Book of Wu · Biographies of Sun Quan’s Five Sons

Sun Deng, courtesy name Zigao, was Quan's eldest son. In Wei's second year of Huangchu, Quan was made King of Wu (Sun Quan) <the royal title preceding his imperial accession>. Deng was appointed Eastern Gentleman-General and enfeoffed as a marquis of ten thousand households, but pleaded illness and refused. That year he was installed as crown prince. Tutors and instructors were chosen, and outstanding gentlemen selected as companions. Zhuge Ke, Zhang Xiu, Gu Tan, and Chen Biao were among those admitted: indoors they attended lectures on the Odes and Documents; outdoors they accompanied riding and archery. Quan wanted Deng to read the History of Han and learn recent affairs. Zhang Zhao possessed a master's learning, but Quan hesitated to burden him. Zhang Xiu was therefore ordered to study under Zhao and return to teach Deng. Deng treated his staff much like friends in private life, sometimes sharing a carriage or sleeping tent with Ke, Xiu, Tan, and others. Grand Tutor Zhang Wen told Quan: “The palace gentleman's office is closest to the prince, asking searching questions and giving direct answers. It should be filled by men of outstanding virtue.” Chen Biao and others were accordingly made Palace Gentlemen. Later, because that office entailed formal restraints, they were again allowed to sit attending him with their headcloths properly arranged. In Huanglong's first year Quan assumed the imperial title and Deng became imperial crown prince. Ke became Left Assistant, Xiu Right Supporter, Tan Colonel Who Assists Rectitude, and Biao Colonel Who Supports Rectitude. They were the Four Friends. Xie Jing, Fan Shen, Diao Xuan, and Yang Dao

also served as guests, so the Eastern Palace was reputed to possess many capable men.

Quan moved the capital to Jianye and summoned Senior General-in-Chief Lu Xun to assist Deng in holding Wuchang and managing the palace offices' remaining affairs. When Deng hunted and needed a direct route, he nevertheless made a detour to avoid good fields and never trampled crops. For halts he chose vacant ground, so unwilling was he to trouble the people. Once a sling pellet flew past him while riding. His attendants searched and found a man carrying a sling and pellets. All thought him responsible, though he denied it, and wanted to beat him. Deng refused, ordered the stray pellet recovered, and found it unlike the man's ammunition, so released him. A golden horse-shaped water basin was stolen; the culprit proved one of his attendants. Unable to bear punishing him, Deng summoned and reproached him, sent him home permanently, and forbade the intimates to speak of it. Later his younger brother Sun Lü died, and Quan reduced his own comforts in grief. Deng traveled day and night to Laixiang, announced himself, and was immediately received. Seeing Quan weep, he remonstrated: “Lü's illness and death were fate. The northern lands remain ununited and the four seas look eagerly toward Your Majesty, whom Heaven supports. Yet for affection flowing downward you reduce the imperial kitchen's dishes beyond ritual's limits. I am anxiously concerned.” Quan accepted this and increased his meals. After more than ten days he wished to send Deng west again. Deng earnestly pleaded that long absence from morning and evening attendance had left his filial duty unfulfilled; Lu Xun was loyal and diligent, leaving nothing to fear there. Quan therefore kept him. In Jiahe's third year Quan attacked Xincheng, leaving Deng to guard the capital and oversee affairs. Harvests were then poor and banditry considerable. Deng memorialized regulations for prevention and defense, grasping well the essentials of stopping wrongdoing.

Deng's birth mother had humble status. Lady Xu had reared him from infancy, but later was deposed for jealousy and left at Wu, while Lady Bu enjoyed greatest favor. Deng dared not decline Bu's gifts, merely bowing and accepting. But whenever Xu's envoys brought clothes, he bathed before putting them on. When about to be installed as crown prince, he declined: “Once the root is established, the Way grows. If a crown prince is to be installed, an empress should first be appointed.” Quan asked: “Where is your mother?” Deng answered: “At Wu.” Quan was silent.

He held his position for twenty-one years and died aged thirty-three. Before his death he memorialized: “Unworthy as I am, I am afflicted by grave illness. Considering my frailty, I fear sudden death. I do not grieve for myself, but that I must abandon attendance on you and bury my body in the earth, never again look toward the palace or pay morning homage to its sun and moon. In life I have brought no benefit to the state; in death I shall cause Your Majesty great sorrow. This alone chokes my heart. Life and death have their allotment, length and brevity come from Heaven. Prince Jin of Zhou and Yan Hui possessed supreme wisdom yet died young. How much more I, foolish and inadequate, who have exceeded their years, lived as the state's heir, and shall enjoy honor after death! I have already received much: why sorrow or regret? Great affairs remain unsettled and fugitive rebels unpunished. The many states look eagerly to Your Majesty, upon whom their lives depend; the endangered seek safety and the disordered seek good government. I beg you to forget me, sever this downward-flowing affection, cultivate the arts of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi, carefully nourish your spirit, add choice delicacies to your meals, and broaden your enlightened deliberations to settle an enduring enterprise. Then all the realm will benefit and I shall die without regret. Prince Sun He is humane, filial, intelligent, and perceptive, with pure and flourishing virtue. Establish him early to secure the people's hopes. Zhuge Ke's broad talent and strategy fit him to assist the age. Zhang Xiu, Gu Tan, and Xie Jing are all perceptive, knowledgeable, and decisive: at court they can be trusted confidants, abroad strong defenders. Fan Shen and Hua Rong have outstanding integrity and the bearing of national gentlemen. Yang Dao is quick and eloquent, fit for independent diplomatic replies. Diao Xuan is broad-minded and follows the true Way. Pei Qin has wide memory and useful literary talent. Jiang Xiu and Yu Fan possess clear purpose and integrity. These ministers, whether suited to high council or military command, understand present affairs and laws, hold fast to trust and duty, and have unshakable resolve. Your Majesty's sun-and-moon discernment selected them for my palace. Working with them, I have learned their true natures and dare report them. I further reflect that dangers beyond our borders abound and armies have no rest. We should encourage the six armies for further advance. Armies depend on men for numbers, and men treasure resources. I hear that commanderies and counties are partly desolate, people and property exhausted, and criminal disorder emerging. Thus laws multiply and punishments grow severe. Government, I have heard, listens to the people, and laws change with the times. Deliberate present needs with generals, chief ministers, and great officers; collect broad opinion, relax punishments, lighten taxes, and distribute and ease labor service in accord with popular hopes. Lu Xun loyally exerts himself for the age and gives himself to the state's concerns, unswerving in public duty and forgetting himself. Zhuge Jin, Bu Zhi, Zhu Ran, Quan Cong, Zhu Ju, Lü Dai, Wu Can, Kan Ze, Yan Jun, Zhang Cheng, and Sun Yi (孫怡) serve loyally and understand government. Have them submit beneficial measures, remove harsh and vexatious demands, care for soldiers and horses, and comfort the people. After five years and within ten, distant men will return and nearby ones exert themselves fully. Without bloodying a blade, the great enterprise can be settled. I have heard, ‘A dying bird's cry is mournful; a dying man's words are good.’ Thus Zinang's last words admonished his age, which gentlemen deemed loyal. How much less could I, Deng, remain silent? May Your Majesty attend to and adopt this. Though dead, I shall be as though still living.” Only after his death was the memorial delivered. Quan was overwhelmed anew, weeping whenever he spoke. It was Chiwu's fourth year. Xie Jing, then Administrator of Yuzhang, could not master his grief, abandoned office to hurry there, and memorialized his own impeachment. Quan said: “Your service with the crown prince differed from other officials'.” He sent a palace envoy to console him, restored his post, and sent him back to the commandery. Deng's posthumous title was Crown Prince Xuan (Sun Deng) <a posthumous princely title>.

His sons Sun Fan and Sun Xi both died early. The next son Sun Ying was made Marquis of Wu. In Wufeng's first year, because General-in-Chief Sun Jun monopolized power, Ying plotted to execute him. Discovered, he killed himself and his fief was abolished.

Xie Jing, courtesy name Shufa, was from Wan in Nanyang. His administration left achievements praised by officials and people, who ranked him next after Gu Shao. He died in office a few years later.

Sun Lü, courtesy name Zizhi, was Deng's younger brother. Intelligent and talented from youth, he was highly esteemed and loved by Quan. In Huangwu's seventh year he became Marquis of Jianchang. Two years later Chancellor Gu Yong and others memorialized that Lü was intelligent and perceptive and improved daily. Following recent Han precedent, he should be advanced to king. Quan refused. After some time Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Cun <no surname is supplied here> memorialized: “Whenever emperors and kings rise, they honor close relatives to illuminate the lords. Thus Lu and Wei under Zhou ranked foremost in favor, and Emperor Gao (Liu Bang)'s five kings were enfeoffed under Han, protecting the central court and guarding the state. Marquis of Jianchang (Sun Lü) is intelligent by nature and talented in civil and military matters; ancient institutions require his title to be rectified. Your Majesty modestly refuses precedent, grieving all officials, great and small. Rebels now run riot and military drums have not ceased. Only relatives and worthy men can be trusted as confidants and strong defenders. I have discussed it with Chancellor Gu Yong and others. All agree Lü should become Grand General Who Guards the Army, entrusted with a region to glorify the great enterprise.” Quan agreed. Lü received a tally and independent staff establishment, with headquarters at Banzhou.

As a young imperial prince, Lü was suspected near and far of being unable to attend to duty. In office, however, he followed law and respectfully received teachers and friends, exceeding everyone's hopes. He died aged twenty in Jiahe's first year. Childless, his fief was abolished.

Sun He, courtesy name Zixiao, was Lü's younger brother. His mother Lady Wang's favor brought him affection from childhood. At fourteen he received palace guards, and Director of the Secretariat Kan Ze taught him writing and learning. Studious and courteous toward gentlemen, he won much praise. In Chiwu's fifth year he was made crown prince, aged nineteen. Kan Ze became Grand Tutor and Xue Zong Junior Tutor. Cai Ying, Zhang Chun, Feng Fu, Yan Wei, and others attended him familiarly.

Officials were then frequently sending written interrogatories about affairs. He thought dishonest men would use these to distort intentions and foster malicious schemes, and memorialized that the practice should end. Commander-in-Chief Liu Bao accused Princely Attendant Ding Yan, who also accused Bao. He told Yan: “How many capable men have we in civil and military service? Building accusations out of quarrels to endanger one another can bring no blessing.” He dismissed both cases and urged generosity. He often said contemporary gentlemen should study arts and learning and practice archery and charioteering to meet the world's needs. Mere socializing and gaming obstructed careers and were no way to advance. Later, at a banquet with his staff, he discussed board games: they obstruct work, waste days, and bring no practical benefit; they weary the mind without accomplishment and cannot advance virtue, cultivate achievements, or accumulate merit. Men of purpose value time and effort; gentlemen aspire to great things, honoring lofty models and noble conduct and ashamed to rank below them. Heaven and Earth endure, but human life between them is like a white colt passing a crack. Once years grow late, flourishing youth never returns. The trouble is that human desires are hard to cut off. If useless appetites could be abandoned for virtue and duty, and unurgent tasks for the foundations of achievement, would that not improve reputation and conduct? People cannot wholly lack recreation, but drinking, feasting, music, books, archery, and charioteering can provide it. Why must gaming alone bring pleasure? He ordered eight attendants to write essays correcting it. Palace Gentleman Wei Yao withdrew and submitted his essay, which He showed the guests. Cai Ying then liked the game, and the clerks on duty imitated him; this was intended as an indirect admonition.

Later Lady Wang and Princess Quan (Sun Luban) became estranged. When Quan fell ill, He sacrificed at the ancestral temple. His consort's uncle Zhang Xiu lived nearby and invited him to visit. Princess Quan sent someone to spy, then said the crown prince had left the temple to conspire with his wife's family. She also said Lady Wang looked pleased at the ruler's illness. Quan became furious. Wang died of grief, and He's favor gradually diminished, leaving him fearful of deposition. King of Lu (Sun Ba) <a royal fief title> increasingly coveted his position. Lu Xun, Wu Can, Gu Tan, and others repeatedly explained the principle separating the principal heir from secondary sons, an argument that could not be overturned. Quan Ji and Yang Zhu supported Ba, and slander multiplied daily. Can was imprisoned and executed, Tan exiled to Jiao Province. Quan hesitated for years.

Quan eventually confined He. General of Agile Cavalry Zhu Ju, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing Qu Huang, and other officers smeared their heads with mud, bound themselves, and went daily to the palace gates pleading for him. Quan saw them from White Sparrow Tower, detested it, and ordered Ju and Huang not to agitate needlessly. When Quan wanted to depose He and establish Liang, Chen Zheng, commander of the Troops without Difficulty, and Chen Xiang, commander of the Five Camps, memorialized the example of Duke Xian of Jin (Ji Guizhu), who killed Shensheng, installed Xiqi, and plunged Jin into disorder. Ju and Huang also continued their firm remonstrance. Furious, Quan exterminated Zheng's and Xiang's families and had Ju and Huang dragged into the hall and beaten a hundred strokes.

He was finally exiled to Guzhang. More than ten officials were executed or banished for remonstrating, and everyone considered them wronged.

In Taiyuan's second year, in the first month, He became King of Nanyang (Sun He) <a royal fief title> and was sent to Changsha.

In the fourth month Quan died and Zhuge Ke took control. Ke was the maternal uncle of He's consort Lady Zhang. She sent eunuch Chen Qian to Jianye to submit a memorial to the Central Palace and convey greetings to Ke. Before Qian left, Ke said: “Tell the consort for me: I shall certainly make her surpass others.” The words leaked. Ke also intended to move the capital and ordered Wuchang Palace repaired; some commoners said he meant to welcome He. After Ke's execution Sun Jun used this to strip He of seal and ribbon and exile him to Xindu, then sent an envoy ordering his death. He bade farewell to Lady Zhang. She said: “In good fortune and bad we should follow each other. I shall never live alone.” She too killed herself, and the whole country grieved.

When Sun Xiu succeeded, he made He's son Sun Hao Marquis of Wucheng and sent him from Xindu to his fief. After Xiu died and Hao ascended, that year he posthumously titled his father Emperor Wen (Sun He) <a posthumous imperial title>, reburied him at Mingling, and established a tomb estate of two hundred households with a magistrate and deputy to maintain it. In the first month of a later year, nine counties of Wu and Danyang were divided into Wuxing Commandery, seated at Wucheng, with an administrator to conduct seasonal sacrifices. The responsible officials proposed a temple at the capital. In Baoding's second year, in the seventh month, Acting Chief Architect Xue Xu was sent to construct a sanctuary called the Pure Temple. In the twelfth month Acting Chancellor Meng Ren, Minister of Ceremonies Yao Xin, and others, with full staff and two thousand central-army infantry and cavalry, went east in the spirit carriage and imperial procession to fetch the spirit from Mingling. Hao received Ren and personally bowed to send him off in the courtyard.

As the spirit carriage approached, Chancellor Lu Kai was sent to sacrifice an ox, sheep, and pig in the near suburbs. Hao slept outdoors beyond Jincheng. Next day he bowed toward it from outside the east gate. The following day he worshiped and offered sacrifice in the temple, sobbing with grief. Within seven days there were three sacrifices, with performers entertaining day and night. Officials memorialized: “Sacrifices should not be frequent; frequency becomes irreverent. Let ritual restrain feeling.” Only then did he stop.

Sun Ba, courtesy name Ziwei, was He's younger brother. When He became crown prince, Ba became King of Lu (Sun Ba). His exceptional favor differed in nothing from He's. Soon Quan heard of discord between them and forbade visits and contacts, ostensibly to encourage intensive study. Army-Supervising Envoy Yang Dao memorialized: “Ancient possessors of the realm first clearly distinguished principal and secondary sons and enfeoffed their children, honoring the ancestors and establishing the state's protective supports. Everyone approved the two princes' appointments: this was the foundation of great Wu's prosperity. Recently we hear that both palaces are forbidden guests. Near and far are alarmed and all are disappointed. Listening humbly to general opinion, I find all agree both princes are intelligent and distinguished. In the three years since their titles were established, virtue has appeared within and praise spread abroad, long heard with respect in the northwest. We thought Your Majesty would accord with the far and near's attachment by diligently ordering both palaces to welcome guests from every quarter, so foreign states would hear and wish to submit. Instead, an enlightened edict reduces their guards and cuts off guests, ending all access for respectful visitors. Though Your Majesty truly esteems ancient principles and wants them wholly devoted to study, disregarding minor concerns about appearances and concentrating on reviewing old learning and broadening knowledge, this is not your eagerly expectant subjects' utmost wish. Some say the two palaces have violated regulations, which prevents me sleeping peacefully. Even if these suspicions are true, examine and correct them privately with discretion, allowing no opportunity for strange reports. I fear accumulated suspicion will become slander and spread widely. The northwestern states are not far away, and contradictory accounts travel easily. Once heard, controversy will arise, alleging disobedience in the two palaces. I do not know how Your Majesty will answer. If foreigners cannot be answered, neither can our own people be reassured. Doubt at home and slander abroad cannot nurture greatness or secure the state. May Your Majesty quickly issue a gracious edict restoring both palaces' ceremonial intercourse as before. Heaven and Earth will be peaceful, and the many states fortunate indeed.”

Quan Ji, Wu An, Sun Qi, Yang Zhu, and others secretly attached themselves to Ba and plotted against the crown prince. Their slanders took effect: the crown prince fell and Ba too was ordered to die. Zhu's corpse was floated down the Yangzi. His elder brother Yang Mu had repeatedly admonished him and escaped death, but was still exiled to the southern province. After Ba's enforced death, Ji, An, Qi, and others were also executed for supporting Ba and framing He.

Ba had two sons, Sun Ji and Sun Yi (孫壹). During Wufeng Ji became Marquis of Wu and Yi Marquis of Wanling. Ji attended Sun Liang within the palace. In Taiping's second year he rode an imperial horse without permission and was imprisoned. Liang asked Palace Attendant Diao Xuan: “What is the penalty for stealing a ride on an imperial horse?” Xuan answered: “Under the code, death. But King of Lu (Sun Ba) died early; may Your Majesty pity and pardon his son.” Liang said: “Law is shared by the whole realm. How can kinship make it partial? Think of a way to release him. Why press me with personal feeling?” Xuan answered: “Earlier amnesties have varied in extent: some realm-wide, some within a thousand or five hundred li, according to the ruler's intention.” Liang said: “Should not an understanding man speak like that?” He proclaimed an amnesty within the palace, and Ji escaped punishment. On his accession Sun Hao recalled He's old quarrel with Ba, stripped Ji and Yi of titles and lands, and exiled them with their grandmother Lady Xie to Wushang County in Kuaiji.

Sun Fen, courtesy name Ziyang, was Ba's younger brother. His mother was Lady Zhong. In Taiyuan's second year he became King of Qi (Sun Fen) <a royal fief title> and lived at Wuchang. When Quan died, Grand Tutor Zhuge Ke did not want kings at riverside military centers and moved Fen to Yuzhang. Fen angrily disobeyed and repeatedly overstepped the law. Ke admonished him by letter: “An emperor's dignity ranks with Heaven. Thus he possesses the realm as his household and makes subjects of father and elder brothers. Everyone within the four seas is his subject. An enemy's merits must be employed and a relative's crimes punished. Serving Heaven and ordering things, putting state before self, is the sages' institution and the unchanging way of a hundred ages. At Han's beginning many royal sons and younger brothers grew too powerful and acted lawlessly, nearly endangering the state above and killing their own flesh and blood below. Later rulers took warning and made this a great prohibition. Since Emperor Guangwu (Liu Xiu), kings have been regulated, permitted only to amuse themselves within their palaces, without governing people or interfering in affairs. Communication with them was severely restricted, preserving their safety and good fortune. Such is earlier experience of success and failure. More recently Yuan Shao and Liu Biao possessed states neither small nor weak, but failure to distinguish principal and secondary heirs extinguished their ancestral sacrifices—a sorrow shared by wise and foolish. The late emperor (Sun Quan), examining antiquity to warn the present, prevented sprouts of danger and planned for a thousand years. Thus during his illness he sent the kings early to their fiefs, with earnest instructions and strict prohibitions, omitting no admonition. He truly wished to secure the ancestral temple above and preserve the kings below for a hundred generations, without regret for ruined state and family. Your Highness should first remember Taibo's compliance with his father's will, next the reverent conduct of King Xian of Hejian (Liu De) <a posthumous royal title> and King of Donghai (Liu Qiang) <a royal fief title>, and finally restrain arrogant and disordered behavior as a warning. Yet since reaching Wuchang, you have repeatedly disobeyed edicts, ignored regulations, and requisitioned generals' troops to repair and guard your palace. Attendants' offenses should be reported to public authorities, but you privately kill them without clarifying matters. Grand Marshal Lü Dai personally received the late emperor's order to guide you, yet you reject his words and fill him with fear. Hua Qi, a close servant of the late emperor, is loyal, good, and upright; his advice should be accepted, yet we hear you angrily threatened to bind him. Secretariat official Yang Rong also personally received imperial instructions and deserves respectful treatment, yet you say, ‘I simply refuse the prohibition. What can they do to me?’ Hearing this, great and small were astonished and chilled. A common saying goes: ‘A bright mirror shows one's form; ancient affairs explain the present.’ Take King of Lu (Sun Ba)'s fate deeply to heart, change your conduct, tremble with caution, and show the court utmost reverence. Then nothing you seek will be denied. If you forget the late emperor's laws and teaching and harbor contempt, we ministers would rather fail you than his last edict, rather incur your resentment than forget the sovereign's majesty and allow commands to go unenforced among subordinate princes. This is the proper principle of past and present, which you understand. Blessings have causes; disaster grows by degrees. Neglect its beginnings and regret will be impossible. Had King of Lu (Sun Ba) early accepted loyal advice and entertained caution, his good fortune could have continued without destruction. Good medicine is bitter, but the sick can find it sweet; loyal words offend the ear, but the discerning can receive them. We earnestly wish to remove dangers at their beginnings and broaden the source of your blessings, hence our unrestrained words. Please consider them repeatedly.”

Frightened by the letter, Fen moved to Nanchang, but hunted still more excessively and his officials could not bear his commands. After Ke's execution, he moved downstream to Wuhu, intending to visit Jianye to observe events. His tutor and chancellor Xie Ci and others remonstrated; Fen killed them.

For this he was reduced to commoner and exiled to Zhang'an County. In Taiping's third year he became Marquis of Zhang'an.

In Jianheng's second year Sun Hao's Lady of the Left, Lady Wang, died <this volume names Wang; the related account in volume 50 names a daughter of Zhang Bu>. Hao mourned excessively, weeping before her morning and evening and staying secluded for months. Some commoners therefore said he was dead, spreading rumors that Fen or Marquis of Shangyu (Sun Feng) would be installed. Fen's mother Lady Zhong was buried in Yuzhang. Administrator Zhang Jun of Yuzhang suspected the rumor might be true and cleaned her grave. Hearing this, Hao had Jun torn apart by chariots and his three sets of relatives exterminated. Fen and his five sons were executed and his fief abolished.

Appraisal: Sun Deng's intentions were enough to constitute splendid virtue. Lü and He both had dispositions inclined toward goodness and sought self-discipline. One died young, the other was denied a natural death: how sad! Ba, a secondary son encroaching on the principal heir, and Fen, refusing proper restraints, certainly followed roads to danger and ruin. Yet Fen's extermination was an unforeseen calamity unjustly visited upon him.