Zong Yu
Encyclopedia
Zong Yu style name
Deyan (德艷), was a minister of Shu Han
during the Three Kingdoms
era of Chinese history
. He hailed from Anzhong in Nanyan.
was made Prime Minister, Zong Yu became his chief secretary. Upon Zhuge Liang's death, Eastern Wu
began building up its defenses at Baqiu in fear that Cao Wei
would take advantage of the event and invade Shu, believing Shu would fall should this happen. In response, Shu began increasing its defenses at Yong’an. Zong Yu was then sent as an emissary to Wu to speak with Sun Quan
. Sun Quan inquired into Shu's military buildup, but Zong Yu informed Sun Quan that their actions were not driven by the same circumstances as Wu's similar buildup and that it was none of his concern. Sun Quan praised Zong Yu's frankness and he was highly valued within the court.
In 247, Zong Yu was promoted to Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry. At that time, Deng Zhi
, the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, payed Zong Yu a visit and condescendingly asked why a man of over 60 years old would accept a new military command. Zong Yu retorted "Sir, being seventy already, you still have not relinquished your command. Why can’t I, being but sixty, accept one?" Zong Yu is noted as being the only person who stood up to Deng Zhi.
Some time after 258, Zong Yu was promoted to General-in-Chief who Maintains the Army and designated Inspector of Yan Province. Around that time, Chief Commissioner Zhuge Zhan
took control over the affairs of the imperial court. Liao Hua
, the General of the Chariots and Cavalry of the Right, requested Zong Yu accompany him to pay a respectful visit to Zhuge Zhan, but Zong said “We are both over seventy years of age, and all that we desire have passed. Nothing remains but death. Why bother to seek favours from the youngsters by paying calls for trivial things?” Thus he refused to go.
After Shu submitted to Wei in 263, Zong Yu was relocated to Luoyang
, but he died of illness on the way.
by Luo Guanzhong
, Zong Yu's role is drastically decreased. He pays a visit to Sun Quan after Zhuge Liang's death to inform the former about the latter's passing, but he does not go on to hold as high a rank as he did historically.
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...
Deyan (德艷), was a minister of 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...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He hailed from Anzhong in Nanyan.
Biography
After Zhuge LiangZhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
was made Prime Minister, Zong Yu became his chief secretary. Upon Zhuge Liang's death, 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...
began building up its defenses at Baqiu in fear that 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...
would take advantage of the event and invade Shu, believing Shu would fall should this happen. In response, Shu began increasing its defenses at Yong’an. Zong Yu was then sent as an emissary to Wu to speak with 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....
. Sun Quan inquired into Shu's military buildup, but Zong Yu informed Sun Quan that their actions were not driven by the same circumstances as Wu's similar buildup and that it was none of his concern. Sun Quan praised Zong Yu's frankness and he was highly valued within the court.
In 247, Zong Yu was promoted to Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry. At that time, Deng Zhi
Deng Zhi
Deng Zhi was a minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Early career:Deng Zhi was a native of Xinye , and went to Yi Province to avoid the turmoil of central China...
, the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, payed Zong Yu a visit and condescendingly asked why a man of over 60 years old would accept a new military command. Zong Yu retorted "Sir, being seventy already, you still have not relinquished your command. Why can’t I, being but sixty, accept one?" Zong Yu is noted as being the only person who stood up to Deng Zhi.
Some time after 258, Zong Yu was promoted to General-in-Chief who Maintains the Army and designated Inspector of Yan Province. Around that time, Chief Commissioner Zhuge Zhan
Zhuge Zhan
Zhuge Zhan , style name Siyuan , was a politician and military general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
took control over the affairs of the imperial court. Liao Hua
Liao Hua
Liao Hua , originally named Liao Chun , style name Yuanjian , was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
, the General of the Chariots and Cavalry of the Right, requested Zong Yu accompany him to pay a respectful visit to Zhuge Zhan, but Zong said “We are both over seventy years of age, and all that we desire have passed. Nothing remains but death. Why bother to seek favours from the youngsters by paying calls for trivial things?” Thus he refused to go.
After Shu submitted to Wei in 263, Zong Yu was relocated to 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...
, but he died of illness on the way.
In fiction
In the historical novel Romance of the Three KingdomsRomance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
by Luo Guanzhong
Luo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
, Zong Yu's role is drastically decreased. He pays a visit to Sun Quan after Zhuge Liang's death to inform the former about the latter's passing, but he does not go on to hold as high a rank as he did historically.