Lu Xun (Eastern Wu)

Lu Xun (183 – 19 March 245), courtesy name Boyan, also sometimes called Lu Yi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. He began his career as an official under the warlord Sun Quan in the 200s during the late Eastern Han dynasty and steadily rose through the ranks. In 219, he helped Sun Quan's general Lü Meng invade Jing Province, which led to the defeat and death of Liu Bei's general Guan Yu. In 222, he served as the field commander of the Wu army in the Battle of Xiaoting against Liu Bei's forces and scored a decisive victory over the opponent. Lu Xun reached the pinnacle of his career after this battle as Sun Quan regarded him more highly, promoted him to higher positions, and bestowed upon him unprecedented honors. Throughout the middle and later parts of his career, Lu Xun oversaw both civil and military affairs in Wu while occasionally participating in battles against Wu's rival state, Wei. In his final years, Lu Xun was drawn into a succession struggle between Sun Quan's sons and fell out of Sun Quan's favor as a consequence. He managed to retain his appointment as Imperial Chancellor—an office he assumed in 244—but died a year later in frustration. Lu Xun's role in the Wu government was likened to that of a custos morum, as he believed firmly in and upheld Confucian principles and practices. On the one hand, he provided constant and timely advice to Sun Quan to exercise benevolence and consider the people's welfare. On the other, he vehemently objected to Sun Quan's idea of replacing his legitimate heir apparent in favor of a younger son.