Zhou Fang
周訪
General Who Stabilizes the South
(安南將軍)
In office
319–320
MonarchEmperor Yuan of Jin
Personal details
Born260
Jiujiang, Jiangxi
Died320
Xiangyang, Hubei
ChildrenZhou Fu
Zhou Guang
Wife of Tao Zhan
ParentZhou Min (father)
Courtesy nameShida (士達)
PeerageMarquis of Xunyang County (尋陽縣侯)
Posthumous nameZhuang (壯)

Zhou Fang (260–320), courtesy name Shida, was a Chinese military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was a key commander of Sima Rui, the future Emperor Yuan of Jin, who helped in laying the foundation of the Eastern Jin dynasty. Under Sima Rui, Zhou Fang defeated the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Hua Yi, contributed in the quelling of Du Tao's rebellion and captured the notorious warlord, Du Zeng. Whilst alive, he also deterred the powerful commander, Wang Dun from rebelling against Jin through his presence and opposition. Apart from his military talents, Zhou Fang was also known for his friendship with another famous general, Tao Kan.

Early life

Zhou Fang was a member of the Zhou clan of Runan Commandery, who claimed descent from Ji Lie (姬烈), the youngest son of King Ping of Zhou. Due to the conflicts during the end of the Han dynasty, his family's branch migrated south of the Yangzi River to Xunyang County (尋陽; southwest of present-day Huangmei County, Hubei), Lujiang Commandery (廬江郡). Zhou Fang's grandfather, Zhou Zuan (周纂), and his father, Zhou Min (周敏), both served as generals under the Eastern Wu state during the Three Kingdoms period. By the time Zhou Fang was born, his family had lived in Xunyang for four generations. According to the Book of Jin, Zhou Fang was described as resolute, modest and decisive since his youth. He was willing to turn down offices, and would always give away his wealth, although his family was always short on funds as a result.[1]

He eventually became an Officer of Merit in Anyang County, and during his tenure, he met an official serving in Lujiang Commandery named Tao Kan. The two became close friends, and to solidify their friendship, Zhou Fang married his daughter to Tao Kan's son, Tao Zhan (陶瞻).[2] Soon, Zhou Fang was nominated as a Xiaolian, and he was appointed as Gentleman of the Household and Prefect of Shangjia, but he declined the offers. Around this time, a person from Zhou Fang's village stole a cow from his home and had it slaughtered among the tombs. Zhou Fang found the cow's remains, but rather than reporting the incident and punishing the perpetrator, he secretly buried the cow so that no one knew what had happened.[3]

Service under Sima Rui

In 307, the Prince of Langya, Sima Rui, was assigned to Jianye, and in 311, he was appointed Senior General Who Guards the East. After receiving that office, Sima Rui appointed Zhou Fang as one of this Army Advisors. Around this time, there was another person named Zhou Fang who was wanted for committing a severe crime. Officials mistook Zhou Fang as the fugitive and attempted to arrest him, but Zhou Fang angrily struck the guards, causing the people around him to flee. After explaining what had happened to Sima Rui, he was not charged with any crime.[4]

War with Hua Yi

Despite Sima Rui's authority, the Inspector of Jiangzhou (江州, modern Jiangxi and Fujian), Hua Yi refused to take orders from him. Fearing he may rebel, Rui made Zhou Fang the General Who Spreads Vehemence and ordered him to move to Pengze with 1,200 soldiers to prepare for Hua Yi's attack. However, Zhou Fang respected Hua Yi due to the latter's efforts at helping the people, so he only moved to Eling County (鄂陵; in present-day Caishan, Hubei) in Xunyang to prevent military escalation.[5]

In July 311, Emperor Huai of Jin and the capital, Luoyang were captured by Han-Zhao forces in an event known as the Disaster of Yongjia. One minister, Xun Fan, formed a provisional government, and he and his peers proclaimed Sima Rui as the leader of their alliance. However, Hua Yi and the Inspector of Yuzhou, Pei Xian, refused to acknowledge Sima Rui's authority, so Rui ordered Zhou Fang, Gan Zhuo and Zhao You to campaign against him. One of Zhou Fang's subordinates, Ding Qian (丁乾), was colluding with the Administrator of Wuchang under Hua Yi, Feng Yi (馮逸). However, Zhou Fang uncovered their plot and had Ding Qian executed.[6]

Feng Yi attacked Zhou Fang but was routed, so he retreated to Chaisang. Zhou Fang then attacked Chaisang, so Hua Yi sent his generals Wang Yue (王約), Fu Zha (傅劄) and others to assist Feng Yi. After a huge battle at Penkou (湓口, in modern Jiujiang, Jiangxi), he defeated Hua Yi's forces, and went on to join Gan Zhuo and his allies at Pengze to defeat Hua Yi's admiral, Zhu Ju (朱矩). Hua Yi's allies, Wei Zhan (衛展) and Zhou Guang (周廣), defected to Sima Rui's side and attacked him from behind. As Hua Yi's forces collapsed, he fled to Ancheng County, but was pursued and captured by Zhou Fang.[7] Zhou Fang executed Hua Yi and his five sons, while Pei Xian fled to Youzhou. For his efforts at pacifying Jiangzhou, Zhou Fang was appointed General Who Spreads Valor and Administrator of Xunyang.

Du Tao's Rebellion

Zhou Fang was later active in subjugating the refugee uprising led by Du Tao that had broken out in early 311. Throughout the rebellion, the rebels used modified shadoofs to strike at the Jin ships when they get close. To counter their tactics, Zhou Fang installed long forked beams on his ships to hinder the effectiveness of the shadoofs.[8] In 314, Zhou Fang helped Tao Kan defeat Du Tao's general, Wang Zhen (王眞) at Linzhang (林障; in present-day Hanyang District, Hubei).

In 315, Zhou Fang attacked Du Tao's general, Zhang Yan (張彦) and killed him. However, during the battle, he was struck by a stray arrow and lost two of his front teeth as a result.[9] On the same day, he encoutered a rebel army that outnumbered his own across a river. Not wanting to engage in battle, Zhou Fang secretly ordered his men to gather firewood, and after returning, get into formation and beat the drums. At night, he ordered them to light several bonfires. The rebels though that reinforcements had arrived to help Zhou Fang, so they decided to retreat. However, believing that the rebels would soon return, Zhou Fang quickly crossed north of the river and destroyed the bridge to prevent the rebels from pursuing. As predicted, the rebels returned but were unable to cross the river, so they returned to Xiangzhou (相州, roughly modern Handan, Hebei).[10]

Zhou Fang regrouped his navy and advanced to Xiangcheng (湘城; in present-day Changsha, Hunan) while his army moved to Fukou (富口; in present-day Yangxin County, Hubei). In response, Du Tao sent his general, Du Hong to fight him. When Wang Dun's base in Penkou was threatened by Du Hong, Zhou Fang led his army on foot and secretly crossed the river at Chaisang to attack him. The rebels retreated to Luling where Zhou Fang laid siege on them. He had to briefly withdraw to defend his grain depot from rebels in Baqiu, but he soon returned to continue the siege. Du Hong managed to escape the city, supposedly after distracting Zhou Fang's men by throwing out treasures and valuable goods outside the wall. Zhou Fang gave chase and captured many of Du Hong's saddles, horse armour and canes. Du Hong was later defeated by the Administrator of Nankang and forced to flee to Linhe (臨賀; around present-day Hezhou, Guangxi).[11]

Du Tao was eventually defeated in 315. For his efforts, Sima Rui promoted Zhou Fang to Dragon-Soaring General and Commander of the Expeditionary Forces, while Wang Dun petitioned him to become Administrator of Yuzhang. He was also given the title of Marquis of Xunyang County.

Capturing Du Zeng

While Du Tao's rebellion was happening, another rebel, Du Zeng, was also causing problem for Jin in Xiangzhou and Jingzhou. In 315, Du Zeng laid siege on the Chief Controller of Jingzhou, Xun Song, at Wancheng. Xun Song's daughter, Xun Guan was able to fight her way out and deliver a letter to Zhou Fang requesting for reinforcements. Zhou Fang sent his son, Zhou Fu with 3,000 soldiers to help Xun Song. Seeing the arrival of reinforcements, Du Zeng lifted the siege and retreated.[12]

In 317, Sima Rui ordered Zhou Fang to campaign against Du Zeng. Zhou Fang marched with 8,000 men to Dunyang (沌陽; in present-day Wuhan, Hubei) to fight Du Zeng's army. Zhou Fang ordered his generals, Li Heng (李恆) and Xu Chao (許朝), led the left wing and right wing respectively while he commanded the central army with his flags and banners held up high. As anticipated, Du Zeng was wary of Zhou Fang, so he attacked the Jin army's flanks first. Meanwhile, Zhou Fang knew that Du Zeng had a well-known reputation for being a powerful foe, so to calm his soldiers down, Zhou Fang shot a pheasant at the back of his camp. He also informed them to beat the drums thrice if one of the wings was destroyed, and six times if both wings were destroyed. Zhou Fang then selected 800 elite soldiers, treated them with wine and instructed them not to make rash decisions until they hear the drums. After both flanks were defeated, Zhou Fang personally beat the drums six times, and his elite soldiers sprang up and rushed towards the enemies. Du Zeng's men scattered, and more than a thousand of the rebels were killed.[13]

Zhou Fang pursued Du Zeng through the night, despite his generals suggesting that they wait until morning. He recaptured the areas around the Han and Mian (沔水) rivers while Du Zeng fled into the Wudang Mountains. Zhou Fang was awarded with the offices of General of the Household Gentlemen of the South, Chief Controller of Liangzhou and Inspector of Liangzhou, and was assigned to Xiangyang.[14] In 319, he ambushed and defeated Du Zeng, prompting the rebel generals to arrest Du Zeng and surrender to him. Initially, Zhou Fang wanted to send Du Zeng to Wuchang as a prisoner, but at the behest of his subordinates, Zhu Chang (朱昌) and Zhao Yin (趙胤), whose fathers were killed by Du Zeng, he had him beheaded instead.[15]

Conflict with Wang Dun

Despite being peers, Zhou Fang was at odds with Wang Dun. Previously, after Wang Dun unfairly removed Tao Kan from his position as Inspector of Jingzhou, Tao Kan's generals defected to Du Zeng. Wang Dun wanted to kill Tao Kan, but due to Tao Kan's ties to Zhou Fang, he decided not to. When Du Zeng was defeated, the general Diwu Yi (第五猗) was captured and sent to Wang Dun. Zhou Fang advised Wang Dun to not kill him, as he had been forced into joining Du Zeng's rebellion, but Wang Dun refused to listen and executed him. Wang Dun had also promised Zhou Fang that he would be rewarded the office of Inspector of Jingzhou after defeating Du Zeng, but this promise was never fulfilled. He instead sent Zhou Fang a letter explaining his decision as well as jade rings and bowls as gifts, but Zhou Fang furiously threw them all away.[16]

While in Xiangyang, Zhou Fang promoted agriculture and military exercises while being open to public opinions. He would also personally appoint local officials and send their names to the court for recommendation. Wang Dun was wary of Zhou Fang's military capabilities and their mutual distrust, so he refused to take action against him.[17] Meanwhile, Zhou Fang suspected that Wang Dun would one day rebel and made preparations to resist him. He was also planning to reclaim lost Jin territory in the north from Henan, coordinating with the generals, Li Ju and Guo Mo.[18]

Death

Zhou Fang died in August or September 320 at the age of 61. He was said to have been well-liked by both officers and soldiers due to his humble character and ability to win the people's support.[19] Sima Rui, now Emperor Yuan of Jin, deeply mourned his death, posthumously appointing him General Who Conquers the West and granting him the posthumous name of "Zhuang" (壯; "strong"). In addition, a monument was also erected in Xunyang County in his honour.[20] After the death of Zhou Fang and another rival general, Zu Ti the following year, Wang Dun would openly rebel against Emperor Yuan in 322.

Anecdotes

Zhou Fang and Tao Kan were the subjects of two anecdotes highlighting their friendship and foreshadowing their eventual fates. The first anecdote regards Tao Kan, whose father had died while he was still of low status. While preparing his father's burial, his cow had also disappeared from his home. When he went out to search for it, an elderly man appeared and said to him, "I saw a cow laying in a ditch below the mountain up ahead. If you hold a burial there, you will achieve a high position as a subject." He then pointed to another mountain and said, "That one is also good. Bury someone there, and you will be an official with a salary-rank of 2,000-dan." After he finished speaking, the man disappeared. Tao Kan found his cow and buried his father at the place that it was at. He then told Zhou Fang about the other mountain. When Zhou Fang's father died, he buried the body at the indicated location. As predicted, Tao Kan achieved great success, and Zhou Fang obtained a high salary.[21]

Another anecdote tells of Zhou Fang and Tao Kan visiting a face reader named Chen Xun (陳訓) in Lujiang Commandery. After assessing them, Chen Xun said, "Both of you will rise to the position of border commanders, and your achievements will be almost equal. However, Lord Tao will have a long life, while Lord Zhou will have a shorter one. The difference between the two of you will be determined by your lifespans."[22] Zhou Fang was one year younger than Tao Kan, but Zhou Fang would die first while Tao Kan would outlive him by roughly 14 years.

References

  1. ↑ (周訪，字士達，本汝南安城人也。漢末避地江南，至訪四世。吳平，因家廬江尋陽焉。祖纂，吳威遠將軍。父敏，左中郎將。訪少沈毅，謙而能讓，果於斷割，周窮振乏，家無餘財。) Jin Shu, vo.58
  2. ↑ (為縣功曹，時陶侃為散吏，訪薦為主簿，相與結友，以女妻侃子瞻。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  3. ↑ (鄉人盜訪牛於塚間殺之，訪得之，密埋其肉，不使人知。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  4. ↑ (及元帝渡江，命參鎮東軍事。時有與訪同姓名者，罪當死，吏誤收訪，訪奮擊收者，數十人皆散走，而自歸於帝，帝不之罪。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  5. ↑ (時帝遣揚烈將軍周訪率眾屯彭澤以備軼，訪過姑孰，著作郎干寶見而問之，訪曰：「大府受分，令屯彭澤，彭澤，江州西門也。華彥夏有憂天下之誠，而不欲碌碌受人控禦，頃來紛紜，粗有嫌隙。今又無故以兵守其門，將成其釁。吾當屯尋陽故縣，既在江西，可以捍禦北方，又無嫌於相逼也。」尋洛都不守，司空荀籓移檄，而以帝為盟主。) Jin Shu, vol.61
  6. ↑ (尋以為揚烈將軍，領兵一千二百，屯尋陽鄂陵，與甘卓、趙誘討華軼。所統厲武將軍丁乾與軼所統武昌太守馮逸交通，訪收斬之。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  7. ↑ (逸來攻訪，訪率眾擊破之。逸遁保柴桑，訪乘勝進討。軼遣其党王約、傅劄等萬餘人助逸，大戰於湓口，約等又敗。訪與甘卓等會于彭澤，與軼水軍將硃矩等戰，又敗之。軼將周廣燒城以應訪，軼眾潰，訪執軼，斬之，遂平江州。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  8. ↑ (復命訪與諸軍共征杜弢。弢作桔槔打官軍船艦，訪作長岐棖以距之，桔槔不得為害。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  9. ↑ (而賊從青草湖密抄官軍，又遣其將張彥陷豫章，焚燒城邑。王敦時鎮湓口，遣督護繆蕤、李恆受訪節度，共擊彥。蕤于豫章、石頭，與彥交戰，彥軍退走，訪率悵下將李午等追彥，破之，臨陣斬彥。時訪為流矢所中，折前兩齒，形色不變。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  10. ↑ (及暮，訪與賊隔水，賊眾數倍，自知力不能敵，乃密遣人如樵采者而出，於是結陣鳴鼓而來，大呼曰：「左軍至！」士卒皆稱萬歲。至夜，令軍中多布火而食，賊謂官軍益至，未曉而退。訪謂諸將曰：「賊必引退，然終知我無救軍，當還掩人，宜促渡水北。」既渡，斷橋訖，而賊果至，隔水不得進，於是遂歸湘州。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  11. ↑ (訪復以舟師造湘城，軍達富口，而弢遣杜弘出海昏。時湓口騷動，訪步上柴桑，偷渡，與賊戰，斬首數百。賊退保廬陵，訪追擊敗之，賊嬰城處自守。尋而軍糧為賊所掠，退住巴丘。糧廩既至，復圍弘於廬陵。弘大擲寶物於城外，軍人競拾之，弘因陣亂突圍而出。訪率軍追之，獲鞍馬鎧杖不可勝數。弘入南康，太守將率兵逆擊，又破之，奔于臨賀。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  12. ↑ (自詣覽乞師，又為崧書與南中郎將周訪請援，仍結為兄弟，訪即遣子撫率三千人會石覽俱救崧。賊聞兵至，散走，灌之力也。) Jin Shu, vol.96
  13. ↑ (王使豫章太守周訪擊之。訪有衆八千，進至沌陽。曾銳氣甚盛，訪使將軍李恆督左甄，許朝督右甄，訪自領中軍。曾先攻左、右甄，訪於陳後射雉以安衆心。令其衆曰：「一甄敗，鳴三鼓；兩甄敗，鳴六鼓。」趙誘子胤，將父餘兵屬左甄，力戰，敗而復合，馳馬告訪。訪怒，叱令更進；胤號哭還戰。自旦至申，兩甄皆敗。訪選精銳八百人，自行酒飲之，敕不得妄動，聞鼓音乃進。曾兵未至三十步，訪親鳴鼓，將士皆騰躍奔赴，曾遂大潰，殺千餘人。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.91
  14. ↑ (訪夜追之，諸將請待明日，訪曰：「曾驍勇能戰，向者彼勞我逸，故克之；宜及其衰乘之，可滅也。」乃鼓行而進，遂定漢、沔。曾走保武當...訪以功遷梁州刺史，屯襄陽。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.91
  15. ↑ (王敦遣周訪討之，屢戰不能克，訪潛遣人緣山開道，出曾不意以襲之，曾眾潰，其將馬俊、蘇溫等執曾詣訪降。訪欲生致武昌，而硃軌息昌、趙誘息胤皆乞曾以復冤，於是斬曾，而昌、胤臠其肉而啖之。) Jin Shu, vol.100
  16. ↑ (馬雋等執曾以降，訪斬之；幷獲荊州刺史第五猗，送於武昌。訪以猗本中朝所署，加有時望，白王敦不宜殺，敦不聽而斬之。初，敦患杜曾難制，謂訪曰：「若擒曾，當相論爲荊州。」及曾死而敦不用...六月，丙子，詔加訪安南將軍，餘如故。訪大怒，敦手書譬解，幷遺玉環、玉椀以申厚意。訪抵之於地，曰：「吾豈賈豎，可以寶悅邪！」) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.91
  17. ↑ (即在襄陽，務農訓卒，勤於採納，守宰有缺輒補，然後言上。敦患之，而憚其強，不敢有異。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  18. ↑ (訪練兵簡卒，欲宣力中原，與李矩、郭默相結，慨然有平河、洛之志。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  19. ↑ (訪威風既著，遠近悅服，智勇過人，為中興名將。性謙虛，未嘗論功伐。或問訪曰：「人有小善，鮮不自稱。卿功勳如此，初無一言何也？」訪曰：「朝廷威靈，將士用命，訪何功之有！」士以此重之...善於撫納，士眾皆為致死。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  20. ↑ (訪小侃一歲，太興三年卒，時年六十一。帝哭之甚慟，詔贈征西將軍，諡曰壯，立碑於本郡。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  21. ↑ (初，陶侃微時，丁艱，將葬，家中忽失牛而不知所在。遇一老父，謂曰：「前崗見一牛眠山汙中，其地若葬，位極人臣矣。」又指一山云：「此亦其次，當世出二千石。」言訖不見。侃尋牛得之，因葬其處，以所指別山與訪。訪父死，葬焉，果爲刺史，著稱甯、益，自訪以下，三世爲益州四十一年，如其所言云。) Jin Shu, vol.58
  22. ↑ (初，訪少時遇善相者廬江陳訓，謂訪與陶侃曰：「二君皆位至方嶽，功名略同，但陶得上壽，周當下壽，優劣更由年耳。」訪小侃一歲，太興三年卒，時年六十一。) Jin Shu, vol.58
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