Sun Jun (simplified: 孙峻, traditional: 孫峻, pinyin: Sūn Jùn), courtesy name Ziyuan (子遠 Zǐyuǎn), was a general of Eastern Wu who led the coup against Zhuge Ke in 253 and became regent for the young Sun Liang. He had Sun He forced to commit suicide and consolidated power. He commanded campaigns against Wei; Liu Zan served under him in Huainan and was killed in action. Sun Jun died suddenly in 256 on campaign; his cousin Sun Lin (孫綝) took over and later deposed Sun Liang in favour of Sun Xiu.
Biography
Coup against Zhuge Ke
After Zhuge Ke’s failed northern campaign in 253, discontent with his rule grew. Sun Jun conspired with the empress dowager and others; Zhuge Ke was invited to a palace banquet and assassinated. Sun Jun took control as Grand Marshal and Minister over the Masses and had Sun He, the deposed crown prince, ordered to commit suicide to remove a potential rival.
Regency and campaigns
Sun Jun dominated the court under Sun Liang. He led or directed campaigns in the Huainan region against Wei. He died in 256—reportedly from illness or a sudden fit—while on campaign. His cousin Sun Lin succeeded to his military and political position and later deposed Sun Liang and installed Sun Xiu as emperor.
Legacy
Sun Jun is remembered as the man who ended Zhuge Ke’s regency by violence and as the first of the Sun clan regents (Sun Jun, then Sun Lin) who controlled Wu after Sun Quan’s death until Sun Xiu took power from Sun Lin.