The three outstanding generals of the Western Jin Dynasty who dominated the world were all from prominent families, and the ancestors of Yanghu enjoyed the reputation of famous families since the Han and Wei dynasties, and held high-ranking official positions for generations. Similarly, Wang Jun and Du Wei also came from bureaucratic families and had noble bloodlines. It is worth mentioning that these three generals are depicted in the history books, and they all praise their handsome appearance, dignified appearance, and extraordinary temperament between their eyebrows.
The short-lived dynasty of the Western Jin Dynasty, although it did not have a good reputation in history, compared with the Qin and Sui dynasties, the achievements of the Western Jin Dynasty obviously cannot be compared. Although the Qin and Sui dynasties were also short-lived, they left groundbreaking traces in Chinese history and laid a solid foundation for the later Han and Tang dynasties. However, the unification of the Western Jin Dynasty did not last, and then it fell into a chaotic situation of Wuhu Chaohua, and China entered a rare period of darkness, violence, and great division. As a result, the Western Jin Dynasty became the first dynasty in Chinese history to be destroyed by the northern ethnic minorities, and its decadence and wanton magnates were criticized by later generations.
Today, however, we are not going to delve into the decay of the Western Jin Dynasty, but rather to focus on three prominent generals of this short-lived dynasty: Yanghu, Wang Jun, and Du Pre. All three of these generals were related to the annexation of Wu by the Western Jin Dynasty, and Yanghu's prestige was particularly prominent. Although Wang Jun and Du Yu were both recommended by Yanghu, Yanghu's reputation was not only because of his ability to destroy the city, but also because of his benevolence and faithfulness, and even showed such qualities to the enemy, which is really commendable. He devoted his life to the preparations for the annexation of Wu, but Emperor Wu of Jin hesitated due to the temptation of the powerful ministers of the court, and missed the opportunity many times, so that Yanghu's ambition was not rewarded. He once sighed: "Nine times out of ten, there are unsatisfactory things in the world." Isn't it regrettable that sometimes he hesitates to make a decision when he should make a decision, and sometimes he fails to grasp the God-given opportunity?" He had already been confident about the tactics of attacking Wu, and the grand strategy of destroying Wu adopted by Du Yu later basically originated from Yanghu's planning.
Wang Jun was a brave and warlike general, he went down the river from Shu in the battle to destroy Wu, and was the first to attack Jianye, making great achievements. It is worth mentioning that Wang Jun was able to make miraculous achievements with the naval army in the battle to destroy Wu, which is also related to a popular nursery rhyme at the time: "Ah Tong Fu Ah Tong, floating across the river with a sword, not afraid of the beasts on the shore, but afraid of the dragon in the water." At that time, Yanghu was considering the candidate for the commander of the navy, and it happened that the imperial court was going to recall Wang Jun as the chief of the Sinong, so Yanghu asked to stay in Wang Jun and let him continue to supervise the military affairs of Yizhou and Liangzhou.
Du was a Confucian general, although it is recorded in the history books that he could not hold a horse or ride a horse (perhaps an exaggeration), but he was proficient in strategy and good at strategizing to win thousands of miles. He knew the way of rise and fall, erudite and talented, and once used a counter-plot to successfully get rid of Sun Wu's strong enemy Zhang Zheng, and skillfully captured Jiangling, surrendered the Jiaoguang region, and swept away Wu with other five-way armies, and made great achievements for the unification of China.
These three generals were all from a big family, and the ancestors of Yanghu have been famous scholars since the Han and Wei dynasties, and have held high-ranking positions for generations. Wang Jun and Du Yu were also born in bureaucratic families and had noble bloodlines. Interestingly, it is recorded in the history books that these three people are handsome and dignified, which may be related to the fact that people paid attention to appearance and employed people during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties.
[Brief description of the three-person military titles:]
Yanghu once served as a loose cavalry attendant, a general of Wei, a left servant of Shangshu, a military governor of Jingzhou, a general of chariots and cavalry, and enjoyed the honor of opening the palace and the three divisions, and was named the Marquis of Nancheng.
Wang Jun successively served as the Yizhou Assassin Shi, the General of Zhenguo, the General of the Garrison and the General of the Fuguo, etc., and also enjoyed the treatment of the three divisions of the Kaifu Yitong, and was named the Marquis of Xiangyang County.
Du Pre served as the Assassin of Qinzhou, the Captain of Lingdongqiang, the General of Qingche, the General of Zhennan, and the Governor of Jingzhou, and also enjoyed the privileges of opening the palace and the three divisions, and was named the Marquis of Dangyang County.
[Post-mortem evaluation:]
Wang Jun is conceited because of his high merits, and he competes for fame and fortune in the court, although he has the quality of white jade, he inevitably has some flaws.
Yanghu is known for his modesty and concession, and his reputation is far and wide, and his reputation is incorruptible and frugal, and his reputation will forever be recorded in history.
Du pre-committed to enriching the people and strengthening the army, although he has a good name but moderation, he has a profound attainment in Confucianism, leaving behind "Spring and Autumn Zuo's Sutra Collection and Explanation" and other works, which are praised by later generations.