Dynasty Warriors 4
Plot -- Characters
Table:
Shu
Wei
Wu
Other

Guan Yu
Cao Cao
Da Qiao
Diao Chan

Huang Zhong
Cao Ren*
Gan Ning
Dong Zhuo

Jiang Wei
Dian Wei
Huang Gai
Lu Bu

Liu Bei
Sima Yi
Lu Meng
Meng Huo

Ma Chao
Xiahou Dun
Lu Xun
Yuan Shao

Pang Tong
Xiahou Yuan
Sun Ce
Zhang Jiao

Wei Yan
Xu Huang
Sun Jian
Zhu Rong

Yue Ying*
Xu Zhu
Sun Quan

Zhang Fei
Zhang He
Sun Shang Xiang

Zhao Yun
Zhang Liao
Taishi Ci

Zhuge Liang
Zhen Ji
Xiao Qiao

Zhou Tai*

Zhou Yu

Taking into account the tabular data plus the supporting text provided.

State the answer to the question: The first ruler of a state that he founded , who is widely known for his role in modern texts , had a general who was a key member of the state 's armed services and was appointed in what role ? Return your answer as JSON: {"answer": "YOUR ANSWER"}. Base your answer solely on the given information.

Han ( 漢 ; 221-263 ) , known in historiography as Shu Han ( 蜀漢 ; often shortened to Shu ; [ ʂù xân ] ( listen ) ) or Ji Han ( 季漢 ) , was one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China in the Three Kingdoms period ( 220-280 ) . The state was based in the area around present-day Sichuan and Chongqing , which was historically known as Shu after an earlier state in Sichuan named Shu . Shu Han 's founder Liu Bei had named his state Han as he considered it the legitimate successor to the Han dynasty , while Shu is added to the name as a geographical prefix to differentiate it from the many Han states throughout Chinese history .
Wei ( 220-266 ) , also known as Cao Wei , was one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China in the Three Kingdoms period ( 220-280 ) . With its capital initially located at Xuchang , and thereafter Luoyang , the state was established by Cao Pi in 220 , based upon the foundations laid by his father , Cao Cao , towards the end of the Eastern Han dynasty . The name Wei first became associated with Cao Cao when he was named the Duke of Wei by the Eastern Han government in 213 , and became the name of the state when Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor in 220 . Historians often add the prefix Cao to distinguish it from other Chinese states known as Wei , such as Wei of the Warring States period and Northern Wei of the Northern and Southern dynasties . The authority of the ruling Cao family dramatically weakened in the aftermath of the deposal and execution of Cao Shuang and his siblings , the former being one of the regents for the third Wei emperor , Cao Fang , with state authority gradually falling into the hands of Sima Yi , another Wei regent , and his family , from 249 onwards . The last Wei emperors would remain largely as puppet rulers under the control of the Simas until Sima Yi 's grandson , Sima Yan , forced the last Wei ruler , Cao Huan , to abdicate the throne and established the Jin dynasty .
Wu ( 222-280 ) , commonly known as Dong Wu ( Eastern Wu ) or Sun Wu , was one of the three major states that competed for supremacy over China in the Three Kingdoms period ( 220-280 ) . It previously existed from 220-222 as a vassal kingdom nominally under Cao Wei , its rival state , but declared independence from Wei and became a sovereign state in 222 . It became an empire in 229 after its founding ruler , Sun Quan , declared himself emperor . Its name was derived from the place it was based in - the Jiangnan ( Yangtze River Delta ) region , which was also historically known as Wu . It was referred to as Dong Wu ( Eastern Wu ) or Sun Wu by historians to distinguish it from other Chinese historical states with similar names which were also located in that region , such as the Wu state in the Spring and Autumn period and the Wuyue kingdom in the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period . It was called Eastern Wu because it occupied most of eastern China in the Three Kingdoms period , and Sun Wu because the family name of its rulers was Sun . During its existence , Wu 's capital was at Jianye ( present-day Nanjing , Jiangsu ) , but at times it was also at Wuchang ( 武昌 ; present-day Ezhou , Hubei ) .
Guan Yu ( [ kwán ỳ ] ( listen ) ; died January or February 220 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Yunchang , was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . Along with Zhang Fei , he shared a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and accompanied him on most of his early exploits . Guan Yu played a significant role in the events leading up to the end of the Han dynasty and the establishment of Liu Bei 's state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period . While he is remembered for his loyalty towards Liu Bei , he is also known for repaying Cao Cao 's kindness by slaying Yan Liang , a general under Cao Cao 's rival Yuan Shao , at the Battle of Boma . After Liu Bei gained control of Yi Province in 214 , Guan Yu remained in Jing Province to govern and defend the area for about seven years . In 219 , while he was away fighting Cao Cao 's forces at the Battle of Fancheng , Liu Bei 's ally Sun Quan broke the Sun-Liu alliance and sent his general Lü Meng to conquer Liu Bei 's territories in Jing Province . By the time Guan Yu found out about the loss of Jing Province after his defeat at Fancheng , it was too late . He was subsequently captured in an ambush by Sun Quan 's forces and executed . Guan Yu 's life was lionised and his achievements glorified to such an extent after his death that he was deified during the Sui dynasty . Through generations of story telling , culminating in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , his deeds and moral qualities have been given immense emphasis , making Guan Yu one of East Asia 's most popular paradigms of loyalty and righteousness . He is still worshipped by many Chinese people today in mainland China , Taiwan , Tibet , Hong Kong and among many overseas Chinese communities . In religious devotion he is reverentially called the Divus Guan ( Guān Dì ) or Lord Guan ( Guān Gōng ) .
Cao Cao ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ; [ tsʰǎu tsʰáu ] ; Chinese : 曹操 ; c. 155 - 15 March 220 ) , courtesy name Mengde , was a Chinese poet and warlord . He was the penultimate Chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty who rose to great power in the final years of the dynasty . As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period , he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and ultimately the Jin dynasty , and was posthumously honoured as Emperor Wu of Wei . He is often portrayed as a cruel and merciless tyrant in subsequent literature ; however , he has also been praised as a brilliant ruler and military genius who treated his subordinates like his family . During the fall of the Eastern Han dynasty , Cao Cao was able to secure the most populated and prosperous cities of the central plains and northern China . Cao Cao had much success as the Han chancellor , but his handling of the Han Emperor Xian was heavily criticised and resulted in a continued and then escalated civil war . Opposition directly gathered around warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan , whom Cao Cao was unable to quell . Cao Cao was also skilled in poetry , calligraphy and martial arts and wrote many war journals .
The Two Qiaos of Jiangdong ( traditional Chinese : 江東二橋 ; simplified Chinese : 江东二桥 ; pinyin : Jiāngdōng èr Qiáo ) were two sisters of the Qiao family who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China .
Diaochan was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China . Unlike the other three beauties , however , there is no known evidence for her existence ; she is mostly a fictional character . She is best known for her role in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , which romanticises the events in the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period . In the novel , she has a romance with the warrior Lü Bu and causes him to betray and kill his foster father , the tyrannical warlord Dong Zhuo . Chinese historical records indicate that Lü Bu had a secret affair with one of Dong Zhuo 's maids and he constantly feared that Dong Zhuo would find out . This was one of the reasons why he betrayed and assassinated Dong Zhuo in 192 . The maid 's name was not recorded in history , however . The name Diaochan , which literally means sable cicada , is believed to have been derived from the sable tails and jade decorations in the shape of cicadas which adorned the hats of high-ranking officials in the Eastern Han dynasty .
Huang Zhong ( pronunciation ( help·info ) , pinyin : Huáng Zhōng ) ( died 220 ) , courtesy name Hansheng , was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He is best known for his victory at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in 219 , in which his force routed that of an enemy general , Xiahou Yuan , who was killed in action during the raid . Huang Zhong is portrayed in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and popular culture as an elderly general with youthful vigour and constitution , and as one of the Five Tiger Generals under Liu Bei .
Cao Ren ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 168 - 6 May 223 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Zixiao , was a military general serving during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China under the warlord Cao Cao , who was also his older second cousin . He continued serving in the state of Cao Wei - founded by Cao Cao 's son and successor , Cao Pi - during the Three Kingdoms period . He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han dynasty . He was appointed as the Grand Marshal ( 大司馬 ) when Cao Pi ascended the throne , and was also credited by the latter for the establishment of Wei . However , Cao Ren was also once derided as a mediocre commander by Zhu Huan , a general from Wei 's rival state Eastern Wu .
Gan Ning ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( fl . 180s-210s [ a ] ) , courtesy name Xingba , was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan in the late Eastern Han dynasty . Originally a notorious pirate , he gave up the life of a marauder in the late 190s and became a subordinate of Huang Zu , the Administrator of a commandery in present-day east-central Hubei . Disheartened by Huang Zu 's indifferent attitude towards him , Gan Ning eventually left Huang and made his way into Wu territory ( present-day eastern and southeastern China ) , where he found his calling and became a military officer under the warlord Sun Quan . Throughout his years of service under Sun Quan until his death , Gan Ning fought in numerous battles for his lord , including the battles of Jiangxia ( 208 ) , Red Cliffs ( 208-209 ) , Xiaoyao Ford ( 214-215 ) and Ruxu ( 217 ) .
Dong Zhuo ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 22 May 192 ) , courtesy name Zhongying , [ a ] was a military general and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He seized control of the capital Luoyang in 189 when it entered a state of turmoil following the death of Emperor Ling of Han and a massacre of the eunuch faction by the court officials led by General-in-Chief He Jin . Dong Zhuo subsequently deposed Liu Bian ( Emperor Shao ) and replaced him with the puppet Emperor Xian of Han . Dong Zhuo 's rule was brief and characterized by cruelty and tyranny . In the following year , a coalition of regional officials and warlords launched a campaign against him . Failing to stop the coalition forces , Dong Zhuo sacked Luoyang and relocated further west to Chang'an . He was assassinated soon after in 192 by his subordinate Lü Bu in a plot orchestrated by Interior Minister Wang Yun .
Jiang Wei ( 202 - 3 March 264 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Boyue , was a military general of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China . Born in Ji County ( present-day Gangu County , Gansu ) , Jiang Wei started his career as a military officer in his native Tianshui Commandery , which was a territory of the state of Wei . In 228 , when Wei 's rival state Shu launched an invasion , Jiang Wei had no choice but to defect to Shu due to the circumstances . Zhuge Liang , the Imperial Chancellor and regent of Shu , highly regarded Jiang Wei and allowed him to serve as a general in Shu . After Zhuge Liang 's death in 234 , Jiang Wei continued serving as a general during the regencies of Zhuge Liang 's successors , Jiang Wan and Fei Yi . Between 240 and 262 , he continued Zhuge Liang 's legacy of waging war against Wei by leading another 11 military campaigns . However , Jiang Wei failed to make any significant gains from the campaigns as each was ultimately aborted due to inadequate food supplies , heavy losses on the battlefield , or other reasons . The campaigns also severely depleted Shu 's already limited resources and took a toll on the Shu population ; Jiang Wei also incurred much resentment from the people for his warmongering behaviour . While Jiang Wei was away at the frontline , the palace eunuch Huang Hao , whom the Shu emperor Liu Shan favoured , gradually became more influential in Shu 's internal politics . After the 11th campaign in 262 , Jiang Wei suspected that Huang Hao was plotting to remove him from power so he did not return to the capital Chengdu and instead remained in Tazhong . In 263 , when Wei launched a massive invasion of Shu , Jiang Wei led Shu forces to resist the invaders at Tazhong , Yinping and Jiange , but he was caught off guard when the Wei forces under Deng Ai took a shortcut and showed up at Chengdu unexpectedly . Liu Shan surrendered to Deng Ai without putting up resistance and ordered Jiang Wei to surrender to the Wei general Zhong Hui ; this event marked the end of Shu 's existence .
Dian Wei ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died February or March 197 ) [ a ] was a military officer serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . Famed for his enormous strength , Dian Wei excelled at wielding a pair of jis ( a halberd-like weapon ) , each of which was said to weigh 40 jin . He was killed in action at the Battle of Wancheng while covering Cao Cao 's escape from Zhang Xiu 's forces .
Huang Gai ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( fl . 180s-210s ) , courtesy name Gongfu , was a military general who served under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He previously served under Sun Quan 's predecessors - Sun Jian ( Sun Quan 's father ) and Sun Ce ( Sun Quan 's elder brother ) .
Lü Bu ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 7 February 199 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Fengxian , was a military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of Imperial China . Originally a subordinate of a minor warlord Ding Yuan , he betrayed and murdered Ding and defected to Dong Zhuo , the warlord who controlled the Han central government in the early 190s . In 192 , he turned against Dong Zhuo and killed him after being instigated by Wang Yun and Shisun Rui , but was later defeated and driven away by Dong Zhuo 's followers . From 192 to mid-195 , Lü Bu wandered around central and northern China , consecutively seeking shelter under warlords such as Yuan Shu , Yuan Shao and Zhang Yang . In 194 , he managed to take control of Yan Province from the warlord Cao Cao with help from defectors from Cao 's side , but Cao took back his territories within two years . In 196 , Lü Bu turned against Liu Bei , who had offered him refuge in Xu Province , and seized control of the province from his host . Although he had agreed to an alliance with Yuan Shu earlier , he severed ties with him after Yuan declared himself emperor - treason against Emperor Xian of Han - and joined Cao and others in attacking the pretender . However , in 198 , he sided with Yuan Shu again and came under attack by the combined forces of Cao and Liu , resulting in his defeat at the Battle of Xiapi in 199 . He was captured and executed on Cao 's order . Although Lü Bu is described in historical and fictional sources as an exceptionally mighty warrior , he was also notorious for his temperamental behaviour . He switched allegiances erratically and freely betrayed his allies , and was noted for his poor planning and management skills . He was always suspicious of others and could not control his subordinates .
Liu Bei ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ; Mandarin pronunciation : [ ljou pei ] ; 161 - 10 June 223 ) , courtesy name Xuande , was a warlord in the late Eastern Han dynasty who founded the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period and became its first ruler . Despite early failings compared to his rivals and lacking both the material resources and social status they commanded , he gathered support among disheartened Han loyalists who opposed Cao Cao , the warlord who controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Emperor Xian , and led a popular movement to restore the Han dynasty through this support . Liu Bei overcame his many defeats to carve out his own realm , which at its peak spanned present-day Sichuan , Chongqing , Guizhou , Hunan , and parts of Hubei and Gansu . Culturally , due to the popularity of the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , Liu Bei is widely known as an ideal benevolent , humane ruler who cared for his people and selected good advisers for his government . His fictional counterpart in the novel was a salutary example of a ruler who adhered to the Confucian set of moral values , such as loyalty and compassion . Historically , Liu Bei , like many Han rulers , was greatly influenced by Laozi . He was a brilliant politician and leader whose skill was a remarkable demonstration of Legalism . Liu Bei 's somewhat Confucian tendencies were also dramatized compared to his rival states ' founders , Cao Pi and Sun Quan , who both ruled as pure Legalists . His political philosophy can best be described by the Chinese idiom Confucian in appearance but Legalist in substance ( 儒表法里 ; 儒表法裡 ; rú biǎo fǎ lǐ ; ju2 piao3 fa3 li3 ) , a style of governing which had become the norm after the founding of the Han dynasty . [ a ] [ citation needed ]
Sima Yi ( pronunciation ( help·info ) Chinese : 司馬懿 ; 179 - 7 September 251 ) , courtesy name Zhongda , was a Chinese military general , politician , and regent of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China . He formally began his political career in 208 under the Han dynasty 's Imperial Chancellor Cao Cao ; [ a ] quickly rising through the ranks . His success in both handling domestic and military affairs , such as in governance and the promotion of agriculture , serving as a capable adviser , repelling incursions and invasions led by Shu and Wu forces , speedily crushing Meng Da 's rebellion , and conquering the Gongsun-led Liaodong commandery , all managed to garner him great prestige over the decades . He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from a series of invasions between 231 and 234 led by Wei 's rival state Shu . In 239 , he was made to preside as a regent for the young Cao Fang - after the latter 's adoptive father , Cao Rui , had died - along with another co-regent , Cao Shuang . Although amicable at first , the relationship soon deteriorated in light of Cao Shuang 's corruption , extravagance , and attempts to curtail Sima Yi 's political influence . In 249 , after carefully planning and building up support , he ousted Cao Shuang from power in a coup d'état and had him and his associates executed . Sima Yi would go on to serve as the de facto primary authority in Wei after this event , although in 251 he faced some opposition in the form of Wang Ling 's rebellion , which he swiftly dealt with . He died later that year , on 7 September 251 , at the age of 71 or ( more likely ) 72 , with his eldest son , Sima Shi , succeeding his position . For the remainder of Wei 's history , state power would increasingly rest in the hands of the Sima clan , which paved the way for the establishment of the Jin dynasty , which was founded by Sima Yi 's grandson , Sima Yan , in 266 . After Sima Yan became emperor , he honoured his grandfather with the posthumous title Emperor Xuan of Jin ( 宣皇帝 ) and the temple name Gaozu ( 高祖 ) .
Lü Meng ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 178 - January or February 220 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Ziming , was a military general who served under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . Early in his career , he fought in several battles under the banner of Sun Ce , Sun Quan 's elder brother and predecessor . Although he had been noted for his bravery , he was still deemed as nothing more than a mere warrior for his lack of literacy skills . Later , with encouragement from Sun Quan , Lü Meng took up scholarly pursuits to improve himself , gradually becoming a learned and competent military leader . In 217 , he succeeded Lu Su as the frontline commander of Sun Quan 's forces in Jing Province . Two years later , in a carefully calculated military operation , Lü Meng led an invasion of Liu Bei 's territories in southern Jing Province , swiftly and stealthily capturing all the lands from Liu Bei 's general Guan Yu , who was captured and executed after his defeat . Lü Meng enjoyed his finest hour after the victory but died a few months later because he was already seriously ill before the campaign .
Meng Huo was popularly regarded as a local leader representing the gentries of the Nanzhong region during the Three Kingdoms period of China . The Nanzhong region part of the territories of the state of Shu Han . When the Shu Han emperor Liu Bei died in 223 CE , the local people of Nanzhong rebelled against Shu Han , stating that there were three lords claiming to be the legitimate ruler of China and they no longer knew whom they should pledge allegiance to . In retaliation , the Shu Han chancellor Zhuge Liang launched an invasion on the Nanzhong region and successfully quelled the uprising . The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Han and Jin Dynasties ( 漢晉春秋 ) and the Chronicles of Huayang recorded that Zhuge Liang captured and released the local leader seven times until he finally swore allegiance to Shu Han . Meng Huo 's popular image comes from the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , which romanticises the events before and during the Three Kingdoms period . The novel portrays Meng Huo as a southern barbarian tribal leader . He also marries the fictional Lady Zhurong , who claims descent from the fire deity Zhurong . The Yi consider Meng Huo one of their rulers and call him Mot Hop ( Yi language : ꂽꉼ ) .
Ma Chao ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 176-222 ) , courtesy name Mengqi , was a military general and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China . A descendant of the general Ma Yuan , Ma Chao was the eldest son of Ma Teng , a prominent warlord in Liang Province ( covering parts of northwestern China ) . In 211 , he formed a coalition with Han Sui and other northwestern warlords and revolted against the Han central government , which was led by the warlord Cao Cao . The coalition broke up after losing the Battle of Tong Pass against Cao Cao 's forces . Ma Chao initially retreated , but later returned to attack and seize control of Liang Province by killing the provincial inspector Wei Kang and forcing Wei Kang 's subordinates to submit to him . About a year after Ma Chao started his uprising , Emperor Xian issued an imperial decree ordering the execution of Ma Chao 's family members , who were in Ye city at the time . In the meantime , Wei Kang 's subordinates , led by Zhao Ang , Yang Fu and others , rebelled against Ma Chao and forced him out of Liang Province . Ma Chao retreated to Hanzhong Commandery , where he borrowed troops from the warlord Zhang Lu , and returned to attack Liang Province but was ultimately defeated and driven back . Ma Chao took shelter under Zhang Lu for a while until around 214 , when he heard that the warlord Liu Bei was fighting for control over Yi Province ( covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing ) with Yi Province 's governor , Liu Zhang . He defected to Liu Bei 's side and assisted Liu Bei in capturing Yi Province from Liu Zhang . Ma Chao had served as a general under Liu Bei since then and participated in the Hanzhong Campaign in 219 . He died in 222 .
Xiahou Dun ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 13 June 220 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Yuanrang , was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He served for a few months under Cao Cao 's successor , Cao Pi , before his death . As one of Cao Cao 's most trusted generals , Xiahou Dun aided the warlord in his campaigns against Lü Bu , Liu Bei , Sun Quan and others . Xiahou Dun lost his left eye when he was a hit by a stray arrow during a battle against Lü Bu in the late 190s , and subsequently became known among the rank and file as One-eyed Xiahou . His image as a one-eyed warrior was popularised by the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , in which he yanked the arrow out of his eye and devoured his eyeball .
Lu Xun ( 183 - March or April 245 ) , courtesy name Boyan , also sometimes referred to as Lu Yi , was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of China . He started his career as an official under the warlord Sun Quan in the 200s during the late Eastern Han dynasty and steadily rising through the ranks . In 219 , he assisted Sun Quan 's general Lü Meng in an invasion of Jing Province , which led to the defeat and death of Liu Bei 's general Guan Yu . In 222 , he served as the field commander of the Wu army in the Battle of Xiaoting against Liu Bei 's forces and scored a decisive victory over the enemy . Lu Xun reached the pinnacle of his career after this battle as Sun Quan regarded him more highly , promoted him to higher positions and bestowed upon him unprecedented honours . Throughout the middle and the later parts of his career , Lu Xun oversaw and managed both civil and military affairs in Wu while participating in some battles against Wu 's rival state , Wei , from time to time . In his final years , Lu Xun was drawn into a succession struggle between Sun Quan 's sons and fell out of Sun Quan 's favour as a consequence . He managed to retain his appointment as Imperial Chancellor - an office he assumed in 244 - but died a year later in frustration . Lu Xun 's role in the Wu government was likened to that of a custos morum as he believed firmly in and upheld Confucian principles and practices . On the one hand , he provided constant and timely advice to Sun Quan to exercise benevolence and consider the welfare of the people . On the other hand , he vehemently objected to Sun Quan 's idea of replacing his legitimate heir apparent in favour of a younger son .
Yuan Shao ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 28 June 202 ) , courtesy name Benchu , was a warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil wars that occurred towards the end of the Han dynasty . He was also an elder half-brother of Yuan Shu , a warlord who controlled the Huai River region , though the two were not on good terms with each other . One of the most powerful warlords of his time , Yuan Shao spearheaded a coalition of warlords against Dong Zhuo , who held Emperor Xian hostage in the imperial capital , Luoyang , but failed due to internal disunity . In 200 , he launched a campaign against his rival Cao Cao but was defeated at the Battle of Guandu . He died of illness two years later in Ye ( in present-day Handan , Hebei ) . His eventual failure despite his illustrious family background and geographical advantages was commonly blamed on his indecisiveness and inability to heed the advice of his advisers .
Pang Tong ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 179-214 ) , courtesy name Shiyuan , was an adviser to the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . Originally a minor official in Nan Commandery in Jing Province , Pang Tong came to serve Liu Bei in 209 after the latter became the provincial governor . In the early 210s , he accompanied Liu Bei on a military campaign to seize control of Yi Province ( covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing ) from the warlord Liu Zhang , but was killed by a stray arrow during a battle at Luo County ( north of present-day Guanghan , Sichuan ) in 214 .
Xiahou Yuan ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 219 ) , courtesy name Miaocai , was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He is known for his exploits in western China ( in parts of present-day Gansu , Ningxia and Shaanxi provinces ) in the 210s , during which he defeated Cao Cao 's rivals Ma Chao and Han Sui in Liang Province and the surrounding areas , and forced several Di and Qiang tribal peoples into submission . He was killed in action at the Battle of Mount Dingjun while defending Hanzhong Commandery from attacks by a rival warlord Liu Bei . Xiahou Yuan 's death was highly dramatised in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , in which he was slain by Liu Bei 's general Huang Zhong during a surprise raid .
Sun Ce ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 175-200 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Bofu , was a military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He was the eldest child of Sun Jian , who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16 . Sun Ce then broke away from his father 's overlord , Yuan Shu , and headed to the Jiangdong region in southern China to establish his own power base there . With the help of several people , such as Zhang Zhao and Zhou Yu , Sun Ce managed to lay down the foundation of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period . In 200 , when the warlord Cao Cao was at war with his rival Yuan Shao in the Battle of Guandu , Sun Ce was rumoured to be planning an attack on Xuchang , Cao Cao 's base . However , he was assassinated before he could carry out the plan . Sun Ce was posthumously honoured as Prince Huan of Changsha ( 長沙桓王 ) by his younger brother Sun Quan when the latter became the founding emperor of Eastern Wu . Chen Shou 's Records of the Three Kingdoms ( Sanguozhi ) describes Sun Ce as a handsome man who was full of laughter . He was also a generous and receptive man who employed people according to their abilities . As such , his subjects were willing to risk their lives for him . One detractor named Xu Gong , in a letter to Emperor Xian , compared Sun Ce to Xiang Yu , the warrior-king who overthrew the Qin dynasty . As a result , Sun Ce was also referred to as the Little Conqueror in popular culture .
Zhang Jue ( /ˈdʒɑːŋ dʒuˈeɪ/ ; died 184 ) was the leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He was said to be a follower of Taoism and a sorcerer . His name is sometimes read as Zhang Jiao ( /ˈdʒɑːŋ ˈdʒaʊ/ ) , since the Chinese character of Zhang 's given name can be read as either Jiao or Jue . Jue is the traditional reading , while Jiao is the modern one .
Wei Yan ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 234 ) , courtesy name Wenchang , was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China . Originally a subordinate of the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty , Wei Yan rose through the ranks and became a general when Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province ( covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing ) in 214 . His performance in battle helped him to become a prominent figure in the Shu military in a short period of time . He was later appointed as the Administrator of Hanzhong Commandery and as an Area Commander in 219 . Between 228 and 234 , he participated actively in the Northern Expeditions led by the Shu regent Zhuge Liang against Shu 's rival state , Cao Wei . After Zhuge Liang 's death in 234 , Wei Yan was killed by another Shu general , Ma Dai , for alleged treason .
Xu Huang ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 227 ) , courtesy name Gongming , was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He later served in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period under the first two rulers , Cao Pi and Cao Rui , before his death at the start of Cao Rui 's reign . Xu Huang is best noted for breaking the siege at the Battle of Fancheng in 219 by routing the enemy commander Guan Yu on the field . Chen Shou , who wrote the third-century historical text Sanguozhi , named Xu Huang as one of the Five Elite Generals of his time , alongside Yu Jin , Zhang He , Yue Jin and Zhang Liao .
Sun Jian ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 155-191 ) , courtesy name Wentai , was a military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He allied himself with Yuan Shu in 190 when warlords from eastern China formed a coalition to oust Dong Zhuo , a tyrannical warlord who held the puppet Emperor Xian in his power . Although he controlled neither many troops nor much land , Sun Jian 's personal bravery and resourcefulness were feared by Dong Zhuo , who placed him among Yuan Shao , Yuan Shu and Liu Biao as the most influential men at that time . After the coalition disbanded in the next year , China fell into massive civil war . In 191 , Sun Jian was killed in battle during an offensive campaign against Liu Biao . Sun Jian was also the father of Sun Quan , one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms era who eventually established the Eastern Wu state and declared himself its first emperor in 229 , whereupon Sun Jian was given the posthumous title Emperor Wulie ( 武烈皇帝 ) .
Lady Zhurong , sometimes referred to as Madam Zhurong , is a fictional character in the 14th-century Chinese historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms . She is the wife of the Nanman chieftain Meng Huo , who rules the lands in the Nanzhong region of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China . She claims descent from the Chinese fire deity Zhurong , from whom she acquires her name . Zhurong is the only woman in the novel who participates in fighting and battles against Shu forces alongside her husband .
Lady Huang , also known in fiction and folklore as Huang Yueying , was the wife of Zhuge Liang , the chancellor and regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China . Her name was not recorded in history ; Huang Yueying is simply a fictional name .
Xu Chu ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died c. 230 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Zhongkang , was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period of China . He started his career as a bodyguard to the warlord Cao Cao and later became a general in the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period . He was described to be a big and strong man , yet simple minded and honest , so he was nicknamed Tiger Fool by his men . After his death , he was posthumously honoured with the title Marquis Zhuang , which literally means robust marquis .
Sun Quan ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 5 July 182 - 21 May 252 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Zhongmou , formally known as Emperor Da of Wu ( literally Great Emperor of Wu ) , was the founder of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period . He inherited control of the warlord regime established by his elder brother , Sun Ce , in 200 . He declared formal independence and ruled from 222 to 229 as the King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as the Emperor of Wu . Unlike his rivals Cao Cao and Liu Bei , Sun Quan was much younger than they were and governed his state mostly separate of politics and ideology . He is sometimes portrayed as neutral considering he adopted a flexible foreign policy between his two rivals with the goal of pursuing the greatest interests for the country . Sun Quan was born while his father Sun Jian served as the adjutant of Xiapi County . After Sun Jian 's death in the early 190s , he and his family lived at various cities on the lower Yangtze River , until Sun Ce carved out a warlord regime in the Jiangdong region , based on his own followers and a number of local clan allegiances . When Sun Ce was assassinated by the retainers of Xu Gong in 200 , the 18-year-old Sun Quan inherited the lands southeast of the Yangtze River from his brother . His administration proved to be relatively stable in those early years as Sun Jian and Sun Ce 's most senior officers , such as Zhou Yu , Zhang Zhao , Zhang Hong , and Cheng Pu supported the succession . Thus throughout the 200s , Sun Quan , under the tutelage of his able advisers , continued to build up his strength along the Yangtze River . In early 207 , his forces finally won complete victory over Huang Zu , a military leader under Liu Biao , who dominated the middle Yangtze . Huang Zu was killed in battle .
Zhang Fei ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died July or August 221 AD ) , [ a ] courtesy name Yide , was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China . Zhang Fei and Guan Yu , who were among the earliest to join Liu Bei , shared a brotherly relationship with their lord and accompanied him on most of his early exploits . Zhang Fei fought in various battles on Liu Bei 's side , including the Red Cliffs campaign ( 208-209 ) , takeover of Yi Province ( 212-214 ) , and Hanzhong Campaign ( 217-218 ) . He was assassinated by his subordinates in 221 after serving for only a few months in the state of Shu Han , which was founded by Liu Bei earlier that year . Zhang Fei is one of the major characters in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , which dramatises and romanticises the events before and during the Three Kingdoms period . In the novel , Zhang Fei became sworn brothers with Liu Bei and Guan Yu in the fictional Oath of the Peach Garden at the start of the novel and remained faithful to their oath until his death .
Zhang He ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died July or August 231 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Junyi , was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He continued serving in the state of Cao Wei under its first two rulers , Cao Pi and Cao Rui , during the Three Kingdoms period until his death . Zhang He began his career under Han Fu , the governor of Ji Province , in the 180s when he joined the Han imperial forces in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion . He became a subordinate of the warlord Yuan Shao in 191 after Yuan Shao seized the governorship of Ji Province from Han Fu . Throughout the 190s , Zhang He fought in the battles against Yuan Shao 's northern rival , Gongsun Zan . In 200 , Zhang He initially fought on Yuan Shao 's side at the Battle of Guandu against Cao Cao , a warlord who controlled the Han central government . However , he defected to Cao Cao after Yuan Shao 's defeat at Guandu in the same year . [ b ] Since then , he had fought in several wars under Cao Cao 's banner , including the campaigns against Yuan Shao 's heirs and allies ( 201-207 ) , the expeditions in northwestern China ( 211-214 ) , and the battles around Hanzhong ( 215-219 ) . After Cao Cao 's death in 220 , Zhang He served in Wei and fought in battles against Wei 's rival states , Shu Han and Eastern Wu . His best known victory was at the Battle of Jieting in 228 , in which he defeated the Shu general Ma Su by cutting off the enemy 's access to water supplies and then attacking them . In 231 , he was killed in an ambush laid by Shu forces during the Battle of Mount Qi while he was reluctantly pursuing a retreating enemy force . Chen Shou , who wrote the third-century historical text Sanguozhi , named Zhang He as one of the Five Elite Generals of his time , alongside Yu Jin , Yue Jin , Zhang Liao and Xu Huang .
Lady Sun , also known as Sun Ren in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Sun Shangxiang [ a ] in Chinese opera and contemporary culture , was a Chinese noble lady who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty . She was a daughter of the warlord Sun Jian and his wife Lady Wu , and a younger sister of the warlords Sun Ce and Sun Quan , who founded the state of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period . Sometime in 209 , she married the warlord Liu Bei to strengthen an alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan . Around 211 , she returned to Sun Quan 's domain when Liu Bei left Jing Province ( covering present-day Hubei and Hunan ) and settled in Yi Province ( covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing ) .
Zhao Yun ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( died 229 ) , courtesy name Zilong , was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China . Originally a subordinate of the northern warlord Gongsun Zan , Zhao Yun later came to serve another warlord , Liu Bei , and had since accompanied him on most of his military exploits , from the Battle of Changban ( 208 ) to the Hanzhong Campaign ( 217-219 ) . He continued serving in the state of Shu Han - founded by Liu Bei in 221 - in the Three Kingdoms period and participated in the first of the Northern Expeditions until his death in 229 . While many facts about Zhao Yun 's life remain unclear due to limited information in historical sources , some aspects and activities in his life have been dramatised or exaggerated in folklore and fiction . In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms , he was lauded as a member of the Five Tiger Generals under Liu Bei .
Zhang Liao ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 169-222 ) , [ a ] courtesy name Wenyuan , was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . He served briefly in the state of Cao Wei , founded by Cao Cao 's successor Cao Pi , in the early Three Kingdoms period before his death . Formerly a subordinate of other warlords such as Ding Yuan , Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu , Zhang Liao joined Cao Cao around 198 after Lü Bu 's downfall at the Battle of Xiapi . Since then , he participated in many of Cao Cao 's military campaigns , including those against Yuan Shao 's heirs and the Wuhuan tribes from 201-207 . He is best known for his pivotal role in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 214-215 , in which he successfully defended Hefei from the forces of the warlord Sun Quan . Chen Shou , who wrote the third-century historical text Sanguozhi , named Zhang Liao as one of the Five Elite Generals of his time , alongside Yu Jin , Zhang He , Yue Jin and Xu Huang .
Taishi Ci ( pronunciation ( help·info ) ) ( 166-206 ) , courtesy name Ziyi , was a military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China . A native of Donglai Commandery , he started his career as a minor official in the local commandery office . In 186 , at the age of 20 , he became famous after successfully completing a mission to prevent a letter from the provincial administration from reaching the imperial court in Luoyang first . However , out of fear that the provincial administration would take revenge against him , he went into hiding in Liaodong . After returning from Liaodong , he travelled to Beihai ( around present-day Weifang , Shandong ) to rescue the warlord Kong Rong , who was besieged by Yellow Turban rebels . By resorting to trickery , he managed to break out of the siege and seek aid from another warlord , Liu Bei . The siege was lifted when Taishi Ci returned to Beihai with reinforcements from Liu Bei . Taishi Ci travelled to Yang Province later to join the warlord Liu Yao , an old acquaintance of his . However , he got caught up in a war between Liu Yao and another warlord , Sun Ce . He fought on Liu Yao 's side and once engaged Sun Ce in a one-on-one fight . Following Liu Yao 's defeat and death , Taishi Ci headed to Jing County ( north of present-day Jing County , Anhui ) and tried to establish his own power base there . However , he was eventually defeated and captured by Sun Ce 's forces .
Zhuge Liang ( [ ʈʂú.kɤ̀ ljâŋ ] ( listen ) Chinese : 諸葛亮 ; 181-234 ) , courtesy name Kongming , was a Chinese politician , military strategist , writer , engineer and inventor . He served as the chancellor and regent of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period . He is recognised as the most accomplished strategist of his era , and has been compared to Sun Tzu , the author of The Art of War . His reputation as an intelligent and learned scholar grew even while he was living in relative seclusion , earning him the nickname Wolong or Fulong , meaning Crouching Dragon or Sleeping Dragon . Zhuge Liang is often depicted wearing a Taoist robe and holding a hand fan made of crane feathers . Zhuge Liang was a Confucian-oriented Legalist . He liked to compare himself to the sage minister Guan Zhong , developing Shu 's agriculture and industry to become a regional power . and attached great importance to the works of Shen Buhai and Han Fei , refusing to indulge local elites and adopting strict , but fair and clear laws . In remembrance of his governance , local people maintained shrines to him for ages . Zhuge is a two-character Chinese compound family name . His name - even his surname alone - has become synonymous with loyalty , intelligence and strategy in Chinese culture . [ citation needed ]
Lady Zhen ( 26 January 183 - 4 August 221 ) , personal name unknown , was the first wife of Cao Pi , the first ruler of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period . In 226 , she was posthumously honoured as Empress Wenzhao when her son , Cao Rui , succeeded Cao Pi as the emperor of Wei .