Introduction
Mi Zhu (simplified: 糜竺, traditional: 糜竺, pinyin: Mí Zhú), courtesy name Zizhong (子仲), was a Shu Han official and wealthy merchant who provided crucial financial support to Liu Bei in his early days. Originally from Donghai Commandery, Mi Zhu came from a wealthy family that had accumulated vast fortunes through generations of business. He served Tao Qian before joining Liu Bei, and after Liu Bei secured Yi Province, Mi Zhu was appointed General Who Pacifies Han (安漢將軍), ranking highest among all Shu Han officials in terms of treatment and status.
Biography
Early life and wealth
Mi Zhu was born in Qu (朐), Donghai Commandery (东海郡), in present-day Lianyungang, Jiangsu. His family was extremely wealthy, with ancestors who had engaged in business and agriculture for generations, employing nearly ten thousand servants and retainers, and accumulating assets worth hundreds of millions.
Service under Tao Qian
Mi Zhu was appointed Chief Clerk (別駕從事) by Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province. When Tao Qian fell ill and died in 194, he left instructions for Mi Zhu to welcome Liu Bei from Xiaopei to take over Xu Province.
Service under Liu Bei
Mi Zhu followed Tao Qian’s instructions and welcomed Liu Bei to Xu Province, assisting him as General of the Side (偏將軍). However, soon after, Lü Bu came east and joined Liu Bei. In 196, while Liu Bei was fighting Yuan Shu, Lü Bu took advantage of the situation to attack Xiapi and captured Liu Bei’s wife. The defeated Liu Bei fled to Haixi County in Guangling Commandery.
Mi Zhu specifically gave his younger sister Lady Mi (糜夫人) in marriage to Liu Bei and presented Liu Bei with large amounts of gold, silver, and two thousand servants to support his army. This crucial financial support helped Liu Bei recover from his defeat and continue his campaigns.
Later, Cao Cao wanted to recommend Mi Zhu as Administrator of Ying Commandery and his younger brother Mi Fang as Chancellor of Pengcheng. However, both brothers refused these appointments and determined to follow Liu Bei.
Service in Jing Province
In 201, when Liu Bei was defeated by Cao Cao and prepared to seek refuge with Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province, he first sent Mi Zhu and Sun Qian to meet with Liu Biao. Mi Zhu, along with Jian Yong and Sun Qian, served as Gentlemen Consultants of the Left General (左將軍從事中郎), often acting as envoys and diplomats.
Service in Yi Province
In 211, Mi Zhu followed Liu Bei into Yi Province when Liu Bei went to help Liu Zhang fight Zhang Lu. When relations between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang broke down and war broke out, Mi Zhu remained with Liu Bei.
In 214, after Liu Bei pacified Yi Province, he appointed Mi Zhu as General Who Pacifies Han (安漢將軍). Mi Zhu’s status was above that of Zhuge Liang, who held the title of General of the Army (軍師將軍), and his treatment was the highest among all Shu Han officials. Because Mi Zhu had provided financial support to Liu Bei when he was in difficult circumstances, this act of providing help in times of need made all Shu Han officials accept Mi Zhu’s highest treatment without objection.
Later, Mi Zhu joined with other officials in submitting memorials urging Liu Bei to declare himself emperor.
Mi Fang’s defection and death
In 219, during Guan Yu’s Northern Campaign (the Battle of Fancheng), Mi Zhu’s younger brother Mi Fang, who was serving as Administrator of Nan Commandery, defected to Eastern Wu, causing Guan Yu to be defeated and captured.
When Mi Zhu learned of his brother’s defection, he was deeply ashamed and bound himself to ask Liu Bei for punishment. However, Liu Bei comforted him instead, saying that a brother should not be held responsible for his brother’s crimes, and continued to treat Mi Zhu with the same respect as before.
Although Liu Bei forgave him and did not trouble him, Mi Zhu still felt deeply guilty and became depressed. His health rapidly deteriorated, and he died of illness a little over a year later in 221.
Personality and traits
Virtues and abilities
Mi Zhu was known for his elegant and refined manner, his generous and cultured nature, and his skill in horsemanship and archery. However, he was not skilled in administration or military affairs, so he always held positions without real power. Because he had provided substantial financial support to Liu Bei and had a good character, Liu Bei always treated him with great respect and gave him generous rewards and favour, unmatched by anyone else.
Temperament
Mi Zhu was known for his generosity and loyalty. His willingness to provide financial support to Liu Bei when he was in difficult circumstances demonstrated his character and his commitment to Liu Bei’s cause. However, his brother’s defection caused him great shame and depression, ultimately leading to his death.
Political achievements
Financial support
Mi Zhu’s most significant contribution was providing crucial financial support to Liu Bei when he was in difficult circumstances. After Lü Bu captured Xiapi and Liu Bei fled to Haixi, Mi Zhu gave his sister in marriage to Liu Bei and presented him with large amounts of gold, silver, and two thousand servants. This support helped Liu Bei recover and continue his campaigns.
Diplomatic contributions
Mi Zhu served as a diplomat and envoy for Liu Bei, particularly during the mission to Liu Biao in 201. He worked alongside Jian Yong and Sun Qian as Gentlemen Consultants, often travelling on diplomatic missions.
Relationships
Family
Mi Zhu’s younger brother Mi Fang (糜芳) served as Administrator of Nan Commandery under Liu Bei but defected to Eastern Wu in 219, causing Guan Yu’s defeat. Mi Zhu’s younger sister Lady Mi (糜夫人) was given in marriage to Liu Bei when Liu Bei was in difficult circumstances.
Mi Zhu’s son Mi Wei (糜威) served as Commandant of the Tiger Guard (虎贲中郎将) and was skilled in horsemanship and archery. Mi Wei’s son Mi Zhao (糜照) also served as Supervisor of the Tiger Cavalry (虎骑监) and was skilled in horsemanship and archery.
Lord and vassals
Mi Zhu initially served Tao Qian, but after Tao Qian’s death, he welcomed Liu Bei to Xu Province and joined his service. He remained loyal to Liu Bei throughout his career, providing crucial financial support and serving as a trusted official. Liu Bei always treated Mi Zhu with great respect and gave him the highest treatment among all officials.
Mi Zhu worked alongside Jian Yong and Sun Qian as Gentlemen Consultants, and the three were among Liu Bei’s earliest and most trusted followers.
Allies and rivals
Mi Zhu’s relationship with Liu Bei was extremely positive. Liu Bei never forgot Mi Zhu’s financial support and always treated him with the highest respect, even after Mi Fang’s defection. However, Mi Zhu’s relationship with his brother Mi Fang became strained after Mi Fang’s defection, and Mi Zhu died of depression partly due to shame over his brother’s actions.
Anecdotes and allusions
Financial support to Liu Bei
After Lü Bu captured Xiapi and Liu Bei fled to Haixi, Mi Zhu gave his younger sister in marriage to Liu Bei and presented him with large amounts of gold, silver, and two thousand servants. This crucial financial support helped Liu Bei recover from his defeat and continue his campaigns. This act of providing help in times of need was remembered by all Shu Han officials, and they accepted Mi Zhu’s highest treatment without objection.
Source: Records of the Three Kingdoms
Type: Historical
Refusal of Cao Cao’s appointments
Cao Cao wanted to recommend Mi Zhu as Administrator of Ying Commandery and his younger brother Mi Fang as Chancellor of Pengcheng. However, both brothers refused these appointments and determined to follow Liu Bei, demonstrating their loyalty.
Source: Records of the Three Kingdoms
Type: Historical
Meeting with the fire god
According to the Soushen Ji (搜神记), Mi Zhu once encountered the fire god, who warned him about an impending fire. Thanks to the fire god’s guidance, Mi Zhu was able to avoid the disaster.
Source: Soushen Ji
Type: Legendary
Mi Fang’s defection
In 219, Mi Zhu’s younger brother Mi Fang defected to Eastern Wu, causing Guan Yu’s defeat. Mi Zhu was deeply ashamed and bound himself to ask Liu Bei for punishment, but Liu Bei comforted him instead. However, Mi Zhu still felt deeply guilty and became depressed, ultimately dying of illness.
Source: Records of the Three Kingdoms
Type: Historical
Achievements
Mi Zhu’s major accomplishments include:
- Providing crucial financial support to Liu Bei when he was in difficult circumstances, helping him recover and continue his campaigns
- Serving as a trusted diplomat and envoy for Liu Bei
- Being ranked highest among all Shu Han officials in terms of treatment and status
- Maintaining loyalty to Liu Bei throughout his career, refusing Cao Cao’s appointments
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Mi Zhu is documented in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志) by Chen Shou, specifically in the “Biography of Xu Jing, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, Yi Ji, and Qin Mi” (許糜孫簡伊秦傳). Additional information comes from Pei Songzhi’s annotations and sources such as the Soushen Ji (搜神记).
Historical vs literary portrayal
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Mi Zhu’s portrayal is similar to the historical record. He is depicted as one of Liu Bei’s early supporters who provided financial assistance. His role in helping Liu Bei recover from defeats is emphasised, and his highest ranking among Shu Han officials is mentioned.
Scholarly debates
There is some debate about the exact extent of Mi Zhu’s financial contributions and whether his high ranking was solely due to his financial support or also reflected his character and loyalty. However, the sources consistently portray him as receiving the highest treatment among all Shu Han officials.
Personality analysis
Modern scholars have noted Mi Zhu’s generosity and loyalty, as well as his sense of honour and shame. His willingness to provide financial support to Liu Bei demonstrated his character, while his deep shame over his brother’s defection showed his strong sense of responsibility and honour.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary assessments
Cao Cao: “General of the Side Mi Zhu has always been loyal and upright, and his civil and military abilities are clear and outstanding.”
Chen Shou: “Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Yi Ji all were elegant in their discussions and were treated with respect by the world.”
Yang Xi: “General Who Pacifies Han was elegant and refined, whether through marriage or as a guest, he was treated with respect at the time, and was called a loyal minister.”
Chen Shou’s evaluation
Chen Shou wrote: “Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Yi Ji all were elegant in their discussions and were treated with respect by the world.”
Pei Songzhi’s commentary
Pei Songzhi’s annotations provide additional context about Mi Zhu’s financial support and his relationship with Liu Bei.
Later dynasty evaluations
Later historians have generally praised Mi Zhu for his generosity and loyalty, while noting that his high ranking was partly due to his financial contributions. His shame over his brother’s defection is seen as demonstrating his strong sense of honour.
Modern scholarship
Modern scholars have emphasised Mi Zhu’s importance as one of Liu Bei’s earliest and most crucial supporters. His financial contributions are seen as essential to Liu Bei’s survival and eventual success, while his character and loyalty are also recognised as important factors in his high ranking.
Legacy
Cultural significance
Mi Zhu is remembered as one of Liu Bei’s earliest and most crucial supporters, known for providing financial assistance when Liu Bei was in difficult circumstances. His generosity and loyalty are seen as exemplary qualities.
Symbolism and folklore
Mi Zhu is sometimes used as an example of someone who provided help in times of need, demonstrating the importance of financial support and loyalty in building relationships and achieving success.
Memorial sites
Mi Zhu’s tomb is located at the northern foot of Shipeng Mountain in Lianyungang, Jiangsu. The current tomb was rebuilt according to the style of Mi Zhu’s original burial, with a stele reading “General Who Pacifies Han, Lord Mi” (安漢將軍麋公). His hometown Qian Guan Village still has remains such as “Yizhou Courtyard” (益州院) and “Mi Zhu Well” (糜竺井).