Zhou Yu

Zhou Yu (175–210) was a general and strategist of Eastern Wu who helped secure Sun Quan’s rule and led Wu’s forces at the Battle of Red Cliffs.

Battle of Red Cliffs: A 208–209 naval campaign in which the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeated Cao Cao’s army. Zhou Yu commanded Wu’s forces in the decisive campaign against Cao Cao.
Fire attack: A military tactic that uses incendiary weapons or burning vessels to damage an enemy force. Wu’s attack on Cao Cao’s fleet used fire to exploit ships linked together.
Sun Jian: A late Han general and warlord whose family established the foundations of Eastern Wu. Zhou Yu first served the Sun family under Sun Jian’s son Sun Ce.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: A 14th-century Chinese historical novel dramatizing the fall of the Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era. The novel recasts Zhou Yu as a proud rival of Zhuge Liang.
Battle of Jiangling: A 209 campaign in which Eastern Wu captured Jiangling from Cao Cao’s forces after the Battle of Red Cliffs. Zhou Yu led Wu’s siege and capture of this strategic city.
Naval warfare: Combat conducted on or from water using ships and other naval forces. Red Cliffs turned control of the Yangtze into a decisive military advantage.
Sun Ce: A warlord who conquered much of the Jiangdong region and established the Sun family’s power there. Zhou Yu became his close ally and helped build the family’s territorial base.
Records of the Three Kingdoms: A third-century Chinese historical chronicle by Chen Shou covering the Wei, Shu, and Wu states. Its Wu biographies preserve the principal historical account of Zhou Yu’s life.
Sun Quan: The founder and first ruler of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Zhou Yu served Sun Quan and helped establish his authority.
Yangtze River: The longest river in Asia, flowing east across China to the East China Sea. Its waters and geography shaped Zhou Yu’s defensive campaign against Cao Cao.

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Eastern WuRelated: His command helped secure the victory that protected Wu’s emerging power.