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Wu

222–280
The territories of Wu (in light greenish grey), as of 262 A.D.
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 Wu Chinese
Religion
Taoism, Confucianism, Chinese folk 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
Historical era Three Kingdoms
• Independence from Cao Wei
222
• Sun Quan declaring himself Emperor
229
31 May 280
Population
• 238
2,567,000 (disputed)
• 280
2,535,000 (disputed)
Currency Chinese coin, Chinese cash
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Cao Wei
Western Jin
Today part of China China
Vietnam Vietnam
Tanner (2009) estimates the Wu population to be about one-sixth of the Han population. This would be much more than the numbers given in 238 and 280, and could be because of census methods used in ancient China.
Eastern Wu
Traditional Chinese 東吳
Simplified Chinese 东吴
Hanyu Pinyin Dōng Wú
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Dōng Wú
Bopomofo ㄉㄨㄥ   ㄨˊ
Gwoyeu Romatzyh Dong Wu
Wade–Giles Tung1 Wu2
Tongyong Pinyin Dong Wú
Yale Romanization Dūng Wú
MPS2 Dūng Wú
IPA [tʊ́ŋ ǔ]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization Dūng Ng̀h
IPA [tóŋ ŋ̩̏]
Jyutping Dung1 Ng4
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ Tang Ngô͘  or Tong Ngô͘
Tâi-lô Tang Ngôo or Tong Ngôo
Sun Wu
Traditional Chinese 孫吳
Simplified Chinese 孙吴
Hanyu Pinyin Sūn Wú
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin Sūn Wú
Bopomofo ㄙㄨㄣ   ㄨˊ
Gwoyeu Romatzyh Suen Wu
Wade–Giles Sun1 Wu2
Tongyong Pinyin Sun Wú
Yale Romanization Swūn Wú
MPS2 Suēn Wú
IPA [su̯ə́n ǔ]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization Syūn Ng̀h
IPA [sýːn ŋ̩̏]
Jyutping Syun1 Ng4

Wu (Chinese: 吳; pinyin: ; Middle Chinese *ŋuo < Eastern Han Chinese: *ŋuɑ), known in historiography as Eastern Wu or Sun Wu, was a dynastic state of China and one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China in the Three Kingdoms period. It previously existed from 220 to 222 as a vassal kingdom nominally under Cao Wei, its rival state, but declared complete independence from Cao Wei in November 222. It was elevated to an empire in May 229 after its founding ruler, Sun Quan (Emperor Da), declared himself emperor.

The name "Wu" was derived from the place it was based in—the Jiangnan (Yangtze River Delta) region, which was also historically known as "Wu". It was referred to as "Dong Wu" ("Eastern Wu") or "Sun Wu" by historians to distinguish it from other Chinese historical states with similar names which were also located in that region, such as the Wu state in the Spring and Autumn period and the Wuyue kingdom in the Five 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 at Jianye (present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu), but at times it was also at Wuchang (武昌; present-day Ezhou, Hubei).

History

WuJar
A jar made in Eastern Wu dating to the Three Kingdoms period

Beginnings and founding

Chibi
Before the dynasty of Eastern Wu was established, the territory was defended by the Sun clan in the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Towards the end of the Han dynasty, Sun Ce, the eldest son of the warlord Sun Jian, and his followers borrowed troops from the warlord Yuan Shu and embarked on a series of military conquests in the Jiangdong and Wu regions between 194 and 199, seizing several territories previously occupied by warlords such as Liu Yao, Yan Baihu and Wang Lang. Sun Ce broke off relations with Yuan Shu around 196–197 after the latter declared himself emperor—an act deemed as treason against Emperor Xian, the figurehead ruler of the Han dynasty. The warlord Cao Cao, who was the de 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 warlord Liu Bei and they combined forces to defeat Cao Cao at the Battle 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 over Jing Province. In 219, Sun Quan severed ties with Liu Bei when he sent his general Lü Meng to invade 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-day Hunan and parts of Hubei.

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 of Cao 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 of Shu Han. In 222, Liu Bei launched a military campaign against Sun Quan to take back Jing Province and avenge Guan Yu, leading to the Battle of Xiaoting. However, Liu Bei suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Sun Quan's general Lu Xun and was forced to retreat to Baidicheng, 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's reign

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 of Ruxu (222–223), Shiting (228), and Hefei (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 installed Sun He as the crown 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, while Lu 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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Related articles

Reigns of Sun Liang and Sun Xiu

Sun Quan died in 252 and was succeeded by Sun Liang, with Zhuge Ke and Sun 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-day Shou 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 installed Sun Xiu, another son of Sun Quan, on the throne. Sun Xiu killed Sun Chen later in a coup with the help of Zhang Bu and Ding Feng.

Fall of Wu

Sun Xiu died of illness in 264, a year after Shu was conquered by Wei. At the time, Wu was experiencing internal turmoil because rebellions had broken out in Jiaozhi (交趾) in the south. The ministers Puyang Xing, Wan Yu and Zhang 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 as Lu Kai and Lu 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 the Jin dynasty. In 279, Jin forces led by Du 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, marking the end of Wu and the end of the Three Kingdoms period.

Government and military

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 their individualism.

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's bureaucracy. However, over time, the influence ultimately would move away from the central government. 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.

The Eastern Wu era was a formative period in Vietnamese history. The ruler of Jiaozhou (modern Vietnam and Guangzhou), Shi Xie, is primarily remembered today in Vietnam as Sĩ Nhiếp. According to Stephen O'Harrow, Shi Xie was essentially "the first Vietnamese." Originally satisfied with Eastern Wu's rule, the Vietnamese opposed Shi Hui's rebellion against Eastern Wu and attacked him for it. However, when the Wu general Lü Dai betrayed Shi Hui and executed the entire Shi family, the Vietnamese became greatly upset. In 248, the people of Jiaozhi and Jiuzhen commanderies rebelled. Eastern Wu sent Lu 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 of Lady Triệu in Jiuzhen and renewed the rebellion with a march on Jiaozhi. After several months of warfare she was defeated and took her own life.

Culture and economy

CottonPlant
Shu Han exported cotton into Eastern Wu.
Celadon Storehouse and Courtyard, Ezhou
Celadon Storehouse and Courtyard. Wu Kingdom.
Bullock-cart, Echeng
Pottery Bullock-cart. Wu Kingdom.

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 the Shanyue 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 the Jiangnan and Zhedong canals were finished with construction. After the Battle of Xiaoting and during the invasions of Wu by Wei 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, and metal industries was greatly increased.

The fact of inflation and economic problems still were in existence since the Han dynasty. 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.

Eastern Wu was able to make close overseas trade with countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia. Wu also traded with India and the Middle East.

Civil matters

Personages with clerical or scholarly abilities had roles to play within the state, but the policies were more determined by those of military command. Nevertheless, every Wu army was in need of administrative support and, according to Rafe de Crespigny, certain scholars were "recognised as practical counsellors, regardless of their fighting prowess or their ability to command troops in the field."

Under the reign of Sun 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.

Following the death of Cao Pi in 226, Sun Quan strongly promoted his kingdom to focus on agriculture because the threat from Wei was lifted. 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. However, in 240, Sun Quan restrained Lu Xun's idea and refocused on agricultural works, because Wu came to suffer a severe famine. In 234, when Zhuge 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.

Legacy

Eastern Wu green glaze pottery jar (top)
An Eastern Wu green-glaze ceramic jar with human figures, birds, and architecture on display in the Nanjing Museum
Painted Iacquer narrow table unearthed from the tomb of Zhuran 2012-05
Painted lacquerware table from the tomb of Zhu Ran (182–249) in Anhui province, Eastern Wu period, showing figures wearing silk Hanfu attire
Tomb of Zhuran 04 2012-05
Entrance to the tomb of Zhu Ran (182–249) in Anhui province, Eastern Wu period
Painted lacquerware dishes from the tomb of Zhu Ran (182–249) in Anhui province, Eastern Wu period, showing figures wearing silk Hanfu attire

Under the rule of Wu, the Yangtze 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.

In 230, the island of Taiwan was reached by the Chinese during the Three Kingdoms period under the reign of Sun Quan. Contact with the native population and the dispatch of officials to an island named "Yizhou" (夷州) by the Wu navy might have been to Taiwan, but the location of Yizhou is open to dispute; some historians believe it was Taiwan, while others believe it was the Ryukyu Islands. Wu merchants also may have reached Southern Vietnam and Cambodia. Failed protection of Gongsun Yuan also was in existence when the latter rebelled against Wei. This was because of the waterway's difficulties. Such things cost Wu, and the achievements supposedly gained within Taiwan did not cover this problem and Sun Quan lost his vassal.

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 take Hefei 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. 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. When Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin rebelled against Wei, Wu promised to help the two in Shouchun (around present-day Shou County, Anhui). However, the Wu forces never made it in time before the rebellion was quashed by Sima Shi and the Wei forces. When Zhuge Dan launched a massive 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 under Sima Zhao's command.

During the conquest of Shu by Wei in 263, Wu could not fully lend support to their allies due to a revolt in Vietnam.

The decline of Wu was long in existence since the death of Lu 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 by Sun Jun in 253 after a failed invasion of Hefei following the Wu victory over an invading Wei force at Dongxing. Ding Feng also ended up killing Sun Chen under orders from Sun Xiu. Corruption plagued Wu, which led to an easy conquest of Wu by the Jin dynasty in 280.

List of territories

Territories of Eastern Wu
Province Provincial capital Commandery Commandery capital No. of counties
Yang
Jianye
建業
(now Nanjing)
Danyang
丹陽
Jianye
建業
16
Wu
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
Jiangling
江陵
(now Jingzhou)
Nan
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
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
Panyu
番禺
(now Guangzhou)
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
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

List of sovereigns

Eastern Wu rulers
Temple name Posthumous name Family name (in bold) and personal 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 by Sun 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 by Sun Quan.
Taizu
太祖
Emperor Da
大皇帝
Sun Quan
孫權
Nov 222– May 252
  • Huangwu
    黃武 (222–229)
  • Huanglong
    黃龍 (229–231)
  • Jiahe
    嘉禾 (232–238)
  • Chiwu
    赤烏 (238–251)
  • Taiyuan
    太元 (251–252)
  • Shenfeng
    神鳳 (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
  • Jianxing
    建興 (252–253)
  • Wufeng
    五鳳 (254–256)
  • Taiping
    太平 (256–258)
Sun Liang became "Prince of Kuaiji" (會稽王) after he was dethroned by Sun Chen in 258. In 260, his successor Sun Xiu further demoted him to "Marquis of Houguan" (侯官侯).
(N/A) Emperor Jing
景皇帝
Sun Xiu
孫休
258–264
  • Yong'an
    永安 (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 by Sun Hao.
(N/A) Emperor Mo
末帝
Sun Hao
孫皓
264–280
  • Yuanxing
    元興 (264–265)
  • Ganlu
    甘露 (265–266)
  • Baoding
    寶鼎 (266–269)
  • Jianheng
    建衡 (269–271)
  • Fenghuang
    鳳凰 (272–274)
  • Tiance
    天冊 (275–276)
  • Tianxi
    天璽 (276)
  • Tianji
    天紀 (277–280)
Sun Hao held the title of "Marquis of Wucheng" (烏程侯) before he became emperor in 264. In 280, after surrendering to the Jin dynasty, he was granted the title of "Marquis of Guiming" (歸命侯) by Sima Yan. He is also sometimes referred to as "Emperor Mo of Wu" (吳末帝), which literally means "last emperor of Wu".

Emperors' family tree

Eastern Wu
Sun Zhong 孫鍾
Sun Jian 孫堅
c. 155–191
Sun Jing
孫靜
175–200
Sun Ce 孫策
Marquis of Wu
197–200
182–252
Sun Quan 孫權
229–252
Emperor Da
大帝
Sun Gao
孫暠
Sun Deng 孫登
209–241
Sun He 孫和
223–253
235–264
Sun Xiu 孫休
258–264
Emperor Jing
景帝
243–260
Sun Liang 孫亮
252–258
Prince of Kuaiji
會稽王
Sun Chuo
孫綽
Sun Gong
孫恭
242–284
Sun Hao 孫皓
264–280
Sun Chen
孫綝
231–258
Sun Jun
孫峻
219–256


Gallery

See also

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Eastern Wu Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.