生平

至德忠贤

顾雍是蔡邕的门生，后来获州举荐，成年后任合肥县长，后历任娄县、曲阿和上虞县长，所在皆有治迹。后孙权领会稽太守，但不到会稽，因为孙权不在，作为会稽郡丞的顾雍任代理太守，行使太守的权力；任内参与讨平山贼，令会稽郡内安定。后迁任左司马。

密重识云

黄武元年（222年），孙权称吴王，顾雍多次升迁至大理奉常、尚书令，封阳遂乡侯。

黄武四年（225年），顾雍迎接母亲到吴，孙权亲自庆贺，亲自向其母亲拜礼。顾雍为人不喝酒，寡言少语，举止大体。孙权感叹道：「顾雍不说话，话中必有理。」改任太常，封醴陵侯，此时东吴第一任丞相孙邵逝世，顾雍接任丞相，平尚书事。任内选调朝中各官都以其能力作依据，并不存有私心；顾雍又派人到民间搜集资讯，以设计合适的政令或建议上呈，孙权亦因此而对顾雍十分器重。

赤乌六年（243年）十一月，任丞相十九年的顾雍逝世，谥号肃侯。长子顾邵早夭，次子顾裕有不治之症，因而由三子顾济继承爵位。

性格特徵

• 顾雍不饮酒，又沉默寡言。酒宴时，左右的人都因为顾忌顾雍而不敢尽情玩乐。连孙权也感叹地说：「顾公在座，使人不快活。」

• 有一次宴会，其孙顾谭喝醉了酒，大肆地跳舞助兴。隔天，顾雍因此责难他，说他必会败坏顾家的名誉，后来正如顾雍所说，顾谭被流放到交州。

• 典校郎吕壹在朝中胡作非为，曾经诬陷顾雍。后吕壹因罪行被揭发而下狱，顾雍去见吕壹，表现得和颜悦色、宽宏大度，并不因为曾经被诬陷而愤怒。

家室

平辈

• 陆氏，陆康女，陆儁姐妹，陆绩姐。顾雍妻。

• 顾徽，字子叹，同母弟。孙权统事，召署主簿转东曹掾，拜辅义都尉。遥领巴东太守。

• 顾悌，字子通，同宗族人。少聪敏，以孝廉闻名。官拜郎中，领偏将军。

子辈

• 顾邵，官至豫章太守，早卒。

• 顾穆，又名顾裕，官至宜都太守，永安元年因顾济无子绝嗣，继任醴陵侯。

• 顾济，骑都尉，嗣侯。

• 顾裕，字季则，顾徽之子，顾雍之侄，少知名，位至镇东将军。

孙辈

• 顾谭，顾邵之子，太子四友之一，曾任太常。后被诬陷而流放到交州。

• 顾承，顾谭之弟，官至侍中。与顾谭一样被诬陷而流放到交州。

• 顾荣，顾穆次子，东南名士，东吴黄门郎，后仕晋，晋元帝时任军司马。

曾孙辈

• 顾禺，顾荣兄之子，字孟著，少有名望，晋散骑侍郎，早卒。

• 顾毗，官至散骑侍郎。

评价

• 步骘：「丞相顾雍、上大将军陆逊、太常潘浚，忧深责重，志在谒诚，夙夜兢兢，寝食不宁，念欲安国利民，建久长之计，可谓心膂股肱，社稷之臣矣。」

• 孙休：「故丞相雍，至德忠贤，辅国以礼，而侯统废绝，朕甚愍之。」

• 陈寿：「顾雍依杖素业，而将之智局，故能究极荣位。」

• 孙权：「顾君不言，言必有中。」、「故丞相雍，至德忠贤，辅国以礼，而侯统废绝，朕甚愍之。」（《三国志·吴书·张顾诸葛步传第七》）

• 陆凯：「汉有萧（何）、曹（参）之佐，先帝有顾、步（骘）之相。」

• 华谭：「赖先主承运，雄谋天挺，尚内倚慈母仁明之教，外杖子布廷争之忠，又有诸葛、顾、步、张、朱、陆、全之族，故能鞭笞百越，称制南州。」

• 慕容皝：「及权（孙权）据杨越，外杖周（周瑜）张（张昭），内凭顾（顾雍）陆（陆逊），拒魏赤壁，克取襄阳。」

• 袁宏：「元叹穆远，神和形检。如彼白圭，质无尘玷。立上以恒，匡上以渐。清不增洁，浊不加染。」

• 徐众：「雍不以吕壹见毁之故，而和颜悦色，诚长者矣。然开引其意，问所欲道，此非也。壹奸险乱法，毁伤忠贤，吴国寒心，自太子登、陆逊已下，切谏不能得，是以潘浚欲因会手剑之，以除国患，疾恶忠主，义形于色，而今乃发起令言。若壹称枉邪，不申理，则非录狱本旨；若承辞而奏之，吴主傥以敬丞相所言，而复原宥，伯言、承明不当悲慨哉！怀叙本无私恨，无所为嫌，故詈辱之，疾恶意耳，恶不仁者，其为仁也。季武子死，曾点倚其门而歌；子鴋创发，子产催令自裁。以此言之，雍不当责怀叙也。」

• 虞世南：「昔顾雍领封侯之日，而家人不知，故前代称其贤也。」

• 独孤及：「魏晋以贾诩之筹策、贾逵之忠壮、张既之政能、程昱之智勇、顾雍之密重、王浑之器量、刘惔之鉴裁、庾翼之志略，彼八君子者。」

• 萧常：「雍瑾二子，论思（阙）益，忠于所事。」

• 孙元晏：「赞国经纶更有谁，蔡公相叹亦相师。贵为丞相封侯了，归后家人总不知。」

• 郝经：「权初称王，依放汉制，置丞相而用孙邵。及称尊号，顾雍、陆逊、步骘相继为之。皆以徳度见器，雍容泰定，有大臣之风焉。」「侃侃相臣，济威以仁。震霆收声，泽国生春。元叹徳度，沉深穆逺。澄渊不波，龙盘蛟转。子山纯懿，子瑜共肃。赞元将命，共安坤轴。」

• 王夫之：「三代以下之材，求有如顾雍者鲜矣。寡言慎动，用人惟其能而无适莫；恤民之利病，密言于上而不炫其恩威；黜小利小功，罢边将便宜之策，以图其远大。有曹参之简靖而不弛其度，有宋璟之静正而不耀其廉。求其德之相若者，旷世而下，唯李沆为近之，而雍以处兵争之世，事雄猜之主，雍为愈矣。故曰：允为天子之大臣也。雍既秉国，陆逊益济之以宽仁，自汉末以来，数十年无屠掠之惨，抑无苛繁之政，生养休息，唯江东也独。惜乎吴无汉之正、魏之强，而终于一隅耳。不然，以平定天下而有馀矣。」

• 乾隆帝：「弟权因之，用贤纳谏，周瑜、鲁肃、张昭、顾雍、陆逊皆被擢用，于是成鼎足之势，开有吴之基，兵强将勇，敌国畏之。」

• 石韫玉：「穆穆肃侯，清净自持。封爵归第，家人不知。」

艺术形象

三国演义

• 生平与正史大体相同，为蔡邕之徒。其为人少言语，不饮酒，严厉正大，被张紘推荐仕于孙权。孙权任命他为会稽郡丞，行太守事，后不断升迁，官至吴国丞相。顾雍为官，多进良言，有功于吴。

影视形象

• 中国中央电视台电视剧《三国演义》（1994年）：李燕平

• 电影《赤壁》（2008年）：吴旗

• 中国电视剧《三国》（2010年）：张雷

• 香港无线电视台电视剧《回到三国》（2012年）：邓英敏

参考

• 《三国志·吴书·张顾诸葛步传》

Background and early life

Gu Yong was born in Wu County, Wu Commandery, which is present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu, towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. His great-grandfather Gu Feng (顾奉) was a former Administrator (太守) of Yingchuan Commandery (颍川郡; around present-day Xuchang, Henan). The Gu clan, which he was from, was one of the four most influential clans in Wu Commandery and also in the Jiangdong region at the time.

Sometime in the 180s, when Cai Yong was living in Wu Commandery, Gu Yong met him and learnt calligraphy and music from him. While studying under Cai Yong's tutelage, Gu Yong showed that he was not only diligent and focused in his studies, but also fast-learning and easily teachable. As a result, he earned high praise from Cai Yong, who told him: "You will definitely reach the pinnacle of success. I offer you a new name – the same as mine." Gu Yong thus changed his given name to "Yong" (雍) which was similar to Cai Yong's "Yong" (邕). He also adopted "Yuantan" (元叹), which literally means "top praise", as his courtesy name to reflect the high praise he received from his mentor.

The Administrator of Wu Commandery heard of Gu Yong's fame and recommended him as a talent to join the civil service. Shortly after he reached the age of adulthood, he started serving as the chief of Hefei County before he was reassigned to Lou County (娄县; north of present-day Kunshan, Jiangsu), Qu'e County (曲阿县; present-day Danyang, Jiangsu) and then Shangyu County (上虞县; in present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang).

Early career under Sun Quan

When the Han central government granted the warlord Sun Quan the nominal appointment of Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery (around present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang) around 200 or 201, Sun Quan in turn appointed Gu Yong as his deputy and the acting Administrator to help him govern Kuaiji Commandery because he was based in Wu Commandery at the time. During his tenure, Gu Yong pacified and integrated rebels and minorities under his jurisdiction and maintained peace. He earned much respect from his subordinates and the people alike for his good performance. After holding office for many years, he was reassigned to be a Left Major under Sun Quan.

In 222, after Sun Quan became the King of Wu, he promoted Gu Yong to the positions of Minister of Imperial Ancestral Ceremonies (大理奉常) and Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚书令) in his kingdom. He also enfeoffed Gu Yong as the Marquis of Yangsui District. As Gu Yong went straight back to his office after his conferment ceremony, his family did not know that he had been made a marquis so they were very surprised when they found out later.

In 225, Gu Yong fetched his mother from his hometown in Wu County (吴县; present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu) to live with him in Wuchang (武昌; present-day Ezhou, Hubei), the imperial capital of Eastern Wu. When she arrived, Sun Quan greeted and welcomed her in person, and later paid his respects to her in his imperial court in the presence of all his subjects. Sun Quan's heir apparent, Sun Deng, also greeted her. In the same year, Gu Yong was reassigned to serve as Minister of Ceremonies (太常) and promoted from a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Liling" (醴陵侯). Later that year, he succeeded Sun Shao as the Imperial Chancellor of Eastern Wu and took charge of the imperial secretariat. Yi Zhongtian commented that the appointment of Gu Yong and later Lu Xun as Chancellor was the compromise between the local Jiangdong nobility and the ruling clique of Eastern Wu (mostly came from other regions), as both Gu and Lu descended from notable and powerful Jiangdong clans. Sun Quan was eager to grant more power shares for the Jiangdong noblity as long as it enabled the Sun royal family to maintain the overall control.

As Imperial Chancellor of Eastern Wu

While holding office as Imperial Chancellor, Gu Yong managed the administration well. He assigned his subordinates to their respective appointments in a way which not only generally suited their preferences, but also allowed them to put their talents to good use. He also often went on inspection tours to assess local conditions and see if policy changes could be made to improve the people's lives. When he had new ideas, he secretly proposed them to Sun Quan. If his ideas were approved and implemented, he gave the credit to Sun Quan instead of claiming it for himself. If his ideas were rejected, he kept quiet and did not reveal anything. As a result, Sun Quan trusted and regarded him highly.

A reticent person

Although Gu Yong always maintained a polite and respectful tone when he spoke up on issues in the imperial court, he was also known for standing by his principles and holding his ground when he had to. On one occasion, when Sun Quan sought feedback from his subjects on policy matters, Zhang Zhao used the opportunity to ask for a review of the laws. He presented the findings he collected over a period of time, and pointed out that the laws were too strict and the penalties for crimes were too harsh. Sun Quan did not respond to Zhang Zhao and instead turned to Gu Yong and asked him: "Sir, what do you think?" Gu Yong replied: "My observations coincide with what Zhang Zhao just described." Sun Quan thus approved Zhang Zhao's request for a review of the laws.

Sun Quan often sent his palace secretaries to consult Gu Yong on policy matters. If Gu Yong approved, he had food and drinks prepared for the secretaries while they discussed and refined their ideas with him. If he disapproved, he appeared solemn and remained silent, and had no food and drinks prepared for them. The secretaries then scrapped their ideas and went back. Sun Quan once said: "If Lord Gu is happy, that means he approves your idea. If he doesn't say anything, that means he thinks your idea can be improved. When that happens, I will think through again carefully." This quote showed that Sun Quan had much faith and respect for Gu Yong.

Response to suggestions to launch border raids

Around the time, many Wu military officers in charge of defending the border along the southern banks of the Yangtze River wanted to gain credit for making contributions in battle, so they often wrote to the imperial court to suggest launching small raids on Wu's rival state Wei in the north.

When Sun Quan sought Gu Yong's opinion on this, the latter said: "I heard that in warfare, one should refrain from trying to make petty gains. When these officers make such suggestions, they actually just want to claim some credit and glory for themselves, rather than for the greater benefit of our State. Your Majesty should ban them from making such suggestions. If a suggestion doesn't do much harm to the enemy and isn't sufficient for us to showcase our military prowess, then it shouldn't be taken into consideration." Sun Quan heeded his advice.

Throughout his tenure as Imperial Chancellor, Gu Yong never shared his opinions on policy issues except when he spoke to Sun Quan in person.

Lü Yi scandal

Around the 230s, Sun Quan appointed Lü Yi, whom he highly trusted, as the supervisor of the bureau in charge of auditing and reviewing the work of all officials in both the central and regional governments. Along with his colleague Qin Bo (秦博), Lü Yi freely abused his powers by picking on trivialities and falsely accusing numerous officials of committing serious offences. As a result, some officials were wrongfully arrested, imprisoned and tortured during interrogation.

Gu Yong was one of Lü Yi's targets. The latter initially prepared to make a case against him for incompetence and ask Sun Quan to remove him from office. However, after an official Xie Gong pointed out that Pan Jun, the Minister of Ceremonies, would most likely become the next Imperial Chancellor if Gu Yong were to be removed from office, Lü Yi immediately dropped the case against Gu Yong because he knew that Pan Jun resented him and would take action against him if he became Imperial Chancellor.

Lü Yi's abuses of power finally came to an end in 238 when Sun Quan learnt the truth about him and understood the gravity of the situation. After removing Lü Yi from office, Sun Quan had him imprisoned under the watch of the Ministry of Justice, and then ordered Gu Yong to conduct an investigation. While interrogating Lü Yi, Gu Yong maintained his composure and performed his job professionally. Before Lü Yi was escorted out, Gu Yong asked him, "Do you have anything else to say?" Lü Yi kowtowed and remained silent. When another official Huai Xu (怀叙) started scolding Lü Yi, Gu Yong sternly rebuked Huai Xu: "As government officials, we should follow the laws. Why must you do this?"

The Eastern Jin dynasty historian Xu Zhong (徐衆) disapproved of Gu Yong's handling of Lü Yi's case. He pointed out that Lü Yi's actions had severely damaged the integrity of the Eastern Wu government and reduced people's trust in the government. Xu Zhong argued that Gu Yong should not even provide Lü Yi an opportunity to defend himself, because if Lü Yi pleaded not guilty and Gu Yong submitted his plea to Sun Quan, there was a risk that Sun Quan might believe that Lü Yi was innocent and therefore release him. If that happened, then, in Xu Zhong's opinion, the efforts of Sun Deng, Pan Jun, Lu Xun and the others who stood up to Lü Yi's abuses of power would have been in vain. Xu Zhong also argued that Gu Yong should not reprimand Huai Xu for scolding Lü Yi because Lü Yi deserved it for his evil deeds.

Lecturing his grandson on proper behaviour

On one occasion, one of Sun Quan's nieces married a younger maternal relative of Gu Yong. Gu Yong, along with his sons and grandson Gu Tan, attended the wedding. At the time, Gu Tan held an important position as Master of Writing in the Selection Bureau (选曹尚书; the equivalent of a present-day human resources director) of the government. During the celebrations, he became drunk and started dancing wildly in an unrestrained manner in front of his grandfather, Sun Quan and the other guests. Gu Yong felt extremely embarrassed and upset with his grandson's behaviour but he did not say anything.

The following day, Gu Yong summoned Gu Tan and lectured him: "Rulers see it as a virtue to endure hardship for the sake of fulfilling a greater purpose; subjects see it as their duty to be mindful, humble and respectful. In the past, although Xiao He and Wu Han made great contributions to the Han dynasty, the former became tongue-tied in front of Emperor Gao while the latter exercised caution when he spoke in front of Emperor Guangwu. What great contributions have you made to our State? You are in the Emperor's favour only because of your family background. How dare you lose control of yourself! Even though you weren't sober, your behaviour still shows that you aren't humble enough, and that you think you don't need to be respectful just because the Emperor favours you. It looks like one day you will be the one who brings disgrace to our family."

Gu Yong then faced away as he lay on his couch and rested. Gu Tan stood there for about two hours before his grandfather allowed him to leave.

Death

After holding office as Imperial Chancellor for about 19 years, Gu Yong became critically ill towards the end of 243. When Sun Quan learnt about Gu Yong's condition, he sent his palace physician Zhao Quan to visit Gu Yong. He also commissioned Gu Yong's youngest son, Gu Ji (顾济), as a Cavalry Commandant (骑都尉). When Gu Yong heard about it, he sadly remarked: "(Zhao) Quan is an expert at assessing whether someone will live or die. I know for sure that I won't recover. That is why the Emperor wants me to see (Gu) Ji receiving his commission." He died sometime between 29 November and 28 December that year at the age of 76 (by East Asian age reckoning).

Sun Quan donned mourning garments and personally attended Gu Yong's funeral. He also honoured Gu Yong with the posthumous title "Marquis Su" (肃侯), which means "serious marquis".

Appraisal

Gu Yong was known for his abstinence from alcohol and for being a reserved and quiet person. He also maintained proper conduct and behaviour all the time, even in casual and informal settings. Sun Quan once said: "Although Gu Yong doesn't talk much, he is spot on when he speaks." Whenever Gu Yong attended festive celebrations, he was usually a spoilsport because his mere presence often made his colleagues feel uneasy. They were worried that he would see them in their non-sober states, so they tended to exercise greater self-control while enjoying themselves. Sun Quan even once remarked: "When Gu Yong is around, no one will have fun."

Chen Shou, who wrote Gu Yong's biography in the Sanguozhi, appraised Gu Yong as follows: "Gu Yong relied on his personal integrity and showed great wisdom and tolerance. That was why he was able to remain in a most prestigious position until his death."

Family

Wife

Gu Yong married a daughter of Lu Kang, an official who served as the Administrator of Lujiang Commandery (庐江; around present-day Lu'an, Anhui) in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Through his marriage, he was a brother-in-law of Lu Ji, one of the 24 Filial Exemplars who served as an official under Sun Quan.

Children and descendants

Gu Yong had three sons: Gu Shao (顾邵), Gu Yu (顾裕) and Gu Ji (顾济).

Gu Shao died around the age of 30 while holding office as the Administrator of Yuzhang Commandery (豫章郡; around present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi). He married a niece of Sun Quan, and had two sons, Gu Tan (顾谭) and Gu Cheng (顾承), who served as officials under Sun Quan but were eventually exiled to the remote Jiao Province.

Gu Yong's second son, Gu Yu, was also known as Gu Mu (顾穆). He served as the Administrator of Yidu Commandery (宜都郡; around present-day Yidu, Hubei) and was known for being in poor health. One of his sons, Gu Rong (顾荣), came to serve under the Jin dynasty after the fall of Eastern Wu and rose to high positions in the Jin government. One of Gu Rong's nephews, Gu Yu (顾禺), was already well known in his youth. He served as a Regular Mounted Attendant (散骑侍郎) under the Jin dynasty but died early.

Gu Yong's third and youngest son, Gu Ji, inherited his father's peerage as the Marquis of Liling (醴陵侯) because his eldest brother died early and his second brother was not in a good state of health to succeed their father. Gu Ji did not have any children so when he died, there was no one to inherit his peerage. During the Yong'an era (258–264), the third Eastern Wu emperor Sun Xiu issued an imperial edict as follows: "The late Imperial Chancellor (Gu) Yong was virtuous and loyal. He played a supportive role to the State with his graciousness. I am deeply saddened to hear that he has no descendant to succeed him. I hereby order (Gu) Yong's second son, (Gu) Yu, to inherit the peerage of the Marquis of Liling, so as to honour (Gu Yong) for his past contributions."

Other relatives

Other notable relatives of Gu Yong include his brother Gu Hui (顾徽) and relative Gu Ti (顾悌), who also served as officials in Eastern Wu.