Book of Wu · Biographies of the Imperial Clan

Sun Jing, courtesy name Youtai, was Sun Jian's youngest brother. When Jian first raised his undertaking, Jing gathered five or six hundred local men and clansmen as a defensive force, and everyone supported him. After Sun Ce defeated Liu Yao and pacified the counties, he advanced against Kuaiji and sent for Jing, who brought his family to join him at Qiantang. Administrator Wang Lang resisted Ce at Guling. Ce repeatedly crossed the water to fight but could not prevail. Jing advised him: “Lang relies on difficult ground and holds his city; we cannot take it quickly. Zhadu lies several tens of li south of here,

and is a key route. We should go that way and occupy his interior: this is attacking where unprepared and appearing unexpectedly. I shall personally lead the vanguard, and we will certainly defeat him.” Ce agreed and falsely ordered the army: “Recent rains have muddied the water, giving many soldiers stomach pain. Quickly prepare several hundred jars to settle it.” At dusk fires were arrayed to deceive Lang, while a detachment went by night along the Zhadu route and attacked Gaoqian's camp.

Greatly alarmed, Lang sent former Administrator of Danyang Zhou Xin and others to fight. Ce defeated and killed Xin and the others, then pacified Kuaiji.

Ce memorialized for Jing to become Colonel Who Rouses Martial Might and wanted to entrust him with great responsibility. Attached to ancestral graves and clansmen, Jing disliked leaving for office and asked to remain in local defense. Ce agreed. When Quan took charge, he promoted Jing at home to Gentleman-General Who Displays Righteousness. Jing died at home. He had five sons: Sun Gao, Sun Yu, Sun Jiao, Sun Huan (奐), and Sun Qian. Gao had three sons: Sun Chuo, Sun Chao, and Sun Gong. Chao became Lieutenant General. Gong fathered Sun Jun; Chuo fathered Sun Chen.

Sun Yu, courtesy name Zhongyi, first commanded troops as Colonel Who Reveres Righteousness. Most guests and generals then came from west of the Yangzi. Yu modestly reassured them and won their affection. In Jian'an's ninth year he became Administrator of Danyang. Supporters gathered until his force exceeded ten thousand, and he additionally became General Who Pacifies the Distant. In the eleventh year he and Zhou Yu attacked and defeated the two camps of Ma and Bao. Later he followed Quan against Lord Cao (Cao Cao) at Ruxu. Quan wanted battle; Yu urged caution, but Quan refused, and the army achieved nothing. Yu became General Who Rouses Awe, retaining the commandery, and moved his camp from Liyang to Niuzhu. He made Rao Zhu of Yong'an Chief of Xiang'an and Yan Lian of Wuxi Chief of Juchao, ordering them to attract people in the two Lujiang commanderies; both secured submissions. Ma Pu of Jiyin devoted himself to ancient learning. Yu honored him generously and sent several hundred sons and younger brothers of officers in the two headquarters to study with him. He established an educational office and attended its lectures and recitations, providing hospitality. While the other generals concerned themselves with warfare, Yu delighted in ancient writings; even on campaign the sound of his recitation never stopped. He died aged thirty-nine in Jian'an's twentieth year. His five sons were Sun Mi, Sun Xi, Sun Yao, Sun Man, and Sun Hong. Man became a general and marquis.

Sun Jiao, courtesy name Shulang, first became Colonel Who Protects the Army, commanding more than two thousand men. Lord Cao (Cao Cao) repeatedly advanced at Ruxu, and Jiao's contingents always resisted, winning a reputation as picked troops. He became General Who Campaigns against the Rebels and overall protector, replacing Cheng Pu in command at Xiakou. When Huang Gai and Jiao's elder brother Sun Yu died, their forces also passed to him. Shaxian, Yundu, Nanxinshi, and Jingling were granted as revenue fiefs, with authority to appoint senior officials himself. Generous with wealth and adept at friendships, he was especially close to Zhuge Jin. He entrusted Liu Jing of Lujiang with criticism of his conduct, Li Yun of Jiangxia with general affairs, and Wu Shuo of Guangling and Zhang Liang of Henan with military matters. His wholehearted intimacy inspired everyone's fullest effort. Once scouts captured the beautiful daughter of a Wei frontier officer and presented her to Jiao. He changed her clothes and sent her home, ordering: “We punish the Cao clan. What crime have their people committed? From now on do not attack the old and weak.” Many between the Yangzi and Huai consequently submitted.

Once he quarreled angrily with Gan Ning over a small matter. Someone advised Ning to give way. Ning said: “Ministers and sons alike have their proper rules. Though General Who Campaigns against the Rebels (Sun Jiao) is a noble clansman, how can he willfully insult others? Serving an enlightened lord, I should offer my strength and life to repay him. I cannot bend proper standards to follow vulgar custom.” Hearing this, Quan reproached Jiao by letter:

“Since I became the north's enemy, ten years have passed. At the beginning I was young; now I approach thirty. Confucius said, ‘At thirty I stood firm,’ and did not mean merely the Five Classics. I gave you picked troops and great responsibility, with overall protection of generals a thousand li away, hoping you would resemble Chu's employment of Zhao Xixu and display might on the northern frontier. I did not send you merely to indulge private inclinations. Recently I heard that while drinking with Gan Xingba (Gan Ning), you erupted in drunken anger and bullied him, so he asked to serve under Lü Meng. Though rough and forceful and sometimes unsatisfactory, he is, on balance, a man of greatness. My closeness to him is no private favoritism. I love him; you reject and hate him. Your conduct constantly contradicts mine: can this endure? Respectful bearing and simple administration enable one to govern people; love and tolerance win the multitude. If you do not understand even these, how can you command far away, resist invaders, and meet emergencies? You are growing older and have specially received weighty trust. Above are distant observers looking toward you; below, subordinates serving you daily. How can you indulge violent rage? Who has no faults? The precious thing is correction. Reflect on your former errors and reproach yourself deeply. I now trouble Zhuge Ziyu (Zhuge Jin) to explain my intention again. Writing this, I am overcome by grief, my heart sorrowing and tears falling.”

Jiao received the letter, memorialized an apology, and formed a close friendship with Ning. Later, when Lü Meng was to surprise Nan Commandery, Quan wanted Jiao and Meng to be left and right grand commanders. Meng said: “If Your Majesty considers General Who Campaigns against the Rebels (Sun Jiao) capable, employ him; if me, employ me. Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu once jointly commanded left and right divisions against Huiling <as written in the supplied text>. Though Yu decided matters, Pu relied on seniority and their equal rank, causing discord that nearly ruined state affairs. This is an immediate warning.” Quan understood and thanked Meng: “You shall be grand commander, with Jiao supporting behind.” Jiao <the supplied text writes 皖 here, apparently for 皎> contributed to Guan Yu's capture and Jing Province's settlement. He died in Jian'an's twenty-fourth year. Quan commemorated his achievements by making his son Sun Yin Marquis of Danyang. Yin died without a son and his younger brother Sun Xi succeeded. Commanding troops, Xi committed an offense and killed himself; the fief was abolished. His younger brothers Sun Zi, Sun Mi, and Sun Yi all became generals and marquises. Zi commanded the Feathered Forest Guards and Yi the Troops without Difficulty. Zi was killed by Teng Yin and Yi by Sun Jun.

Sun Huan (奐), courtesy name Jiming, succeeded his elder brother Jiao's command after Jiao died. As Gentleman-General Who Displays Martial Might, he concurrently administered Jiangxia. In his first year he followed Jiao's precedent, honored Liu Jing, Li Yun, Wu Shuo, Zhang Liang, and Lü Ju of Jiangxia, and accepted their good advice. He was slow in sudden encounters but quick in official business <當宮 is the supplied wording, apparently referring to his duties>, winning the army's and people's praise. In Huangwu's fifth year Quan attacked Shiyang. As local commander, Huan sent General Xianyu Dan with five thousand men ahead to cut the Huai route. He personally led Wu Shuo and Zhang Liang with another five thousand as vanguard, obtaining Gaocheng's surrender and three generals. When the main army withdrew, Quan ordered him to halt ahead. Passing Huan's army and seeing its orderly formation, Quan exclaimed: “At first I worried about his slowness. Now few generals can equal his management of troops. I have no further worry.” He became General Who Displays Awe and Marquis of Shaxian. Wu Shuo and Zhang Liang both became Deputy Generals and Marquises within the Passes.

Huan also loved Confucian scholars and repeatedly ordered his officers' sons and younger brothers to study. Several dozen later gained court appointments. He died aged forty in Jiahe's third year. His son Sun Cheng inherited, succeeding to troops and commandery as Gentleman-General Who Displays Martial Prowess. Cheng died without a son in Chiwu's sixth year. His younger half-brother Sun Yi (孫壹) was enfeoffed to continue Huan's line and inherited his military command. When Sun Jun executed Zhuge Ke, Yi, Quan Xi, and Shi Ji attacked Ke's younger brother Zhuge Rong, commander at Gong'an. Rong killed himself. Yi advanced from General Who Guards the South to General Who Guards the Army, with a tally and command at Xiakou. When Sun Chen executed Teng Yin and Lü Ju, both were Yi's brothers-in-law <the supplied clause has a repeated 皆>. Yi's younger brother Sun Feng, also privy to their plot, killed himself. Chen sent Zhu Yi to attack Yi secretly. When Yi learned at Wuchang that he was the target, he led more than a thousand subordinates and dependents, taking Teng Yin's wife, and fled to Wei. Wei made him General of Chariots and Cavalry, with honors equal to the Three Excellencies, and Marquis of Wu, marrying him to Lady Xing, a former honored consort of the deposed ruler Cao Fang. Beautiful but jealous, Xing imposed intolerable demands on the servants, who together killed Yi and Xing. Yi died three years after entering Wei.

Sun Ben, courtesy name Boyang, was the son of Sun Qiang, courtesy name Sheng[tai], Sun Jian's full elder brother. Ben lost both parents early and raised his infant younger brother Sun Fu with deep fraternal affection. He became commandery postal inspector and acting county chief. When Jian raised righteous troops at Changsha, Ben left office to campaign with him. After Jian died, Ben took charge of the survivors and escorted his coffin. Later Yuan Shu moved to Shouchun and Ben joined him. Shu's elder cousin Yuan Shao employed Zhou Ang of Kuaiji as Administrator of Jiujiang. Shao and Shu were at odds; Shu sent Ben to defeat Ang at Yinling. Shu memorialized for Ben to act as Inspector of Yu Province, then transferred him to Commandant of Danyang and acting General Who Campaigns against the Rebels. He pacified the Shanyue. Driven out by Inspector of Yang Province Liu Yao, he led his troops back to Liyang. Shu again sent Ben and Wu Jing against Fan Neng, Zhang Ying, and others without success. When Ce crossed east, he helped Ben and Jing defeat them and advanced against Liu Yao, who fled to Yuzhang. Ce sent Ben and Jing to report at Shouchun. Yuan Shu was then usurping the title and appointing officials; he made Ben Administrator of Jiujiang. Ben refused, abandoned his wife and children, and returned south of the Yangzi.

Ce had then pacified Wu and Kuaiji. Ben joined his campaigns against Liu Xun, Administrator of Lujiang, and Huang Zu, Administrator of Jiangxia. Returning, they heard of Yao's death, pacified Yuzhang on their way, and memorialized for Ben to administer it.

Ben was later made Marquis of Duting. In Jian'an's thirteenth year envoy Liu Yin brought an edict appointing him General Who Campaigns against the Rebels, retaining the commandery. He died after eleven years in office. His son Sun Lin succeeded.

Lin was nine when he took charge of Yuzhang, and was advanced to Marquis of Duxiang.

He governed nearly twenty years, suppressing rebels and establishing orderly achievements. Recalled to Wuchang, he became Commander around the Imperial Tent. Minister of Ceremonies Pan Jun then managed Jing Province's affairs. Shu Xie of Chenliu, Chief of Chong'an, was imprisoned for an offense. Jun had an old disagreement with Xie and wanted to execute him. Many argued for him, but Jun would not release him. Lin said: “Shu Boying and his brother competed to die for each other. All within the seas admired their righteousness. Zhongying (Shu Shao) also served the state with longstanding loyalty. If you kill his descendant, when the realm is united and the blue canopy tours north, Central States gentlemen will ask about Zhongying's heirs. If the answer is that Pan Chengming (Pan Jun) killed Xie, how will that look?” Jun relented and Xie was saved.

Lin became Commander of Xiakou and the Mian Region and General Who Awes the Distant, capably fulfilling his posts. He died in Chiwu's twelfth year. His son Sun Miao succeeded. Miao's younger brother Sun Lü and uncles Sun An, Sun Xi, and Sun Ji all held successive ranked posts.

Sun Fu, courtesy name Guoyi, was Ben's younger brother. As Colonel Who Displays Martial Might he helped Sun Ce pacify three commanderies. When Ce attacked seven counties of Danyang, Fu was sent west to Liyang to resist Yuan Shu, attract the remaining inhabitants, and gather scattered people. He also followed Ce against Lingyang, capturing Zu Lang and others alive.

When Ce surprised Liu Xun, Administrator of Lujiang, in the west, Fu accompanied him, personally led the soldiers, and rendered service. Ce made Fu Administrator of Luling. He pacified its subordinate towns and appointed senior officials. He became General Who Pacifies the South, with a tally of authority and concurrent charge as Inspector of Jiao Province. He sent envoys to communicate with Lord Cao (Cao Cao). When this was discovered, Quan confined him.

He died several years later. His sons Sun Xing, Sun Zhao, Sun Wei, and Sun Xin all held successive ranked posts.

Sun Yi (孫翊), courtesy name Shubi, was Quan's younger brother. Fierce, decisive, and resolute, he resembled his elder brother Ce. Administrator Zhu Zhi recommended him as Filial and Incorrupt, and the Minister of Works recruited him.

In Jian'an's eighth year Yi became Lieutenant General and concurrent Administrator of Danyang, aged twenty. He was later killed by his attendant Bian Hong, who was immediately executed in turn.

His son Sun Song became Colonel of Archers Shooting at Sound and Marquis of Duxiang.

He died in Huanglong's third year. Shu's Chancellor Zhuge Liang wrote his elder brother Zhuge Jin: “Having received generous treatment from the eastern court, I feel affection for its younger generation. Ziqiao (Zhuge Qiao) too was a fine talent, and this grieves me. Seeing the objects he gave me moves me to tears.” Such was his mourning for Song, prompted by accounts from Liang's adopted son Qiao. <The supplied quotation's reference to Qiao and its connection to Song are retained; their textual relationship needs review.>

Sun Kuang, courtesy name Jizuo, was Yi's younger brother. Recommended as Filial and Incorrupt and Flourishing Talent, he died before being tried in office, aged in his twenties.

Kuang's son Sun Tai was the Cao family's nephew. As Colonel of the Long River, he followed Quan in besieging Xincheng in Jiahe's third year and died from a stray arrow. Tai's son Sun Xiu became General of the Front and commander at Xiakou. A close imperial relative holding troops away from court, he made Hao uneasy. In Jianheng's second year Hao sent He Ding with five thousand men to hunt at Xiakou. Earlier rumors had said Xiu would be attacked. Ding's distant hunting trip frightened him, so at night he took his wife, children, and several hundred personal troops and fled to Jin. Jin made him General of Agile Cavalry, with honors equal to the Three Excellencies, and Duke of Kuaiji (Sun Xiu) <a ducal title bestowed by Jin>.

Sun Shao, courtesy name Gongli, had an uncle Sun He, courtesy name Bohai, originally surnamed Yu and also from Wu. Sun Ce loved He, granted him the surname Sun, and entered him in the clan register.

He later became a general and stationed at Jingcheng.

Earlier Sun Quan had killed Sheng Xian, Administrator of Wu Commandery.

Gui Lan and Dai Yuan, former Filial and Incorrupt nominees of Xian, fled into the mountains. As Administrator of Danyang, Sun Yi honorably summoned them both. Lan became Grand Commander-in-Chief over the troops and Yuan Deputy Administrator.

After Yi's murder, He hurried to Wanling and angrily reproached Lan and Yuan for failing to protect Yi <the supplied text writes 權, but the murdered man in context is 翊> and allowing the treachery. They conferred: “Bohai (Sun He) was only distantly connected with the general, yet reproaches us like this. If General Who Campaigns against the Rebels (Sun Quan) comes, none of us will survive.” They killed He and sent north to Inspector of Yang Province Liu Fu, inviting him to Liyang and offering Danyang in support. Yi's subordinates Xu Yuan, Sun Gao, Fu Ying, and others then killed Lan and Yuan.

At seventeen Shao gathered He's surviving troops and repaired Jingcheng, raising towers and preparing weapons and defenses. Hearing of the disorder, Quan returned from Jiaoqiu, pacified Danyang on the way, and led his army back toward Wu. Reaching Jingcheng at night, he camped and tested it with a surprise attack. The soldiers all mounted the walls, circulated warnings, shouted so the earth shook, and shot at outsiders. Only Quan's message stopped them. Meeting Shao next day, Quan highly esteemed him, made him Colonel Who Continues Valor, and gave him He's troops, with revenue from Qu'e and Dantu and authority to appoint senior officials, just as He had done. Later he became Administrator of Guangling and Lieutenant General. When Quan became King of Wu (Sun Quan) <his pre-imperial royal title>, Shao advanced to General Who Displays Awe and Marquis of Jiande. On Quan's imperial accession he became General Who Guards the North. A frontier general for decades, he cared well for his soldiers and won their willingness to die. He prioritized frontier vigilance and distant scouts, knowing enemy movements beforehand and preparing, so rarely suffered defeat. Many from Qing, Xu, Ru, and Pei joined him. Huainan's posts beside the Yangzi withdrew far away, leaving hundreds of li uninhabited in the Xu, Si, Yangzi, and Huai regions. After Quan's western expedition and establishment of the capital at Wuchang, Shao went more than ten years without an audience. Only when Quan returned to Jianye could he attend. Quan asked the strategic positions of Qing's and Xu's camps, their distances and numbers of men and horses, and the names of Wei's commanders. Shao knew all in detail and answered every question. Eight chi tall, with elegant bearing, he delighted Quan: “I have not seen Gongli (Sun Shao) for so long. I never imagined he had improved so much.” Shao additionally received nominal charge as Governor of You Province and a tally of authority. He died in Chiwu's fourth year. His son Sun Yue succeeded and reached General of the Right. Yue's elder brother Sun Kai, Grand General of the Martial Guards and Marquis of Lincheng, replaced Yue as commander below the capital. Kai's younger brother Sun Yi (孫異) became General Who Leads the Army, Sun Yi (孫奕) Minister of the Imperial Clan, and Sun Hui Administrator of Wuling. In Tianxi's first year Kai was summoned as General of Agile Cavalry Guarding beneath the Palace. Earlier Shi Dan and other Yong'an rebels had seized Hao's younger brother Sun Qian and attacked Jianye. Someone accused Kai of wavering and not promptly attacking them. Hao repeatedly sent to question him. Constantly terrified, and finally summoned, Kai took his wife, children, and several hundred personal troops to Jin. Jin made him General of Chariots and Cavalry and Marquis of Danyang.

Sun Huan (孫桓), courtesy name Shuwu, was He's son.

At twenty-five Huan became Gentleman-General Who Pacifies the East and resisted Liu Bei with Lu Xun. Bei's great army filled mountains and valleys, but Huan exerted all his strength and life. Working with Xun, he made Bei flee defeated. Huan cut into the route at Shang[kui] <the supplied place-name contains parenthetical variant characters> and blocked its key paths. Bei crossed mountains and dangerous ground, barely escaping. Angrily he sighed: “When I first came to Jingcheng, Huan was still a child. Now he presses me to this!” For his achievements Huan became General Who Establishes Martial Prowess and Marquis of Dantu. He went downstream to command at Niugang and constructed Hengjiang Fort, but died before long.

Appraisal: Affection and duty toward kin are constant through past and present. “The clan's sons are a protecting wall,” as the poet praised. How much more these Suns, some helping establish the first foundations, others guarding frontiers, fulfilling their responsibilities without disgracing their honors! Thus I have recorded them in detail.