Wang Jun

Also known as Zi Shizhi · Wang Shizhi · Pingwu Jiangjun

Wang Jun, courtesy name Shizhi, from Hu in Hongnong, was born in 206. As inspector of Yi province he built a fleet of large towered warships, the biggest holding over two thousand men. In 279 he petitioned for war on Wu, and as General Who Leaps Like a Dragon he led the fleet down the Yangzi, burned through the iron chains across the river and took Xiling, Xiakou and Wuchang. In 280 he reached Jianye, where Sun Hao surrendered. Wang Hun accused him of ignoring orders, but Emperor Wu did not punish him. He died in 286 with the posthumous title Marquis Wu. The Tang poet Liu Yuxi wrote of his towered ships sailing down from Yizhou.