Bu Chan

Bu Chan (步闡, ? – 272) was a military officer of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. His courtesy name was Zhongsi (仲思)¹, and he was a native of Huaiyin County in Huaiyin Commandery. He was the son of chancellor Bu Zhi.

Life

After his father Bu Zhi (步騭) died in 247, Bu Chan inherited his father's post as governor of Xiling (西陵督), was appointed General of Shaowu (昭武將軍), and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Xiting (西亭侯).

In the winter of 265, he proposed to the Wu emperor Sun Hao (孫皓) that the capital be moved from Jianye (建業) to Wuchang (武昌). The proposal was accepted, and the capital of Wu was changed to Wuchang. Jianye was left to be defended by Right General (右將軍) Zhuge Jing (諸葛靚) and Imperial Censor (御史大夫) Ding Gu (丁固).

In August 272, Sun Hao appointed Bu Chan as Overseer of the Imperial Tent (繞帳督) and summoned him to the court. Bu Chan, suddenly summoned, believed that he was being dismissed from office or slandered, and he became uneasy.

Thus, in September of that year, he sent Bu Ji (步璣) and Bu Xuan (步璿), the sons of his late elder brother Bu Xie (步協), to Luoyang as hostages. He then occupied Xiling and surrendered to the Jin dynasty. The Jin court appointed Bu Chan as General of the Right (衛將軍) concurrently Attendant Consultant (侍中) and enfeoffed him as Duke of Yidu (宜都公).

Lu Kang (陸抗) sent his subordinates Zuo Yi (左奕) and Wu Yan (吾彦) to attack Bu Chan. In response, the Jin court sent Cavalry General (車騎將軍) Yang Hu (羊祜) and Governor of Jingzhou Yang Zhao (楊肇) to aid Bu Chan.

Lu Kang learned that Yang Hu intended to transport grain by boat, so he breached the dikes he had built and drained the water. As a result, had to transport grain by cart, which took much more effort than planned and disrupted his operations.