Zhao Tong

Historical Record

Regarding Zhao Tong, the standard history Records of the Three Kingdoms and its related sources contain no clear record of his life and deeds. Therefore Zhao Tong's specific identity, offices, activities, or end cannot be verified from the historical materials. In the historical record, Zhao Tong is a figure who goes unmentioned, and whether he existed and whether he had any achievements cannot be verified.

In the Novel

In the literary world of Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Tong, the eldest son of the renowned Shu Han general Zhao Yun, first appears in chapter ninety-seven of the novel ^c:3760. This chapter chiefly relates how Zhuge Liang was preparing for a northern campaign but encountered an unexpected event on the eve of setting out. At that time Eastern Wu sent envoys requesting that Shu Han send troops to attack Wei, and the Later Lord Liu Shan, greatly delighted, ordered the news conveyed to Hanzhong to inform the Chancellor Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang, about to march, set a banquet to assemble his generals and deliberate on the expedition. During the feast, a sudden gust of wind arose from the northeast corner and snapped the pine tree before the courtyard. After divining, Zhuge Liang foretold, "This wind portends the loss of one great general!" ^c:3760.

Sure enough, not long after Zhuge Liang's words, a messenger reported that Zhao Tong, eldest son, and Zhao Guang, second son, of General Who Guards the South Zhao Yun, had come to seek audience with the Chancellor. Hearing this, Zhuge Liang was greatly alarmed; he cast his cup to the ground and lamented, "Zilong is finished!" ^c:3760. Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang entered to pay their respects, weeping as they reported that their father Zhao Yun had fallen gravely ill and died at the third watch the previous night. On hearing the news, Zhuge Liang stamped his foot and wept, grieving, "With Zilong gone, the state has lost a pillar, and I have lost an arm!" ^c:3760. None of the assembled officers and men but shed tears. Zhuge Liang then ordered Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang to go to Chengdu to see the Later Lord Liu Shan and report the death. On hearing of Zhao Yun's death, the Later Lord too wept aloud, recalling Zhao Yun's past merit in rescuing him, and issued an edict posthumously honoring Zhao Yun as Grand General, with the posthumous title Marquis Shunping, ordering him buried east of Mount Jinping at Chengdu, with a temple established and seasonal sacrifices offered ^c:3760.

After Zhao Yun's funeral and burial, the Later Lord Liu Shan, mindful of Zhao Yun's achievements, conferred rewards on Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang. Zhao Tong was appointed General of the Tiger Guards, and Zhao Guang was appointed General of the Standard Gate, and the two were ordered to tend Zhao Yun's grave nearby ^c:6434. Zhao Tong and Zhao Guang took their leave and departed. Thereafter Zhao Tong has no further appearance or recorded deeds in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms; his image revolves chiefly around the death of his father Zhao Yun, carrying the symbolic meaning of mourning and inheritance from the older generation of heroes.

Key Relationships

* Zhao Yun (kin_of): Zhao Tong is the eldest son of the renowned Shu Han general Zhao Yun ^c:3760. This relationship is the very basis of Zhao Tong's existence in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms; his appearance is directly linked to Zhao Yun's death, and he inherits part of Zhao Yun's renown and standing. In the novel, Zhao Tong, together with his younger brother Zhao Guang, reports their father's death and receives the Later Lord's reward, taking charge of guarding their father's grave ^c:6434 (unique to the novel).
* Shu Han (serves): In the novel, Zhao Tong was appointed General of the Tiger Guards by the Later Lord Liu Shan, nominally serving the Shu Han regime ^c:6434 (unique to the novel). Although the novel records no actual military or political contribution by him, his office indicates his status within Shu Han.

Iconic Scenes

* Zhao Yun's death and Zhao Tong reporting it: Zhao Tong's most iconic scene in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is his going to Hanzhong together with his younger brother Zhao Guang to report to the Chancellor Zhuge Liang and the Later Lord Liu Shan the death of their father Zhao Yun ^c:3760. This scene is not only Zhao Tong's first appearance but also marks the passing of an important figure of the era of Shu Han's "Five Tiger Generals." Zhuge Liang's overwhelming grief on hearing the news, lamenting that the state had lost a pillar, highlights Zhao Yun's importance to Shu Han and indirectly grants Zhao Tong, as Zhao Yun's descendant, a special standing (unique to the novel).
* Being appointed General of the Tiger Guards and ordered to guard the grave: After Zhao Yun's burial, the Later Lord Liu Shan, to honor Zhao Yun's achievements, posthumously made him Grand General and appointed Zhao Tong General of the Tiger Guards and Zhao Guang General of the Standard Gate, ordering the two to guard Zhao Yun's tomb ^c:6434. This event is the highest honor and duty Zhao Tong receives in the novel, symbolizing the continuation of the Zhao Yun family and the consolation of the loyal and valiant's descendants, and bringing Zhao Tong's image to a close (unique to the novel).