ZHAO YUN ( Zilong ) Part 2

Historical sources on Zhao Yun’s life

Zhao Yun’s original biography in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), written by Chen Shou in the third century CE, is only 346 Chinese characters long. In the fifth century, Pei Songzhi added annotations from the Yun Biezhuan (雲別傳; Unofficial Biography of (Zhao) Yun) to Zhao Yun’s biography in the Sanguozhi, providing a relatively clearer, though still incomplete picture of Zhao’s life.

Battle of Han River

In 217, Liu Bei launched the Hanzhong Campaign to seize control of Hanzhong commandery from Cao Cao because Hanzhong was the northern gateway into Yi Province. Cao Cao’s general Xiahou Yuan was killed in action at the Battle of Mount Dingjun in 218-219 against Liu Bei’s general Huang Zhong.

Later, Huang Zhong heard that Cao Cao’s forces were transporting food supplies to Beishan (北山), so he led a group of soldiers (including some of Zhao Yun’s men) to seize the supplies. Huang Zhong did not return after a long time so Zhao Yun led tens of horsemen in search of Huang. Zhao Yun encountered Cao Cao’s forces and engaged them in battle but was outnumbered and was forced to retreat back to his camp, with Cao Cao’s men in pursuit. Zhang Yi, one of Zhao Yun’s subordinates, wanted to close the gates to prevent the enemy from entering. However, Zhao Yun gave orders for the gates to be opened, all flags and banners to be hidden, and the war drums silenced. Cao Cao’s forces thought that there was an ambush inside Zhao Yun’s camp so they withdrew. Just then, Zhao Yun launched a counterattack and his men beat the war drums loudly and fired arrows at the enemy. Cao Cao’s soldiers were shocked and thrown into disarray. Some of them trampled on each other while fleeing in panic, and many of them fell into the Han River and drowned.(夏侯淵敗，曹公爭漢中地，運米北山下，數千萬囊。黃忠以為可取，雲兵隨忠取米。忠過期不還，雲將數十騎輕行出圍，迎視忠等。值曹公揚兵大出，雲為公前鋒所擊，方戰，其大衆至，勢逼，遂前突其陣，且鬬且却。公軍散，已復合，雲陷敵，還趣圍。將張著被創，雲復馳馬還營迎著。公軍追至圍，此時沔陽長張翼在雲圍內，翼欲閉門拒守，而雲入營，更大開門，偃旗息鼓。公軍疑雲有伏兵，引去。雲雷鼓震天，惟以戎弩於後射公軍，公軍驚駭，自相蹂踐，墮漢水中死者甚多。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

The following day, Liu Bei came to inspect Zhao Yun’s camp and survey the battlefield. He remarked, "Zilong is full of courage." He then threw a feast to celebrate Zhao Yun’s victory and they made merry until nightfall. Zhao Yun was called "General of Tiger’s Might" (虎威將軍) in Liu Bei’s army.(先主明旦自來至雲營圍視昨戰處，曰：「子龍一身都是膽也。」作樂飲宴至暝，軍中號雲為虎威將軍。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Conquest of Yi Province

Liu Bei and Liu Zhang were friendly towards each other in the beginning, but tensions between them gradually increased until the point of armed conflict in 213. Liu Bei was initially stationed at Jiameng (葭萌), where he was helping Liu Zhang defend the area from Zhang Lu, and he later turned against Liu Zhang there. He ordered Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and others to lead reinforcements from Jing Province into Yi Province to help him, while Guan Yu remained behind to defend Jing Province.(先主軍益強，分遣諸將平下屬縣，諸葛亮、張飛、趙雲等將兵溯流定白帝、江州、江陽，惟關羽留鎮荊州。先主進軍圍雒；時璋子循守城，被攻且一年。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.

The reinforcements marched along the Yangtze River and pacified the commanderies and counties in the surrounding areas. When they reached Jiangzhou (江州), Zhuge Liang ordered Zhao Yun to lead a separate force to attack Jiangyang (江陽) and take an alternate route, and later rendezvous with Liu Bei and the other armies outside Yi Province’s capital Chengdu. In 215, Liu Zhang gave up resistance and surrendered, concluding Liu Bei’s successful takeover of Yi Province. Zhao Yun was appointed as "General of the Assisting Army" (翊軍將軍).(先主自葭萌還攻劉璋，召諸葛亮。亮率雲與張飛等俱泝江西上，平定郡縣。至江州，分遣雲從外水上江陽，與亮會于成都。成都旣定，以雲為翊軍將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.

After taking over Yi Province, Liu Bei held a discussion on whether to distribute the houses in Chengdu and the fields outside the city among his followers, so as to reward them for their efforts in the campaign. Zhao Yun objected, "In the past, Huo Qubing said that there was no home until the Xiongnu had been eliminated. The enemies of the state in our time include not only the Xiongnu, so we shouldn’t be complacent. Only when the Empire has been completely pacified and the people have reverted to their peaceful lives, can we truly enjoy ourselves. The war in Yi Province has just ended, so the people in the province should have their lands and homes returned to them. As of now, the people should be allowed to continue their livelihoods in peace, and later we can impose taxes and conscription on them. In this way, we will earn their favour and support." Liu Bei heeded Zhao Yun’s advice.(雲別傳曰：益州旣定，時議欲以成都中屋舍及城外園地桑田分賜諸將。雲駮之曰：「霍去病以匈奴未滅，無用家為，令國賊非但匈奴，未可求安也。須天下都定，各反桑梓，歸耕本土，乃其宜耳。益州人民，初罹兵革，田宅皆可歸還，今安居復業，然後可役調，得其歡心。」先主即從之。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Early career under Gongsun Zan

Zhao Yun was a native of Zhending (真定), Changshan (常山) commandery, which is located south of present-day Zhengding County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei.(趙雲字子龍，常山真定人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 36. The Yun Biezhuan described his physical appearance as such: eight chi tall (approximately 1.85 metres), with majestic and impressive looks.(雲別傳曰：雲身長八尺，姿顏雄偉， …) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Zhao Yun was recommended by the chief administrating officer in Changshan to serve in the Han government, so he led a small group of volunteers to join the You Province warlord Gongsun Zan, who was nominally a "General of the Household" (中郎將) under the Han government. Around that time, another warlord Yuan Shao was recently appointed as the Governor (牧) of Ji Province (兾州) and his fame was steadily rising, so Gongsun Zan was worried that many people in You Province would choose to serve under Yuan instead of him. When Zhao Yun came to join him, he mocked the latter, "I heard that all those in your home provinceChangshan commandery was in Ji Province. wanted to serve the Yuans. Why did you decide to have a change of heart, and choose to correct your mistake?" Zhao Yun replied, "The Empire is in a state of chaos and it is unclear who is right and who is wrong. The people are in danger. Those in my home province, after careful deliberation, decided to follow a lord who practises benevolent governance. Therefore, I chose to join you, General, instead of Lord Yuan." He participated in some of Gongsun Zan’s battles against rival forces.(… 為本郡所舉，將義從吏兵詣公孫瓚。時袁紹稱兾州牧，瓚深憂州人之從紹也，善雲來附，嘲雲曰：「聞貴州人皆願袁氏，君何獨迴心，迷而能反乎？」雲荅曰：「天下訩訩，未知孰是，民有倒縣之厄，鄙州論議，從仁政所在，不為忽袁公私明將軍也。」遂與瓚征討。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Around the early 190s, Liu Bei was taking shelter under Gongsun Zan and he met Zhao Yun during that time. Zhao Yun became very close to Liu Bei and had the desire of switching his allegiance to Liu. When Gongsun Zan sent Liu Bei to assist his ally Tian Kai in a battle against Yuan Shao, Zhao Yun followed Liu Bei and served as a cavalry commander under the latter.(本屬公孫瓚，瓚遣先主為田楷拒袁紹，雲遂隨從，為先主主騎。) Sanguozhi vol. 36. Later, when Zhao Yun received news of his elder brother’s death, he asked for a temporary leave of absence from Gongsun Zan to attend his brother’s funeral. Liu Bei knew that Zhao Yun would not return to Gongsun Zan after leaving, so he held Zhao’s hand when he bid the latter farewell. Before departing, Zhao Yun said, "I’ll not forsake morality."(時先主亦依託瓚，每接納雲，雲得深自結託。雲以兄喪，辭瓚暫歸，先主知其不反，捉手而別，雲辭曰：「終不背德也。」) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Coming to serve Liu Bei

Around 199, after Liu Bei was defeated in Xu Province by Cao Cao, he fled north and sought refuge under Yuan Shao. At the same time, Zhao Yun also came to Ye, the capital of Yuan Shao’s territories, where he met Liu Bei again. Zhao Yun and Liu Bei shared the same room during their stay in Ye. Liu Bei secretly ordered Zhao Yun to help him recruit hundreds of men who were willing to follow him, and they claimed to be soldiers from the unit of the "General of the Left" (左將軍).Liu Bei was appointed "General of the Left" by the Han imperial court. Yuan Shao was not aware of this. Liu Bei later left Yuan Shao and travelled south to Jing Province to join Liu Biao, the Governor (牧) of the province. Zhao Yun accompanied him.(先主就袁紹，雲見於鄴。先主與雲同床眠卧，密遣雲合募得數百人，皆稱劉左將軍部曲，紹不能知。遂隨先主至荊州。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

In 202, when Cao Cao was away on campaigns in northern China against Yuan Shao’s sons and their allies, Liu Bei took advantage of Cao’s absence to launch an attack on Cao’s territories in central China. Cao Cao sent his general Xiahou Dun and others to lead an army to resist Liu Bei, leading to the Battle of Bowang. Xiahou Dun lost the battle after falling into Liu Bei’s ambush, but Liu also withdrew his forces upon seeing the arrival of Xiahou’s reinforcements. During the battle, Zhao Yun captured an enemy officer Xiahou Lan (夏侯蘭), who was an old acquaintance of his and was also from the same hometown as him. Zhao Yun requested for Liu Bei to spare Xiahou Lan’s life and recommended Xiahou to serve as a military judge because he knew that Xiahou was proficient in law. However, he never maintained any close relationship with Xiahou Lan. This incident showed that Zhao Yun was conscientious and careful.(先是，與夏侯惇戰於博望，生獲夏侯蘭。蘭是雲鄉里人，少小相知，雲白先主活之，薦蘭明於法律，以為軍正。雲不用自近，其慎慮類如此。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Zhao Yun’s biography in the Sanguozhi, commented on the latter as follows: "Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were fierce and mighty warriors, just like claws and teeth. Were they the successors to Guan Ying (灌嬰) and the Duke of Teng?"(黃忠、趙雲彊摯壯猛，並作爪牙，其灌、滕之徒歟？ ) Sanguozhi vol. 36.

In fiction

Many of Zhao Yun’s actual exploits were highly dramatised in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. In the novel, Zhao Yun is described as being almost perfect, possessing unparalleled physical power as well as unwavering loyalty to his lord, tremendous courage, keen intelligence and serene charisma. These traits have often been reflected in almost all modern material about Zhao Yun to date. The novel portrays him as a courageous, loyal, and heroic warrior, and depicting him surviving insurmountable odds many times single-handedly.

See the following for some fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms involving Zhao Yun:

• Battle of Changban#In fiction
• Battle of Xiaoting#In fiction

Battle of Changban

Liu Biao died in 208 and was succeeded by his younger son Liu Cong, who surrendered Jing Province to Cao Cao when the latter launched a campaign to attack the warlords in southern China. Liu Bei and his followers headed south towards Xiakou (夏口), which was guarded by Liu Biao’s elder son Liu Qi and was independent of Cao Cao’s control.

Cao Cao sent 5,000 riders to pursue Liu Bei and they caught up with him at Changban (長阪), Dangyang (當陽), igniting the Battle of Changban. Liu Bei abandoned his family and fled.(曹公以江陵有軍實，恐先主據之，乃釋輜重，輕軍到襄陽。聞先主已過，曹公將精騎五千急追之，一日一夜行三百餘里，及於當陽之長坂。先主棄妻子，與諸葛亮、張飛、趙雲等數十騎走，曹公大獲其人衆輜重。) Sanguozhi vol. 32. Zhao Yun carried Liu Bei’s young son Liu Shan and protected Liu Bei’s wife Lady Gan (Liu Shan’s mother) during the battle, eventually delivering them to safety. He was promoted to "General of the Standard" (牙門將軍) for his efforts.(及先主為曹公所追於當陽長阪，棄妻子南走，雲身抱弱子，即後主也，保護甘夫人，即後主母也，皆得免難。遷為牙門將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Earlier on, after his defeat at Changban, Liu Bei was told that Zhao Yun had betrayed him and was heading north to join Cao Cao. He refused to believe, as he threw a short ji to the ground and said, "Zilong will never desert me." He was right as Zhao Yun showed up a short while later.(雲別傳曰：初，先主之敗，有人言雲已北去者，先主以手戟擿之曰：「子龍不棄我走也。」頃之，雲至。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Guarding Jing Province

Between late 208 and 209, Liu Bei formed an alliance with the Jiangdong warlord Sun Quan and they defeated Cao Cao at the decisive Battle of Red Cliffs and the subsequent Battle of Jiangling. Cao Cao retreated north after his defeats and southern Jing Province came under Liu Bei’s control.

Zhao Yun assisted Liu Bei in the pacification of the territories in southern Jing Province and was promoted to Lieutenant-General (偏將軍) for his efforts. He was also appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Guiyang (桂陽) commandery, replacing Zhao Fan. Zhao Fan had a widowed elder sister-in-law who was known for her beauty, and he wanted to arrange for a marriage between her and Zhao Yun. However, Zhao Yun declined, "I share the same family name as you. Your elder brother is also like an elder brother to me." There were some people who urged Zhao Yun to accept the marriage, but he said, "Zhao Fan was forced to surrender, so his intentions are unclear. There are so many other women in this world." Not long later, Zhao Fan escaped, and Zhao Yun was able to avoid any association with him because he did not agree to the marriage.(從平江南，以為偏將軍，領桂陽太守，代趙範。範寡嫂曰樊氏，有國色，範欲以配雲。雲辭曰：「相與同姓，卿兄猶我兄。」固辭不許。時有人勸雲納之，雲曰：「範迫降耳，心未可測；天下女不少。」遂不取。範果逃走，雲無纖介。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Around 212, Liu Bei led an army west into Yi Province (益州; covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) to assist the provincial governor Liu Zhang in countering a rival warlord, Zhang Lu of Hanzhong. Zhao Yun was appointed as a Major (司馬) of the reserve camp and he remained behind to guard Jing Province.(先主入蜀，雲留荊州。) Sanguozhi vol. 36. Sometime in 209, Liu Bei married Sun Quan’s younger sister, Lady Sun, to strengthen the alliance between him and Sun. Lady Sun also remained in Jing Province when Liu Bei left. Because of her brother’s strong influence, Lady Sun was arrogant and she often allowed her close aides to behave lawlessly too. Liu Bei knew that Zhao Yun was a serious and orderly person, so he put the latter in charge of internal affairs in Jing Province when he was away. When Sun Quan heard that Liu Bei had left for Yi Province, he sent a vessel to fetch his sister back to Jiangdong. Lady Sun attempted to bring Liu Bei’s son Liu Shan along with her, but Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei led their men to blockade the river and they retrieved Liu Shan.(先主入益州，雲領留營司馬。此時先主孫夫人以權妹驕豪，多將吳吏兵，縱橫不法。先主以雲嚴重，必能整齊，特任掌內事。權聞備西征，大遣舟船迎妹，而夫人內欲將後主還吳，雲與張飛勒兵截江，乃得後主還。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Battle of Xiaoting

In late 219, Sun Quan broke the alliance with Liu Bei when he sent his general Lü Meng to invade and seize Jing Province, resulting in the capture and execution of Guan Yu. Cao Cao died in early 220 and was succeeded by his son Cao Pi, who forced Emperor Xian of Han to abdicate the throne in his favour later that year. Cao Pi ended the Han Dynasty and established the state of Cao Wei, marking the start of the Three Kingdoms period. In 221, Liu Bei declared himself emperor and founded the state of Shu Han, which was intended to be a continuation of the fallen Han Dynasty. Sun Quan pledged allegiance to Cao Pi and became a nominal vassal of Wei, ruling under the Wei-granted title of "King of Wu".([世祖文皇帝黃初元年]冬，十月，乙卯，漢帝告祠高廟，使行御史大夫張音持節奉璽綬詔冊，禪位于魏。王三上書辭讓，乃為壇於繁陽，辛未，升壇受璽綬，卽皇帝位，燎祭天地、嶽瀆，改元，大赦。 … [文帝黃初二年]夏，四月，丙午，漢中王卽皇帝位於武擔之南，大赦，改元章武。 … [文帝黃初二年]丁巳，遣太常邢貞奉策卽拜孫權為吳王，加九錫。) Zizhi Tongjian vol. 69.

Liu Bei bore a grudge against Sun Quan for the seizure of Jing Province and he wanted to start a campaign against the latter. Zhao Yun attempted to dissuade him, saying, "Cao Cao is the enemy of the state, not Sun Quan. We should eliminate Wei first, after which Wu will surrender by itself. Cao Cao is already dead but his son Cao Pi has usurped the throne. You should follow the wishes of the masses by conquering Guanzhong and then attack the treacherous enemy via the Wei River. People of righteousness situated east of Hangu Pass will certainly welcome your army with grain and horses. You shouldn’t ignore Wei for the moment and wage war against Wu first. Once the war has started, it cannot be stopped."(孫權襲荊州，先主大怒，欲討權。雲諫曰：「國賊是曹操，非孫權也，且先滅魏，則吳自服。操身雖斃，子丕篡盜，當因衆心，早圖關中，居河、渭上流以討凶逆，關東義士必裹糧策馬以迎王師。不應置魏，先與吳戰；兵勢一交，不得卒解也。」) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.

Liu Bei refused to accept Zhao Yun’s advice and proceeded with the campaign and left Zhao Yun behind to guard Jiangzhou (江州). He was defeated by the Wu forces at Zigui (秭歸) at the Battle of Xiaoting and was forced to retreat back to Shu. Zhao Yun led troops from Jiangzhou to Yong’an (永安) to help his lord, after which the Wu forces gave up on pursuing Liu Bei.(先主不聽，遂東征，留雲督江州。先主失利於秭歸，雲進兵至永安，吳軍已退。) Yun Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 36.