Yang Hu

Guarded Xiangyang for ten years, laying the groundwork for the Western Jin's conquest of Wu.

Life

Took command at Xiangyang

Yang Hu came from the Yang clan of Taishan and was the younger brother of Sima Shi's wife. In 269 he took command at Xiangyang, directing the front against Wu.

Friendship of Yang and Lu

At Xiangyang he set up military farming colonies to stockpile grain and reduced garrison duties, and treated the people of Wu with good faith. He and the famed Eastern Wu general Lu Kang respected each other: when Lu Kang sent wine he drank it, and when he sent medicine Lu Kang took it, a relationship known as the "Friendship of Yang and Lu."

Stele of Tears

He repeatedly petitioned for a campaign against Wu, but his proposals were not adopted. Gravely ill in 278, he recommended Du Yu to succeed him and died that same year. The people of Xiangyang erected a stele for him, and all who saw it wept, so it was called the "Stele of Tears." Two years later the Western Jin conquered Wu.

Legacy

Yang Hu was the chief architect of the Western Jin unification, and his border policy of winning people over through virtue was celebrated by later generations.

Major works & achievements

• Planned the conquest of Wu

Did you know? After the conquest of Wu, Emperor Wu of Jin wept and said: "This is the achievement of Grand Tutor Yang."

Key dates

• 269Took command at Xiangyang
• 274Petitioned for a campaign against Wu
• 278Recommended Du Yu; died