Records of Shu 6: Biographies of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun

Records of Shu 6: Biographies of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun

Guan Yu

關羽

Guan Yu, courtesy name Yunchang (originally Changsheng), was a man of Xie County in Hedong Commandery. He fled his home as a fugitive and went to Zhuo Commandery. When the First Ruler gathered a band of followers in his home district, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei served as his guard against insult. When the First Ruler became Chancellor of Pingyuan, he made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei Majors of Separate Commands, each leading a share of his troops. The First Ruler shared a bed with the two of them when they slept, and his kindness toward them was like that toward brothers. Yet in crowded company they stood in attendance at his side all day long, following the First Ruler wherever he went and never shrinking from hardship or danger.

關羽字雲長，本字長生，河東解人也。亡命奔涿郡。先主於鄉里合徒眾，而羽與張飛為之禦侮。先主為平原相，以羽、飛為別部司馬，分統部曲。先主與二人寢則同床，恩若兄弟。而稠人廣坐，侍立終日，隨先主周旋，不避艱險。¹

After the First Ruler had attacked and killed Che Zhou, Imperial Protector of Xu Province, he had Guan Yu hold the city of Xiapi as acting Prefect, while he himself returned to Xiaopei.

先主之襲殺徐州刺史車胄，使羽守下邳城，行太守事，¹而身還小沛。

In the fifth year of Jian'an, Lord Cao campaigned eastward and the First Ruler fled to Yuan Shao. Lord Cao captured Guan Yu and brought him back, appointed him Lieutenant General and treated him with great courtesy. Yuan Shao sent his great general Yan Liang to attack Liu Yan, Prefect of Dong Commandery, at Baima, and Lord Cao sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu as the vanguard to strike him. Catching sight of Yan Liang's banner and canopy, Guan Yu spurred his horse forward, stabbed Yan Liang in the midst of ten thousand men, cut off his head and returned with it. None of Yuan Shao's generals could stand against him, and so the siege of Baima was lifted.

建安五年，曹公東征，先主奔袁紹。曹公禽羽以歸，拜為偏將軍，禮之甚厚。紹遣大將軍顏良攻東郡太守劉延於白馬，曹公使張遼及羽為先鋒擊之。羽望見良麾蓋，策馬刺良於萬眾之中，斬其首還，紹諸將莫能當者，遂解白馬圍。

Lord Cao at once memorialized to have Guan Yu enfeoffed as Marquis of Hanshou Neighborhood. Earlier, Lord Cao had admired Guan Yu's character, but perceiving that in his heart he had no intention of staying long, he said to Zhang Liao, “Try asking him, as a friend, how he feels.” When Zhang Liao then asked Guan Yu, Guan Yu sighed and said, “I know full well how generously Lord Cao treats me. But I have received deep kindness from General Liu and have sworn to die with him; I cannot betray him. In the end I will not stay, but I must first achieve something to repay Lord Cao before I go.”

曹公即表封羽為漢壽亭侯。初，曹公壯羽為人，而察其心神無久留之意，謂張遼曰：「卿試以情問之。」既而遼以問羽，羽歎曰：「吾極知曹公待我厚，然吾受劉將軍厚恩，誓以共死，不可背之。吾終不留，吾要當立效以報曹公乃去。」

Zhang Liao reported Guan Yu's words to Lord Cao, and Lord Cao thought him righteous. When Guan Yu killed Yan Liang, Lord Cao knew he would surely leave and heaped further rewards on him. Guan Yu sealed up everything he had been given, sent a letter taking his leave, and went off to join the First Ruler in Yuan Shao's army. Those around Lord Cao wanted to pursue him, but Lord Cao said, “Each man serves his own master. Do not pursue him.”

遼以羽言報曹公，曹公義之。¹及羽殺顏良，曹公知其必去，重加賞賜。羽盡封其所賜，拜書告辭，而奔先主於袁軍。左右欲追之，曹公曰：「彼各為其主，勿追也。」²

He followed the First Ruler to take refuge with Liu Biao. When Liu Biao died and Lord Cao conquered Jing Province, the First Ruler, setting out from Fan to cross the Yangtze southward, sent Guan Yu separately with several hundred boats to meet him at Jiangling. Lord Cao pursued him as far as Changban in Dangyang, and the First Ruler cut across toward Hanjin, where he happened to meet Guan Yu's boats, and together they reached Xiakou. Sun Quan sent troops to help the First Ruler resist Lord Cao, and Lord Cao led his army back. After the First Ruler had taken the commanderies south of the Yangtze, he enfeoffed and appointed those of chief merit, making Guan Yu Prefect of Xiangyang and General Who Sweeps Away Bandits, stationed north of the Yangtze.

從先主就劉表。表卒，曹公定荊州，先主自樊將南渡江，別遣羽乘船數百艘會江陵。曹公追至當陽長阪，先主斜趣漢津，適與羽船相值，共至夏口。¹孫權遣兵佐先主拒曹公，曹公引軍退歸。先主收江南諸郡，乃封拜元勳，以羽為襄陽太守、蕩寇將軍，駐江北。

When the First Ruler went west and conquered Yi Province, he put Guan Yu in overall charge of the affairs of Jing Province. Guan Yu heard that Ma Chao had come over and surrendered, and since Ma Chao was no old acquaintance of his, he wrote to Zhuge Liang asking whom Ma Chao's talents could be compared with. Zhuge Liang, knowing that Guan Yu could not bear to be outdone, replied, “Mengqi combines civil and military gifts, and his martial fire surpasses other men's; he is a hero of his age, of the same kind as Qing Bu and Peng Yue. He can ride side by side with Yide and vie with him for the lead, but he still falls short of the incomparable, peerless Beard.” Guan Yu had a fine beard, which is why Zhuge Liang called him “the Beard.” Guan Yu read the letter with great delight and showed it to his guests.

先主西定益州，拜羽董督荊州事。羽聞馬超來降，舊非故人，羽書與諸葛亮，問超人才可誰比類。亮知羽護前，乃答之曰：「孟起兼資文武，雄烈過人，一世之傑，黥、彭之徒，當與益德並驅爭先，猶未及髯之絕倫逸群也。」羽美鬚髯，故亮謂之髯。羽省書大悅，以示賓客。

Guan Yu had once been struck by a stray arrow that pierced his left arm. Although the wound later healed, whenever the weather turned dark and rainy his bone would ache. A physician said, “The arrowhead was poisoned, and the poison has entered the bone. The arm must be cut open and the bone scraped to remove the poison; only then will this ailment be gone.” Guan Yu at once stretched out his arm and had the physician cut it open. At the time he happened to have invited his generals to eat and drink with him, and though the blood flowing from his arm filled the plates and bowls, Guan Yu went on carving his roast meat and drinking his wine, talking and laughing as if nothing were amiss.

羽嘗為流矢所中，貫其左臂，後創雖愈，每至陰雨，骨常疼痛，醫曰：「矢鏃有毒，毒入於骨，當破臂作創，刮骨去毒，然後此患乃除耳。」羽便伸臂令醫劈之。時羽適請諸將飲食相對，臂血流離，盈於盤器，而羽割炙引酒，言笑自若。

In the twenty-fourth year, when the First Ruler became King of Hanzhong, he appointed Guan Yu General of the Front and granted him the tally and axe. That year Guan Yu led his forces to attack Cao Ren at Fan. Lord Cao sent Yu Jin to help Cao Ren. In autumn there were heavy, prolonged rains; the Han River overflowed its banks, and the seven armies under Yu Jin's command were all submerged. Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu, and Guan Yu also beheaded the general Pang De. Some of the bandit bands of Liang, Jia and Luhun accepted Guan Yu's seals and titles from afar and became his adherents, and Guan Yu's might shook all of Huaxia.

二十四年，先主為漢中王，拜羽為前將軍，假節鉞。是歲，羽率眾攻曹仁於樊。曹公遣于禁助仁。秋，大霖雨，漢水汎溢，禁所督七軍皆沒。禁降羽，羽又斬將軍龐德。梁、郟、陸渾群盜或遙受羽印號，為之支黨，羽威震華夏。

Lord Cao discussed moving the capital from Xu to escape Guan Yu's onslaught, but Sima Yi (King Xuan) and Jiang Ji held that Sun Quan would certainly not wish to see Guan Yu achieve his aims; if someone were sent to urge Sun Quan to fall on Guan Yu's rear, with a promise to cut off the land south of the Yangtze as Sun Quan's fief, the siege of Fan would lift of itself. Lord Cao followed this advice. Before this, Sun Quan had sent an envoy to ask for Guan Yu's daughter as a wife for his son, but Guan Yu cursed and insulted the envoy and refused the match, and Sun Quan was furious. Moreover, Mi Fang, Prefect of Nan Commandery, was at Jiangling, and the general Shi Ren was stationed at Gong'an, and both had long resented Guan Yu for slighting them.

曹公議徙許都以避其銳，司馬宣王、蔣濟以為關羽得志，孫權必不願也。可遣人勸權躡其後，許割江南以封權，則樊圍自解。曹公從之。先是，權遣使為子索羽女，羽罵辱其使，不許婚，權大怒。¹又南郡太守麋芳在江陵，將軍士仁屯公安，素皆嫌羽輕己。

When Guan Yu took the field, Mi Fang and Shi Ren were responsible for supplying the army, but they did not give him their full support. Guan Yu said, “When I return I will deal with them,” and Mi Fang and Shi Ren both grew fearful and uneasy. Sun Quan then secretly enticed Mi Fang and Shi Ren, and they sent men to welcome him in. Meanwhile Lord Cao sent Xu Huang to relieve Cao Ren; Guan Yu could not win and withdrew his army. Sun Quan had already occupied Jiangling and captured all the wives and children of Guan Yu's soldiers, and Guan Yu's army at last scattered. Sun Quan sent generals to intercept Guan Yu, and they beheaded Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping at Linju.

羽之出軍，芳、仁供給軍資，不悉相救。羽言「還當治之」，芳、仁咸懷懼不安。於是權陰誘芳、仁，芳、仁使人迎權。而曹公遣徐晃救曹仁，¹羽不能克，引軍退還。權已據江陵，盡虜羽士眾妻子，羽軍遂散。權遣將逆擊羽，斬羽及子平於臨沮。²

Guan Yu was posthumously given the title Marquis Zhuangmou. His son Guan Xing succeeded him. Guan Xing, courtesy name Anguo, had a good reputation from his youth, and the Chancellor Zhuge Liang thought very highly of him. At twenty he became Palace Attendant and Central Army Supervisor, but he died a few years later. His son Guan Tong succeeded him, married a princess, and rose in office to General of the Household Rapid as Tigers. When Guan Tong died he had no son, so Guan Xing's son by a concubine, Guan Yi, was made to continue the fief.

追諡羽曰壯繆侯。¹子興嗣。興字安國，少有令問，丞相諸葛亮深器異之。弱冠為侍中、中監軍，數歲卒。子統嗣，尚公主，官至虎賁中郎將。卒，無子，以興庶子彝續封。²

Zhang Fei

張飛

Zhang Fei, courtesy name Yide, was a man of Zhuo Commandery. In his youth he served the First Ruler together with Guan Yu. Guan Yu was several years older, and Zhang Fei treated him as an elder brother. When the First Ruler joined Lord Cao in defeating Lü Bu and went back with him to Xu, Lord Cao appointed Zhang Fei General of the Household. The First Ruler turned against Lord Cao and relied on Yuan Shao and then Liu Biao. When Liu Biao died and Lord Cao entered Jing Province, the First Ruler fled south of the Yangtze. Lord Cao pursued him for a day and a night and caught up with him at Changban in Dangyang.

張飛字益德，涿郡人也，少與關羽俱事先主。羽年長數歲，飛兄事之。先主從曹公破呂布，隨還許，曹公拜飛為中郎將。先主背曹公依袁紹、劉表。表卒，曹公入荊州，先主奔江南。曹公追之，一日一夜，及於當陽之長阪。

When the First Ruler heard that Lord Cao had suddenly arrived, he abandoned his wife and children and fled, ordering Zhang Fei to hold the rear with twenty horsemen. Zhang Fei took his stand behind the river and cut down the bridge; glaring and holding his spear crosswise, he cried, “I am Zhang Yide! Come and let us fight to the death!” None of the enemy dared approach, and so the First Ruler escaped. After the First Ruler had settled the lands south of the Yangtze, he made Zhang Fei Prefect of Yidu and General Who Conquers Caitiffs, enfeoffed him as Marquis of Xin Neighborhood, and later transferred him to Nan Commandery. When the First Ruler entered Yi Province and then turned back to attack Liu Zhang, Zhang Fei, together with Zhuge Liang and others, went upriver and conquered the commanderies and counties, each taking a share.

先主聞曹公卒至，棄妻子走，使飛將二十騎拒後。飛據水斷橋，瞋目橫矛曰：「身是張益德也，可來共決死！」敵皆無敢近者，故遂得免。先主既定江南，以飛為宜都太守、征虜將軍，封新亭侯，後轉在南郡。先主入益州，還攻劉璋，飛與諸葛亮等溯流而上，分定郡縣。

On reaching Jiangzhou he defeated Liu Zhang's general Yan Yan, Prefect of Ba Commandery, and took him alive. Zhang Fei berated Yan Yan: “When the great army arrived, why did you not surrender, but dared to resist us?” Yan Yan replied, “You have behaved outrageously, invading and seizing our province. In our province there are generals who lose their heads, but no generals who surrender!” Zhang Fei in a rage ordered his attendants to drag him off and cut off his head, but Yan Yan's expression did not change, and he said, “If you are going to cut off my head, then cut it off—what is there to be angry about?” Zhang Fei admired his spirit, released him, and took him in as a guest.

至江州，破璋將巴郡太守嚴顏，生獲顏。飛呵顏曰：「大軍至，何以不降而敢拒戰？」顏答曰：「卿等無狀，侵奪我州，我州但有斷頭將軍，無有降將軍也。」飛怒，令左右牽去斫頭，顏色不變，曰：「斫頭便斫頭，何為怒邪！」飛壯而釋之，引為賓客。¹

Zhang Fei won every battle along his way and joined the First Ruler at Chengdu. When Yi Province had been pacified, Zhuge Liang, Fa Zheng, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were each granted five hundred jin of gold, a thousand jin of silver, fifty million cash and a thousand bolts of brocade, and the others received gifts according to their rank; Zhang Fei was made concurrently Prefect of Baxi.

飛所過戰克，與先主會於成都。益州既平，賜諸葛亮、法正、飛及關羽金各五百斤，銀千斤，錢五千萬，錦千匹，其餘頒賜各有差，以飛領巴西太守。

Lord Cao defeated Zhang Lu and left Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to hold Hanchuan. Zhang He, leading a separate force, came down into Baxi intending to move its people to Hanzhong; he advanced to Dangqu, Mengtou and Dangshi and faced Zhang Fei for more than fifty days. Zhang Fei took more than ten thousand picked troops by another road to intercept Zhang He's army and engaged it. The mountain roads were narrow, so the front and rear of Zhang He's army could not help each other, and Zhang Fei defeated him. Zhang He abandoned his horse and climbed the mountainside, retreating by a byway with only some ten men of his personal command, and led his army back to Nanzheng. The land of Ba was thus left in peace.

曹公破張魯，留夏侯淵、張郃守漢川。郃別督諸軍下巴西，欲徙其民於漢中，進軍宕渠、蒙頭、蕩石，與飛相拒五十餘日。飛率精卒萬餘人，從他道邀郃軍交戰，山道迮狹，前後不得相救，飛遂破郃。郃棄馬緣山，獨與麾下十餘人從間道退，引軍還南鄭，巴土獲安。

When the First Ruler became King of Hanzhong, he appointed Zhang Fei General of the Right and granted him the tally. In the first year of Zhangwu he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, made concurrently Colonel-Director of Retainers, and advanced in rank to Marquis of Xixiang. The patent of appointment read: “We have received the succession ordained by Heaven and inherited the great enterprise, yet in rooting out the cruel and quelling disorder We have not yet brought the right order to light. Now bandits and caitiffs work their harm and the people suffer bitter affliction; the men who long for the Han stretch out their necks and gaze like cranes. We are grieved by this; We cannot sit at ease on Our mat, and food has no savour for Us. We are putting the army in order and proclaiming Our oath, and will carry out Heaven's punishment.

先主為漢中王，拜飛為右將軍、假節。章武元年，遷車騎將軍，領司隸校尉，進封西鄉侯，策曰：「朕承天序，嗣奉洪業，除殘靖亂，未燭厥理。今寇虜作害，民被荼毒，思漢之士，延頸鶴望。朕用怛然，坐不安席，食不甘味，整軍誥誓，將行天罰。

Because you are loyal and resolute, matching the footsteps of Shao Hu, and your name is renowned far and near, We specially make this command manifest, raising your rank as if upon a high wall, and charge you as well with authority in the capital. Carry forth Heaven's majesty on a grand scale: win over the submissive with virtue and chastise the rebellious with punishment, in accordance with Our will. Does not the Ode say, ‘Not harsh, not hasty,
he brought the norm to the royal state.
Begin with diligence the martial work,
and so I grant you blessings’? Can you fail to exert yourself?”

以君忠毅，侔蹤召虎，名宣遐邇，故特顯命，高墉進爵，兼司於京。其誕將天威，柔服以德，伐叛以刑，稱朕意焉。詩不云乎，『匪疚匪棘，王國來極。肇敏戎功，用錫爾祉』。可不勉歟！」

From the first, Zhang Fei's heroic might and ferocity were second only to Guan Yu's, and Wei's strategists such as Cheng Yu all called Guan Yu and Zhang Fei a match for ten thousand men. Guan Yu treated the rank and file well but was arrogant toward the gentry; Zhang Fei loved and respected men of quality but showed no concern for common men. The First Ruler often warned him, “You are already excessive in inflicting punishment and death, and every day you flog your stalwart soldiers and then keep them close around you. This is the way to bring disaster on yourself.” Zhang Fei still did not change his ways. When the First Ruler attacked Wu, Zhang Fei was to lead ten thousand troops from Langzhong to meet him at Jiangzhou.

初，飛雄壯威猛，亞於關羽，魏謀臣程昱等咸稱羽、飛萬人之敵也。羽善待卒伍而驕於士大夫，飛愛敬君子而不恤小人。先主常戒之曰：「卿刑殺既過差，又日鞭撾健兒，而令在左右，此取禍之道也。」飛猶不悛。先主伐吳，飛當率兵萬人，自閬中會江州。

Just before they set out, Zhang Da and Fan Qiang, officers under his command, killed Zhang Fei and fled downriver with his head to Sun Quan. The Area Commander of Zhang Fei's camp sent up a memorial to report to the First Ruler, and when the First Ruler heard that there was a memorial from Zhang Fei's Area Commander, he said, “Alas! Zhang Fei is dead.” Zhang Fei was posthumously given the title Marquis Huan. His eldest son Zhang Bao died young. His second son Zhang Shao succeeded him and rose in office to Palace Attendant and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. Zhang Bao's son Zhang Zun became a Master of Writing; he followed Zhuge Zhan to Mianzhu, fought Deng Ai there and was killed.

臨發，其帳下將張達、范彊殺飛，持其首，順流而奔孫權。飛營都督表報先主，先主聞飛都督之有表也，曰：「噫！飛死矣。」追諡飛曰桓侯。長子苞，早夭。次子紹嗣，官至侍中尙書僕射。苞子遵爲尙書，隨諸葛瞻於緜竹，與鄧艾戰，死。

Ma Chao

馬超

Ma Chao, courtesy name Mengqi, was a man of Maoling in Youfufeng. His father Ma Teng, at the end of Emperor Ling's reign, rose in arms in the western provinces together with Bian Zhang, Han Sui and others. In the third year of Chuping, Han Sui and Ma Teng led their followers to Chang'an. The Han court made Han Sui General Who Guards the West and sent him back to Jincheng, and made Ma Teng General Who Conquers the West and had him garrison Mei. Later Ma Teng attacked Chang'an, was defeated and fled, and withdrew to Liang Province. When the Colonel-Director of Retainers Zhong Yao was holding Guanzhong, he sent letters to Han Sui and Ma Teng setting out what would bring them fortune or disaster.

馬超字孟起，右扶風茂陵人也。父騰，靈帝末與邊章、韓遂等俱起事於西州。初平三年，遂、騰率眾詣長安。漢朝以遂為鎮西將軍，遣還金城，騰為征西將軍，遣屯郿。後騰襲長安，敗走，退還涼州。司隸校尉鍾繇鎮關中，移書遂、騰，為陳禍福。

Ma Teng sent Ma Chao to follow Zhong Yao in attacking Guo Yuan and Gao Gan at Pingyang, and Ma Chao's officer Pang De personally cut off Guo Yuan's head. Later Ma Teng fell out with Han Sui and asked to return to the capital region. He was accordingly summoned to be Minister of the Guards, while Ma Chao was made Lieutenant General, enfeoffed as Marquis of a Capital Neighborhood, and given command of Ma Teng's troops.

騰遣超隨繇討郭援、高幹於平陽，超將龐德親斬援首。後騰與韓遂不和，求還京畿。於是徵為衛尉，以超為偏將軍，封都亭侯，領騰部曲。¹

Once Ma Chao had command of the troops, he formed an alliance with Han Sui and joined with Yang Qiu, Li Kan, Cheng Yi and others, advancing to Tong Pass. Lord Cao met Han Sui and Ma Chao, each on a single horse, to parley. Ma Chao, trusting in his great strength, secretly meant to charge forward and seize Lord Cao, but Lord Cao's attendant general Xu Chu glared at him, and Ma Chao dared not move. Lord Cao used Jia Xu's plan to sow discord between Ma Chao and Han Sui so that they grew suspicious of each other, and their army was badly defeated.

超既統眾，遂與韓遂合從，及楊秋、李堪、成宜等相結，進軍至潼關。曹公與遂、超單馬會語，超負其多力，陰欲突前捉曹公，曹公左右將許褚瞋目盻之，超乃不敢動。曹公用賈詡謀，離間超、遂，更相猜疑，軍以大敗。¹

Ma Chao fled and took refuge among the Rong tribes. Lord Cao pursued him as far as Anding, but trouble arose in the north and he led his army back east. Yang Fu advised Lord Cao, “Ma Chao has the courage of Han Xin and Qing Bu and has greatly won the hearts of the Qiang and Hu. If the main army returns without making strict preparations against him, the commanderies of Longshang will no longer belong to the state.” Ma Chao did indeed lead the Rong tribes to attack the commanderies and counties of Longshang, and they all rose in support of him. He killed Wei Kang, Imperial Protector of Liang Province, occupied the city of Ji, and took over his forces.

超走保諸戎，曹公追至安定，會北方有事，引軍東還。楊阜說曹公曰：「超有信、布之勇，甚得羌、胡心。若大軍還，不嚴為其備，隴上諸郡非國家之有也。」超果率諸戎以擊隴上郡縣，隴上郡縣皆應之，殺涼州刺史韋康，據冀城，有其眾。

Ma Chao styled himself General Who Conquers the West, took the title Governor of Bing Province, and commanded the military affairs of Liang Province. Wei Kang's former officials and subjects, Yang Fu, Jiang Xu, Liang Kuan, Zhao Qu and others, plotted together to strike at Ma Chao. Yang Fu and Jiang Xu rose at Lucheng; Ma Chao went out to attack them but could not take the place. Liang Kuan and Zhao Qu shut the gates of Ji, and Ma Chao could not get back in. Caught between advance and retreat, he fled to Hanzhong and took refuge with Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu was not a man with whom he could plan great affairs, and Ma Chao was inwardly frustrated; hearing that the First Ruler was besieging Liu Zhang at Chengdu, he secretly wrote asking to surrender.

超自稱征西將軍，領并州牧，督涼州軍事。康故吏民楊阜、姜敘、梁寬、趙衢等，合謀擊超。阜、敘起於鹵城，超出攻之，不能下；寬、衢閉冀城門，超不得入。進退狼狽，乃奔漢中依張魯。魯不足與計事，內懷於邑，聞先主圍劉璋於成都，密書請降。¹

The First Ruler sent men to welcome Ma Chao, and Ma Chao led his troops straight to the city walls. The city was struck with terror, and Liu Zhang at once bowed his head to the ground in submission. The First Ruler made Ma Chao General Who Pacifies the West and commander of Linju, and he kept his former rank as Marquis of a Capital Neighborhood.

先主遣人迎超，超將兵徑到城下。城中震怖，璋即稽首，¹以超為平西將軍，督臨沮，因為前都亭侯。²

When the First Ruler became King of Hanzhong, he appointed Ma Chao General of the Left and granted him the tally. In the first year of Zhangwu he was promoted to General of Swift Cavalry, made concurrently Governor of Liang Province, and advanced in rank to Marquis of Tai District. The patent read: “Though lacking in virtue, We have succeeded to the supreme position and received charge of the ancestral temples. Cao Cao and his son have compounded their crimes over the generations; We are grieved and pained by this, as if sick at heart. All within the seas are resentful and indignant and wish to return to what is right and restore the root; even the Di and Qiang have submitted, and the Xunyu long for righteousness.

先主為漢中王，拜超為左將軍，假節。章武元年，遷驃騎將軍，領涼州牧，進封斄鄉侯，策曰：「朕以不德，獲繼至尊，奉承宗廟。曹操父子，世載其罪，朕用慘怛，疢如疾首。海內怨憤，歸正反本，暨於氐、羌率服，獯鬻慕義。

Because your good faith is known throughout the northern lands and your majesty and martial prowess shine alike, We entrust this charge to you. Rise up like a roaring tiger, take charge of ten thousand li, and seek out the sufferings of the people. Clearly spread the transforming influence of the court, cherish and protect those far and near, be strict and careful in rewards and punishments, so as to strengthen the blessings of the Han and answer to the realm.”

以君信著北土，威武並昭，是以委任授君，抗颺虓虎，兼董萬里，求民之瘼。其明宣朝化，懷保遠邇，肅慎賞罰，以篤漢祜，以對於天下。」

He died in the second year, at the age of forty-seven. As he was dying he submitted a memorial saying, “Over two hundred members of my clan were all but wiped out by Mengde. Only my cousin Ma Dai remains, who should carry on the sacrifices of my diminished line. I entrust him earnestly to Your Majesty; I have nothing more to say.” Ma Chao was posthumously given the title Marquis Wei, and his son Ma Cheng succeeded him. Ma Dai rose to the rank of General Who Pacifies the North and was advanced to Marquis of Chencang. Ma Chao's daughter was married to Liu Li, Prince of Anping.

二年卒，時年四十七。臨沒上疏曰：「臣門宗二百餘口，為孟德所誅略盡，惟有從弟岱，當為微宗血食之繼，深託陛下，餘無復言。」追諡超曰威侯，子承嗣。岱位至平北將軍，進爵陳倉侯。超女配安平王理。¹

Huang Zhong

黃忠

Huang Zhong, courtesy name Hansheng, was a man of Nanyang. Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province, made him General of the Household and had him guard You County in Changsha together with Liu Biao's nephew Liu Pan. When Lord Cao conquered Jing Province, he made Huang Zhong acting Assistant General and kept him at his former post, under the command of Han Xuan, Prefect of Changsha. When the First Ruler went south and conquered the commanderies, Huang Zhong pledged himself to him and followed him into Shu. From the time he received his commission at Jiameng and they turned back to attack Liu Zhang, Huang Zhong was always first up the walls and first to break the enemy lines, and his courage and resolution were foremost in all the armies.

黃忠字漢升，南陽人也。荊州牧劉表以為中郎將，與表從子磐共守長沙攸縣。及曹公克荊州，假行裨將軍，仍就故任，統屬長沙守韓玄。先主南定諸郡，忠遂委質，隨從入蜀。自葭萌受任，還攻劉璋，忠常先登陷陣，勇毅冠三軍。

When Yi Province had been pacified, he was appointed General Who Punishes Caitiffs. In the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an he attacked Xiahou Yuan at Mount Dingjun in Hanzhong. Xiahou Yuan's troops were very well trained, but Huang Zhong pressed ahead with his spearheads, determined to advance, urging on and leading his soldiers; the gongs and drums shook the heavens and the shouts echoed through the valleys. In a single battle he beheaded Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Yuan's army was routed. He was promoted to General Who Conquers the West. That year, when the First Ruler became King of Hanzhong, he wished to make Huang Zhong General of the Rear, but Zhuge Liang said to the First Ruler, “Huang Zhong's reputation has never been in the same class as Guan Yu's or Ma Chao's.

益州既定，拜為討虜將軍。建安二十四年，於漢中定軍山擊夏侯淵。淵眾甚精，忠推鋒必進，勸率士卒，金鼓振天，歡聲動谷，一戰斬淵，淵軍大敗。遷征西將軍。是歲，先主為漢中王，欲用忠為後將軍，諸葛亮說先主曰：「忠之名望，素非關、馬之倫也。

Now you would place him in the same rank at a stroke. Ma Chao and Zhang Fei are close by and have seen his achievements with their own eyes, so they may still be made to understand; but when Guan Yu hears of it from afar, I fear he will certainly be displeased. Would that not be unwise?” The First Ruler said, “I will explain it to him myself.” So Huang Zhong was placed on an equal footing with Guan Yu and the others and granted the rank of Marquis Within the Pass. He died the following year and was posthumously given the title Marquis Gang. His son Huang Xu died early, leaving no heir.

而今便令同列。馬、張在近，親見其功，尚可喻指；關遙聞之，恐必不悅，得無不可乎！」先主曰：「吾自當解之。」遂與羽等齊位，賜爵關內侯。明年卒，追諡剛侯。子敘，早沒，無後。

Zhao Yun

趙雲

Zhao Yun, courtesy name Zilong, was a man of Zhending in Changshan. He originally served under Gongsun Zan. When Gongsun Zan sent the First Ruler to help Tian Kai resist Yuan Shao, Zhao Yun went along with him and became commander of the First Ruler's cavalry. When the First Ruler was pursued by Lord Cao at Changban in Dangyang and abandoned his wife and children to flee south, Zhao Yun himself carried the infant son—this was the Latter Ruler—and protected Lady Gan, the Latter Ruler's mother, so that both escaped disaster. He was promoted to General of the Standard. When the First Ruler entered Shu, Zhao Yun stayed behind in Jing Province.

趙雲字子龍，常山真定人也。本屬公孫瓚，瓚遣先主為田楷拒袁紹，雲遂隨從，為先主主騎。¹及先主為曹公所追於當陽長阪，棄妻子南走，雲身抱弱子，即後主也，保護甘夫人，即後主母也，皆得免難。遷為牙門將軍。先主入蜀，雲留荊州。²

When the First Ruler turned back from Jiameng to attack Liu Zhang, he summoned Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang, with Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei and others, went west up the Yangtze and conquered the commanderies and counties. On reaching Jiangzhou he sent Zhao Yun separately up the Outer River to Jiangyang, to rejoin Zhuge Liang at Chengdu. When Chengdu had been taken, Zhao Yun was made General Who Assists the Army. In the first year of Jianxing he became Central Protector of the Army and General Who Conquers the South, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yongchang Neighborhood, and was promoted to General Who Guards the East.

先主自葭萌還攻劉璋，召諸葛亮。亮率雲與張飛等俱溯江西上，平定郡縣。至江州，分遣雲從外水上江陽，與亮會於成都。成都既定，以雲為翊軍將軍。¹建興元年，為中護軍、征南將軍，封永昌亭侯，遷鎮東將軍。

In the fifth year he accompanied Zhuge Liang to garrison Hanzhong. The next year Zhuge Liang took the field, spreading word that he would advance by the Xie Valley road, and Cao Zhen sent a large force to meet him there. Zhuge Liang ordered Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi to go and hold it off, while he himself attacked Mount Qi. Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi had weak troops against a strong enemy and suffered a setback at Ji Valley, but they gathered their men and held firm, avoiding a major defeat. When the army withdrew, Zhao Yun was demoted to General Who Guards the Army. He died in the seventh year and was posthumously given the title Marquis Shunping. Earlier, under the First Ruler, only Fa Zheng had received a posthumous title. Under the Latter Ruler, Zhuge Liang, whose merit and virtue overshadowed the age, and Jiang Wan and Fei Yi, who bore the weight of the state, also received them; Chen Zhi, as a favorite, was given special distinction, and Xiahou Ba, having come from afar to submit to the state, likewise received one. Thereupon Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Pang Tong, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were given posthumous titles, and opinion at the time regarded this as an honour.

五年，隨諸葛亮駐漢中。明年，亮出軍，揚聲由斜谷道，曹真遣大眾當之。亮令雲與鄧芝往拒，而身攻祁山。雲、芝兵弱敵強，失利於箕谷，然斂眾固守，不至大敗。軍退，貶為鎮軍將軍。¹七年卒，追諡順平侯。初，先主時，惟法正見諡；後主時，諸葛亮功德蓋世，蔣琬、費禕荷國之重，亦見諡；陳祗寵待，特加殊獎，夏侯霸遠來歸國，故復得諡；於是關羽、張飛、馬超、龐統、黃忠及雲乃追諡，時論以為榮。²

Zhao Yun's son Zhao Tong succeeded him, rising in office to Gentleman Rapid as Tigers and serving as acting Commander of the Army. His second son Zhao Guang, a Standard Officer, followed Jiang Wei to Tazhong and was killed in battle.

雲子統嗣，官至虎賁中郎，督行領軍。次子廣，牙門將，隨姜維遝中，臨陳戰死。

Appraisal

評

Appraisal: Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both called a match for ten thousand men, tiger-like servants of their age. Guan Yu repaid Lord Cao with meritorious service, and Zhang Fei out of righteousness released Yan Yan; both had the bearing of the finest men of the state. Yet Guan Yu was unbending and vain, and Zhang Fei was violent and without kindness; that they came to ruin through their failings is the ordinary course of things. Ma Chao relied on the Rong and trusted in his valor, and so brought his clan to destruction—what a pity! Yet he was able to pass from extremity to security; was that not still the better outcome? Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were strong, resolute, bold and fierce, and both served as claws and fangs. Were they not of the same kind as Guan Ying and the Lord of Teng?

評曰：關羽、張飛皆稱萬人之敵，為世虎臣。羽報效曹公，飛義釋嚴顏，並有國士之風。然羽剛而自矜，飛暴而無恩，以短取敗，理數之常也。馬超阻戎負勇，以覆其族，惜哉！能因窮致泰，不猶愈乎！黃忠、趙雲強摯壯猛，並作爪牙，其灌、滕之徒歟？