Sun Ce

Sun Ce, courtesy name Bofu, was a charismatic and daring warlord during the late Eastern Han dynasty who laid the foundation for what would become the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. As the eldest son of the veteran general Sun Jian, Sun Ce inherited little after his father's death but used his charisma, military skill, and strategic alliances to rapidly conquer the Jiangdong region. Known for his bravery, youthful energy, and magnanimity toward talented individuals, Sun Ce earned the loyalty of many capable officers and scholars, including Zhou Yu, Taishi Ci, and Zhang Zhao.

His swift campaigns and bold decisions earned him the nickname “Little Conqueror,” drawing comparisons to the legendary Xiang Yu of the Chu-Han Contention. Though his reign was cut short by an assassin’s blade at the age of 25, his vision and conquests laid the groundwork for his younger brother Sun Quan to build a lasting kingdom. In both history and legend, Sun Ce is remembered as a brilliant flame that burned bright and fast.