Zhu Jun (140s?According to the chronology of Du Shang's biography in Book of the Later Han, he was Chief of Shangyu County before 162 (5th year of the Yanxi era of the reign of Emperor Huan of Han). Since Zhu Jun was at least an adult by then, his birth year should be in the 140s or before. - April 195Volume 61 of Zizhi Tongjian recorded that Li Jue and Guo Si took their respective hostages on the bingyin day of the 3rd month of the 2nd year of the Xingping era of Liu Xie's reign. This corresponds to 22 Apr 195 on the Julian calendar. Thus, Zhu Jun either died on 22 Apr 195 or a few days later.), courtesy name Gongwei, was a military general and official who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China.
Life Zhu Jun was from Shangyu County (), Kuaiji Commandery (), which is present-day Shangyu District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang. His father died when he was still young, so he was raised by his mother, who earned a living by selling fabrics. When he reached adulthood, he served as a scribe in the local county office. Zhu Jun gained a reputation for being very filial towards his mother.(俊以孝养致名) Houhanshu, vol.71 Despite this, when an acquaintance Zhou Gui (周规) was unable to repay his debts to the local authorities, Zhu Jun stole fabrics from his mother in order to help Zhou settle the debts. As a result, Zhu Jun's mother lost her property. Greatly angered, she then blamed Zhu Jun. Zhu Jun replied, "Small losses will result in great fortunes later. To be poor first before becoming rich is the natural order."(时同郡周规辟公府，当行，假郡库钱百万，以为冠帻费，而后仓卒督责，规家贫无以备，俊乃窃母缯帛，为规解对。母既失产业，深恚责之。俊曰：“小损当大益，初贫后富，必然理也。”) Houhanshu, vol. 71 Du Shang (; 117-166(年五十，延熹九年，卒于官。) Houhanshu, vol.38), the Chief of Shangyu County, favoured him and recommended him to serve in the commandery office under Wei Yi (), the Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery. Zhu Jun later became a Registrar () when Yin Duan () replaced Wei Yi as the Administrator.(本县长山阳度尚见而奇之，荐于太守韦毅，稍历郡职。后太守尹端以俊为主簿。) Houhanshu, vol 71 In 173, Yin Duan was impeached for his failure in quelling Xu Chang's rebellion. Initially, Yin's punishment was to be executed. However, Zhu Jun made his way to the capital and bribed the relevant officials; as a result, Yin's punishment was reduced. Yin was overjoyed upon knowing of his reduced punishment, but Zhu Jun never revealed his involvement to Yin.(熹平二年，端坐讨贼许昭失利，为州所奏，罪应弃市。俊乃羸服闲行，轻继数百金到京师，赂主章吏，遂得刊定州奏，故端得输作左校。端喜于降免而不知其由，俊亦终无所言。) Houhanshu, vol.71. Zhu Jun's biography in Book of the Later Han did not identify the rebel leader(s). However, the annals of Emperor Ling of Han in the same work recorded that there was a rebellion in Kuaiji led by one Xu Sheng (许生) which began in the 11th month of the 1st year of the Xiping era.
Yin Duan's successor, Xu Gui (), further nominated Zhu Jun as a xiaolian (civil service candidate), after which the Han central government appointed Zhu Jun as the Prefect () of Lanling County ().
In February 178,1st month of the 1st year of the Guang'he era, per Emperor Ling's biography in Book of the Later Han. The month corresponds to 6 Feb to 6 Mar 178 in the Julian calendar. when a rebellion broke out in Jiaozhi Commandery in the far south, the Han imperial court appointed Zhu Jun as the Inspector () of Jiao Province and ordered him to suppress the revolt. Zhu Jun managed to rally some soldiers from his home commandery and gather another 5,000 soldiers from other commanderies to join him in fighting the rebels. He successfully quelled the rebellion and killed the rebel leader Liang Long () in Nanhai Commandery (). In 181, he attacked and defeated Wuhuman (), another rebel leader in Hepu () and Jiaozhi commanderies. In recognition of his achievements, the Han imperial court enfeoffed him as a Marquis of a Chief Village () and summoned him to the imperial capital Luoyang to serve as a Counsellor Remonstrant ().
In 184, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, the Han imperial court appointed Zhu Jun as Right General of the Household () and ordered him, Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song to lead imperial forces to eliminate the rebels. Zhu Jun defeated the rebels at Changshe () with the aid of Huangfu Song and Cao Cao. He was elevated from a village marquis to a district marquis under the title "Marquis of Xi District" () and was promoted to General of the Household Who Suppresses Rebels (). Zhu Jun and Huangfu Song later joined forces to defeat the rebels at Yangzhai () and Xihua () counties and pacified Yu Province. Later, Zhu Jun led his troops south to Nanyang Commandery () and joined the local government forces there in defeating the Yellow Turban rebels led by Zhao Hong () and later Han Zhong (). In early 185, he defeated another group of rebels led by Sun Xia () and succeeded in restoring peace in Nanyang Commandery.
In 185, the Han imperial court promoted Zhu Jun to Right General of Chariots and Cavalry () and elevated him to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Qiantang" (). However, after his mother died, he resigned and returned home to perform filial mourning. After the mourning period, he returned to serve as Court Architect () and was subsequently reassigned to be Minister Steward () and Minister Coachman (). In the late 180s, when the Heishan bandits led by Zhang Yan raided Henei Commandery () and threatened Luoyang, the Han central government appointed Zhu Jun as the Administrator () of Henei Commandery and ordered him to lead troops to attack the bandits. Zhu Jun subsequently held the following appointments: Household Counsellor (), Colonel of the City Gates () and Intendant of Henan ().
In 189, the warlord Dong Zhuo took advantage of the political vacuum created in the aftermath of Emperor Ling's death to seize control of, and dominate the Han central government. He felt rather intimidated by Zhu Jun because of the latter's standing in the imperial court as a veteran general and senior official. In 190, when a coalition of warlords launched a campaign against Dong Zhuo in the name of freeing the central government and Emperor Xian from his control, Dong Zhuo became afraid and wanted to relocate the imperial capital from Luoyang to Chang'an in the west. Zhu Jun strongly objected, but Dong Zhuo pushed his plan through. Although he dreaded Zhu Jun and wanted to eliminate him, he still appointed Zhu Jun as Minister Coachman () in Emperor Xian's name. Zhu Jun rejected the appointment.
After Dong Zhuo left for Chang'an with Emperor Xian, the emperor's subjects and Luoyang's residents, Zhu Jun remained in Luoyang and maintained contact with the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition. However, he feared that Dong Zhuo would turn back and attack him, so he abandoned his post and fled south to Jing Province. Dong Zhuo then appointed Yang Yi () as the Intendant of Henan to guard Luoyang. When Zhu Jun heard about it, he led troops from Jing Province to attack Luoyang and drive away Yang Yi. At the time, much of Luoyang had been burnt down when Dong Zhuo gave orders to relocate the imperial capital to Chang'an, so Zhu Jun moved to a garrison at Zhongmu County ().
Zhu Jun contacted various regional officials and warlords and asked them to join him in attacking Dong Zhuo. Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province, sent troops to help Zhu Jun, and even recommended Zhu Jun to be acting General of Chariots and Cavalry () to lead the operations. However, Zhu Jun was defeated by Dong Zhuo's subordinates Li Jue and Guo Si in battle, so he could not advance further west and remained in Zhongmu County.
In May 192, Dong Zhuo was assassinated in Chang'an by his subordinate Lü Bu, after which the Han central government came under Wang Yun's control. However, within months, Dong Zhuo's former followers (led by Li Jue and Guo Si) attacked Chang'an and seized control of the central government. At the time, Zhu Jun was still stationed in Zhongmu County. Tao Qian contacted other regional officials and warlords (including Kong Rong, Ying Shao and Zheng Xuan) and proposed naming Zhu Jun as Grand Preceptor () to lead them to attack Chang'an and free Emperor Xian from Li Jue and Guo Si's control. At the same time, Li Jue and Guo Si also tried to win Zhu Jun over to their side. With advice from Zhou Zhong (, an uncle of Zhou Yu) and Jia Xu, they sent him an imperial edict in Emperor Xian's name, ordering him to head to Chang'an and serve as Minister Coachman () in the central government. Although Zhu Jun knew that it was a ploy by Li Jue and Guo Si, he still obeyed the edict because it was sent in the emperor's name. Zhu also thought that Li, Guo and Fan Chou were short-sighted and prone to in-fighting; he would be able to help the emperor if he went to the central government.(及董卓被诛，傕、汜作乱，儁时犹在中牟。陶谦以儁名臣，数有战功，可委以大事，乃与诸豪桀共推儁为太师，因移檄牧伯，同讨李傕等，奉迎天子。乃奏记于儁曰：“徐州刺史陶谦、前杨州刺史周干、琅邪相阴德、东海相刘馗、彭城相汲廉、北海相孔融、沛相袁忠、太山太守应劭、汝南太守徐璆、前九江太守服虔、博士郑玄等，敢言之行车骑将军河南尹莫府：国家既遭董卓，重以李傕、郭汜之祸，幼主劫执，忠良残敝，长安隔绝，不知吉凶。是以临官尹人，搢绅有识，莫不忧惧，以为自非明哲雄霸之士，曷能克济祸乱！自起兵已来，于兹三年，州郡转相顾望，未有奋击之功，而互争私变，更相疑惑。谦等并共谘诹，议消国难。佥曰：‘将军君侯，既文且武，应运而出，凡百君子，靡不颙颙。’故相率厉，简选精悍，堪能深入，直指咸阳，多持资粮，足支半岁，谨同心腹，委之元帅。”会李傕用太尉周忠、尚书贾诩策，征儁入朝。军吏皆惮入关，欲应陶谦等。儁曰：“以君召臣，义不俟驾，况天子诏乎！且傕、汜小竖，樊稠庸儿，无他远略，又埶力相敌，变难必作。吾乘其闲，大事可济。”遂辞谦议而就傕征，复为太仆，谦等遂罢。) Houhanshu, vol.71
In July 193,6th month of the 4th year of the Chu'ping era, per Emperor Xian's biography in Book of the Later Han. The month corresponds to 17 Jul to 14 Aug 193 in the Julian calendar. Zhu Jun replaced Zhou Zhong as Grand Commandant () and held an additional appointment as Manager of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing (). In the following year, he was removed from office and reassigned to be acting General of Agile Cavalry () to guard Hangu Pass. In early 195, before Zhu Jun left for Hangu Pass, internal conflict broke out between Li Jue and Guo Si, who started attacking each other in the streets of Chang'an. Zhu Jun remained in Chang'an and was reassigned to be Minister of Finance (). During this time, Li Jue took Emperor Xian hostage to threaten Guo Si, while Guo Si did the same by holding the emperor's subjects hostage to threaten Li Jue. Zhu Jun, Yang Biao and Emperor Xian's other subjects tried to persuade Guo Si to make peace with Li Jue, but Guo Si would not listen. Zhu Jun died of illness a few days later as he could not stand the humiliation of being held hostage.(汜不肯，遂留质俊等。俊素刚，即日发病卒。) Houhanshu, vol.71
Family Zhu Jun had a son, Zhu Hao (), whose courtesy name was Wenming ().Xiandi Chunqiu annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.49 Zhu Hao served as the Administrator of Yuzhang Commandery ().(子皓，亦有才行，官至豫章太守。) Houhanshu, vol.71 He met his end at the hands of Ze Rong in the same year his father died.(笮融先至。杀太守朱皓...) Sanguozhi, vol. 49([兴平二年]...刘繇使豫章太守朱皓攻袁术所用太守诸葛玄，玄退保西城。及繇溯江西上，驻于彭泽，使融助皓攻玄。许劭谓繇曰：“笮融出军，不顾名义者也。朱文明喜推诚以信人。使密防之。”融到，果诈杀皓，代领郡事.) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.61
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Zhu Jun is a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
See also Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi). Fan, Ye (5th century). Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu). Luo, Guanzhong (14th century). Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi). Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).
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