Han Fu

Historical Record

Concerning Han Fu, there is no clear mention in the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. His life, official appointments, and even his interactions with historical figures such as Cao Cao and Guan Yu are nowhere to be found in the biographical materials. From the standpoint of historical verification, therefore, Han Fu was not a genuine historical figure but a character fashioned in later literary creation.

In the Novel

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han Fu appears as the Administrator of Luoyang and is the second obstacle in the story of Guan Yu "passing five passes and slaying six generals." When Guan Yu, escorting his two sisters-in-law, reached the pass at Luoyang, Han Fu, upon hearing the news, immediately summoned his officers to discuss a plan ^c:15459. Well aware of Guan Yu's valor and that he had slain Yan Liang and Wen Chou, he was unwilling to face Guan Yu head-on, and instead adopted the scheme of his subaltern Meng Tan, attempting to capture Guan Yu by means of a hidden arrow. Han Fu's plan was first to block the pass with abatis, then have Meng Tan go into battle, feign defeat to lure Guan Yu into pursuit, and seize the chance to loose a cold arrow himself ^c:15459.

When Guan Yu arrived at the pass, Han Fu first demanded whether he had a pass-warrant from the Chancellor Cao Cao. Learning that Guan Yu had no warrant, he refused to let him through on the grounds that he was "stationed here by the Chancellor's command, charged solely with interrogating spies coming and going" ^c:15459. At this Guan Yu flew into a rage, mentioning that Kong Xiu at Dongling Pass had already been slain by him, and warning Han Fu not to court his own destruction. Meng Tan then rode out to clash with Guan Yu, but after fewer than three bouts wheeled his horse and fled. Guan Yu pursued Meng Tan; Meng Tan had meant to lure Guan Yu, but unexpectedly Guan Yu's horse was swift, and he soon caught up and cut Meng Tan in two. At this moment Han Fu seized the chance to loose an arrow, striking Guan Yu in the left arm. Guan Yu, enduring the pain, pulled out the arrow with his mouth; though the blood would not stop flowing, he still galloped toward Han Fu. Han Fu could not dodge in time and was finally cut down from his horse by Guan Yu's blade, head and shoulder together ^c:15459. Han Fu's appearance and death further underscore Guan Yu's image of loyalty, righteousness, and martial valor, and add dramatic tension to the legend of "passing five passes and slaying six generals."

Key Relationships

* Wang Zhi (in-law): Han Fu was related by marriage to Wang Zhi, the Administrator of Xingyang ^c:4185. After Han Fu was slain by Guan Yu, Wang Zhi, upon learning of it, sought to avenge Han Fu and plotted to do Guan Yu harm. This in-law relationship not only reveals Han Fu's network of personal ties among local powers but also directly led to yet another crisis for Guan Yu at Xingyang, further advancing the plot of "passing five passes and slaying six generals." (Novel only)
* Meng Tan (subaltern): Meng Tan was Han Fu's subaltern, who devised schemes for him and personally went into battle to lure Guan Yu. Though Meng Tan's stratagem was vicious, it ultimately failed and cost him his own life, indirectly bringing about Han Fu's death as well ^c:15459. (Novel only)
* Guan Yu (opponent): Han Fu was one of Guan Yu's principal opponents during the journey of "passing five passes and slaying six generals." He attempted to bar Guan Yu's way and plotted to harm him, but was finally slain by Guan Yu. Han Fu's obstruction further highlighted Guan Yu's martial valor and his loyalty to Liu Bei ^c:15459. (Novel only)

Signature Scene

Han Fu's signature scene is undoubtedly his ambush at the pass of Luoyang in his attempt to bar Guan Yu's way. In this scene, Han Fu first conferred with his subaltern Meng Tan and decided to employ the scheme of wounding by hidden arrow ^c:15459. When Guan Yu arrived, Han Fu refused to let him pass on the grounds that he had no warrant, and a verbal clash ensued with Guan Yu. Meng Tan then went into battle and feigned defeat to lure Guan Yu into pursuit. Han Fu seized the chance to loose an arrow, striking Guan Yu in the left arm—the only bodily wound Guan Yu suffered in the course of "passing five passes and slaying six generals." Yet Guan Yu, wounded as he was, struck back and finally cut Han Fu down from his horse, scattered his troops, and continued escorting the carriages onward ^c:15459. This scene not only displays Han Fu's cunning and treachery but, more importantly, highlights Guan Yu's dauntless valor and unyielding resolve, forming an indispensable link in the chain of the "passing five passes and slaying six generals" story in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. (Novel only)