Huang Zhong

Historical Record

Huang Zhong, courtesy name Hansheng, was a native of Nanyang. He was initially under Liu Biao, Governor of Jing Province, serving as General of the Gentlemen-of-the-Household, and together with Liu Biao's nephew Liu Pan garrisoned You County in Changsha ^c:4410. After Cao Cao took Jing Province, Huang Zhong was appointed Acting General of the Vanguard, continuing to serve in Changsha Commandery, subordinate to the Administrator Han Xuan ^c:4410.

When Liu Bei pacified the various commanderies to the south, Huang Zhong submitted to Liu Bei and followed him into Shu. From the time he received his command at Jiameng Pass to attack Liu Zhang, Huang Zhong displayed extraordinary valor, often charging into the fray ahead of all others; his bravery and resolve ranked foremost in the three armies ^c:4410. After Yi Province was pacified, Huang Zhong was appointed General Who Subdues the Caitiffs ^c:4410.

In the twenty-fourth year of the Jian'an era (219 CE), at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in Hanzhong, Huang Zhong rendered illustrious service. At that time, Liu Bei led his troops south across the Mian River and encamped at Mount Dingjun. The Cao Wei great general Xiahou Yuan led troops to come and contest the position. Liu Bei adopted Fa Zheng's advice ^c:4411 and ordered Huang Zhong to seize the high ground, beat the drums to rouse morale, and launch the attack. Huang Zhong pressed his advance, inspiring the soldiers; the war drums thundered and the cheers echoed through the valley, and in a single battle he slew Xiahou Yuan and the Inspector of Yi Province whom Xiahou Yuan had appointed, Zhao Yong, and others ^c:4409. This battle crushed the Cao army, and Huang Zhong was thereby promoted to General Who Conquers the West ^c:4410.

That same year, Liu Bei declared himself King of Hanzhong and wished to appoint Huang Zhong as General of the Rear. Zhuge Liang once advised Liu Bei, holding that Huang Zhong's reputation had never matched that of Guan Yu and Ma Chao, and that he feared Guan Yu would be displeased as a result ^c:4410. However, Liu Bei held firm, saying "I shall settle it myself," and ultimately placed Huang Zhong on a par with Guan Yu and the others, granting him the rank of Marquis Within the Passes ^c:4410. The next year, Huang Zhong died and was posthumously titled Marquis Gang. His son Huang Xu died young, leaving no heir ^c:4410.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Huang Zhong's image is given more legendary color and drama. He first appears when Liu Bei campaigns south against the four commanderies of Jingnan, then serving under Han Xuan, the Administrator of Changsha ^c:15833. When Guan Yu was ordered to attack Changsha, Zhuge Liang specially reminded Guan Yu that although Huang Zhong was nearly sixty years old, he had "valor that ten thousand men could not withstand," and must not be taken lightly ^c:4412.

Huang Zhong and Guan Yu fought a series of splendid single combats beneath the walls of Changsha. In their first clash, the two fought more than a hundred bouts without a decision ^c:15834. Fighting again the next day, Huang Zhong's warhorse stumbled, and Guan Yu, out of respect for his age, could not bear to kill him, instead letting him change horses and fight again, displaying Guan Yu's sense of honor ^c:15835. On the third day, to repay Guan Yu for sparing his life, Huang Zhong twice loosed empty shots during the fight and finally shot an arrow into the tassel of Guan Yu's helmet rather than taking his life, demonstrating Huang Zhong's loyalty, righteousness, and superb archery ^c:4415.

Han Xuan, on account of Huang Zhong's "not fighting his hardest" and "drawing his bowstring empty," wished to behead him; fortunately Wei Yan came to his rescue, and he ultimately submitted to Liu Bei ^c:15838. Liu Bei treated Huang Zhong very generously and asked him to bury Han Xuan ^c:4416. In subsequent campaigns, Huang Zhong appeared many times as vanguard or important general. For example, when Liu Bei took Yi Province, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan together served as the front column, repeatedly rendering service ^c:4418. In the attack on Luocheng, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan were once surrounded by Zhang Ren, and were later relieved by Liu Bei ^c:15840.

At the Battle of Mount Dingjun, the episode of Huang Zhong slaying Xiahou Yuan is depicted even more thrillingly in the novel. Kongming used the "method of provocation" to stir Huang Zhong, saying he was too old ^c:15845. To prove that his blade had not dulled with age, Huang Zhong whirled his great saber as if flying and snapped two stiff bows in succession, finally winning the command. Following Fa Zheng's stratagem, Huang Zhong exploited Xiahou Yuan's rashness, and when his troops were weary, suddenly struck, cleaving Xiahou Yuan in two from head through shoulder with a single stroke ^c:4426. After this battle, Huang Zhong was further promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the West ^c:6880.

Key Relationships

* Liu Biao's faction (serves): In his early years Huang Zhong served under Liu Biao as General of the Gentlemen-of-the-Household, garrisoning You County in Changsha together with Liu Pan ^c:4410.
* Han Xuan (serves): After Cao Cao occupied Jing Province, Huang Zhong continued to serve in Changsha Commandery, subordinate to the Administrator Han Xuan ^c:4410.
* Liu Bei's faction (serves): When Liu Bei pacified Jingnan to the south, Huang Zhong submitted and followed him into Shu, becoming an important general of Liu Bei, repeatedly rendering service, ultimately rising to General of the Rear and posthumously titled Marquis Gang ^c:4410.
* Guan Yu (fights_with/respects): In the novel, Huang Zhong and Guan Yu waged a splendid duel beneath the walls of Changsha; the two held each other in mutual esteem and each repaid the other for sparing his life ^c:15835.
* Xiahou Yuan (fights_in): At the Battle of Mount Dingjun, Huang Zhong slew Xiahou Yuan, rendering decisive service in Liu Bei's seizure of Hanzhong ^c:4409.
* Wei Yan (cooperates_with): In the novel, Huang Zhong and Wei Yan partnered on campaign many times, jointly completing tasks such as taking Yi Province and the Hanzhong Campaign ^c:4418.
* Zhuge Liang (respects/is_respected_by): In the novel, Zhuge Liang had a deep appreciation of Huang Zhong's valor and loyalty, but also once used the method of provocation to spur him on ^c:15845.

Iconic Scenes

* Clashing with Guan Yu beneath the walls of Changsha: In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Huang Zhong and Guan Yu fought for three days beneath the walls of Changsha—first more than a hundred bouts without a decision, then Huang Zhong's horse stumbled and Guan Yu spared him; the next day, to repay the kindness, Huang Zhong shot an arrow into the tassel of Guan Yu's helmet, displaying his superb archery and martial virtue ^c:4415 (novel only).
* Slaying Xiahou Yuan at Mount Dingjun: This was the most brilliant feat of Huang Zhong's career. On Liu Bei's order, Huang Zhong seized the advantageous terrain and, exploiting the weariness of the Cao army, led his troops in a fierce assault, slaying Xiahou Yuan and laying the foundation for Liu Bei's seizure of Hanzhong ^c:4409. In the novel, this battle is depicted as a classic scene of Huang Zhong, old yet vigorous, cutting down a famed Cao Wei general, cementing his heroic image as a "veteran general" ^c:4426.
* Charging in first to break the enemy lines in the Shu campaign: When Huang Zhong campaigned into Shu with Liu Bei, he often charged into the fray ahead of all others, his valor surpassing the three armies, rendering great service in Liu Bei's pacification of Yi Province ^c:4410.
* Being appointed General of the Rear: After Liu Bei declared himself King of Hanzhong, he overruled all objections and placed Huang Zhong on a par with Guan Yu, Ma Chao, and the others, appointing him General of the Rear and granting him the rank of Marquis Within the Passes, affirming Huang Zhong's outstanding contributions ^c:4410.