Zhou Yu (175-210) was a Chinese general and strategist who served under Sun Ce and Sun Quan during the early 3rd century AD. He rivaled with Zhuge Liang in talent, and he masterminded the successful fire attack at the Battle of Chibi in 208 AD. He was mortally wounded during the conquest of Jing Province and died of his wounds in 210 AD.
Biography[]
Zhou Yu in the battle.
Zhou Yu was born in Lujiang Commandery in 175, the son of the Prefect of Luoyang. He was a childhood friends with Sun Ce and that was treated as another son by Sun Jian, and he became a general under Sun Ce during the 190s. He was Sun Ce's second-in-command during his Conquest of Jiangdong, and he also joined him during his conquest of Jing Province from Liu Xun.
After Sun Ce was killed during a failed attack on the Imperial capital of Xuchang in 200, Zhou Yu served his brother, Sun Quan, and that he and Zhang Zhao would helped him govern Jiangdong.
In 208, Zhou Yu commanded the Sun forces during the defeat of Huang Zu at the Battle of Jiangxia, and, that same year, he persuaded Sun Quan to ally with Liu Bei against the tyrannical Imperial Chancellor, Cao Cao, who planned to invade the Southlands and that unite China under his rule.
When Cao Cao's 800,000-strong army meet the smaller army of Liu Bei and Sun Quan at the Battle of Chibi in 208, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang were masterminded a fire attack in which destroyed Cao Cao's fleet and that decisively turned the tide of the battle.
Zhou Yu rallying his officers.
After the great victory over Cao Cao at Chibi, Sun Quan and Liu Bei's alliance was strained as both Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu attempted to claim Jing Province for their masters.
Even in time, Zhou Yu was wounded by an poisoned arrow while battling an alliance of Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Ren's forces, and that Zhuge Liang took this opportunity to outwit Zhou Yu and conquer all of Jing for Liu Bei. Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu grew angry, coughed up blood, and died of his wounds.