Ministers › Diplomat / Envoy
Zhuge Jin
Elder brother of Zhuge Liang who served Sun Quan for four decades, met his brother only in public on missions to Shu, and became Grand General of Wu
On a road beside a desert gateway, a camel train carries a lidded chest and rolled bundles while travellers walk along the path; a large sailing ship lies in the harbour at the right, a stone waymark stands by the road, and dunes and mountains fill the distance.
Also known as Zi Ziyu
Zhuge Jin, courtesy name Ziyu, came from Yangdu in Langya and was the elder brother of Zhuge Liang. Fleeing the wars to the lower Yangzi, he was recommended to Sun Quan after Sun Ce's death by Sun Quan's brother-in-law Hong Zi and became his chief clerk. Sent to Liu Bei in 215 to seek friendly ties, he met his brother only at official audiences and never privately. He joined Lu Meng in the 219 attack on Guan Yu, was made Marquis of Xuancheng, and later succeeded Lu Meng as governor of Nanjun. When Liu Bei marched on Wu and someone accused Zhuge Jin of secret dealings with Shu, Sun Quan replied that their bond was one of spirit that outside talk could not break. After Sun Quan proclaimed himself emperor he made Zhuge Jin Grand General and governor of Yu province. He died in 241 at sixty-eight; his eldest son Zhuge Ke later ran the government as regent.
Life and times
Dates 174 CE–241 CE