Cheng Pu, courtesy name Demou, was from Yuyin in Hebei Province. At first, he was just an ordinary county official, but he was handsome, clever, and adept at managing affairs. Later, he fought alongside Sun Jian, participated in the battles against the Yellow Turban Army in Wandeng, and was also involved in the battle against Dong Zhuo in Yangren, where he fought on the front lines, sustained serious injuries, which became a regular part of his life.
After Sun Jian's death, he followed Sun Ce to campaign in Huainan, participated in the campaign against Lujiang, which he successfully captured, before moving eastward. Sun Ce defeated Zhang Ying, Yu Mi, and others in Hengjiang and Danli, and continued to fight in Moling, Hushu, Jurong, and Qu'e. Cheng Pu distinguished himself in these battles and was rewarded with two thousand soldiers and fifty war horses. He then captured Wucheng, Shimu, Bomen, Lingchuan, and Yuhang, with Cheng Pu playing a pivotal role. After Sun Ce entered Kuaiji, he appointed Cheng Pu as the Commandant of Wu County, overseeing Qiantang. Later, he was transferred as the Commandant of Danyang, stationed at Shicheng. He also conducted several campaigns against bandits in Xuancheng, Jing, Anwu, Lingyang, and Chungu, defeating them all. Once, while Sun Ce was heavily surrounded during an assault on Zulang, Cheng Pu charged in on horseback alone, broke through the enemy lines to protect Sun Ce, shouting loudly and using his spear to kill enemies, clearing a path for Sun Ce's safe escape. Cheng Pu was later appointed as the General Who Pacifies Rebels and served as the Prefect of Lingling, and participated in the battles against Liu Xun in Xunyang and the attack on Huang Zu in Shaxian, before returning to defend Shicheng.
After Sun Ce's death, Cheng Pu, Zhang Zhao, and others assisted Sun Quan in coordinating the three commanderies and suppressing uprisings. He also participated in the expedition against Jiangxia, then went on to secure Yuzhang and later Le'an. After securing Le'an, Cheng Pu took over from Taishi Ci to defend Haihun, serving alongside Zhou Yu as the Left and Right Commanders, defeating Cao Cao at the Battle of Wulin. He then attacked Nanjun, driving Cao Ren away. Later, Cheng Pu was appointed as a General Who Pacifies the Rebels, serving as the Administrator of Jiangxia, stationed in Shaxian, governing four counties.
Among Sun Quan's generals, Cheng Pu was the oldest, known as Cheng Gong by all. He was generous and well-liked by scholars. After Zhou Yu's death, Cheng Pu succeeded him as the Administrator of Nanjun. Sun Quan gave Jingzhou to Liu Bei, so Cheng Pu returned to Jiangxia as the Administrator. Later, he was promoted to General Who Pacifies the Rebels and eventually passed away. After Sun Quan became the Emperor, he recognized Cheng Pu's contributions and granted his son Cheng Zi the title of Marquis.
Huang Gai, styled Gongfu, was from Lingling Quanling. Initially a county official, he was recommended to work in the provincial government for his filial piety. When Sun Jian raised troops, Huang Gai followed him. Huang Gai was appointed as a separate division's Major when Sun Jian went south to pacify mountain bandits and north to resist Dong Zhuo. After Sun Jian's death, Huang Gai continued to follow Sun Ce and Sun Quan, donning armor, participating in battles, charging into the fray, and seizing cities and territories.
In the mountainous and remote regions where people were unruly, the difficult-to-govern counties appointed Gai Xun as their magistrate. The officials of Shicheng County were especially hard to manage, so Gai Xun appointed two chief clerks to manage various departments. He ordered, "If a county magistrate lacks virtue and relies solely on martial prowess to hold office, they cannot be considered qualified civil servants. The bandits have not been subdued yet, and there are military tasks at hand. I'm assigning all the paperwork to you two chief clerks. You must manage each department well and correct any mistakes. Any official documents you sign must be approved and followed. If I discover any deceitful behavior, I won't punish you with whips. You need to be diligent and responsible, and not set a bad example." At first, everyone was intimidated by his authority and worked hard day and night. Over time, the officials found that Gai Xun rarely checked the documents, so they began to engage in corruption. Gai Xun noticed the lax attitude and started observing secretly, discovering that the two chief clerks had violated laws multiple times. He gathered all the clerks and officials for a banquet, where he pointed out their illegal actions one by one. The two chief clerks couldn’t defend themselves and admitted their guilt by bowing their heads. Gai Xun said, "I warned you before that I wouldn’t punish you with whips; I didn’t mean to deceive you." Then he executed them. The whole county was terrified. Later, Gai Xun was promoted to magistrate of Chungu County and Xunyang County. He served as the magistrate of a total of nine counties, restoring order wherever he went.
After being promoted to the rank of Danyang Commandant, he suppressed violence and supported the weak, and the people of the mountainous areas all submitted to him. Gai Xun had a dignified appearance and was skilled at uniting his subordinates. In every campaign, the soldiers eagerly vied to be the first to charge. During the Jian'an period, he followed Zhou Yu in resisting Cao Cao at Chibi and proposed the fire attack, which is recorded in Zhou Yu's biography. "Biography of Zhou Yu" states: **During the Jian'an period, he followed Zhou Yu in repelling Cao Cao at Chibi, proposing the fire attack**. He was appointed as General of Martial Prowess. When the barbarian tribes in Wuling rebelled and attacked cities, the court appointed Gai Xun as the governor. At that time, there were only five hundred soldiers in the county. Knowing that his forces were insufficient, Gai Xun opened the city gates and let half of the enemy troops enter the city, then launched a sudden attack, killing hundreds and causing the rest to flee back to their tribes. He executed the rebel leaders, while those who followed the rebellion were pardoned. From spring to summer, the rebellion was completely suppressed, and the marquises and leaders of the remote counties of Ba, Li, You, and Dan shifted their allegiance, expressed their submission, requested an audience, and the situation in the region finally stabilized. Later, Changsha's Yiyang County was attacked by mountain bandits, and Gai Xun once again suppressed the rebellion. He was promoted to Colonel and eventually died in office due to illness. During his tenure, Gai Xun was decisive in his actions, never delaying, and the people remembered him fondly. After Sun Quan ascended to the throne, he acknowledged his contributions, bestowed a noble title upon his son, and appointed him as Marquis within the Passes. Han Dang, styled Yigong, was a native of Liao Xi Lingzhi. He was skilled in riding and archery from a young age, had great strength, and was highly valued by Sun Jian. Accompanying Sun Jian on his campaigns, he often found himself in dangerous situations, charging into battle and capturing many enemy soldiers, eventually rising to the rank of Sima in a different division.
After Sun Ce crossed to the east, Han Dang followed him to conquer three counties, was promoted to the position of Colonel of the Vanguard, and commanded two thousand infantry and fifty warhorses. He participated in the campaigns against Liu Xun, defeated Huang Zu, and pacified Poyang, then served as the county magistrate of Le'an, who earned the respect and obedience of the people in the mountainous region. Later, he, along with Zhou Yu and others, defeated Cao Cao, and together with Lu Meng, captured Nanjun, leading to his promotion to General and appointment as the Administrator of Yongchang. In the Battle of Yidu, he, along with Lu Xun, Zhu Ran, and others, decisively defeated the Shu army in Zhuoxiang, earning him the title of General of Valor and the Marquis of Duting. When Cao Cao sent Cao Zhen to launch an attack on Nanjun, Han Dang was responsible for defending the southeast. He led his troops, fostered unity among his troops, upheld the defense line, and showed great respect and obedience to his superiors, earning the high regard of Sun Quan.
In the second year of Huangwu, Han Dang was appointed as the Marquis of Shicheng, promoted to General of Zealous Martial Might, and appointed as the Administrator of Guanjun, later adding the title of Commander. He led ten thousand elite soldiers and the Resolve Troubles troops to suppress the rebels in Danyang, ultimately achieving victory. Han Dang later passed away due to illness, and his son Han Zong inherited his title and command of his army.
That same year, Sun Quan campaigned against Shiyang, considering Han Zong was still mourning his father's death, he left him in Wuhan. However, Han Zong behaved recklessly and disregarded rules. Sun Quan, considering Han Dang's contributions, did not hold him accountable. But Han Zong, fearing retribution, fled to the Wei Kingdom with his mother, family, and several thousand soldiers and civilians. The Wei Kingdom appointed him as a general and the Marquis of Guangyang. Han Zong repeatedly raided the borders, killing civilians, which infuriated Sun Quan. In the Battle of Dongxing, Han Zong led the vanguard, but the army was defeated, and he perished in battle. Zhuge Ke beheaded him and presented his head at Sun Quan's temple as a tribute.
Jiang Qin, styled Gongyi, was a native of Shouchun in Jiujiang. When Sun Ce attacked Yuan Shu, Jiang Qin followed him as an attendant. After Sun Ce crossed the Yangtze River to the east, Jiang Qin was appointed as the Sima of a separate division, leading troops in battle. He and Sun Ce fought in various places, pacifying three commanderies and participating in the pacification of Yuzhang. Later, he was transferred to Ge Yang County as a Commandant, where he went on to serve as magistrate in three different counties, pacifying local bandits and earning a promotion to Commandant of the Western Region.
Later, when Lu He, Qin Lang, and other rebels stirred up chaos in Kuaiji, Jiang Qin led troops to suppress them, capturing both Lu He and Qin Lang, thereby quelling the rebellion across five counties. As a result, he was transferred to the position of General Who Conquers the Yue and was granted the counties of Jingju and Zhaoyang as his fiefdoms. When He Qi attacked bandits in Yi County, Jiang Qin led ten thousand troops and, alongside He Qi, successfully subdued the rebellion in Yi County.
In the Battle of Hefei, Wei general Zhang Liao attacked Sun Quan's army north of the ford. Jiang Qin fought bravely, achieved a significant victory, and was promoted to General Who Pacifies Bandits, while also serving as Inspector of Rushu. Later, he was recalled to the capital and appointed as Right Protector, tasked with overseeing legal matters.
Sun Quan once visited Jiang Qin's home and saw that his mother's bed curtains and quilts were quite plain, and his wife and concubines were also wearing plain garments. Sun Quan expressed admiration for Jiang Qin's frugal lifestyle despite his high rank and ordered the imperial household to craft exquisite brocade quilts for Jiang Qin's mother, replace the curtains, and provide Jiang Qin's wife and concubines with new embroidered garments.
At the beginning, Jiang Qin was stationed in Xuan Cheng and once went to suppress the bandits in Yu Zhang. The county magistrate of Wu Hu, Xu Sheng, caught Jiang Qin's militia officials and requested to have them executed in a memorial petition. Sun Quan did not approve because Jiang Qin was not present at the time. This incident left Xu Sheng with a lingering resentment toward Jiang Qin. When Cao Cao launched an attack against Ru Xu, Jiang Qin and Lu Meng were responsible for leading the army. Xu Sheng was always worried that Jiang Qin would seek revenge for past grievances, but Jiang Qin always praised Xu Sheng's virtues. Later, Xu Sheng was won over by Jiang Qin's character, and people praised Jiang Qin's integrity.
When Sun Quan attacked Guan Yu, Jiang Qin led the navy into the Mian River and died on the return journey due to illness. Sun Quan held a mourning ceremony for him in plain clothes and granted Jiang Qin's wife two hundred households and two hundred acres of land as a form of compensation. Jiang Qin's son, Jiang Yi, was appointed as the Marquis of Xuan Cheng. He led troops to resist Liu Bei, earned military accolades, later went to Nan Jun to fight against the Wei army, and ultimately died in battle. Jiang Yi had no sons, and his brother, Jiang Xiu, inherited the family estate but later lost his official position after being convicted of a crime.
Zhou Tai, with the courtesy name of You Ping, was from Xia Cai in Jiu Jiang. He served Sun Ce alongside Jiang Qin, was respectful and distinguished himself in several battles. When Sun Ce attacked Hui Ji, he appointed Zhou Tai as the commander of a separate unit and gave him military authority. Sun Quan admired him greatly and allowed him to support himself (meaning not rely on the court for provisions).
Once, Sun Ce went to attack the mountain bandits in six counties. Sun Quan was stationed in Xuancheng with less than a thousand soldiers under his command. Sun Quan underestimated the situation and did not establish adequate defenses. Suddenly, thousands of bandits launched an attack. Sun Quan quickly mounted his horse, but the bandits' swords and blades were already closing in from all directions, even cutting the saddle, and everyone was unable to protect themselves. Only Zhou Tai bravely stepped forward to protect Sun Quan. His courage was much greater than others, and the soldiers on both sides managed to hold their ground thanks to Zhou Tai's bravery. After the bandits dispersed, Zhou Tai sustained twelve knife wounds and only regained consciousness after a long time. Had it not been for Zhou Tai that day, Sun Quan would have been in grave danger. Sun Ce was very grateful to him and appointed him as the magistrate of Chungu County. Later, Zhou Tai followed Sun Ce to attack Wancheng, suppress Jiangxia, and on the way back through Yuzhang, he was appointed as the magistrate of Yichun. Wherever he went, he depended on collecting taxes to make a living.
He followed Sun Ce to attack Huang Zu and achieved significant contributions. Later, he, Zhou Yu, and Cheng Pu jointly defended against Cao Cao at Chibi and attacked Cao Ren in Nanjun. Once Jingzhou was pacified, Zhou Tai stationed his troops in Cen. When Cao Cao marched to Ruxu, Zhou Tai engaged him in battle. After Cao Cao retreated, Zhou Tai stayed behind to guard Ruxu and was appointed as General of Pacifying the Barbarians. At that time, Zhu Ran, Xu Sheng, and others were under his command, but they did not hold him in high regard. Sun Quan made a special trip to Ruxu Wharf, gathered the generals, and hosted a lavish banquet. Sun Quan poured wine himself, walked up to Zhou Tai, asked him to take off his clothes, and personally pointed to the scars on Zhou Tai's body and inquired about how he received them. Zhou Tai recounted the details of the battle in response. After he finished, Sun Quan asked him to put on his clothes and continue drinking until late at night. The next day, Sun Quan sent him a royal canopy. At last, Zhu Ran, Xu Sheng, and the others recognized his capabilities.
Later, Sun Quan defeated Guan Yu and wanted to advance into Shu territory, appointing Zhou Tai as the Administrator of Hanzhong, General of Valor, and Marquis of Lingyang. During the Huangwu era, Zhou Tai died.
His son Zhou Shao served as the Cavalry Commander, leading the army. When Cao Ren attacked Ruxu, Zhou Shao distinguished himself in battle and followed Sun Quan in defeating Cao Xiu, and was promoted to Assistant General. He died in the second year of Huanglong. His younger brother Zhou Cheng also led the army and inherited the title of Marquis.
Chen Wu, known as Zilie, was a native of Songzi in Lujiang. When Sun Ce was in Shouchun, Chen Wu went to visit him. At that time, Chen Wu was only eighteen years old, standing at seven feet seven inches tall, strikingly tall. Later, he followed Sun Ce across the river to fight in battles, earning numerous accolades and being appointed as a Regimental Commander. After Sun Ce defeated Liu Xun, he gathered many people from Lujiang and saw potential in Chen Wu, appointing him as a Military Inspector. Chen Wu was unbeaten in battle. After Sun Quan took power, he further promoted Chen Wu to Commander of Five Regiments. Chen Wu was kind-hearted, generous, and people from both his hometown and distant lands relied on him. Sun Quan favored him greatly and often visited his home. Thanks to his repeated military successes, Chen Wu's official position continued to rise, eventually becoming a Colonel. In the twentieth year of Jian'an, he followed Sun Quan in attacking Hefei, fighting bravely and ultimately making the ultimate sacrifice. Sun Quan was deeply saddened and personally attended his funeral.
Chen Wu's son, Chen Xiu, inherited his father's bravery. At the age of nineteen, Sun Quan summoned him, praised him highly, appointed him as a Military Inspector, and gave him five hundred soldiers. At that time, many new soldiers had fled, but Chen Xiu managed them effectively, ensuring none went missing. Sun Quan held him in high regard and promoted him to the rank of Commandant. In the late Jian'an period, when Sun Quan bestowed titles upon his loyal subjects, he appointed Chen Xiu as Marquis of Duting and made him an Inspector. In the first year of Huanglong, Chen Xiu died.
Di Biao, styled Wena, was the son of a military officer. He was well-known from a young age and served alongside Zhuge Ke, Gu Tan, and Zhang Xiu in the Prince's Palace, where they had a good relationship. Shangshu Ji Yan was also on good terms with Biao. Later, Ji Yan committed a crime, and everyone at that time tried to protect themselves by saying nice things and doing as little as possible, but Biao was different. Therefore, everyone respected him greatly.
He started as a subordinate in the Prince's residence and was later appointed as the Yizheng Commander. After his brother died, Biao's mother did not want to serve his brother's mother, so Biao said to his mother, "My unfortunate brother passed away early, and I should take care of all the family matters. I should serve my stepmother well. If you can put up with it and show some respect to my stepmother, that would be great; if not, then maybe it's best to just move out." Biao handled the situation with great fairness. Therefore, both mothers were moved, and their relationship improved.
Biao's father died in battle, so he requested to become a general and led five hundred soldiers. He wanted to gain the soldiers' support, so he went out of his way to treat them well. The soldiers liked him very much and were willing to fight for him. At that time, a man named Shi Ming stole something from the government, and everyone thought it was a difficult situation. Shi Ming was strong and fierce, and when he was interrogated, the interrogation methods were brutal. Shi Ming was beaten badly but still refused to confess. The court then reported this matter to Sun Quan. Sun Quan knew that Biao could gain the support of the soldiers, so he ordered Shi Ming to be handed over to Biao to let him find out the truth himself.
First, loosen Shi Ming's restraints and let him take a hot bath, change into clean clothes, then prepare a lavish feast to win him over. Only then did Shi Ming confess and name all his accomplices. The situation was reported to Sun Quan. Sun Quan was surprised and wanted to preserve Bi's reputation, so he pardoned Shi Ming and only executed his accomplices. Bi was promoted to Supervisor of the Right of Wunan, was granted the title of Marquis of Duting, and inherited his father's title. Bi declined the title and requested that it be passed on to his brother's son, Xiu Yan, but Sun Quan did not agree.
In the third year of the Jiahe era, Zhuge Ke was appointed as the Prefect of Danyang, suppressing the Shan Yue rebellion. Bi was appointed as the Commandant of Xin'an and worked with Zhuge Ke. Initially, Bi was rewarded with two hundred rehabilitated households in Xin'an County. After careful inspection, he found that they were all high-quality soldiers, so he requested that they be returned to the court to supplement the elite forces. Sun Quan issued a decree saying, "Your father made great contributions to the country, and the country rewarded him in this way. Why do you refuse?" Bi replied, "Now we need to eliminate traitors and avenge my father. Talent is essential. I do not wish to waste these elite soldiers as servants." Thus, he incorporated them into the army.
After reporting this matter, Sun Quan was very happy and ordered each county to supplement the weaker citizens registered in the household registry to the military. After serving for three years, he recruited a large number of surrendered soldiers, amassing tens of thousands of troops. After accomplishing his mission and getting ready to leave, the residents of Poyang, led by Wu Ju, rebelled, captured the city, and nearby counties became restless. Sun Quan crossed the border to quell the rebellion, quickly defeating Wu Ju, who surrendered. Lu Xun appointed him as a general and promoted him to Marquis of Duxiang, stationing him with troops in Zhangkeng. Sun Quan died at the age of thirty-four. He used all his property to support his soldiers. When he passed away, his wife and children were left homeless, but the Crown Prince provided them with a house. His son, Ao, was appointed as a sub-marshal at just seventeen, leading four hundred soldiers. After Ao's death, his nephew Xiu Yan took over as marshal. Xiu Yan's brother, Yong, was also a general and was granted a marquis title. Initially, Shi Ming was moved by Sun Quan and changed his behavior, eventually becoming an outstanding general, rising to the rank of general.
Dong Xi, styled Yuandai, was from Yuyao in Kuaiji, towering at eight feet and exceptionally strong. When Sun Ce marched to the area, Dong Xi welcomed him at Gaoqianting. Sun Ce saw Dong Xi and thought he was a formidable person, so he appointed him as a subordinate official in his administration. At that time, there were bandits named Huang Longluo and Zhou Bo in Shanyin, who rallied thousands of followers and wreaked havoc everywhere. Sun Ce personally led troops to suppress them, and Dong Xi charged into battle and beheaded Huang Longluo and Zhou Bo. Upon his return, Sun Ce appointed him as a sub-marshal, assigning him thousands of troops, and later promoted him to Yangwu Captain. He also accompanied Sun Ce in attacking Wancheng, fought Liu Xun in Xunyang, and battled Huang Zu in Jiangxia.
After Sun Ce's death, Sun Quan was still young and just beginning to assume power. Sun Ce's widow was quite worried, so she summoned Zhang Zhao and Dong Xi among others, asking them if Jiangdong could be preserved. Dong Xi replied, "Jiangdong's terrain is formidable, with mountains and rivers as barriers. In addition, your governance is well-received by the people; you have the support of officials of all ranks, with Zhang Zhao overseeing everything. We are all your capable assistants. Now is the perfect combination of timing and circumstances; there is no need to worry!" Everyone thought his words made sense.
Later, a bandit uprising led by Peng Hu occurred in Poyang with tens of thousands of followers. Sun Quan sent Dong Xi, Ling Tong, Bu Zhi, and Jiang Qin to suppress them. Dong Xi emerged victorious wherever he went. When Peng Hu's followers saw Dong Xi's banner, they scattered in fear, and the rebellion was suppressed within ten days. For this, Dong Xi was appointed as Wei Yue Xiaowei and later promoted to General.
In the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Sun Quan went to suppress Huang Zu. Huang Zu blocked the Miankou with two heavily armored ships, using thick ropes with stones as anchors. Over a thousand men were on the ships, firing arrows indiscriminately. Dong Xi and Ling Tong led the charge, each commanding a hundred valiant soldiers clad in double-layered armor, boarding large ships and breaking into the armored ships. Dong Xi personally cut the ropes, resulting in the armored ships losing control. Sun Quan's army took advantage of this and charged in. Seeing the situation deteriorating, Huang Zu opened the city gates and fled, but was ultimately captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces. The following day, Sun Quan held a banquet to celebrate and lifted his cup in honor of Dong Xi, saying, "Today's victory was entirely due to your cutting of the ropes!"
Cao Cao marched his troops to Ruxukou. Sun Quan dispatched Dong Xi to confront him in battle, ordering him to command five warships stationed at Ruxukou. That night, a sudden storm struck, capsizing all five warships, and the soldiers fled in every direction. Some urged Dong Xi to flee with them. Dong Xi retorted angrily, "I have accepted the general's orders to defend against the enemy here. How can I flee in the face of the enemy? Anyone who dares to speak of escape again will be executed!" Thus, no one dared to utter another word. That night, the ships sank, and Dong Xi died in battle. Sun Quan personally donned him in mourning attire and arranged an extravagant burial for him.
Gan Ning, known by his courtesy name Xingba, was originally from Linjiang in Ba County. When he was young, he was exceptionally strong and enjoyed the company of roguish knights, leading a band of frivolous young men. They roamed together in groups, all carrying bows and crossbows, with bells hanging from their waists. When the townsfolk heard the bells, they knew Gan Ning was approaching. When dealing with others, if the local official treated him warmly, he would refer to them as "brother"; otherwise, he would plunder their property, causing mayhem throughout the official's domain, continuing for more than twenty years. Although he was a robber, he refrained from killing or arson, and he had studied various philosophical texts. Later, he sought refuge with Liu Biao in Nanyang, yet he was never given significant responsibility. He then sought refuge with Huang Zu, who regarded him merely as an ordinary soldier.
Later, Gan Ning joined Sun Quan. Zhou Yu and Lu Meng both highly recommended him, and Sun Quan valued him greatly, treating him like an old minister. Gan Ning advised Sun Quan, saying, "The fate of the Han Dynasty is at an end. Cao Cao is becoming more and more arrogant and will eventually take over the world. The Southern Counties are strategically important, with their rugged terrain and rivers crisscrossing, serving as the western gateway of the country. I believe Liu Biao is incapable; he is old and his son is incompetent, unable to inherit his legacy. You should make plans early and not let Cao Cao take the lead. To take down the Southern Counties, we should first defeat Huang Zu. Huang Zu is old, incompetent, short of money and food, misled by those around him, who are solely focused on greed, exploiting the people and soldiers. The soldiers are filled with resentment; the ships and weapons are worn out and in disrepair, neglecting agriculture, and the army lacks discipline. If you send troops now, you will surely defeat him. After defeating Huang Zu, head west, occupy Chuguan, strengthen our power, and gradually aim for Ba Shu." Sun Quan greatly agreed with his strategy.
At that time, Zhang Zhao was also present and opposed, saying, "Wu has just stabilized; if we send troops, it may cause chaos." Gan Ning said to Zhang Zhao, "The country has entrusted such important tasks to you, but you are only worried about causing trouble. How can you emulate the ancients?" Sun Quan raised his glass to toast Gan Ning, saying, "Xing Ba, this time to defeat Huang Zu, I rely on you. Just like this glass of wine, I entrust everything to you. Just do it; as long as you can defeat Huang Zu, what do Zhang Changshi's words matter?" Sun Quan then personally led a large army westward and successfully defeated Huang Zu, capturing all his soldiers. Sun Quan then appointed Gan Ning as a general, assigning him to garrison at Dangyang.
Gan Ning followed Zhou Yu and defeated Cao Cao at Wulin. Later, when attacking Cao Ren in Nanjun but was unsuccessful, Gan Ning came up with a plan to first capture Yiling. This tactic proved effective, as he easily took Yiling and established his base there. At that time, he had only a few hundred men under his command, along with some newly recruited soldiers, totaling around one thousand. Cao Ren then sent five to six thousand men to besiege Gan Ning. After several days of being besieged, as the enemy set up high watchtowers and arrows rained down on the city, the soldiers grew fearful, but Gan Ning remained calm. He sent someone to ask for help from Zhou Yu, who implemented Lu Meng's strategy and led troops to lift the siege.
Later, Gan Ning followed Lu Su to defend Yiyang against Guan Yu. Guan Yu boasted of having thirty thousand men, and he carefully selected five thousand elite soldiers to cross the river at a shallow ford just over ten miles upstream from Yiyang County at night. Lu Su and the other generals discussed a strategy. At that time, Gan Ning only had three hundred soldiers. He said, "Just give me another five hundred men, and I will deal with him. I guarantee that when Guan Yu hears me cough, he won't dare to cross the river. If he dares to cross, he will be my captive!" Lu Su then gave Gan Ning a thousand soldiers, and Gan Ning went over at night. When Guan Yu heard that Gan Ning had arrived, he stopped crossing the river and set up a camp with firewood, which is why the area is now known as Guan Yu Rapids. Sun Quan deeply valued Gan Ning's contributions, appointing him as the Governor of Xiling and giving him authority over Yangxin and Xiazhi counties.
Later, when attacking Wancheng, Gan Ning served as the commanding general during the siege. Gan Ning climbed the city wall first with a rope to lead by example, ultimately breaching the city walls and capturing Zhu Guang. When it came to merit, Lu Meng had the greatest contribution, followed by Gan Ning, who was appointed as the Breakthrough General.
Later, Cao Cao led troops against Ruxu, and Gan Ning served as the vanguard and was tasked with engaging the enemy, ordered to cut down the enemy's front camp. Sun Quan generously rewarded him with rice wine and a variety of foods, which Gan Ning distributed for his men to enjoy. After eating, Gan Ning filled a silver bowl with wine, drank two bowls, and then toasted his commander. The commander knelt down and refused to accept the wine. Gan Ning placed a piece of white shredded food on his knee and sternly scolded him, saying, "You’ve earned the lord’s favor; do you think you’re better than me, Gan Ning? I, Gan Ning, am not afraid of death; why are you the only one afraid of death?" The commander, seeing Gan Ning's stern expression, quickly stood up to accept the wine and then shared a bowl with each soldier. By the second watch of the night, they bit down on cloth strips and quietly went to cut down the enemy's camp. The enemy was shocked and retreated one after another. Gan Ning gained even greater favor, and his forces swelled by two thousand men.
Although Gan Ning was rough and violent, fond of battle, he was intelligent, strategic, generous, respected scholars, and excelled at training soldiers. His soldiers were also very loyal and willing to serve him. In the twentieth year of Jian'an, Gan Ning followed Sun Quan to attack Hefei but encountered a plague. Most of the army retreated, leaving only Gan Ning with over a thousand elite soldiers, along with generals like Lu Meng, Jiang Qin, and Ling Tong, stationed north of Xiaoyao Ford. Zhang Liao, after scouting the situation, immediately led his infantry and cavalry in an attack. Gan Ning shot arrows with his bow and resisted to the death with Ling Tong and others. Gan Ning loudly questioned why the military band was not playing, exuding a powerful presence, which Sun Quan greatly admired.
Gan Ning's cook once made a blunder and ran away to seek refuge with Lu Meng. Lu Meng was worried that Gan Ning would kill him, so he never sent the cook back. Later, Gan Ning brought some gifts to visit Lu Meng's mother. Just as he was about to enter, he brought the cook out and returned him to Lu Meng. Gan Ning assured Lu Meng that he wouldn't harm him. After a while, Gan Ning tied the cook to a mulberry tree, drew his bow, and shot the cook. Then, Gan Ning ordered the boatman to strengthen the mooring ropes, took off his clothes, and lay down in the cabin to rest. Lu Meng was very angry, sounded the alarm to rally the troops, and wanted to attack Gan Ning's boat. When Gan Ning heard this, he feigned sleep and lay completely still. Lu Meng's mother ran out barefoot and urged Lu Meng, saying, "The lord treats you like his own flesh and blood, entrusts important matters to you; how can you consider killing Gan Ning over a personal grudge? Even if Gan Ning dies, the lord will not pursue it, and as a subject, it is also illegal for you." Lu Meng was known for his filial piety, so he immediately calmed down after hearing his mother's words and personally came to Gan Ning's boat, calling out to him with a smile, "Xingba, my mother invites you to dinner, come up quickly!" Gan Ning cried and said, "I'm sorry for putting you in such a tough spot." Then he and Lu Meng returned to Lu Meng's mother, and everyone happily ate together all day long. After Gan Ning's death, Sun Quan was very sorrowful. Gan Ning's son, Gan Gui, was exiled to Kuaiji for his crimes and died shortly after.
Ling Tong, styled Gongji, was from Yuhang in Wu County. His father, Ling Cao, was a brave man who often followed Sun Ce into battle when he first raised his troops, always leading from the front and setting an example for his soldiers. He once served as the Prefect of Yongping, quelling a rebellion by the Shanyue people, making them afraid to rebel again, and later rose to the rank of Captain of the Guards. When Sun Quan led the army, Ling Cao followed him to suppress Jiangxia. At Xiakou, Ling Cao was the first to board the enemy's warship, defeating their vanguard troops. He rode alone on a light boat deep into the enemy forces and was shot by a stray arrow in the river, sacrificing his life heroically.
At the age of fifteen, everyone praised him for his abilities, and Sun Quan also saw him as a capable man, appointing him as an acting Captain of the Guards to oversee his father's troops. Later, they went to fight against mountain bandits. Sun Quan captured Baotun and returned first, leaving behind over ten thousand troops at Matun. Sun Ce stayed with Commander Zhang Yi and others to continue the siege, agreeing on a date for the attack.
Before the attack, Sun Ce and Commander Chen Qin drank together. Chen Qin was particularly brave and proud. He urged everyone to drink and acted arrogantly, ignoring the drinking rules. Sun Ce couldn't tolerate his disrespectful behavior and confronted him directly, but Chen Qin refused to listen. Angered, Chen Qin insulted Sun Ce and his father, which made Sun Ce cry but he didn't retaliate, and everyone dispersed. Chen Qin, drunk, became even more arrogant and insolent, humiliating Sun Ce as they walked. At his breaking point, Sun Ce drew his sword and struck down Chen Qin, who died a few days later.
When it came time to attack Matun, Sun Ce said, "If I don't risk my life, I won't be able to atone!" Then he boosted morale, personally led the charge, and quickly breached the section he was tasked with attacking. Other generals pursued the enemy and ultimately secured a decisive victory. After the battle, Sun Ce surrendered himself to military justice. Sun Quan appreciated his boldness and allowed him to use his achievements to atone for his misdeeds.
Later, Sun Quan went to conquer Jiangxia, with Sun Ce leading the charge, leading a handful of elite soldiers on a boat, often outpacing the main army by several miles. They entered the Youjiang River, defeated Zhang Shuo, one of Huang Zu's generals, and captured all aboard. Upon returning, Sun Ce reported the situation to Sun Quan, who then led his troops on a shortcut, advancing by both land and water. At this time, Lu Meng's navy was defeated, but Sun Ce had already captured the city, leading to a resounding victory. Sun Quan appointed Sun Ce as Captain of Chenglie, and alongside Zhou Yu and others, they defeated Cao Cao's forces at Wulin, then attacked Cao Ren, and was later promoted to Colonel. Even in the military camp, he treated others with kindness, valued talent, prioritized righteousness over wealth, and embodied the qualities of a true leader.
After Zhou Yu's death, Lu Su rose to prominence from the fallen state of Wan (Wan County), being appointed as General Who Pacifies Bandits and later served as the magistrate of Pei County. Later on, he, along with Lu Meng and others, captured three counties to the west, then returned from Yiyang and followed Sun Quan to Hefei, serving as the Commander of the Right Flank. At that time, Sun Quan wanted to withdraw his troops, with the vanguard already having set out, but unexpectedly, Wei generals like Zhang Liao appeared north of the crossing. Sun Quan hurriedly sent men to retrieve the vanguard, but they had already gone too far to be retrieved. In a critical moment, Lu Su led only three hundred soldiers into the enemy's ranks to provide cover for Sun Quan's escape. The enemy had already destroyed the bridge, leaving only two wooden planks, and Sun Quan galloped across, while Lu Su returned to provide cover. All of his soldiers fell in battle, and he was wounded, but he managed to kill dozens of enemies before he finally retreated. With the bridge broken and the road cut off, Lu Su stealthily made his way forward in his armor. When Sun Quan boarded the ship and saw Lu Su, he was filled with joy. Lu Su was overcome with grief that none of his soldiers had escaped, grieving uncontrollably. Sun Quan rolled up his sleeves to wipe away Lu Su's tears, saying, "Gongzi, the ones who have died are already gone. As long as you are still here, who do we need to fear now?" Thus, Sun Quan appointed Lu Su as a General of the Right Flank and doubled his forces.
At that time, someone recommended Sheng Xian, a native of Sun Quan's county, claiming he was knowledgeable and of noble character, even more so than Lu Su. However, Sun Quan said, "Having someone like Lu Su is sufficient." Later, Sun Quan summoned Sheng Xian at night when Lu Su was already asleep. Upon hearing the news, Lu Su quickly dressed and went out to bring Sheng Xian into the room. Lu Su's passion for nurturing talent was truly admirable! Lu Su believed that there were many strong and brave people in the mountainous areas, and he could win them over with both kindness and firmness. Sun Quan sent him to the east to recruit and suppress mountain bandits, commanding all cities to have whatever Lu Su required ready before reporting back. Lu Su was always attentive to his soldiers, who held him in great esteem. He amassed tens of thousands of elite troops and, passing through his hometown, walked into a temple gate where the county official greeted him respectfully, honoring their old friendship. After fulfilling his mission and preparing to depart, he suddenly fell ill and died at the age of forty-nine. When Sun Quan heard the news, he sat up abruptly on his bed, overcome with grief. He couldn't eat for several days and wept whenever Lu Su's name was mentioned. He even sent Zhang Cheng to write an epitaph to mourn him.
Lu Su's two sons, Lu Lie and Lu Feng, were only a few years old at the time. Sun Quan brought them to the palace and raised them with the same affection he showed his own sons. When guests came to call, Sun Quan would point to them and say, "These are my fine boys!" When they reached eight or nine years old, Sun Quan had Ge Guang tutor them in reading, and he had them practice horseback riding and archery every ten days. Sun Quan also documented Lu Su's accomplishments, bestowing the title of Viscount upon Lu Lie and giving him Lu Su's original army. Later, Lu Lie fell from grace due to a crime and was dismissed, while Lu Feng succeeded him in title and military command.
Xu Sheng, courtesy name Wenxiang, was a native of Langya in Juxian. During the chaotic times, he fled to the Wu region because of his bravery and renowned reputation. After Sun Quan came to power, he appointed Xu Sheng as Deputy Commander, giving him five hundred soldiers to serve as the governor of Chaisang to defend against Huang Zu's attacks. Huang Zu's son, Huang She, once led several thousand men to attack Xu Sheng. At that time, Xu Sheng had less than two hundred soldiers and officials under him, but he faced Huang She directly and wounded over a thousand of Huang She's soldiers. Later on, Xu Sheng opened the city gates and actively attacked, defeating Huang She and forcing him into hiding, never daring to act as a bandit again. Sun Quan later promoted him to Colonel and magistrate of Wuhu County. He also achieved merit in suppressing bandits on Mount Ashan in Lincheng, and was promoted to General, responsible for overseeing the army. When Cao Cao's forces reached Ruxukou, Xu Sheng followed Sun Quan to resist. On one occasion, when the Wei army crossed the Yangtze River in large numbers, Xu Sheng and other generals led troops to attack. He rode a Mengchong ship and encountered a strong wind, which blew the ship to the enemy's shore. While other generals were scared and hesitant, Xu Sheng alone led his soldiers to charge and kill the enemy, making them flee in panic. Sun Quan was very pleased. Later, Sun Quan submitted to Cao Cao, who sent Xing Zhen to confer the title of King of Wu upon Sun Quan. When Xing Zhen visited Sun Quan at Duting, he acted arrogantly, angering Zhang Zhao and further enraging Xu Sheng. Xu Sheng turned to his colleagues and said, "We cannot fight bravely against the enemy, capture Xuchang and Luoyang for our country, and annex Ba and Shu, but our ruler is forced to ally with Xing Zhen. Isn't this shameful?" Upon hearing this, Xing Zhen was moved to tears and said to his subordinates, "The generals and ministers of Jiangdong are all like this; they are not easily conquered people!"
Later, Xu Sheng was promoted to General of Jianwu, granted the title of Marquis of Duting, served as the Governor of Lujiang, and was given Linceng County as his fief. Liu Bei was stationed at Xiling, and Xu Sheng captured many of Liu Bei's encampments, remaining undefeated in battle. Cao Xiu led his troops out of Dongkou, and Xu Sheng, along with Lv Fan and Quan Cong, crossed the river to resist. They encountered a strong wind, which caused many boatmen to die. Xu Sheng rallied the remaining soldiers and confronted Cao Xiu at the riverbank. Cao Xiu sent troops to attack Xu Sheng's ships, and Xu Sheng, despite being outnumbered, successfully defended his position, leading both sides to withdraw. Xu Sheng was then promoted to General of Andong and appointed as the Marquis of Wuhu.
Later, Emperor Wen of Wei prepared to launch a major attack and wanted to cross the river. Xu Sheng suggested building defensive structures in Jianye, constructing a thin wall with fake towers on top, and deploying ships in the river. Other generals believed it would be ineffective, but Xu Sheng persisted. When Emperor Wen arrived in Guangling and saw the scale of the defenses, he was shocked, and as the Yangtze River's water level rose, he withdrew his troops. Other generals then admired Xu Sheng.
During the Huangwu era, Xu Sheng passed away. His son Xu Kai succeeded him in both title and military command.
Pan Zhang, styled Wengui, was a native of Dongjun. When Sun Quan was the Prefect of Yangxian County, Pan Zhang followed him. Pan Zhang was straightforward and loved drinking, even though he was poor. He frequently drank on credit, and whenever creditors came to collect, he would say he would repay them once he became wealthy. Sun Quan liked him and assigned him to recruit soldiers, resulting in the recruitment of hundreds of soldiers, which led to his appointment as a general. He achieved merit by defeating mountain bandits and was appointed as a Marshal of a separate command. Later, he was sent to Wu County as a Magistrate, where he eradicated evil and thieves, causing them to vanish, earning him widespread acclaim and promotion to the position of Magistrate of Xi'an County in Yuzhang.
When Liu Biao was in Jingzhou, the common people were often harassed by bandits. Since Pan Zhang took office, the bandits dared not enter the territory. Later, a rebellion broke out in Jianchang County, and Pan Zhang was transferred there to suppress the rebellion. He was also appointed as Wumeng Commandant. He managed to pacify the rebellion and recruited eight hundred scattered soldiers, leading them back to Jianye.
During the battle in Hefei, Zhang Liao suddenly attacked. Our troops were caught off guard; Chen Wu died in battle, and Song Qian and Xu Sheng fled. Pan Zhang was at the rear at the time, but he immediately charged forward, leading the charge and killing the fleeing Song Qian and Xu Sheng, rallying the scattered soldiers to continue the fight. Sun Quan greatly appreciated him and appointed him as Major General, commanding one hundred units stationed in Banzhou.
When Sun Quan attacked Guan Yu, Pan Zhang and Zhu Ran cut off Guan Yu's retreat, pursuing him to Linju where they set up camp at Jiashi. Pan Zhang's subordinate, Sima Ma Zhong, captured Guan Yu, as well as Guan Yu's son Guan Ping and the Commander Zhao Lei. Sun Quan then carved out Yidu and Zigui counties, establishing Guling commandery and appointing Pan Zhang as the Prefect. He was also appointed as General of Might and Marquis of Liyang. After Gan Ning's death, his forces were also placed under Pan Zhang's command.
Liu Bei marched out of Yiling, and Pan Zhang and Lu Xun resisted together. Pan Zhang's army killed Liu Bei's bodyguard Feng Xi and others, causing many casualties. Later, Pan Zhang was appointed as General of the North and Governor of Xiangyang. The Wei generals, including Xiahou Shang, besieged Nanjun and sent thirty thousand troops to build a floating bridge on Bailizhou to cross the river. Zhuge Jin and Yang Can led troops to rescue, but did not know how to deploy their forces as the Wei army continued to cross the river. Pan Zhang said, "The Wei army is currently strong and the river is shallow; it is not suitable to fight them now." So, he led his troops fifty miles upstream and cut down over a million bundles of reeds to make large rafts, planning to float downstream and burn the Wei army's floating bridge. Just as the rafts were completed and waiting for the water level to rise, Xiahou Shang retreated. Pan Zhang then stationed his troops at Lukou. After Sun Quan became emperor, Pan Zhang was appointed as Right General.
Pan Zhang was known for his rough and strong personality, strict discipline, and a particular fondness for military achievements. Although he only had a few thousand soldiers under his command, the area where they were stationed was so orderly it felt like there were tens of thousands of troops. After each battle, he would immediately establish a market, a feature not found in other armies, and everyone relied on him to replenish supplies. However, he was extravagant and became even more so in his later years, dressing in luxurious attire. Among his officials and soldiers, if someone was wealthy, he would sometimes kill them outright to take their wealth, frequently flouting the law. His behavior was reported to the authorities, but given his accomplishments, they consistently downplayed his offenses and did not pursue them. In the third year of Jiahe, Pan Zhang died. His son, Pan Ping, was exiled to Kuaiji for his misdeeds. Pan Zhang's wife lived in Jianye, where the court granted her land and arranged for fifty households to serve as her attendants.
Ding Feng, courtesy name Chengyuan, was from Anfeng in Lujiang. He rose to the rank of a young general due to his bravery and skill in battle, fighting alongside Gan Ning, Lu Xun, and Pan Zhang. He participated in many battles, always leading the charge and often achieving remarkable feats. He was promoted to Minor General. After Sun Liang ascended to the throne, Ding Feng was appointed as Champion General and granted the title of Marquis of Duting.
When the Wei forces led by Zhuge Dan and Hu Zun attacked Dongxing, Zhuge Ke led the resistance. Many soldiers said, "The enemy will definitely run away as soon as they hear the Prime Minister has come." Only Ding Feng said, "No, they won't. They’ve definitely plotted this; they have mobilized all their forces from within the territory, including armies from Xuchang and Luoyang. How could they retreat easily? We cannot expect the enemy not to come; we should be prepared to defeat them." When Zhuge Ke arrived, Ding Feng, along with generals Tang Zi, Lu Ju, and Liu Zan, attacked from the direction of Shanxi. Ding Feng ordered the other troops to take another route while leading three thousand men straight to Huanglong. Despite the cold and snow, Ding Feng arrived at Xutang after sailing for two days. Seeing that the enemy leaders were drinking and having a good time while their front forces were weak, Ding Feng told his men, "Today is the day we secure our titles and ranks!" He ordered his soldiers to remove their armor, put on helmets, and take up their short weapons. The enemy, seeing this, laughed and dropped their guard. Ding Feng ordered a fierce attack, breaking the enemy's front lines. When Tang Zi and others arrived, the Wei army was completely defeated. Ding Feng was promoted to General Who Defeats the Enemy and was further granted the title of Marquis of Duxiang.
General Wen Qin of the Wei Kingdom surrendered to the Eastern Wu. Sun Jun appointed Ding Feng as the General of Tiger Power, who followed Sun Jun to Shou Chun to greet Wen Qin and engaged the pursuing Wei army at Gaoting. Ding Feng rode a horse, held a long spear, charged into the enemy formation, slaughtered hundreds of foes, and seized a large cache of weapons. Afterwards, Ding Feng was promoted to Marquis of Anfeng.
In the second year of the Taiping era, Zhuge Dan rebelled in Shou Chun and was besieged by the Wei army after his surrender. The Wu Kingdom sent Zhu Yi, Tang Zi, and others to rescue him, and also had Ding Feng and Li Fei work together to break the siege. Ding Feng led the charge, stationed in Lijiang, fought valiantly, made great contributions, and was appointed as Left General.
After Sun Xiu became emperor, he conferred with Zhang Bu about eliminating Sun Chen. Zhang Bu said, "Although Ding Feng is not good at paperwork, his strategies surpass ordinary people and he can make decisive decisions." Sun Xiu summoned Ding Feng and said, "Sun Chen holds the power of the country and intends to commit treachery. I want to kill him with you." Ding Feng said, "The Prime Minister's brother and his faction wield significant influence, and it may be difficult to control them all at once. We can bide our time until the New Year's gathering and use your army to kill him." Sun Xiu adopted his plan, invited Sun Chen to the gathering, and Ding Feng and Zhang Bu struck him down right then and there. Ding Feng was elevated to Grand General and appointed Protector of the Left and Right. In the third year of Yong'an, he received an honorary title and was appointed as the Governor of Xu Province. In the sixth year of Yong'an, the Wei Kingdom launched an attack on Shu Han, and Ding Feng led his army to Shou Chun to support Shu Han. The army returned only after Shu Han fell.
After Sun Xiu's death, Ding Feng, Puyang Xing, and others followed Wan Yu's advice and together supported Sun Hao as emperor. Ding Feng was appointed as Right Grand Marshal and Left Military Strategist. In the third year of the Baoding era, Sun Hao ordered Ding Feng and Zhuge Jing to launch an attack on Hefei together. Ding Feng wrote to the Jin general Shi Bao, sowing discord among their ranks, and Shi Bao was recalled. In the first year of Jianheng, Ding Feng led the army to camp in Xutang again, and then launched an attack on Guyang, which was under Jin control. Upon hearing of the attack, the people of Guyang fled, leaving Ding Feng with little to show for his efforts. Sun Hao was furious and executed Ding Feng's guide. In the third year of Jianheng, Ding Feng passed away. Although Ding Feng had great achievements and high status, he later became arrogant and complacent, and some people began to slander him. Due to his past military failures, Sun Hao relocated Ding Feng's family to Linchuan. Ding Feng's brother, Ding Feng, also rose to the rank of general but passed away before him.
Commentary: All these generals were formidable warriors from the Jiangdong region, who were well-regarded by the Sun family. Pan Zhang failed to rectify his mistakes, yet his ability to overlook faults while emphasizing achievements, thus maintaining control over the southeast, is commendable! The Chen and Biao families are both distinguished, and their remarkable achievements deserve admiration.
