Sun Lin
Encyclopedia
Sun Lin style name
Zitong (子通), was a regent
of Eastern Wu
during the Three Kingdoms
period of Chinese history
. He ruled as regent during the reigns of the emperors Sun Liang
and Sun Xiu. His conflict with Sun Liang eventually led him to depose the emperor in favor of Sun Xiu. However, he was subsequently killed by Sun Xiu in a coup.
's uncle Sun Jing
. Very little is known about his career up to Sun Jun's sudden illness in 256, when Sun Jun chose to transfer his power to Sun Lin. Sun Jun died soon thereafter, and Sun Lin became regent. The general Lü Ju
was angry at the development (as Sun Jun was already resented for his dictatorial style and lack of accomplishments), and, in conjunction with the prime minister Teng Yin
, he attempted to overthrow Sun Lin. Sun Lin struck back militarily, and his forces defeated Teng's and Lü's. Teng and his clan were executed, while Lü committed suicide. In light of his defeat of Teng and Lü, Sun Lin began to become extremely arrogant.
In 257, at the age of 14, Sun Liang began to personally handle some important matters of state. He established a personal guard corps, consistent of young men and officers with age similar to his, stating that he intended to grow up with them. He also sometimes questioned Sun Lin's decisions. Sun Lin began to be somewhat apprehensive of the young emperor.
Later that year, Cao Wei
's general Zhuge Dan
, believing that the Cao Wei regent Sima Zhao
was about to usurp the throne, declared a rebellion and requested Eastern Wu assistance. A small Eastern Wu detachment, led by Wen Qin
, himself a former Cao Wei general who had defected to Eastern Wu, quickly arrived to assist him, but Sun Lin led the main forces and chose to camp a long distance away from Shouchun, where Zhuge was being sieged by Sima, and did nothing. When Sun Lin instead ordered the general Zhu Yi to try to relieve Shouchun with tired and unfed troops, Zhu refused—and Sun Lin executed him, bringing anger from the people, who had admired Zhu's military skills and integrity. With Sun Lin unable to do anything, Zhuge's rebellion failed in 258, and Wen's troops became captives of Cao Wei.
Sun Lin knew that the people and the young emperor were both angry at him, and chose not to return to Jianye, but instead sent his confidants to be in charge of the capital's defenses. Sun Liang became angrier, and plotted with his sister Princess Dahu, the general Liu Cheng (劉丞), his father-in-law Quan Shang (全尚), and his brother-in-law Quan Ji (全記), to have Sun Lin overthrown. However, Quan Shang did not keep the plot secret from his wife, who was Sun Lin's cousin, and she told Sun Lin. Sun Lin quickly captured Quan Shang and killed Liu, and then surrounded the palace and forced the other officials to agree to depose Sun Liang—falsely declaring to the people that Sun Liang had suffered psychosis. Sun Liang was demoted to the title of the Prince of Kuaiji.
Sun Lin then chose Sun Liang's older brother Sun Xiu, the Prince of Langye, as the new emperor. Sun Xiu, in order to appease Sun Lin, added five counties to his march and created his brothers marquesses as well. However, Sun Lin soon had a fallout with the new emperor over a relatively small incident—Sun Lin had brought beef and wine to the palace, intending to feast with the emperor, but Sun Xiu refused the offering, and so Sun Lin took the food and wine to the house of the general Zhang Bu (張布). He expressed to Zhang his disappointment at Sun Xiu's refusal—including a remark that perhaps he should choose another emperor—and Zhang reported Sun Lin's complaints to Sun Xiu. Sun Xiu became concerned about Sun Lin, but continued to outwardly show favor to Sun Lin. Sun Lin became concerned about his standing with the emperor and offered to leave the capital Jianye (present-day Nanjing
) to head up the defense of the secondary capital Wuchang (in present-day Ezhou
, Hubei
). Sun Xiu approved.
However, Sun Xiu then became concerned that Sun Lin would take over that city and rebel. He conspired with Zhang and the senior general Ding Feng to kill Sun Lin during the Laba Festival
. Somehow, the news leaked, but Sun Lin, even though apprehensive, showed up at the festival anyway and was seized by Ding and Zhang's soldiers. Sun Lin begged Sun Xiu for his life, offering to be exiled to Jiao Province (present-day northern Vietnam
) or to become a slave, but Sun Xiu declined — stating to Sun Lin that he did not give Teng or Lü those choices. Sun was executed, along with members of his clan.
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...
Zitong (子通), was a regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of 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...
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...
period 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 ruled as regent during the reigns of the emperors Sun Liang
Sun Liang
Sun Liang was the second emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the founding emperor Sun Quan's youngest son and heir...
and Sun Xiu. His conflict with Sun Liang eventually led him to depose the emperor in favor of Sun Xiu. However, he was subsequently killed by Sun Xiu in a coup.
Biography
Sun Lin and his predecessor Sun Jun were cousins; both were great-grandsons of the founding emperor Sun QuanSun 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....
's uncle Sun Jing
Sun Jing
Sun Jing was a younger brother of the warlord Sun Jian during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Sun Jing became well known for admonishing the attack led by Sun Jian against Liu Biao. After the death of Sun Jian, Sun Jing became the adviser to Sun Jian's oldest son, Sun Ce. Sun Jing...
. Very little is known about his career up to Sun Jun's sudden illness in 256, when Sun Jun chose to transfer his power to Sun Lin. Sun Jun died soon thereafter, and Sun Lin became regent. The general Lü Ju
Lu Ju
Lü Ju , style name Shiyi , was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the second son of Lü Fan. When the Wei army invaded Wu's territory after the death of Sun Quan, Lü Ju went out to battle along with Dong Xing, under the command...
was angry at the development (as Sun Jun was already resented for his dictatorial style and lack of accomplishments), and, in conjunction with the prime minister Teng Yin
Teng Yin
Teng Yin , style name Chengsi , was a minister of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Teng Yin plotted the assassination of the tyrannical regent Zhuge Ke together with Sun Jun. Teng Yin was later promoted to Grand Marshal for his achievement. Teng Yin once again plotted...
, he attempted to overthrow Sun Lin. Sun Lin struck back militarily, and his forces defeated Teng's and Lü's. Teng and his clan were executed, while Lü committed suicide. In light of his defeat of Teng and Lü, Sun Lin began to become extremely arrogant.
In 257, at the age of 14, Sun Liang began to personally handle some important matters of state. He established a personal guard corps, consistent of young men and officers with age similar to his, stating that he intended to grow up with them. He also sometimes questioned Sun Lin's decisions. Sun Lin began to be somewhat apprehensive of the young emperor.
Later that year, 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...
's general Zhuge Dan
Zhuge Dan
Zhuge Dan , style named Gongxiu , was a military general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. When he held military positions during his middle to late career, he got involved in all Three Rebellions in Shouchun, which aimed to drive the de facto ruler of Cao Wei, Sima...
, believing that the Cao Wei regent Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
was about to usurp the throne, declared a rebellion and requested Eastern Wu assistance. A small Eastern Wu detachment, led by Wen Qin
Wen Qin
Wen Qin , style name Zhongruo , was a military general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He served as the protector of Yang Province. Enraged at Sima Shi on the displacement of the emperor Cao Fang, then starting a rebellion with Guanqiu Jian. During the rebellion, Wen...
, himself a former Cao Wei general who had defected to Eastern Wu, quickly arrived to assist him, but Sun Lin led the main forces and chose to camp a long distance away from Shouchun, where Zhuge was being sieged by Sima, and did nothing. When Sun Lin instead ordered the general Zhu Yi to try to relieve Shouchun with tired and unfed troops, Zhu refused—and Sun Lin executed him, bringing anger from the people, who had admired Zhu's military skills and integrity. With Sun Lin unable to do anything, Zhuge's rebellion failed in 258, and Wen's troops became captives of Cao Wei.
Sun Lin knew that the people and the young emperor were both angry at him, and chose not to return to Jianye, but instead sent his confidants to be in charge of the capital's defenses. Sun Liang became angrier, and plotted with his sister Princess Dahu, the general Liu Cheng (劉丞), his father-in-law Quan Shang (全尚), and his brother-in-law Quan Ji (全記), to have Sun Lin overthrown. However, Quan Shang did not keep the plot secret from his wife, who was Sun Lin's cousin, and she told Sun Lin. Sun Lin quickly captured Quan Shang and killed Liu, and then surrounded the palace and forced the other officials to agree to depose Sun Liang—falsely declaring to the people that Sun Liang had suffered psychosis. Sun Liang was demoted to the title of the Prince of Kuaiji.
Sun Lin then chose Sun Liang's older brother Sun Xiu, the Prince of Langye, as the new emperor. Sun Xiu, in order to appease Sun Lin, added five counties to his march and created his brothers marquesses as well. However, Sun Lin soon had a fallout with the new emperor over a relatively small incident—Sun Lin had brought beef and wine to the palace, intending to feast with the emperor, but Sun Xiu refused the offering, and so Sun Lin took the food and wine to the house of the general Zhang Bu (張布). He expressed to Zhang his disappointment at Sun Xiu's refusal—including a remark that perhaps he should choose another emperor—and Zhang reported Sun Lin's complaints to Sun Xiu. Sun Xiu became concerned about Sun Lin, but continued to outwardly show favor to Sun Lin. Sun Lin became concerned about his standing with the emperor and offered to leave the capital Jianye (present-day Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
) to head up the defense of the secondary capital Wuchang (in present-day Ezhou
Ezhou
-Geography and climate:Ezhou is located in southeastern Hubei province, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River east of Wuchang , and across the river from the city of Huanggang, to which it is connected by the Ehuang Bridge...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
). Sun Xiu approved.
However, Sun Xiu then became concerned that Sun Lin would take over that city and rebel. He conspired with Zhang and the senior general Ding Feng to kill Sun Lin during the Laba Festival
Laba Festival
The Laba Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar Chinese calendar...
. Somehow, the news leaked, but Sun Lin, even though apprehensive, showed up at the festival anyway and was seized by Ding and Zhang's soldiers. Sun Lin begged Sun Xiu for his life, offering to be exiled to Jiao Province (present-day northern Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
) or to become a slave, but Sun Xiu declined — stating to Sun Lin that he did not give Teng or Lü those choices. Sun was executed, along with members of his clan.