Sun Hao
Encyclopedia
Sun Hao style name
Yuanzong (元宗), originally named Sun Pengzu (孫彭祖) with the style name Yuanzong (元宗), was the fourth and last emperor of Eastern Wu
during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the son of Sun He
, a one-time crown prince
of the founding emperor Sun Quan
. He came to the throne in 264 after the death of his uncle Sun Xiu (Emperor Jing) in light of the desire of the people to have an older emperor considering the recent destruction of Eastern Wu's ally Shu Han
. However, he turned out to be a most unfortunate choice, as his cruelty, extravagance, and inability to handle domestic matters doomed Eastern Wu, which was conquered by Jin
in 280, ending the Three Kingdoms period.
Sun Hao is also known by his pre-ascension title of Marquess of Wucheng (烏程侯) and post-conquest Jin-bestowed title Marquess of Guiming (歸命侯).
following the death of his father Sun Quan
's oldest son and first crown prince, Sun Deng
, in 241. His mother was a concubine of Sun He's, Consort He.
In 250, when Sun Hao was just eight, after Sun Quan tired of constant disputes between Sun He and his brother Sun Ba (孫霸) the Prince of Lu, he ordered Prince Ba to commit suicide and deposed Crown Prince He, who was exiled to Guzhang (故鄣, in modern Huzhou
, Zhejiang
), presumably with his family, and reduced to commoner status. Sun Hao went from the status of eventual presumed heir to being the son of a commoner, albeit the grandson of the emperor.
In 252, Crown Prince He's status was elevated from commoner status, as Sun Quan, just before his death that year, created him the Prince of Nanyang, with his fief at Changsha. Indeed, there were rumors, even after Sun He's younger brother Sun Liang
took the throne after Sun Quan's death, that the regent
Zhuge Ke
, an uncle of Sun He's wife Princess Zhang, was interested in restoring Prince He and making him emperor instead. After Zhuge's assassination and replacement by Sun Jun in 253, however, Prince He fell into danger, as Sun Jun had been instrumental in having him deposed in the first place and wanted to eliminate any chance of a comeback. He used the rumors as excuse to have Sun He demoted back to commoner status and exiled to Xindu (新都, in modern Hangzhou
, Zhejiang
), and then sent messengers to force Sun He to commit suicide. Princess Zhang also committed suicide, but when offered the chance to, Consort He refused—stating that if she died as well, no one would be left to care for Sun He's sons, so she raised Sun Hao and his three brothers by other consorts—Sun De (孫德), Sun Qian (孫謙), and Sun Jun (孫俊, note different character than the regent). Sun Hao was just 11 when his father died.
After Sun Liang was deposed by Sun Jun's cousin and successor Sun Lin
in 258, another uncle of Sun Hao's, Sun Xiu, became emperor, and that year, Sun Xiu created Sun Hao and his brothers Sun De and Sun Qian marquesses. Sun Hao's title was the Marquess of Wucheng, and he was sent to his march
(in modern Huzhou
, Zhejiang
). At some point, he befriended a magistrate of Wucheng County, Wan Yu (萬彧), who believed him to be intelligent and studious.
In summer 264, Sun Xiu fell ill and was unable to speak but still could write, so he wrote an edict summoning the prime minister Puyang Xing (濮陽興) to the palace, where he pointed and entrusted his son, Sun Wan the Crown Prince, to him. Sun Xiu died soon thereafter. However, Puyang did not follow his wishes. Rather, after consulting with the powerful general Zhang Bu
, they believed that the people were, in light of key ally Shu Han
's recent fall in 263, yearning for an older emperor. (It is not known how old Crown Prince Wan was at this point, but Sun Xiu himself died at age 29, so it was unlikely that Crown Prince Wan was even a teenager.) At the recommendation of Wan Yu, who was by this point a general, Puyang and Zhang declared Sun Hao emperor instead.
to the title of "Empress Jing." (He honored his mother Consort He as the empress dowager
instead, while posthumously honoring his father Sun He with the title Emperor Wen.) Puyang and Zhang were shocked and disappointed, and their disappointment was reported to the emperor, who had them arrested and executed, along with their clans, late in 264. In 264, he also created his wife Marchioness Teng
empress.
In 265, Sun Hao forced the former Empress Dowager Zhu to commit suicide and exiled Sun Xiu's four sons—and soon executed the two oldest, Prince Wan of Yuzhang (the former crown prince) and Prince Gong of Ru'nan. He then also, believing in a prophecy that the imperial aura had moved from Yang Province (揚州, modern Zhejiang
, Jiangxi
, and southern Jiangsu
and Anhui
) to the Jing Province (荊州, modern Hubei
and Hunan
) and that Jing forces would defeat Yang forces, undertook a costly move of the capital from Jianye
to Wuchang (武昌, modern Ezhou
, Hubei
). He also started executing officials who showed disapproval of his wasteful ways regularly. The only major official who was able to speak freely without consequences was Lu Kai
, the nephew of Lu Xun
and one of the prime ministers serving in tandem with Wan Yu, because of the great respect the people had for Lu.
In 266, Jin
, which newly established itself as the successor to Eastern Wu's archenemy Cao Wei
after its first emperor, Emperor Wu
(Sima Yan) usurped the Cao Wei throne, sought to establish peace with Eastern Wu. Sun Hao instead considered attacking Jin, but while he did not do so at this point, he did not establish peace with Jin.
Also in 266, commoners in modern Zhejiang unable to withstand Sun Hao's heavy levies (to support his luxuries) rebelled and kidnapped Sun Hao's brother Sun Qian as figurehead. They reached Jianye but were eventually defeated by Ding Gu (丁固) and Zhuge Jing (諸葛靚), who were responsible for Jianye's defense. Although there was no evidence that Sun Qian was actually involved in the rebellion, Sun Hao had not only Sun Qian but also his mother and his younger brother Sun Jun, by the same mother, executed. Sun Hao thought this to be the fulfillment of the prophecy that prompted his move of the capital to Wuchang, and later that year, he moved the capital back to Jianye.
In 268, Sun Hao started a policy of periodically attacking Jin border regions; he had his general Zhu Ji (朱繼) attack Jiangxia (江夏, in modern Xiaogan
, Hubei
) and Wan Yu attack Xiangyang, while he himself postured to attack Hefei
. This attack was repelled by Jin forces, as would be several later attacks.
In 269, Lu Kai died, and soon there was no one left in the administration who dared to speak anymore, as after Lu Kai's death Sun Hao exiled his clan to Jian'an (建安, in modern Nanping
, Fujian
). Lu Xun's son Lu Kang
, a general who was in charge of defending the western empire, did periodically submit petitions requesting reforms, but Sun Hao generally ignored them, although he did not punish Lu Kang.
Later that year, Eastern Wu forces finally recovered Jiao Province (交州, modern northern Vietnam
) from rebels paying allegiance to Jin, who had held out ever since 264 (during Sun Xiu's reign). This gave Sun Hao encouragement, and he continued to plan military actions against Jin in earnest—although, to his credit, he put the capable general Tao Huang (陶璜) in charge of Jiao Province, and Tao managed the province effectively; the province would not rebel again for the duration of Sun Hao's reign.
In 272, Wang Jun
, the Jin governor of Yi Province (益州, modern Sichuan
and Chongqing
), with Emperor Wu's support, began building a massive fleet, with the plan to eventually use the fleet in conquering Eastern Wu. As the wood shavings from the building projected floated down the Yangtze River, Sun Hao's general Wu Yan (吾彥) realized what was happening and requested that the northwestern border be fortified, but Sun Hao refused.
Later that year, Sun Hao would carry out an action that would lead to a major rebellion—summoning Bu Chan (步闡), the general in charge of Xiling (in modern Yichang
, Hubei
), back to the capital back to Jianye. Fearful that he was about to be punished somehow, Bu rebelled and defected to Jin. While Lu Kang was eventually able to defeat Bu and recover Xiling for Eastern Wu, the distrust the Eastern Wu generals had for their emperor has been thoroughly exposed, and Jin generals became emboldened in proposing plans of conquest to their emperor.
Later that year, Sun Hao, still bearing grudges against Wan and Liu for their plan to return to Jianye themselves, tried to poison them. Neither died, but after they found out that Sun Hao was behind the poisoning, they knew they could not do anything about it; Wan committed suicide, and Liu died in distress.
In 274, Lu Kang died. In his final petition, he requested Sun Hao to strengthen the western defenses, but Sun Hao did not do so. Further, he divided Lu's forces into six different commands, although each was led by a son of Lu.
In 275, the key official He Shao (賀邵) suffered a stroke and was paralyzed. Sun Hao suspected that he was pretending, and had him arrested and tortured, by whipping and by subjecting him to saws and fires. He died under torture, and his clan was exiled.
For the next several years, people wishing to flatter Sun Hao often offered him miraculous items (real or manufactured) that purportedly suggest that he would eventually destroy Jin and unite China. Sun Hao's superstitious nature became even more aroused, and he spent all of his efforts on plans to conquer Jin.
did Jin finally launched a major attack aiming to conquer Eastern Wu. The attack was in six prongs, with the forces led by Emperor Wu's uncle Sima Zhou
, Wang Hun (王渾), Wang Rong, Hu Fen (胡奮), Du, and Wang Jun, with the largest forces under Wang Hun and Wang Jun's commands. Each of the Jin forces advanced quickly and captured the border cities that they were targeting, with Wang Jun's fleet heading east down the Yangtze and clearing the river of Eastern Wu fleets. The Eastern Wu prime minister Zhang Ti
made a last ditch attempt to defeat Wang Hun's force, but was defeated and killed. Wang Hun, Wang Jun, and Sima Zhou each headed for Jianye, and Sun Hao was forced to surrender in spring 280.
Sun Hao and his clan were escorted to the Jin capital Luoyang
. Sun Hao, now a captive, humiliated himself by covering himself with mud and having himself bound behind his back. Jin's Emperor Wu had him unbound and seated next to himself at the next imperial gathering, commenting "I have set this seat for you for a long time." Sun Hao's response was, "I also had a seat for your imperial majesty in Jianye." When the key official Jia Chong
, seeking to humiliate Sun, asked him, "I heard that you had such cruel punishments as poking out people's eyes and peeling the facial skin off people. What kind of punishment is this?" Sun's response was, "If a subordinate planned to murder his emperor or was treacherous, I would use those punishments on him." Jia, who was instrumental in Cao Wei's emperor Cao Mao
's death, was humiliated and could not further respond.
Emperor Wu pardoned Sun Hao and further created him a marquess—the Marquess of Guiming. His sons were made junior officials in the Jin administration. In 284, Sun Hao died—without ever having been punished for his atrocities.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Yuanzong (元宗), originally named Sun Pengzu (孫彭祖) with the style name Yuanzong (元宗), was the fourth and last emperor of Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the son of Sun He
Sun He
Sun He , style name Zixiao , formally known as Emperor Wen , was a son and crown prince of Eastern Wu's founding emperor Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, a one-time crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
of the founding emperor Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
. He came to the throne in 264 after the death of his uncle Sun Xiu (Emperor Jing) in light of the desire of the people to have an older emperor considering the recent destruction of Eastern Wu's ally Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
. However, he turned out to be a most unfortunate choice, as his cruelty, extravagance, and inability to handle domestic matters doomed Eastern Wu, which was conquered by Jin
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
in 280, ending the Three Kingdoms period.
Sun Hao is also known by his pre-ascension title of Marquess of Wucheng (烏程侯) and post-conquest Jin-bestowed title Marquess of Guiming (歸命侯).
Early life
Sun Hao was born in 242, as Sun He's oldest son, at a time either briefly before or briefly after Sun He was created crown princeCrown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
following the death of his father Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
's oldest son and first crown prince, Sun Deng
Sun Deng
Sun Deng , style name Zigao , was a crown prince of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the oldest son of Sun Quan, founding emperor of Eastern Wu. It is known that Sun Deng was both wise and virtuous, having all the makings of a great man...
, in 241. His mother was a concubine of Sun He's, Consort He.
In 250, when Sun Hao was just eight, after Sun Quan tired of constant disputes between Sun He and his brother Sun Ba (孫霸) the Prince of Lu, he ordered Prince Ba to commit suicide and deposed Crown Prince He, who was exiled to Guzhang (故鄣, in modern Huzhou
Huzhou
Huzhou is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying south of the Lake Tai, it borders Jiaxing to the east, Hangzhou to the south, and the provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu to the west and north respectively.-Administration:...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
), presumably with his family, and reduced to commoner status. Sun Hao went from the status of eventual presumed heir to being the son of a commoner, albeit the grandson of the emperor.
In 252, Crown Prince He's status was elevated from commoner status, as Sun Quan, just before his death that year, created him the Prince of Nanyang, with his fief at Changsha. Indeed, there were rumors, even after Sun He's younger brother Sun Liang
Sun Liang
Sun Liang was the second emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the founding emperor Sun Quan's youngest son and heir...
took the throne after Sun Quan's death, that the regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
Zhuge Ke
Zhuge Ke
Zhuge Ke , style name Yuanxun , was a military general and regent of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Zhuge Jin and nephew of Zhuge Liang. He succeeded Lu Xun after the latter's death...
, an uncle of Sun He's wife Princess Zhang, was interested in restoring Prince He and making him emperor instead. After Zhuge's assassination and replacement by Sun Jun in 253, however, Prince He fell into danger, as Sun Jun had been instrumental in having him deposed in the first place and wanted to eliminate any chance of a comeback. He used the rumors as excuse to have Sun He demoted back to commoner status and exiled to Xindu (新都, in modern Hangzhou
Hangzhou
Hangzhou , formerly transliterated as Hangchow, is the capital and largest city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. Governed as a sub-provincial city, and as of 2010, its entire administrative division or prefecture had a registered population of 8.7 million people...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
), and then sent messengers to force Sun He to commit suicide. Princess Zhang also committed suicide, but when offered the chance to, Consort He refused—stating that if she died as well, no one would be left to care for Sun He's sons, so she raised Sun Hao and his three brothers by other consorts—Sun De (孫德), Sun Qian (孫謙), and Sun Jun (孫俊, note different character than the regent). Sun Hao was just 11 when his father died.
After Sun Liang was deposed by Sun Jun's cousin and successor Sun Lin
Sun Lin
Sun Lin , style name Zitong , was a regent of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled as regent during the reigns of the emperors Sun Liang and Sun Xiu. His conflict with Sun Liang eventually led him to depose the emperor in favor of Sun Xiu...
in 258, another uncle of Sun Hao's, Sun Xiu, became emperor, and that year, Sun Xiu created Sun Hao and his brothers Sun De and Sun Qian marquesses. Sun Hao's title was the Marquess of Wucheng, and he was sent to his march
Marches
A march or mark refers to a border region similar to a frontier, such as the Welsh Marches, the borderland between England and Wales. During the Frankish Carolingian Dynasty, the word spread throughout Europe....
(in modern Huzhou
Huzhou
Huzhou is a prefecture-level city in northern Zhejiang province of Eastern China. Lying south of the Lake Tai, it borders Jiaxing to the east, Hangzhou to the south, and the provinces of Anhui and Jiangsu to the west and north respectively.-Administration:...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
). At some point, he befriended a magistrate of Wucheng County, Wan Yu (萬彧), who believed him to be intelligent and studious.
In summer 264, Sun Xiu fell ill and was unable to speak but still could write, so he wrote an edict summoning the prime minister Puyang Xing (濮陽興) to the palace, where he pointed and entrusted his son, Sun Wan the Crown Prince, to him. Sun Xiu died soon thereafter. However, Puyang did not follow his wishes. Rather, after consulting with the powerful general Zhang Bu
Zhang Bu
Zhang Bu was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Zhang served as the Left General. Through the orders of the emperor Sun Xiu, Zhang, along with Right General Ding Feng, overthrew the regent Sun Lin in a coup...
, they believed that the people were, in light of key ally Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
's recent fall in 263, yearning for an older emperor. (It is not known how old Crown Prince Wan was at this point, but Sun Xiu himself died at age 29, so it was unlikely that Crown Prince Wan was even a teenager.) At the recommendation of Wan Yu, who was by this point a general, Puyang and Zhang declared Sun Hao emperor instead.
Early reign
At first, the people of Eastern Wu were impressed with the new emperor, as he reduced taxes, gave relief to the poor, and released a large number of ladies in waiting from the palace to let them marry. However, soon that hopefulness was shattered, as Sun Hao started to be cruel in his punishments, superstitious, and indulging himself in wine and women. He also demoted his aunt, Sun Xiu's wife Empress Dowager ZhuEmpress Zhu (Jing)
Empress Zhu , formally known as Empress Jing , was an empress of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Her husband was Sun Xiu , the third emperor of Eastern Wu....
to the title of "Empress Jing." (He honored his mother Consort He as the empress dowager
Empress Dowager
Empress Dowager was the title given to the mother of a Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Vietnamese emperor.The title was also given occasionally to another woman of the same generation, while a woman from the previous generation was sometimes given the title of Grand empress dowager. Numerous empress...
instead, while posthumously honoring his father Sun He with the title Emperor Wen.) Puyang and Zhang were shocked and disappointed, and their disappointment was reported to the emperor, who had them arrested and executed, along with their clans, late in 264. In 264, he also created his wife Marchioness Teng
Empress Teng
Teng Fanglan, formally known as Empress Teng, was an empress of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was married to Sun Hao, the fourth and last emperor of Eastern Wu....
empress.
In 265, Sun Hao forced the former Empress Dowager Zhu to commit suicide and exiled Sun Xiu's four sons—and soon executed the two oldest, Prince Wan of Yuzhang (the former crown prince) and Prince Gong of Ru'nan. He then also, believing in a prophecy that the imperial aura had moved from Yang Province (揚州, modern Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
, Jiangxi
Jiangxi
' is a southern province in the People's Republic of China. Spanning from the banks of the Yangtze River in the north into hillier areas in the south, it shares a border with Anhui to the north, Zhejiang to the northeast, Fujian to the east, Guangdong to the south, Hunan to the west, and Hubei to...
, and southern Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
and Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
) to the Jing Province (荊州, modern Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
and Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
) and that Jing forces would defeat Yang forces, undertook a costly move of the capital from Jianye
Jianye
Jianye may refer to:*Jianye District, in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China*Jiankang, also known as Jianye, ancient city in China*Henan Jianye, Chinese football club...
to Wuchang (武昌, modern Ezhou
Ezhou
-Geography and climate:Ezhou is located in southeastern Hubei province, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River east of Wuchang , and across the river from the city of Huanggang, to which it is connected by the Ehuang Bridge...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
). He also started executing officials who showed disapproval of his wasteful ways regularly. The only major official who was able to speak freely without consequences was Lu Kai
Lu Kai
Lü Kai, style name Jiping , was a minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Lü was the Administrator of Yongchang Commandery. He defended it from Yong Kai's rebel forces at one time...
, the nephew of Lu Xun
Lu Xun (Three Kingdoms)
Lu Xun was a military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is best known for defeating Liu Bei's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting in 222.-Early life:...
and one of the prime ministers serving in tandem with Wan Yu, because of the great respect the people had for Lu.
In 266, Jin
Jìn Dynasty (265-420)
The Jìn Dynasty , was a dynasty in Chinese history, lasting between the years 265 and 420 AD. There are two main divisions in the history of the Dynasty, the first being Western Jin and the second Eastern Jin...
, which newly established itself as the successor to Eastern Wu's archenemy Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
after its first emperor, Emperor Wu
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
(Sima Yan) usurped the Cao Wei throne, sought to establish peace with Eastern Wu. Sun Hao instead considered attacking Jin, but while he did not do so at this point, he did not establish peace with Jin.
Also in 266, commoners in modern Zhejiang unable to withstand Sun Hao's heavy levies (to support his luxuries) rebelled and kidnapped Sun Hao's brother Sun Qian as figurehead. They reached Jianye but were eventually defeated by Ding Gu (丁固) and Zhuge Jing (諸葛靚), who were responsible for Jianye's defense. Although there was no evidence that Sun Qian was actually involved in the rebellion, Sun Hao had not only Sun Qian but also his mother and his younger brother Sun Jun, by the same mother, executed. Sun Hao thought this to be the fulfillment of the prophecy that prompted his move of the capital to Wuchang, and later that year, he moved the capital back to Jianye.
In 268, Sun Hao started a policy of periodically attacking Jin border regions; he had his general Zhu Ji (朱繼) attack Jiangxia (江夏, in modern Xiaogan
Xiaogan
Xiaogan is a prefecture-level city in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. Its population is 5,060,000 residents.-Subdivisions:*Xiaonan District *Yingcheng City *Anlu City *Hanchuan City *Xiaochang County...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
) and Wan Yu attack Xiangyang, while he himself postured to attack Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...
. This attack was repelled by Jin forces, as would be several later attacks.
In 269, Lu Kai died, and soon there was no one left in the administration who dared to speak anymore, as after Lu Kai's death Sun Hao exiled his clan to Jian'an (建安, in modern Nanping
Nanping
Nanping is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Fujian province, People's Republic of China. It borders Ningde City to the east, Sanming City to the south, and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangxi to the north and west respectively...
, Fujian
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
). Lu Xun's son Lu Kang
Lu Kang
Lu Kang , style name Youjie , was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Lu Xun and a maternal grandson of Sun Ce. He was praised for his talent and wisdom....
, a general who was in charge of defending the western empire, did periodically submit petitions requesting reforms, but Sun Hao generally ignored them, although he did not punish Lu Kang.
Late reign
In early 271, in the middle of winter, Sun Hao personally launched a major attack against Jin, and he brought his mother Empress Dowager He, his wife Empress Teng, and thousands of women in his harem along, which necessitated heavy labor from soldiers to drag their wagons, causing the soldiers to murmur about possibly defecting. Only after Sun Hao heard this possibility did he withdraw and return to Jianye. (Wan Yu and the senior generals Ding Feng and Liu Ping (留平) considered returning to Jianye themselves before Sun Hao chose to withdraw, and Sun Hao heard about this and bore grudges against them.)Later that year, Eastern Wu forces finally recovered Jiao Province (交州, modern northern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
) from rebels paying allegiance to Jin, who had held out ever since 264 (during Sun Xiu's reign). This gave Sun Hao encouragement, and he continued to plan military actions against Jin in earnest—although, to his credit, he put the capable general Tao Huang (陶璜) in charge of Jiao Province, and Tao managed the province effectively; the province would not rebel again for the duration of Sun Hao's reign.
In 272, Wang Jun
Wang Jun (Three Kingdoms)
Wang Jun , style name Shizhi , was a military general during the late Three Kingdoms and Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was appointed Imperial Protector of Yi Province and Prancing Dragon General...
, the Jin governor of Yi Province (益州, modern Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
and Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
), with Emperor Wu's support, began building a massive fleet, with the plan to eventually use the fleet in conquering Eastern Wu. As the wood shavings from the building projected floated down the Yangtze River, Sun Hao's general Wu Yan (吾彥) realized what was happening and requested that the northwestern border be fortified, but Sun Hao refused.
Later that year, Sun Hao would carry out an action that would lead to a major rebellion—summoning Bu Chan (步闡), the general in charge of Xiling (in modern Yichang
Yichang
Yichang is a prefecture-level city located in Hubei province of the People's Republic of China. It is the second largest city in Hubei province after the province capital, Wuhan. The Three Gorges Dam is located within its administrative area, in Yiling District.-History:In ancient times Yichang...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
), back to the capital back to Jianye. Fearful that he was about to be punished somehow, Bu rebelled and defected to Jin. While Lu Kang was eventually able to defeat Bu and recover Xiling for Eastern Wu, the distrust the Eastern Wu generals had for their emperor has been thoroughly exposed, and Jin generals became emboldened in proposing plans of conquest to their emperor.
Later that year, Sun Hao, still bearing grudges against Wan and Liu for their plan to return to Jianye themselves, tried to poison them. Neither died, but after they found out that Sun Hao was behind the poisoning, they knew they could not do anything about it; Wan committed suicide, and Liu died in distress.
In 274, Lu Kang died. In his final petition, he requested Sun Hao to strengthen the western defenses, but Sun Hao did not do so. Further, he divided Lu's forces into six different commands, although each was led by a son of Lu.
In 275, the key official He Shao (賀邵) suffered a stroke and was paralyzed. Sun Hao suspected that he was pretending, and had him arrested and tortured, by whipping and by subjecting him to saws and fires. He died under torture, and his clan was exiled.
For the next several years, people wishing to flatter Sun Hao often offered him miraculous items (real or manufactured) that purportedly suggest that he would eventually destroy Jin and unite China. Sun Hao's superstitious nature became even more aroused, and he spent all of his efforts on plans to conquer Jin.
The fall of Eastern Wu
In 279, after Emperor Wu of Jin accepted the advice of Wang Jun and Du YuDu Yu
Du Yu , style name Yuankai , was a military general of Cao Wei during the late Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He served the Jin Dynasty after the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Also a prolific author, it is said that Du Yu read the Zuozhuan so often that he was addicted to the book...
did Jin finally launched a major attack aiming to conquer Eastern Wu. The attack was in six prongs, with the forces led by Emperor Wu's uncle Sima Zhou
Sima Zhou
Sima Zhou was an official of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the sixth son of Sima Yi. Sima Zhou was known in Cao Wei as the "Fire General"...
, Wang Hun (王渾), Wang Rong, Hu Fen (胡奮), Du, and Wang Jun, with the largest forces under Wang Hun and Wang Jun's commands. Each of the Jin forces advanced quickly and captured the border cities that they were targeting, with Wang Jun's fleet heading east down the Yangtze and clearing the river of Eastern Wu fleets. The Eastern Wu prime minister Zhang Ti
Zhang Ti
Zhang Ti , style name Juxian , was a minister and chancellor of Eastern Wu during the late Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Zhang, along with many others, defended Eastern Wu from an invasion by the Jin Dynasty. Shen Ying offered to Zhang to submit to Jin, but ended up refusing, saying he...
made a last ditch attempt to defeat Wang Hun's force, but was defeated and killed. Wang Hun, Wang Jun, and Sima Zhou each headed for Jianye, and Sun Hao was forced to surrender in spring 280.
Sun Hao and his clan were escorted to the Jin capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
. Sun Hao, now a captive, humiliated himself by covering himself with mud and having himself bound behind his back. Jin's Emperor Wu had him unbound and seated next to himself at the next imperial gathering, commenting "I have set this seat for you for a long time." Sun Hao's response was, "I also had a seat for your imperial majesty in Jianye." When the key official Jia Chong
Jia Chong
Jia Chong , style name Gonglü , formally known as Duke Wu of Lu , was an official of the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history...
, seeking to humiliate Sun, asked him, "I heard that you had such cruel punishments as poking out people's eyes and peeling the facial skin off people. What kind of punishment is this?" Sun's response was, "If a subordinate planned to murder his emperor or was treacherous, I would use those punishments on him." Jia, who was instrumental in Cao Wei's emperor Cao Mao
Cao Mao
Cao Mao , formally known as the Duke of Gaogui, was the fourth emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was a grandson of Cao Wei's first emperor Cao Pi. Described as intelligent and studious, Cao Mao made repeated attempts to seize back state power...
's death, was humiliated and could not further respond.
Emperor Wu pardoned Sun Hao and further created him a marquess—the Marquess of Guiming. His sons were made junior officials in the Jin administration. In 284, Sun Hao died—without ever having been punished for his atrocities.
Era names
- Yuanxing (元興 yuán xīng) 264–265
- Ganlu (甘露 gān lù) 265–266
- Baoding (寶鼎 baǒ dǐng) 266–269
- Jianheng (建衡 jiàn héng) 269–271
- Fenghuang (鳳凰 fèng huáng) 272–274
- Tiance (天冊 tiān cè) 275–276
- Tianxi (天璽 tiān xǐ) 276
- Tianji (天紀 tiān jì) 277–280
Family
- Father: Sun HeSun HeSun He , style name Zixiao , formally known as Emperor Wen , was a son and crown prince of Eastern Wu's founding emperor Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, third son of Sun QuanSun QuanSun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
, forced to commit suicide in 253
- Mother: Consort HeEmpress Dowager He (Sun Hao)Empress Dowager He, personal name unknown, was an empress dowager during the reign of her son Sun Hao, the fourth and last emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history....
- Spouses:
- Empress TengEmpress TengTeng Fanglan, formally known as Empress Teng, was an empress of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was married to Sun Hao, the fourth and last emperor of Eastern Wu....
, daughter of Teng Mu (滕牧), instated in 264 - Lady Zhang (張美人), daughter of Zhang BuZhang BuZhang Bu was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Zhang served as the Left General. Through the orders of the emperor Sun Xiu, Zhang, along with Right General Ding Feng, overthrew the regent Sun Lin in a coup...
- Lady Zhang (張夫人), older sister of the above-mentioned Lady Zhang, Left Lady
- Lady Wang (王夫人), Right Lady
- Empress Teng
- Children:
- Sun Jin (孫瑾), instated as crown prince in 269
- Prince of Huaiyang, personal name unknown, instated in 272
- Prince of Dongping, personal name unknown, instated in 272
- Prince of Chenliu, personal name unknown, instated in 272
- Prince of Zhangling, personal name unknown, instated in 272
- Prince of Chenguang, personal name unknown, instated in 272
- Prince of Chengji, personal name unknown, instated in 278
- Prince of Xuanwei, personal name unknown, instated in 278
- 15 other princes, personal names unknown, six instated in 272, nine instated in 278
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms
- List of Chinese monarchs