There an ancient tomb known during the Qing dynasty as "Lady Zhou’s Grave." This tomb is ancient and located in a remote area, so few people know of it today. It is said to be the burial site of the daughter of Zhou Yu, the great military strategist of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Zhou Yu, who played a pivotal role in the Battle of Red Cliff, defeating Cao Cao’s massive army with a much smaller force of 50,000, was a celebrated figure in the service of Sun Quan. Though well-loved by his lord and respected by his subordinates, Zhou Yu had one regret in life—he had no daughter, only two talented sons. Tales has it that the heavens took notice, and after much yearning, Zhou Yu’s wife, Xiao Qiao, gave birth to a daughter in the spring following a long winter. Zhou Yu was overjoyed at the birth of his beloved daughter and cherished her like a precious gem. However, Zhou Yu soon met his fate on the battlefield, struck by a poisoned arrow. Knowing his time was limited and that he would not live to raise his daughter, he carefully chose what to leave behind for her. The saying "A slight error in music, and Zhou Lang turns his head" refers to Zhou Yu’s legendary skill in music. In his final moments, Zhou Yu decided to leave his cherished daughter a
konghou (a type of ancient harp), a symbol of his love and his musical talent, dying soon after. Xiao Qiao, understanding her husband’s deep affection for their daughter, took great care to raise her as Zhou Yu had wished. As the years passed, Lady Zhou grew to inherit both her mother’s beauty and her father’s talents, particularly excelling in playing the
konghou. Sun Quan, aware that she was the daughter of his esteemed general, treated her with great favor. When it came time for the crown prince Sun Deng to marry, Lady Zhou, known for her beauty and talents, was selected as the crown princess. On the day of the wedding, when Sun Deng lifted the bridal veil, he was captivated by her grace and beauty. Lady Zhou, having heard of the prince’s virtues, shyly smiled in return. Sun Deng had also heard many stories from his father, Sun Quan, about the greatness of Zhou Yu, which deepened his respect for his new wife. The young couple shared a deep bond, their marriage filled with harmony. Lady Zhou, although young, was deeply concerned for the welfare of the people. She hoped that her husband would one day become a wise and just ruler. As a supportive wife, she often urged Sun Deng to show compassion to the people and be mindful of the land and resources. Sun Deng took her words to heart, even avoiding fertile farmland during his travels. Within the palace, Lady Zhou became close friends with Sun Luban, the eldest princess, and also doted on Sun Luban’s younger sister, Sun Luyu. When her elder brother died, Lady Zhou privately grieved over her other brother’s lack of ambition. She frequently wrote letters urging him to honor their mother and not disappoint the emperor or the legacy of their father, Zhou Yu. Lady Zhou’s attentiveness to those around her earned her great admiration throughout the kingdom. People began to hope that one day she would become the empress, a symbol of virtue and grace. However, tragedy struck when Lady Zhou fell gravely ill. Even in her final days, she worried about her husband, sisters, and the people. She distributed her personal treasures to her close friends and left the
konghou to Princess Sun Luyu, as part of her dowry for her future marriage. On the day of her burial in Jurong, the people were heartbroken and gathered in large numbers to bid her farewell. Years later, Sun Deng also died at a young age and was buried in the same place. However, it is said that Sun Deng’s remains were later moved, leaving Lady Zhou’s tomb behind, now known as "Lady Zhou’s Grave." Over the decades, the tomb has disappeared, leaving only a lingering legend behind. == Bibliography ==