Yu Zhong (Three Kingdoms)
Yu Zhong (died 280), courtesy name Shifang, was an official in the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
Yu Zhong | |
|---|---|
虞忠 | |
| Administrator of Yidu (宜都太守) | |
| In office ? – 280 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 280 |
| Spouse(s) | Sun Quan's grandniece |
| Children | Yu Tan |
| Father | Yu Fan |
| Occupation | Official |
| Courtesy name | Shifang (世方) |
Life
Yu Zhong was the fifth son of Yu Fan,[1][2] an official who served under Sun Quan, the founding emperor of Eastern Wu, and under Sun Quan's predecessor, Sun Ce. His ancestral home was in Yuyao County (餘姚縣), Kuaiji Commandery,[3] which is in present-day Yuyao, Zhejiang. He was known for being trustworthy and reliable. He also recognised the potential in persons such as Lu Ji and Wei Qian (魏遷) when they were still relatively unknown, and was proven right later when they became famous. He was a friend of Wang Qi (王岐), who was also from Yuyao County. They consecutively served as the Administrator of Yidu Commandery (宜都郡; around present-day Yichang, Hubei).[4]
In 280, when forces of the Jin dynasty invaded Wu, Yu Zhong joined the brothers Lu Yan and Lu Jing in defending Wu. They were all killed in battle, after which Wu was conquered by Jin.[5]
Family
Yu Zhong had 10 brothers.[6] Among them, the notable ones were his fourth brother Yu Si, sixth brother Yu Song, and eighth brother Yu Bing.
Yu Zhong married a grandniece of Sun Quan.[7] They had a son, Yu Tan (虞潭), whose courtesy name was Si'ao (思奧). The historical text Jin Yang Qiu (晉陽秋) described Yu Tan as a virtuous and morally upright person who appeared weak on the outside by was actually courageous and resilient on the inside. Yu Tan served in the imperial court of the Jin dynasty and rose through the ranks to the position of General of the Guards (衞將軍). He was allowed to set up his own office and received the same honours as the Three Ducal Ministers. He was posthumously awarded the appointment Palace Attendant and Left Household Counsellor (侍中左光祿大夫).[8][9]
References
- (翻有十一子，第四子汜最知名，汜弟忠，宜都太守； ...) Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- (會稽典錄曰：忠字世方，翻第五子。) Kuaiji Dianlu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- (虞翻字仲翔，會稽餘姚人也， ...) Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- (貞固幹事，好識人物，造吳郡陸機於童齔之年，稱上虞魏遷於無名之初，終皆遠致，為著聞之士。交同縣王岐於孤宦之族，仕進先至宜都太守，忠乃代之。) Kuaiji Dianlu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- (晉征吳，忠與夷道監陸晏、晏弟中夏督景堅守不下，城潰被害。) Kuaiji Dianlu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- (翻有十一子， ...) Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- (虞潭母孫氏，吳郡富春人，孫權族孫女也。) Jin Shu vol. 96.
- (忠子潭，字思奧。晉陽秋稱潭清貞有檢操，外如退弱，內堅正有膽幹。仕晉，歷位內外，終於衞將軍，追贈侍中左光祿大夫，開府儀同三司。) Kuaiji Dianlu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 57.
- Jin Shu vol. 76.
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).