Sun Xiu (simplified: 孙休, traditional: 孫休, pinyin: Sūn Xiū), courtesy name Zilie (子烈 Zǐliè), posthumously Emperor Jing of Wu (吳景帝), was the third emperor of Eastern Wu, reigning from 258 to 264. He was a son of Sun Quan and younger brother of Sun Liang. When the regent Sun Lin (孫綝) deposed Sun Liang in 258, he installed Sun Xiu. Sun Xiu later conspired with Zhang Bu and Ding Feng to remove Sun Lin and executed him. Sun Xiu promoted Wei Yao and oversaw compilation of the Wu shu. He died in 264 and was succeeded by Sun Hao, whom Puyang Xing and others recommended as heir.
Biography
Accession
After Sun Lin deposed Sun Liang in 258, he installed Sun Xiu as emperor. Sun Xiu was enfeoffed as Prince of Langye and was brought to the capital. He took the throne and at first had to accommodate Sun Lin’s power.
Removal of Sun Lin
Sun Xiu secretly planned with Zhang Bu, Ding Feng, and others to eliminate Sun Lin. At a court gathering they seized and executed Sun Lin and his faction. Sun Xiu then ruled more independently and promoted officials such as Wei Yao to compile the state history.
Death and succession
Sun Xiu died in 264. His own son was young; Puyang Xing, Zhang Bu, and others followed Wan Yu’s suggestion and welcomed Sun Hao, Marquis of Wucheng (son of the deposed Sun He), to succeed. Sun Hao became the last emperor of Wu.
Legacy
Sun Xiu is remembered as the emperor who ended the regency of Sun Lin and restored some authority to the throne, and for his patronage of scholarship (the Wu shu). His choice of successor led to Sun Hao’s reign and the final phase of Wu.