Historical Record
As for the person Hu Hua, his name does not appear in the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. There are no historical sources to verify his life, family background, or dealings with the important figures of the late Han and Three Kingdoms period. It is therefore impossible to make any objective statement about him from biographical historical materials.
In the Novel
In the literary world of Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Hu Hua is a hermit elder with a distinct image. He first appears in the twenty-seventh chapter of the novel c:3011, when Guan Yu, escorting his two sisters-in-law on a thousand-li journey to find his sworn brother, reached a village as night was falling and so lodged there. Hu Hua came out to receive them as the master of the manor, his appearance expressly described as having "hair and beard all white" c:3011, underscoring his age and experience. Not only was he warm and hospitable, but he had long heard of Guan Yu's renown; at their meeting he at once asked, "Could you be Lord Guan who slew Yan Liang and Wen Chou?" c:3011, showing his admiration for the hero. When he learned that the visitor was indeed Guan Yu, he "rejoiced greatly and invited him into the manor" c:3011, and properly arranged food and lodging for Guan Yu and his two sisters-in-law. Hu Hua said of himself that he had served as a Court Gentleman for Consultation (yilang) during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han, and had later retired to his hometown on account of age c:3011, which lent his identity a scholar-official's depth. He also had a son named Hu Ban, who at the time served as an aide (congshi) under Wang Zhi, the Grand Administrator of Xingyang c:3011. Hu Hua took this opportunity to ask Guan Yu, should he pass through Xingyang, to carry a family letter to his son Hu Ban c:3011. Guan Yu gladly agreed, and this family letter later played a key role during Guan Yu's journey "Passing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals," helping Guan Yu defuse the crisis at Xingyang. Although Hu Hua's part in the romance is small and his dialogue amounts to only three lines c:3011, his characterization and the plot-advancing role he plays make him an indispensable link in the story of Guan Yu's lone thousand-li ride.
Key Relationships
* Hu Ban (parent_of): Hu Hua is the father of Hu Ban. Hu Ban, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, is an aide to Wang Zhi, the Grand Administrator of Xingyang; the family letter that Hu Hua entrusted to Guan Yu to deliver to Hu Ban exposed Wang Zhi's plot to harm Guan Yu, allowing Guan Yu to be on his guard and escape danger (novel only).
* Guan Yu (interacts_with): Hu Hua provided aid during Guan Yu's lone thousand-li ride, not only entertaining him warmly but, through the family letter, indirectly saving Guan Yu's life (novel only).
Signature Scenes
Hu Hua's signature scene is, without doubt, the night he received Guan Yu's party at his village c:3011. In this scene he appears as an elder with "hair and beard all white" c:3011, thoroughly acquainted with Guan Yu's heroic deeds and expressing heartfelt admiration. He not only provided shelter for Guan Yu and his two sisters-in-law but, in conversation, also revealed his own identity—that he had once been a Court Gentleman for Consultation under Emperor Huan of Han and had retired to his hometown c:3011. Most crucially, he made a request of Guan Yu, hoping Guan Yu would carry a family letter to his son Hu Ban, who served as an aide at Xingyang c:3011. This act, seemingly ordinary, in fact laid the groundwork for Guan Yu's later encounter at Xingyang, becoming an important turning point in the "Passing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals" episode. Hu Hua's appearance shows not only the reverence ordinary folk in a chaotic age held for heroes, but also the maintenance and transmission of family kinship in turbulent times. This scene is Hu Hua's only direct appearance in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, yet through his distinctive role and contribution to the plot he leaves a deep impression on readers (novel only).
Relationships
1 relationships
Family1
Quotes
3 recorded lines · 3 featured
「將軍姓甚名誰？」
This is Hu Hua's first conversation with Guan Yu, leading into the subsequent plot.
「莫非斬顏良、文醜的關公否？」
This line makes clear Guan Yu's identity and advances the plot, a setup for a classic episode.
「吾姓胡，名華。桓帝時曾為議郎，致仕歸鄉。今有小兒胡班，在滎陽太守王植部下為從事。將軍若從此處經過，某有一書寄與小兒。」
Hu Hua announces his family and entrusts a letter home, an important detail in "passing five passes and slaying six generals."
Chapters1 回 ▸
- 演ch.27
Relationship timeline1 条 ▸
演 ch.27
- Hu Ban§5
parent_of
父子；遣书托关公转交
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- As dusk deepened and lamps were lit in the village homes, I went out to the entrance of my estate. The visitor was indee