Sun He (simplified: 孙和, traditional: 孫和, pinyin: Sūn Hé), courtesy name Zixiao (子孝 Zǐxiào), was a son of Sun Quan and crown prince of Eastern Wu. He was designated heir in 242 but became caught in the Two Palaces conflict (二宮之爭) between his supporters and those of his brother Sun Ba. Sun Quan deposed him in 250 and enfeoffed him as Prince of Nanyang. After Sun Quan’s death, the regent Sun Jun and others forced him to commit suicide in 253. His son Sun Hao later became emperor and posthumously honoured him as Emperor Wen of Wu (吳文皇帝).
Biography
Designation as heir
Sun He was a son of Sun Quan and Lady He. In 242 he was made crown prince. He was studious and had the support of officials such as Lu Xun, Wu Can, and Zhu Ju. Wei Yao served in his household and wrote the Discourse on Board Games at Sun He’s request.
Two Palaces and deposition
Sun Quan’s son Sun Ba (孫霸) was also favoured and developed a rival faction. The struggle between the crown prince’s palace and Sun Ba’s party (the “Two Palaces”) divided the court. Sun Quan eventually deposed Sun He, put Sun Ba to death, and chose the young Sun Liang as heir. Sun He was sent out as Prince of Nanyang.
Death and posthumous honour
After Sun Quan died in 252, the regent Sun Jun and Empress Dowager Sun (Sun Liang’s mother) viewed Sun He as a threat. Sun He was ordered to commit suicide in 253. When his son Sun Hao became emperor in 264, he posthumously honoured Sun He as Emperor Wen and had the Wu shu record him in a “Basic Annals” format—Wei Yao refused to do so and was executed.
Legacy
Sun He is remembered as the deposed crown prince at the centre of the Two Palaces conflict and as the father of Sun Hao, who had him honoured as Emperor Wen despite his never having ruled.