was part of a prominent clan in Jiangdong. Lu Xun lost his father at a young age and was raised by his grandfather, Lu Kang, who was serving as the Administrator of Lujiang at the time. When conflicts arose between Lu Kang and Yuan Shu, Lu Kang sent Lu Xun and his family back to their ancestral home in Wu. Lu Xun, older than Lu Kang's son Lu Ji, managed the family affairs.
When Sun Quan became a warlord, Lu Xun started serving in Sun Quan's court at the age of twenty-one, holding positions such as Historiographer of the East and West Cao, and later being sent to Haichang as a Field Commander, also overseeing local governance. During those years, Haichang faced years of severe drought, and Lu Xun opened the granaries to provide relief to the impoverished, encouraging agricultural development. The locals were extremely grateful to him. There were many bandits lurking in the mountains and forests of Wu, Kuaiji, and Danyang counties. Lu Xun suggested that Sun Quan recruit soldiers to deal with the bandits. You Tu, the leader of the largest bandit group in Kuaiji County, had been elusive for many years. Lu Xun led troops deep into the treacherous mountain terrain, relentlessly pursuing the bandits until they eventually surrendered. His force quickly grew to over two thousand men. Later, You Tu, the leader of the bandits in Poyang County, rebelled, and Lu Xun led a campaign against him. Following the victory, he was appointed as the Colonel of Establishing Might, with his forces stationed in Lipu.
Sun Quan married Lu Xun to his niece, Sun Ce's daughter, and often discussed state matters with him. Lu Xun advised, "Currently, heroes are emerging all over the country, all vying for supremacy. Defeating the enemy and quelling rebellions cannot rely on just a few individuals. The bandits entrenched in the deep mountains and forests have long evaded capture. We need to tackle our internal issues first before pursuing greater ambitions, by building a strong army and choosing elite soldiers." Sun Quan took his advice and appointed him as the Right Division Commander.
Later, the leader of the mountain bandits in Danyang County, Fei Zhan, accepted Cao Cao's official seal, incited the Mountain Yue tribes to revolt, and acted as a mole for Cao Cao's forces. Sun Quan sent Lu Xun to attack Fei Zhan. Fei Zhan's influence was great, but Lu Xun brought few troops. Lu Xun ordered the soldiers to plant more flags and blow more horns, sneaking into the valley under the cover of night, suddenly rushing out, and yelling loudly, quickly dispersing Fei Zhan's army. Later, Lu Xun recruited soldiers and gathered supplies in Dong San County. The strong ones became soldiers, and the weak ones handled logistics. He quickly recruited tens of thousands of elite soldiers and completely pacified these bandits, restoring order wherever they went. Finally, the army stationed in Wuhu.
Later, the Governor of Kuaiji, Chunyu Shi, submitted a report accusing Lu Xun of embezzling from the people and disrupting the local area. Lu Xun later reported to Sun Quan and praised Chunyu Shi as a good official during their conversation. Sun Quan asked him, "Chunyu Shi accused you, but you still speak highly of him, why is that?" Lu Xun replied, "Chunyu Shi wants to govern the people well, that's why he accused me. If I tarnish Chunyu Shi's reputation and mislead you, that would be wrong." Sun Quan said, "This is what a true elder does; unfortunately, few can manage it!"
Lu Meng mentioned he was feeling unwell and wanted to return to Jianye. Lu Su went to see him and said, "Guan Yu is currently near our border; why do you want to go so far? It might complicate things for us later!" Lu Meng said, "You are right, but my illness is really serious." Lu Su said, "Guan Yu, relying on his strong martial arts, always looks down on others. He has just made great achievements, is proud and complacent, and only wants to fight northward, not even considering us. When he hears that you are sick, he'll surely let his guard down. If we strike now by surprise, we can definitely catch him off guard. When you arrive in Jianye to see Sun Quan, you need to come up with a solid plan."
Lü Meng arrived in Jianye, and Sun Quan asked him, "Who can replace you?" Lü Meng replied, "This person, Lu Xun, has deep insights and strong abilities. By the way he approaches problems, he will definitely be able to take on great responsibilities in the future. Moreover, he is relatively unknown, so Guan Yu won't be wary of him, and he has no notable flaws. If we use him, we must make him appear very low-key externally, observe the enemy situation secretly, and then we can defeat Guan Yu." Sun Quan then summoned Lu Xun and appointed him as the Deputy General of the Right Chariot Division, replacing Lü Meng.
Lu Su arrived at Lukou and wrote a letter to Zhou Yu, saying, "Previously, you seized the opportunity to lead the army, commanded the troops according to military laws, and achieved great victories from small ones. It was really amazing! The defeat of the enemy army is beneficial to our alliance. I heard you are quite pleased and will soon be able to decisively defeat the enemy to uphold the court's authority. Recently, due to my limited capabilities, I was assigned to the west. I have always admired your brilliance and hope to learn good strategies from you." He also said, "Yuan Jin and the others have all been captured, and people near and far are very happy. Everyone believes your achievements will be remembered for generations. Even the strategies of Duke Wen of Jin at the Battle of Chengpu and Han Xin's conquest of Zhao pale in comparison to your achievements. I heard that Xu Huang and the others are stationed with a small number of cavalry, observing our flags. Cao Cao is cunning and ruthless when provoked. When angered, he does not consider difficulties. I am worried that he will secretly increase his troops to realize his ambitions. Although the army is tired, there are still brave and skilled warriors. Moreover, after a victory in battle, it is often easy to underestimate the enemy. As the ancients said, 'The art of war is to win consistently, but beware of arrogance.' After the army achieves victory, it must be more vigilant. I hope that you, General, will consider strategies more carefully to ensure ultimate victory. I apologize for my clumsy writing and feel unworthy of heavy responsibilities. I am very happy to be close to your reputation and willing to do my best. Even if my strategies are immature, I hope you can be understanding. If I could receive your guidance, I would gain valuable insights."
After Zhou Yu finished reading Lu Su's letter, he felt that Lu Su was humble and prudent, and felt quite pleased, having no doubts about him. Lu Su detailed the weaknesses of the enemy forces and explained how to defeat them. Sun Quan secretly dispatched troops, appointing Lu Su and Lu Meng as vanguards, and quickly captured Gong'an and Nan County. Lu Su continued to advance, serving as the Prefect of Yidu, appointed as General Who Pacifies the Borders, and granted the title of Marquis of Huating. The Prefect of Yidu, Fan You, abandoned his post and fled, while other officials and tribal leaders surrendered. Lu Su requested some gold, silver, and bronze seals to reward those who had recently surrendered. This took place in the eleventh month of the twenty-fourth year of the Jian'an era.
Lu Su sent Generals Li Yi and Xie Jing to lead three thousand troops against the Shu generals Zhan Yan and Chen Feng. Li Yi led the navy, while Xie Jing led the infantry, cutting off the enemy's supply lines and quickly defeating Zhan Yan and capturing Chen Feng. He then attacked the Prefect of Fangling, Deng Fu, and the Prefect of Nanxiang, Guo Mu, defeating them decisively. The prominent clans of Zigui, such as Wen Bu and Deng Kai, united with several thousand allied tribesmen in the west. Lu Su led his troops to defeat Wen Bu and Deng Kai. Wen Bu and Deng Kai fled, and Shu Han thought they would become leaders. Lu Su sent someone to persuade them to surrender, and Wen Bu led his troops to surrender. In total, tens of thousands were killed, captured, surrendered, or persuaded to defect. Sun Quan appointed Lu Su as Right Protector-General and General Who Guards the West, and promoted him to the title of Marquis of Lou.
There was once a man from Jingzhou who had just returned and had not yet made his mark in the political arena. He submitted a memorial to Sun Quan. In the memorial, he wrote: "In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, established the Han Dynasty and sought out talented individuals from across the land; Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, revitalized the Han Dynasty and also gathered a large number of outstanding talents. As long as education and culture thrive, talents can be recognized no matter how far they come from. Now that Jingzhou has just been pacified, many outstanding talents have yet to be discovered. Although I am foolish, I sincerely request that you, like the heavens that encompass all and the earth that supports all, nurture talent and provide everyone with the chance to pursue their ambitions. In this way, talents from all corners will be eager to align themselves with your benevolent governance." Sun Quan valued his advice and adopted his suggestions. Sun Quan found the young man's arguments compelling and decided to act on his advice. In the year 222 AD, Liu Bei led troops to attack, and Sun Quan appointed Lu Xun as the Grand Commander, assigning him an army of fifty thousand men to resist Liu Bei. Among this army were generals such as Zhu Ran, Pan Zhang, Song Qian, Han Dang, Xu Sheng, Xian Yu Dan, and Sun Huan. Meanwhile, Liu Bei marched from Wuxia and Jianping to Yiling, establishing numerous camps along the route. He also used gold, silver, treasures, and titles to win over local minority groups to aid him in the conflict. He appointed Feng Xi as the Grand Supervisor, Zhang Nan as the Vanguard, and generals Fu Kuang, Zhao Rong, Liao Chun, and Fu Rong as commanders of other camps. He also dispatched Wu Ban with several thousand troops to establish a camp in the open, indicating a clear challenge to Sun Quan's forces.
The generals on Sun Wu's side were all itching for a fight, but Lu Xun said, "There's definitely a trick here. Let's wait and see." When Liu Bei saw that his scheme was uncovered, he mobilized eight thousand hidden troops from the valley. Lu Xun said, "The reason I didn't let everyone attack Wu Ban is because I suspected Liu Bei had another scheme up his sleeve." Then Lu Xun wrote a letter to Sun Quan, saying, "Yiling is the gateway to the realm. Although it is easy to capture, it's not just losing a county; the entire Jingzhou will be in danger. We must defeat Liu Bei now to ensure safety. Liu Bei is going against the natural way, not staying put obediently, and even daring to come to us. Although my ability is limited, I’ll do my best, counting on your might, Sun Quan, to follow the will of heaven and quickly achieve victory. Just look at Liu Bei’s past battles—he’s had more losses than wins. This time will be no different, so there is no need to worry too much. I was worried at first that he might attack by land and sea, but he surprisingly ditched the boats for infantry, setting up camps everywhere. Given his current setup, he shouldn't have any other tricks. Your Majesty, you can rest easy and not worry."
Sun Wu's other generals all felt, "We should have attacked Liu Bei from the beginning. Now that he has moved five or six hundred miles and we've been stuck for seven or eight months, he's managed to hold all the key positions. There’s no benefit in attacking him now." Lu Xun said, "Liu Bei is an old fox with rich experience. When he first arrived, he was clever and tricky to deal with. Now that he has been here for so long without gaining any advantage, his troops are worn out, their morale is down, and he's run out of tricks. This is the perfect time for us to counterattack!" So Lu Xun launched an attack on a camp, but it didn't work out. The other generals said, "We just wasted our soldiers for nothing!" Lu Xun replied, "I've figured out how to beat him!" He ordered each soldier to take a handful of straw and use fire attacks. This tactic worked like a charm, and Lu Xun took advantage of the situation to lead a large army in a joint attack, killing Zhang Nan, Feng Xi, and a few ethnic minority leaders, and took out over forty of Liu Bei's camps. Liu Bei's generals Du Lu, Liu Ning, and others were forced to surrender. Liu Bei ran to Mount Ma'anshan and set up a defense. Lu Xun led a large army to surround Liu Bei from all sides. Liu Bei's army was falling apart, and over ten thousand people died. Liu Bei fled at night, sending people to burn his armor and equipment to just make it to Baidi City. His ships, weapons, equipment, and military supplies were almost all captured, with bodies floating in the river, clogging it up. Feeling ashamed and angry, he shouted, "I can't believe Xun humiliated me! Is God just trying to mess with me?!"
At first, Sun Huan set out alone to confront Liu Bei's vanguard, only to be surrounded by Liu Bei at Yidao and he sought help from Lu Su. Lu Su said, "It's not the right time yet." The other generals argued, "Sun Huan is a relative of Sun Andong, also known as Sun Ce. How can we not come to his aid?" Lu Su replied, "Sun Andong has the support of his soldiers, strong cities, and sufficient food supplies. There’s no cause for concern. Once I’ve devised a plan, even if we don’t come to his rescue, he’ll manage to break free himself." After Lu Su put his plan into action, Liu Bei was indeed routed. Later, Sun Huan met Lu Su and said, "I used to resent you for not coming to my aid, but now I see that your strategy was truly brilliant!"
During the confrontation with Liu Bei, those generals, some of whom were old generals under Sun Ce, and some of noble birth, all proud of their status, refused to obey orders from each other. Lu Su, tapping his sword, said, "Liu Bei is famous throughout the world; even Cao Cao fears him. Now he is within our territory; he is a formidable enemy! All of you have received the country's grace; you should unite with each other and together eliminate this enemy to repay the country's kindness. Instead, you do not obey each other; this is unacceptable! Although I am just a scholar, I am also serving at the behest of our lord. The reason you are to obey my command is that I possess some ability and can bear humiliation. You are each responsible for your own affairs; what is there to hesitate about! Military orders are as unyielding as a mountain and cannot be violated!" After defeating Liu Bei, many of the strategies that led to victory were devised by Lu Su, and the generals finally acknowledged his leadership. Sun Quan asked Lu Su, "Why didn't you report to me at the beginning about those generals disobeying orders?" Lu Su replied, "I feel overly indebted, burdened with responsibilities that exceed my capabilities. And these generals, some are my trusted confidants, some are capable leaders in their own right, and some are meritorious officials; all should work together for the country and achieve great feats. Although I am mediocre, I secretly emulate the modesty of Lin Xiangru and Kou Xun in order to assist the country in achieving great feats." Sun Quan laughed heartily and praised him, promoting Lu Su to Assistant General of the State and concurrently appointed as Governor of Jingzhou, and changed his title to Marquis of Jiangling. Later, when Liu Bei had taken up position in Baidi City, Xu Sheng, Pan Zhang, Song Qian, and others wrote letters, saying that Liu Bei would definitely be captured, and requested to attack again. Sun Quan asked Lu Su; Lu Su, Zhu Ran, and Luo Tong all suspected that Cao Cao was gathering a large army, ostensibly to assist us in attacking Liu Bei, but actually harboring hidden agendas, so they should proceed with caution and hold off on any attacks for the time being. Not long after, the Wei army indeed mobilized, creating a situation where they faced attacks from three sides.
Liu Bei not long after died, and his son Liu Shan succeeded him. Zhuge Liang assumed power and formed an alliance with Sun Quan. At that time, Sun Quan sent Lu Su to liaise with Zhuge Liang and entrusted Lu Su with Sun Quan's seal. Every time Sun Quan wrote a letter to Liu Shan and Zhuge Liang, he would let Lu Su review it first. If there were any issues, Lu Su would revise it, then seal it with the seal before sending it out.
After seven years of ruling, Sun Quan sent Zhou Fang, the Prefect of Poyang, to deceive the Grand Marshal of Wei, Cao Xiu. Cao Xiu indeed led his troops to Wuan County, prompting Sun Quan to quickly appoint Zhuge Jin as the Supreme Commander, giving him the Yellow Battle-axe, a symbol of supreme authority, to confront Cao Xiu. Cao Xiu realized he had been tricked and was humiliated, but banking on his strong army, he still fought against Zhuge Jin. Zhuge Jin led the central army himself, while Zhu Huan and Quan Cong led the left and right wings respectively. The three forces launched a coordinated attack, breaking through Cao Xiu's ambush and defeating his army, killing more than ten thousand soldiers, capturing tens of thousands of cattle, horses, mules, donkeys, and military vehicles, as well as a large amount of military equipment. After Cao Xiu escaped back, he succumbed to poisonous sores on his back.
As the victorious army passed through Wuchang, Sun Quan ordered his attendants to cover Zhuge Jin with the emperor's canopy, allowing him to enter and exit the palace. Zhuge Jin received the finest rewards available, and no one at the time could compare to him. Later, Zhuge Jin was reassigned to Xiling.
In the first year of the Huanglong era, Zhuge Jin was appointed as the Grand General and Right Protector. That year, Sun Quan went to Jianye for an inspection, leaving the Crown Prince, Princes, and the Nine Ministers in Jianye. He summoned Zhuge Jin to assist the Crown Prince, tasked him with overseeing the political affairs of Jingzhou and the three counties of Yuzhang, and entrusted him with managing state affairs. At that time, Jianchang Marquis Lu built a rather elaborate cockfighting arena in front of the hall. Zhuge Jin sternly remarked, "Marquis, you should read more books and improve yourself. Why bother with these things?" Upon hearing this, Jianchang Marquis immediately dismantled the cockfighting arena. The Chief Minister of Archery, Song, was the Crown Prince's closest confidant and managed the army very laxly. Zhuge Jin punished him by having all his officials shaved bald. Xie Jing and Liu Yi from Nanyang advocated for punishment before ceremony, but Zhuge Jin criticized Xie Jing, saying, "Ceremony is more important than punishment. Liu Yi distorts the teachings of the sages with some subtle excuses, which is wrong. Since you currently serve the Crown Prince, you should cultivate a positive image through benevolence and righteousness. Those views should not be mentioned again."
Although Zhuge Jin was in a foreign land, he always thought about national affairs. He wrote to Sun Quan stating, "I think the current laws are too severe, and there are many lawbreakers. In recent years, many generals and officials have been punished for mistakes. While some negligence may warrant blame, the world has not yet been unified. We should focus on progress and show more leniency in minor matters to win the people's hearts. Moreover, as national affairs become increasingly complex, talent is crucial. If they haven't committed any unforgivable offenses, they should be reinstated and allowed to demonstrate their abilities. This is the approach of a wise monarch who overlooks mistakes and remembers merits to build a successful reign. In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han pardoned Chen Ping's mistakes, employed his clever strategies, and ultimately established the foundation of the Han Dynasty, whose achievements have endured through the ages. Harsh laws aren't the path for emperors to achieve great success; punishment without forgiveness isn't a mark of true foresight or wisdom."
Sun Quan wanted to send a contingent to attack Yizhou and Zhuyai, and sought Zhang Zhao's counsel. Zhang Zhao wrote in a letter: "I believe that the world has not yet been completely pacified. We should focus on recuperation to deal with the urgent situation. We have been at war for several years now, and the number of soldiers has decreased significantly. Your Majesty toils day and night, neglecting sleep and food for the country's affairs. Now you want to embark on a distant expedition to Yizhou to solve a major problem. I have given it considerable thought and believe that this would not yield any benefits. A long expedition, unpredictable sea storms, and soldiers not accustomed to the local environment will surely lead to more losses than gains. Sending soldiers to those desolate lands will only result in more losses than gains. Moreover, Zhuyai is a strategically vital location, and the local populace is fierce and untamed. Even if we were to conquer them, it would not bring us any advantage. The military forces in Jiangdong are already adequate. We should accumulate strength and act when the time is right. When King Huan established his enterprise, he only had a few thousand soldiers, yet he achieved great success. Your Majesty has inherited this destiny and expanded and consolidated the Jiangbei region. I understand that quelling rebellions requires a strong military presence to deter the enemy, while agriculture and sericulture are the foundation of the people. The war is ongoing, yet the people are already enduring hunger and cold. I believe we should take good care of the people, reduce their taxes, and ensure their well-being, which will uplift their spirits. At that point, we can pacify the regions north of the Yellow River and Wei River, and the world can be unified." Sun Quan eventually sent troops to attack Yizhou, but ultimately gained nothing from it.
Sun Quan wanted to send some troops to attack Yizhou and Zhuyai, so he asked for Zhang Zhao's opinion. Zhang Zhao wrote him a letter, saying: "I think the country is not yet unified; we should allow the common people to rest and recuperate while we focus on rebuilding the country. We have been at war for several years now, and the number of soldiers has been dwindling. Your Majesty, you have been worrying about the nation tirelessly, and now you want to send troops to such a distant place to fight. After thinking it over, I feel that this would be unwise. The journey is long, the seas are treacherous, and the soldiers may struggle to adapt to the climate, which could lead to illness. Sending troops to such a desolate place would be futile; trying to take advantage may lead to losses. Besides, Zhuyai is a rugged place, and the people there are fierce; even if we conquer it, it wouldn't be of any benefit to us. Their military strength won't pose a threat to us. Our forces in Jiangdong are already strong enough; we should focus on strengthening our position and act when the time is right. When Huan Wen rose to power with a small force, he accomplished great things. Your Majesty, you have inherited the foundation of the late emperor and consolidated the Jiangdong region. The military is important, but the welfare of the people is paramount. The war is not over yet, and the people are already suffering. I believe we should reassure the people, reduce their taxes, and let them live and work in peace; this will boost morale, and when the time is right, we can pacify the northern regions and unify the realm!" As a result, Sun Quan still sent troops to attack Yizhou, but ultimately, there were no gains.
Sun Quan wanted to attack the traitorous Gong Sun Yuan, so Zhuge Liang advised in a memorial, "Gong Sun Yuan relies on the dangerous terrain, deliberately detains messengers, and refuses to offer even good horses, which is indeed infuriating." Gong Sun Yuan is nothing but a barbarian, who has not been influenced by Central Plains culture at all, hiding in the outskirts and daring to defy our army! This has infuriated Your Majesty, wanting to personally lead a large army on an expedition to Liaodong, risking crossing the sea, which is truly concerning!
Now the situation in the world is turbulent, various warlords are vying for power, heroes are eager to try, flexing their muscles everywhere. Your Majesty, with your wise and martial prowess, in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, defeated Cao Cao in the Battle of Red Cliffs, vanquished Liu Bei in the Battle of Xiling, and captured Jingzhou. These three most powerful figures at the time, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and the Sun-Liu alliance, were all vanquished by you. Your virtue has brought peace to the land, and you are about to pacify the Central Plains and unify the country. Yet now, over a trivial matter, you are so enraged, contradicting your usual cautious demeanor, rashly risking the position of the Son of Heaven, which I really cannot understand.
I have heard that those with great ambitions will not give up halfway; those who aspire to unify the realm will not jeopardize great plans over trivial issues. Now, the strong enemy is still within our borders, the remote areas have not completely submitted; if Your Majesty personally leads the army on an expedition, if an unforeseen event occurs, it will be too late for regrets! Even if everything goes according to plan, Gong Sun Yuan will likely surrender out of fear; now, for the people and horses of Liaodong, you would be sacrificing the solid stronghold of Jiangdong. Is it worth it? I respectfully urge Your Majesty to halt military actions for now, use your might to intimidate those savages, pacify the Central Plains first, and plan for the future.
Sun Quan accepted his advice.
In 232 AD, Sun Quan advanced north and sent Lu Su and Zhuge Jin to launch an attack on Xiangyang. Lu Su sent his relative Han Bian to deliver a report back to headquarters, but he encountered the enemy at the Mian River (also known as the Han River) and Han Bian was captured. Upon hearing this, Zhuge Jin felt a surge of fear and quickly wrote a letter to Lu Su saying, "The main force has already returned, and the enemy has captured Han Bian; they must have already figured out our strengths and weaknesses. Also, the water level has receded, we should retreat quickly!" Lu Su did not respond and continued overseeing the planting of vegetables and beans, and played chess and practiced archery with other generals as usual. Zhuge Jin thought to himself, "Boyan (Lu Su's courtesy name) is always resourceful; he must have a plan." So he decided to visit Lu Su personally.
Lu Su said, "The enemy knows that our main force has returned; they won't have any other concerns and will concentrate all their efforts on us. They must have already secured key positions and are in high spirits. We should first stabilize the troops' morale, then formulate a strategy, and finally take action. If we show any signs of retreat now, the enemy will think we are afraid, which would certainly lead to our defeat!" Thus, Lu Su and Zhuge Jin held a secret discussion and decided that Zhuge Jin would command the fleet, while Lu Su would lead the entire ground army toward Xiangyang. The enemy had always feared Lu Su, so upon learning of his approach, they quickly retreated to defend the city. Zhuge Jin seized the opportunity to set sail, while Lu Su methodically organized the troops and expanded their presence, with the infantry following closely behind the fleet, leaving the enemy too intimidated to make any rash moves.
The army arrived at Baiwei (placename), and Lu Su falsely claimed he was stationed here to hunt, secretly sending generals Zhou Jun, Zhang Liang, and others to attack Xinshi, Anlu, and Shiyang in Jiangxia. The market in Shiyang was bustling when Zhou Jun and the others suddenly attacked; the townsfolk dropped their belongings and hurried into the city for safety. The city gates couldn't be shut, and the enemy began to turn on each other, only managing to close the gates reluctantly. This battle resulted in the killing and capturing of more than a thousand people. Lu Su arranged for the captured individuals to be properly cared for, forbidding his soldiers from harassing them. For the families of the soldiers who came to visit, Lu Su arranged for their food and accommodation. If anyone had lost their wives or children, Lu Su provided them with clothing, food, and generous compensation before sending them home.
Many were touched by Lu Su's kindness and brought their families to seek refuge with him. The magistrate of Jiangxia, Zhao Zhuo, the deputy commander of Yiyang, Pei Sheng, and the king of Yi, Mei Yi, all led their subordinates to surrender to Lu Su. Lu Su personally used his own money to support and comfort those who sought refuge with him.
Oh, the Prefect of Xia in Wei County, Lu Shi, was a corrupt official who wielded both civil and military power. He frequently clashed with Wen Xiu, the son of the former northern general Wen Pin. When Sun Quan heard about this, he pretended to write a letter to Lu Shi, saying: "I have received your letter, and I feel very distressed. I know that you and Wen Xiu have long-standing grievances and cannot coexist peacefully. If you want to surrender, secretly send the letter and seal; we will welcome you together. You must act quickly and set a specific time." Sun Quan placed the letter on the border, and Lu Shi's soldiers found it and showed it to him, frightening him greatly. He quickly fled back to Luoyang with his wife and children. As a result, his officials and soldiers no longer supported him, and he was eventually dismissed.
After six years, General Zhou Zhi wanted to recruit soldiers in Poyang County and reported this to Sun Quan. Sun Quan felt that the people of Poyang County were easily instigated and unsettled, and he believed that recruiting soldiers there could attract bandits. However, Zhou Zhi insisted on going ahead with the recruitment, and as a result, Wu Ju and others in Poyang County indeed rebelled, killed Zhou Zhi, and captured several counties. The usual troublemakers from Yuzhang County and Luling County also joined Wu Ju's rebellion. Sun Quan quickly mobilized his troops to quell the rebellion, and soon the rebels surrendered. This time, Sun Quan managed to recruit over 8,000 elite soldiers, and all three counties were pacified.
At that time, the Minister of the Interior, Lv Yi, was secretly consolidating power and acting arrogantly. Sun Quan and the Grand Minister Pan Jun were very worried and even cried. Later, Sun Quan killed Lv Yi, feeling a deep sense of remorse, and this incident is noted in Sun Quan's biography: "For the Welfare of the People, Bestowed by Heaven."
At the same time, Xie Yuan and Xie Yong each proposed suggestions to improve water conservancy and enhance people's livelihoods, which were also reported to Sun Quan. Sun Quan said, "The country sees the people as its foundation; the strength of the country comes from the people's strength, and the country's wealth also comes from the people. When the people are prosperous, the country is strong; when the people are poor, the country is weak. This principle is timeless. Therefore, a ruler who gains the support of the people can govern the country well, but without it, the nation will fall into chaos. If the people aren’t benefiting but are expected to deliver quick results, that’s asking too much! That's why it is said in the poem 'For the Welfare of the People, Bestowed by Heaven.' I hope you can understand the people's struggles, first focus on stabilizing their lives, and after a few years when the national treasury is full, then you can think about other issues."
In the year 243 AD, I succeeded Gu Yong as the Prime Minister. The Emperor issued a decree saying: "My virtues are lacking, and I am reluctantly shouldering this great responsibility for the world. The country is not yet unified, treacherous villains are everywhere, and I worry day and night, unable to find peace in rest or food. Only you, with your exceptional talents and virtues, can lead the generals to quell rebellions and rescue the nation from peril. Those who have extraordinary achievements deserve generous rewards; those with literary and martial talents should bear the heavy responsibilities of the country. Just like the ancient Yi Yin assisting King Tang, and Lv Shang assisting King Zhou, you are talented both inside and out, outstanding in ability. Now I appoint you as the Prime Minister, and send envoys to grant you the position of Grand Preceptor, and bestow upon you the seal of the Prime Minister. I hope you can fully demonstrate your abilities, continue to work hard, faithfully execute my orders, and stabilize the four corners. Oh! You are in charge of the Three Departments; you must teach the officials well; this responsibility is great, you must strive hard! The provincial governors, the military commanders, and the affairs in Wuchang will remain unchanged."
Previously, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Lu both resided in the palace, and many officials inside and outside the court sent their children to serve them. Quan Cong reported the situation to me, and I said, if your son is talented, you don't have to worry about finding a place for him to use his talents; there's no need to send them off secretly to ingratiate themselves with the powerful. If they are not capable, it will only bring trouble. Moreover, it is said that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Lu have considerable influence, and it is inevitable that they will clash with each other, which is a common taboo, as the ancients often warned. Quan Cong's son, Quan Ji, indeed attached himself to the Prince of Lu, gathering factions everywhere and stirring up discord. I wrote a letter advising Quan Cong: "You fail to learn from Ji An's way of handling things and instead turn a blind eye to Quan Ji's misdeeds, which will ultimately spell disaster for your family!" Quan Cong simply did not listen, instead creating a rift between us.
Later, the Crown Prince made some remarks that were detrimental to him. I wrote to the Emperor, saying, "The Crown Prince is the legitimate heir; his position should be as solid as a rock. The Duke of Lu's fief and official titles should be differentiated, so that both parties can feel secure and at peace. I knocked my head to the ground until it bled, earnestly requesting Your Majesty to investigate." I wrote letters continuously three or four times and even requested to go to the capital to present my case in person, wanting to discuss who is more suitable to inherit the throne, the Crown Prince or the Duke of Lu, in order to correct the mistake. However, my requests were denied; instead, my nephew Gu Tan, Gu Cheng, and Yao Xin were exiled because of their closeness to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince's tutor Wu Can, who had been in correspondence with me multiple times, was imprisoned and executed. Sun Quan sent messengers to rebuke me multiple times. Overcome with anger and despair, I passed away at the age of sixty-three, leaving no significant wealth behind.
At first, someone slandered Ji Yan in front of Sun Quan, but Lu Xun advised Sun Quan not to believe it and warned that it would lead to trouble. He also told Zhu Ge Ke, "For those ahead of me, I will definitely move forward with them; for those behind me, I will support them. Looking down on superiors and underestimating subordinates is not a long-term strategy!" At that time, there was a young man in Guangling named Yang Zhu, who was starting to gain some fame. Lu Xun predicted that he would ultimately fail and advised Yang Zhu's brother Yang Mu to separate from him. He always had a knack for foreseeing how things would turn out. Lu Xun's eldest son died young, and his second son Lu Kang inherited the title. During the reign of Sun Xiu, Lu Xun was posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Zhao.
Lu Kang was well-disciplined from a young age and is the maternal grandson of Sun Ce. When Lu Xun passed away, Lu Kang was only twenty years old. He was appointed as the Colonel of Jianwu, leading five thousand troops to the funeral. After the funeral, he went to the capital to offer his thanks. Sun Quan, due to Yang Zhu's accusations against Lu Xun, which included twenty charges, questioned Lu Kang and forbade him from receiving guests, sending people to conduct a harsh interrogation. Lu Kang remained calm and answered all questions clearly and logically, soothing Sun Quan's anger. In the ninth year of the Chiwu era, Lu Kang was promoted to the position of Lijie Zhonglang General, exchanging posts with Zhuge Ke to take charge of Chaisang. Before leaving Chaisang, Lu Kang repaired the city walls and houses, even organizing the mulberry orchards with meticulous attention to detail, showing no signs of carelessness. When Zhuge Ke arrived in Chaisang, he saw everything renewed, feeling embarrassed by the poor condition it had been in prior to his arrival. In the first year of Taiyuan, Lu Kang returned to the capital for medical treatment. As he was preparing to return to Chaisang after his recovery, Sun Quan bid him farewell in tears, expressing regret for not having trusted his father enough and burning all the questions he had previously asked so that no one else could see them. In the first year of Jianxing, Lu Kang was appointed as the General of Valiant Renewal. In the second year of Taiping, Wei general Zhuge Dan surrendered with Shou Chun, and Lu Kang was appointed as the Supervisor of Chaisang, going to Shou Chun and defeating the Wei general known as Pian Jiangjun, subsequently being promoted to General of Conquering the North. In the second year of Yong'an, Lu Kang was appointed as the General of Army Defense, overseeing Xiling and the territories from Guan Yu's era to Baidi City. In the third year of Yong'an, Sun Quan granted Lu Kang temporary authority. After Sun Hao ascended the throne, Lu Kang was subsequently promoted to Grand General of Army Defense and concurrently as the Governor of Yizhou. In the second year of Jianheng, Grand Marshal Shi Ji passed away, and Lu Kang was appointed as the military commander of Xinning, Xiling, Yidao, Lexiang, Gong'an, and other areas, establishing his headquarters in Lexiang.
I heard that there are many deficiencies in the court's edicts, and I am very worried. So I wrote to the emperor, saying: "I heard that if virtue is evenly distributed, then the majority can prevail over the minority; if strengths are equal, then a stable country can overcome a dangerous one. This is the reason why the six states were annexed by the powerful Qin state, and the Western Chu was conquered by Emperor Gaozu of Han. Now the enemy controls most of the country, not limited to just the Guanzhong region; they occupy the Nine Provinces, which extend far beyond the Hong Gou region. There is no support from allied nations beyond our borders, and there is no strong internal power like the Western Chu. All kinds of government affairs are slow, and the people's lives remain unsettled. Those who debate state affairs merely rely on natural barriers to protect the nation. This is a last resort for national defense, not the first consideration for wise statesmen. I often contemplate the rise and fall of the states during the Warring States period from a distance, and observe the lessons of the downfall of the Liu Dynasty up close, study the classics and examine historical records. I lie awake at night tossing and turning in bed, and even forget to eat. Before the Xiongnu were defeated, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing didn't take vacations; when the rule of the Han Dynasty was not yet solidified, Jia Yi wept in sorrow. Moreover, I hail from the imperial family, having enjoyed the emperor's favor for generations. My reputation is closely related to the rise and fall of the country, and my life and death are bound to the fate of the nation. It is my solemn duty to be concerned for the nation, day and night. Thinking about these things makes me feel extremely sad. Serving the monarch should be loyal and upright, not deceiving the monarch; the integrity of a loyal subject lies in self-sacrifice. Therefore, I have carefully outlined seventeen timely recommendations as follows..." The content of the seventeen recommendations has been lost, so there is no record.
He Ding is a despot, and eunuchs interfere in politics. I wrote to the emperor, stating: "I have heard that when establishing a nation or passing down a family legacy, one should not rely on unscrupulous individuals; we must be vigilant against treacherous scoundrels. This is a lesson from the Tang Dynasty; therefore, honest individuals feel anger, and Confucius himself would sigh at this. Since the Spring and Autumn Period until the Qin and Han dynasties, the downfall of every state was caused by scoundrels. These individuals are ignorant and shallow in knowledge; even if they work hard, they are not qualified for important tasks. Moreover, they are inherently deceitful, and their preferences are fickle. Once they succeed, they will do anything. Now, important positions are given to them, granting them absolute power, and hoping for social stability and political clarity is simply impossible. Although there are few talented officials in the court, some come from noble families and received a good education from a young age, or they have worked hard despite poverty and are capable of handling their responsibilities. Positions can be granted based on their abilities, suppressing those scoundrels, so that the social atmosphere can be clear, and government matters can be clean." In 264 AD, Bu Chan, the commander at Xiling, rebelled and sent envoys to surrender to the Jin state. Lu Kang heard about it and immediately sent troops, ordering generals such as Zuo Yi, Wu Yan, and Cai Gong to rush to Xiling. He commanded the construction of a strong encirclement around the military camp, from Chixi to Gushi, with three layers inside and three layers outside, trapping Bu Chan within while guarding against external enemies. He urged them day and night, as if the enemy were already at the gates, causing the soldiers to suffer greatly.
Many generals advised Lu Kang to launch an attack on Bu Chan now while the army's morale is high, and to capture Xiling when the Jin army arrives to provide support, rather than putting so much effort into besieging the city and causing suffering to the people. Lu Kang replied, "Xiling is strategically important, well-supplied with food and grass, and the city defenses are all meticulously designed by me. If we attack rashly now, not only will a quick victory be difficult, but if the Jin army comes to rescue, we are not prepared for it. How will we deal with being attacked from both inside and outside?" The generals were all eager to attack the city, but Lu Kang consistently disagreed. Yidu Prefect Lei Tan persuaded Lu Kang to try attacking once to satisfy the people, but there was no progress, so they had to continue besieging the city.
Jin's General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yang Hu, led a large army towards Jiangling. The generals advised Lu Kang not to go to Jiangling, but Lu Kang said, "Jiangling has strong defenses and sufficient troops; there is nothing to worry about. Even if the enemy occupies Jiangling, they won't be able to hold it, and the losses won't be too great. If Xiling is besieged, the barbarian tribes in the Nanshan region will rebel; that would be real trouble, and the consequences are unimaginable! I would prefer to abandon Jiangling in order to support Xiling, especially since Jiangling is already as secure as a fortress!"
Initially, Jiangling was flat and the roads were open. Lu Kang ordered Jiangling's supervisor Zhang Xian to build a large dam to intercept the river and gradually flood the flat land to block the enemy and rebels from advancing. Yang Hu wanted to use the intercepted water to transport food by boat and intentionally spread rumors about attacking the dam to allow infantry and vehicles to pass. When Lu Kang heard about this, he immediately ordered Zhang Xian to destroy the dam. The generals were confused and urged Lu Kang several times, but he still insisted on his own opinion. When Yang Hu arrived at Dangyang and heard that the dam was destroyed, he was forced to use vehicles for food transport, significantly increasing the drain on manpower and resources.
The naval forces led by Xu Yin, the military supervisor of Ba Dong from the Jin state, arrived at Jianping, while the Governor of Jingzhou, Yang Zhao, also arrived in Xiling. Lu Kang ordered Zhang Xian to defend Jiangling; the Inspector of Gong'an, Sun Zun, to patrol the south bank to guard against Yang Hu; the naval commander Liu Lv and General Zhu Wan to resist Xu Yin; he led the main army himself, relying on encirclement to confront Yang Zhao. At that time, General Zhu Qiao and the Camp Commander Yu Zan defected to Yang Zhao's side. Lu Kang said, "Yu Zan is an experienced officer in the army who knows our strengths and weaknesses. I’ve always worried that the barbarian troops aren’t very strong in battle. If the enemy attacks the city, they will definitely attack here first." So that night, he replaced all the barbarian soldiers with experienced troops. The next day, Yang Zhao indeed attacked the position where the barbarian troops had been stationed. Lu Kang ordered the troops to counterattack, arrows raining down, inflicting heavy casualties on Yang Zhao's forces. Yang Zhao besieged the city for over a month but gained no advantage, so he had no choice but to escape at night. Lu Kang wanted to pursue, but he was concerned that Bu Chan might launch a counterattack, and his forces were not enough to split up. So he merely sounded the drums as a warning, pretending to be ready to pursue. Yang Zhao's army was very scared, discarding their helmets and armor as they fled. Lu Kang sent light troops to pursue, defeating Yang Zhao, forcing Yang Hu and the others to retreat. Lu Kang finally captured Xiling City, executed Bu Chan and his subordinate officers, and pardoned tens of thousands of civilians. After repairing the city defenses, he returned to his hometown, stayed humble and cautious, showing no signs of pride or arrogance, and as a result, the soldiers held him in high regard.
To the General Protector, I heard that Xue Ying, the Left Supervisor of Wuchang, has been locked up. I hurriedly wrote to the Emperor, protesting, "You see, those talented and virtuous people are the country's treasures, the pillars of the state, key to the smooth operation of national affairs, and the guarantee of the court's integrity! Just look at the past, Dasi Nong Lou Xuan, Sanqi Zhong Changshi Wang Fan, and Shao Fu Li Xu were all outstanding talents at that time, appreciated by the Emperor early on, holding high positions, but what happened? They all met a swift execution! Some families were wiped out, and their ancestral tablets were taken down; some were exiled to desolate places. Hey, the Zhou Li contains provisions for pardoning the talented, the Chunqiu has principles of forgiveness, and the Shang Shu even says, 'Rather than killing innocent people, it is better to violate conventions.' But Lou Xuan and the others were sentenced to death without their crimes even being confirmed; they were loyal in their hearts but met a tragic end—truly heartbreaking! Besides, once a person dies, they know nothing, but they are burned and thrown into the water; this is just too cruel; it probably doesn't align with the legal codes set by our ancestors! Therefore, the common folks are heartbroken, and the scholars are grieving too. Lou Xuan and Li Xu have already died; there is no time for regret. I hope Your Majesty can pardon Lou Xuan and release him. As for Xue Ying, I heard he was also arrested. Xue Ying's father, Xue Zong, used to be the Emperor's advisor, assisting Emperor Wen. Xue Ying himself has always been upright, with a good reputation. The crime he committed this time really deserves forgiveness. I'm worried that the authorities haven't thoroughly looked into his case; if they go ahead and kill him, it will only lead to more public outrage! I sincerely ask for Your Majesty's mercy, forgive Xue Ying's sins, show a bit more compassion for the prisoners, and reform the legal system, so that all the people in the world will be grateful to you!"
The war is still ongoing, and the common folk are worn out. I wrote to the emperor to say: I have heard that the Book of Changes teaches us to heed the right timing, documenting both successes and failures. The Xia Dynasty was destroyed by Shang Tang due to their grave offenses, and King Zhou of Shang was defeated by King Wu of Zhou because of his tyranny. If the timing is not right, disasters will strike like they did at Yutai, and armies will retreat like at Mengjin. Right now, we're not focusing on making the country rich and the military strong, not working to boost agriculture and build up food reserves, not making sure officials do their jobs, and departments are left unfilled. Officials are openly assessed, rewards and punishments are clear, officials are educated with morals, and the people are comforted with compassion. Only by doing this can we align with the will of heaven, achieve great success, and unify the world. However, the generals are getting caught up in costly military actions just for the sake of reputation, blowing huge military budgets at the drop of a hat, leaving soldiers exhausted while the enemy shows no signs of weakness. Meanwhile, we're already in dire straits! Now, in order to compete for the throne, we are overlooking the country’s core interests. This is a treasonous and shortsighted plan, not a long-term strategy for the nation! In the past, the states of Qi and Lu fought three times, with Lu winning twice but soon meeting their end. Why? Because the strength difference between them was too great! Moreover, the spoils from this war won't even cover our losses. With insufficient military strength, this is a lesson that the ancients already figured out. We should seriously think about pausing the attacks for now, resting and rebuilding our national strength, keeping an eye on the situation, and waiting for the right moment to strike, so we don't end up regretting it later.
Your Majesty, think about it, the common people are suffering immensely from this war. As the I Ching states, we must act according to the timing. The Xia Dynasty was overthrown by Shang Tang because of its grave transgressions, and King Zhou of Shang was defeated by King Wu of Zhou due to his tyranny. These serve as lessons from history. If we fail to take the time to rest and recuperate, strengthen our military, and enrich our nation, while continuing with reckless warfare, the consequences will be unimaginable! We are not developing agriculture, not cultivating talents, and officials are not fulfilling their duties properly. How can we win the war? The generals are preoccupied with their own fame, spending money on warfare as if it were water. The soldiers are utterly exhausted, the enemy remains unweakened, while we are struggling to hold our ground. Neglecting the fundamental interests of the state in pursuit of territorial gains is sheer folly! In the past Battle of Qilu, although the State of Lu may have won twice, it ultimately faced destruction, illustrating a significant disparity in strength. The current losses of war far exceed any gains; we must halt the war, recuperate, build our strength, and wait for the opportune moment to prevent future regrets. In the spring of the following year, I was appointed Grand Marshal and Governor of Jingzhou.
In the summer of the third year, I fell ill and wrote to the emperor: "Xiling and Jianping are the country's border fortresses, located downstream, facing threats from enemies on both flanks. If the enemy takes boats downstream, with warships stretching for miles, moving as swiftly as shooting stars, suddenly attacking, there won't be time to call for reinforcements from elsewhere. This is about the safety of the nation, not just a trivial border incursion! My father once said on the western border that Xiling is the western gate of the nation—it's easy to defend but equally easy to lose. If Xiling falls, not only will one county be lost, but the entire Jingzhou will fall into the hands of Wu. If the enemy truly attacks, the court must spare no effort in the fight. When I was in Xiling before, I visited the places where my father worked and requested the court to send an additional 30,000 elite soldiers, but the officials in charge refused to send troops. Since Bu Chan, the military strength in Xiling has dwindled significantly. Now, I command a vast territory, facing threats from enemies on all sides, needing to defend against powerful foes outside and appease various tribes inside, while the court sees merely a few tens of thousands of troops and scant resources, many of whom are old, weak, sick, and exhausted, unable to handle emergencies. I believe the princes are still quite young and lack the experience for state affairs, so a regent should be appointed to guide their development, avoiding wars and focusing on important matters. Eunuchs and officials are hastily recruiting soldiers, driving the populace to flee. I urge the emperor to issue a decree to meticulously account for and gather all the deserters, reinforce weak border defenses, boost my forces to 80,000 troops, relieve the burden on the people, strictly enforce rewards and punishments, and guard against any deceit. If the military remains stagnant and the system unchanged, I am deeply concerned about our prospects for success. If I die, I request that the western region be entrusted to my descendants. I trust Your Majesty will give my words serious consideration, so that my legacy may endure for generations to come."
Not provided.
Qiu died, and his son Yan inherited his position. Yan, along with his brothers Jing, Xuan, Ji, and Yun, were responsible for resisting the Jin army's attacks. Yan became the General of the Left and Inspector of the Yi Road. In the fourth year of the Tianji era, the Jin army attacked the Wu Kingdom. General Longxiang Wang Jun led his army down the river, sweeping down with unstoppable force and ultimately achieving the expected goal. Jing, also known as Shiren, was appointed Cavalry Captain due to his marriage to a princess and was granted the title of Marquis of Piling. He also fought against the Jin army and later became the Adjutant General and Supervisor of Zhongxia. He was a man of integrity who loved learning and wrote numerous essays. On Renxu day of the second month, Yan was killed by Wang Jun's army. On Guihai day, Jing was also killed at just thirty-one years old. Jing's wife was Sun Hao's sister, and both he and Jing were grandsons of Zhang Cheng.
Commentary: Liu Bei commanded respect as he dominated the world. Lu Xun was in his prime, still relatively unknown, but managed to defeat Liu Bei and achieve his goals completely. I am amazed by Lu Xun's strategies and admire Sun Quan's ability to judge people, which allowed them to achieve great things! Lu Xun was loyal and sincere, deeply concerned for his country and its people, even sacrificing himself for the nation, truly a loyal minister to the state! His sons fought against strong enemies, inheriting their father's excellent qualities, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations. While they may not have been as grand as their father, they still upheld the family legacy and made notable achievements!
