Han Zhong

Historical Record

Han Zhong, as the envoy of Gongsun Kang, Grand Administrator of Liaodong, is recorded chiefly in connection with the period when Cao Cao campaigned against Yuan Tan. At that time the Wuhuan tribe of Liucheng intended to dispatch cavalry to aid Yuan Tan, and Cao Cao sent Qian Zhao, who had once commanded the Wuhuan, to Liucheng to persuade them. When Qian Zhao arrived, the Qiao King was assembling the tribes, preparing to send five thousand cavalry to support Yuan Tan. At the same time, Gongsun Kang, calling himself Governor of Pingzhou, sent Han Zhong bearing the seal and ribbon of a Chanyu to confer it upon the Qiao King ^c:15446.

At the great assembly where the Qiao King had gathered the tribal chieftains, Han Zhong too was present. The Qiao King asked Qian Zhao: "In the past Lord Yuan claimed to act on the Son of Heaven's mandate in conferring on me the title of Chanyu; now Lord Cao says he will report to the Son of Heaven and confer on me anew the title of true Chanyu; and Liaodong has also brought a seal and ribbon. So which of these is legitimate?" Qian Zhao explained the matter in detail, pointing out that Yuan Shao had once provisionally conferred titles under delegated authority, but afterward the Son of Heaven commanded Cao Cao to replace him, and Cao Cao made clear that he would report to the Son of Heaven and confer anew the title of true Chanyu—this was the proper course. He further refuted the conduct of Liaodong, a subordinate commandery, in presuming to confer titles on its own authority ^c:15446.

Faced with Qian Zhao's words, Han Zhong took a hardline stance. He countered: "Our Liaodong lies east of the boundless sea, with a host of a million troops, and we have such tribes as the Fuyu and the Huimo to command; in the present state of things, the strong are honored—what makes Cao Cao necessarily right?" These words of Han Zhong's not only challenged the authority of Cao Cao, represented by Qian Zhao, but also displayed the self-assurance of Gongsun Kang's faction in its own strength and its contempt for the Central Plains regime ^c:15446.

However, Han Zhong's words enraged Qian Zhao. Qian Zhao immediately rebuked Han Zhong, charging that Lord Cao was fair, respectful, and wise, aiding the Son of Heaven, suppressing rebels, and pacifying the realm, whereas Han Zhong and his lord were obstinate, relying on the remoteness of their terrain, betraying the royal command, attempting to confer titles on their own authority, and insulting the sacred instruments of state—and that they would in the end be slaughtered. With that, Qian Zhao seized Han Zhong by the head, pressed him to the ground, and drew his blade to behead him. The Qiao King, alarmed at the sight, ran barefoot to embrace Qian Zhao and plead for Han Zhong, and all those present blanched. In the end Qian Zhao returned to his seat and analyzed for the Qiao King and the others the consequences of success and failure and where fortune and misfortune lay. The Qiao King and the rest all descended from their seats and prostrated themselves, respectfully accepting Qian Zhao's instruction; they then dismissed the Liaodong envoy Han Zhong and disbanded the cavalry they had prepared to dispatch ^c:15446.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the figure of Han Zhong is not mentioned, and so any literary portrayal of him is entirely absent. The Novel contains no episode, dialogue, or characterization of Han Zhong. This means that, unlike many figures recorded in both the histories and the Novel, Han Zhong received no artistic elaboration or characterization of any kind in this widely circulated literary work. His existence and deeds are confined entirely to the historical record, never entering the popular understanding of the Three Kingdoms story. Therefore, in this "In the Novel" section, we can only note that Romance of the Three Kingdoms has "no clear record" of Han Zhong ^c:15446.

Key Relationships

* Han Zhong and Gongsun Kang: Han Zhong was Gongsun Kang's envoy, sent bearing the Chanyu seal and ribbon to the Wuhuan Qiao King, attempting to win over the Wuhuan tribes in order to oppose the Central Plains regime. This reflects the strategy of Gongsun Kang's faction in carving out a domain in the Liaodong region and seeking to extend its influence through diplomacy ^c:15446.
* Han Zhong and Qian Zhao: Han Zhong and Qian Zhao had a fierce verbal clash at the Wuhuan Qiao King's assembly, and Han Zhong was nearly beheaded by Qian Zhao. This reflects the complex situation in which Cao Cao's and Gongsun Kang's two powers contended for the support of the frontier peoples, as well as Qian Zhao's hardline stance and diplomatic skill as Cao Cao's envoy ^c:15446.
* Han Zhong and the Wuhuan Qiao King: As Gongsun Kang's representative, Han Zhong attempted to confer the Chanyu seal and ribbon upon the Qiao King in order to win his support. However, with Qian Zhao's intervention, the Qiao King ultimately abandoned cooperation with Gongsun Kang and disbanded the cavalry prepared to support Yuan Tan, showing that Han Zhong's diplomatic mission ultimately failed ^c:15446.

Iconic Scenes

* Verbal Duel and Near Execution at the Wuhuan Qiao King's Assembly: This is Han Zhong's sole and most iconic scene in the historical record. At the assembly where the Wuhuan Qiao King gathered the tribal chieftains, Han Zhong, as Gongsun Kang's envoy, engaged in fierce debate with Cao Cao's envoy Qian Zhao. Representing Gongsun Kang, Han Zhong emphasized Liaodong's great strength and questioned Cao Cao's legitimacy. However, his words enraged Qian Zhao, who pressed him to the ground on the spot and drew his blade to behead him, and only the Qiao King's plea spared his life. This scene displays not only Han Zhong's boldness and loyalty to Gongsun Kang, but also vividly portrays Qian Zhao's decisiveness and intimidating force, as well as the complex and shifting political landscape of the frontier region ^c:15446. Though gripping, this scene is found only in the historical record and has no counterpart in Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Novel only).