Book of Wu · Biographies of Yu Fan, Lu Ji, Zhang Wen, Luo Tong, Lu Mao, Wu Can, and Zhu Ju

Yu Fan, courtesy name Zhongxiang, was from Yuyao in Kuaiji.

Administrator Wang Lang made him Merit Officer. When Sun Ce attacked Kuaiji, Yu Fan was mourning his father and came in mourning dress to headquarters. Wang Lang wished to go to him, but he removed the dress and entered, advising Wang Lang to avoid Sun Ce. Refusing, Wang Lang lost and fled by sea. Yu Fan followed and protected him to Houguan in the eastern district. Its chief shut the city against them until Yu Fan persuaded him to admit them.

Wang Lang told Yu Fan: “You have an aged mother and may return.”

After his return, Sun Ce reappointed him Merit Officer, treated him as a friend, and personally visited his home.

Sun Ce loved riding and hunting. Yu Fan warned: “You win complete devotion from an improvised army, surpassing even Emperor Gao of Han (Liu Bang) <a designation of Han's founder>. But sudden private outings leave attendants unprepared and distress the soldiers. A ruler without gravity lacks authority. A dragon took fish form and was trapped by Yu Qie; a white serpent wandered and was slain by Liu Ji (Liu Bang). Give this attention.” Sun Ce replied: “You are right, but when thoughts press me, sitting is oppressive. Like Bi Chen planning in the fields, I go out to think.”

Yu Fan became Chief of Fuchun.

When Sun Ce died, senior officials wished to attend the funeral, but Yu Fan warned that neighboring mountain people might exploit abandoned towns. He remained, wearing mourning and observing rites, and other counties followed, preserving peace.

Later the province recommended him as Outstanding Talent, Han summoned him as Attending Censor, and Minister of Works Lord Cao (Cao Cao) <a respectful designation before later royal and imperial honors> recruited him. He refused all.

Yu Fan sent Privy Treasurer Kong Rong his Commentary on the Changes. Kong Rong replied: “Hearing the lord of Yanling (Ji Zha) interpret music and seeing your treatment of the Changes, I know the southeast's beauty extends beyond Kuaiji's bamboo arrows. Observing signs and clouds, examining cold and warmth, and tracing fortune and disaster in accord with spirits—you explore the hidden and exhaust transformations.” Eastern Kuaiji Commandant Zhang Hong also wrote Kong Rong: “Critics have attacked Yu Zhongxiang (Yu Fan), but precious material shines brighter through carving and polishing, losing nothing.”

Sun Quan made him Commandant of Cavalry, but his repeated frank remonstrances displeased him. Unconventional and often slandered, he was exiled to Jing County, Danyang. Planning against Guan Yu, Lü Meng claimed illness and returned to Jianye. Since Yu Fan knew medicine, he requested his company, also hoping to secure his release. Later the army advanced west. Administrator of Nan Commandery Mi Fang surrendered, but before occupying the city Lü Meng held music on the sandbank. Yu Fan warned: “Only General Mi (Mi Fang) is sincerely committed. Can everyone inside be trusted? Enter quickly and control the keys.” Lü Meng obeyed, preventing a concealed plot. After Guan Yu's defeat, Sun Quan asked Yu Fan to divine. Dui below Kan gave Limitation, its fifth line changing to Approach. Yu Fan said: “Within two days his head will be cut off,” and events followed. Sun Quan said: “You fall short of Fuxi but can be compared with Dongfang Shuo.”

Wei general Yu Jin, captured by Guan Yu and held in the city, was freed by Sun Quan. Later riding together, Yu Fan shouted: “You are a surrendered captive. How dare you ride level with our lord!” He raised a whip, but Sun Quan stopped him. At a banquet aboard a towered ship, music made Yu Jin weep. Yu Fan said: “Do you seek escape through pretense?” Sun Quan was displeased.

After Sun Quan became King of Wu (Sun Quan) <his royal title before imperial accession>, he personally served wine at a feast. Yu Fan feigned drunkenness on the ground and refused, rising once Sun Quan passed. Furious, Sun Quan drew a sword. While everyone panicked, Minister of Agriculture Liu Ji embraced him: “If you kill a good man after three cups, who will know his guilt? The realm admires your tolerance of worthies. Can you abandon it?” Sun Quan said: “Cao Mengde (Cao Cao) killed Kong Wenju (Kong Rong). Why should I spare Yu Fan?” Liu Ji replied: “The world condemns his reckless killing. You practice virtue and aspire to Yao and Shun. Why compare yourself with him?” Yu Fan escaped. Sun Quan ordered attendants never to carry out drunken commands to kill.

Meeting Mi Fang's boat, Yu Fan was told to give way to the general. He shouted: “Without loyalty and trust, how can one serve a lord? Surrendering another's two cities, can one call oneself general?” Mi Fang shut his door and yielded. Later, passing his camp in a carriage, Yu Fan found its gates shut. He said: “Opening when you should close, closing when you should open—do you understand circumstances?” Mi Fang was ashamed. Blunt and repeatedly erring in drink, Yu Fan pointed to Zhang Zhao during Sun Quan's discussion of immortals: “They are all dead, yet you discuss immortals! How could immortals exist?” Accumulated anger led Sun Quan to exile him to Jiao Province. Even punished and banished, he taught tirelessly, with hundreds of students.

His explanations of Laozi, the Analects, and Discourses of the States also circulated.

Yu Fan befriended Ding Lan of Shanyin and Xu Ling of Taimo on first meeting, while they were minor officials or still unknown. Both eventually became distinguished.

After more than ten years in the south, Yu Fan died at seventy.

He was buried at the old family graves, and his wife and children returned.

Yu Fan had eleven sons. The fourth, Yu Si, was best known. Early in Yong'an he advanced from Gentleman of the Appointments Section to Cavalier Central Attendant-in-Ordinary, later became Army-Supervising Envoy, campaigned against Fu Yan, and died of illness.

His younger brother Yu Zhong became Administrator of Yidu.

Yu Song became Colonel of Elite Cavalry, Commandant of Justice, and Administrator of Xiangdong and Hejian.

Yu Bing became Commandant of Justice, Master of Writing, and Administrator of Jiyin.

Lu Ji, courtesy name Gongji, was from Wu County. His father Lu Kang was Administrator of Lujiang late in Han.

At six, Lu Ji visited Yuan Shu in Jiujiang. Given oranges, he hid three in his robe, which fell as he bowed farewell. Yuan Shu asked: “Young Lu (Lu Ji), a guest carrying oranges?” Kneeling, he answered: “I wish to bring them to my mother.” Yuan Shu marveled. When Sun Ce was at Wu, Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, and Qin Song discussed using military rule to pacify the realm. Seated last as a child, Lu Ji called: “Guan Yiwu (Guan Zhong) assisted Duke Huan of Qi (Jiang Xiaobai), assembled the lords nine times, and rectified the realm without war chariots. Confucius said, ‘If distant peoples do not submit, cultivate civil virtue to attract them.’ Why discuss only arms instead of moral attraction? Young though I am, this troubles me.” They marveled.

Imposing and widely learned, Lu Ji mastered astronomy, calendars, and calculation. The older, renowned Yu Fan and Pang Tong of Jing Province befriended him. Sun Quan recruited him to the Memorials Section but feared his frankness and sent him as Administrator of Yulin, additionally Assistant General with two thousand troops. Lame and devoted to scholarship rather than military office, he nevertheless continued writing, making a Diagram of the Spherical Heavens, commenting on the Changes, and explaining the Supreme Mystery. Foreknowing his death, he wrote: “Han's man of resolve Lu Ji of Wu studied Odes and Documents in youth, Rites and Changes grown. Sent south, he met illness and adversity, unfortunate fate. Alas, sorrowful parting!” He added: “More than sixty years hence, carts will share tracks and writings a script. I regret not seeing it.” He died at thirty-two. Eldest son Lu Hong became Commandant of Southern Kuaiji; next son Lu Rui Colonel of the Changshui Cavalry. [Translator's note: This scholar 陸績 is distinct from the later writer 陸機, also romanized Lu Ji.]

Zhang Wen, courtesy name Huishu, was from Wu County. His father Zhang Yun, renowned for valuing gentlemen above wealth, served as Sun Quan's Eastern Section aide and died. Zhang Wen cultivated integrity young and had an extraordinary appearance. Hearing of him, Sun Quan asked who compared. Minister of Agriculture Liu Ji named Quan Cong; Grand Minister of Ceremonies Gu Yong said: “Liu Ji does not fully know him. Zhang Wen has no peer.” Sun Quan said: “Then Zhang Yun has not died.” Summoned, Zhang Wen's eloquent answers impressed all, and Sun Quan honored him. On departure Zhang Zhao took his hand: “Understand what this old man hopes of you.” He became Consultant, Master of Writing for Appointments, and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, deeply trusted.

At thirty-two he went to Shu as General of the Household Who Assists Righteousness. Sun Quan said: “You should not go far, but Zhuge Kongming (Zhuge Liang) may misunderstand my communication with the Cao house. Thus I send you. Once the Shanyue are removed, I wish great cooperation with Shu. An envoy receives a mission, not fixed words.” Zhang Wen replied: “I lack confidential counsel at home and independent answers abroad, fearing I cannot win Zhang Lao's praise or Zichan (Gongsun Qiao)'s effectiveness. Yet Zhuge Liang understands plans and must recognize your necessary flexibility. Receiving your all-covering kindness, he surely harbors no doubt.” At Shu's palace he presented a memorial:

“Gaozong (Wu Ding) <a Shang temple designation> renewed Yin through silent mourning, and King Cheng (Ji Song) <a Zhou royal title> brought Zhou's virtue to peace in youth, their achievements covering heaven and fame reaching everywhere. Your Majesty's intelligence accords with antiquity, entrusting affairs to good assistants whose brilliance shines far and near, giving all joyful reliance. Wu diligently exerts its strength to clear the river region and unite the realm with the Way's possessor. Our sincere cooperation is like the river's enduring flow. Military duties leave envoys scarce, so we endure the shame of sending this unworthy servant to convey friendship. Your Majesty honors ritual and does not disdain us. From distant borders to the suburbs I have repeatedly received comforts and gracious edicts, fearful at undeserved honor. I respectfully present the enclosed letter.” [Translator's note: The supplied 參列精這炳耀 is difficult; the clear praise of the assistants' brilliance is retained without inventing missing wording.]

Shu greatly valued his talent. Returning, he was soon sent to Yuzhang to organize and recruit troops, but the work remained unfinished.

Sun Quan secretly resented his praise of Shu's government and feared his excessive reputation would prevent his serving loyally. Seeking to harm him, he used Ji Yan's case. Ji Yan, courtesy name Zixiu, was also from Wu; Zhang Wen introduced him as Appointments Gentleman, rising to Master of Writing. Severe and fond of moral judgment, Ji Yan saw unsuitable men mixed in the gentlemen's offices and sought clear distinctions of worthy and foolish. Reviewing officials and the Three Establishments, he demoted most several grades; fewer than one in ten retained rank. Greedy and corrupt incumbents became military clerks in camp offices. Resentment accumulated and insinuation spread: Ji Yan and Appointments Gentleman Xu Biao allegedly followed private affection and hatred. Both were made to kill themselves. Since Zhang Wen had long shared their views and exchanged letters, he too was charged. Sun Quan imprisoned him and ordered:

“I summoned Zhang Wen and received him openly, granting honors beyond old ministers. Who imagined his wicked, disloyal heart? Ji Yan's father and brothers had joined rebels, yet I overlooked that and employed him to test his character. His conduct revealed itself. Zhang Wen bound himself to Ji Yan for life and death, directing his promotions and removals, mutually supporting him and attacking everyone outside their faction. Entrusted over three commanderies to direct clerks, guests, and remaining troops, Zhang Wen received ceremonial weapons and authority for quick return in emergency. At Yuzhang he requested a campaign against old outlaws. Trusting him, I gave five thousand headquarters and Jiefan troops. When Cao Pi advanced on the Huai and Si, I warned him to respond urgently, but he scattered his generals into deep mountains and ignored the summons. Fortunately Cao Pi withdrew; otherwise the result is beyond calculation. “Yin Li was summoned for observing omens, but Zhang Wen repeatedly asked to take him to Shu, glorifying him abroad. Returning, instead of resuming his post, he was placed in the Masters of Writing's Household Section solely by Zhang Wen. Zhang Wen promised Jia Yuan a censorate and Jiang Kang Jia Yuan's post, selling the state's favors for personal strength. His treachery stops at nothing. Unable to bear public execution, I send him home to serve as a menial clerk. Ah, Zhang Wen! Escape from punishment is your good fortune.”

General Luo Tong defended him by memorial:

“Your Highness's Heaven-born virtue and spiritual insight gather talents from everywhere, granting all generous kindness and Zhang Wen the greatest favor. That he brought guilt upon himself and betrayed such treatment is grievous. Yet observing affairs for the state, I know his circumstances and privately explain them. His heart held no ulterior purpose and his acts no rebellion. Young and insufficiently steady beneath splendid favor and exceptional talent, he spoke strongly in judgments of men. Those seeking power envied his favor, those competing for fame envied his talent, the silent opposed his discussion, and the flawed dreaded his criticism. These are matters ministers must distinguish and the enlightened court examine. “Jia Yi was supremely loyal and Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng) <a posthumous imperial title> supremely enlightened, yet one word from Jiang and Guan sent Jia Yi far away. Hatred was deep and slander clever. Their mistaken report became known and the error shone to posterity. Thus Confucius said, ‘Being ruler is difficult, being minister not easy.’ Zhang Wen lacks a diplomat's strategems or fierce martial power, but his broad refinement, brilliant virtue, writing, and eloquence surpass his contemporaries. His talent deserves regret and his offenses pardon. Restraining wrath to pardon virtue and preserving talent for the enterprise would glorify the court and delight the realm. “The state did not treat Ji Yan as member of a forbidden clan, but an ordinary subject. Zhu Zhi employed him, others recommended him, and the court appointed him. Zhang Wen merely befriended him. Ruler and minister form the weightiest bond, friends the lightest. If the state accepted the former, why could Zhang Wen not accept the latter? Favored above, Ji Yan was befriended below. “Old outlaws in mountain strongholds become fierce bandits; settled on plains, strong soldiers. Zhang Wen sought to remove harmful raiders and add elite troops. His execution fell short of his words, but compared with Xu Yan's recruits, his were no fewer, no weaker, and no later. He supplied them in autumn and winter for emergency, not forgetting favor or withholding effort. “In Shu he praised Yin Li. Though ministers should have no unauthorized foreign relations, this deserves allowance. Such relations mean private communication without commands or state business. An accredited envoy may establish his ruler's friendship and also express personal regard. Confucius observed private-audience rites abroad, and Jizi (Ji Zha) exchanged private discussion on missions. To know a ruler, observe his envoy; a bright subordinate displays a brilliant sovereign. Praising Yin Li made Shu admire our abundance of good ministers and proper choice of envoy, spreading the state's excellence and ruler's command abroad. Zhao Wenzi (Zhao Wu) praised Sui Hui to Qu Jian at Song, and Chu's Wangsun Yu praised his Left Historian to Zhao Yang in Jin. The classics praise such acts for glorifying the state, not condemn them as foreign intrigue. “Wang Jing neglected current concerns and duties, yet Zhang Wen criticized him without favoritism, creating deep hostility. This proves devotion. Wang Jing's military strength and usefulness exceeded Jia Yuan's and Jiang Kang's. If Zhang Wen would not indulge him for safety, why sell favor to those two? Jia Yuan was undiligent and incompetent; Zhang Wen repeatedly rebuked him harshly. If seeking to sell favor and rebel, he need not have coveted Jia Yuan. These charges neither fit events nor withstand public comparison. “Even a sage ruler with exceptional wisdom cannot easily, from layered palaces, perceive every feeling of countless subjects and every principle of affairs. He must hear ministers to broaden insight. Those opposing Zhang Wen are earnest; I defend him earnestly. Both speak persuasively and claim the state, none private gain. In haste they are difficult to distinguish. Yet with your intelligence, sustained reflection, and exact examination, what hidden feeling cannot become plain, what obscure event clear? “Zhang Wen is no relative of mine, nor do I love him personally. Former gentlemen restrained private anger to increase their ruler's understanding. I am ashamed to abandon their earlier example. Thus I reveal longstanding thoughts today, offering foolish words to sage hearing for the court, not merely for Zhang Wen himself.” [Translator's note: The supplied 隨今 is rendered contextually as Sui Hui, but the graph and allusion remain for review.]

Sun Quan ultimately refused.

Six years later Zhang Wen died of illness. His younger brothers Zhang Zhi and Zhang Bai, also talented and renowned, had been dismissed with him.

Luo Tong, courtesy name Gongxu, was from Wushang in Kuaiji. His father Luo Jun became Chancellor of Chen and was killed by Yuan Shu.

His mother remarried as Hua Xin's secondary wife. At eight, Luo Tong returned to Kuaiji with retainers. His mother saw him off; after bowing, he boarded without looking back while she wept. The driver said she was still there. He replied: “I do not look back to avoid increasing her longing.” He served his principal mother carefully. During famine, seeing neighbors and distant guests hungry, he ate less. His kind widowed sister asked why. He said: “Gentlemen lack even coarse food. How could I alone eat fully?” She gave him private grain and told their mother, who approved and let him distribute it, establishing his reputation.

As general and concurrent Administrator of Kuaiji, Sun Quan appointed Luo Tong acting Chancellor of Wucheng at twenty, benefiting over ten thousand households. He summoned him as Merit Officer and acting Commandant of Cavalry, marrying him to his elder cousin Sun Fu's daughter. Eager to correct faults, Luo Tong reported immediately, never waiting until morning. He urged Sun Quan to honor worthies, seek advice, and personally inquire after each man at feasts, encouraging frank speech and understanding aims to inspire grateful devotion. Sun Quan followed this. Luo Tong became General of the Household Who Establishes Loyalty with three thousand military archers, later inheriting Ling Tong's troops.

Frequent levies and epidemics depleted households. Luo Tong memorialized:

“A ruler's strength and wealth rest on territory, dignity on authority and favor, glory on virtue and righteousness, and lasting blessings on enduring descendants. Yet wealth requires people's production, strength their labor, authority their collective power, favor their increase, virtue their flourishing, righteousness their practice. Only then can Heaven's blessings preserve family and state. The Documents says, ‘Without a ruler the multitude cannot be peaceful; without the multitude a ruler cannot open the four quarters.’ Ruler and people sustain one another: an unchanging Way. “Strong enemies remain, the realm is unsettled, armies serve endlessly and river borders remain armed. Repeated levies have accumulated for years, with epidemics and death added. Counties empty and fields lie waste. I hear households decrease, many remaining are old and disabled, and few are able men. My heart burns. Simple people naturally cling to home and fear moving. Recruits alive suffer hunger and cold; dead, their bones are abandoned. Thus distant service seems death. At each levy, weak, cautious householders with dependents are sent first. Those with a little property exhaust it in bribes. Swift and reckless men flee to difficult terrain and join criminals. Exhausted people become anxious, abandon occupations, fall into poverty, and lose love of life; hunger stirs wrongdoing and desertion. “Unless families can barely support themselves, newborn sons often are not raised; poor agricultural soldiers also abandon children. Heaven gives life and parents kill it, threatening harmony and disturbing yin and yang. You found an everlasting enterprise, yet powerful enemies cannot be destroyed overnight or frontier garrisons held merely a few months. Declining troops and people and unraised children cannot sustain distant years or achievement. People are to the state as water to a boat: calm brings safety, disturbance danger. They may be ignorant but cannot be deceived, weak but cannot be overcome. Sage kings therefore value them, sharing their fortunes and governing by the times. “Today officials close to the people value only meeting requisitions and passing immediate crises; few govern benevolently in accord with your all-covering kindness. Administration and custom decay daily and cannot last. Treat illness before it grows grave, remove danger before it deepens. Spare thought amid great duties to restore desolation, plan far ahead, nourish the remnant people, and enlarge human and material resources, shining with the Three Lights and equaling heaven and earth. This is my greatest wish, sufficient to make death imperishable.”

Moved, Sun Quan gave it deep attention.

For helping Lu Xun defeat Shu at Yidu, Luo Tong became Assistant General. Early in Huangwu, when Cao Ren sent Chang Diao against the central island at Ruxu, he and Yan Gui defeated him. He became Marquis of Xinyang Village and later Commander of Ruxu. Several dozen useful memorials were all good, too numerous to reproduce. He especially urged ending registration and recruitment among civilians as harmful to custom and encouraging desertion. After discussion, Sun Quan implemented it. Luo Tong died at thirty-six in Huangwu 7.

Lu Mao, courtesy name Zizhang, was Chief Minister Lu Xun's younger brother. Studious and devoted to righteousness, he befriended poor but ambitious Chen Rong of Chen, Puyang Yi of Chenliu, Jiang Zuan of Pei, and Yuan Di of Guangling.

Lu Mao shared his limited supplies equally. Xu Yuan of the same commandery, living at Kuaiji, had never met him but entrusted orphans to him by a final letter. Lu Mao built his tomb and raised his son. When his paternal kinsman Lu Ji died young with two small sons and a daughter, Lu Mao cared for them until grown. He refused provincial and commandery recruitment. As Ji Yan sharply judged officials and exposed hidden faults, Lu Mao wrote: “Sages honor goodness, pity foolishness, forget faults, and record merit to perfect transformation. Our royal enterprise is newly founded and aims at unity. This is Han Gaozu (Liu Bang)'s time to overlook blemishes and employ men. Separating good and evil and prizing Ru-Ying's monthly judgments may encourage morality but be hard to implement. Better imitate Confucius' broad love and Guo Tai's generous assistance.” Ji Yan refused and fell.

In Jiahe 1, Lu Mao was summoned as Consultant and Master of Writing for Appointments. Angry at Gongsun Yuan's repeated deception, Sun Quan wished to campaign personally. Lu Mao remonstrated:

“Sage kings control distant peoples only loosely, never guaranteeing possession; hence the outer zone is called the Wild Domain, unstable and uncertain. Gongsun Yuan, an insignificant eastern frontier man at the sea's edge, has a human face but differs not from beasts. We lavished distant treasures not for his righteousness but to entice and manipulate him for horses. His proud cunning and reliance on distance are ordinary frontier behavior, hardly surprising. Han emperors sent envoys and wealth throughout the Western Regions. Despite occasional obedience, countless envoys were killed and goods lost. “Unable to bear vexation, Your Majesty would cross the great sea and enter his territory. We think this unsafe. The northern enemy adjoins us and will seize any opening. We sought horses and bent toward Gongsun Yuan to meet immediate need and remove our central danger. Now abandoning root for branch, near for far, changing plans through anger and mobilizing in agitation, is what the crafty enemy wishes, not Wu's best plan. “Tactics exhaust the enemy by labor while awaiting him rested. Dazhu is still far from Gongsun Yuan. On landing, the army divides in three: strongest advance, others guard ships, others transport grain. Many men cannot all fight. Infantry carry grain far inland while mounted enemies intercept unpredictably. If Gongsun Yuan remains secretly joined to the north, they will support one another; if isolated, he may flee too far for swift destruction. Delaying Heaven's punishment in northern wastes while mountain rebels rise behind is not a secure long-term plan.”

Sun Quan refused. Lu Mao submitted again:

“Weapons were used by former ages to punish violence and overawe distant peoples, but such campaigns followed the removal of powerful internal villains and general peace, considered leisurely from the court's surplus strength. When central China boils and regions contend, one must deepen roots, preserve strength and expense, rest, and await neighbors' openings. None at such a time abandoned nearby dangers for distant warfare. Commandant Tuo (Zhao Tuo) rebelled and called himself emperor when the realm was peaceful and rich, with abundant soldiers and grain. Yet Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng) judged distant campaigning difficult and merely instructed him. With great villains still alive and frontiers alarmed, even Chiyou and Guifang-like disorder must be ranked by urgency. Gongsun Yuan should not come first. Restrain your power, halt the plan, rest the armies, and reflect quietly for later action. The realm will be fortunate.”

Rereading his letters, Sun Quan admired their correct and urgent reasoning and did not go.

Wenren Min of the same commandery was highly esteemed locally above Zong Xiu, but Lu Mao alone disagreed and later events proved him right. He died in Chiwu 2. His son Lu Xi also studied literature and loved judging men, becoming Master of Writing for Appointments under Sun Hao.

Wu Can, courtesy name Kongxiu, was from Wucheng in Wu Commandery.

As county chief, Sun He admired the junior clerk Wu Can. Later a general able to choose officials, he recommended him as Assistant Magistrate of Qu'a and then Chief Clerk. His administration became known. Though humble-born, he equaled Lu Xun and Bu Jing in reputation. As General of Chariots and Cavalry, Sun Quan summoned him as registrar, sent him as Magistrate of Shanyin, then recalled him as Military Adviser and Colonel.

In Huangwu 1 he joined Lü Fan and He Qi's fleet against Cao Xiu at Dongkou. A great storm broke cables, casting boats ashore into Wei's hands or drowning them. Survivors clung to great ships and cried for help, but others fearing capsizing struck them away with spears. Wu Can and Huang Yuan alone ordered rescues. Warned the load would sink them, Wu Can said: “Then we die together. How can we abandon desperate men?” They saved over a hundred.

Returning as Administrator of Kuaiji, he recruited recluse Xie Tan as Merit Officer. When Xie Tan pleaded illness, he wrote: “The winged dragon's divinity lies in bending and rising, the phoenix's value in its auspicious cry. Why hide beyond heaven or deep in the abyss?” Gathering men, he became General of the Household Who Displays Righteousness, joined Lü Dai against the Shanyue, and became Colonel of Stationed Cavalry, Privy Treasurer, then Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. During the Two Palaces conflict he upheld legitimate succession, urged the King of Lu (Sun Ba) <a royal title> to station at Xiakou and Yang Zhu to leave the capital, and repeatedly informed Lu Xun at Wuchang, who remonstrated. Sun Ba and Yang Zhu slandered him into prison and execution.

Zhu Ju, courtesy name Zifan, was from Wu County, handsome, strong, and skilled in debate. Early in Huangwu he became Gentleman of the Five Offices and Attending Censor. When Master of Writing for Appointments Ji Yan sought to purge corrupt officials, Zhu Ju argued that an unsettled realm required merit to cover faults, blemishes overlooked, the pure promoted to encourage the corrupt, rather than wholesale demotion inviting future danger. Ji Yan refused and fell.

Sun Quan lamented the lack of commanders and remembered Lü Meng and Zhang Wen. Judging Zhu Ju fit to succeed them in civil and military talent, he made him Commandant Who Establishes Righteousness at Hushu. In Huanglong 1, moving to Jianye, he summoned him to marry a princess, made him General of the Left and Marquis of Yunyang. Modest and generous to gentlemen, he spent abundant salary faster than it came. During Jiahe, great coins valued at five hundred were minted. Zhu Ju's troops were owed thirty thousand strings, which artisan Wang Sui fraudulently collected. Inspector Lü Yi suspected Zhu Ju and tortured the responsible official to death. Pitying his innocence, Zhu Ju gave a rich coffin. Lü Yi then claimed the official concealed his master's theft and was rewarded with burial. Repeatedly questioned, unable to clear himself, Zhu Ju lay on straw awaiting punishment. Months later military clerk Liu Zhu discovered Wang Sui's fraud. Sun Quan exclaimed: “If Zhu Ju is wronged, what of officials and people?” He investigated Lü Yi fully and gave Liu Zhu a million coins.

In Chiwu 9 Zhu Ju became General of Agile Cavalry. Amid the Two Palaces dispute he defended the crown prince earnestly and righteously, determined to die for his position.

He was demoted to Assistant Administrator of Xindu. Before arrival, Director of the Palace Secretariat Sun Hong slandered him and, while Sun Quan was ill, drafted an edict ordering his death at fifty-seven. Under Sun Liang, his sons Zhu Xiong and Zhu Sun regained troops but were both killed through the Senior Princess Quan (Sun Luban) <her designation through marriage>. During Yong'an his former achievements were recognized and Zhu Xiong's son Zhu Xuan inherited as Marquis of Yunyang, married a princess, and rose under Sun Hao to General of Agile Cavalry. [Translator's note: The supplied 所謂 in the account of Sun Luban's action is uncertain; the clear result is retained without inventing exact proceedings.]

The appraisal says: Yu Fan possessed antiquity's wild frankness, hard to preserve in a declining age, yet Sun Quan's inability to tolerate him showed limited breadth. Lu Ji was to Yang Xiong's Supreme Mystery as Zuo Qiuming to Zhongni (Confucius), or Zhuang Zhou to Lao Dan. Sending such a ritual vessel of talent to govern southern Yue—was this not wasting the man? Zhang Wen's brilliant talent lacked prudent safeguards and brought suffering. Luo Tong upheld great principles with urgent words and complete reasoning, but found Sun Quan closed-minded. Lu Mao's devotion and remonstrance earned gentlemen's praise. Wu Can and Zhu Ju met adversity and died for uprightness. How sorrowful! [Translator's note: The supplied 揚玄, 老聘, 嚴周, and 因 in the appraisal include variant or doubtful graphs; the contextual references to Yang Xiong, Lao Dan, Zhuang Zhou, and the difficulty of frankness are translated without changing the Chinese.]