Huang Zhong
| Huang Zhong | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Huang Zhong from a Qing Dynasty edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms |
|
| General of Liu Bei | |
| Born | (Unknown) |
| Died | 220[1] |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 黄忠 |
| Traditional Chinese | 黄忠 |
| Pinyin | Huáng Zhōng |
| Wade-Giles | Huang Chung |
| Style name | Hansheng (漢升) |
| Posthumous name | Marquis Gang (剛侯) |
Huang Zhong (died 220[1]) was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was most noted for his victory in the Battle of Mount Dingjun, in which his force routed that of Xiahou Yuan, who was slain during battle. For his merits, Huang Zhong was ranked among the five leading generals of Shu Han, also known as the Five Tiger Generals in popular culture.
Huang Zhong had always been portrayed in popular literature and arts as an elderly general with youthful vigor and constitution. However, little was documented about him in historical records and it is only known he was older than Guan Yu, when the latter contended "it was a shame to take an equal rank with that old soldier (referring to Huang Zhong)". Largely as a result of the popularity of Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, his name has become a symbol for those senior people who ignore their old age to still contribute their full efforts to a call of duty. Even now, the spirit to strive for excellence despite old age is often attributed to him.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Nanyang Commandery (present-day Nanyang, Henan), Huang Zhong initially served as General of the Houshold under Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province. He was tasked to defend Changsha with Liu Biao's son in the clan, Liu Pan.[2] However, the prominent warlord Cao Cao conquered Jing Province after Liu Biao's death in 208; Huang Zhong subsequently continued his service under this new lord of the land, specifically under Administrator Han Xuan in Changsha.
Following Cao Cao's defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs in the same year, the victorious allied force of Liu Bei and Sun Quan was gradually taking over the various commanderies in southern Jing Province, including Changsha. Huang Zhong strongly suggested to Han Xuan to surrender to Liu Bei, who held strong influence in the province. Han Xuan and Huang Zhong then began their service under Liu Bei. He performed extremely well in Liu Bei's campaign on Yi Province from 212 to 214 - his bravery in battles was said to be unmatched by any. After Yi Province was taken, Huang Zhong was promoted to the rank of General Who Attacks Rebels (討虜將軍).
In 217, Liu Bei started a campaign to seize control of Hanzhong, which was under the control of Cao Cao. His force met with resistance led by Xiahou Yuan at Yangping Pass. The confrontation dragged on for more than a year until one night in 219, Liu Bei set fire to the barbed fence around Xiahou Yuan's camp at the foot of Mount Dingjun. Alarmed by the attack, Xiahou Yuan sent Zhang He to defend the eastern corner of the camp, while he guarded the south. Liu Bei's main force pressed against Zhang He, outmatching the latter. Xiahou Yuan thus dispatched a fraction of his own troops to Zhang He's rescue. Huang rallied his men, and accompanied by thundering drums, they descended upon Xiahou Yuan's dwindling force. The battle became a rout and Xiahou Yuan was killed in action. The victory at Mount Dingjun was a major stepping stone to the later conquest of Hanzhong. Huang was granted the title of General Who Attacks the West for killing Xiahou.
In the same year, Liu Bei proclaimed himself King of Hanzhong, a symbolic measure comparing himself to the Emperor Gaozu of Han. He then promoted Huang Zhong to General of the Rear (後將軍), placing the latter on the same level as four other generals: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and Ma Chao. Hearing the promotion of Huang, Guan Yu initially refused to accept the title of General of the Front as he felt ashamed to take an equal rank with the former, whom he regarded as a mere "old soldier".
Huang Zhong died in the next year, to an unspecified cause. He was given the posthumous title of "Marquis Gang", literally meaning "unyielding marquis". His son, Huang Xu, died earlier, so they had no descendants.[3]
[edit] Appointments and titles held
- General of the Household (中郎將)
- Major General (裨將軍)
- General Who Attacks Barbarians (討虜將軍)
- General Who Attacks the West (征西將軍)
- General of the Rear (後將軍)
- Marquis of Guannei (關內侯)
- Marquis Gang (剛侯) - granted to Huang Zhong posthumously
[edit] In fiction
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel by Luo Guanzhong, was a romanticization of the events that occurred before and during the Three Kingdoms era. In the novel, Huang Zhong was portrayed as an aged but extremely talented warrior, excelling especially in archery.
Huang Zhong was also credited with the slaying of Xiahou Yuan in 219, a prominent general under the warlord Cao Cao, in the Battle of Mount Dingjun, though in reality the latter was most probably killed in the rush of enemy soldiers.
[edit] Surrender to Liu Bei
When Liu Bei attacked Changsha during his campaign to claim southern Jing Province, Huang Zhong had a chance to kill Guan Yu with an arrow, but instead he hit his helmet claiming that such a warrior did not deserve to die. Huang Zhong then dueled Guan Yu, who killed his horse. Impressed by Huang Zhong's vigor, Guan Yu allowed him to return to Han Xuan for another horse. When Han Xuan became suspicious of Huang Zhong's loyalty after this exchange, he ordered Huang's execution, but Huang was saved when Wei Yan killed Han Xuan. Wei Yan and Huang Zhong then surrendered the city to Liu Bei.
[edit] Battle outside Luocheng
Before Liu Bei had gained Yi Province, Luo Guanzhong created a fictional battle in which Huang Zhong competed with his colleague Wei Yan for credit. In Chapter 62, Liu Bei's main force was approaching Luocheng (雒城), a strategic city which would allow further advances on Chengdu, capital of Yi Province.
The enemy had established two camps 60 li outside the city, one under Ling Bao and the other under Deng Xian. Huang Zhong had volunteered to lead a vanguard force to vanquish both camps, which Liu Bei approved, when Wei Yan voiced his doubts over the aged Huang's physical ability. This infuriated Huang Zhong, who challenged Wei Yan to a duel. To appease both, Liu Bei then ordered Huang Zhong to attack Ling Bao and Wei Yan to strike Deng Xian.
Wanting all credits for himself, Wei Yan set out his troops early next morning and headed for Ling Bao's camp instead. However, Ling Bao was ready for the attack and used a flanking tactic on the enemy. Wei Yan's troops, exhausted after a long march, were overpowered and began to retreat. Wei Yan's horse stumbled, throwing its rider off. A force led by Deng Xian had by then arrived, and its commander came straight for Wei Yan with his spear held forth.
Just then, an arrow knocked Deng Xian off in mid-gallop. Huang Zhong had come to the rescue. Having slain the fallen Deng Xian, Huang Zhong then went for Ling Bao, brandishing his sword. Ling Bao was no match for his ferocious foe and had to retreat. However, his camp was already taken over by Liu Bei's main force. In his frantic attempt to find an escape, Ling Bao was ambushed and captured by Wei Yan, who had regrouped his force in a bid to redeem himself. For the victory, Huang Zhong was heavily rewarded while Wei Yan was pardoned for defying orders.
[edit] Battle of Mount Dingjun
In chapter 71, Xiahou Yuan stationed his troops on Mount Dingjun and effectively resisted the advance of Huang Zhong. Under the council of advisor Fa Zheng, Huang Zhong occupied Mount Tiandang, a taller peak that lied to the west of Mount Dingjun. From this new vantage point Huang Zhong had an excellent view of Xiahou Yuan's troop movements.
Xiahou Yuan could not tolerate his enemy spying on him and insisted on attacking Mount Tiandang. Setting out his troops to surround Mount Tiandang, Xiahou Yuan rode forth and challenged his enemy to battle. However, Huang Zhong kept his troops back and refused to engage.
In the afternoon, Fa Zheng saw from his lookout post near the peak that Xiahou Yuan's troops had grown tired and dispirited. He then hoisted a red flag, signalling Huang Zhong to attack. Amid deafening drums and war horns, Huang Zhong's troops rushed downhill with Huang himself galloping in the forefront. Before he could react, Xiahou Yuan was cleft in two below his shoulders by Huang Zhong. With their commander dead, Xiahou Yuan's soldiers were easily defeated and Mount Dingjun was taken.
[edit] Death
The events leading up to Huang Zhong's death in chapter 83 were probably fictitious as well. Luo Guanzhong wrote that in 222, Huang Zhong followed Liu Bei on a campaign against Sun Quan. One day, hearing that Liu Bei commented on aged and incapable generals, Huang Zhong mounted his horse and rode straight to the forward camp.
Just at this time, an enemy vanguard force had arrived. Huang Zhong insisted on meeting the enemies. Holding his sword ready, the old general challenged for a duel with the enemy commander Pan Zhang. Pan Zhang sent his aide Shi Ji (史跡), who was slain by Huang Zhong within three bouts.
Brandishing the slain Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade, Pan Zhang then rode forward to meet Huang Zhong. Neither could establish a clear advantage but Huang Zhong was fighting with all his might. Not expecting to win the battle, Pan Zhang then retreated.
The next day, Pan Zhang rode out to issue challenge for another duel, which Huang Zhong eagerly took up. Within bouts, however, Pan Zhang turned to escape. Huang Zhong gave pursuit without hesitation. It was in fact a plot by the enemy, who had ambushed in wait for Huang. Running right into the trap, Huang Zhong was struck beneath the collar bone by an arrow fired by Ma Zhong and almost fell off his horse.
Fortunately, a friendly force led by Guan Xing and Zhang Bao came to the rescue and brought back Huang Zhong. Liu Bei came personally to the forward camp to see the injured general, but Huang Zhong was too old and weak to survive the arrow wound. Liu Bei apologized, stating that it was his own fault that the general was injured in battle. In response, Huang Zhong relieved Liu Bei of his guilt, saying "I am a soldier, I am glad that I could serve Your Majesty. But now I am seventy-five, and I have lived long enough." These were his last words. After them, Huang Zhong became unconscious and died later that night. In response, Liu Bei ordered an honorable burial for him in Chengdu.
[edit] Modern references
Huang Zhong is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors, Kessen II and Warriors Orochi video game series.
A fraternal organization and martial arts club, the Hon Hsing Athletic Association of Vancouver, British Columbia, established in 1939 under the patronage of the Wongs' Family Society of Canada, is named after the famous general's style name. This is the only known organization in the world to bear the name attributable to Huang Zhong.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A biographical dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23–220 AD). Brill. p. 352. ISBN 978-90-04-15605-0.
- ^ Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms Biography of Huang Zhong, Volume 36: (黃忠)與(劉)表從子磐共守長沙攸縣。
- ^ Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms Biography of Huang Zhong, Volume 36: 子敘，早沒，無後。
- Chen Shou (2002). Records of Three Kingdoms, Volume 36, Biography of Huang Zhong. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 978-7-80665-198-8.
- Luo Guanzhong (1986). Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 978-7-80520-013-2.
- Lo Kuan-chung; tr. C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (2002). Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8048-3467-4.
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