Courtesy name Bofu. Sun Ce (175–200) was a distinguished military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He was the eldest among the children of Sun Jian, who met his demise during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was merely 16 years old. Following his father's death, Sun Ce distanced himself from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and ventured into southeastern China to forge his own power base. With the support of key figures like Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu, Sun Ce successfully laid the groundwork for the state of Eastern Wu, which would rise to prominence during the Three Kingdoms period.
In 200, as the warlord Cao Cao engaged in battle with his rival Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu, rumors surfaced that Sun Ce was planning an assault on Cao Cao's capital city, Xuchang. However, before he could execute this plan, Sun Ce was assassinated. After Sun Ce's death, his younger brother Sun Quan, who later became the first emperor of Eastern Wu, posthumously honored him with the title "Prince Huan of Changsha".
According to Chen Shou's Records of Three Kingdoms, Sun Ce was described as a handsome man with a jovial demeanor. He was known for his generosity and receptiveness, employing individuals based on their capabilities. This leadership style fostered deep loyalty among his followers, who were willing to risk their lives for him. One critic, Xu Gong, in a letter to Emperor Xian, compared Sun Ce to Xiang Yu, the warrior-king who brought down the Qin Dynasty. Consequently, Sun Ce earned the nickname "Little Conqueror" in popular culture.
