| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 全琮, 全琮, Quán Cóng |
| Other name | Toàn Tông |
| Courtesy name | 子璜, 子璜, Zǐhuáng, Zi Huang, tự Tử Hoàng |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | 183 |
| Birth Place | Qiantang County, Wu Commandery (吴郡钱唐县; huyện Tiền Đường, quận Ngô) |
| Died | 246 |
| Death Reason | Died of natural causes and illness (249 AD) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Wu |
| Battles | Battle of Shiting |
Biography & Historical Record
Quan Cong (183–246 AD), courtesy name Ziyuan, was a prominent military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Hailing from Yangqu County in Wu Commandery, he was the son of Quan Xi. Quan Cong started his career as a minor official under Sun Quan, who recognized his exceptional intelligence and diplomatic tact, eventually giving him his daughter in marriage and making him a key member of the imperial in-law faction. He served in various high-ranking military and administrative posts, commanding troops during major confrontations against Cao Wei, such as the Battle of Ruxu and the Battle of Jiangling. Known for his courteous demeanor towards scholars and his ability to manage large armies, he rose to become General of the Left and Premier of Eastern Wu later in life, though his political faction later faced intense rivalries within the Wu court before his death in 246 AD.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Quan Cong appears as a capable and loyal commander serving under Eastern Wu. He participates in vital strategic defense campaigns, notably helping repel invasions by Cao Wei forces and coordinating with fellow Wu generals to safeguard the borders of the southern realm.
Quan Cong (全琮) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Joining Sun Quan’s Administration
Quan Cong enters public service under Sun Quan, earning high praise for his administrative acumen and military leadership.
Campaign Against Cao Wei
Quan Cong participates in strategic movements supporting Lu Xun during the decisive Wu victory at Shiting against Cao Wei forces.
Death
Quan Cong passes away after a distinguished career serving as a major military pillar and imperial son-in-law of Eastern Wu.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Quan Cong on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Quan Xi (全柔, Toàn Nhu) — Father and a prominent official of the Eastern Wu administration.
- Grand Princess Sun (孙鲁班, Tôn Lỗ Ban) — Wife and daughter of Sun Quan; her marriage to Quan Cong solidified his status as an imperial son-in-law.
- Quan Xu (全绪, Toàn Tự) — Eldest son who served as a military officer for Eastern Wu.
- Quan Yi (全寄, Toàn Ký) — Son who was involved in the political factionalism of the Wu court.
- Quan Yi (全怿, Toàn Dịch) — Son and general who eventually defected to the state of Cao Wei following the internal turmoil of the Quan clan.
- Quan Wu (全吴, Toàn Ngô) — Son who served as a military officer.
Friends
- Lu Xun (陆逊, Lục Tốn) — Grand Chancellor and primary military strategist of Eastern Wu; Quan Cong served under his command and coordinated with him during the 228 AD Battle of Shiting.
- Zhu Huan (朱桓, Chu Hoàn) — A fellow high-ranking general of Eastern Wu who served alongside Quan Cong in the defense of the state’s borders.
Enemies
- Cao Wei Generals (曹魏将领, Tào Ngụy tướng lĩnh) — Various commanders of the Cao Wei state who led recurring invasions against the northern frontiers of Eastern Wu, whom Quan Cong faced in multiple defensive campaigns.
Other
- Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền) — The founding Emperor of Eastern Wu and father-in-law to Quan Cong; he was the primary patron who recognized Quan Cong’s administrative and military talents, promoting him to high office.
In Novel
Chapter 101
- Quan Cong (全琮, Toàn Tông): Quan Cong serves Wu during the later northern campaigns and is associated with the senior commanders defending Wu against Wei. His appearance is military rather than political, and the novel does not give him a major independent duel or stratagem in this chapter.
Chapter 108
- Quan Cong (全琮, Toàn Tông): After Sun Quan's death, Quan Cong is part of the Wu command structure during the Wei invasion. He participates in the defense of Dongxing as Wei attempts to seize the strategic fortifications. The fighting becomes the setting for Ding Feng's counterattack against the Wei army.
In History
Summary
- Quan Cong (全琮, Toàn Tông), courtesy name Zihuang (子璜), was a prominent military commander and senior official of Eastern Wu. He came from Qiantang in Wu Commandery and was the son of Quan Rou (全柔).
- His early reputation was shaped not only by military service but also by his willingness to use his family's grain to relieve people suffering from hardship. His biography in the Records of the Three Kingdoms presents this as an early indication of his character.
Early Career
- Quan Cong entered Sun Quan's service and gradually became an important officer of Wu. His family was closely connected with the emerging Sun regime, and his father had already served under Sun Quan.
- He was entrusted with military responsibilities during Wu's campaigns and proved useful both as a field commander and as an administrator.
Military Career
- Quan Cong participated in Wu's military operations against rival states and was repeatedly entrusted with command. His career included service in the lower Yangtze region and the frontier areas contested by Wu and Wei.
- He was especially important during the period when Wu was consolidating its position after the death of Sun Ce and during Sun Quan's long reign.
Family and Political Position
- In 229, Quan Cong married Sun Luban (孙鲁班), the elder daughter of Sun Quan and Lady Bu. This marriage placed him within the imperial family of Wu.
- His descendants became part of the powerful Quan clan, one of the important military families of later Eastern Wu.
Later Career
- Quan Cong rose to senior commands, including the posts of General of the Guards and Right Grand Marshal. He was also associated with the administration of Xu Province in title and held important military commands.
- His later career coincided with the increasingly serious succession dispute between Sun Quan's sons. The Quan clan became deeply involved in the political struggles of the late Sun Quan era.
Death
- The dating of Quan Cong's death is unusually disputed. Sun Quan's biography in the Sanguozhi places his death in the first month of 247, while Quan Cong's own biography and the Jiankang Shilu have been interpreted as placing it in 249.
- He was about fifty-two by East Asian age reckoning according to the latter tradition. The conflicting dates should therefore be preserved rather than presented as certain.
Historical Record
- Quan Cong was a securely documented historical figure. His biography is preserved in the Wu section of the Records of the Three Kingdoms, with additional material transmitted through later sources.
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