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Zhu Ran (182-249), originally named Shi Ran, courtesy name Yifeng, was a native of Guzhang, Danyang (present-day Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province).
He was a general of the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, the adopted son of Zhu Zhi, the Marquis of Piling, and held the official positions of Left Grand Marshal, Right Military Advisor, and Marquis of Dangyang.

In the first year of Xingping (194 AD), Zhu Ran was adopted by Zhu Zhi and became friends with Sun Quan during their studies. After Sun Quan took control of the government,

Zhu Ran served successively as the magistrate of Yuyao County and the magistrate of Shanyin County, and as a military officer, leading troops to quell mountain bandits. He once followed Lü Meng in capturing and killing Guan Yu, and for his merits, he was promoted to General Zhaowu and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xi'an.

After Lü Meng's death, Zhu Ran replaced him as the garrison commander of Jiangling. In the first year of Huangwu (222 AD), Liu Bei launched an eastern expedition, attacking Yidu. Zhu Ran and Lu Xun joined forces to decisively defeat Liu Bei.
He was appointed General Who Conquers the North and enfeoffed as Marquis of Yong'an. In the Battle of Jiangling, Zhu Ran held his ground firmly, achieving a victory against overwhelming odds, leaving Cao Wei with no way to counter him.

He was then enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dangyang by Sun Quan. Afterwards, he attacked Jiangxia and Fancheng, but both attacks failed; however, he achieved some success on his two expeditions to Zhazhong.

He eventually rose to the positions of Left Grand Marshal and Right Military Advisor. In the twelfth year of the Chiwu era (249 AD), Zhu Ran died at the age of sixty-eight.

Zhu Ran was born in 182 AD. Originally Zhu Zhi's nephew, he was later adopted by Zhu Zhi by his biological father. Zhu Ran was the same age as Sun Quan and was also the adopted son of Zhu Zhi, a meritorious official of Jiangdong.

He was chosen by Sun Ce to study with Sun Quan. Afterwards, he and Sun Quan quickly became friends. (200 AD)

After Sun Ce's assassination, Sun Quan took control of Jiangdong and appointed Zhu Ran as the magistrate of Yuyao County. Later, Zhu Ran was reassigned as the magistrate of Shanyin County, the seat of Kuaiji Commandery.

He was appointed Colonel of the Vanguard and Commander-in-Chief of the troops in five counties. Zhu Ran's outstanding achievements during his tenure further enhanced Sun Quan's appreciation of him. Therefore,
Sun Quan decided to carve out a part of Danyang Commandery to establish Linchuan Commandery, and appointed Zhu Ran as the governor of the commandery, while also allocating him with two thousand troops.

In the 22nd year of Jian'an (217 AD), Cao Cao sent troops to attack Ruxukou. Zhu Ran stationed troops in Dawu and the Three Passes to prepare for war, and was therefore appointed as a Lieutenant General.

In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an (219 AD), Zhu Ran followed Lü Meng in the campaign against Guan Yu. They, along with Pan Zhang, set up an ambush at Linju.

They successfully intercepted and captured Guan Yu, Guan Ping, and Zhao Lei. For his contributions in this battle, Zhu Ran was promoted to General Zhaowu.
He was then enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xi'an. Later, after Lü Meng passed away, Sun Quan sent Zhu Ran with the imperial insignia to guard Jiangling.

In the first year of Huangwu (222 AD), Liu Bei launched an eastern expedition, attacking Yidu. Zhu Ran led 5,000 men, joining forces with Lu Xun to form a total of 50,000 to resist Liu Bei.

Together with Lu Xun and Han Dang, Zhu Ran decisively defeated Liu Bei at Zhuoxiang. Zhu Ran broke through Liu Bei's vanguard and cut off Liu Bei's retreat, forcing Liu Bei to flee and return to Baidi.

After this battle, Zhu Ran was appointed General Who Conquers the North and enfeoffed as Marquis of Yong'an. At this time, Xu Sheng, Pan Zhang, and Song Qian all submitted memorials stating that Liu Bei could certainly be captured, while Zhu Ran, along with Lu Xun,

Luo Tong believed that Cao Cao's failure to mobilize his army, while ostensibly to help them attack Liu Bei, actually harbored treacherous intentions. He advised them to carefully consider their strategy and recall their main force. Not long after, the Wei army indeed launched an attack, putting Eastern Wu under attack from three sides.

In the second year of Huangwu (223 AD), the State of Wei dispatched generals Cao Zhen, Xiahou Shang, and Zhang He to attack Jiangling, building several military camps to besiege the city.

Cao Pi even personally went to Wancheng to garrison it and provide reinforcements. Sun Quan dispatched Sun Sheng with 10,000 men to defend the area and establish fortified positions.

As Zhu Ran's external reinforcement force, Zhang He led his troops to attack Sun Sheng. Unable to withstand the attack, Sun Sheng immediately retreated. Zhang He then stationed his troops in the state for defense.

This cut Zhu Ran off from external aid. Sun Quan then dispatched generals Pan Zhang and Yang Can to relieve the siege, but they still failed. At that time, many of the soldiers defending the city were suffering from edema.
Only five thousand men remained capable of fighting. Cao Zhen and his men built earthen mounds, dug tunnels, and erected watchtowers, closing in on the city walls. Arrows rained down upon them.
The soldiers were terrified, but Zhu Ran remained calm and fearless. He encouraged his soldiers and, taking advantage of a tactical lapse in the enemy's defenses, broke through two enemy camps.

The Wei army had been besieging Jiangling for six months and had not yet retreated. Jiangling magistrate Yao Tai, leading troops to guard the north gate, saw the strength of the Wei army...

The city's garrison was small, and its food supplies were running low, so they colluded with the Wei army, plotting to act as inside agents. Just as they were about to carry out their plan, their scheme was discovered.
Zhu Ran then executed Yao Tai according to military law. Xiahou Shang and his men failed to capture Jiangling, so they withdrew their siege troops and retreated. Zhu Ran's fame from this battle shook Cao Wei, and he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dangyang.

In the third year of the Huangwu era (224 AD), Zhu Ran's father, Zhu Zhi, passed away, and Zhu Ran inherited his father's title. After completing Zhu Zhi's funeral,
Zhu Ran requested Sun Quan to revert to his original surname, Shi, but Sun Quan refused. In the sixth year of Huangwu (227 AD), Sun Quan dispatched Zhu Ran and other generals with 20,000 men to besiege Jiangxia Commandery.

However, they were repelled by Hu Zhi. That same year, Sun Quan personally led his army to attack Shiyang. During the retreat, Pan Zhang was responsible for covering the rear. At night, chaos broke out within the army.
Pan Zhang was unable to withstand the enemy's pursuit. Zhu Ran immediately returned to help Pan Zhang resist the enemy, allowing the vanguard ships to retreat far enough away.
Then he led his army in retreat. In the seventh year of Huangwu (228 AD), Cao Xiu led his army to attack Wan City, while Zhu Ran held back Cao Xiu's rear upstream.

Coordinating with Lu Xun's army, Lu Xun was able to decisively defeat Cao Xiu. In the first year of Huanglong (229 AD), Zhu Ran was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Right Protector of the Army, in charge of Yanzhou.

In the third year of the Jiahe era (234 AD), Sun Quan and Zhuge Liang, the Chancellor of Shu, agreed on a date to launch a major military campaign against Wei. Sun Quan personally attacked Hefei New City.
Zhu Ran and Quan Cong were each given axes and halberds, and were appointed as left and right commanders respectively. However, many soldiers were suffering from illness, so they retreated without attacking. (Jiahe 6th year (237 AD))

Zhu Ran launched an attack on Xiangzhong, and the Wei Kingdom dispatched two generals, Pu Zhong and Hu Zhi, each leading several thousand soldiers to meet the enemy.

Pu Zhong occupied a strategically important location, intending to cut off Zhu Ran's army's retreat, while Hu Zhi would serve as Pu Zhong's reinforcements.
Be ready to provide support at any time. At that time, Zhu Ran's soldiers and generals were fighting the enemy in various places. When they heard about Pu Zhong and Hu Zhi's plan,
There wasn't enough time to gather all the troops. Therefore, Zhu Ran decided to take only the eight men with him to meet the enemy. After the battle began...

Pu Zhong's campaign was not going well, and he quickly succumbed to Zhu Ran's offensive. Faced with this situation, Hu Zhi and the other Wei soldiers also retreated.

In the first year of Chiwu (238), Sun Quan sent Yuan Li, a secretary, to apologize to Zhu Ran and other generals for the matter of Lü Yi, and took the opportunity to inquire about the gains and losses of current affairs from Zhu Ran and others.

In the second year of the Chiwu era (239 AD), Zhuge Jin and Bu Zhi jointly submitted a memorial to Sun Quan, hoping that Sun Quan would pardon Zhou Yin. Sun Quan initially refused. Later, Zhu Ran and Quan Cong also submitted memorials pleading for leniency, and Sun Quan finally agreed. However, Zhou Yin died of illness not long afterward.

In the fourth year of Chiwu (241 AD), Zhu Ran and Sun Lun led 50,000 soldiers to besiege Fancheng. Zhu Ran used Zhu Yi's strategy to break through the outer perimeter of Fancheng.

Later, Sima Yi led his army to resist, and Zhu Ran was forced to retreat. In the fifth year of Chiwu (242 AD), Zhu Ran went on an expedition to Xiangzhong.

At that time, Zhu Ran's soldiers and generals were engaged in battle from all sides and there was no time to regroup. Therefore, Zhu Ran led his remaining eight hundred men to meet the enemy.

He forced the enemy to retreat. In the ninth year of Chiwu (246 AD), Zhu Ran once again led an expedition to Xiangzhong. Wei generals Li Xing and others, hearing that Zhu Ran had led his army deep into enemy territory, led 6,000 infantry and cavalry to cut off Zhu Ran's retreat. Zhu Ran launched a night attack to meet the Wei army, beheading the enemy leader and returning in triumph. Afterwards, Sun Quan sent envoys to appoint Zhu Ran as Left Grand Marshal and Right Military Advisor.

In the tenth year of the Chiwu era (247 AD), Sun Quan appointed Zhu Ran as Grand Commander. That same year, Zhu Ran fell ill and was bedridden for two years.

His condition gradually worsened. In March of the twelfth year of Chiwu (249 AD), Zhu Ran passed away at the age of sixty-eight.

On the recommendation of Zhu Zhi, Zhu Ran's maternal uncle and adoptive father, Zhu Ran joined Sun Ce's army and became one of the generals of the Sun family, where he studied with Sun Quan.

In 200 AD, Sun Ce was assassinated, and Sun Quan, who was nineteen years old (by the traditional Chinese age reckoning), inherited the throne. However, due to his unstable foundation,
Sun Quan appointed his former subordinates Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu as the heads of civil and military officials, but he also did not forget to cultivate his own confidants, Zhu Ran being one of them.

Amidst internal and external difficulties, Sun Quan successively appointed his classmate Zhu Ran as the magistrate of Yuyao and the prefect of Shanyin. He also divided Danyang into Linchuan Commandery and appointed Zhu Ran as its governor.

They even granted him military power. Zhu Ran did not disappoint his old classmate's expectations, pacifying the Yue tribes in the mountains and governing the region. With the support of Zhu Ran and other renowned civil and military officials,
Sun Quan gradually stabilized the situation and even captured Huang Zu, his father's killer, and annexed most of Jiangxia Commandery.

In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208), Sun Quan began his journey to Hefei, but hastily withdrew his troops on his first attempt because he naively believed that Wei would send reinforcements.

In the twentieth year of Jian'an (215), Sun Quan, who had made thorough preparations, was terrified by Zhang Liao's eight hundred cavalry. "Sun Quan's forces were defeated and fled. Thus, his power shook Jiangdong."

Although the Eastern Wu fielded many famous generals in this battle, they still suffered heavy casualties and had no choice but to defend.

In the 22nd year of Jian'an (217), Cao Cao launched another southern expedition. After capturing Juchao, he sent troops to Ruxukou. Sun Quan ordered Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Zhu Ran and others to lead troops to resist.

However, although the generals and soldiers of Eastern Wu were brave, they were no match for Cao Cao's army. Sun Quan surrendered to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao withdrew his troops. However, Sun Quan did not let his guard down and ordered Zhu Ran and others to continue preparing the army.

In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an (219), Guan Yu, a general of Shu Han, attacked Xiangfan, flooded the seven armies, and his might shook the Central Plains. He then "claimed a shortage of provisions..."
The act of "seizing rice from Xiangguan without authorization," coupled with Guan Yu's previous refusal of Sun Quan's marriage proposal, provoked Sun Quan's dissatisfaction. Therefore, Sun Quan adopted Lü Meng's suggestion to attack Guan Yu.

Lu Meng lived up to Sun Quan's expectations, not only killing Guan Yu and pacifying Jingzhou, but also discovering the "SSR" card Lu Xun. However, compared to this young talent, Lu Meng valued Zhu Ran more.

Logically speaking, Zhu Ran possessed both literary and military talents, was a classmate and friend of Sun Quan, and had the protection of his adoptive father Zhu Zhi, who had been very kind to the Sun family.

His promotion in Eastern Wu should have been quite smooth; however, without Lü Meng's patronage, Zhu Ran might have remained a low-profile, insignificant general.
He was not even as favored by Sun Quan as the rising star Lu Xun. However, Zhu Ran still got his chance, a promotion that would later earn him the merciless scorn of posterity.

"Zhu Ran is courageous and resourceful, and I believe he is capable of undertaking this task." Zhu Ran followed Lü Meng across the river in disguise and successfully intercepted Guan Yu at Linju. "He captured Guan Yu, Guan Ping, and Zhao Lei, and was promoted to General Zhaowu and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xi'an Township."

After Lü Meng's death, Sun Quan promoted Zhu Ran greatly, ordering him to guard Jiangling with imperial authority, thus placing Zhu Ran among the ranks of high-ranking generals of Eastern Wu.

However, the retaliation from Shu Han came quickly. In the first year of Zhangwu (221), Liu Bei, under the pretext of avenging Guan Yu, launched a military campaign against Eastern Wu.

Even Sun Quan's surrender was useless; he had no choice but to fight. How could someone capable of capturing Guan Yu be an ordinary person? Under Lu Xun's command...
Zhu Ran decisively defeated Liu Bei's vanguard and cut off their retreat, forcing them to Baidi City. For his merits, he was appointed General Who Conquers the North and enfeoffed as Marquis of Yong'an.

In the second year of Huangwu (223), due to Sun Quan's reneging on his promise, after defeating Liu Bei, he not only failed to fulfill his agreement to send his son to Wei, but also ceased to submit to Wei.

Feeling tricked, Cao Pi issued the "Imperial Edict to Conquer Wu": "The southern expedition advanced to besiege Jiangling, capturing many ships. Heads were beheaded and prisoners were taken, and those who surrendered filled the roads. Beef and wine arrived daily."

Under Cao Pi's personal command, Cao Zhen, Xiahou Shang, Zhang He and others successively defeated Wu generals Sun Sheng and Zhuge Jin, and besieged Jiangling City.

Jiangling was a key transportation hub in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and a crucial point concerning the safety of Eastern Wu. After the defeats of Sun Sheng, Lü Fan, and Zhuge Jin,

Sun Quan then sent Pan Zhang, Yang Can, and others to relieve the city, but all were unsuccessful. Even more critically, an epidemic broke out within the city, leaving only five thousand soldiers to defend it alongside Zhu Ran.
If Jiangling falls, Cao Wei will not only be able to "hold Jiangling in the south and defend Xiangyang in the north, and pacify the eight counties of Jingzhou with a single proclamation," but will also be able to disregard the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, allowing them to penetrate deep into the heart of Eastern Wu and also sail up the river to attack Shu Han.

Zhu Ran, who was left to guard Jiangling, naturally knew how heavy the burden on his shoulders was. He had no reinforcements, and the enemy was a seasoned general like Cao Zhen and Zhang He.

Yet, he managed to reverse this seemingly hopeless situation. With the Wei army at the city gates, Zhu Ran remained calm and composed, first emulating the story of Zhang Liao…
He took the initiative to attack before the Wei army could encircle him; then he defended the city and resisted for half a year to keep Jiangling from falling, until the two sides shook hands and made peace again. "As a result, his name became famous in the enemy country and he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dangyang."

Because Shu and Wu were weak while Wei was strong, the two countries reunited to resist Cao Cao, allowing Zhu Ran to continue to be active on the front lines of the war against Wei.

In the seventh year of Huangwu (228), Zhou Fang, the governor of Poyang in Eastern Wu, surrendered to Cao Xiu, the Grand Marshal of Cao Wei. In reality, this was a scheme by Sun Quan to lure the enemy.

Under Lu Xun's command, Zhu Ran and others defeated Cao Xiu at Shiting, rendering Cao Wei unable to launch a southern campaign for a short period of time. Sun Quan took the opportunity to declare himself emperor and appointed Zhu Ran as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Right Protector of the Army, and Governor of Yan Province.

As the supreme military commander of Eastern Wu in Jingzhou and Xiangyang, Zhu Ran had been actively launching offensives in the Xiangyang and Fancheng area, but most of them were unsuccessful.

In the fifth year of Huangwu (226), Emperor Cao Pi of Wei died. Sun Quan sent Zhu Ran and other generals to lead 20,000 men to besiege Jiangxia County, but they were defeated by Hu Zhi, the governor of Jingzhou.

In the sixth year of Jiahe (237), Sun Quan sent Zhu Ran to attack Jiangxia County again, but he was defeated by Hu Zhi once more. In the fourth year of Chiwu (241), Zhu Ran attacked Fancheng. Although he used Zhu Zhi's strategy to break through the outer perimeter of Fancheng, he was still defeated by Hu Zhi and others.

In the ninth year of the Chiwu era (246), Zhu Ran, who had suffered repeated defeats, once again led his army to attack the granary of Jingxiang—Zhaozhong. Even Sun Quan lost confidence and temporarily withheld Zhu Ran's memorial.
Everyone thought Zhu Ran had suffered another defeat, but to everyone's surprise, even at the age of sixty, Zhu Ran was still able to wield his sword, mount his horse, and bring about a great victory. (End of Chapter)