Wu Gang

Historical Record

Wu Gang has no clear record in the official histories; his life, deeds, offices, and relationship with Zhuge Dan and others are not mentioned in biographical materials such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. Therefore, the historical information about Wu Gang is a blank, and no objective account can be given.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wu Gang appears as the Chief Clerk under Zhuge Dan, and his main deeds center on Zhuge Dan's raising of troops in rebellion against Sima Zhao ^c:961. Zhuge Dan, discontented with Sima Zhao's monopoly of power, and learning that Jia Chong had informed against him and that Sima Zhao intended to summon him back to Luoyang to strip him of his military authority, killed the Inspector of Yang Province Yue Chen in a rage after learning of Sima Zhao's secret letter at Yue Chen's place, and resolved to raise troops against Wei ^c:961.

At this critical moment, in order to seek military aid from Eastern Wu, Zhuge Dan dispatched his Chief Clerk Wu Gang to escort his own son Zhuge Jing to Eastern Wu as a hostage ^c:961. Wu Gang, bearing this heavy responsibility, brought Zhuge Jing to Shitoucheng and paid his respects to the then Chancellor of Eastern Wu, Sun Chen ^c:9156. In his meeting with Sun Chen, Wu Gang explained in detail the reasons for Zhuge Dan's uprising, emphasizing that Zhuge Dan was originally a clansman-younger-cousin of the Shu Han's Marquis Wu (Zhuge Liang), and that, indignant at Sima Zhao's deceiving of the sovereign and usurpation of power, he had raised troops to punish him; but as his strength was insufficient, he had come to surrender, offering Zhuge Jing as a hostage and earnestly requesting Eastern Wu to dispatch troops in support ^c:9156.

After hearing Wu Gang's account, Sun Chen accepted Zhuge Dan's request and immediately dispatched the great generals Quan Yi and Quan Duan as chief commanders, Yu Quan as rear guard, Zhu Yi and Tang Zi as vanguard, and Wen Qin as guide, leading an army of seventy thousand to advance on Shouchun by three routes ^c:9156. Having completed his mission, Wu Gang returned to Shouchun and reported to Zhuge Dan the good news that Eastern Wu had dispatched troops, which delighted Zhuge Dan greatly, and he immediately deployed his forces in preparation for battle ^c:9156. In the novel, Wu Gang's image is that of a loyal and capable envoy whose liaison between Zhuge Dan and Eastern Wu played a crucial role, propelling the unfolding of Zhuge Dan's military action against Sima Zhao.

Key Relationships

* Zhuge Dan (the one served): In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wu Gang was Zhuge Dan's Chief Clerk and served Zhuge Dan with utter loyalty. At the critical moment of Zhuge Dan's uprising against Sima Zhao, Wu Gang was entrusted with the heavy responsibility of seeking aid from Eastern Wu ^c:961.
* Zhuge Jing (the one escorted): Wu Gang escorted Zhuge Dan's son Zhuge Jing to Eastern Wu as a hostage, in order to secure Eastern Wu's military aid ^c:961.
* Sun Chen (the one negotiated with): Wu Gang, representing Zhuge Dan, negotiated with the Eastern Wu Chancellor Sun Chen and successfully persuaded him to dispatch troops in support of Zhuge Dan ^c:9156.

Iconic Scenes

* Dispatched as an envoy to seek aid from Eastern Wu: After Zhuge Dan raised troops against Sima Zhao, in order to obtain external support, he dispatched his Chief Clerk Wu Gang to escort his son Zhuge Jing to Eastern Wu as a hostage to seek aid ^c:961. This is Wu Gang's first and most crucial appearance in the novel, directly driving the subsequent arrival of the Eastern Wu reinforcements.
* Persuading Sun Chen to dispatch troops: Wu Gang arrived at Shitoucheng in Eastern Wu, paid his respects to Chancellor Sun Chen, explained in detail Zhuge Dan's reasons for rebelling against Wei, and, offering Zhuge Jing as a hostage, successfully persuaded Sun Chen to dispatch seventy thousand troops in support of Zhuge Dan ^c:9156. This scene displays Wu Gang's eloquence and diplomatic ability, directly bringing about Eastern Wu's military intervention and having a profound impact on Zhuge Dan's military action (novel only).
* Returning to Shouchun to report the good news: Having completed his mission, Wu Gang returned to Shouchun and reported to Zhuge Dan the joyful news that Eastern Wu had already dispatched troops in support, delighting Zhuge Dan greatly, who immediately arrayed his forces in preparation ^c:9156. This scene marks the successful completion of Wu Gang's mission and foreshadows the full outbreak of the Battle of Shouchun (novel only).