Yu Zhou

Career

Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist serving under the warlord Sun Ce in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

Achievements

• During the winter of AD 208, Cao Cao, with an army of several thousand soldiers, started military campaigns in the south. After defeating Liu Bei, he stationed his army on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. The officials tried to convince Sun Quan to surrender to Cao Cao but Sun Quan was unwilling to do southern However, he was also not confident of fighting a war against Cao Cao. At this time, Zhou Yu rushed to Chaisang to see Sun Quan.

• At the military meeting, officials opted to enter into peace negotiations with the Cao army. Zhou Yu refuted this flatly: “Although Cao Cao pretends to be a minister of Han, he is actually a thief who is attempting to steal the empire from Han. There is no justifiable reason for his campaigns. Your Majesty has ruled Jiangdong effectively with your brilliant talent and your father’s and brother’s military prowess. Your territory extends several thousand miles, your soldiers are well trained, your supplies are sufficient and you have brilliant advisers. Now is the time to get rid of Cao Cao. He has come south and presented himself as an opportunity for you, Your majesty."

• Zhou Yu then pointed out the four weaknesses of the Cao army. Firstly, the north had not been completely pacified. Ma Chao and Han Zhu were revolting and causing trouble for Cao Cao. Secondly, the weather was getting cold and Cao Cao definitely did not have sufficient military supplies. Thirdly, the Cao army was mainly made up of northerners who were not used to the environment in the south, and thus their fighting ability would be reduced. And lastly, the northern army was not familiar with watery terrain. Zhou Yu concluded by saying, “If you wish to capture Cao Cao, decide now."

• Sun Quan was greatly relieved by Zhou Yu’s analysis. He decided to resist Cao Cao’s invasion, and designated Zhou Yu the supreme commander for his entire army.

• In the 11th month of AD 218, Zhou Yu employed a series of stratagems to destroy Cao Cao’s naval fleet. Acting according to his instructions, Huang Gai pretended to surrender to Cao Cao and infiltrated the enemy camp, where he cleverly burnt down Cao Cao's camp. Cao Cao was forced to flee but was pursued fiercely by the allied army of Sun and Liu. Cao Cao lost more than half his army and retreated 500 miles. The Battle of Red Cliffs ended with a great victory for the allied forces of Sun and Liu.
  
  After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Zhou Yu led his army in pursuit of Cao Cao and besieged Jingzhou in the south. He engaged Cao Ren's army in battle, and was wounded in his right rib by an arrow. To boost the morale of his army, Zhou Yu continued to command from the camp, supporting himself with a wooden stick. The Cao army, intimidated by the dauntless spirit of Zhou Yu's army, retreated. Zhou Yu was unable to rest so his wound worsened. In AD 210, Zhou Yu launched a long expedition against Xichuan. When the army advanced to Baqiu, his injury grew worse and he died at the age of 36. When Sun Quan received news of his death, he wore plain clothes to receive Zhou Yu’s coffin in Chaisang.

Connections

Friend:

Sun Ce

Zhou Yu and Sun Ce became good friends at a young age. Sun Ce, while on his way back to Jiangdong, ran into Zhou Yu again. Both of them were reluctant to part with each other. Zhou Yu then made up his mind to follow Sun Ce and began his military career.

Sun Ce was a brave warrior. With Zhou Yu’s help, he rose to prominence.

Unfortunately, Sun Ce died young and was succeeded by his younger brother, Sun Quan. On deathbed, Sun Ce asked Zhou Yu to assist Sun Quan. When Sun Quan became ruler, the officials were divided in their opinions. Zhou Yu, as commander of the military forces of Jiangdong, came to the imperial court in full armour. He greeted Sun Quan with the utmost respect Since then, the officials stopped reproaching Sun Quan. Zhou Yu actively trained his army and discussed his military plans to conquer the central plains with Sun Quan. He recommended Lu Su, Zhuge Jin and other talented people to assist Sun Quan. Hence Jiangdong became a galaxy of talents with a well-trained and powerful army.

Friend:

Su Shi

'Memories of the Past at Red Cliff", to the Tune of "Charms of a Maiden Singer", by Su Shi

The great river flows eastward; with its waves go all the gallant heroes of bygone years.

West of the ancient fortress appears the Red Cliff,

The glory of General Zhou of the Three Kingdoms.

Jagged peaks pierce the sky, swashing waves splatter the shore, rolling together a thousand heaps of snow.

To match the hills and the river so fair,

How many brave heroes of the past made a great show!

I imagine how splendid and heroic Gongjin was When Xiaoqiao become his wife

With о plume fan in hand, In a silk hood, so brave and bright, laughing and bright

While the enemy ships were destroyed like shadowy castles in the air.

Wandering the land in my mind, I should laugh at myself for my sentimentality.

My hair has already turned grey. Life is but like a passing dream,

But I would drink to the moon which once saw them on the stream.