Quan Cong (196–247 or 198–249), courtesy name Zihuang, was a Chinese military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Born in present-day Hangzhou towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Quan Cong became famous at a young age when he performed acts of charity by giving grain to people suffering from famine and providing shelter to refugees from central China. He started his career under the warlord Sun Quan as a military officer and achieved success in his early career by pacifying the restive Shanyue tribes in the Jiangdong territories. After Sun Quan became an independent ruler of Wu in 222, Quan Cong rose to the rank of General and participated in battles against Wu's rival state Wei. He also pacified rebellions by local tribes in Danyang, Wu and Kuaiji commanderies. After Sun Quan became emperor in 229, Quan Cong married his daughter Sun Luban and became one of his most trusted generals. During this time, although he was less active in battles, he became more outspoken on state affairs. He strongly objected to Sun Quan's decision to let his heir apparent Sun Deng lead troops into battle because it was against traditions, and attempted to dissuade Sun Quan from launching an invasion of Zhuya (present-day Hainan) and Yizhou (believed to be present-day Taiwan). Towards the end of his life, he became embroiled in a power struggle between Sun Quan's sons Sun He and Sun Ba over the succession to their father's throne. Although he supported Sun Ba, he died before he could see the power struggle end in 250 with neither Sun He nor Sun Ba becoming the new heir apparent. Throughout his life, Quan Cong was known for being a respectful and agreeable man who remained humble despite his high social status and prestige. As a military commander, he was known for being courageous and decisive, and for conducting himself with dignity and often taking the bigger picture into consideration.
Early life Quan Cong was born in Qiantang County (錢唐縣), Wu Commandery (吳郡), which is in present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang,(全琮字子璜，吳郡錢唐人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. His father, Quan Rou (全柔), served as the Administrator of Guiyang Commandery (桂陽郡; around present-day Chenzhou, Hunan) under the warlord Sun Quan.
Sometime in the 210s, Quan Cong received instructions from his father to sell a shipment of a few thousand hu of grain in Wu Commandery. However, he distributed the grain for free in Wu Commandery instead of selling it, and returned to Guiyang Commandery with nothing.(柔甞使琮齎米數千斛到吳，有所市易。琮至，皆散用，空船而還。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. When his angry father demanded an explanation, Quan Cong knelt down, kowtowed and said: "Selling the grain wasn't the most important issue. Many county officials were facing a desperate crisis as their people didn’t have enough food, so I decided to use the grain to help those needy people. As it was very urgent, I didn't have enough time to inform you and seek your permission." After hearing his son's explanation, Quan Rou felt very impressed with his charitable actions.(柔大怒，琮頓首曰：「愚以所市非急，而士大夫方有倒縣之患，故便振贍，不及啟報。」柔更以奇之。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
At the time, there were many refugees who fled their homes in war-ravaged central China and crossed the Yangtze to take shelter in the south. Quan Cong took in hundreds of these refugees and spent his entire family fortune on providing them with necessities. He became famous for his kind deeds.(是時中州士人避亂而南，依琮居者以百數，琮傾家給濟，與共有無，遂顯名遠近。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Career in the Eastern Han dynasty Sun Quan later commissioned Quan Cong as Colonel of Vehement Might (奮威校尉), put him in command of a few thousand troops, and ordered him to attack the restive Shanyue tribes, who started rebellions from time to time.(後權以為奮威校尉，授兵數千人，使討山越。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. Quan Cong also managed to recruit over 10,000 elite soldiers to serve in his army and stationed them at Niuzhu (牛渚; in present-day Ma'anshan, Anhui). He was then promoted to Lieutenant-General (偏將軍) for his achievements.(因開募召，得精兵萬餘人，出屯牛渚，稍遷偏將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Invasion of Jing Province
Between August and December 219, Guan Yu, a general serving under Sun Quan's ally Liu Bei, led his troops to attack Fancheng (樊城; in present-day Xiangyang, Hubei), a stronghold guarded by Cao Ren, a general serving under Sun Quan and Liu Bei's rival Cao Cao. During this time, Quan Cong wrote a letter to Sun Quan to urge him to take advantage of the opportunity to break his alliance with Liu Bei and seize control of Liu Bei's territories in southern Jing Province, which were guarded by Guan Yu.(建安二十四年，劉備將關羽圍樊、襄陽，琮上疏陳羽可討之計， ...) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Around the same time, Sun Quan had already secretly ordered his general Lü Meng to lead a stealth invasion of Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province. He was worried that his plan would be leaked out so he did not respond to Quan Cong's letter and kept it hidden.(... 權時已與呂蒙陰議襲之，恐事泄，故寢琮表不荅。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
By early February 220, Lü Meng had successfully conquered all of Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province. Guan Yu was captured in an ambush and subsequently executed on Sun Quan's order after he refused to surrender. After the victory, Sun Quan threw a feast in Gong'an County to honour Lü Meng for his achievement and celebrate their success. During the feast, he told Quan Cong: "Although I didn't respond to the letter you sent me earlier, I still want to give you credit for today's victory." He then enfeoffed Quan Cong as the Marquis of Yanghua Village (陽華亭侯).(及禽羽，權置酒公安，顧謂琮曰：「君前陳此，孤雖不相荅，今日之捷，抑亦君之功也。」於是封陽華亭侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Career in Eastern Wu In December 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, the last emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the state of Wei with himself as the new emperor. This event marked the end of the Eastern Han dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms period in China.
On 23 September 221, Cao Pi awarded Sun Quan the title "King of Wu" (吳王) after the latter pledged allegiance to him and agreed to become a vassal of Wei. However, in November 222, Sun Quan broke ties with Cao Pi and proclaim himself an independent ruler of his Wu state. He continued to rule under the title "King of Wu" and did not declare himself emperor until 229.
Battle of Dongkou
In October 222, the Wei emperor Cao Pi sent a naval fleet to attack the Wu position at Dongkou (洞口; along the Yangtze near present-day Liyang, Jiangsu). In response, Sun Quan ordered Lü Fan, Quan Cong and others to lead the Wu forces to resist the invaders.(黃武元年，魏以舟軍大出洞口，權使呂範督諸將拒之，軍營相望。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
During the battle, Quan Cong led armoured soldiers to patrol the riverbank round the clock, and repel frequent raids by small groups of Wei marines.(敵數以輕船鈔擊，琮常帶甲仗兵，伺候不休。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. Some time later, a Wei general Yin Lu (尹盧) led a few thousand troops to cross the river and launch an attack. Quan Cong led his men to engage the enemy and succeeded in driving them back and killing Yin Lu in battle.(頃之，敵數千人出江中，琮擊破之，梟其將軍尹盧。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
As a reward for his achievement, Quan Cong was promoted to General Who Pacifies the South (綏南將軍). He was also elevated from the status of a village marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Qiantang" (錢唐侯).(遷琮綏南將軍，進封錢唐侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
In 225, Sun Quan granted Quan Cong acting imperial authority and appointed him as the Administrator of Jiujiang Commandery (九江郡; around present-day Quanjiao County, Anhui).(四年，假節領九江太守。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Battle of Shiting
In 228, Sun Quan moved to Wan County (皖縣; present-day Qianshan County, Anhui), where he ordered Quan Cong to join Lu Xun in launching an attack on Wei forces led by Cao Xiu. They succeeded in their mission and defeated Cao Xiu at the Battle of Shiting.(七年，權到皖，使琮與輔國將軍陸遜擊曹休，破之於石亭。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
As the Administrator of Dong'an Around the time, the local tribes in Danyang, Wu and Kuaiji commanderies frequently rebelled against Wu imperial rule and attacked counties in the region. Sun Quan identified the more restive areas within the three commanderies and created a new commandery, Dong'an Commandery (東安郡), to administer these areas. He then appointed Quan Cong as the Administrator of this commandery,(是時丹楊、吳、會山民復為寇賊，攻沒屬縣，權分三郡險地為東安郡，琮領太守。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. whose headquarters were at Fuchun County (富春縣; in present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang).(吳錄曰：琮時治富春。) Wu Lu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 60.
After arriving in Fuchun County, Quan Cong took careful measures to reestablish law and order by ensuring that rewards and punishments were given out fairly. He also managed to persuade and induce the local tribes to surrender to him. Throughout the many years he held office, Quan Cong succeeded in getting over 10,000 people to submit to Wu imperial rule.(至，明賞罰，招誘降附，數年中，得萬餘人。) Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Visiting his hometown Following Quan Cong's success in pacifying the local tribes, Sun Quan abolished Dong'an Commandery and reassigned Quan Cong back to his previous post at Niuzhu (牛渚; in present-day Ma'anshan, Anhui).(權召琮還牛渚，罷東安郡。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. On his journey to Niuzhu, Quan Cong passed by Qiantang County (錢唐縣; in present-day Hangzhou, Zhejiang) and decided to visit his hometown. He paid his respects at his ancestors' tombs and had them repaired and cleaned up. When he travelled around, he had a ceremonial procession to accompany him. Before leaving, he hosted a party for all his relatives, friends and fellow townsfolk, and generously gave out gifts and presents to them. He was the pride of his hometown.(江表傳曰：琮還，經過錢唐，脩祭墳墓，麾幢節蓋，曜於舊里，請會邑人平生知舊、宗族六親，施散惠與，千有餘萬，本土以為榮。) Jiang Biao Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Marriage to Sun Luban After Sun Quan formally declared himself emperor on 23 May 229, he promoted Quan Cong to the position of General of the Guards (衞將軍) with the concurrent appointments of Left Protector of the Army (左護軍) and nominal Governor of Xu Province (徐州牧).(黃龍元年，遷衞將軍、左護軍、徐州牧，尚公主。) Sanguozhi vol. 60. In the same year, Quan Cong married Sun Luban, the elder daughter of Sun Quan and his concubine Bu Lianshi.(吳主權步夫人， ... 生二女，長曰魯班，字大虎，前配周瑜子循，後配全琮；) Sanguozhi vol. 50.
Objection to sending Sun Deng into battle On one occasion, Sun Quan ordered his eldest son and crown prince, Sun Deng, to lead troops into battle. None of his subjects dared to object to his decision.(江表傳曰：權使子登出征，已出軍，次于安樂，羣臣莫敢諫。) Jiang Biao Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Quan Cong wrote a secret memorial to the emperor as follows: "Since ancient times, there has never been an instance of a crown prince independently leading troops into battle. A crown prince either plays a supporting role if he accompanies the ruler into battle or serves as regent if he guards the state during the ruler's absence. I am deeply concerned and worried because now the Crown Prince is not acting in accordance with established customs by leading troops into battle."(琮密表曰：「古來太子未甞偏征也，故從曰撫軍，守曰監國。今太子東出，非古制也，臣竊憂疑。」) Jiang Biao Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Sun Quan heeded Quan Cong's advice and ordered Sun Deng to turn back immediately. When it was revealed later that Quan Cong was the one who convinced Sun Quan to change his mind, the former earned much praise for possessing the dignity of a respectable subject of a ruler.(權即從之，命登旋軍，議者咸以為琮有大臣之節也。) Jiang Biao Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 60.
Refusing to capture civilians