Biography
Early life
Gu Yong was born in 168 CE in Wu County, Wu Commandery (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu).
He came from the Gu family of Wu Commandery, one of the four great families of Jiangdong.
His great-grandfather Gu Feng served as Administrator of Yingchuan under the Eastern Han.
Student of Cai Yong
When Gu Yong was young, he studied under Cai Yong, a famous scholar, learning to play the qin and calligraphy.
He was quick-witted, focused, and his skills improved daily.
He was deeply loved by Cai Yong.
Cai Yong gave him his name. Therefore, Gu Yong had the same name as his teacher Cai Yong (“Yong” and Cai Yong’s “Yong” have the same pronunciation).
Because he was praised by his teacher, he was given the courtesy name Yuantan (元嘆, “Yuan’s sigh”).
Early service
Later, Gu Yong was recommended by the province and commandery.
When he was about twenty years old, he served as Magistrate of Hefei.
He successively served as Magistrate of Lou, Magistrate of Qu’e, and Magistrate of Shangyu.
Everywhere he served, he had achievements in governance.
Acting Administrator of Kuaiji
In 200 CE, the fifth year of Jian’an, Sun Quan was appointed General Who Subdues the Caitiffs and concurrently Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery.
After Sun Quan received the appointment, he did not go to the commandery to take office.
Because Sun Quan was not present, Gu Yong, as Commandery Assistant of Kuaiji, acted as Administrator and exercised the Administrator’s power.
During his tenure, he participated in pacifying mountain bandits, making Kuaiji Commandery stable.
Later, Gu Yong was transferred to Major of the Left.
Service under Sun Quan
In 221 CE, the second year of Huangchu, Sun Quan became King of Wu.
Gu Yong was repeatedly promoted to Grand Judge, Minister over the Masses, and additionally Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangsui Township.
After Gu Yong was enfeoffed, his family did not know at all.
It was not until later, when they heard about it, that they were greatly surprised.
Chancellor
In 225 CE, the fourth year of Huangwu, Gu Yong welcomed his mother to Wu.
After she arrived, Sun Quan personally congratulated her and personally bowed to his mother in the courtyard.
All dukes, ministers, and great officials attended the banquet, and later Crown Prince Sun Deng also came to celebrate.
Gu Yong did not drink alcohol, spoke little, and his actions were appropriate.
Sun Quan once sighed: “Gu Jun does not speak, but when he speaks, he must hit the mark.”
He was transferred to Minister over the Masses and enfeoffed as Marquis of Liling.
At this time, Sun Shao, Eastern Wu’s first Chancellor, died, and Gu Yong succeeded him as Chancellor and Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
Selecting officials
During his tenure, Gu Yong selected and transferred officials in the court all based on their ability and did not harbour personal feelings.
Gu Yong also sent people to the people to collect information to design appropriate government orders or suggestions to submit.
Sun Quan therefore greatly valued Gu Yong.
Remonstrating against harsh laws
Gu Yong, when making statements and suggestions in court, although his words and expression were respectful, the principles he insisted on were upright and unyielding.
Sun Quan once consulted about the gains and losses of court government.
Zhang Zhao, General Who Assists Wu, took the opportunity to state the opinions he had collected, believing that the laws were too strict and punishments too heavy, and there should be some reduction.
Sun Quan heard this and did not speak.
He turned back and asked Gu Yong: “What do you think?”
Gu Yong replied: “What I heard is what Zhang Zhao said.”
Sun Quan then discussed reducing punishments in legal cases.
Opposing private interests
At that time, the various generals stationed at the front lines frequently presented strategies for attacking enemies.
Sun Quan asked Gu Yong about this.
Gu Yong replied: “I believe they are all for their own private interests and fame. Therefore, they should not be followed.”
Sun Quan greatly respected and trusted Gu Yong.
Whenever there was a difficult problem, he would send a Gentleman of the Secretariat to go and ask Gu Yong for advice.
The secret method
Whenever Gu Yong approved of Sun Quan’s opinion, Gu Yong would invite Sun Quan’s secretary to eat, study the problem thoroughly, and then send the secretary away.
If Gu Yong did not approve of Sun Quan’s opinion, then he would not invite guests and would not say much.
In this way, Sun Quan would know that his view needed improvement.
Therefore, after Sun Quan sent a secretary to ask Gu Yong for advice, he would not ask the secretary: “What did Gu Gong say?” but rather: “Have you eaten?”
Dealing with Lü Yi
In his later years, Sun Quan favoured cruel officials Lü Yi and Qin Bo and appointed them as Gentlemen of the Secretariat to oversee reviewing documents submitted by various government offices and commanderies.
Lü Yi and others therefore gradually acted arbitrarily and began establishing institutions to sell wine and levy taxes at passes to seek excessive profits.
They reported others’ crimes, reporting even minor matters to the court, then increasing the severity of the case to falsely accuse, slander ministers, and exclude and harm innocent people.
Gu Yong and others were all reported by them and were therefore reprimanded.
Later, Lü Yi’s evil crimes were exposed, and he was imprisoned in the Court of Judicial Review.
Gu Yong went to try this case.
Lü Yi, as a prisoner, met Gu Yong.
Gu Yong was amiable and asked him about his statements in the lawsuit.
When leaving, he again said to Lü Yi: “Do you have anything else you want to say?”
Lü Yi only kowtowed and had nothing to say.
At that time, Huai Xu, Gentleman of the Secretariat, scolded and insulted Lü Yi to his face.
Gu Yong criticized him: “The government has clear laws. Why do this?”
Teaching his grandson
Gu Yong was good at teaching his children.
Once, Sun Quan married off a niece to Gu Yong’s nephew.
The wedding banquet invited Gu Yong, his sons, and his grandson Gu Tan (who was then Director of the Central Secretariat, a high position).
At that time, the ruler and ministers were very happy.
Gu Tan drank too much and became drunk, became drunk and danced continuously, and could not be stopped.
Gu Yong was angry inside but had to wait until the next day.
The next day, he summoned Gu Tan and sternly reprimanded him: “A ruler takes enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens as virtue. Ministers take being respectful and careful as their principle. Previously, Xiao He and Wu Han both had great achievements, but Xiao He, every time he saw Emperor Gao (Liu Bang), was like someone who could not speak. Wu Han served Emperor Guangwu (Liu Xiu) and was always careful and diligent. What achievements do you have for the state? You only rely on our Gu family’s status and qualifications to receive favour and employment. Why do you dance so proudly and forget yourself? Although this was due to being drunk, it is actually relying on favour and forgetting respect, and lacking humility. It seems that the one who will destroy our family will certainly be you.”
After saying this, he turned toward the wall and lay down, no longer paying attention to Gu Tan.
Gu Tan stood regretfully to the side for a full two hours before being sent away by his grandfather.
Later, it was just as Gu Yong said—Gu Tan was exiled to Jiao Province.
Death
When Gu Yong’s illness became slightly better, Sun Quan ordered Zhao Quan, Grand Physician, to diagnose him and also appointed Gu Yong’s youngest son Gu Ji as Cavalry Commandant.
When Gu Yong heard of this, he said sadly: “Zhao Quan is good at distinguishing life and death. I will certainly not recover. Therefore, Your Majesty wants me to see Gu Ji receive an appointment while I am alive!”
In the eleventh month of 243 CE, the sixth year of Chiwu, Gu Yong died at the age of seventy-six.
Sun Quan wore mourning clothes and personally went to mourn him.
He posthumously titled Gu Yong Marquis Su.
Gu Ji inherited the marquis title, but Gu Ji had no sons, so after he died, the state succession was cut off.
In 258 CE, the first year of Yong’an, Sun Xiu, Emperor Jing of Wu, issued an edict having Gu Yu (Gu Mu) inherit the marquis title of Liling.
Personality
Gu Yong was known for being silent, not drinking alcohol, and being appropriate in his actions.
He was also known for selecting officials based on ability rather than personal preference.
He was strict but fair, and even Sun Quan respected him.
Sun Quan once said: “Gu Gong does not speak, but when he speaks, he must hit the mark.”
He also said: “When Gu Gong is present, people cannot be happy.”
Military achievements
Pacifying mountain bandits
Gu Yong participated in pacifying mountain bandits in Kuaiji Commandery, making the commandery stable.
Relationships
With Cai Yong
Gu Yong was Cai Yong’s student and learned to play the qin and calligraphy from him.
Cai Yong gave Gu Yong his name and praised him, which is why Gu Yong’s courtesy name was Yuantan.
With Sun Quan
Gu Yong had a close relationship with Sun Quan, who greatly trusted him and made him Chancellor.
Sun Quan respected Gu Yong and often consulted him on important matters.
With Zhang Zhao
Gu Yong succeeded Sun Shao as Chancellor, not Zhang Zhao, because Sun Quan believed that Zhang Zhao’s personality was too rigid.
However, Gu Yong and Zhang Zhao both served Sun Quan loyally.
Anecdotes
The family did not know about the enfeoffment
After Gu Yong was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangsui Township, his family did not know at all.
It was not until later, when they heard about it, that they were greatly surprised.
This shows Gu Yong’s modesty and his unwillingness to show off his achievements.
”Have you eaten?”
Sun Quan developed a secret method to communicate with Gu Yong.
Whenever Gu Yong approved of Sun Quan’s opinion, he would invite Sun Quan’s secretary to eat.
If Gu Yong did not approve, he would not invite guests.
Therefore, Sun Quan would ask the secretary: “Have you eaten?” instead of “What did Gu Gong say?”
This shows Gu Yong’s subtle way of expressing his opinions.
The controlled grief
When Gu Yong’s eldest son Gu Shao died while serving as Administrator of Yuzhang, Gu Yong was gathering subordinates to drink and have fun and was personally playing chess.
Outside, it was reported that a messenger from Yuzhang had arrived, but there was no letter from his son.
Although Gu Yong’s expression did not change, he understood the reason in his heart.
To hide his grief, he tightly pinched his palm with his fingernails until blood flowed out and stained his seat cushion.
It was not until the guests dispersed that Gu Yong sighed and said: “It is already impossible to be as noble as Yanling Jizi. How can I cry until I go blind and be blamed?”
He therefore opened his heart, dispelled his grief, and his expression was calm and composed.
Teaching Gu Tan
When Gu Tan became drunk and danced at a wedding banquet, Gu Yong sternly reprimanded him the next day, saying that he would destroy the Gu family.
Later, it was just as Gu Yong said—Gu Tan was exiled to Jiao Province.
This shows Gu Yong’s strictness in teaching his descendants.
Achievements
- Served as Chancellor for nineteen years
- Selected officials based on ability
- Remonstrated against harsh laws
- Opposed private interests
- Pacified mountain bandits in Kuaiji
- Maintained stability in Eastern Wu
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Gu Yong’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, where he is grouped with Zhang Zhao, Zhuge Jin, and Bu Zhi.
The biography records his achievements and his long service as Chancellor.
The student of Cai Yong
Gu Yong was Cai Yong’s student, which shows his high education and cultural background.
Cai Yong was one of the most famous scholars of the late Eastern Han period.
The silent Chancellor
Gu Yong was known for being silent and not drinking alcohol, which made him respected but also made people afraid to be too happy in his presence.
Sun Quan once said: “When Gu Gong is present, people cannot be happy.”
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Sun Quan said: “Gu Jun does not speak, but when he speaks, he must hit the mark.”
Sun Quan also said: “When Gu Gong is present, people cannot be happy.”
Bu Zhi said: “Chancellor Gu Yong, Grand General Lu Xun, and Minister over the Masses Pan Jun are deeply worried and heavily responsible. Their will is to be sincere. They are diligent day and night and cannot sleep or eat peacefully. They think of pacifying the state and benefiting the people and establishing long-term plans. They can be called heart, backbone, and limbs—ministers of the altars of soil and grain.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Gu Yong relied on his basic learning and used his intelligence and ability. Therefore, he was able to reach the highest position of honour.”
Wang Fuzhi wrote: “Among the talents below the Three Dynasties, there are few like Gu Yong. He spoke little and acted carefully. He employed people only based on their ability and had no preferences. He cared about the people’s benefits and harms and secretly spoke to the ruler without showing off his favour and authority. He eliminated small benefits and small achievements and abolished the convenient strategies of border generals to plan for the long term.”
Legacy
Gu Yong is remembered as one of Eastern Wu’s most successful Chancellors, serving for nineteen years and maintaining stability.
His silence, modesty, and ability to select officials based on ability show his character as a statesman.
His story represents stability and continuity—a Chancellor who successfully maintained Eastern Wu’s stability for nearly two decades.
Timeline
- 168 CE: Born in Wu County, Wu Commandery
- c. 188 CE: Served as Magistrate of Hefei (age about 20)
- c. 185–200 CE: Served as Magistrate of Lou, Qu’e, and Shangyu
- 200 CE: Served as Acting Administrator of Kuaiji; pacified mountain bandits
- c. 200–221 CE: Served as Major of the Left
- 221 CE: Sun Quan became King of Wu; appointed Grand Judge, Minister over the Masses, Director of the Imperial Secretariat; enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangsui Township
- 225 CE: Welcomed mother to Wu; Sun Quan personally bowed to his mother; transferred to Minister over the Masses; enfeoffed as Marquis of Liling; succeeded Sun Shao as Chancellor
- 243 CE: Died in eleventh month; age 76; posthumously titled Marquis Su
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 52, Biography of Zhang Zhao, Gu Yong, Zhuge Jin, and Bu Zhi.
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, various chapters.