Xiang Chong

史载（Historical Record）

Xiang Chong, his style name unknown, was a native of Yicheng in Xiangyang, and a nephew of the Shu Han general Xiang Lang. He served Shu Han from early on, and during Liu Bei's reign he already held the post of General of the Standard ^c:836. In Liu Bei's Battle of Xiaoting (also called the defeat at Zigui), the Shu Han army suffered a heavy blow, yet the camp led by Xiang Chong remained intact and unaffected, displaying his outstanding military talent and ability to manage troops ^c:836.

In the first year of Jianxing (223), after Liu Shan ascended the throne, Xiang Chong, for his merit and ability, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting and appointed Central Commandant, charged with commanding the imperial guards, managing the household troops, and protecting the safety of the palace ^c:836. When Zhuge Liang was preparing for his Northern Expeditions, he submitted a memorial to the Latter Sovereign Liu Shan specially recommending Xiang Chong. In the memorial, Zhuge Liang praised him highly: "General Xiang Chong is of fair and even temperament and conduct, thoroughly versed in military affairs. Tried out in former days, the former emperor pronounced him capable, and so the consensus raised Chong to be commandant" ^c:836. Zhuge Liang advised Liu Shan that in matters of the palace, great or small, he should consult Xiang Chong, trusting that he could surely make the army's interior harmonious, each performing his duty, every man's talent fully used ^c:836. Thereafter Xiang Chong's post was further elevated, and he was transferred to Central Leader of the Army ^c:836.

However, Xiang Chong's military career came at last to an end in the third year of Yanxi (240). At that time, ordered to campaign against the barbarian tribes of Hanjia Commandery, he unfortunately was killed in the fighting ^c:836. Xiang Chong's younger brother Xiang Chong (Xiang Chong, written differently) later rose to such posts as Colonel of Archers Who Shoot at a Sound and Master of Writing ^c:836.

演中（In the Novel）

*Romance of the Three Kingdoms* gives relatively little description of Xiang Chong—indeed, almost no independent characterization. In the novel, Xiang Chong appears chiefly as a figure mentioned in Zhuge Liang's "Memorial on Dispatching the Army" ^c:836, the assessment of him as "of fair and even temperament and conduct, thoroughly versed in military affairs" entirely consistent with historical fact. The novel adds no further literary elaboration or fiction to his life and deeds, nor does it depict in detail his performance in the defeat at Zigui or his specific duties in the Shu Han army. Thus, in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Xiang Chong is more a symbol of a worthy minister recommended by Zhuge Liang than a character with an independent storyline. The novel does not mention his death campaigning against the barbarians, nor does it give any treatment to his brother Xiang Chong.

关键关系

* Xiang Lang (kin_of): Xiang Chong was the nephew of the eminent Shu Han man Xiang Lang ^c:836. Xiang Lang rose in Shu Han to General of the Left and Specially Advanced, renowned for his erudition and incorruptibility, and his family held a certain influence in Shu Han.
* Shu Han (serves): Xiang Chong served the Shu Han regime all his life, from the post of General of the Standard in Liu Bei's time to Central Commandant and Central Leader of the Army in Liu Shan's time—an important Shu Han general and head of the imperial guards ^c:836.
* Liu Bei (served by): During Liu Bei's reign, Xiang Chong was already General of the Standard, and displayed his military talent in the Battle of Xiaoting, gaining Liu Bei's recognition and being praised as "capable" ^c:836.
* Zhuge Liang (recommended by): In the "Memorial on Dispatching the Army," Zhuge Liang strongly recommended Xiang Chong to the Latter Sovereign Liu Shan, calling him "of fair and even temperament and conduct, thoroughly versed in military affairs," and advising Liu Shan that "matters in the camp should all be consulted with him" ^c:836, showing Zhuge Liang's high trust in and esteem for Xiang Chong.
* Liu Shan (served): After Liu Shan ascended the throne, Xiang Chong was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting and made Central Commandant and Central Leader of the Army, charged with the imperial guards—an important military general at Liu Shan's side ^c:836.

标志性场景

* The intact camp in the defeat at Zigui: In Liu Bei's Battle of Xiaoting (the defeat at Zigui), the Shu Han army suffered a heavy blow, yet the camp led by Xiang Chong remained intact and unaffected. This event not only proved Xiang Chong's outstanding military command and management, but also made him stand out after the battle, winning him the praise that "the former emperor pronounced him capable" ^c:836. This was the most notable early achievement of his military career and an important foundation for his subsequent advancement.
* Zhuge Liang's recommendation in the "Memorial on Dispatching the Army": On the eve of the Northern Expeditions, Zhuge Liang submitted a memorial to the Latter Sovereign Liu Shan, specially mentioning Xiang Chong, calling him "of fair and even temperament and conduct, thoroughly versed in military affairs," and advising Liu Shan to consult him on all matters of the palace ^c:836. This scene not only embodies Xiang Chong's recognition at the highest level for his personal ability, but also became the principal way in which Xiang Chong appears in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, fixing his image as a worthy minister in people's minds.
* Commanding the imperial guards: In the first year of Jianxing, Xiang Chong was appointed Central Commandant in charge of the imperial guards, and later transferred to Central Leader of the Army ^c:836. This meant that he managed Shu Han's household troops, directly responsible for the safety of the palace and the defense of the capital—one of the core figures in Shu Han's military system.
* Killed campaigning against the barbarians: In the third year of Yanxi, Xiang Chong was ordered to campaign against the Hanjia barbarians and unfortunately was killed in battle ^c:836. This was the end of his military career and the ultimate expression of his loyal devotion to Shu Han, though this ending is not mentioned in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* (novel-only).