Zhu Xu (Jin dynasty)

Zhu Xu came from a family line general in Yiyang Commandary (義陽郡, around present-day Zaoyang, Hubei) and his father, Zhu Tao (朱燾) once served as Colonel of the Western Rong and Governor of Yizhou. Zhu Xu began his career in 365 amidst the rebellion of Sima Xun in Liangzhou. Jin's Grand Marshal Huan Wen entrusted him to lead troops to save Chengdu from falling. Zhu Xu quickly put down the rebellion the following year, and sent Sima Xun's head to Jiankang.[1]

In 369, Zhu Xu followed Huan Wen in his ill-fated northern expedition against Former Yan. Though ultimately a failure, Zhu Xu did distinguish himself by defeating Yan's general Fu Yan at Linzhu (林渚, around present-day Xinzheng, Henan) together with Deng Xia.[2] Years ahead in 376, Zhu Xu would be called up by Huan Chong to defend Liangzhou from invading Qin forces but the defense was cancelled as the province swiftly fell before they could react.[3] The following year, he would be appointed Inspector of Liangzhou and stationed at Xiangyang.

In 378, Fu Jian would host a huge siege on Xiangyang. Zhu Xu initially did not worry as he noticed that Qin did not bring any boats. What alerted him, however, was when Qin's general Shi Yue swam across the Han river with his cavalries, catching him by surprise. Shi Yue would capture boats on Zhu Xu's side for Fu Jian and the others to use. As Qin forces approached, Zhu Xu's mother, Lady Han (韓氏), personally inspected the Xiangyang's defense and noticed that the northwest corner was weak. She led hundreds of women in the city to construct a new wall behind the old one. When Qin forces arrived, the old wall fell but the defenders mounted behind the one that the women built. The wall was dubbed "The Wives' Wall (夫人城)" and can still be seen today in Xiangyang.[4]

Zhu Xu would hold out for a year, sending his soldiers out to fight skirmishes, but these proved ineffective as the Qin soldiers would simply back out to incite them away from the city, so Zhu Xu stopped doing so. Eventually, the Protector of Xiangyang, Li Bohu (李伯護) betrayed Zhu Xu and provided Qin an entrance. Zhu Xu was captured and sent to the capital. Fu Jian was impressed with Zhu Xu's loyalty and appointed him Logistical Director of the Masters of Writing. Meanwhile, Li Bohu was executed for his betrayal against Jin.[5]

Despite Fu Jian's flattery, Zhu Xu was determined to return to Jin. He fled to his hometown in Yiyang, where he hid in the home of his friend Xia Kui (夏揆). However, Fu Jian soon became suspicious of Xia Kui, so Zhu Xu decided to give himself up to Fu Hui (苻晖). Fu Jian admired Zhu Xu's actions, and further appointed him as Master of Writing.[6]

In 383, Zhu Xu accompanied Fu Jian in one of his campaigns against Jin, which also happened to be his last. Fu Jian's army faced off Jin's led by Xie Xuan at Fei River. With an overwhelming number by his side, Fu Jian sent Zhu Xu to convince Jin to surrender. However, Zhu Xu instead leaked information about the Qin army to Xie Shi, pointing out the lack of unity among the soldiers. Zhu Xu then returned to Fu Jian, who had not know what Zhu had done.[7]

As the battle was about to begin, Xie Xuan persuaded Fu Jian to move his army slightly back away from the river to allow the Jin troops to cross. Fu Jian and his brother Fu Rong agreed and did so but just as they moved, Zhu Xu, who was serving in the rear, shouted, "The Qin army has been defeated!" Many of the Qin soldiers were conscripts, not willing to fight, and with Zhu Xu's words they began to panic and flee from the battlefield disorderly. Xie Xuan quickly crossed the river and attacked the Qin forces, decisively routing them. Fu Rong was killed and Fu Jian barely made it out alive but his northern empire would soon fall because of this defeat, leading to his eventual death in 385. As for Zhu Xu, he managed to escape back to Jin together with another Jin general Zhou Xiao and the abdicated ruler of Former Liang, Zhang Tianxi.[8]

After his return to Jin, Zhu Xu was appointed Interior Minister of Langye. In 387, Zhu Xu was entrusted with Inspector of Qingzhou and Yanzhou and was stationed in Pengcheng to replace Xie Xuan, although he asked to be move to Huaiyin, so that he would be closer to the capital and away from Later Yan's borders. When the Dingling general Zhai Zhao attacked Chenliu and Yingchuan commanderies, Zhu Xu successfully drove him back.[9]

Zhu Xu's offices were replaced with Commander of military affairs in Sizhou, Yongzhou, Liangzhou, and Qinzhou, and as Inspector of Yongzhou as his old ones were given to Sima Tian (司馬恬) the following year. He also changed his station to Luoyang. In 390, the Western Yan Emperor, Murong Yong, invaded Luoyang, so Zhu Xu crossed the Yellow River and defeated him while giving chase. Meanwhile, Zhai Wei's Heavenly King, Zhai Liao took advantage of his absence and attacked Luoyang but Zhu Xu turned around and also repelled him.[10]

Zhu Xu retired of old age in 392 and his positions were given to Chi Hui (郗恢). He would pass away not long after his retirement.[11]

• Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).
• Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.