Zhu Jun

Zhu Jun is an officer of the late Han who helped Sun Jian during the Yellow Turbans Rebellion.

Historical Information
Zhu Jun originated from the Guiji Commandery, Shangyu (modern day Shaoxing). His sons were Zhu Hao and Zhu Fu.

Losing his father while he was young, Zhu Jun's mother sold silk to support her family. Zhu Jun was devoted to her and helped her business, earning him a reputation as a loyal son. He was eventually promoted to become the gate keeper of the same commandery. Due to his modest nature and attachment for heroic traits, he was well liked by the public. Around this time, other law officials from the surrounding area were given an imperial decree to give the resources within their warehouses (collectively one million in worth) to the crown. When the officials came for the said amount, the law officials of his commandery were too poor to pay the amount. To compensate, Zhu Jun presented the collectors his mother's silk. His mother was upset that they could no longer support their family business and scolded her son. Zhu Jun justified his actions by stating that small losses were expected if one wanted a larger fortune in the future.

His actions were reviewed and appraised as he continued his duties, leading to his promotion as regional governor of Weiyi. After performing his services for a time, he then transfered to become archivist under the regional governor of Yinduan. In 173, the province was pillaged by raiders and the officials were defeated. The area was impeached and the law keepers at Yinduan were charged with execution for the loss. Zhu Jun disguised himself in rags and secretly made his way towards the capital. With the hundreds of gold coins he held, he bribed the judges to drop the charges held against the local officials from Yinduan. While his comrades rejoiced with their considerably reduced punishment, they never knew the reasons why as Zhu Jun never told them.

Around this time, the regional governor of Xugui held the xiaolian for Zhu Jun and he was promoted by two degrees. He became the commander magistrate of Lanling and his rule attracted attention to him. He was said to have ruled superbly, as his distinguished accomplishments were known even to the Donghai Commandery. Revolts from Jiaozhi also occurred shortly after. The tales for the rebellion are mixed between two accounts: either the rioters from Jiaozhi killed a provincial governor, or a civil conflict between the regional governors occurred with Jiaozhi's support. Whatever the case, Zhu Jun was selected to become an inspector for Jiaozhi in 178 and was ordered to lead a suppression. He gathered 5,000 troops and provisions as he marched his army through two roads. Stopping at the state boundaries, he first spied on his opponent's movements for a time. After ample observation and shaking the enemy morale with their numbers, he and the armies of seven commandaries subjugated them. In a month's time, tens of thousands of rebels surrendered and the area was pacified. As a reward, Zhu Jun was given 1,500 hu, 50 gold jin, and the seal of Duting marquis. His just and chivalrous reputation soared with his new appointment.

When the Yellow Turban Rebellion occurred, Zhu Jun's reputation was well known and he was appointed to be the Right Imperial General for the conflict. Working together with Huangfu Song, they defeated the rioters in Yinchuan, Runan, and Chenguo. When the rebellion was suppressed on their end, Huangfu Song reported the situation and Zhu Jun was distinguished for his services. He was promoted as lord of the west country and commander of the palace guards who suppresses bandits. Shortly after, several thousands of Yellow Turbans rose again in Nanyang under the banner "Superior Envoy of God". Killing one of the governors, they occupied the castle within hundreds of days. The regional governor of Nanyang, Qin Xie, then plotted to kill Zhang Man to regain control, but insurgents lead by Zhao Hong intercepted his plans and continued to grow in numbers.

Zhu Jun, together with Xu Qiu and Qin Xie, lead an army of 18,000 to suppress Zhao Hong and the insurgents. Through June and August, the fighting dragged on without the rebels faltering. When the imperial court was requesting Zhu Jun's forces to retreat, Zhang Wen -a native of Nanyang- reported, "In the past, Qin had their Bai Qi and Yan had their Yue Yi; each age had their time of absolute victory over their foes. Zhu Jun subjugated Yinchuan with high honors, returned his army south, and has already conceived of a strategy for his enemies. In the near future, the commander in chief will be redistributing for battle and urging the soldiers to move. We ask a delay for the command and prayers for our success." Emperor Ling called off the retreat when the report was given to him. Zhu Jun then trapped Zhao Hong in a surprise attack and the rebel leader was killed during the struggle.

However, the rebels were still at large and they banded under an insurgent named Han Zhong. Han Zhong gathered the rebels to attack Zhu Jun's position once more. As Zhu Jun's army were lower in number, they withdrew from the front and set up a new camp at Mount Tu near the rebels' base at Wancheng. He sent a portion of his troops to pound drums on the south side of the castle as a ruse. While the rebels directed their entire force toward the sound of the drums, Zhu Jun personally lead 5,000 elite soldiers to take the castle from the north-eastern front. He then barricaded himself and his troops within the castle. Han Zhong's forces fled to a smaller fort and the frightened troops applied for a surrender. The other generals were ready to accept, but Zhu Jun said, "Though they act like soldiers, they are not. Long ago, when the Qin and Xiang Yu fought at a juncture, the people had no fixed lord to lead them. Their only choice was to submit to the one who took the prize for himself. Only the Yellow Turbans rebel now with the world united as one. If we accept this surrender, it will be impossible to encourage the right; should we defeat them now, we may still be able to punish their vice. Again, if we were to allow this surrender -with the possibility that the rioters' hearts were to once again become arrogant, they may turn against their original wish and fight us. Then, at their own leisure, they might once more exploit the honor of surrender as soon as they falter. We shouldn't become impudent to these scoundrels' plot." The forces fought countless times afterwards, but neither side could emerge victorious over the other.

One day, Zhu Jun climbed to the top of Tushan and squinted at his surroundings. He then turned to his subordinate Zhang Chao and stated, "I know what must what be done. Right now, the enemy has tightly fortified their defenses yet, by doing so, they have also cornered themselves internally. We won't permit their surrender and they can't escape, so their only option is to fight madly. It is a disastrous state of mind to keep for one person; imagine how it is for 100,000 people! It can turn into their greatest weakness. They won't spare a soldier within their fortress, therefore, we can simultaneously head for it while they charge out. Han Zhong will think that his army has been scattered and will come out personally. If he comes out voluntarily, his enthusiasm will surely loosen the fighting spirit of his men and it will be simple to end this." When the siege continued, Han Zhong came out as Zhu Jun predicted. Zhu Jun then lead his men directly toward Han Zhong, causing severe injuries and mortalities for the rebels' side. Upon their victory, the rebels that fled were many, the heads that were collected grew in number, and Han Zhong had died during the fighting. According to the Book of the Later Han, Qin Xie held a grudge against Han Zhong and was the one to personally strike the leader down. Meanwhile, Zhu Jun pursued the second-in-command of the remaining frightened rebels, Sun Xia. He pursued him as far as the mountains in Xi'e and cut down 10,000 rebels. Finally, the rebel army dispersed.

In the spring of 185, Zhu Jun was promoted to the Right General of Chariots and Cavalry from an imperial envoy. After his triumphant return, he was also named Imperial Inspector and Marquess of Qiantang. When his mother passed away, he left his duties for a brief time to mourn her passing. He then resumed his duties under different titles by taking care of the imperial horses and chariots, teaching the troops, and by being one of the six generals closest to the throne.

After the Yellow Turbans, rebellions continued to rise throughout the entire land. Rebels numbered from 200,000 or 300,000, and even the smallest resistance rounded up to 6,000 or 7,000 people. Among the rebel leaders was an individual named Zhang Yan. He gathered his numbers from Zhongshan, Changshan, the Zhao Commandery, Shangdang, and the Henei Commandery and united the thousands under him as the Heishan Bandits (Black Mountain Bandits). Zhang Yan had surrendered in a previous conflict before, but he rebelled regardless and threatened the capital. Zhu Jun lead his own troops to deal with him, as the new regional governor of Heinei. With the advance repulsed, Zhu Jun was once again named Imperial Inspector with the additional titles of gate captain and overseer of Henan.

When Dong Zhuo began his morning duties in the capital, he quickly despised Zhu Jun. Aware of the latter's status, however, he took care to act kindly -at least on the surface- for the general. When the eastern forces became active, Dong Zhuo feared their movements and pressed for several meetings with the local officials to move the capital. In every case, Zhu Jun strongly rejected the notion. Dong Zhuo hated Zhu Jun even more for opposing him, but he realized the general's fame greatly outweighed his own. He therefore pretended to praise Zhu Jun and eventually sent a messenger to try to have the general be his supporter. Zhu Jun declined the offer and said, "If the son of heaven (nation) were to transfer to the west, the hope of the entire land will undoubtedly feel betrayed if the sinful evil of Shandong were to succeed. As a retainer, I cannot condone it." The envoy tried to state that his master was only worried for their safety and asked Zhu Jun's reasons for defying Dong Zhuo's wishes. To this, Zhu Jun stated that ministers couldn't know the same information as a retainer and weren't capable of discerning what was an emergency or a false concern. He stated that a good retainer would be able to tell and would rightly disagree with the transfer. Here, the messenger questioned Zhu Jun's knowledge of the plan to transfer the entire capital as it was not announced for the public. Zhu Jun replied, "Lord Chancellor Dong Zhuo explained it to the retainers in detail. That's how I know." Realizing that there was no way to convince him, the messenger gave up and attempts to recruit Zhu Jun were dropped.