Kingdom of Wu
The Kingdom of Wu (吴国) refers to several historical states in Chinese history, with the most prominent being the state of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period and the later Kingdom of Wu during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Here’s an overview of both:
Three Kingdoms Period – Kingdom of Wu (吴)
- Founding: The Kingdom of Wu was founded by Sun Quan (孙权) in 222 AD after the fall of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Initially, Sun Quan served under his elder brother Sun Ce, who laid the foundation for the state by conquering territories in southeastern China.
- Territory: The kingdom’s territory initially encompassed parts of present-day Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces. It was one of the three major states during the Three Kingdoms period, alongside the Kingdom of Wei and the Kingdom of Shu.
- Capital: The capital of the Kingdom of Wu was initially at Wuchang (present-day Ezhou, Hubei province) and later moved to Jianye (present-day Nanjing, Jiangsu province).
- Leadership: Sun Quan ruled as the founding emperor of Wu and was known for his capable governance and military strategies. Under his leadership, Wu continued to expand its influence and strengthen its military power.
- Military Conflicts: Wu engaged in numerous military campaigns against its rivals, particularly the Kingdom of Wei led by Cao Cao and later Cao Pi. The most famous battles include the Battle of Red Cliffs (208 AD) and the Battle of Xiaoting (222 AD).
- End: The Kingdom of Wu lasted until 280 AD when it was conquered by the Jin Dynasty (晋朝). Sun Hao, the last emperor of Wu, surrendered to Jin forces, marking the end of the Three Kingdoms period and the reunification of China under the Jin Dynasty.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period – Kingdom of Wu (吴国)
- Founding: During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907-960 AD), a separate Kingdom of Wu was established in 904 AD by Yang Xingmi (杨行密) in the Jiangnan region (modern-day Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces).
- Territory: This Kingdom of Wu was located primarily in the lower Yangtze River region, with its capital at Guangling (present-day Yangzhou, Jiangsu province).
- Leadership: Yang Xingmi, a military general under the Tang Dynasty, declared himself king and established the Wu Kingdom. His successors continued to rule and expand the kingdom’s territory.
- Cultural and Economic Development: The Kingdom of Wu under Yang Xingmi and later rulers experienced cultural and economic prosperity. It became a center of trade and cultural exchange in southern China, benefiting from its strategic location along the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River.
- End: The Kingdom of Wu lasted until 937 AD when it was conquered by the Southern Tang Dynasty (南唐). Its territories were absorbed into the Southern Tang Empire, ending its independent existence.
Both Kingdoms of Wu played significant roles in Chinese history, contributing to political stability, cultural development, and regional prosperity during their respective periods.
