Han Song

Historical Record

Han Song, styled Degao, was a man of Yiyang. In his youth he loved learning, and though his family was poor he never altered his integrity. Foreseeing that the realm would fall into chaos, he did not answer the summons of the Three Excellencies, and withdrew with several like-minded companions to live in seclusion in the hills west of Li. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Han Song went south to escape the warfare, and was later forcibly conscripted by Liu Biao as Attendant Officer, then transferred to be Attendant Gentleman of the Bureau. ^c:6692

When Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in a standoff at Guandu, Yuan Shao sent men to seek aid from Liu Biao. Liu Biao agreed but did not actually send troops, nor did he assist Cao Cao, intending to hold the Yangtze and Han region as his own domain and watch the developments of the realm. At this point, the Attendant Officer of the Bureau Han Song and the Attendant Officer Liu Xian advised Liu Biao, pointing out that the heavy responsibility of the realm rested on the general; if he had ambitions to act, he could rise by taking advantage of the contest between the two great powers; if he had no such intent, then he should choose whom to attach himself to. They analyzed that Liu Biao commanded one hundred thousand troops, and that if he sat by idly, neither aiding the worthy nor seeking peace, then both Cao and Yuan would concentrate their resentment on Liu Biao, making it impossible for him to remain neutral. Considering Cao Cao's wisdom and the trend of worthies and talents attaching themselves to him, Han Song and the others held that Cao Cao would surely defeat Yuan Shao and then turn his arms toward the Yangtze and Han region, at which point Liu Biao would scarcely be able to resist. They therefore advised Liu Biao to give over Jing Province to Cao Cao; in that case Cao Cao would surely treat Liu Biao generously, allowing him long to enjoy fortune and blessing to his descendants—this was the soundest of plans. ^c:6691

Liu Biao's chief commander Kuai Yue also approved of this proposal, but Liu Biao hesitated and could not decide, and in the end sent Han Song to Xu to probe Cao Cao's real strength. After Han Song returned to Jing Province, he related in detail Cao Cao's might and virtue, and advised Liu Biao to send his son to Xu as a hostage. Liu Biao therefore suspected that Han Song had instead been won over by Cao Cao; he flew into a rage and wished to kill Han Song, and interrogated his attendants under torture; only after confirming that Han Song had no other intent did he desist. ^c:6691

The Fu Zi records a conversation between Han Song and Liu Biao before his mission. Han Song stated plainly that he was "one who keeps faith": serving his lord for his lord's sake, with the bond of lord and minister already fixed, he would keep it unto death. He held that Cao Cao was supremely wise and would surely bring peace to the realm. He advised Liu Biao to comply with the Son of Heaven above and submit to Cao Cao below, so as to enjoy a benefit lasting a hundred generations. Han Song further foretold that if Liu Biao hesitated and could not decide, then once he reached the capital, should the Son of Heaven grant him an office, he would become the Son of Heaven's minister and could no longer die for Liu Biao. Liu Biao, hearing this, still sent him forth. Sure enough, the Son of Heaven appointed Han Song Palace Attendant and promoted him to Administrator of Lingling. After Han Song returned to Jing Province, he praised the virtuous rule of the court and of Cao Cao. Liu Biao held that he harbored a divided heart, assembled several hundred subordinates, drew up his troops in a show of force, grasped the symbol of authority intending to behead Han Song, and rebuked him for his disloyalty. All were terrified and wished to urge Han Song to apologize, but Han Song did not stir, and instead said to Liu Biao: "It is the general who has failed me, Song; Song has not failed the general!" and restated what he had said before. Liu Biao's anger did not abate, but his wife, Lady Cai, remonstrated: "Han Song is a man of repute in Chu, and besides, his words are upright; to execute him would leave you without justification." Only then did Liu Biao desist, but he imprisoned Han Song. ^c:6691

In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 CE), after Cao Cao pacified Jing Province, he released the imprisoned Han Song and appointed him Grand Herald. ^c:6692

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han Song's image broadly accords with the historical record, appearing chiefly in Chapters 23 and 42. In Chapter 23, when both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao sent envoys, Liu Biao asked his counselors how he should choose. The Attendant Officer Han Song advised him, analyzing the situations of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, holding that Cao Cao was skilled in the use of troops and that worthies and talents attached themselves to him, so he would surely first take Yuan Shao and then turn against the Southland, at which point Liu Biao would scarcely be able to resist. He advised Liu Biao to give over Jing Province and attach himself to Cao Cao, who would surely treat Liu Biao generously. ^c:6693

Liu Biao, hearing this, had Han Song first go to Xu to observe how matters stood, and then deliberate further. Han Song's words at this point accord closely with what the Fu Zi records: he stated plainly, "Lord and minister each have their fixed lot. I now serve the general, and though I go through fire and water, I will obey only his command. If the general can comply with the Son of Heaven above and submit to Lord Cao below, then I may go; but if he remains in doubt and undecided, and I reach the capital, and the Son of Heaven grants me an office, then I become the Son of Heaven's minister and can no longer die for the general." ^c:6693 This speech fully displays Han Song's loyal directness and foresight.

After taking leave of Liu Biao, Han Song went to Xu to meet Cao Cao. Cao Cao at once appointed Han Song Palace Attendant with the post of Administrator of Lingling. ^c:6694 In the novel, Xun Yu expressed puzzlement at this, holding that Han Song had received such a heavy post before achieving any merit. Cao Cao then dispatched Han Song back to Jing Province to persuade Liu Biao. After Han Song returned to Jing Province, he praised the abundant virtue of the court and advised Liu Biao to send his son to attend at court. Liu Biao flew into a rage, holding that Han Song harbored a divided heart, and wished to behead him. Han Song cried out: "It is the general who has failed me, Song; Song has not failed the general!" Kuai Liang then spoke up, pointing out that Han Song had already said as much before setting out, and only then did Liu Biao pardon him. ^c:6694

In Chapter 42, after Cao Cao took Jing Province, he entered the city and pacified the people, released the imprisoned Han Song, and conferred upon him the rank of Grand Herald. ^c:6695 This accords with the historical record that Cao Cao, after pacifying Jing Province, appointed Han Song Grand Herald. The novel's portrayal of Han Song emphasizes his loyal directness, foresight, and judgment of the larger situation, and forms a sharp contrast with Liu Biao's hesitation and indecision.

Key Relationships

* Liu Biao's faction (advisor): Han Song was an important counselor under Liu Biao, holding posts such as Attendant Officer of the Bureau and Attendant Officer. ^c:6691 He repeatedly advised Liu Biao, analyzing the trend of the realm and urging him to attach himself to Cao Cao for the sake of self-preservation and long-term development. However, Liu Biao's suspicious nature meant Han Song's loyal counsel was not adopted, and he was even imprisoned for it. ^c:6691
* Cao Wei (defected_to): After his mission to Xu, Han Song was appointed by Cao Cao as Palace Attendant with the post of Administrator of Lingling. ^c:6694 After Cao Cao pacified Jing Province, he further appointed him Grand Herald. ^c:6692 Han Song in the end submitted to Cao Wei and held important posts in the Cao Wei regime, embodying his recognition of and allegiance to an "enlightened lord."
* The Son of Heaven (minister): Before his mission to Xu, Han Song stated plainly that if the Son of Heaven granted him an office, he would become the Son of Heaven's minister and in honor could no longer die for Liu Biao. ^c:6691 This shows that Han Song still held loyalty to the Han house in his heart, taking it as an important basis for his code of conduct. His enfeoffment as Palace Attendant in Xu also bore out his prediction.

Signature Scenes

* Advising Liu Biao to attach himself to Cao Cao: Han Song, together with Liu Xian and Kuai Yue, advised Liu Biao, analyzing the situation of the contest between Cao and Yuan, pointing out that if Liu Biao did not act he would be beset on both sides, and advising him to give over Jing Province and attach himself to Cao Cao—"the soundest of plans." ^c:6691 This is the core embodiment of Han Song's political stance, and displays his profound insight into the trend of the realm.
* The "fixed lot of lord and minister" argument before the mission to Xu: Before accepting Liu Biao's dispatch to Xu, Han Song clearly explained to Liu Biao the principle that "lord and minister each have their fixed lot," and foretold that if the Son of Heaven granted him an office, he would become the Son of Heaven's minister and could no longer die for Liu Biao. ^c:6691 This conversation not only displays Han Song's loyal and direct character but also foreshadows his eventual political choice, becoming a key turning point in his life.
* Rebuked by Liu Biao after returning to Jing Province, and defending himself: After returning from Xu to Jing Province, Han Song praised the virtuous rule of the court and of Cao Cao and advised Liu Biao to send his son as a hostage. Liu Biao therefore flew into a rage, holding that he harbored a divided heart, and wished to behead him. Han Song cried out: "It is the general who has failed me, Song; Song has not failed the general!" ^c:6691 This scene fully displays Han Song's directness and fearlessness; even facing the threat of death, he held firmly to his position, not pleading for himself but only clarifying Liu Biao's misunderstanding. Kuai Liang's testimony also bore out Han Song's loyalty from the side.
* Released and given important office after Cao Cao pacified Jing Province: After Cao Cao took Jing Province, he released Han Song, whom Liu Biao had imprisoned, and appointed him Grand Herald. ^c:6692 This was not only recognition of Han Song's talent but also marked his formal entry into the Cao Wei faction and his attainment of a position befitting his ability. This scene also embodies Cao Cao's discernment in employing men, forming a sharp contrast with Liu Biao's suspicion.