Sun Jian (politician)

Sun Jian (孫堅) (155 – 191), courtesy name Wentai (文臺), was a military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known as the father of Sun Quan, the founder of the state of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.

Born in Wu Commandery (around present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu), Sun Jian rose to prominence for his bravery and military skill in suppressing rebellions against the Han government, particularly the Yellow Turban Rebellion in the 180s. He served as a county magistrate before being appointed to higher military positions due to his successes.

He was a key figure in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, the warlord who controlled the Han central government in the early 190s. Sun Jian's troops, known for their discipline and ferocity, inflicted several defeats on Dong Zhuo's forces, including a notable victory at the Battle of Liangdong. He famously acquired the Imperial Seal of the Han Dynasty after seizing Luoyang, although this detail is often contested and embellished in later historical accounts and the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Sun Jian formed an alliance with Yuan Shu, another warlord, and frequently clashed with Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan). He was killed in action during an ambush while attacking Liu Biao's forces in 191. The circumstances surrounding his death are debated, with some accounts attributing it to a stray arrow, while others suggest a more elaborate trap.

Although Sun Jian did not establish his own independent state during his lifetime, his military prowess and loyalty garnered him respect and influence. His legacy was secured by his son, Sun Quan, who later founded the Eastern Wu dynasty, posthumously honoring Sun Jian as Emperor Wulie (武烈皇帝). His other sons, Sun Ce and Sun Yi, also played significant roles in the early years of the Eastern Wu regime. Sun Jian is remembered as a courageous and ambitious warrior who laid the groundwork for the future establishment of the Wu kingdom.