Zhuge Jing

Not much is known of Zhuge Jing's early life but his family was from Yangdu County, Langya Commandery. His father, Zhuge Dan, held important appointments in the Wei government and was also involved in putting down major rebellions against the paramount Sima clan in 251 and 255. However, as his close associates Xiahou Xuan and Deng Yang were purged by the Sima, he became fearful of his position and rebelled at Shouchun in 257. To ensure an alliance with Wei's rival, Eastern Wu, Dan sent Jing to Wu's capital at Jianye as a hostage. Dan's rebellion came to an end in 258, when he was slain by the general Hu Fen. Zhuge Jing did not return to Wei and instead remained in Wu where he eventually became General of the Right (右将军) and Minister of War (大司馬).[1]

By 266, the state of Shu Han was conquered and Wei was replaced by the Sima Jin Dynasty. Two years prior, the emperor Sun Hao ascended the throne after the death of his uncle, Sun Xiu. Though originally seen as popular and benevolent when he first came to the throne, Sun Hao's reign turned cruel as he became more brutal and self-indulgent in his ways. In 266, a bandit named Shi Dan (施但) kidnapped Sun Hao's brother Sun Qian (孫謙) and led a 10,000 men revolt towards Jianye. The previous year, Sun Hao had moved to capital to Wuchang and left Zhuge Jing and Ding Gu (丁固) to defend Jianye. When Shi Dan reached Jianye, he sent an envoy to Zhuge Jing inviting him to rebel. Jing beheaded the envoy and together with Ding Gu defeat Shi Dan at Niutun (牛屯). Sun Qian was rescued by them but Sun Hao executed him as he thought Qian also conspired in the revolt.[2]

In 268, Zhuge Jing and Wu's Grand Marshal Ding Feng were ordered to attack Hefei. However, they were defeated by Sima Jun who arrived to reinforce Shi Bao's defense at Hefei. Ding Feng exchanged letters with Shi Bao regarding the borders of Wu and Jin, and after compromising, retreated.[3]

At the end of 279, Emperor Wu of Jin launched a full-scaled invasion on Wu. As Jin forces advanced towards the capital in Jianye, Zhuge Jing with Shen Ying (沈瑩) and Sun Zhen (孫震), under the command of the Wu Chancellor Zhang Ti headed out to repel the attack. They managed to defeat a Jin general, Zhang Qiao (張喬) who surrendered due to being outnumbered by the Wu forces. Zhuge Jing advised Zhang Ti to execute Zhang Qiao and his men as he believed that he only surrendered to save his soldiers, and would betray them once they leave him behind. Zhang Ti ignored him and continued the advance. They then fought against the Provisional Governor of Yangzhou, Zhou Jun (周浚) but this time they were badly defeated. As they retreat, they were defeated by another Jin general Cheng Luan, and, as Jing had predicted, Zhang Qiao rebelled. The Wu army was completely surrounded and Zhang Ti's generals were captured or killed.

Zhuge Jing managed to escape with a few hundred men. Amidst the chaos, he managed to find Zhang Ti and tried to convince him to retreat. Unfortunately, Zhang Ti was determined to stay and die fighting. Jing attempted to change his mind but as he refused to move, Jing fled the scene with tears in his eyes. Wu capitulated in 280 after Sun Hao surrendered to Wang Jun. Sun Hao and Wu's officials were relocated to Luoyang, including Zhuge Jing.

Zhuge Jing still bore a grudge with the Sima for the death of his father. Emperor Wu was a childhood friend of Jing and through Jing's sister, who was married to Sima Zhou, decided to pay him a visit. When Jing heard of Emperor Wu's arrival, he attempted to hide in the lavatory but was eventually caught by Emperor Wu himself. The emperor spoke to him, "Today, we finally meet each other again," to which Jing replied tearfully, "I regret not being able to cover my body in paint and remove the skin from my face before I meet Your Majesty again!" Emperor Wu offered him the appointment of Palace Attendant (侍中) but Jing refused. He returned to his hometown to live the rest of his life as a commoner and until his death it is said that he never sat facing the direction of Luoyang due to his grudge.[4] He had at least two sons, Zhuge Hui and Zhuge Yi, who both served in the Jin government.

Sun Hao once asked Zhuge Jing in court, "Gracious minister Zhongsi, what are you thinking about?" Zhuge Jing told him, "When at home I think about filial piety; when at work I think of devotion; when I'm with friends I think of trust; that's all there is to think about."[5]