Lu Xun (Eastern Wu)
Lu Xun (183 – 19 March 245),
courtesy name Boyan, also sometimes referred to as
Lu Yi, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of
Eastern Wu during the
Three Kingdoms period of China. He started 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 assisted Sun Quan's general
Lü Meng in
an invasion of
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 honours. Throughout the middle and later parts of his career, Lu Xun oversaw both civil and military affairs in Wu while participating in battles against Wu's rival state,
Wei, from time to time. In his final years, Lu Xun was drawn into a succession struggle between Sun Quan's sons and fell out of Sun Quan's favour 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 welfare of the people. On the other hand, he vehemently objected to Sun Quan's idea of replacing his legitimate heir apparent in favour of a younger son.
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