Book of Wu · Biographies of the Imperial Consorts

Lady Wu, wife of General Who Defeats the Rebels (Sun Jian) <his military title>, was the mother of Wu's ruler Sun Quan. Originally from Wu, she moved to Qiantang. Orphaned early, she lived with her younger brother Wu Jing. Hearing of her ability and beauty, Sun Jian wished to marry her. Her relatives disliked his frivolous cunning and intended to refuse, to Jian's great humiliation and resentment. She told them: “Why cherish one daughter so as to invite disaster? If the marriage proves unhappy, that is fate.” They agreed. She bore four sons and one daughter.

Jing frequently campaigned with Jian, rendered service, and became Cavalry Commandant. Yuan Shu memorialized for him to act as Administrator of Danyang. He attacked the former administrator Zhou Xin and occupied the commandery. Sun Ce, Sun He, and Lü Fan joined Jing and together attacked Zu Lang, a mountain bandit in Jing County. Lang fled defeated. Driven away by Liu Yao, Jing again went north to Yuan Shu, who made him Gentleman-General Who Supervises the Army. With Sun Ben he attacked Fan Neng and Yu Mi at Hengjiang, then Ze Rong and Xue Li at Moling. Ce was wounded at Niuzhu, and surrendered bandits rebelled again. Jing attacked and captured them all. He joined the campaign against Liu Yao, who fled to Yuzhang. Ce sent Jing and Ben to Shouchun to report to Shu. Shu was then contesting Xu Province with Liu Bei and made Jing Administrator of Guangling. Later Shu usurped the imperial title. Ce remonstrated by letter, but Shu refused. Ce then closed the river crossings, severed contact, and sent word to Jing. Jing immediately abandoned his commandery and returned east. Ce again made him Administrator of Danyang. Han sent Consultant Wang Pu

south with an imperial commission. He memorialized for Jing to become General Who Displays Martial Might, retaining the commandery as before.

When Quan inherited the enterprise in youth, Lady Wu helped manage military and state affairs and was of great assistance.

In the seventh year of Jian'an, as she lay dying, she summoned Zhang Zhao and others and entrusted them with future affairs. She was buried together with her husband at Gaoling.

In the eighth year Jing died in office. His son Wu Fen received troops, became a general, and was made Marquis of Xinting. He died.

His son Wu An succeeded but was executed for supporting King of Lu (Sun Ba). Fen's younger brother Wu Qi succeeded and was made Marquis of Duting. He died, and his son Wu Zuan succeeded. Zuan's wife was Teng Yin's daughter. When Yin was executed, they too were killed.

Lady Xie, consort of Wu's ruler Sun Quan, was from Shanyin in Kuaiji. Her father Xie Jiong was a Han Gentleman of the Masters of Writing and Magistrate of Xu.

Quan's mother Lady Wu arranged her betrothal to Quan as consort, and she enjoyed affection and favor. Later Quan took Lady Xu, granddaughter of his paternal aunt, and wanted Xie to yield precedence to her. Xie refused and consequently lost favor. She died early. More than ten years later her younger brother Cheng became Gentleman of the Five Offices and gradually rose to Commandant of Eastern Changsha and Administrator of Wuling. He wrote more than a hundred juan of the History of the Later Han.

Lady Xu, consort of Wu's ruler Sun Quan, was from Fuchun in Wu Commandery. Her grandfather Xu Zhen was close to Quan's father Sun Jian. Jian married his younger sister to Zhen; she bore Xu Kun. Kun served provincial and commandery offices in youth. Amid the disorders at Han's end, he left office, campaigned with Jian, rendered service, and became Lieutenant General. After Jian died, he followed Sun Ce against Fan Neng and Yu Mi at Hengjiang and Zhang Ying at Dangli's river mouth. Boats were few, and they considered stopping to seek more. Kun's mother, then with the army, told him: “I fear the provincial government will send many naval troops to oppose us, to our disadvantage. How can we stop? Cut reeds for rafts to help the boats ferry the army.”

Kun reported the whole proposal to Ce, who immediately adopted it. The entire army crossed, defeated Ying, drove off Ze Rong and Liu Yao, and secured the undertaking. Ce memorialized for Kun to act as Administrator of Danyang. Wu Jing then abandoned Guangling and came east, becoming Administrator of Danyang again.

Kun commanded troops as Gentleman-General Who Supervises the Army. He helped defeat Li Shu, Administrator of Lujiang, was made Marquis of Guangde, and promoted to General Who Pacifies the Rebels. Later, campaigning against Huang Zu, he was struck by a stray arrow and died.

Lady Xu was Kun's daughter. She first married Lu Shang of the same commandery. After Shang died, Quan <the supplied text writes 極 here, an apparent error for 權>, then General Who Campaigns against the Rebels at Wu, married her as consort and had her raise his son Sun Deng as mother. Later, when Quan moved, he deposed her for jealousy and left her at Wu. More than ten years passed. When Quan became King of Wu (Sun Quan) <the royal title preceding his imperial accession> and later emperor, Deng became crown prince. The ministers requested that Xu be made empress, but Quan favored Lady Bu and never agreed. Xu later died of illness. Her elder brother Xu Jiao inherited their father Kun's marquisate, pacified the Shanyue, and became Lieutenant General. He died before her without a son. Their younger brother Xu Zuo inherited and, through military achievements, reached commander at Wuhu and General Who Pacifies Wei.

Lady Bu, consort of Wu's ruler Sun Quan, was from Huaiyin in Linhuai and belonged to Chancellor Bu Zhi's clan. At Han's end her mother took her to Lujiang. After Sun Ce conquered Lujiang, they crossed the Yangzi eastward. Her beauty won Quan's favor, and she ranked foremost in his inner palace. She bore two daughters. The elder, Sun Luban, courtesy name Dahu, first married Zhou Yu's son Zhou Xun and later Quan Cong. The younger, Sun Luyu, courtesy name Xiaohu, first married Zhu Ju and later Liu Zuan.

Lady Bu was not jealous and recommended many others for favor, so she long retained Quan's love. As king and emperor he wished to make her empress, but the ministers supported Lady Xu. He hesitated for more than ten years, though everyone in the palace called Bu empress and her relatives addressed memorials to her as the Central Palace. When she died, the ministers followed Quan's wishes and requested that her title be formally rectified posthumously. A seal and ribbon were bestowed with this investiture:

“On wuzi in the intercalary month of the first year of Chiwu, the emperor declares: Alas, Empress (Lady Bu)! You assisted the mandate and joined me in serving Heaven and Earth. Reverent day and night, you shared my labors. You ordered the inner household's teaching without fault in ritual or duty. Broad-minded, kind, and generous, you possessed excellent and beautiful virtue. Subjects and ministers looked to you; near and far turned their hearts. Because the world's troubles were not subdued and the great dominion not united, I followed your modest intentions and your constant humility. Thus I did not then grant the title, believing Heaven would give you long years in which to glorify its favor with me. Unexpectedly and suddenly your allotted life approached its end. I regret not making my intention manifest earlier and grieve that you have died without completing Heaven's blessings. My utmost sorrow pierces my heart. I now send the envoy holding the tally, Chancellor and Marquis of Liling Village Gu Yong, to present this document and confer your title, joining you in the sacrifices to the former empress. If your spirit has consciousness, may it enjoy this honor. Alas, how sorrowful!”

She was buried at Jiangling (蔣陵).

Lady Wang, consort of Wu's ruler Sun Quan, was from Langye.

Selected for the palace, she won favor during Huangwu and bore Sun He. Her favor was second only to Lady Bu's. After Bu died and He became crown prince, Quan intended to make Wang empress. Princess Quan (Sun Luban), who had always hated her, gradually slandered her. When Quan fell ill, the princess claimed Wang looked pleased. Quan angrily reproached her, and she died of grief. When He's son Sun Hao succeeded, he posthumously honored her as Empress Dayi (Lady Wang of Langye) <a posthumous empress title>, and made her three younger brothers ranked marquises.

Lady Wang, consort of Wu's ruler Sun Quan, was from Nanyang. Selected for the palace, she won favor during Jiahe and bore Sun Xiu. When He became crown prince, his mother's distinction caused other favored consorts to be sent away. Lady Wang went to Gong'an, died, and was buried there. On his accession Xiu sent envoys to honor her posthumously as Empress Jinghuai (Lady Wang of Nanyang) <a posthumous empress title> and rebury her at Jingling. As her Wang family had no successor, her maternal half-brother Wen Yong was made a village marquis.

Lady Pan, consort of Wu's ruler Sun Quan, was from Gouzhang in Kuaiji. Her father, an official, was executed for an offense. She and her elder sister were both consigned to the weaving workshop. Quan saw her, found her remarkable, and summoned her to the inner palace. Favored and pregnant, she dreamed someone handed her a dragon's head, which she received in her lap-apron. She then bore Sun Liang. In Chiwu's thirteenth year Liang became crown prince and requested that her sister be released for marriage. Quan agreed. The following year Lady Pan became empress. Cunning, jealous, and outwardly charming, throughout her career she slandered and harmed Lady Yuan and many others.

When Quan became ill, Lady Pan sent to ask Director of the Secretariat Sun Hong about Empress Lü (Lü Zhi)'s precedents for controlling government. Exhausted by nursing Quan, she became weak and ill. Palace women waited until she lay unconscious, strangled her together, and claimed she had suffered a malign attack. When the affair later came to light, six or seven were executed. Quan soon died, and they were buried together at Jiangling (蔣陵). On his accession Sun Liang made her sister's husband Tan Shao Cavalry Commandant and gave him troops. After Liang's deposition, Shao and his family were sent back to their native district in Luling.

Lady Quan, wife of Sun Liang, was Quan Shang's daughter. Princess Quan (Sun Luban), Shang's granduncle's wife, loved her and took her along whenever she attended court. When Lady Pan and her son gained favor, Princess Quan, because of her hostility toward Sun He's mother, urged Quan to marry the girl to Pan's son Liang. Liang subsequently became heir. Lady Quan was installed as empress. Shang became Colonel of the City Gates and Marquis of Duting, then replaced Teng Yin as Minister of Ceremonies and General of the Guards, was advanced to Marquis of Yongping, and supervised the Masters of Writing. Five members of the Quan family were then marquises commanding troops and horses. Others were Attendant Gentlemen or Cavalry Commandants guarding the ruler. Since Wu's foundation no relatives by marriage had equaled their distinction. When Wei's general Zhuge Dan submitted with Shouchun, Quan Yi (懌), Quan Duan, Quan Yi (禕), Quan Yi (儀), and others used the occasion to surrender to Wei. Quan Xi's plot was exposed and he was killed. The family consequently declined. Sun Chen deposed Liang as King of Kuaiji, later demoting him again to Marquis of Houguan. Lady Quan accompanied him to Houguan. Shang and his family were exiled to Lingling, where he was subsequently killed.

Lady Zhu, wife of Sun Xiu, was Zhu Ju's daughter, born to the princess who was Xiu's elder sister.

At the end of Chiwu, Quan married her to Xiu as consort. When Xiu became King of Langye (Sun Xiu), she accompanied him to Danyang. During Jianxing Sun Jun monopolized government and the imperial clan all feared him. Quan Shang's wife was Jun's elder sister; thus only Princess Quan (Sun Luban) supported him. Earlier, when Sun He was crown prince, Princess Quan slandered Lady Wang and wanted He deposed and King of Lu (Sun Ba) installed. Princess Zhu (Sun Luyu) refused, causing a breach between them. During Wufeng Sun Yi plotted to kill Jun. When the plot was discovered and Yi executed, Princess Quan claimed Princess Zhu was his accomplice, and Jun unjustly killed her. Afraid, Xiu sent Lady Zhu back to Jianye, holding her hand and weeping at their parting. On her arrival Jun sent her back to Xiu. During Taiping Sun Liang learned that Princess Quan had harmed Princess Zhu and asked why the latter had died. Frightened, Princess Quan said: “I truly do not know. It was all reported by Ju's two sons, Zhu Xiong and Zhu Sun.” Liang killed them. Sun's wife was Jun's younger sister. Sun Chen consequently became still more suspicious of Liang, deposed him, and installed Xiu. In Yong'an's fifth year Lady Zhu became empress. After Xiu died the ministers honored her as empress dowager. A little over a month after Sun Hao succeeded, she was demoted to Empress Jing (Lady Zhu) <the title identifying her as the consort of the late Emperor Jing (Sun Xiu)> and her establishment called Anding Palace. In the seventh month of Ganlu's first year she was forced to her death and buried with Xiu at Dingling.

Lady He, consort of Sun He, was from Jurong in Danyang. Her father He Sui was originally a cavalry soldier. Sun Quan once toured the camps while she watched beside the road. Seeing her, he found her remarkable and ordered a eunuch to summon her, giving her to his son He. She bore a boy. Quan was pleased and named him Pengzu: this was Sun Hao. After Crown Prince Sun He was deposed, he became King of Nanyang (Sun He) and lived at Changsha. Sun Liang succeeded with Sun Jun assisting government. Jun had long courted Princess Quan (Sun Luban), who hated He's mother. She urged Jun to move He to Xindu and send an envoy ordering his suicide. His principal consort Lady Zhang also killed herself. Lady He said: “If we all follow him in death, who will raise the orphans?” She therefore brought up Hao and his three younger brothers. On his accession Hao honored He as Emperor Zhaoxian (Sun He) <an initial posthumous imperial title>,

and Lady He as Empress Zhaoxian (Lady He) <her initial title as the honored consort of Sun He>, with her residence called Shengping Palace. A little over a month later she was advanced to empress dowager. Her younger brothers He Hong, He Jiang, and He Zhi became marquises of Yongping, Liyang, and Xuancheng. Hong died and his son He Miao succeeded. As Army Supervisor of Wuling, Miao was killed by Jin. Zhi rose to Grand Minister over the Masses. At Wu's end government was benighted and disordered; the He family was arrogant and presumptuous, its sons and younger men unruly, causing the people great suffering. Hence the popular rumor: “Hao has long been dead; the man on the throne is a He family son.”

Lady Teng, wife of Sun Hao, was a clanswoman of the former Minister of Ceremonies Teng Yin. When Yin's family was exterminated, her father Teng Mu, being a distant relative, was exiled to a frontier commandery. Sun Xiu's accession amnesty allowed him to return, and he became Gentleman of the Five Offices. After Hao was enfeoffed as Marquis of Wucheng, he married Mu's daughter as consort. On his accession he made her empress and Mu Marquis of Gaomi, General of the Guards, and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. Later court gentlemen, considering Mu a distinguished relative, urged him to remonstrate. The empress's favor was also declining, and Hao became increasingly displeased. His mother Lady He constantly protected the empress. Moreover the Grand Astrologer said the chronological cycles forbade changing the empress. Hao believed shamans and mediums, so she escaped deposition and regularly attended Shengping Palace. Mu was sent to live in Cangwu. Though his title and office remained, this was effectively exile. He died of anxiety on the road. The empress's officials were maintained merely to fill their posts, receiving congratulations and memorials as before. Yet many of Hao's favored inner-palace women wore an empress's seal and ribbon.

In Tianji's fourth year she accompanied Hao to Luoyang.

Appraisal: The Changes says: “Set the family right and the realm is settled.” The Odes says: “A model to his wife, then to his brothers, he governs family and state.” How true these words! Looking distantly at Duke Huan of Qi (Jiang Xiaobai) and more recently at Sun Quan, both had the discernment to recognize gentlemen and the ambition of outstanding men. Yet they failed to distinguish principal and secondary lines and disordered their inner households, leaving themselves a laughingstock through the ages and transmitting disaster to their heirs. Judging from this, can only those who make morality and duty their purpose and impartial unity their guiding principle escape these entanglements?