Yang Hu

Who was Yang Hu?

Yang Hu, style name Shuzi, was a military general during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. His advocacy for plans to conquer the rival state of Eastern Wu finally persuaded Emperor Wu to carry them out, but he would not live to see the plans implemented. He was known for his humility and foresight. Chen Shou, author of Records of Three Kingdoms, described him as a man of medium height with fine eyebrows and a beautiful beard.

Both Yang Hu's grandfather Yang Xu and father Yang Chai were commandery governors, and his mother was a daughter of the Han Dynasty historian and musician Cai Yong. His sister Yang Huiyu was Sima Shi's third wife, subsequently honored as an empress dowager after Emperor Wu established the Jin Dynasty in 265.

Yang Hu lost his father at age 11. He was raised by his uncle Yang Chen and served his uncle filially. As he grew in age, he became known for his intelligence, knowledge, and physical beauty. The general Xiahou Wei became impressed with him and married his niece to Yang. After his father-in-law defected to Shu Han in 249 in light of Sima Yi's coup against Cao Shuang, Yang was one of the few who were related by marriage who still dared to associate with the Xiahou clan. He served as a low level official during the reigns of Cao Wei's emperors Cao Mao and Cao Huan. Because he warned Sima Zhao about Zhong Hui's intentions, Sima trusted his judgment greatly after Zhong rebelled in 264, and he served as an executive secretary for Sima.