Zhou Yu, this name has an extremely prominent place in Chinese history.
He was an outstanding general of Soochow, a hero with far-reaching planning and extraordinary bravery.
In the hearts of many people, Zhou Yu was deeply influenced by the image in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" - a talented man who was angry to death because of jealousy of Zhuge Liang.
However, the historical truth is far richer and more three-dimensional than this legend.
Zhou Yu in Romance of the Three Kingdoms is a dramatic character.
Luo Guanzhong's brilliant but narrow-minded man is described as being so angry that he couldn't surpass Zhuge Liang's cunning after the Battle of Chibi, which eventually led to his death.
Such a description, although it adds to the dramatic tension of the story, is not a complete historical fact.
The background of the creation of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is the end of the Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, a period of political darkness and social turmoil.
This ** is centered on Shu Han, and the author Luo Guanzhong expressed his desire for Han rule and dissatisfaction with the status quo at that time.
Therefore, in the context of such an era, Luo Guanzhong's depiction of Zhou Yu and other characters has an obvious tendency.
In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Luo Guanzhong portrays the character of Zhou Yu in dramatic strokes, portraying him as a talented but narrow-minded and easily jealous persona.
The plot of "Zhuge Liang's Three Qi Zhou Yu" mentioned in the article has made many readers deviate from Zhou Yu's understanding.
However, this is not far from historical reality.
Historically, Zhou Yu was not so singular and negative, he made many contributions in the process of unification of Eastern Wu, and was a brave and warlike general. His image is more in line with Confucian generals, with the courage of a military general and the demeanor of a literati.
In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", the opposition between Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang is magnified, while his actual talents and achievements are relatively ignored.
Therefore, Zhou Yu's image in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", although it adds drama to **, is not completely in line with historical facts.
Zhou Yu in history is not as young and frivolous, jealous and jealous as in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".
The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms records that Zhou Yu was "handsome and intelligent", and he was an outstanding general of Eastern Wu, both civil and military.
Zhou Yu had a close relationship with Sun Ce and Sun Quan, and worked together for the foundation of Soochow.
His life is full of legends, such as the story of Zhou Yu's attention at a banquet because a lady played the wrong strings, which was talked about by later generations and called "the song is wrong, Zhou Langgu".
Zhou Yu not only achieved outstanding military achievements, but also his personal life was equally happy.
He married the national beauty Xiao Qiao, which is undoubtedly a double harvest of career and love in modern times.
At the same time, Zhou Yu's opponent Zhuge Liang, although portrayed as an all-powerful strategist in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, according to the records of the Three Kingdoms, his status and influence were not so prominent at the beginning.
Zhuge Liang's exit from the mountain was not smooth sailing, but gradually established his position in Liu Bei's heart.
His influence actually became apparent only after Pang Tong's death and Fa Zheng's assistance to Liu Bei.
In Zhou Yu's time, Zhuge Liang had just begun to set foot in the political arena.
Therefore, Zhou Yu did not have much reason to be jealous of Zhuge Liang. The actual age gap, experience and status of the two of them all show that Zhou Yu's achievements and status far surpass Zhuge Liang. This also proves that Zhou Yu is not the unstable and easily jealous image depicted in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". On the contrary, he was an important pillar of Soochow, a true hero.
The two theories about Zhou Yu's death have their own basis in history.
One theory is that Zhou Yu died of an old wound during the march.
In a battle, Zhou Yu was physically and mentally exhausted, and said to the soldiers around him:"It was a difficult trip, and I felt unwell. Soon after, her condition worsened, and Zhou Yu realized that her time was running out. On his deathbed, he said to Sun Quan: "I have been fighting all my life and have not been able to see the unification of Eastern Wu, and I hope that the queen can achieve this great cause." ”
Another theory is that Zhou Yu was hit by a stray arrow during the battle, and the wound was located in the ribs of his right waist, which could not be obtained in time**.
According to the "Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms", Zhou Yu's wound was suppurated and the pain was unbearable.
In his tent, he said to the military doctors:"This injury is not dead, it is not healing. ”
Eventually, Zhou Yu died due to the deterioration of the wound.
The death of Zhou Yu not only deprived Eastern Wu of an outstanding general, but also the end of the life of a heroic figure during the Three Kingdoms period.
His life and cause of death have become the object of research by countless historians and literary works in later generations.
Back then, after Sun Ce's death, the young Sun Quan stood in the hall of the mansion with uneasiness and confusion in his eyes.
He held the last words left by Sun Ce in his hand, and said to the courtiers beside him with a trembling voice"Ask Zhou Yu if you don't decide on foreign affairs, and ask Zhang Zhao if you don't decide on internal affairs. ”The air around him seemed to freeze, and the civil and military officials in the court looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
At this moment, Zhou Yu quickly arrived, he walked towards Sun Quan, bowed deeply, and said firmly:"Young Master, Zhou Yu is willing to serve you. ”His words were like a stone stirring up a thousand waves, and hundreds of civil and military officials followed Zhou Yu and saluted Sun Quan. A glimmer of light flashed in Sun Quan's eyes, as if he had found support.
In the last moments of Zhou Yu's life, he lay in the tent, holding a pen in his hand, and struggled to write a letter to Sun Quan. The cronies next to him whispered, "Governor, you should rest." ”
Zhou Yu shook his head, his eyes revealed a determined light, and he said"This matter is about the future of Soochow, and I must tell Sun Quan what I think. ”
The tip of Zhou Yu's pen swayed his hard work and wisdom on the paper.
He wrote: "Yu is a mortal talent, subject to the special encounter of rebellion, commanding soldiers and horses, and aiming to whip down. Ambition to hold on to Bashu, if in hand. Not careful, in case of violent illness, the micro ambition has not been developed, and the ear is instructed by the teaching. His words revealed regret for the unfinished business, and also expressed loyalty and expectations for Sun Quan.
He went on to write: "Duke Cao is in the north, and Liu Bei is in residence, which seems to be raising a tiger. The affairs of the world do not know the end, the autumn of this dynasty's food, and the day of the supreme's concern. In the letter, Zhou Yu made an insightful analysis of the current political situation, reminded Sun Quan to be cautious about Cao Cao and Liu Bei, and provided strategic guidance for the future of Eastern Wu.
In the end, Zhou Yu recommended Lu Su to take his place, he wrote: "Lu Su is loyal and martyrful, and he can act as a substitute for Yu." When a man is about to die, his words are good. He was full of confidence in Lu Su's ability and firmly believed that Lu Su could assist Sun Quan and continue to contribute to the prosperity of Soochow.
After Zhou Yu finished writing the letter, he sighed deeply, handed the letter to his cronies, and instructed:"Be sure to hand it over to Sun Quan yourself. ”He closed his eyes and smiled, as if he had seen the future of Soochow.
In the study, Sun Quan gently unfolded Zhou Yu's letter and read every word in it.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
Zhou Yu's death was a huge blow to Sun Quan. Sun Quan personally took Zhou Yu's body back to his hometown and held a grand funeral for him. Zhou Yu's death was not only the loss of a capable general for Sun Quan, but also the loss of a brother-like relative. At Zhou Yu's funeral, Sun Quan cried while wearing filial piety clothes"Zhou Lang, if you go, why should I go?".”It can be seen that Sun Quan has a deep friendship and dependence on Zhou Yu.
In the world of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Zhou Yu is portrayed as a narrow-minded character.
However, this description is far from the historical Zhou Yu.
The real Zhou Yu is an important courtier who is deeply valued by Sun Quan, and his strength and resourcefulness are far from what is described in **. Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", as the first chapter hui body and historical romance in history, its literary value is beyond doubt.
It combines historical facts and fiction in the way of "seven realities and three fictions", which enhances the interest of the story and the charm of the characters, and becomes an excellent **.
However, as we should do when reading any history**, knowing the real history is essential to understanding these historical figures in depth.
The real historical image of Zhou Yu is worthy of our in-depth excavation and understanding.
He is not only one of the heroes of the Three Kingdoms period, but also a hero who shines in the long river of history.
By enhancing our historical knowledge, we can understand Zhou Yu more comprehensively and not let him be untrue because of his fiction.