Bian Xi

Historical Record

As for Bian Xi, there is no clear record in the surviving historical biographical materials. Neither the Records of the Three Kingdoms and its commentary by Pei Songzhi nor other related historical sources mention a general or figure named Bian Xi. From the standpoint of historiography, then, Bian Xi's existence and deeds are beyond verification. This indicates that Bian Xi is most likely a figure wholly invented by literary creation, meant to enrich the plot and to shape the image of a particular historical figure.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Bian Xi is an important villain, his appearance closely tied to the episode of Guan Yu "passing five passes and slaying six generals." He is portrayed as a native of Bingzhou, skilled with the meteor-hammer; originally a remnant of the Yellow Turbans, he later submitted to Cao Cao and was sent to garrison Sishui Pass.^[1] When Guan Yu, escorting his two sisters-in-law, reached Sishui Pass, Bian Xi, learning of his approach, conceived a wicked design to entrap him. Feigning a warm welcome to Guan Yu, he invited him to a banquet at the Zhenguo Temple before the pass. Bian Xi had beforehand concealed more than two hundred axemen and swordsmen in the temple, arranging the striking of a cup as the signal, intending to assassinate Guan Yu at the feast.^[1]

Bian Xi's scheme, however, was seen through by a monk of the Zhenguo Temple named Pujing. Pujing was a fellow townsman of Guan Yu; by reminiscing with Guan Yu over old times and deftly raising the ceremonial knife he wore, signaling with his eyes, he made Guan Yu aware of the danger.^[2] Guan Yu thereupon questioned Bian Xi and discovered axemen and swordsmen hidden behind the wall hangings. Seeing his scheme exposed, Bian Xi shouted for his men to act. Guan Yu reacted swiftly, drawing his blade and cutting down the ambushers. Bian Xi tried to flee and secretly drew out a flying hammer to hurl at Guan Yu, but Guan Yu parried it with his blade. In the end Guan Yu overtook Bian Xi and clove him in two with a single stroke.^[2] Bian Xi's end was the inevitable result of his scheming, and further highlighted Guan Yu's valor and vigilance. After this affair, the monk Pujing, fearing for his own safety, gathered up his robe and bowl and went off to wander elsewhere.^[2] In the novel Bian Xi is a typical sinister petty man, his existence serving chiefly to set off Guan Yu's loyalty, righteousness, and divine prowess—an indispensable link in the legendary tale of "passing five passes and slaying six generals."

Key Relationships

* Guan Yu (enemy_of): Bian Xi's relationship with Guan Yu is one of typical enmity. Bian Xi attempted to do Guan Yu harm by laying an ambush, but was in the end seen through and slain by Guan Yu.^[2] (novel only).
* Cao Wei (defected_to): Bian Xi was originally a remnant of the Yellow Turbans who later surrendered to Cao Cao and was charged with garrisoning Sishui Pass.^[1] (novel only).
* Pujing (the one who saw through the plot): The monk Pujing was a fellow townsman of Guan Yu; he saw through Bian Xi's scheme and deftly warned Guan Yu, thereby saving Guan Yu from harm.^[2] (novel only).

Iconic Scenes

Bian Xi's most iconic scene is none other than his laying of the "axemen and swordsmen" scheme at the Zhenguo Temple by Sishui Pass, in an attempt to murder Guan Yu. This scene depicts in detail how Bian Xi feigned a welcome to Guan Yu, invited him into the temple to a banquet, and concealed beforehand more than two hundred axemen and swordsmen, with the striking of a cup as the signal to strike.^[1] His scheme, however, was seen through by the monk Pujing, who, by reminiscing with Guan Yu and signaling with his eyes and his ceremonial knife, made Guan Yu wary.^[2] In the end, having seen through Bian Xi's ruse, Guan Yu angrily drew his blade and cut down the ambushers, then overtook the fleeing Bian Xi and clove him in two with a single stroke.^[2] This scene displays both Bian Xi's sinister cunning and Guan Yu's valor and wisdom; it is an important component of the "passing five passes and slaying six generals" episode in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and yet another display of Guan Yu's valiant image (novel only).