Zhuge Jin (simplified: 诸葛瑾, traditional: 諸葛瑾, pinyin: Zhūgě Jǐn), courtesy name Ziyu (子瑜 Zǐyú), was the elder brother of Zhuge Liang and a senior general and minister of Eastern Wu. He left the north for Jiangdong and served Sun Quan from early on, rising to Grand General. Despite his brother’s position as chancellor of Shu Han, Zhuge Jin remained loyal to Wu and was trusted by Sun Quan; the two brothers are often cited as examples of integrity across rival courts. His son Zhuge Ke later became regent for Sun Liang.
Biography
Service under Sun Quan
Zhuge Jin travelled to the south and joined Sun Quan around 200. He held various posts and was valued for his counsel and conduct. He participated in campaigns and diplomacy, including contacts with Shu. Sun Quan praised the Zhuge brothers for each serving his lord faithfully without betraying family affection.
Relations with Zhuge Liang and Shu
Zhuge Liang served Liu Bei and later Liu Shan as chancellor of Shu. Zhuge Jin remained in Wu. The two are said to have met on official business without discussing matters that could compromise their loyalties. Zhuge Liang had no son for years and adopted Zhuge Jin’s second son, Zhuge Qiao (诸葛喬), as his heir.
Later career and death
Zhuge Jin was promoted to General of the Left and later Grand General. He took part in Wu’s campaigns against Wei and in the defence of the middle Yangtze. He died in 241 and was succeeded in influence by his son Zhuge Ke, who became regent but later fell from power and was killed.
Legacy
Zhuge Jin is remembered as a model of loyalty and as the elder brother who served Wu while Zhuge Liang served Shu, without conflict between family and duty. He appears in the Romance and in later culture as a foil and counterpart to his more famous brother.