Biography
Early life
Lu Kang was born in 226 CE in Wu County, Wu Commandery (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). He was Lu Xun’s second son and Sun Ce’s grandson through his mother.
Inheriting his father’s position
In 245 CE, when Lu Xun died, Lu Kang was twenty years old. He inherited his father’s title of Marquis of Jiangling and was appointed Colonel Who Spreads Martial Might by Sun Quan, Emperor of Wu, leading five thousand of his father’s troops and stationing at Wuchang.
Defending his father’s reputation
When Lu Kang buried his father and returned to the capital to thank the emperor, Sun Quan took out twenty accusations that Yang Zhu had previously made against his father and verified them with Lu Kang.
Lu Kang answered each one and defended his father. When Sun Quan heard Lu Kang’s words, he eliminated his anger toward Lu Xun.
Service under Sun Quan
In 246 CE, Lu Kang was promoted to General Who Establishes Integrity and exchanged defensive areas with Zhuge Ke, stationing at Chaisang.
When Lu Kang left, his station was intact and in good condition. When Zhuge Ke arrived, it was as if new. However, Zhuge Ke’s Chaisang station was quite damaged, and Zhuge Ke was deeply ashamed.
In 251 CE, when Lu Kang returned to the capital Jianye to treat an illness, Sun Quan summoned him and, with tears, said: “I previously listened to slanderous words and was not deeply committed to righteousness with your father, therefore wronging you. The previous and subsequent questions, I will burn them all and destroy them, so that no one will see them again.”
In 252 CE, Lu Kang was appointed General Who Spreads Ferocity.
Campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan
In 257 CE, Zhuge Dan, Grand General Who Conquers the East of Wei, rebelled against Wei and surrendered to Wu at Shouchun.
The Wu ruler appointed Lu Kang as Commander of Chaisang and sent him to Shouchun to receive and assist Zhuge Dan. Lu Kang defeated Wei’s Colonel of the Rapid as Tigers and General of the Side and, for his achievements, was promoted to General Who Conquers the North.
Guarding Xiling
In 259 CE, Lu Kang was appointed General Who Guards the Army and Commander of Xiling (present-day northwest of Yichang, Hubei). The following year, he was granted credentials.
Campaign against Yong’an
In 264 CE, Sun Xiu ordered Bu Xie to advance to Badong, causing Luo Xian, a Shu general who had surrendered to Wei, to retreat and guard Baidicheng. Lu Kang was ordered to lead thirty thousand troops to assist in battle, hoping to capture former Shu Han territory, but was still unable to capture it.
After continuing for six months, they finally had no choice but to withdraw without achievement.
Service under Sun Hao
In the same year, Sun Hao ascended the throne and added to Lu Kang the title of Grand General Who Guards the Army and Inspector of Yi Province.
In the fourth month of 270 CE, Shi Ji, Grand Marshal, died. Lu Kang was appointed Commander of Xinling, Xiling, Yidao, Lexiang, and Gong’an and stationed at Lexiang (present-day northeast of Songzi, Hubei).
Because his subordinates “each had their own master” and did not listen to orders, he submitted a memorial to Sun Hao, requesting to eliminate eunuchs manipulating power and interfering in military and government affairs and proposing seventeen suggestions such as “appointments should follow positions, suppress and dismiss petty men,” but they were not adopted.
Battle of Xiling
In the first year of Fenghuang (272 CE), in the eighth month, Bu Chan, Commander of Xiling, rebelled and surrendered to Jin.
Bu Chan’s family had served as commanders of Xiling for generations. When he was suddenly summoned, he believed he had lost his position and feared being slandered, so in the ninth month, he raised the city and surrendered to Jin, sending his nephew Bu Ji to Luoyang as a hostage.
Jin Emperor Wu issued an edict appointing Bu Chan as Commander of military affairs at Xiling and General Who Guards the Army.
In the tenth month, when Lu Kang heard the news, he urgently sent generals Zuo Yi, Wu Yan, and Cai Gong and other forces to advance and surround Xiling.
Jin Emperor Wu then ordered Yang Zhao, Inspector of Jing Province, to go to Xiling to receive Bu Chan, ordered Yang Hu, General of Chariots and Cavalry, to lead fifty thousand infantry to attack Jiangling (present-day Hubei), and ordered Xu Yin, Supervisor of Badong, to lead the navy to attack Jianping (commandery seat Ziguí, present-day Hubei) to rescue Bu Chan.
The strategy
Lu Kang, to avoid being attacked from both front and rear, ordered the various Wu armies at Xiling to build high walls from Chixi to Gushi (present-day Yichang), internally to surround Bu Chan and externally to resist the Jin reinforcements, but did not rush to attack Xiling City.
The Wu army built the encirclement day and night, working extremely hard. The various generals all said: “Now with the elite of the three armies, quickly attack Bu Chan. When the Jin reinforcements arrive, Bu Chan will certainly have been captured. Why must we labour to build walls, making the soldiers and people exhausted?”
Lu Kang replied: “This city’s walls are strong and its terrain is dangerous. The grain within is abundant, and the defensive works and defensive equipment that were repaired and deployed were all things I previously planned and arranged in detail. Now we are turning around to attack it. We cannot quickly capture it, and the northern reinforcements will certainly come. When the enemy arrives and we have no preparation, we will be attacked from inside and outside. How can we resist them?”
The various generals all wanted to quickly attack Bu Chan, but Lu Kang always did not agree.
Lei Tan, Administrator of Yidu, requested extremely earnestly. Lu Kang, to make the various generals believe and submit, therefore allowed them to attack once. The attack indeed was not successful, and the defensive walls were therefore completed.
Defending against Yang Hu
At this time, Lu Kang was stationed at Lexiang (present-day northeast of Songzi) and wanted to personally go to Xiling to supervise the battle.
When the Wu generals heard that Yang Hu had led fifty thousand Jin troops to advance to Jiangling, they all requested Lu Kang to go to Jiangling to supervise the battle.
Lu Kang believed: “Jiangling’s city walls are strong and its troops are sufficient—there is nothing to worry about. If the enemy captures Jiangling, they will certainly not be able to defend it, and our losses will be small. However, if we let Xiling connect with the enemy, then the various Yi peoples of the southern mountains will all be disturbed and cause chaos. What I worry about is not something that can be explained in a moment. I would rather abandon Jiangling and rush to Xiling. Moreover, Jiangling is very strong!”
He therefore rushed to Xiling.
Destroying the dam
Initially, Jiangling was flat and wide, and the roads were clear. Lu Kang had appointed Zhang Xian, Commander of Jiangling, to build a large dam to block water, using it to flood enemy troops.
However, Yang Hu took the opportunity to want to use ships to transport grain to Jiangling and announced that he would destroy the dam to rescue Bu Chan.
Lu Kang ordered Zhang Xian, Commander of Jiangling, to destroy the dam and cut off the Jin army’s water grain route. However, the various generals did not understand and repeatedly remonstrated, not listening.
When Yang Hu heard that the dam had been destroyed, he had no choice but to change to using carts to transport grain, delaying and wasting effort, causing the main force to be unable to advance quickly.
The battle
In the eleventh month, Yang Zhao led reinforcements to Xiling, and Xu Yin, Supervisor of Badong, led the navy to Jianping.
Lu Kang separately ordered Zhang Xian to firmly guard Jiangling, sent Sun Zun, Commander of Gong’an, to manoeuvre on the south bank of the Yangtze River to defend against Yang Hu’s army crossing south, ordered Liu Lü, Commander of the Navy, and Zhu Wan, General Who Guards the West, to intercept Xu Yin’s navy advancing east along the current, and personally led the main army to rely on the long encirclement and face Yang Zhao, waiting for an opportunity.
At this time, Zhu Qiao, a Wu general, and Yu Zan, a commander, defected and fled.
Lu Kang said: “Yu Zan is an old staff member in our army and someone who knows our actual situation. I have always worried that the Yi troops are not well-trained. If the enemy attacks and surrounds us, they will certainly start from where the Yi troops are defending.”
He therefore adjusted the deployment overnight, replacing all the defensive troops in that area with elite troops skilled in battle.
The next day, Yang Zhao indeed concentrated his attack on the weak point where the original Wu troops were defending. Lu Kang immediately ordered the Wu army to counterattack. Arrows and stones fell like rain, and the Jin army was greatly defeated.
In the twelfth month, Yang Zhao’s plans were exhausted, and he fled by night. Lu Kang originally wanted to lead the troops to pursue, but because he worried that Bu Chan would come out of the city to attack, he beat drums and pretended to pursue.
Yang Zhao was greatly frightened, abandoned his armour, and fled in disorder. Lu Kang sent light troops to pursue them, and the Jin army was severely defeated.
Yang Hu’s various armies also each withdrew their troops.
Victory
Lu Kang turned his troops and captured Xiling, captured and killed Bu Chan and several dozen of his subordinates, all executed with their three clans. The remaining several tens of thousands who had been coerced were all pardoned.
In this battle, Lu Kang commanded as if settled, first breaking the Jin army’s divided advance and combined attack, using secondary forces to contain the Jin main force, using the main force to surround the city and attack reinforcements, and finally defeated the Jin army and captured Xiling.
After Lu Kang entered the city, he repaired and managed the city walls and then returned east to Lexiang.
Although Lu Kang had achieved great merit, he “showed no proud expression, was modest and humble as usual, and therefore won the hearts of the officers and soldiers.”
For his achievements, he was additionally appointed Protector.
Friendship with Yang Hu
At this time, although Wu’s national strength had already declined, it still had certain strength, especially Jing Province, which still had an excellent general like Lu Kang presiding over military affairs.
Yang Hu therefore adopted a policy of gentle treatment toward the Wu army. Every time the two armies fought, Yang Hu always agreed on the time of battle with the other side in advance and never launched sudden attacks.
For subordinates who advocated sneak attacks, Yang Hu used wine to make them drunk and did not allow them to speak again.
When Yang Hu’s troops entered Wu territory, they harvested rice from the fields to supply military grain, but each time they had to use silk to compensate according to the amount harvested.
Yang Hu often gathered troops to hunt in the Jiang and Mian area, but the scope was often limited to Jin territory. If there were birds and beasts that were first wounded by Wu people and then obtained by Jin soldiers, Yang Hu ordered them all to be returned.
For a time, Jin and Wu coexisted peacefully and harmoniously.
Once, when Lu Kang was sick, Yang Hu sent someone to deliver medicine to him and said: “This is medicine I recently prepared myself and have not yet taken. I heard you were sick, so I am giving it to you first.”
Wu generals feared there might be fraud and advised Lu Kang not to take it. Lu Kang did not suspect and said: “How could Yang Hu be someone who poisons people?” He looked up and took it.
For Yang Hu’s actions, Lu Kang understood clearly in his heart, so he often warned the officers and soldiers: “He focuses on virtue, we focus on violence—this is to submit without fighting. Each should protect their boundaries, do not seek small advantages.”
When Sun Hao, Wu ruler, heard about Lu Kang’s actions on the border, he did not understand and sent someone to rebuke him.
Lu Kang replied: “One city and one village cannot be without trust and righteousness—how much more a great state! If I do not act like this, I am precisely displaying his virtue, which does not harm Yang Hu.”
Sun Hao had nothing to say in reply.
Remonstrating with Sun Hao
After Sun Hao became emperor, he was licentious, cruel, and tyrannical and acted recklessly.
Although Lu Kang was stationed far away at Xiling, when he heard that the court government was chaotic, he was deeply worried and submitted memorials many times.
In 270 CE, after stationing at Lexiang (present-day southwest of Jiangling, Hubei), he submitted a memorial saying: “Your servant has heard that when rulers’ virtue is equal, those with more people defeat those with fewer people. When national strength is equal, stable states control chaotic states. This is probably why the six states were annexed by strong Qin and why Western Chu was defeated by Emperor Gao of Han. Now the enemy state spans four directions—it is not only the land west of Guanyou. It has divided the nine provinces—how can it only be the land west of Honggou? Our state has no allied states to aid externally and is not as strong as Western Chu internally. Government affairs lack vitality, and the people are not at peace. Those who discuss state affairs rely on the conditions of the great river and high mountains surrounding our territory. This is only the lowest condition for guarding a state, not what wise people first consider. Your servant often recalls the signs of the survival and destruction of the Warring States and closely observes the signs of the fall of the Han dynasty, examines the classics, and verifies actual events. Late at night, I cannot sleep, and facing food, I forget to eat. Previously, when the Xiongnu were not destroyed, Huo Qubing declined the mansion the emperor built for him. When the Han way of governing was not perfect, Jia Yi wept in sorrow. Moreover, I am of the royal bloodline and have received glorious favour for generations. My personal safety and reputation are connected with the state’s fortunes. Life and death, separation and union, righteousness does not allow carelessness. Morning and evening, I worry, and thinking of these things, my heart aches. The way of serving a superior is to remonstrate without deceiving. The integrity of a subject is not in kneeling and bowing to die. I respectfully present seventeen urgent matters as follows.”
However, the seventeen items have lost their original text, so they are not recorded.
Death and legacy
In the third month of 273 CE, the second year of Fenghuang, Lu Kang was promoted to Grand Marshal and Inspector of Jing Province.
In 274 CE, the third year of Fenghuang, Jin Emperor Wu again appointed Wang Jun as Inspector of Yi Province and ordered him to build many warships in Bashu and train the navy, causing Wu to be seriously threatened.
Some ministers felt deeply worried.
In the seventh month, Lu Kang was seriously ill. He stated the advantages and disadvantages of Xiling, advised implementing benevolent government, and emphasized guarding Xiling to respond to emergencies.
Sun Hao still ignored this.
In the autumn of the same year, Lu Kang died of illness at the age of forty-nine. His son Lu Yan inherited the position.
Lu Yan, together with Lu Jing, Lu Xuan, Lu Ji, and Lu Yun, divided and led Lu Kang’s troops.
After Lu Kang’s death, Wu had no more good generals.
In the eleventh month of 279 CE, the third year of Tianji, Jin troops attacked Wu. Wang Jun, General of Dragons and Tigers of Jin, led the army by land and water down the river. His strategy was exactly what Lu Kang had worried about.
Personality
Lu Kang was known for his integrity, loyalty, and diligence. When he inherited his father’s position, he defended his father’s reputation against accusations, showing his filial piety and integrity.
He was also known for his strategic thinking. At the Battle of Xiling, he correctly identified the enemy’s intentions and prepared defences accordingly, achieving victory.
He was known for his modesty. After achieving great victory at Xiling, he “showed no proud expression, was modest and humble as usual, and therefore won the hearts of the officers and soldiers.”
He was also known for his friendship with Yang Hu, showing mutual respect and trust even across enemy lines.
Military achievements
Defending his father’s reputation
Lu Kang successfully defended his father Lu Xun’s reputation against twenty accusations, showing his integrity and filial piety.
Campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan
Lu Kang participated in the campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan, defeating Wei forces and achieving merit.
Battle of Xiling
Lu Kang’s greatest achievement was the Battle of Xiling, where he successfully defended against Jin forces, captured the rebel Bu Chan, and maintained Wu’s control of the region.
Maintaining border peace
Lu Kang maintained peaceful relations with Yang Hu on the border, showing his diplomatic ability and strategic thinking.
Relationships
With Lu Xun
Lu Kang was Lu Xun’s second son and inherited his father’s position and title. He defended his father’s reputation against accusations, showing filial piety.
With Yang Hu
Lu Kang had a famous friendship with Yang Hu, the Jin general. They maintained peaceful relations on the border and showed mutual respect and trust, even exchanging gifts and medicine.
With Sun Hao
Lu Kang had a difficult relationship with Sun Hao. He submitted many memorials remonstrating with Sun Hao about government affairs, but Sun Hao did not adopt his suggestions.
Anecdotes
Defending his father
When Sun Quan showed Lu Kang twenty accusations against his father, Lu Kang answered each one and defended his father, showing his integrity and filial piety.
The exchange with Zhuge Ke
When Lu Kang exchanged defensive areas with Zhuge Ke, Lu Kang’s station was intact and in good condition, while Zhuge Ke’s station was damaged, showing Lu Kang’s care for his troops and equipment.
The friendship with Yang Hu
Lu Kang and Yang Hu maintained a famous friendship across enemy lines. When Lu Kang was sick, Yang Hu sent him medicine, and Lu Kang trusted him and took it, saying: “How could Yang Hu be someone who poisons people?”
The seventeen suggestions
Lu Kang submitted seventeen suggestions to Sun Hao about government affairs, but Sun Hao did not adopt them. The original text has been lost, but it shows Lu Kang’s concern for the state.
Achievements
- Defended his father’s reputation against accusations
- Successfully defended against Jin at Battle of Xiling
- Captured the rebel Bu Chan
- Maintained peaceful relations with Yang Hu
- Achieved rank of Grand Marshal
- Last great Wu general
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Lu Kang’s biography appears in Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, where he is grouped with his father Lu Xun. Chen Shou wrote: “Lu Kang was upright and bright, had strategic ability, all had his father’s style. Successive generations carried beauty, specific but small, can be said to be one who can construct!”
The last great Wu general
Lu Kang is considered the last great Wu general. After his death, Wu had no more capable generals, and the state fell to Jin shortly afterward.
The friendship with Yang Hu
Lu Kang’s friendship with Yang Hu is famous in Chinese history, showing mutual respect and trust even across enemy lines. This relationship is often cited as an example of chivalry and honour in warfare.
The seventeen suggestions
Lu Kang submitted seventeen suggestions to Sun Hao about government affairs, but the original text has been lost. However, it shows Lu Kang’s concern for the state and his willingness to remonstrate with the emperor.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Lu Kai said: “Yao Xin, Lou Xuan, He Shao, Zhang Ti, Guo Chuo, Xue Ying, Teng Xiu, and my clan brother Xi and Kang are either pure and white, loyal and diligent, or have outstanding talent and are outstandingly excellent. All are the pillars of the altars of soil and grain and good assistants of the state.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Lu Kang was upright and bright, had strategic ability, all had his father’s style. Successive generations carried beauty, specific but small, can be said to be one who can construct!”
He Chong said: “The so-called ‘when Lu Kang exists, Wu exists; when Lu Kang dies, Wu dies.’”
Xi Zuoqi wrote: “Lu Kang saw that the state was small and the ruler was tyrannical, while Jin’s virtue was increasingly flourishing. People accumulated goodness that surpassed themselves, while they had no plan to consolidate the foundation. The people cherished the virtue of a strict enemy, and the entire realm had thoughts of abandoning the ruler. Thinking of how to stabilize the people’s hearts, pacify inside and outside, raise their danger and weakness, and resist the superior state, nothing is better than personally implementing this way to match their victory.”
Legacy
Lu Kang is remembered as the last great Wu general. His successful defence at Xiling and his friendship with Yang Hu show his military ability and diplomatic skill.
His remonstrations with Sun Hao show his concern for the state, though they were not adopted. His death marked the end of capable generalship in Wu, and the state fell to Jin shortly afterward.
His story represents both achievement and tragedy—a general who served his state loyally and achieved great success but whose advice was not heeded, leading to the state’s eventual fall.
Timeline
- 226 CE: Born in Wu County, Wu Commandery
- 245 CE: Lu Xun died; inherited title of Marquis of Jiangling; appointed Colonel Who Spreads Martial Might; defended father’s reputation
- 246 CE: Promoted to General Who Establishes Integrity; exchanged defensive areas with Zhuge Ke
- 251 CE: Sun Quan apologized for wronging Lu Xun
- 252 CE: Appointed General Who Spreads Ferocity
- 257 CE: Campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan; appointed Commander of Chaisang; promoted to General Who Conquers the North
- 259 CE: Appointed General Who Guards the Army; Commander of Xiling
- 260 CE: Granted credentials
- 264 CE: Campaign against Yong’an; failed to capture it; Sun Hao ascended throne; appointed Grand General Who Guards the Army and Inspector of Yi Province
- 270 CE: Appointed Commander of Xinling, Xiling, Yidao, Lexiang, and Gong’an; submitted seventeen suggestions to Sun Hao
- 272 CE: Battle of Xiling; defeated Jin forces; captured Bu Chan; appointed Protector
- 273 CE: Appointed Grand Marshal and Inspector of Jing Province
- 274 CE: Died of illness in seventh month; age 49
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 58, Biography of Lu Kang.
- Pei Songzhi. Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms.
- Fang Xuanling. Jin Shu, Biography of Yang Hu.
- Sima Guang. Zizhi Tongjian, various volumes.