Zhou Tai
| Zhou Tai | |||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 周泰 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 周泰 | ||||||||
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Template:Chinese name Zhou Tai (died ca. 223)[1], style name Youping (幼平), was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.
Biography
Early life and career
Zhou Tai was a native of Jiujiang Commandery, and was depicted as a pirate around the area in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but it is hard to tell if he really practiced piracy because historic records only suggest he was of an obscure origin. Zhou Tai joined Sun Ce's forces as one of Sun's personal retainers, alongside Jiang Qin. When Sun Ce entered Kuaiji, Zhou Tai was appointed Major with a Separate Command, and was given troops to command. It was at this time that Sun Quan took a liking to Zhou Tai's character, and requested for Zhou to be transferred to under his command.
Several times throughout his career, Zhou Tai saved Sun Quan from danger by risking his own life. Once, while Sun Ce was out fighting Shanyue rebels from the caves within the six prefectures of Jiangdong, Sun Quan was left in Xuan with less than a thousand guards. Out of negligence, he did not set up defence posts. Several thousand of Shanyue rebels attacked. By the time Sun Quan mounted his horse, the bandits managed to surround him already. Their weapons, hitting here and there, slashed Sun Quan's saddle, causing great panic all around. Only Zhou Tai, with spirits roused, defended Sun Quan with his body, emboldening those near him and making them able to fight again. When the bandits were finally dispersed, Zhou Tai was found unconscious with 12 deep wounds, which took a long time to heal. Had Zhou Tai not been there on that day, Sun Quan would have surely perished. This deed was greatly appreciated by Sun Ce, who added the title of Chief of Chunju Prefecture to Zhou Tai.
Service under Sun Ce and Sun Quan
Some time after that, Zhou Tai followed Sun Ce to attack Liu Xun at Wan and Huang Zu of Jiangxia, and upon his return he passed by Yuzhang commandery and there he was granted the title of Chief of Yichun Prefecture as well. These prefectures generated all the supplies needed by his troops. Zhou Tai also assisted in the defense against Huang Zu on a few occasions.
Zhou Tai was among the ten Wu generals who participated in the Battle of Red Cliffs; under the leadership of Zhou Yu, the forces of Sun Quan won a decisive victory over the hordes of Cao Cao. Zhou Tai also participated in the siege of Jiangling fortress, which earned Sun Quan Nan Commandery.
As the Controller of Ruxu
Later, when Cao Cao's army launched an assault on Ruxu, Zhou Tai went to meet the attack. After Cao Cao retreated, Zhou Tai was appointed Controller of Ruxu and General who Pacifies the Caitiffs. At the time Zhou Tai stationed at Ruxu fort, Zhu Ran and Xu Sheng were located there as well, and did not want to submit to Zhou Tai's command citing his common background. Thus Sun Quan made a special trip to Ruxu fort, to meet with all the generals there. A great party was held, where Sun Quan personally served wine to Zhou Tai, and asked him to remove his outer garments. Pointing at each scar, Sun Quan asked Zhou Tai the story behind it, whereupon Zhou would respond with his memories of past battles. At the end, Sun Quan had him dressed again, and together they reveled through the night. When the next day came, Sun Quan had a herald grant him his imperial parasol.
The Jiangbiao Zhuan describes:
Sun Quan held [Zhou Tai's] arm, and tears crossed his face. He called him by his style name, saying, "Youping, you have fought as brave as a bear and a tiger for us two brothers. Not holding back your own life, you have been wounded in several tens of places, and your skin is as if it's been etched on. Can I not treat you as one of my brothers, and bestow the powers of command upon you? You have done great service for Wu, and I would stand with you whether in honour and shame, and share with you in joy and sorrow. Youping, be merry. Do not let the fact that you lack pedigree make you back down from your tasks!" And at that he commanded for the imperial silk parasol of blue veils to be bestowed upon Zhou Tai. After all that, he had his mounts prepared to go, and ordered Zhou Tai lead the way out, in the midst of drums and horns.
Thus Xu Sheng and Zhu Ran conceded, the other generals gained much respect for Zhou Tai and accepted his command.
Death
After Sun Quan defeated Guan Yu, he planned to invade Shu Han. He made Zhou Tai Grand Administrator of Hanzhong in name and General of Roused Valour. He also conferred the title of Marquis of Lingyang onto Zhou Tai. Zhou Tai died during the Huangwu era (222-228).
Zhou Tai's son, Zhou Shao, also commanded troops, in the position of Chief Commandant of the Cavalry. He gained merits in battle when Cao Ren attacked Ruxu, and he also served in Lu Xun's Battle of Shiting against Cao Xiu. Thus he was promoted to the rank of Major General. He died in the second year of Huanglong (230). His younger brother, Zhou Cheng, took command of the troops and inherited the marquisate.
Modern references
Zhou Tai appears as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series.
See also
References
- ^ de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A biographical dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23–220 AD). Brill. p. 1148. ISBN 978-90-04-15605-0.
- Chen Shou. Records of Three Kingdoms, Volume 55, Biography of Zhou Tai.