Zhu Lingshi

Zhu Lingshi (379–418), courtesy name Bo'er, was a military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was recruited by the Eastern Jin commander and future Emperor Wu of Liu Song, Liu Yu during the campaign against the usurper, Huan Xuan. As a general, he aided in the suppression of rebellions in southern China, most notably commanding the expeditionary force against the breakaway state of Qiao Shu and recovering Sichuan in 413. In 418, he was captured and executed by the Helian Xia dynasty while attempting to rescue the Guanzhong region.

Background and early life Zhu Lingshi was born the son of Zhu Chuo (朱綽) into a family of generals from Pei County. His grandfather, Zhu Teng (朱騰) once served as the General Who Establishes Might and the Interior Minister of Wu under the Eastern Jin. In 370, his uncles, Zhu Xian (朱憲) and Zhu Bin (朱斌), participated in Yuan Zhen's rebellion at Shouchun, but they were suspected of colluding with the enemy and were put to death by Yuan. After their deaths, Zhu Chuo defected to the Jin commander, Huan Wen and fought with distinction against the rebels.

By the time the rebellion was quelled the following year, Yuan Zhen had already died of illness, so Zhu Chuo illegally opened his coffin and mutilated his body to avenge his brothers. Huan Wen was furious with Zhu and wanted to execute him, but Huan's brother, Huan Chong, successfully pleaded to spare his life. As a result, Zhu felt indebted to Huan Chong, entering his service and treating him like a father. After Huan Chong's death in 384, Zhu Chuo reportedly coughed up blood out of grief and died that same year. The young Zhu Lingshi was then raised alongside Huan Chong's sons, who all saw him as their own brother.

Afterwards, Zhu followed Liu Yu to Jiangcheng (江乘; in present-day Xianlin University City, Jiangsu), where prior to a battle with Huan Xuan's forces, he said to Liu, "I have received great favour from the Huan family, and I cannot bear to turn my weapon against them. Please allow me stay behind the rear." Liu Yu respected his decision and granted his request. Following Huan Xuan's defeat later that year, Zhu was transferred to Magistrate of Wukang with the additional title of General Who Pacifies the Distance.

Conquest of Qiao Shu Since 405, the Sichuan region was controlled by the rebel general, Qiao Zong, who proclaimed himself as the King of Shu. In 413, Liu Yu sought to reclaim the region and prepared his armies for another campaign. This time, he entrusted the commanding role to Zhu Lingshi, much to the opposition of his officials, who looked down on Zhu’s lowly background. Liu Yu ignored their concerns and appointed Zhu as General Who Establishes Might and Inspector of Yi province, assigning to him 20,000 troops, including Zang Xi (臧熹), Kuai En, Liu Zhong (劉鍾) and Zhu Lin (朱林) as his subordinates.

Before he embarked, Liu Yu spoke privately to Zhu Lingshi and gave him a set of instructions, advising him to take the longer outer river route towards the enemy capital at Chengdu instead of the shorter inner river route through Huanghu (黃虎, in modern Suining, Sichuan), which he anticipated to be heavily garrisoned. To prevent their plans from leaking out, Liu also gave him a sealed letter and warned him not to open it until he reached the city of Baidi. Zhu brought his army to the city and opened the letter, which told him to lead the main army through the outer river route, a detachment led by Zang Xi through the middle river to capture Guanghan and a decoy through the shorter route towards Huanghu. As Liu Yu predicted, the main Shu army under Qiao Daofu was defending the inner river route at Fucheng.

Afterwards, Zhu Lingshi abandoned his ships and continued his advance to Chengdu on foot. With Zang Xi's detachment also finding success at Guanghan, Qiao Zong fled from Chengdu, allowing Zhu Lingshi to occupy the city. Zhu had many of Qiao Zong's family members killed, but spared the rest of the rebels and allowed them to return to their daily lives. Not long after, Qiao Zong committed suicide, and his head was sent to Zhu Lingshi. The remaining Shu forces under Qiao Daofu collapsed, and Qiao Daofu was assassinated while attempting to flee to the Rau people.

Despite his initial leniency, a revolt soon broke out at Fucheng led by the Shu native, Hou Chande (侯產德). The uprising was swiftly put down, and Zhu subsequently carried out a large-scale purge of Hou's associates, killing many people. According to the Zizhi Tongjian, the Jin soldiers also looted the arsenal and warehouses of Chengdu, so to hide their crimes, Zhu ordered for the Shu official guarding these buildings, Ma Dan (馬耽) to be exiled to Yuesui Commandery (越巂郡; around present-day Xichang, Sichuan) instead of sending him to Jiankang. Before he could be escorted, Ma killed himself, and when Zhu's agents arrived, they had his body beheaded.

As the rampart was about to fall, Zhu Lingshi urged Zhu Chaoshi to escape so that he could care for their aging relatives back at home. However, Zhu Chaoshi refused and remained with his brother. Zhu Lingshi, Zhu Chaoshi and Wang Jingxian were all captured and sent to Chang'an, where the Xia Emperor, Helian Bobo ordered their executions. Zhu Lingshi's titles were inherited by his son, Zhu Jingfu (朱景符).