Wu 吳 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 222–280[1] | |||||||||
 The territories of Wu (in light greenish grey), as of 262 A.D. | |||||||||
| Capital | Wuchang (222–229, 265–266) Jianye (229–265, 266–280) | ||||||||
| Common languages | Eastern Han Chinese, Old Jiangdong Chinese,Proto-Wu Chinese | ||||||||
| Religion | |||||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||
| King(222–229) Emperor(229–280) | |||||||||
• Nov 222 – May 252 | Sun Quan | ||||||||
• May 252 – Nov 258 | Sun Liang | ||||||||
• Nov 258 – Sep 264 | Sun Xiu | ||||||||
• Sep 264 – May 280 | Sun Hao | ||||||||
| Historical era | Three Kingdoms | ||||||||
• Independence from Cao Wei | 222 | ||||||||
• Sun Quan declaring himself Emperor | 229 | ||||||||
| 31 May 280[1] | |||||||||
| Population | |||||||||
• 238[2] | 2,567,000 (disputed) | ||||||||
• 280[2] | 2,535,000 (disputed) | ||||||||
| Currency | Chinese coin,Chinese cash | ||||||||
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| Today part of | |||||||||
| Eastern Wu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 東吳 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 东吴 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Dōng Wú | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sun Wu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 孫吳 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 孙吴 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Sūn Wú | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wu (Chinese: 吳;pinyin:Wú;Middle Chinese *ŋuo <Eastern Han Chinese:*ŋuɑ[5]), known in historiography asEastern Wu orSun Wu, was adynastic state of China and one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China in theThree Kingdoms period. It previously existed from 220 to 222 as avassal kingdom nominally underCao Wei, its rival state, but declared complete independence in November 222. It was elevated to an empire in May 229 after its founding ruler,Sun Quan (Emperor Da), declared himselfemperor.
The name "Wu" was derived from the place it was based in—theJiangnan (Yangtze River Delta) region, which was also historically known as "Wu". It was called "Dong Wu" ("Eastern Wu") or "Sun Wu" by historians to distinguish it from other Chinese historical states with similar names in that region, such as theWu state in theSpring and Autumn period and theWuyue kingdom in theFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. It was called "Eastern Wu" because it occupied most of eastern China in the Three Kingdoms period, and "Sun Wu" because the family name of its rulers was "Sun".
During its existence, Wu's capital was sometimes atJianye (present-dayNanjing,Jiangsu) and sometimes at Wuchang (武昌; present-dayEzhou,Hubei).[6]
Towards theend of the Han dynasty,Sun Ce, the eldest son of the warlordSun Jian, and his followers borrowed troops from the warlordYuan Shu and embarked ona series of military conquests in theJiangdong andWu regions between 194 and 199, seizing several territories previously occupied by warlords such asLiu Yao,Yan Baihu andWang Lang. Sun Cebroke off relations with Yuan Shu around 196–197 after the latter declared himself emperor—an act deemed as treason againstEmperor Xian, the figurehead ruler of the Han dynasty. The warlordCao Cao, who was thede facto head of government in the Han imperial court, asked Emperor Xian to grant Sun Ce the title of "Marquis of Wu" (吳侯).
Sun Ce was assassinated in the summer of 200 and was succeeded by his younger brother,Sun Quan. Sun Quan, like his elder brother, also paid nominal allegiance to Emperor Xian while maintaining autonomous rule over the Wu territories. In 208, Sun Quan allied with the warlordLiu Bei and they combined forces to defeat Cao Cao at theBattle of Red Cliffs. Sun Quan and Liu Bei maintained their alliance against Cao Cao after the battle for the next ten years or so, despite having some territorial disputes overJing Province. In 219, Sun Quan severed ties with Liu Bei when he sent his generalLü Meng toinvade Liu's territories in Jing Province.Guan Yu, who was defending Liu Bei's assets in Jing Province, was captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces. After that, the boundaries of Sun Quan's domain extended from beyond the Jiangdong region to include the southern part of Jing Province, which covered roughly present-dayHunan and parts ofHubei.
In 220, Cao Cao's son and successor,Cao Pi, ended the Han dynasty by forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate in his favour and established the state ofCao Wei. Sun Quan agreed to submit to Wei and was granted the title of a vassal king, "King of Wu" (吳王), by Cao Pi. A year later, Liu Bei declared himself emperor and founded the state ofShu Han. In 222, Liu Bei launched a military campaign against Sun Quan to take back Jing Province and avenge Guan Yu, leading to theBattle of Xiaoting. However, Liu Bei suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Sun Quan's generalLu Xun and was forced to retreat toBaidicheng, where he died a year later.
Liu Bei's successor,Liu Shan, and his regent,Zhuge Liang, made peace with Sun Quan later and reaffirmed their previous alliance. Sun Quan declared independence from Wei in 222, but continued to rule as "King of Wu" until 229, when he declared himself "Emperor of Wu". His legitimacy was recognised by Shu.
To distinguish the state from other historical Chinese states of the same name, historians have added a relevant character to the state's original name: the state that called itself "Wu" (吳) is also known as "Eastern Wu" (東吳; Dōng Wú) or "Sun Wu" (孫吳).
Sun Quan ruled for over 30 years and his long reign resulted in stability in southern China. During his reign, Wu engaged Wei in numerous wars, including the battles ofRuxu (222–223),Shiting (228), andHefei (234). However, Wu never managed to gain any territory north of the Yangtze River while Wei also never succeeded in conquering the lands south of the Yangtze.
A succession struggle broke out between Sun Quan's sons in the later part of his reign—Sun Quan installedSun He as thecrown prince in 242 after his former heir apparent,Sun Deng, died in 241, but Sun He soon became involved in a rivalry with his younger brother,Sun Ba. The conflict resulted in the emergence of two rivalling factions, each supporting either Sun He or Sun Ba, in Sun Quan's imperial court. Sun Quan eventually deposed Sun He and forced Sun Ba to commit suicide, whileLu Xun and many other ministers who took either Sun He's or Sun Ba's side in the struggle met with unhappy ends. Sun Quan appointed his youngest son,Sun Liang, as the crown prince after the incident.
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Sun Quan died in 252 and was succeeded by Sun Liang, withZhuge Ke andSun Jun serving as regents. In 253, Zhuge Ke was assassinated in a coup launched by Sun Jun, and the state power of Wu fell into Sun Jun's hands and was passed on to his cousin,Sun Chen, after his death. During Sun Liang's reign,two rebellions broke out in the Wei garrison at Shouchun (around present-dayShou County,Anhui) in 255 and 257–258. Sun Jun and Sun Chen led Wu forces to support the rebels in the first and second rebellions respectively in the hope of making some territorial gains in Wei, but both revolts were suppressed and the Wu forces retreated after suffering many losses.
Sun Liang was deposed in 258 by Sun Chen, who installedSun Xiu, another son of Sun Quan, on the throne. Sun Xiu killed Sun Chen later in a coup with the help ofZhang Bu andDing Feng.
Sun Xiu died of illness in 264, a year afterShu was conquered by Wei. At the time, Wu was experiencing internal turmoil because rebellions had broken out inJiaozhi (交趾) in the south. The ministersPuyang Xing,Wan Yu andZhang Bu decided to install Sun He's son,Sun Hao, on the throne.
In the beginning of Sun Hao's reign, the emperor reduced taxes, gave relief to the poor, and granted freedom to a large number of palace maids. However, Sun Hao gradually became more cruel and superstitious and started indulging in wine and women instead of finding ways to revive his declining state. Sun Hao's tyranny caused widespread anger and hatred towards him in Wu, but it was due to the efforts of officials such asLu Kai andLu Kang that Wu was able to remain relatively stable and peaceful.
In February 266,Sima Yan ended the state of Cao Wei by forcing its last ruler,Cao Huan, to abdicate in his favour, and then established theJin dynasty. In 279, Jin forces led byDu Yu,Wang Jun and others attacked Wu from six directions. Sun Hao attempted to put up resistance by sending his armies to fight the Jin invaders, but the Wu forces suffered several consecutive defeats and even the Wu chancellor,Zhang Ti, was killed in action. Seeing that Wu was doomed to fall, Sun Hao surrendered to the Jin dynasty on 31 May 280,[1] marking the end of Wu and the end of theThree Kingdoms period.
Despite Sun Quan proclaiming himself emperor in 229, its politics reflected its warlord origins. When Wu was initially founded its military was dominated by famed generals who had gained their positions through prowess and pluck. These generals were celebrated for theirindividualism.[7]
Politics within the court were often influenced by conflicts between powerful families and individuals. Positions within the court were inherited from one generation to the next unlike the Han dynasty'sbureaucracy. However, over time, the influence ultimately would move away from thecentral government.[8] Outside of the court, families displayed their own independent authority. Wu, at times, was to a certain extent run for the protection of particular families.[9]
The Eastern Wu era was a formative period inVietnamese history. The ruler ofJiaozhou (modernVietnam andGuangzhou),Shi Xie, is primarily remembered today inVietnam asSĩ Nhiếp. According toStephen O'Harrow, Shi Xie was essentially "the first Vietnamese."[10] Originally satisfied with Eastern Wu's rule, theVietnamese opposedShi Hui's rebellion against Eastern Wu and attacked him for it. However, when the Wu generalLü Dai betrayed Shi Hui and executed the entire Shi family, the Vietnamese became greatly upset. In 248, the people ofJiaozhi andJiuzhen commanderies rebelled. Eastern Wu sentLu Yin to deal with the rebels. He managed to pacify the rebels with a combination of threats and persuasion. However the rebels regrouped under the leadership ofLady Triệu in Jiuzhen and renewed the rebellion with a march on Jiaozhi. According to theĐại Việt sử ký toàn thư (Complete Annals of Đại Việt), Lady Triệu had long breasts that reached her shoulders and rode into battle on an elephant. After several months of warfare she was defeated and committed suicide.[11]
The culture of Wu was most solidified under the reign of Sun Quan from 229 to 252. Migrations from the north and the needed settlement from theShanyue barbarians made it possible for the increase in manpower, agriculture, and settling the lower most parts of Wu. Along with that, river transportation became a huge factor and flourished as theJiangnan and Zhedong canals were finished with construction. After theBattle of Xiaoting and during theinvasions of Wu byWei in the 220s, Shu was able to reestablish their trade and relationships with Wu. Shu's cotton was a great influx for Wu, and the development of shipbuilding, salt,[12] and metal industries was greatly increased.
The fact of inflation and economic problems still were in existence since the Han dynasty.[13] Sun Quan tried to start a currency of large coins manufactured by copper. He also tried to prohibit private minting. This policy was terminated in 246 due to ineffectiveness.[13][a]
Eastern Wu was able to make close overseas trade with countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia.[14] Wu also traded with India and the Middle East.[15]
The language of Eastern Wu was identified withOld Jiangdong (古江東方言), the speech of the Jiangdong area (Jiangxi,Zhejiang,Fujian, SouthernAnhui,Jiangsu); this dialect, which was already different from northern speech, is described inShishuo Xinyu 世说新语 byLiu Yiqing (刘义庆, 403-444), which narrates thatWang Dao learned the idiom after fleeing in Jiankang, today'sNanjing.
In the end,proto-Wu emerged as the unified proto-language from which every contemporaryWu language is spoken. Wu dialects have striking similarities toEarly Middle Chinese as described in theQieyun phonological system. A reconstruction of proto-Wu was attempted by William Harvey Ballard in 1969.[16]
Personages with clerical or scholarly abilities had roles to play within the state, but the policies were more determined by those of military command.[17] Nevertheless, every Wu army was in need of administrative support and, according toRafe de Crespigny, certain scholars were "recognised as practical counsellors, regardless of their fighting prowess or their ability to command troops in the field."[17]
Under the reign ofSun Quan, he needed a strong role of advisors and secretaries in order to keep his link of power in a maintained level. Sun Quan's prestige in dealing with hostiles and friendly relations called for the establishment of a controlled form of an imperial government for the empire of Wu. Sun Quan also created the opportunity for people residing within Wu to gain prestige and influence throughout the empire and the surrounding establishments with the duty of being an envoy.[17]
Following the death ofCao Pi in 226, Sun Quan strongly promoted his kingdom to focus on agriculture because the threat from Wei was lifted.[18] However,Lu Xun suggested to Sun Quan that military commanders should become involved in the colonization of land. Sun Quan quickly accepted and he, along with his sons would execute the memorial presented by Lu Xun.[19] However, in 240, Sun Quan restrained Lu Xun's idea and refocused on agricultural works, because Wu came to suffer a severe famine.[20] In 234, whenZhuge Ke was in control of affairs in the south, he strongly ignored the colonisation order and viciously ordered the agriculture factor, often starving enemies into submission.[21]
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Under the rule of Wu, theYangtze River Delta region, regarded in early history as a barbaric "jungle", developed into one of the commercial, cultural, and political centres of China. The achievements of Wu in the south marked the coming of Chinese civilization to the farthest southern reaches of the empire.[22]
In 230, the island of Yizhou was reached by the Chinese during the Three Kingdoms period under the reign of Sun Quan.[23] Contact with the native population and the dispatch of officials to an island named "Yizhou" (夷州) by the Wu navy might have been toTaiwan, but the location of Yizhou is open to dispute; some historians believe it was Taiwan, while others believe it was theRyukyu Islands. Wu merchants also may have reachedSouthern Vietnam andCambodia. Failed protection ofGongsun Yuan also was in existence when the latterrebelled against Wei. This was because of the waterway's difficulties. Such things cost Wu, and the achievements supposedly gained within Yizhou did not cover this problem and Sun Quan lost his vassal.[24]
Later on in the existence of Wu, the once great military was turned to an unimpressive one. It was most likely an easy task to takeHefei from Wei, but Wu could not do so. Since the 230s, this task was made harder due to the "New City", a heavily fortified castle built at Hefei by Wei.[24] One of the greatest failures to accomplish something later on in Wu's reign was during 255 and during the last few years of the 250s. WhenGuanqiu Jian andWen Qinrebelled against Wei, Wu promised to help the two in Shouchun (around present-dayShou County,Anhui). However, the Wu forces never made it in time before the rebellion was quashed bySima Shi and the Wei forces. WhenZhuge Dan launched amassive full-scale rebellion, the Wu forces suffered a great defeat as they lent a great quantity of manpower to Zhuge Dan's cause. Shouchun was quickly regained by Wei underSima Zhao's command.[24]
During theconquest of Shu by Wei in 263, Wu could not fully lend support to their allies due to a revolt in Vietnam.[25]
The decline of Wu was long in existence since the death ofLu Xun in 245 and the death of Sun Quan in 252. Sun Quan's successors could do little for the empire.Zhuge Ke was assassinated bySun Jun in 253 after afailed invasion of Hefei following the Wu victory over an invading Wei force atDongxing.[26]Ding Feng also ended up killingSun Chen under orders fromSun Xiu. Corruption plagued Wu, which led to an easyconquest of Wu by theJin dynasty in 280.
| Province | Provincial capital | Commandery | Commandery capital | No. of counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yang 揚 | Jianye 建業 (nowNanjing) | Danyang 丹陽 | Jianye 建業 | 16 |
| Wu 吳 | Wu County 吳縣 | 10 | ||
| Qichun 蘄春 | Qichun 蘄春 | 2 | ||
| Kuaiji 會稽 | Shanyin County 山陰縣 | 10 | ||
| Yuzhang 豫章 | Nanchang 南昌 | 16 | ||
| Lujiang 廬江 | Wan County 皖縣 | 2 | ||
| Luling 廬陵 | Gaochang County 高昌縣 | 10 | ||
| Poyang 鄱陽 | Poyang County 鄱陽縣 | 9 | ||
| Xindu 新都 | Shixin County 始新縣 | 6 | ||
| Linchuan 臨川 | Nancheng County 南城縣 | 10 | ||
| Linhai 臨海 | Zhang'an County 章安縣 | 7 | ||
| Jian'an 建安 | Jian'an County 建安縣 | 9 | ||
| Wuxing 吳興 | Wucheng County 烏程縣 | 9 | ||
| Dongyang 東陽 | Changshan County 長山縣 | 9 | ||
| Piling 毗陵典農校尉 | Piling County 毗陵縣 | 3 | ||
| South Luling 廬陵南部都尉 | Yudu County 雩都縣 | 6 | ||
| Jing 荊 | Jiangling 江陵 (nowJingzhou) | Nan 南 | Jiangling 江陵 | 9 |
| Wuling 武陵 | Linyuan County 臨沅縣 | 11 | ||
| Lingling 零陵 | Quanling County 泉陵縣 | 10 | ||
| Guiyang 桂陽 | Chen County 郴縣 | 6 | ||
| Changsha 長沙 | Linxiang County 臨湘縣 | 10 | ||
| Wuchang[b] 武昌 | Wuchang County 武昌縣 | 6 | ||
| Ancheng 安成 | Ancheng County 安成縣 | 6 | ||
| Pengze 彭澤 | Pengze County 彭澤縣 | 4 | ||
| Yidu 宜都 | Yidao County 夷道縣 | 3 | ||
| Linhe 臨賀 | Linhe County 臨賀縣 | 6 | ||
| Hengyang 衡陽 | Xiangnan County 湘南縣 | 10 | ||
| Xiangdong 湘東 | Ling County 酃縣 | 6 | ||
| Jianping 建平 | Wu County 巫縣 | 6 | ||
| Tianmen 天門 | Lüzhong County 漊中縣 | 3 | ||
| Zhaoling 昭陵 | Zhaoling County 昭陵縣 | 5 | ||
| Shi'an 始安 | Shi'an County 始安縣 | 7 | ||
| Shixing 始興 | Qujiang County 曲江縣 | 7 | ||
| Guang 廣 | Panyu 番禺 (nowGuangzhou) | Nanhai 南海 | Panyu County 番禺縣 | 6 |
| Cangwu 蒼梧 | Guangxin County 廣信縣 | 11 | ||
| Yulin 鬱林 | Bushan County 布山縣 | 9 | ||
| Gaoliang 高涼 | Siping County 思平縣 | 3 | ||
| Gaoxing 高興 | Guanghua County 廣化縣 | 5 | ||
| Guilin 桂林 | Wu'an County 武安縣 | 6 | ||
| North Hepu 合浦北部尉 | Anguang County 安廣縣 | 3 | ||
| Jiao 交 | Longbian 龍編 | Jiaozhi 交阯 | Longbian 龍編 | 14 |
| Rinan 日南 | Zhuwu 朱吾 | 5 | ||
| Jiuzhen 九真 | Xupu 胥浦 | 6 | ||
| Hepu 合浦 | Hepu County 合浦縣 | 5 | ||
| Wuping 武平 | Wuning 武寧 | 7 | ||
| Jiude 九德 | Jiude 九德 | 6 | ||
| Xinchang 新昌 | Jianing 嘉寧 | 4 | ||
| Zhuya 朱崖 | Xuwen County 徐聞縣 | 2 |
| Temple name | Posthumous name | Family name (in bold) andpersonal name | Reign | Era names and their year ranges | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shizu 始祖 | Emperor Wulie 武烈皇帝 | Sun Jian 孫堅 | (N/A) | (N/A) | Sun Jian's temple and posthumous names were granted posthumously bySun Quan. |
| (N/A) | Prince Huan of Changsha 長沙桓王 | Sun Ce 孫策 | (N/A) | (N/A) | Sun Ce's posthumous name was granted posthumously bySun Quan. |
| Taizu 太祖 | Emperor Da 大皇帝 | Sun Quan 孫權 | Nov 222– May 252 |
| Sun Quan adopted the era name "Huangwu" in 222 after declaring independence from Wei. However, he continued ruling under the title "King of Wu" and did not proclaim himself emperor until 229. |
| (N/A) | (N/A) | Sun Liang | 252–258 |
| Sun Liang became "Prince of Kuaiji" (會稽王) after he was dethroned bySun Chen in 258. In 260, his successorSun Xiu further demoted him to "Marquis of Houguan" (侯官侯). |
| (N/A) | Emperor Jing 景皇帝 | Sun Xiu 孫休 | 258–264 |
| |
| (N/A) | Emperor Wen 文皇帝 | Sun He 孫和 | (N/A) | (N/A) | Sun He's posthumous name was granted posthumously bySun Hao. |
| (N/A) | Emperor Mo 末帝 | Sun Hao 孫皓 | 264–280 |
| Sun Hao held the title of "Marquis of Wucheng" (烏程侯) before he became emperor in 264. In 280, after surrendering to theJin dynasty, he was granted the title of "Marquis of Guiming" (歸命侯) bySima Yan. He is also sometimes referred to as "Emperor Mo of Wu" (吳末帝), which literally means "last emperor of Wu". |
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![Statues of Sun Quan (left) and Sun Ce.[where?]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aSun_Quan_and_his_brother_Sun_Ce.jpg)
Weakened by internal strife, horrific palace murders, and major defections to the enemy, the last Wu emperor surrendered on 31 May 280, and his realm was annexed to the Jin.
When it was established, Wu had only one-sixth of the population of the Eastern Han Empire (Cao Wei held over two-thirds of the Han population).
Though Sun Quan had claimed the imperial title in 229, and made some pretence of establishing the forms of an imperial court, the government of Wu continued to reflect the structure of a warlord state. In human terms, the time of the foundation of Wu was dominated by military commanders who held authority through their personal courage and energy, and were celebrated for their individualism, and it was no small achievement that Sun Quan was able to keep such a group under control.
Politics at court were largely dominated by the intrigues and conflicts of powerful individuals and families. In particular, unlike the bureaucracy of Han, substantial official positions, and particularly those involving the command of troops, were regularly transferred by inheritance from one generation to the next. In the course of time, however, there was a shift of influence in the central government from the first generation of men who had risen to power in the early years of the state, many of them from the north and all chosen for their personal ability and loyalty, to men from south of the Yangzi, whose families had prospered under the Sun regime.
Outside the court and the capital, moreover, great independent authority was held by these local families, which consolidated their power through the acquisition of tenants and other dependents who sought protection from the uncertainty of the times and the demands of government. This development, already begun in the time of Han, meant that the power of the central government was limited, and its capacity to exploit the resources of the state was heavily restricted. To a degree, the state of Wu was run for the protection and the benefit of the great families who were its nominal subjects.
Due to the convenient river transportation in the east of Yangtze River, the shipbuilding industry and salt industry of Wu were prosperous. During that period, the ships were improved to hold about 1,000 people.
Depending on the advantage of navigation, Kingdom of Wu established close trade routes with some overseas countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
