In the first month of the fifth year of Tongtai, Great Yong’s emissary, Gou Lian, requested an audience after giving ma.s.sive bribes to all of the officials. At the time, the King was young and the court was controlled by Prime Minister Shang Weijun. Lian had several secret discussions with him. Fearing Lu Can’s meritorious contributions, Prime Minister Shang restricted Lu Can and did not permit him to go into battle, resulting in the loss of this golden opportunity. This was truly an unpardonable crime.

—Southern Chu Dynastic Records, Biography of King Min of Chu