Tu An

Historical Record

The name Tu An is found in no biographical material. In the orthodox histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms, there is no record of Tu An, and so it is impossible to verify his life, deeds, or identity on the level of historical fact.

In the Novel

In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Tu An appears as a captive-chieftain commanding troops in the Kingdom of Wuge^[1]. He first appears in Chapter 90 and is one of the important generals under Wutugu, lord of the Kingdom of Wuge. When Meng Huo, after being defeated by the Shu army, sought aid from the Kingdom of Wuge, Wutugu decided to send troops to assist. At this point Wutugu summoned Tu An and another captive-chieftain, Xini, and ordered them to lead thirty thousand rattan-armor soldiers to go together and engage the Shu army^[1].

The rattan-armor soldiers that Tu An led were a distinctive force of the Kingdom of Wuge. These soldiers wore special rattan armor, made by repeatedly soaking in oil and drying in the sun more than ten times, giving it the properties of being impervious to blade and arrow, not sinking when crossing rivers, and not getting wet in water, so that the Wuge army appeared exceptionally fierce and skilled in battle^[1]. As one of the commanders of this distinctive army, Tu An's military standing speaks for itself. Together with Xini, he obeyed Wutugu's orders, led the army out of the Kingdom of Wuge, and advanced toward the northeast, finally encamping at the Taohua River ford to await battle with the Shu army^[1].

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Tu An's role is chiefly expressed in carrying out Wutugu's orders; as Wutugu's subordinate, he faithfully fulfilled his duty of leading troops on campaign. Although the novel does not describe in detail Tu An's specific performance on the battlefield or his personal martial prowess, as one of the commanders of the rattan-armor army he was undoubtedly an important component of the Kingdom of Wuge's military strength. His appearance enriches the military picture of the southern frontier in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, displaying a distinctive mode of combat and regional cultural character different from the armies of the Central Plains.

Key Relationships

* Wutugu (commands_in): Tu An was a captive-chieftain commanding troops under Wutugu, lord of the Kingdom of Wuge; he took his orders directly from Wutugu and, under his command, led the rattan-armor soldiers on campaign^[1] (novel only).
* Xini (colleague): Tu An and Xini were both captive-chieftains commanding troops under Wutugu, jointly leading the rattan-armor soldiers on campaign against the Shu army^[1] (novel only).
* Meng Huo (ally): The force Tu An led was mobilized to help Meng Huo fight the Shu army, and so he stood in an alliance with Meng Huo^[1] (novel only).

Iconic Scenes

* Setting out by command: After Meng Huo sought aid from the Kingdom of Wuge, Wutugu summoned Tu An and Xini and ordered them to lead thirty thousand rattan-armor soldiers, leave the Kingdom of Wuge, and go encamp at the Taohua River ford to await the Shu troops^[1] (novel only). This is Tu An's first and only clearly described action in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, marking his identity and duty as a subordinate general of Wutugu.