Lady Zhurong
Homonymy : Zhurong is originally the name of a mythical emperor and fire deity of Chinese antiquity.
 | This article may need clearer distinction between fact and fiction. |
Lady Zhurong, sometimes known as Madam Zhu Rong or Lady Zhu Rong (祝融) (Pinyin: Zhù Róng; wg:Chu-jung) was a fictional character in the story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel based on the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese History. She was the wife of Meng Huo, king of the Nanman tribes and claimed to be descended from the fire god from whom she acquired her name. Lady Zhurong was the only woman in the story who took part in any of the fighting, battling against the Kingdom of Shu alongside her husband.
In Battle
After her husband was defeated by the Shu Commander Ma Dai, Zhu Rong took to battle herself and led a large army against a Shu unit. She wielded flying swords and managed to capture two Shu generals; Zhang Yi and Ma Zhong.
The following day she engaged in battle with Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and their armies, but both opponents quickly fled. Suspecting a trap, Zhurong did not give chase. The following day the same events happened; with both Shu officers retreating quickly. Again Zhurong did not chase them, however Wei Yan returned and hurled abuse at her. Enraged, she chased him, only to be led down a narrow valley where a trap lay waiting; entrapped in nets with her horse tripped by rope, Zhurong was ensnared.
Zhurong was brought to the Shu camp, and was treated well by Zhuge Liang, who offered her wine and severed her bonds. He then offered a proposal to Meng Huo; he would safely return Zhurong to the Nanman, if the two Shu generals Zhurong had recently captured would be released. Meng Huo agreed and Zhurong was returned to her husband.
Zhurong was captured another two times by the Shu. The last time she was captured, she had marched alongside her husband and their army to finish off the Shu army as they had been falsely informed that their ally King Wutugu's army had nearly obliterated the Shu. However much to their dismay, the Shu had actually routed Wutugu's army, and then they preceded to capture Zhu rong.
After finally submitting to the Shu and pledging their allegiance, Meng Huo and Zhurong were released to continue their rule over the land. They never rebelled again.
In Other Media
Zhurong appears as a playable character in Dynasty Warriors game by Koei, where she wields a boomerang. File:Zhurongdw3.JPG
