Xun Yu, Wei Advisor

"A splendid talent, admired of all men! His folly lay in serving Cao Cao's power."

Xun Yu (163 - 212), styled Wenruo (文若), was a strategist and statesman who served as a key advisor to Cao Cao during the Three Kingdoms era of China.

 

Xun Yu was a native of Yingchuan (modern day Xuchang, Henan), and was born to a renowned family. His grandfather, Xun Shu, served as a local governor and his eight sons were called the "Eight Dragons"; an uncle, Xun Shuang, served as one of the Three Excellencies, while his own father Xun Fan was the chancellor of the feudal principality of Jibei.
Xun Yu proved to be a talented youth, and was evaluated by the scholar He Yong as "someone capable of assisting kings" (王佐之才). In 189 he was nominated as Xiaolian (literally "Fillial and Incorrupt"), beginning his career as an official in the Eastern Han Dynasty, but Dong Zhuo entered the capital of Luoyang soon after, and fearing for his safety Xun Yu fled to Ji Province (modern-day Hebei), resigning his post.
In the subsequent years local warlords quickly rose in each region; Xun Yu first served Yuan Shao, whose power base was in Ji Province, but later left him and went over to Cao Cao in 191; Cao Cao recognised his talent, calling him "my Zifang" (Zifang being the courtesy name of Zhang Liang, a key advisor to Han Gaozu) and appointing him as an army commandant.

Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed

Xiahou Dun (? – 220) was a military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. Cao Cao's original family name was Xiahou, but his father, Song, was adopted by the Cao family, so Dun and Cao share family relations. One of the most trusted men of Cao Cao's, Xiahou Dun aided the warlord in his campaigns against Liu Bei, Sun Quan, and Lü Bu.
Xiahou Dun lost his left eye during a battle in 198 AD, and subsequently became known among the rank and file as "Blind Xiahou", which greatly irked him. His image as a one-eyed warrior was later popularized by the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which he was said to have yanked the arrow fired by enemy general Cao Xing out of his eye and devoured his own eyeball to instill fear in his enemies.
The Records of Three Kingdoms describes Xiahou Dun as a modest and generous man. He personally fetched his teacher to the camp so that he could continue his studies during the midst of battle. He also distributed any excess wealth he had, taking from the treasury only in need, and did not own any property. At his death, he was given the posthumous title of Marquis Zhong (忠侯), literally meaning the loyal marquis.

Sima Yi, Wei Field Marshal

Sima Yi fought for four generations of the Cao family before his own grandson became emperor and united the three kingdoms.

Sima Yi (179 - September 7, 251) was a strategist, general, and politician of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He is perhaps best known for defending Cao Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions. His success and subsequent rise in prominence paved the way for his grandson Sima Yan's foundation of the Jin Dynasty, which would eventually bring an end to the Three Kingdoms era. After the founding of the Jin Dynasty, Sima Yi was posthumously honored as Emperor Xuan of Jin with the temple name of Gaozu.

 

Sima Yi was one of eight brothers, all of whom were famous due to their lineage. Each of them had a Chinese style name ending with the character Da (達). Because of this, the brothers were known collectively as the "Eight Da of Sima" (司馬八達). This was a term of respect, as other groups of eight talented administrators in previous eras had been referred to in this way. His family resided in Luoyang when Dong Zhuo occupied the city, destroyed it, and moved the capital to Chang'an. Sima Yi's elder brother, Sima Lang led the family to their ancestral home in the Wen district (温縣), and then, correctly predicting that it would become a battlefield, moved them again to Liyang (黎陽). In 194, as Cao Cao did battle with Lü Bu, Sima Yi accompanied his family back to Wen district.

Cao Ren, Wei Commander

Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Ren was known throughout the three kingdoms as the fiercest of warriors.

Cao Ren (168 – 223) was a military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China. He played a significant part in the civil wars leading to the disintegration of the Eastern Han Dynasty and the establishment of the Kingdom of Wei.

Born in the county of Qiao (谯 , present day Bozhou, Anhui) , Cao Ren was a younger cousin of Cao Cao. His grandfather and father had both held significant civil and military posts. Cao Ren was fond of hunting on horseback in his youth. During the years of the Yellow Turban Rebellion , he gathered more than a thousand young men under his flag and wandered the area between Huai River and Si River (泗水).

In 190, Cao Cao started raising an army to join the coalition against Dong Zhuo , the tyrannical warlord who was holding the emperor hostage in the imperial court. Cao Ren and his followers then joined Cao Cao. Throughout the early 190s he accompanied Cao Cao on various campaigns around northern China, against Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu, Tao Qian (陶谦) and Lü Bu. Cao Ren performed very well during these early campaigns , often pitching himself in the forefront of battles.

In 196, after Cao Cao was entrusted with the custody of Emperor Xian in Xuchang , he gave Cao Ren the position of Grand Administrator of Guangyang (广阳太守). However, Cao Cao kept Cao Ren in Xuchang as he had greater use of the brave yet crafty man.

In 197 , Cao Cao's camp was attacked by Zhang Xiu outside Wan. Caught unprepared , Cao Cao lost many troops and several trusted subjects, including his bodyguard Dian Wei and his own son Cao Ang. Zhang Xiu then pursued Cao Cao as the latter retreated north. Under such adverse circumstance, Cao Ren inspired the soldiers through his own bravery in battle and eventually defeated Zhang Xiu in a counterattack.

During the Battle of Guandu in 200 , Yuan Shao incited Liu Bei to harass the rear of Cao Cao's territory. Leading a cavalry force, Cao Ren defeated Liu Bei. Later, Yuan Shao attempted to attack Cao Cao's rear again, which was once more thwarted by Cao Ren. Cao Ren also undertook the task of harassing Yuan Shao's line of supply.

In 208, after he lost the Battle of Red Cliffs , Cao Cao retreated north, leaving Cao Ren to defend the strategic city of Jiangling against the advance of Wu troops. The enemy commander Zhou Yu dispatched a several thousand-strong vanguard force to attack the city. Cao Ren sent his aide Niu Jin (牛金) with 300 men into battle, which soon turned against the defenders. Cao Ren then rode out with dozens of horsemen and successfully rescued Niu Jin. Upon his return, Cao Ren's subjects exclaimed , "Genera , you are truly a man from Heaven!"

Throughout most of the 210s Cao Ren held the position of General who Conquers the South (征南将军) and garrisoned at Fan (樊) , a strategic city on the shores of the Han River that is vital to the defense of Jingzhou (荆州).

In 219 , Liu Bei's most trusted general Guan Yu came in force to take Fan. He cut off communications and supply lines to the city and diverted the Han River to flood its walls. The food stock was depleting fast but Cao Ren roused his men and held out until a relief force under Xu Huang arrived. By this time the flood had subsided. Combined with Xu Huang's strength , Cao Ren forced Guan Yu to retreat.

After Cao Pi succeeded Cao Cao , he made Cao Ren General of Chariots and Cavalry (车骑将军), to be in charge of all military affairs of Jingzhou, Yangzhou (扬州) and Yizhou (益州). Cao Ren was later promoted to General-in-Chief (大将军) and subsequently Minister of Defense (大司马). In his last years , Cao Ren defended Hefei against a number of Sun Quan's offensives.

Cao Ren died in 223 and was posthumously enforced as Marquis Zhong, literally meaning the loyal marquis. Indeed this was largely how he was remembered – a steadfastly loyal commander who obeyed and enforced laws and commands strictly.

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Cao Cao, Lord of Wei

Cáo Cāo (Chinese : 曹操 ; pinyin : Cáo Cāo ; 155 – March 15 , 220) was a warlord and the penultimate Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during its final years in ancient China. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period , he laid the foundations for what was to become Cao Wei and was posthumously titled Emperor Wu of Wei (魏武帝). Although often portrayed as a cruel and merciless tyrant , Cao Cao has also been praised as a brilliant ruler and military genius who treated his officers like his family. He was also skilled in poetry and the martial arts , and wrote many war journals.

Life

Cao Cao was born in the county of Qiao (譙 , present day Bozhou , Anhui) in 155. His father Cao Song was a foster son of Cao Teng, who in turn was one of the favorite eunuchs of Emperor Huan. Some historical records , including Biography of Cao Man , claim that Cao Song was originally surnamed Xiahou (thus making Cao Cao a cousin of Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan , two of his most prominent generals). In the fictionalized Romance of the Three Kingdoms , Cao Cao's father was originally a Xiahou and was adopted into the Cao family.

Cao Cao was known for his craftiness as a young man. According to the Biography of Cao Man , Cao Cao's uncle often complained to Cao Song regarding Cao Cao's childhood indulgence in hunting and music with Yuan Shao. To counter this, Cao Cao one day feigned a fit before his uncle , who hurriedly informed Cao Song. Cao Song rushed out to see his son, who then acted normally. When asked , Cao Cao replied, "I have never had such illness , but I lost the love of my uncle , and therefore he had deceived you." Henceforth , Cao Song ceased to believe the words of his brother regarding Cao Cao, and thus Cao Cao became even more blatant in his wayward pursuits.

At that time , there was a man living in Runan named Xu Shao who was famed for his ability to evaluate one's potentials and talents. Cao Cao paid him a visit in hopes of receiving the evaluation that will earn him some reputation politically. Originally Xu Shao pondered and refused to make a statement ; however , under persistent questioning , he finally said, "You would be a capable minister in peaceful times and an unscrupulous hero in chaotic times." Cao Cao took this as a compliment and was very pleased as it was recorded that he "laughs and leaves" after receiving said comment. It is worth noting that there are two other versions of the comment in other unofficial historical records: "capable minister in peaceful times, righteous hero in chaotic times" and "sinister foe in peaceful times, great hero in chaotic times."

At twenty, Cao Cao was recommended to be a district captain of Luoyang. Upon taking up the post, Cao Cao placed rows of multicolored staffs outside his office and ordered his deputies to flog those who violated the law , regardless of their status. An uncle of Jian Shuo , one of the most powerful and influential eunuchs under Emperor Ling , was once caught walking in the city beyond the evening curfew hour by Cao Cao and given his fair share of flogging. This prompted Jian Shuo and other higher authorities to "promote" Cao Cao to another position outside the imperial capital (governor of Dunqiu County) to remove his management.

When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in 184 Cao Cao was recalled to Luoyang and promoted to a captain of the cavalry (騎都尉) and sent to Yingchuan to put down the rebels there. He was successful in his military exploits and was further promoted to Governor of Dong Commandery (東郡).

Cao Cao's most celebrated poems

《龜雖壽》	Though the Tortoise Lives Long
神龜雖壽，猶有竟時。	Though the tortoise blessed with magic powers lives long, Its days have their allotted span;
騰蛇乘霧，終為土灰。	Though winged serpents ride high on the mist, They turn to dust and ashes at the last;
老驥伏櫪，志在千里；	An old war-horse may be stabled, Yet still it longs to gallop a thousand li;
烈士暮年，壯心不已。	And a noble-hearted man though advanced in years Never abandons his proud aspirations.
盈縮之期，不但在天；	Man's span of life, whether long or short, Depends not on Heaven alone;
養怡之福，可得永年。	One who eats well and keeps cheerful Can live to a great old age.
幸甚至哉！歌以咏志。	And so, with joy in my heart, I hum this song.

Zhuge Jin, Wu Strategist

When Zhuge Jin proposed the marriage of Guan Yu's daughter and Sun Quan's heir, Guan Yu's arrogant refusal led to disaster.

Zhūgé Jǐn (AD 174 – 241) , courtesy name Ziyu (Wade-Giles: Tzŭ-yu) (子瑜) , was a minister for the Kingdom of Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He was the elder brother of the famous Shu strategist , Zhuge Liang. He was greatly trusted by Sun Quan. His most important accomplishment was in smoothing relations between Wu and Shu. His son Zhuge Ke succeeded him, and became a great Wu general , but later failed as a regent, leading to the destruction of the Zhuge clan.

Zhuge Jin also had another son named Zhuge Qiao , who was adopted by his brother Zhuge Liang and Liang's wife , Huang Yueying.

Zhou Yu, Chief Commander

"After making me, Zhou Yu, did you have to make Kongming?" -Zhou Yu crying to heaven on his deathbed

Zhou Yu (Chinese : 周瑜; pinyin: Zhōu Yú) (175-210) was a famous and one of the most capable military strategists for Sun Ce and his successor Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms era ; the turbulent years leading to the end of Han Dynasty in China.

Life

Zhou Yu was born in Lujiang District. Zhou Yu was born into a cultured family that produced many officials , and when Sun Jian was attacking Dong Zhuo, he moved his family to live together with Zhou Yu's family. Sun Jian's son Sun Ce and Zhou Yu studied together and became lifelong friends. Soon , Zhou Yu's uncle became the governor of Danyang, and the whole family relocated to Danyang , where they served Yuan Shu.

Sun Ce , under a commission from Yuan Shu , entered Yangzhou in order to aid his relatives , Wu Jing and Sun Ben , who were attacked by Liu Yao. Zhou Yu and his uncle , Zhou Shang, were among the first to join Sun Ce's army, superseded only by a fellow officer of Yuan Shu , Lü Fan , and the former retainers of Sun Jian. After Sun Ce defeated Liu Yao and his allies , Zhou Yu and his uncle were summoned to return to Yuan Shu while Sun Ce continued his conquests.

In 197 , confident that he had Sun Ce's support, Yuan Shu declared himself Emperor. Sun Ce , citing loyalty to Emperor Xian, declared independence and allied with Lü Bu , Cao Cao , and Liu Bei to oppose his former master. It was at this time that Zhou Yu returned to Sun Ce's army , this time bringing a wealthy merchant named Lu Su , who would go on to serve the Sun family as Zhou Yu's successor.

It was around this time that Zhou Yu and Sun Ce wed the Two Qiaos , daughters of Qiao Xuan, a famed scholar and critic. Very soon afterwards , Sun Ce and Zhou Yu pacified most of Yangzhou Province south of Yangtze and extended their power both south into the native Yue area and north into the Huai River region , defeating Liu Xun and the remnant forces of Yuan Shu in the north as well as Huang Zu and the forces of Liu Biao to the west.

Lu Xun, Scholar General

Lu Xun (183 – 245) was an officer of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He was instrumental in causing Guan Yu's downfall , but is most famous for defeating Liu Bei in the celebrated Battle of Yiling.

Life

Lu Xun was born into one of the four most prestigious and richest families in the Wu district (Zhu , Lu , Gu , Zhang). Lu Xun began his career as a minor official under Sun Ce who was then still a general and provincial warlord. Lu Xun was soon given a minor post as commandant and civil officer , where he distinguished himself as both a skilled civil leader , and as a military commander. As a military commander , he pacified south eastern tribes of Yue and brought them within the Chinese influence. As a civil official, he was successful in integrating northern refugees and minorities into the social and economic structure of Wu.

Lu Meng, Wu General

As the Wu chief commander, Lu Meng conquered Shu-held Jingzhou in 219 by disguising soldiers as merchants on boats filled with hiding troops.

Lü Meng (178 - 219) was a renowned officer under Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He served as the commanding general in the invasion of Jing Province that led to the death of Guan Yu.

Life

Lü Meng was born in Fupo (富坡) of Runan (Present-day Fuyang , Anhui) in 178. Lü Meng's family migrated south of the Yangtze River when Lü Meng was young, and he lived with his brother-in-law Deng Dang (鄧當) , who served under Sun Ce. When Lü Meng was 15 or 16 , he would often follow Deng Dang in his expeditions against the Shanyue secretly against Deng Dang's wishes. When Deng told Lü Meng's mother about this, she was furious, but Lü Meng said : "It is difficult to survive in poverty ; if we can prove ourselves through hard work , then wealth would come eventually. How can we get the tiger's cub if we don't enter the tiger's den?" Lü Meng's mother was so touched at his words that she forgave him and did not punish him.

At the time, an official despised Lü Meng for his age , and often insulted him with words like : "What can he do? His behaviour would only feed himself to the tigers. " Eventually , Lü Meng could not hold his anger and slew the official. Lü Meng soon turned himself in to Yuan Xiong (袁雄) , who pleaded with Sun Ce to spare his life. Sun Ce granted Lü Meng an audience with him , and he was very impressed with Lü Meng , so he acquitted Lü Meng of his crimes and made him an officer.

A few years later, Deng Dang died , and Zhang Zhao recommended Lü Meng to take his place. When Sun Quan succeeded Sun Ce, he planned to merge smaller troops into larger garrisons. When Lü Meng heard of this, he collected funds to decorate his troops with brilliant armour. When Sun Quan came to review his troops, he was very impressed by Lü Meng's troops and added more soldiers under Lü Meng's command, thus saving Lü Meng's men from being merged into another officer's command.

Lady Sun

Sister to Sun Quan and wife to Liu Bei, Lady Sun often felt her loyalty to both tested.

Lady Sun, or more famously Sun Shangxiang (traditional Chinese : 孫尚香 ; simplified Chinese : 孙尚香 ; pinyin : Sūn Shàngxiāng) as she is called in Chinese opera and in contemporary culture , lived during the Three Kingdoms era of China. She was the daughter of the warlord , Sun Jian. She had five brothers , the most notable being the two eldest , Sun Ce and Sun Quan , both of whom subsequently became warlords south of the Yangtze River. She is often depicted as a tomboy, as she received extensive martial arts training and her maidservants all wielded weapons , which was strange for her time.

She was wed to Liu Bei as his third wife , supposedly to secure the alliance between Sun Quan and Liu Bei. When Liu Bei turned west to attack the land of Sichuan , Sun Quan sent ships to bring her back.

Life

Sister of the founding Emperor of Eastern Wu (Sun Quan) , Lady Sun was the only recorded daughter of Sun Jian and Lady Wu. Sun Jian had two other daughters bore by consorts , older than Sun Shangxiang , who were recorded. One daughter was married to Hong Zi and highly respected the abilities of Zhuge Jin. The other was bore by a Lady Chen , who possibly was a concubine , and married Pan Mi.

Although history never recorded the given name of Lady Sun (or any of her sisters) , in legends , she is commonly referred by the name Sun Shangxiang. She was a woman of strong personality and this is shown in events throughout her life. The biography of Fa Zheng tells that she had the courage and energy of her brothers.

In 209 , she was given to Liu Bei to marry as a part of an alliance between Eastern Wu and Shu Han. At the time, Lady Sun was a little over twenty years of age but because of the marriage , she took general control over his household as well as guardianship over his son and heir Liu Shan. This is because both of Liu Bei’s former wives had already died of natural causes. Because Lady Sun was accompanied by more than a hundred female attendants, all of whom were capable of bearing arms , whenever Liu Bei visited her , he was scared. No children are recorded between them.

Two years later , however , in 211 , there was tension within the Wu-Shu Alliance over the affairs of Jingzhou. It was at this time when Sun Shangxiang returned to her brother’s court. According to Zhao Yun’s biography, Lady Sun attempted to take Liu Shan with her but was stopped by Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun himself. Through negotiations by the two generals , Lady Sun surrendered the young heir before she journeyed downriver to Jiangdong. It is through this event that the marriage and alliance effectively ended. She never met Liu Bei again , and presumedly never remarried.

Lu Su, Wu Advisor

Lu Su served as an intermediary between the Wu and Shu kingdoms until Zhou Yu's death in 210, when he became Wu's supreme commander.

Lu Su (172 - 217) , styled Zijing(子敬) , was an advisor for the Kingdom of Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He took control of the military after the death of Zhou Yu. During the Battle of Red Cliffs , Lu Su served as a close advisor to Zhou Yu and a liaison with Liu Bei's forces.

Upon Zhou Yu's death , Lu Su was put in charge of Sun Quan's army and was head advisor until his own death. He was succeeded by Lü Meng. Lu Su felt that it would be beneficial for Wu to maintain diplomatic relations with the neighboring Kingdom of Shu.

In the actual recorded history of the Three Kingdoms era , and in contrast to his unremarkable depiction in the fictionalised novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Lu Su played a prominent role as advisor and strategist during the Battle of Red Cliffs against the invading armies of the northern warlord Cao Cao in 208. In fact , before Zhuge Liang's famous view of the formation of the Three Kingdoms era, Lu Su foresaw the formation of Three Kingdoms (Cao Family , Sun Family and Liu Biao of Jing Zhou) and a possible Northern and Southern Han (Wei and Wu , divided by the Chang Jiang River).