[ One of the lords that assembled against Dong Zhuo. Descended from Confucius.
Officer Details
Wade-Giles: K‘ung Jung (Wên-chü)
Simplified Chinese: 孔融 (文举)
Pronunciation: Kong3 Rong2 (Wen2ju3)
Cantonese (Yale): Hung Yung (Man-geui)
Cantonese (Jyutpin): Hung Jung (Man-geoi)
Min-Nan: Khong Yong (Bun-ki)
Birthplace: Lu
Rank and Titles
Chancellor of Beihai; Inspector of Qing; Court Architect; Grand Palace Grandee
Family and Relationships
Confucius, Kong Shang (Ancestors); Kong Zhou (Father); Kong Bao (Brother); Kong (Son); Lady Kong (Daughter)
Literary Appearances
Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 5, 11, 15, 20-23, 40
Biography
Younger brother to Kong Bao, at the age of sixteen Wenju hid Zhang Jian, an acquaintance of his brother, who was fleeing the country and attempted to take the blame when the government discovered this act but Kong Bao took the blame and was executed. Later, as chancellor of Bei Hai, he persuaded Liu Bei to take Xu by insulting Yuan Shu’s credentials.
Kong Rong was unable to use men properly, vague of thought and inefficient of actions but he did re-establish schools and provision for proper burial. Kong Rong was defeated by Yellow Turbans and fled to Duchang but lost the city to a night assault by Yuan Tan. Appointed as Court Architect by Cao Cao, Kong Rong recommended Mi Heng to Cao Cao and opposed Cao Cao’s plans to falsely charge Yang Biao for treason.
Favoured by Xian and well known for his ability, Kong Rong would make fun of Cao Cao, say discourteous things and be insubordinate, infuriating Cao Cao even more when he opposed Cao Cao being enoffed within a thousand li of the capital. Chi Lu was encouraged by Cao Cao to build a case against Kong Rong with Lu Cai sending in a memorial accusing Kong Rong of treason so Cao Cao had Kong Rong and his family executed.