Zhuge Ke (simplified: 诸葛恪, traditional: 諸葛恪, pinyin: Zhūgě Kè), courtesy name Yuanxun (元遜 Yuánxùn), was the son of Zhuge Jin and a general and regent of Eastern Wu. He was favoured by Sun Quan and after Sun Quan’s death in 252 became regent for the young Sun Liang. He won a celebrated victory at the Battle of Dongxing but then launched a costly northern campaign that failed; in 253 he was lured to the palace and killed in a coup led by Sun Jun.
Biography
Rise under Sun Quan
Zhuge Ke was the son of Zhuge Jin and nephew of Zhuge Liang. He served Sun Quan in military and administrative posts and was known for his wit and ambition. He campaigned against the Shanyue and took part in Wu’s northern operations. Sun Quan appointed him to important commands and recommended him to compile the Wu shu (with Wei Yao and others); he also recommended Wei Yao as Prefect of the Histories.
Regent and Battle of Dongxing
When Sun Quan died in 252, Zhuge Ke was made Grand Tutor and regent for Sun Liang. Soon after, Wei attacked the Dongxing fortifications; Zhuge Ke led a counter-attack and won a major victory at the Battle of Dongxing, which greatly raised his standing.
Northern campaign and fall
Encouraged by Dongxing, Zhuge Ke launched a large invasion of Wei in 253. The campaign dragged on, met strong resistance, and cost many lives. He refused to withdraw and lost support. Sun Jun and others conspired against him; they had the empress dowager issue an edict and invited him to a banquet in the palace, where he was assassinated. His clan was exterminated.
Legacy
Zhuge Ke is remembered as a talented but overconfident regent whose victory at Dongxing was followed by a disastrous campaign and a violent fall. His story is often contrasted with his father’s steadiness and his uncle’s caution.