Lu Kai (simplified: 陆凯, traditional: 陸凱, pinyin: Lù Kǎi), courtesy name Jingfeng (敬風 Jìngfēng), was an official of Eastern Wu under Sun Hao. He served as Left Chancellor and General of the Guard. He joined Hua He in opposing the construction of the Xianming Palace (昭明宮), which Sun Hao had ordered at great expense. Lu Kai memorialised that the people were exhausted and the project should be stopped; Sun Hao was displeased but could not ignore him entirely. Lu Kang listed Lu Kai with He Shao, Lou Xuan, Xue Ying, and others as officials who were “pure and white, loyal and diligent” and “pillars of the altars of soil and grain.” Lu Kai died in 269.
Biography
Service under Sun Hao
Lu Kai was from Wu Commandery and rose to high office. Under Sun Hao he became Left Chancellor. Sun Hao was extravagant and cruel; he ordered the construction of a lavish palace (Xianming Palace). Lu Kai and Hua He remonstrated that the labour and cost would further burden the people and weaken the state. Sun Hao did not abandon the project but the memorials were recorded.
Legacy
Lu Kang, in a famous memorial listing officials who supported the state, named Lu Kai among those who could be relied upon. Lu Kai is remembered as one of the few senior officials who dared to oppose Sun Hao’s excesses.