Yu Zhong (Three Kingdoms)

Yu Zhong (died 280), courtesy name Shifang, was an official of the state of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.

Life
Yu Zhong was the fifth son of Yu Fan, an official who served under Wu's founding emperor Sun Quan and under Sun Quan's predecessor Sun Ce. His ancestral home was in Yuyao county (餘姚縣), Kuaiji commandery (會稽郡), which is in present-day Yuyao, Ningbo, Zhejiang. He was known for being trustworthy and reliable. He also recognised the potential in persons such as Lu Ji and Wei Qian (魏遷) when they were still relatively unknown, and was proven right later when they became famous. He was a friend of Wang Qi (王岐), who was also from Yuyao county, and they consecutively served as the Administrator of Yidu commandery (宜都郡; around present-day Yichang, Hubei).

In 280, when forces of the Jin dynasty invaded Wu, Yu Zhong joined the brothers Lu Yan and Lu Jing in defending Wu and they were all killed in action, after which Wu was conquered by Jin.

Family
Yu Zhong had 10 brothers. Among them, the notable ones were his fourth brother Yu Si, sixth brother Yu Song, and eighth brother Yu Bing.

Yu Zhong married a grandniece of Sun Quan. They had a son, Yu Tan (虞潭), whose courtesy name was "Si'ao" (思奧). The historical text Jin Yang Qiu (晉陽秋) described Yu Tan as a virtuous and morally upright person who appeared weak on the outside by was actually courageous and resilient on the inside. Yu Tan served in the imperial court of the Jin dynasty and rose through the ranks to become the "General of the Guards" (衞將軍). He was allowed to set up his own office and received the same honours as the Three Ducal Ministers. He was posthumously awarded the appointment "Palace Attendant and Left Household Counsellor" (侍中左光祿大夫).