Yu Zhong

Yu Zhong (于忠) (452–518), né Wuniuyu Qiannian (勿忸于千年), courtesy name Sixian (思賢), formally Duke Wujing of Lingshou (靈壽武敬公), was an official of the Northern Wei dynasty. He briefly served as a regent during the reign of Emperor Xiaoming.

Background and early career

Wuniuyu Qiannian was born from a line of Northern Wei nobles of Xianbei ethnicity. His great-grandfather Wuniuyu Lidi (勿忸于栗磾) was one of Northern Wei's most famous generals during the reigns of Emperor Mingyuan and Emperor Taiwu. His father Wuniuyu Lie (勿忸于烈) served as a general during the reigns of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xuanwu.

Wuniuyu Qiannian himself became a low level official during the regency of Emperor Xiaowen's stepgrandmother, Grand Empress Dowager Feng. Grand Empress Dowager Feng was strict and often punished officials for even minor offenses, but Wuniuyu Zhong was said to be diligent and honest, and was never punished by her. Emperor Xiaowen favored him as well, and steadily promoted him. Emperor Xiaowen also changed his name to Wuniuyu Deng (勿忸于登). In 496, pursuant to Emperor Xiaowen's edict to change Xianbei names to Han names as part of his sinicization campaign, the Wuniuyu clan's name was changed to Yu.

Yu Zhong (Three Kingdoms)

Yu Zhong (died 280), courtesy name Shifang, was an official of the state of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.

Life

Yu Zhong was the fifth son of Yu Fan, an official who served under Wu's founding emperor Sun Quan and under Sun Quan's predecessor Sun Ce. His ancestral home was in Yuyao County (餘姚縣), Kuaiji Commandery, which is in present-day Yuyao, Ningbo, Zhejiang. He was known for being trustworthy and reliable. He also recognised the potential in persons such as Lu Ji and Wei Qian (魏遷) when they were still relatively unknown, and was proven right later when they became famous. He was a friend of Wang Qi (王岐), who was also from Yuyao county, and they consecutively served as the Administrator of Yidu Commandery (宜都郡; around present-day Yichang, Hubei).

In 280, when forces of the Jin dynasty invaded Wu, Yu Zhong joined the brothers Lu Yan and Lu Jing in defending Wu and they were all killed in action, after which Wu was conquered by Jin.

Family

Yu Zhong had 10 brothers. Among them, the notable ones were his fourth brother Yu Si, sixth brother Yu Song, and eighth brother Yu Bing.