He Qi, style name Gongmiao, was from Shan Yin, Kuaiji Prefecture. When he was young, he served as an official in the county and later became the county magistrate of Shan County. There was a clerk in the county named Si Cong, who mixed with disreputable characters and committed wrongdoings. He Qi wanted to punish him, but the county registrar warned him, saying, "Si Cong comes from a prominent local family, and the mountain tribes rely on him. If you punish him today, the mountain tribes will launch an attack on the county tomorrow." He Qi was furious upon hearing this warning and immediately executed Si Cong. Si Cong's relatives and friends quickly gathered more than a thousand people and attacked the county. He Qi led the county officials and the people, opened the city gates, and defeated them, terrifying the mountain tribes. Later, there was a rebellion in Taimo and Fengpu, and He Qi was transferred to Taimo as the county magistrate. He killed the evildoers, rewarded the good people, and within a month, he successfully quelled the rebellion.
In the first year of Jian'an, Sun Ce came to visit Kuaiji County and regarded He Qi as a man of talent and filial piety. At that time, Wang Lang fled to Dongye, and the magistrate of Houguan County, Shang Sheng, also rebelled with Wang Lang. Sun Ce appointed Han Yan, the county magistrate of Yongning, as the southern commander to lead troops to suppress Shang Sheng, while appointing He Qi as the county magistrate of Yongning. Han Yan was defeated by Shang Sheng, and He Qi took over Han Yan's position as the commander. When Shang Sheng heard of He Qi's reputation, he greatly feared and sent a messenger to propose an alliance with He Qi. He Qi seized the opportunity to reason with him, explaining the perils of rebellion and the advantages of surrender. In the end, Shang Sheng reluctantly surrendered his seal and official robe, requesting to surrender.
However, the dashing bandit Zhang Ya, Zhan Qiang, and others were unwilling to surrender; instead, they killed Shang Sheng. Zhang Ya claimed to be the "Supreme General," and Zhan Qiang claimed to be the "Governor of Kuaiji." At that time, the rebel forces were strong, while He Qi's troops were insufficient for an offensive, so they decided to let the army rest first. Zhang Ya and his son-in-law He Xiong had conflicts due to power struggles, so He Qi used the mountain Yue people to sow discord between them, fostering mutual suspicion and attacks between them. When the time was right, He Qi led the troops to attack and defeated Zhang Ya decisively in a single battle, scaring Zhan Qiang's subordinates into surrendering one after another.
After Houguan County was pacified, chaos broke out once more in Jian'an, Hanxing, and Nanping. Qi State sent troops to Jian'an and established a commandery there, which was in the eighth year of Jianwu. Five thousand soldiers were recruited from various counties, each led by their respective county officials, all obeying the command of Qi State.
The bandits Hong Ming, Hong Jin, Yuan Yu, Wu Mian, and Hua Dang each led over ten thousand households of troops, gathering in Hanxing. Wu Mian stationed with five to six thousand households in Datan, and Zou Lin stationed with six thousand households in Gaizhu; they emerged from Yuhang, preparing for an attack. To attack Hanxing, the army had to pass through Yuhang. The Qi King felt outnumbered by the enemy forces, and going deep into enemy territory without reinforcements worried him about being cut off. He ordered the magistrate of Songyang County, Ding Fan, to stay in Yuhang just in case. Ding Fan was originally from a neighboring county of Qi and, feeling humiliated, was reluctant to remain with the troops, refusing the Qi King's order. In a fit of rage, the Qi King executed Ding Fan, causing everyone in the army to be too scared to disobey orders.
Then King Qi divided his forces to remain behind, leading the main army to confront Hong Ming and his followers, achieving several consecutive major victories. He executed Hong Ming in Linchen, and the bandits Wu Mian, Hua Dang, Hong Jin, and Yuan Yu surrendered. He then attacked Gaizhu, and the army moved towards Datang, where two more generals surrendered. In total, the rebellion was suppressed, resulting in over six thousand enemy combatants being executed, capturing all the prominent generals. New counties were subsequently established, and King Qi assigned me the command of ten thousand troops, appointing me as Colonel of Pingdong. In the tenth year of the Jianwu era, I received orders to attack Shangrao, and a portion of Shangrao was designated to establish Jianping County.
Thirteen years later, Sun Quan sent him to be a Colonel in Weiwu to quell the rebellion in Yixian and Shexian in Danyang. At that time, the towns of Wuqiang, Yexiang, Dongyang, and Fengpu were the first to surrender. Sun Quan proposed renaming Yexiang to Shixin County. However, Jin Qi, the leader of the rebel army in Shexian, was stationed with over ten thousand troops at Anle Mountain, while Mao Gan was stationed with over ten thousand troops at Wuliao Mountain, and the leaders of the rebel army in Yixian, Chen Pu and Zushan, were stationed with over twenty thousand troops at Linli Mountain. Linli Mountain was surrounded by cliffs on all sides, tens of zhang high, with narrow, treacherous paths that even shields couldn't traverse. The rebel soldiers, at a higher vantage point, threw stones down, rendering an attack impossible. The army remained there for several days, and the generals grew increasingly anxious. Sun Quan personally went out to survey the terrain, quietly selecting some nimble soldiers to craft iron hooks. In unexpected, hidden, and treacherous locations, a small path was opened with iron hooks, and they stealthily climbed up at night. Many climbed the ropes, with hundreds making their way up, dispersing in all directions, beating gongs and drums. Sun Quan also led the troops waiting for them. The rebel soldiers, hearing drum sounds from all directions in the middle of the night, thought the main army had arrived, sending them into a panic, unsure of what to do. Those responsible for guarding the roads and defenses all ran back. The main army took advantage of the situation and attacked, defeating Chen Pu and the others, resulting in the beheading of seven thousand rebels. Sun Quan then proposed splitting Shexian into the counties of Xinding, Liyang, and Xiuyang. Combining Yixian and Shexian, which made a total of six counties, Sun Quan designated them as a new commandery. Sun Quan himself became the governor, establishing his government office in Shixin County, and was also promoted to deputy general.
In the sixteenth year of the reign, Lang Zhi, a commoner from Yuhang County, Wu Commandery, led several thousand followers in a rebellion. Sun Quan sent him to suppress the rebellion, and Lang Zhi was swiftly defeated. Sun Quan then proposed to divide Yuhang County into Lingshui County. Lang Zhi was tasked with handling this matter, and on his way back to the county, Sun Quan personally went to the outskirts to meet him, with performances of song and dance, and even elephants! He rewarded Lang Zhi with a luxurious carriage and several fine horses, allowing him to ride directly without dismounting. Sun Quan smiled at Lang Zhi and said, "People must strive. It is not just through the accumulation of merit that one can obtain these rewards." He then turned back after walking a hundred steps.
In the eighteenth year, the people of Yuzhang, including Peng Cai, Li Yu, and Wang Hai, rebelled, with over ten thousand people! Sun Quan sent Lang Zhi to suppress the rebellion, which was quickly quelled. The leaders were killed, and the rest surrendered. The able-bodied soldiers were incorporated into the army, while the rest were recorded in the household registers of various counties. Sun Quan promoted Lang Zhi to the rank of Fenu General.
In the twentieth year, Sun Quan led his forces to besiege Hefei. As the defenders of the city emerged to fight, Xu Sheng was injured and lost his spear. Sun Quan charged into the enemy lines and retrieved Xu Sheng's spear.
In the year 222 AD, a man named You Tu in Poyang emerged, who accepted an official seal from Cao Cao and turned bandit, leading a rebellion across Lingyang, Shi'an, Jingxian, and beyond. Sun Quan dispatched Lu Xun to defeat him, resulting in You Tu's capture. Thousands of enemies were slain, and the remaining followers were frightened, leading the three counties of Danyang to surrender. Sun Quan estimated that he commanded around eight thousand elite soldiers. Later, Sun Quan appointed him General of Andong and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Shanyin, stationed him by the river to oversee the region from Fuzhou to Wuan County.
In the first year of the Huangwu era, Cao Cao sent Cao Xiu to lead troops into battle. Sun Quan, because of the long journey, arrived relatively late and first established a defensive formation in Xinshi to resist. As a result, the troops on the other side encountered a great storm and suffered heavy losses, which terrified the soldiers. Fortunately, Sun Quan had not yet crossed the river, and his elite troops remained unscathed, with other generals depending on him to maintain their positions. Sun Quan, known for his opulent lifestyle and love of grandeur, especially liked military affairs. His armor and weapons were particularly exquisite, and the ships he sailed were intricately adorned with dragon and phoenix carvings, glistening with gold and jade. The flags, weapons, and even bows, crossbows, and arrows on the ship were all made of the best materials. Those warships, seen from afar, looked majestic like mountains. Seeing this, Cao Xiu and his troops were intimidated and withdrew. Later, Sun Quan promoted Sun Qi to the position of Rear General and appointed him as the acting governor of Xuzhou. Initially, Jin Zong was a minor general based in Xikou, but later he defected to Wei and became the governor of Qichun. He even plotted to launch a surprise attack on Anle County to seize its resources. Sun Quan was both embarrassed and furious. Shortly after the army's recent battle during the sweltering June heat, Sun Quan unexpectedly commanded Sun Qi to lead an assault with Mi Fang, Xianyu Dan, and others, which led to the capture of Jin Zong. Four years later, Sun Qi died. His son Sun Da and brother Sun Jing were both exceptional and formidable generals. Quan Cong, styled Zihuang, was from Hangzhou, Zhejiang. His father, Quan Rou, was recognized for his filial piety and integrity during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han and later became the Right Assistant Secretary. When Dong Zhuo rebelled, Quan Rou resigned and returned home. Later, the province invited him to serve as an assistant, and the court issued an edict appointing him as Commandant of Eastern Kuaiji. After Sun Ce arrived in Wu, Quan Rou was the first to rally troops to his cause, and Sun Ce recommended Quan Rou as Commandant of Danyang. When Sun Quan rose to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry, he appointed Quan Rou as Chief Historian, and later transferred him to serve as Prefect of Guiyang.
Once, Quan Cong of the Quan family brought several thousand measures of rice to Wu to trade. After arriving, Quan Cong distributed the rice to those in need and returned with an empty ship. Quan Rou was furious, but Quan Cong quickly apologized and explained that he believed the scholars were in dire need of the rice, so he distributed it to them without reporting back. Quan Rou came to admire his actions. Scholars from the Central Plains had fled to the south to avoid the chaos of war, and more than a hundred of them took refuge in Quan Cong's home. Quan Cong shared everything he had with them, earning him a good reputation. Later, Sun Quan appointed him as the Fenwei Colonel, gave him several thousand troops, and dispatched him to campaign against the Shanyue tribes. Quan Cong recruited over ten thousand elite soldiers and stationed them at Niuzhu, gradually rising in rank to Deputy General.
In the 24th year of Jian'an, Liu Bei sent Guan Yu to besiege Fancheng and Xiangyang. Quan Cong submitted a strategy to Sun Quan to attack Guan Yu. Sun Quan, who had already conspired with Lu Meng to launch a surprise attack on Guan Yu, did not acknowledge Quan Cong's proposal. After Guan Yu was captured, Sun Quan held a celebration in Gong'an and praised Quan Cong for his earlier suggestion. Quan Cong was then appointed as the Marquis of Yanghuating.
In the first year of Huangchu, a large Wei fleet set out from Dongkou. Sun Quan sent Lu Fan to lead the generals to resist, with the two armies facing each other. The Wei forces frequently used light boats to launch sneak attacks, but Quan Cong was always prepared for battle, wearing armor and leading his soldiers. Eventually, thousands of Wei soldiers emerged from the river, but Quan Cong defeated them and killed the Wei general Yin Lu. Sun Quan then promoted Quan Cong to General of Suinan and further granted him the title of Marquis of Qiantang. Four years later, Sun Quan appointed him as acting Prefect of Jiujiang and bestowed upon him the authority of a Regional Commander.
In the seventh year of Sun Quan's rule, he arrived at Wan County and sent Lv Fan and General Fuguo, Lu Xun, to defeat Cao Xiu, scoring a decisive victory at Shiting. At that time, the common folk in Danyang, Wu County, and Kuaiji rose up in rebellion again, attacking and occupying several counties. Sun Quan then identified the more perilous areas in these three regions and set up a new Dong'an County, appointing Lv Fan as the governor. After Lv Fan arrived in Dong'an County, he was fair and strict with rewards and punishments, recruited and surrendered rebels, and within a few years, he had gathered over 10,000 followers. Later, Sun Quan called Lv Fan back to Niuzhu and disbanded Dong'an County. In the second year of the Jiahe era, Lv Fan led 50,000 troops to subdue Luan. The locals in Luan scattered, and his subordinates suggested splitting up to capture them. Lv Fan said, "Taking risks based on luck has a success rate of less than ten percent, and that's not a responsible course of action for the country. Now, splitting the troops to capture the locals would lead to a fifty-fifty chance of success or failure. How can this possibly be seen as a foolproof plan? Even if some people are caught, it wouldn't be enough to weaken the enemy or meet the country’s expectations. If something unexpected happens along the way, the losses could be significant. I'd rather own up to my mistakes than risk offending the country just for personal glory."
In the ninth year of Chiwu, Lv Fan was appointed as the Right Grand Marshal and Left General. He was respectful and obedient, skilled at reading the intentions of his superiors, and never contradicted Sun Quan in his words and actions. Initially, Sun Quan planned to attack Zhuyai and Yizhou, and always sought Lv Fan's opinion beforehand. Lv Fan said, "With the strength of our court, there is nowhere that cannot be conquered. However, those remote places, separated by the sea, with poisonous water, soil, and climate, have long been regarded as inhospitable. If the army goes in, the civilians will definitely get sick and spread diseases among themselves. Those who go may find it hard to come back, and what real benefit can we expect? It's quite unwise to waste our troops on a risky venture for a potential small gain." Sun Quan did not heed his advice. As a result, over the course of the year-long campaign, the soldiers who died from illness made up eighty to ninety percent, and Sun Quan regretted it. Later, when Sun Quan later reflected on this, Lv Fan said, "At that time, no one among the ministers advised against it; I think this is an act of disloyalty."
Due to Sun Quan's high regard for Lv Fan, his family members were also favored with countless rewards and riches, but he remained humble and cautious, showing no trace of arrogance in how he interacted with others. In the twelfth year of Chiwu, Lv Fan died, and his son Lv Yi inherited his title. Later, Lv Yi led troops into battle to rescue Zhuge Dan during the siege of Shou Chun. However, before they could save the city, he surrendered to the Wei Kingdom, who appointed him as the General Who Pacifies the East and the Marquis of Linxiang. Lv Fan's nephews, Lv Yi, Lv Ji, Lv Jing, and others also surrendered to the Wei Kingdom, becoming county governors and marquises.
Lu Dai, courtesy name Dinggong, was a native of Hailing in Taizhou, Jiangsu. He started as a minor official in the local area, but later fled south due to the chaos of war. After Sun Quan came into power, Lu Dai went to work in Sun Quan's administration. Sun Quan appointed him as the county magistrate of Wuxian County. Sun Quan personally inspected the warehouses and prisons of each county, and all county magistrates were required to undergo inspections. Lu Dai managed everything methodically and answered questions to Sun Quan's satisfaction. As a result, Sun Quan promoted him to the position of recorder, and later appointed him as the county magistrate of Yuyao. He recruited over a thousand elite soldiers while in Yuyao.
At that time, bandits such as Lu He and Qin Lang rose in rebellion across five counties in eastern Kuaiji. Sun Quan sent Lu Dai as the chief military commander, alongside General Jiang Qin and his troops, to lead the troops to suppress the rebellion. Lu He and Qin Lang were captured, and the five counties were restored to peace. Sun Quan was pleased and promoted Lu Dai to the rank of General of Zhaoxinxian.
In the 20th year of Jian'an, Sun Quan sent Lu Dai and ten other generals, including Sun Mao, to attack the three counties of Changsha. Later, officials from Ancheng, Youxian, Yongxin, and Chaling Counties sought refuge in Yingshan City and banded together to resist Lu Dai. Lu Dai besieged Yingshan City and quickly captured them, taking control of the three counties. Sun Quan ordered Lu Dai to remain in Changsha to defend it. However, Wu Chang of Ancheng and General Yuan Long, with the backing of Guan Yu, rebelled again. Wu Chang occupied Youxian, and Yuan Long was in Lilang. Sun Quan sent General Lu Su to attack Youxian, prompting Wu Chang to flee. Lu Dai besieged Lilang, captured Yuan Long, and executed him. Afterwards, Lu Dai was promoted to Prefect of Luling.
In the first year of Yankang, Lv Dai took over as the Inspector of Jiaozhou from Bu Zhi. Shortly after arriving in Jiaozhou, the rebel leader of Gao Liang, Qian Bo, surrendered. Lv Dai immediately approved and appointed Qian Bo as the Commandant of Western Gao Liang. Later, the indigenous people of Yulin rebelled and besieged the counties, but Lv Dai led his troops to defeat them. At that time, the bandit Wang Jin from Guiyang and Zhengyang gathered forces on the border of Nanhai and caused chaos everywhere. Sun Quan ordered Lv Dai to quell them, and Lv Dai captured Wang Jin alive, escorted him to the capital, beheaded him, capturing and killing more than ten thousand bandits in total. Lv Dai was promoted to General of Annan, awarded the ceremonial axe, and granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang.
When the Governor of Jiaozhi, Shi Xie, died, Sun Quan appointed Shi Xie's son, Shi Hui, as the General of Anyuan, in charge of Jiu Zhen Prefecture, and sent the Commandant Chen Shi to assist Shi Hui. Sun Quan divided the three counties of Hainan Island into Jiaozhou, appointed General Dai Liang as the Inspector, and divided the four counties of Haidong into Guangzhou, where he would serve as Inspector. Sun Quan sent Dai Liang and Chen Shi to the south, but Shi Hui refused to obey orders and stationed his troops at the seaport to resist Dai Liang and his forces.
Upon hearing this news, Dai Liang immediately wrote to Sun Quan, requesting to attack Shi Hui. Sun Quan then led three thousand troops, traveled day and night, and crossed the sea by boat. Some advised Sun Quan, saying, "After all, Shi Hui is bound by hereditary ties, and the local people all support him. It's unwise to act rashly." Sun Quan, however, said, "Although Shi Hui may have rebellious intentions now, he certainly did not expect us to arrive so swiftly. If we quietly send our troops and catch him off guard, we are bound to win! If we delay and let him recover, he will defend the city, and the people of the seven counties and various Baiyue tribes will support him. Even the smartest person won't be able to deal with him!" Thus, Sun Quan set off and reached Hepu, proceeding together with Dai Liang.
Shi Hui heard that Sun Quan was coming and was terrified, not knowing how to respond. He quickly went shirtless and brought his six brothers to meet Sun Quan. Sun Quan killed them all and sent their severed heads. Shi Hui's generals Gan Li, Huan Zhi, and others led officials and civilians to attack Sun Quan. Sun Quan fought valiantly and achieved a great victory, earning the title of Marquis of Panyu. Sun Quan abolished the Guangzhou commandery and reinstated the original Jiaozhou setup. After pacifying Jiaozhou, Sun Quan launched an attack on Jiuzhen, killing and capturing tens of thousands. He also sent officials to the south to spread the court's teachings; even kings from lands such as Funan, Linyi, and Tangming beyond Jiaozhi sent envoys to pay their respects. Sun Quan was pleased and promoted him to General of Zhen Nan.
In 229 AD, after pacifying the south, Sun Quan recalled Lv Dai and stationed him at Oukou in Changsha. Around this time, the tribes in the Wuling region began to stir again, and Lv Dai, along with Taichang Pan Jun, jointly suppressed the rebellion.
In 232 AD, Sun Quan ordered Lv Dai to lead Pan Zhang's forces to garrison at Lukou, and later moved to Puqi. The following year, the bandits Li Huan and Lu He from Luling, Sui Chun from Kuaiji Dongye, and Luo Li from Nanhai all revolted. Sun Quan ordered Lv Dai to mobilize Liu Zuan, Tang Zi, and others to quell the uprisings. Sui Chun quickly surrendered, and Lv Dai appointed him as a General, granting him command of his own forces. Eventually, Sui Chun rose to prominence as a general. Li Huan, Luo Li, and the others were ultimately slain, and their severed heads were dispatched to the capital.
Sun Quan gave Lu Dai a decree, saying: "Luo Li relied on the dangerous terrain to cause chaos, and in the end met a tragic fate, ending up decapitated; Li Huan was fierce, cunning, and treacherous; he had previously surrendered but later rebelled. We have spent several years trying to capture him without success. If it weren't for your good strategies, who could have taken him down? Your loyalty and martial skills have become even more evident. The main criminals have been eliminated, the bandits are terrified, and the remaining thugs have been completely eliminated. From now on, the country no longer needs to worry about rebellion in the south. The people in the three counties can now live and work peacefully, free from fear, and we can also apprehend these criminals for forced labor, which is truly gratifying! The rewards will not exceed one month; this is the country’s tradition and policy, so you can handle it yourself."
Lu Dai took over the management of the documents in Jingzhou after Pan Jun's tenure, and together with Lu Xun in Wuchang, he was in charge of overseeing Puqi. Shortly after, Liao Shi rebelled, launching attacks and besieging cities, causing unrest in Lingling, Cangwu, Yulin, and other counties. Lu Dai urgently requested to depart and rushed to the battlefield day and night. Sun Quan sent envoys to appoint Lu Dai as the Governor of Jiaozhou and dispatched generals like Tang Zi to gradually reinforce the troops. After a year of fighting, the rebellion was finally suppressed; Liao Shi and the false Linhe Prefect Fei Yang were killed, along with their accomplices. All counties returned to peace, and Lu Dai returned to Wuchang. By that time, he was already eighty years old, yet he remained physically strong, devotedly assisting Sun Quan.
General Zhang Cheng of Fenwei wrote a letter to Lu Dai, saying: "In the past, Zhou Gongdan assisted King Cheng and composed the 'Zhou Songs: Ernan.' Now, you and Lu Xun are just like Zhou Gongdan himself! You are loyal and hardworking, humble towards each other, all achievements go to Sun Quan, your virtues align with moral principles, gentlemen admire your character, and even the common folk appreciate your good reputation. Furthermore, you manage a huge volume of paperwork every day and welcome a steady stream of guests; even when you're exhausted, you keep working without ever complaining. I also know that you can mount a horse by yourself without any help, which is even more impressive than Lian Po himself. How do you manage to do everything so efficiently? The 'Book of Changes' says, 'ritual' emphasizes respect, 'virtue' emphasizes nobility; how can you possess all these good qualities?"
After Lu Xun's death, Zhuge Ke took over Lu Xun's position. Sun Quan split Wuchang into two regions, and Lu Dai was responsible for supervising the right part, with authority over the area from Wuchang to Puqi. Later, Lu Dai was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the deputy army captain of Zikai, continuing to oversee military affairs in Puqi. After Sun Liang ascended the throne, Lu Dai was appointed as the Grand Marshal.
Lu Dai was upright and law-abiding; he earned a good reputation wherever he served. While serving in Jiaozhou, he struggled to feed and clothe himself and his family, not sending money home for many years. When Sun Quan learned of this, he felt deep regret and reprimanded his officials, stating: "Lu Dai came from afar, worked hard for the country, but his family is so poor, and I didn't know. As my trusted advisor, where is their responsibility in this?" Thus, Sun Quan ordered rewards for Lu Dai, including money, food, cloth, and silk, and mandated that these rewards be given annually.
Lu Dai was initially on good terms with Xu Yuan, a man from Wu County. Xu Yuan was generous and ambitious. Lu Dai recognized Xu Yuan's talent, so he gave him hats and clothes, often discussing matters with him. Later, he recommended Xu Yuan for an official position, and Xu Yuan eventually became a Servant of the Imperial Secretariat. Xu Yuan was loyal and straightforward, enjoying speaking his mind. Sometimes when Lu Dai made mistakes, Xu Yuan would advise him openly and even criticize him publicly. When someone informed Lu Dai about this, he sighed, "This is why I value Deyuan (Xu Yuan's courtesy name)!" After Xu Yuan passed away, Lu Dai cried sorrowfully, saying, "Deyuan, you were Lu Dai's good friend. Now that you have unfortunately passed away, who can I turn to for advice on my mistakes?" People praised Lu Dai's character for this.
In 73 BC, Zhou Fang died at 96. His son, Zhou Kai, inherited his title. Before his death, Zhou Fang's will requested a simple burial with a plain coffin and rough clothing. Zhou Kai followed his father's wishes in handling the funeral.
Zhou Fang, courtesy name Ziyu, was from Yangxian, Wu County. He loved studying from a young age and was recommended as an exemplary candidate for filial piety and integrity, serving as the magistrate of Ningguo County and later transferring to be the magistrate of Huai'an County. Later, when Peng Shi, the Prefect of Qiantang, and others rebelled, the court appointed Zhou Fang as the magistrate of Qiantang County to quell the rebellion. Within a month, Zhou Fang had executed Peng Shi and his followers and was subsequently promoted to Commander of Danyang West. During the Huangwu period, the Poyang Prefect Peng Qi rebelled and took control of nearby cities. The court then appointed Zhou Fang as the Poyang Prefect to join forces with Hu Zong to attack Peng Qi. They joined forces and ultimately captured Peng Qi alive, escorting him to Wuchang. As a result, Zhou Fang was further appointed as the Colonel of Zhaoyi.
Later, the court ordered Zhou Fang to secretly search for the old clan leaders in the mountains who were powerful but whose existence was unknown to Cao Xiu, the Grand Marshal of Wei and Governor of Yangzhou, and to try to sow discord with Cao Xiu. Zhou Fang replied: The local bullies and corrupt gentry in the mountains lack the strength to be relied upon, and this matter is likely to be leaked, making it hard to successfully sow discord with Cao Xiu. He requested permission from the court to send trusted individuals with seven letters to deceive Cao Xiu.
The content of the first letter is: "I, Zhou Fang, have had the fortune to govern the people of this region for many years, but the court feels so far away, and I have not been able to fully demonstrate my loyalty. I constantly look up to the brilliance of the court, all of which is arranged by heaven. My talents and merits are insignificant, and my position is not prominent. Although I eagerly desire the court's recognition, I do not know how to express it. As the saying goes, 'a dead fox will always return to its den,' people will always long for their homeland. However, now I am forced to surrender against my will. I often gaze westward alone, day and night yearning for the court, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Now, I seize this opportunity to express my loyalty to the court. Without divine guidance, how could I have come this far? I long for the court's trust and have sent my trusted confidants, Dong Cen, Shao Nan, and others, to deliver this letter of surrender. I've explained the current situation in another letter, and I hope you can shine like the sun and moon, illuminating the lives of the people in our remote regions and granting them your protection."
The second letter states: "I am now exiled to a remote area, far from the court, unable to benefit from your grace and guidance, and can only silently demonstrate my loyalty in the remote mountains and dense forests, fearing that you may still not fully trust my sincerity. Everything possesses a spirit, and circumstances change over time; this truth holds for both ancient and modern times. When I served in Dongdian County, I hoped to gain your appreciation and made a vow to be loyal to you forever. But unexpectedly, I was recently unjustly accused; danger is like a ticking clock, as fragile as an egg, leaving me in a dilemma. If I leave, I will be seen as abandoning my post; if I stay, I may be wrongly killed. Although my contributions may be small, my life and death are tied to my loyalty, and I feel deeply wronged! I take the liberty of following the ancients to express my heartfelt sentiments to you, sincerely stating my true feelings. I hope you can show mercy to my plight, just as spring nourishes all living things, dispel your doubts, and allow me to continue serving the court. If this matter were to be revealed, the consequences would be dire; on one hand, it would hurt your compassionate heart and damage your wise decision-making; on the other hand, it would chill the hearts of those who wish to be loyal to the court. I earnestly request that you see through my situation, as the wise emperors of old would, sympathize with my circumstances, seriously consider my request, and reply to me in secret as soon as possible. I will remain ready for your instructions and act in accordance with your wishes."
The third counselor said, "Fang Yu replaced the former Guangling Prefect, Wang Jing. Wang Jing was previously punished for inciting rebellion among the local populace. Although he tried to explain himself, he ultimately couldn't clear his name. He even plotted to secretly escape back north to surrender, but his plan was discovered, and his whole family was killed. Fang Yu witnessed Wang Jing's fate firsthand and also saw that the Lord of Dong Wu spares those who err only temporarily; they will ultimately be dealt with. Allowing Fang Yu to manage this county is clearly a way to force him to redeem himself, but in reality, it’s a trap to eliminate him! Although I am still alive now, I live in constant fear, never knowing when my time will come. Life in this world is as fleeting as a flash, always lived in fear—how can I go on like this? I can only honestly tell you my thoughts, hoping you can understand my situation. I know my status is lowly, and my words may not be accepted. But I earnestly ask you to consider what I have said.
The people of this county may seem to have surrendered, but they are actually hiding in the mountains, biding their time for another chance to rebel. If they rise up again, it will mean the end for me. The Lord of Dong Wu has been secretly mobilizing troops, preparing to advance north. Lv Fan, Sun Shao, and others have moved into the Huai River region, while Quan Cong and Zhu Huan are advancing on Hefei. Meanwhile, Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi, and Zhu Ran have reached Xiangyang, and Lu Yi and Pan Zhang are engaged in an assault on Meifu. The Lord's main forces are stationed in Shiyang, and he has sent his brother Sun Huan to guard Anlu City, constructing an official residence, transporting provisions, and preparing military supplies. He has also ordered Zhuge Liang to attack the west. Other generals along the river have been reassigned, leaving just three thousand troops to defend Wuchang."
If you can lead ten thousand troops from southern Anhui, traveling down the river, I can lead the officials and people here to coordinate efforts from within and without. Many counties here have previously revolted and were on the brink of success, but they ultimately failed due to a lack of external support. If the northern army comes here and issues proclamations calling for responses from all cities, who among those yearning for change wouldn't eagerly respond? I hope you can take into account celestial phenomena, personnel, divination, and other factors, then you will understand that what I am saying is not false.
First paragraph:
He (referring to Fang) said: "The messengers I sent, Dong Cen and Shao Nan, are trusted confidants of my family, like sons to me, so I specifically had them carry the message and persuade the rebel army to surrender. They communicated with eye contact and tacit understanding, without saying a word; even our closest relatives didn't know about this. I specifically instructed them to say that we were there to surrender when they reached the state, and those who want to rebel can also contact us through them. I devised this plan entirely based on fate; if it succeeds, we can survive; if it gets out, our entire family will be wiped out. I often swear to the stars and moon at night, praying for success. Although I don't know if my humble sincerity can move the heavens, the situation is urgent now, I am all alone, and can only pray to the heavens. On the day when the messengers were sent, I was extremely anxious, feeling like I was living half a life, as if my soul had flown away. I worried that you might not fully grasp my plan, so I suggest leaving Dong Cen and Shao Nan behind as messengers for future contact. When the other returns with the message, they should say we regret our rebellion and want to surrender. The master over there has a rule that those who regret rebelling and surrendering can be exempt from punishment. This way, both sides will have no worries. Now, all I can do is hope you send troops westward. As I write this, I'm crying so hard I can barely hold the pen."
He continued, "Most of the folks in Poyang are pretty ignorant and stubborn. When they're called to serve, they hardly pay attention. Even though they seem to have surrendered now, they're still dissatisfied in their hearts, hiding in the mountains, waiting for a chance to stir up trouble. They're not at peace in their minds. The current leader is gearing up to send troops to deal with them, getting all the troops nationwide ready. The riverside is empty, the military camps are deserted, only a few spies remain. If we can stir up these folks while the iron's hot, we can achieve success quickly. However, we'll need outside help and inside coordination; otherwise, nothing will be accomplished. If you depart from the Wan Road and set up camp by the river, I will coordinate with you from the opposite bank in Likou. If you haven't made it to the river yet, you can set up camp about a hundred miles back, so the locals know the northern army's around, and they'll settle down. The locals didn't rise up just because they were hungry and cold, but because they were pushed around too much. They would rather submit to the north, but they rose up due to poverty and destitution, which led to a real mess. If the troops from Shiyang, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou can link up and restrain the enemy's forces, preventing them from retreating quickly, that would be best. I grew up in Jianghuai, so I know this place inside out, and I know how we can win. Opportunities don't last long, so I'm sharing all my thoughts with you without holding back."
The sixth letter said: "The lord regrets not attacking Shiyang earlier. They have finally sent troops now, recruited many new soldiers, and even gathered the indigenous people under Pan Jun, with a considerable number. Reports suggest they have already devised a battle plan, intending to use new and weak soldiers as the vanguard, with elite soldiers in reserve. On the day of the siege, they plan to use the weak soldiers to fill the moat and quickly break through the city. Although success is not guaranteed, this action is remarkably swift! I am privately worried that Shiyang City is too small to accommodate so many troops. I hope you can send reinforcements quickly and secretly. Wang Jing's rebellion is a lesson right in front of us! Now that Ba has surrendered, success now hinges on your decisions, not on fate! If we receive your timely aid, victory is certain; if the rescue is not timely, we will suffer the same fate as Wang Jing. When Peng Qi rebelled before, it was said that your flag appeared during the Fenglong, and the local people were overjoyed and eager to assist. If we wait for another month or so, things will succeed, but unfortunately you left too quickly, and the lord could not increase the troops to suppress Peng Qi with all their might, so Peng Qi escaped. I sincerely hope you will take my words to heart."
The seventh letter said: "To carry out such a big task now, without titles and seals, motivating the troops is impossible. I humbly request that you grant fifty general seals, fifty marquis seals, and one hundred lieutenant general seals, two hundred prefect seals, and two hundred commandant seals to reward the main leaders and inspire their fighting spirit. I also ask for the reward of dozens of military flags as symbols, so that the mountain soldiers and people can see and know that their fate has been decided, and act according to the plan you have formulated. In addition, there are cases of surrender and betrayal between the two sides every day, and the news can quickly reach us. This matter is of utmost importance and must remain confidential. If you have read Ba's letter, please keep it confidential. I have full confidence in your extraordinary wisdom and strategy, and the preventive measures must be very comprehensive, but I am still very worried. I write this letter with boldness; I hope you will not hold it against me."
Lao Fang wrote a secret letter to the court, saying, "In the north, there are rebels who have long occupied the Heluo region, obstructing the court's efforts to quell them and asserting their own control. I previously failed to devise a good plan to serve the court, and I have been very anxious and unable to sleep well. Now the court has favored me, entrusted me with an important task, and asked me to lure the rebels, but unfortunately my plan did not work. I initially intended to find some local leaders from the valleys who are familiar to the rebels and let them contact the rebels, but I was afraid that I couldn't find suitable people. Even if I found them, they might not be reliable. Thus, I devised a better plan: to personally lure the rebels, which would be more effective. This has been my wish for many years, and it is a rare opportunity. I will do my best and try every possible way. I have written a letter of enticement, identical in content to another one I have prepared. I am aware that I lack the extraordinary strategies of the ancients, but I will do my best to fulfill the court's grand plan. I am anxious and fearful of my own foolishness, worried that I may fail to meet the court's high expectations. I have heard that Emperor Yao aligned himself with the will of heaven and embraced the people's desires, ultimately achieving great success. The court is wise and powerful, and will surely completely eliminate the rebels, allowing the army to achieve complete victory and bring peace to the world, which is indeed a blessing! I am writing this letter to report and submit the letter of enticement. Given the simplicity of my plan, I feel quite uneasy." The court approved his plan.
The rebel leader Xiu Guoran believed in Lao Fang, and with a hundred thousand troops and a large amount of supplies, he entered the Wan region in a grand manner. Lao Fang also gathered his troops and cooperated with General Lu Xun to intercept Xiu's army. As a result, Xiu's army suffered a crushing defeat, with countless casualties.
When Lao Fei first started planning in secret, the court often sent officials to inquire about the situation. Lao Fei went to the county government office and publicly expressed his apologies to everyone, so that when the news reached others, there were no suspicions. The war ended smoothly, the army returned in triumph, and Sun Quan hosted a banquet to honor the generals and soldiers. After three rounds of drinks, Sun Quan said to Lao Fei, "You have done an excellent job this time; your accomplishments will surely be recorded in history!" So, Sun Quan promoted Lao Fei to the position of Deputy General and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Guannei.
There was a bandit leader named Dong Si, who terrorized the regions of Yuzhang and Linyuan. Zhou Fei and Tang Zi once led three thousand troops against him, but after several months of fighting, they were unable to defeat him. Zhou Fei submitted a request to withdraw the troops and use a different method to deal with him.
Zhou Fei sent people to gather information, then set a trap for Dong Si that led to his downfall. Dong Si's brother was terrified and hurriedly surrendered to Lu Xun in Wuchang, seeking clemency and pledging to reform. As a result, several counties were freed from fear. Zhou Fei served as an official in the county for thirteen years before his passing. During his time in office, he was just in his rewards and punishments, earning the love of the people. His son, Zhou Chu, also excelled in both civil and military affairs, and later became the magistrate of Dongguan and the supervisor of Wunan during the Tianji period.
Let's talk about Zhong Limu, whose style name was Zigang. He was a native of Shan Yin, a place in Kuaiji Mountain, and he was the seventh-generation descendant of the Lu Xiang during the Han Dynasty. When he was young, he lived in Yongxing County, cleared land, and cultivated over 20 mu of rice. As the rice was nearing maturity, someone in the county recognized him. Zhong Limu said, "This land was originally uncultivated, so I cleared it and planted rice." He then distributed all the rice among the villagers. When the county magistrate learned of this, he arrested the villagers, seeking to punish them according to the law. Zhong Limu interceded on their behalf. The county magistrate said, "Zhong Limu, you have a high moral character and have done a good deed, but as a county magistrate, I should act according to the law. How can I disregard the law to heed your request?" Zhong Limu replied, "I was merely passing through the county, and I temporarily stayed here because I admired your reputation. Now, because of this bit of rice, you would harm these common people. How can I continue to stay here with any dignity?" After saying this, he packed his belongings and returned to Shan Yin. The county magistrate personally pursued him and released the villagers. The villagers felt both ashamed and grateful, and together with their families, they threshed the harvested rice into sixty measures and sent them to Zhong Limu. However, Zhong Limu declined to accept them. The villagers placed the rice on the side of the road, and no one took it. Zhong Limu gained widespread fame as a result of this incident.
In the fifth year of the Chiwu era, Zhong Limu was promoted from Langzhong to the position of Taizi Fuyi Dudu, and later promoted to Nanhai Prefect. He then returned to the court as Chief Historian to the Prime Minister, then promoted to Sizhi, and finally promoted to Zhongshu Ling. Just as the mountain people of Jian'an, Poyang, and Xindu counties were rebelling, the court appointed Zhong Limu as military supervisor to quell the rebellion. The leaders of the rebels, Huang Luan, Chang Ju, and others, were all incorporated into the army. As a result, Zhong Limu was granted the title of Marquis of Qinting and appointed as the Commander of Yueqi cavalry.
In the sixth year of Yong'an, the state of Shu was conquered by the state of Wei. The Wuxi Barbarians in the Wuling area bordered Shu, and everyone was worried that they would rebel. Therefore, the court appointed Zhonglimu as the General for the Pacification of Wei, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Wuling, and sent him to Wuling Commandery. Wei sent the magistrate of Hanjia County, Guo Chun, to temporarily serve as the Prefect of Wuling Commandery. He led the people of Fuling into Shu, occupied Qianling, stationed troops in Chisha, deceived some barbarian chieftains into surrendering to him, and even attacked Youyang County. The people in Wuling Commandery were very afraid.
Zhonglimu asked his subordinates, "With Western Shu fallen and our borders under attack again, how should we defend against it?" Everyone replied, "The terrain of these two counties is rugged, and the barbarians are very stubborn. We cannot use the army to disturb them. If we disturb them, they will unite to resist us. It would be better to gradually appease them, sending some friendly officials to preach and comfort them." Zhonglimu said, "No! The enemy is invading our territory, deceiving and inducing our people. We should quickly eliminate them while their foundation is not yet stable, just like putting out a fire; we must act fast!" He immediately ordered the army to prepare for battle and dealt with those officials who opposed him swiftly under military law.
General Fuyi Gao Shang advised Zhongli Mu, saying: "In the past, Pan Jun led fifty thousand troops and barely managed to suppress the rebellion of the Wuxi tribes. At that time, the Liu clan was still allied with us, and the tribes were relatively easy to civilize. Now, we no longer have the same support as before, Guo Chun has already occupied Qianling, and you have only brought three thousand soldiers deep into enemy territory. I don't see any advantages in this!" Zhongli Mu replied: "In extraordinary times, how can we continue to do things the old way?" He immediately led his troops, traveling day and night along treacherous mountain paths, covering nearly two thousand miles. They launched a surprise attack from beyond the border, killing over a hundred rebellious leaders and their followers totaling over a thousand, resulting in Guo Chun and his forces scattering and quelling the rebellion of the Wuxi tribes.
Afterwards, Zhongli Mu was promoted by the court to the position of Inspector of Public Security, General of Yangwu, and appointed as the Inspector of Rushu. He was then reappointed as the former general, holding authority and serving as the Prefect of Wuling. Eventually, he died in office. He left behind no wealth, yet the people remembered him fondly. His son, Zhongli Yi, inherited his title and took over command of the army.
It is said that the people in mountainous areas tend to rebel, difficult to govern, and easily swayed. This is why Sun Quan dared not easily go to war with other states, taking a humble approach toward the Wei Kingdom. Ministers like these managed to quell internal unrest and stabilize the borders—Lu Dai was upright and fair, Zhou Fang was cunning and resourceful, Zhongli Mu followed the ways of the elders, and Quan Cong was highly regarded at the time for his talent. However, his failure to discipline his son properly led to criticism and tarnished his reputation.
