Historical Record
Qian Hong, whose courtesy name is unknown, was the second son of the Cao Wei general Qian Zhao of the Three Kingdoms period. He inherited his father's brave and resolute spirit and came to prominence in the later years of Cao Wei. Qian Hong once served as Administrator of Longxi, and during the Xianxi era (264-265 CE) he followed Deng Ai in the campaign against Shu, earning military merit in this campaign. c:2694 His elder brother Qian Jia, whose courtesy name is unknown, was a maternal half-brother of the Jin Minister over the Masses Li Yin, but died young. After Deng Ai's campaign against Shu, Qian Hong rose to the post of Protector of the Army Who Spreads Might. According to the Book of Jin, Qian Hong later also served as Inspector of Yang Province and Inspector of Liang Province. With his bold and fierce character, he ultimately gave his life for the state on the frontier. c:2694 Qian Hong's nephew, the son of Qian Jia, was Qian Xiu, courtesy name Chengshu, who was likewise brilliantly talented and chivalrous by nature. Qian Xiu enjoyed great fame at the age of twenty (when he came of age), and was promoted by such men as Wei Guan, Cui Hong, and Shi Chong, rising to the post of Attendant Gentleman of the Office of the Minister of Works. He had long been on bad terms with the imperial maternal uncle and Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate Wang Kai, and once submitted a memorial of appeal after being falsely accused, his words sharp and pointed. Although many court officials vouched for his innocence, Qian Xiu's reputation was thereby damaged. Later Zhang Hua invited him to be a Chief Clerk, and he was gradually promoted to Master of Writing. In the end, Qian Xiu served as General Who Pacifies the North under the Prince of Hejian, with the Staff of Authority, and was killed at Pingyi. People lamented his ability and his fu prose. c:2694
In the Novel
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Qian Hong appears mainly as one of the generals in Deng Ai's army campaigning against Shu; his image is more functional, serving Deng Ai's military operations. He first appears after Deng Ai received the edict to campaign against Shu, when Deng Ai assembled his various commanders to receive orders, and Qian Hong was named in his capacity as Administrator of Longxi. c:2696 In Deng Ai's strategic deployment, Qian Hong was entrusted with an important task: to lead fifteen thousand troops and attack from the right flank against Dazhong, where Jiang Wei was stationed. c:2696 This accords with the historical record that he followed Deng Ai in the campaign against Shu as Administrator of Longxi, but the specific details of troop deployment and direction of attack are literary inventions of the novel. In the subsequent fighting, Qian Hong continued to obey Deng Ai's dispatch. Before the Battle of Mianzhu, in order to lure the enemy in deep, Deng Ai ordered the Administrator of Tianshui Wang Qi and Qian Hong each to set an ambush behind, while he himself led troops out to fight. When Zhuge Zhan led his troops to pursue the "fleeing" Deng Ai, the ambushing forces of Qian Hong and Wang Qi suddenly burst out, badly defeating the Shu army and forcing it to retreat and hold Mianzhu. c:2697 The novel devotes little ink to Qian Hong's personal character and specific deeds, depicting him more as a general under Deng Ai's command who acts on orders, lacking an independent storyline or psychological description.
Key Relationships
* Qian Zhao (kin_of): Qian Hong was the second son of the renowned Cao Wei general Qian Zhao. c:2694 Qian Zhao was famous for his valor and loyalty to Cao Wei, and Qian Hong inherited his father's "fierce, resolute, and commanding presence," displaying the family's military tradition and personal qualities.
* Deng Ai (fights_in): Qian Hong's most notable historical achievement was, as Administrator of Longxi, following Deng Ai in the campaign against Shu and earning military merit. c:2694 In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this relationship receives further literary embellishment. As an important general under Deng Ai, Qian Hong took part in the initial deployment of Deng Ai's campaign against Shu and, obeying Deng Ai's command, played a role in the Battle of Dazhong and the Battle of Mianzhu. c:2696, c:2697 Deng Ai was an important superior and partner in Qian Hong's military career, and their cooperation together formed part of Wei's campaign to destroy Shu.
Signature Scenes
* Earning merit in Deng Ai's campaign against Shu: As Administrator of Longxi, Qian Hong took part in the campaign to destroy Shu under Deng Ai, and earned military merit in this campaign. c:2694 This is the clearest and most important military action in his historical record, and the basis for his obtaining the post of Protector of the Army Who Spreads Might. This scene marks Qian Hong's military talent and contribution as a general.
* Attacking Dazhong from the right flank: In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, during Deng Ai's campaign against Shu, Qian Hong was explicitly dispatched to lead fifteen thousand troops and attack from the right flank against Dazhong, where Jiang Wei was stationed. c:2696 (novel only) This deployment was an important part of Deng Ai's overall strategy and also shows Qian Hong's standing as a regional commander in the novel. Although the specific course of the fighting is not elaborated in detail, the assignment of this task highlights his role within Deng Ai's military group.
* The Mianzhu ambush helping Deng Ai defeat Zhuge Zhan: In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in order to lure and kill Zhuge Zhan, Deng Ai ordered Qian Hong and Wang Qi to lay an ambush. When Deng Ai feigned defeat to entice Zhuge Zhan into pursuit, Qian Hong's ambushing force burst out in time and, together with Wang Qi, defeated the Shu army, forcing Zhuge Zhan to retreat into Mianzhu. c:2697 (novel only) This scene is one of the few specific battles in which Qian Hong takes part in the novel, displaying his role in tactical execution, and laying the foundation for Deng Ai's eventual encirclement of Mianzhu and destruction of Shu Han.
Relationships
3 relationships
Chapters3 回 ▸
- 史ch.26
- 演ch.116ch.117
Relationship timeline4 条 ▸
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- I am Qian Hong; my courtesy name is unknown. Since neither my given name nor courtesy name can be verified, I dare not e