Zhao Guang

Historical Record

Concerning the historical records of Zhao Guang, neither the official *Records of the Three Kingdoms* nor its related commentaries makes any clear mention of him. Therefore, in the verifiable historical record, the figure of Zhao Guang is absent. His existence and the deeds of his life cannot be confirmed from the extant historical material. This indicates that he was not an important figure in history, or that his deeds were not set down by the historians.

In the Novel

In the literary narrative of Luo Guanzhong's *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Zhao Guang appears as the second son of the famed Shu Han general Zhao Yun. His first appearance comes after his father Zhao Yun's death. According to the account in Chapter 97 of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, while Zhuge Liang was making preparations for the Northern Expedition, a great wind suddenly snapped the pine tree before the courtyard, and he sensed that a great general was about to fall. At that very moment, Zhao Yun's eldest son Zhao Tong and second son Zhao Guang came to call upon the Chancellor, weeping that their father Zhao Yun had died of grave illness during the third watch of the previous night ^c:3754. This episode not only establishes Zhao Guang's identity but, through Zhuge Liang's grief at Zhao Yun's passing, sets off Zhao Yun's importance in Shu Han. Zhao Guang and his elder brother Zhao Tong were then ordered to enter Chengdu to report the death to the Later Sovereign Liu Shan. On hearing of Zhao Yun's death, the Later Sovereign too wept aloud, recalling Zhao Yun's past merit in saving the imperial heir, and posthumously conferred on Zhao Yun the title of Grand General, with the posthumous name Marquis Shunping, ordering him buried east of Mount Jinping at Chengdu and a shrine erected ^c:3754.

After the rites and burial of Zhao Yun were concluded, the Later Sovereign Liu Shan, mindful of Zhao Yun's merit, bestowed rewards upon Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang. Zhao Tong was enfeoffed as General of the Tiger Guard, while Zhao Guang was enfeoffed as General of the Standard's Gate, and the two were ordered to guard their father Zhao Yun's tomb nearby ^c:6432. Zhao Guang's role in the novel revolves chiefly around his identity as Zhao Yun's son, with no further detailed account of his own deeds. He exists more as a continuation of Zhao Yun's bloodline and as an indirect affirmation of Zhao Yun's achievements. The novel's portrayal of Zhao Guang reflects the author's commendation of the loyal and valiant descendants of a martial house, even though Zhao Guang himself established no notable merit.

Key Relationships

* Zhao Yun (kin_of): Zhao Guang was the second son of the famed Shu Han general Zhao Yun (novel-only). Together with his elder brother Zhao Tong, after their father's death he reported the death to Zhuge Liang and the Later Sovereign Liu Shan, and inherited his father's honor, being enfeoffed as General of the Standard's Gate to guard his father's tomb ^c:6432. This relationship is the root of Zhao Guang's existence in the novel and the source of all his identity.
* Shu Han (serves): As Zhao Yun's son, Zhao Guang naturally belonged to the Shu Han camp (novel-only). After his father's death, he was enfeoffed by the Later Sovereign Liu Shan as General of the Standard's Gate and ordered to guard Zhao Yun's tomb, indicating that he served the Shu Han regime ^c:6432.

Signature Scenes

* Reporting the father's death and receiving enfeoffment (novel-only): Zhao Guang's signature scene in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* is reporting the death of his father Zhao Yun to Zhuge Liang and the Later Sovereign Liu Shan together with his elder brother Zhao Tong. At that moment Zhuge Liang "cast his cup to the ground," "stamped his foot and wept," lamenting, "Zilong is gone; the state has lost a pillar, and I have lost an arm!" ^c:3754 Thereafter the Later Sovereign Liu Shan, recalling Zhao Yun's merit, bestowed rewards on Zhao Guang and Zhao Tong, enfeoffing Zhao Guang as General of the Standard's Gate and ordering him to guard the tomb ^c:6432. This scene is not only Zhao Guang's first and only clear appearance in the novel; through the solemn depiction of Zhao Yun's passing it also sets off, from the side, Zhao Yun's important standing in Shu Han and the honor accorded his descendants. In this scene, Zhao Guang appears as a representative of Zhao Yun's bloodline, bearing the remembrance and inheritance of his father's merit.