Sun Chu

Sun Chu (孫楚, c. 258 – 306 CE), also known as Sun Zijing (子荊), was a prominent figure during the Jin Dynasty (266–420 CE) of China. He was a renowned scholar, writer, and official known for his literary talent and his close association with Pan Yue (潘岳), a leading figure in the literary circle of the time. Sun Chu is particularly remembered for a famous anecdote that highlights both his eloquence and potential for making mistakes.

Sun Chu originally served under Sima Zhao and later under Sima Yan, the founding emperor of the Jin Dynasty. He held various official positions throughout his career.

Anecdote:

The most famous story associated with Sun Chu concerns his intended retirement to a life of seclusion. He boasted to Wang Ji that he would "pillow himself on stones and rinse his mouth with running water" (枕石漱流, zhěn shí shù shù liú). However, upon realizing the implications of his words, he quickly corrected himself, stating that he would "rinse his mouth with stones and pillow himself on running water" (漱石枕流, shù shí zhěn liú). Wang Ji pointed out the absurdity of rinsing one's mouth with stones, to which Sun Chu retorted that it was because he wanted to grind his teeth. Wang Ji then questioned the logic of using running water as a pillow, and Sun Chu replied that it was to cleanse his ears.

This story illustrates Sun Chu's quick wit and ability to justify even the most outlandish statements, albeit with somewhat far-fetched explanations. The phrase "漱石枕流" (shù shí zhěn liú) later became an idiom, often used to describe someone who is eccentric, stubborn, or capable of twisting words to their advantage.

Literary Works:

While specific surviving written works directly attributed solely to Sun Chu are limited, his influence is acknowledged through his association with prominent literary figures and his contributions to the intellectual climate of the Jin Dynasty. His prose and poetry, though not extensively preserved individually, were reportedly well-regarded in his time.