, was from Shangyu in Kuaiji. He was an official of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period, renowned for his expertise in divination and numerology. Along with
, Song Shou, and Zheng Nv, he was known as one of the "Eight Marvels" of Eastern Wu.
Biography
Wu Fan gained fame in Kuaiji for his skills in calendar calculation and weather prediction. He was recommended to go to Luoyang, but due to the nationwide chaos, he could not make the journey.
He later joined Tao Qian, serving as a military secretary of Yangzhou, where he once recruited Zhao Yu.
Sun Quan rose to power and unified Jiangdong. Wu Fan then entered the service of Eastern Wu. Whenever there were natural disasters or auspicious signs, he would make predictions and provide explanations. His accuracy in these matters earned him a reputation among his contemporaries.
In the twelfth year of Jian'an (207 AD), Sun Quan planned to attack Huang Zu. Wu Fan said, "This year is not favorable; it would be better to wait until next year. In the year of Wuzi (208 AD), Liu Biao will die and his state will fall." Despite this advice, Sun Quan still launched an attack but failed to conquer Huang Zu. The following year, when he attacked again, Wu Fan observed the weather and immediately ordered the army to advance. They reached Jiangxia and successfully defeated Huang Zu, who fled. Concerned that Huang Zu might escape, Sun Quan asked Wu Fan for his opinion, to which he replied, "He won't go far; we will capture him alive." By dawn, they indeed captured Huang Zu. Soon after, Liu Biao died, and the state of Jing was divided.
In the seventeenth year of Jian'an (212 AD), Wu Fan predicted, "In the year of Jiawu (214 AD), Liu Bei will gain control of Yizhou." Later, when Lv Dai returned from Shu and met Liu Bei at Baidi City, he reported that Liu Bei's forces were scattered and weakened, making it impossible for him to capture Yizhou. Sun Quan did not believe Wu Fan's prediction. However, in the nineteenth year of Jian'an (214 AD), the governor of Yizhou, Liu Zhang, surrendered, and Liu Bei took control of Yizhou.
When Sun Quan and Lv Meng planned to attack Jingzhou, which was guarded by Guan Yu, many officials advised against it. However, when Sun Quan consulted Wu Fan, he said it would be feasible. The Wu army successfully captured Jingzhou. Later, Guan Yu retreated to Mai City and feigned surrender. Wu Fan predicted that this was a ruse. When Pan Zhang delayed his interception, Wu Fan again predicted that they would capture Guan Yu by midday the next day, which proved accurate.
Later, when Sun Quan established friendly relations with Wei, Wu Fan warned, "By the weather signs, it seems like a superficial peace; there are hidden plots. We should be prepared." Liu Bei then stationed his troops at Yiling and prepared for war. Wu Fan predicted, "There will be reconciliation later." Indeed, after the Battle of Dangkou by Wei against Wu and the defeat of Shu in their campaign against Wu, shortly after Liu Bei's death, Deng Zhi was sent to reconcile with Eastern Wu.
Sun Quan later appointed Wu Fan as a Cavalry General and Chief Astronomer. Sun Quan frequently sought his advice, but Wu Fan treated his divination skills as a secret, fearing that if he revealed everything to Sun Quan, he might be dismissed. Therefore, he often did not share the most important matters with Sun Quan, which led to Sun Quan's resentment. Later, when rewards were being distributed for meritorious service, Wu Fan was originally to be enfeoffed as a Tinghou (亭侯), but Sun Quan, still harboring resentment over his secrecy, crossed out Wu Fan's name before the edict was announced.
In the fifth year of Huangwu (226 AD), Wu Fan died. Since his eldest son had already passed away and his youngest son was too young, his divination skills were lost with him.
Personality
The Records of the Three Kingdoms describes Wu Fan as "a man of integrity and somewhat fond of self-praise," but he was very devoted to his close friends. Once, when Wei Teng offended Sun Quan and faced severe punishment, Wu Fan bravely intervened despite Sun Quan's warning that anyone who tried to plead for him would be executed. Wu Fan went before Sun Quan, crying and pleading with him, even knocking his head until it bled. In the end, Sun Quan forgave Wei Teng.
References
• 吳範 (Chinese)
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Wu Fan (2nd century - 226 AD), courtesy name Wenze, was from Shangyu in Kuaiji. He was an official of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period, renowned for his expertise in divination and numerology. Along with Liu Dun, Zhao Da, Yan Wu, Cao Buxing, Huang Xiang, Song Shou, and Zheng Nv, he was known as one of the "Eight Marvels" of Eastern Wu.