Sun Jiang

Sun Jiang (Traditional Chinese: 孫氣, Pinyin: Sūn Qì), courtesy name Jiaolong, is the General Who Calms the Waves for the Celestial Empire. He hails from the Sun Family of Shui in Jiangnan and is the son and heir of clan patriarch Sun Qian. He is also the nephew of the General Who Conquers the West Sun Mo, and cousin to the General of the Flying Cavalry Sun Qi, whom he grew up with.

## Biography

### Early Life

Sun Jiang was born in 205 3E in Jiangnan, the capital of Shui. He was educated at the Academy of Advanced Warfare starting at age 6, and received high praise from his instructors. He was found to excel in strategic naval doctrine suited the riverine environment of the state. In the local competitions meant to impress the Sun court, he applied for a boat race under a fake name when he was 12, beating out most of his older competitors. In fighting, he was found to be proficient with bows, able hit targets at extreme distances, and was top five of his class in both halberd and saber use. These skills earned him the courtesy name of Jiaolong from his teachers.

He received his first combat assignment at the age of 16, posted with the Imperial Navy protecting the the river inlets to the mainland from pirates and Amateru landing parties. Within three months, he'd already gained the respect of his superior officers and peers, who acknowledged his great talent for leadership. In a year, he was already commanding his own crew of thirty sailors. In his second year, the fleet was attacked by a large force of Amateru ships loaded with archers wielding the superior yumi bows. An Amateru boarding vessel identified the flagship and boarded it, slaying the crew and beheading the general of the fleet. As his own ship was beginning to take on water, he ordered his crew to ram into the enemy vessel and retake control of the flagship against a force of over eighty warriors. The enemy was unable to react to such a quick decision, and many were thrown overboard to drown on the impact of the ships. Jiang's crew stormed the ship, with him capturing the enemy admiral and forcing the enemy to retreat.

### Military Service

His heroics gained attention of the Imperial Court, who promoted him to the rank of general and giving him assignment to patrol the rivers of Northern Zhongbu, which had averaged a loss of one general a month. After surviving for six months, he'd already decreased presence of enemy raiders, bandits, and pirates, and made the Azure River Basin safe for farmers, merchants, and traders that travelled along the border regions. After a full year of time in the area, he was given the title "General Who Calms the Waves."

The Azure River remains under his control, though he works out security guarantees with hostile lords to ensure that some semblance of peace remains in the area. It is now a safe passageway for refugees fleeing the central conflict, and is a major trade route that has enriched the local warlords.

## Personality and Traits

Sun Jiang is half Nanren, from his father, and half Kongren, from his mother. His hair is black with dark brown roots instead of red, making him an outlier within the majority of the clan. His eyes are dark green, a genetic trend within the Sun family that hasn't deviated in over one thousand years. He cares little for tradition, and many would say his sense of loyalty is questionable, but that has always opened up doors for him to advance in his role as a soldier. Many officials wish to marry their daughters to him as the heir to the Sun clan, but he has little interest in taking any kind of romantic partner. It has been noted for him to spend nights in the company of both men and women from all cultures, though he rarely sees the same person more than once. His subordinates praise his strategic mind, and truly believe in his vision for the future.

## Equipment

### Weapons

Sun Jiang carries with him a shortened dao for fighting aboard ships, decorated in jade and gold with a junk on the pommel made of carved ivory, and a handle wrapped in blue cloth. He also uses a ji halberd for attacking enemies aboard other ships, decorated with three gold serpents traveling down the length of the shaft. His bow is 250 jin, and wrapped in blue and green silk cord.