Li Dian, with the courtesy name Mancheng, was a native of Juye County in Shanyang Commandery. His father, Li Qian, was a courageous man who commanded thousands of households in the area around Chengshi County. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion was suppressed, Li Qian followed Cao Cao and took part in the battle against the Yellow Turban army at Shouzhang, and in campaigns against Yuan Shu and the conquest of Xuzhou. When Lu Bu rebelled, Cao Cao sent Li Qian back to Chengshi County to restore order in the various counties. Lu Bu's subordinates Xue Lan and Li Feng tried to persuade Li Qian to join their rebellion, but Li Qian refused and was subsequently murdered by them. Cao Cao appointed Li Qian's son, Li Zheng, to take over his father's military command and, alongside other generals, defeated Xue Lan and Li Feng. Li Zheng was recognized for his contributions in restoring order in Yanzhou and gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Inspector of Qingzhou. After Li Zheng's death, Li Dian was transferred to Yingyin County as the county magistrate and was later promoted to Colonel, leading Li Zheng's former army and eventually becoming the Administrator of Lihuo.
The Li family, beginning with Li Qian, were loyal followers of Cao Cao, making significant contributions along the way. Although Li Qian was eventually killed, his son Li Zheng continued his father's legacy and contributed to suppressing rebellions, eventually rising to the position of Inspector of Qingzhou. Li Dian, following in the footsteps of his father and elder brother, steadily rose through the ranks due to his own abilities and eventually became an Administrator. It is evident that the Li family, including father, sons, and brothers, were loyal generals under Cao Cao and contributed to his efforts in unifying the north.
Once upon a time, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were at a standoff at Guandu. Dian Wei led his family and subordinates to actively transport food and cloth to support the army. After Yuan Shao's defeat, Cao Cao appointed Dian Wei as the General of Support to defend the people. Later, Cao Cao attacked Tan and Shang at Liyang and sent Dian Wei and Cheng Yu to transport military supplies by boat. As a result, Tan and Shang sent Gao Fan, the Governor of Wei County, to occupy the river, blocking the waterway. Cao Cao ordered Dian Wei and Cheng Yu to inform, "If the boat cannot pass, then change to travel by land." Dian Wei and the other generals discussed, "Gao Fan's troops are few and poorly equipped, but relying on the river, they must be slack. If we attack, we will definitely win. The army shouldn't hold each other back; as long as it is beneficial to the country, we should act boldly and attack him quickly!" Cheng Yu also agreed with this opinion. So they crossed the Yellow River, attacked Gao Fan, won a great victory, and the waterway was also cleared. Liu Biao sent Liu Bei to attack from the north, reaching Ye County. Cao Cao sent Dian Wei to follow Xiahou Dun to resist. Liu Bei suddenly burned the camp and retreated. Xiahou Dun led the army to pursue. Dian Wei said, "The enemy retreats without reason; there must be an ambush. The southern road is narrow, with dense vegetation; we cannot pursue!" Xiahou Dun ignored him and, together with Yu Jin, pursued. Dian Wei stayed behind to guard. As a result, Xiahou Dun and the others fell into an ambush, and the situation turned dire. Dian Wei rushed to the rescue, and when Liu Bei saw the reinforcements coming, he scattered and fled. Later, Dian Wei participated in the siege of Ye City. After Ye City was captured, he and Yue Jin besieged Gao Gan at Huguan and attacked Guan Cheng at Changguang, both securing victories. Dian Wei was promoted to General of Captives and Prisoners and granted the title of Marquis of Duting.
The people and followers of Dian Wei, totaling over three thousand households, lived in Chengshi and asked to move to Weijun on their own accord. Cao Cao chuckled and asked, "Are you trying to follow in Geng Chun's footsteps?" Dian Wei replied, "I am of low ability and little merit, yet I have received such a high title and rewards. It’s only right for my entire clan to serve. Moreover, the war is not yet over, and we should consolidate the outskirts to control all directions, and this isn't about emulating Geng Chun." Therefore, Dian Wei relocated more than thirteen thousand people and followers to Ye City. Cao Cao was very impressed and promoted him to General Who Breaks the Enemy's Front. Later, Dian Wei, along with Zhang Liao and Yue Jin, defended Hefei. Sun Quan led a large army to besiege Hefei, and Zhang Liao wanted to lead a charge. Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, and Dian Wei didn’t always see eye to eye, and Zhang Liao was worried they wouldn't obey. Dian Wei generously said, "This is a matter of national importance. We should only consider how to deal with the enemy's tactics. How could I forget my duty to the country over personal grudges?" So, Dian Wei joined forces with Zhang Liao, and they defeated Sun Quan, forcing him to retreat. Cao Cao then rewarded Dian Wei with an additional hundred households, bringing the total to three hundred.
Li Tong, a man who loved learning, was kind-hearted and never sought credit. He held talented scholars in high regard, always remaining humble and careful, as if he knew little. The folks in the camp called him "the elder." He passed away when he was thirty-six, and his son Li Zhen inherited his title. Later, when Emperor Wen took the throne, he recalled Li Tong's contributions in Hefei and boosted Li Zhen's fief by a hundred households. He also granted Li Tong's son the title of Marquis of Guannei, with a hundred households in his fief. Li Tong was posthumously honored with the title Marquis Min.
Li Tong, courtesy name Wenda, was a native of Pingchun in Jiangxia. Due to his generosity and sense of righteousness, he was well-known in the Jiangxia and Runan areas. He and his fellow villager Chen Gong led a rebellion in Langling, and many people flocked to their cause. At that time, there was a man named Zhou Zhi, who had over two thousand households under him. Although he seemed to cooperate with Chen Gong and Li Tong, he was secretly undermining them. Li Tong wanted to assassinate Zhou Zhi, but Chen Gong disagreed. Seeing Chen Gong's indecisiveness, Li Tong took matters into his own hands and invited Zhou Zhi for a drink, then killed him in a drunken state. Panic erupted among Zhou Zhi's followers, and Li Tong led Chen Gong in killing the leaders of Zhou Zhi's faction, completely integrating their forces. Later, Chen Gong's brother-in-law Chen He killed Chen Gong and seized his military power. Li Tong attacked Chen He's army, killed Chen He, and then paid his respects at Chen Gong's grave. He also captured the leader of the Yellow Turban Army, Wu Ba, and made his followers surrender. During a severe famine, Li Tong depleted his family's wealth to assist those affected by the disaster, sharing bran and wild vegetables with his soldiers. Everyone competed to serve him, so thieves dared not to approach.
At the beginning of the Jian'an period, Xiahou Dun hurried to Cao Cao's side in the dead of night, leading many people to visit Cao Cao in Xuchang. Cao Cao appointed him as the General of Awe, stationed on the western front of Runan. Later, when Cao Cao went to campaign against Zhang Xiu, Liu Biao sent troops to help Zhang Xiu, and Cao Cao's army faced difficulties. Xiahou Dun's arrival enabled Cao Cao to reorganize his forces and launch a counterattack. Xiahou Dun led the charge and soundly defeated Zhang Xiu's forces. Cao Cao promoted him to Deputy General, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Jianguo, and gave him control of two counties in Runan, appointing him as the Commandant of Yang'an.
Later, Xiahou Dun's wife's uncle broke the law, and the county magistrate Zhao Yan arrested him and sentenced him to death. At that time, local officials held the power to impose death sentences. Xiahou Dun's wife pleaded with Zhao Yan to spare her uncle's life. Xiahou Dun said, "I'm fighting alongside Cao Cao right now, and I can't let personal matters interfere with my duty." He praised Zhao Yan for his fair and impartial enforcement of the law, even though they were relatives.
As Cao Cao and Yuan Shao clashed at Guandu, Yuan Shao sent a messenger inviting Xiahou Dun to become the General of the Southern Expedition, and Liu Biao also secretly tried to win him over, but Xiahou Dun firmly refused. Xiahou Dun's relatives and subordinates cried and said, "Now we are fighting alone and will soon be defeated without strong external support. Why not quickly join Yuan Shao?" Xiahou Dun unsheathed his sword and shouted at them, "Cao Cao is wise and is destined to unify the realm. Although Yuan Shao is powerful now, he does not use people properly and will ultimately be defeated by others. I swear to be loyal to Cao Cao!" He then executed Yuan Shao's messenger and returned the seal and official position to Cao Cao.
He also defeated several local bandits, including Qu Gong, Jiang Gong, and Shen Cheng, and sent their severed heads to Cao Cao, pacifying the Huai Ru region. Cao Cao then appointed him as Duting Marquis and made him the Prefect of Runan. At that time, a bandit leader named Zhang Chi amassed over five thousand followers at Taoshan, and Xiahou Dun broke into their stronghold. Liu Bei and Zhou Yu besieged Cao Ren in Jiangling and sent Guan Yu to block Cao Ren's northern escape route. Xiahou Dun led his troops to support Cao Ren, dismounted and removed his deer antler, charged into the encirclement, fighting his way forward to join Cao Ren's forces. His courage surpassed that of all other generals.
Later, Xiahou Dun fell ill and passed away at the age of forty-two in that year. The court posthumously granted him two hundred additional households, bringing the total to four hundred. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred upon Xiahou Dun the title of Marquis of Gang. The court issued a decree stating, "When Yuan Shao rebelled, many people south of Xuchang and Caizhou wavered and considered joining Yuan Shao. Xiahou Dun upheld justice without wavering, allowing those who were swayed to find stability. I greatly admire him. Unfortunately, he passed away at a young age. Although his son Xiahou Ji succeeded him in his title, it is insufficient to repay his father's contributions. Xiahou Xu, Xiahou Ji's older brother, previously stationed in Fancheng, also distinguished himself. In order to honor their family's merits, Xiahou Ji was appointed as the General Who Upholds Righteousness, and Xiahou Xu was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, as a reward."
Zang Ba, known by the courtesy name Xuangao, was from Mount Tai. His father, Zang Jie, served as a jailer in the county, handling affairs justly and never yielding to the magistrate's private desires to unjustly punish others. The magistrate was furious and ordered Zang Jie to be brought to the government office, with over a hundred people escorting him. Zang Ba was only eighteen at the time and, with dozens of servants, intercepted the escort at Feixi Mountain. No one dared to act, so Zang Ba and his father fled to Donghai, and they have since become renowned for their bravery.
During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zang Ba followed Tao Qian and defeated the Yellow Turban Army, and was appointed as the Cavalry Commander. Later, Zang Ba amassed a large force in Xuzhou with Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and others. Zang Ba emerged as the leader and set up camp in Kaiyang. When Cao Cao attacked Lu Bu, Zang Ba and his troops went to assist Lu Bu. After Lu Bu was captured, Zang Ba went into seclusion. Cao Cao ordered a search and found Zang Ba. Cao Cao was delighted to see him and tasked him with persuading Wu Dun, Yin Li, Sun Guan, Sun Guan's brother Sun Kang, and others to surrender. All of them surrendered to Cao Cao. Cao Cao appointed Zang Ba as the magistrate of Langye, Wu Dun as the Prefect of Licheng, Yin Li as the Prefect of Dongguan, Sun Guan as the Prefect of Beihai, Sun Kang as the Prefect of Chengyang, and entrusted Zang Ba with the governance of Qingzhou and Xuzhou.
When Cao Cao was in Yanzhou, he appointed Xu Xi and Mao Hui as generals. There was a rebellion in Yanzhou, and Xu Xi and Mao Hui both betrayed Cao Cao. Once the rebellion was quelled, Xu Xi and Mao Hui fled and sought asylum with Zang Ba. Cao Cao told Liu Bei to inform Zang Ba to deliver the heads of these two men. Zang Ba said to Liu Bei, "I have managed to establish my own standing by refraining from such actions. I have received great kindness from Cao Cao and cannot bring myself to disobey his orders. But a wise ruler such as yourself can employ reason to persuade; I hope you can explain to Cao Cao on my behalf." Liu Bei relayed Zang Ba's message to Cao Cao, who sighed and remarked, "This is the kind of thing that wise individuals of ancient times would do, and you are able to do it. This is my wish!" He subsequently appointed both Xu Xi and Mao Hui as county magistrates.
At that time, Cao Cao was facing Yuan Shao, and Zang Ba often led elite troops into Qingzhou, so Cao Cao could concentrate on Yuan Shao without worrying about the eastern front. Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan in Nanpi, and Zang Ba went to congratulate him. Zang Ba seized the opportunity to request that his family and the families of his generals be sent to Ye City. Cao Cao said, "You are all loyal and dutiful; there’s no need for that! Previously, Xiao He sent his family to serve in the palace, and Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang did not refuse; Geng Chun burned his house and coffin to follow Emperor Guangwu into battle, and Emperor Guangwu did not stop him. What more can I do to repay your loyalty?"
The East Province was in constant turmoil, and Zang Ba and his men stood firm for justice, quelling the rebellion and restoring order to the Haidai region. They were greatly rewarded and all granted titles of marquis. Zang Ba was granted the title of Marquis of Duting and promoted to General of Weilu. He also joined forces with Yu Jin to subdue Chang Xi, and with Xiahou Yuan to fight against the remnants of the Yellow Turbans such as Xu He, all contributing to their promotion as the Governor of Xuzhou. Wu Zhou, a native of Pei, became the magistrate of Xiapi County, and Zang Ba held him in high esteem, personally visiting him at the county office. The chief registrar in the county was involved in corruption, but Wu Zhou uncovered his crimes and arrested him for interrogation, and Zang Ba’s admiration for him only grew.
Zang Ba followed Cao Cao in the campaign against Sun Quan. He always led from the front, having twice entered Chao Lake, launching attacks on Juchao and defeating Sun Quan's army. When Zhang Liao attacked Chen Lan, Zang Ba was sent to Wan Di to attack Wu general Han Dang, preventing Sun Quan from providing support to Chen Lan. Han Dang sent troops to ambush Zang Ba's forces at Fenglong, but Zang Ba defeated them and stationed himself in Shu County. Sun Quan sent tens of thousands of troops to Shu County, but when they learned that Zang Ba's forces were present, they fled. Zang Ba pursued them through the night, launching a surprise attack at dawn, causing heavy losses to Sun Quan's forces and preventing the rescue of Chen Lan. Zhang Liao ultimately defeated Chen Lan.
Zang Ba followed Cao Cao during the campaign at Ruxu Ford, leading the vanguard with Zhang Liao. They encountered heavy rain on the way, but Zang Ba urged them to press on despite the rising water levels and the enemy ships making headway. Zhang Liao wanted to retreat, but Zang Ba stopped him, saying, "You know the situation better than I do. Are you really going to abandon us?" The next day, the order to retreat was issued. Zhang Liao reported this to Cao Cao, who held Zang Ba in high regard and appointed him as General of Yangwei, granting him a seal. After Sun Quan surrendered and Cao Cao returned, Zang Ba was left to guard Juchao with Xiahou Dun and others.
When Emperor Wen became emperor, Zang Ba was transferred to the east as General of Zhen Dong, his title was raised to Marquis of Wuanxiang, and he was appointed to oversee military affairs in Qingzhou. Later, when Emperor Wen officially ascended the throne, Zang Ba's title was elevated to Marquis of Kaiyang and later changed to Marquis of Liangcheng. He fought against Wu alongside Cao Xiu, defeating Lu Fan at Dongpu. Zang Ba was subsequently recalled to the court as Commandant of the Imperial Guards, and his rank was further elevated to Special Advisor to the Emperor. The Emperor regularly sought his counsel on military matters.
After Emperor Ming became the emperor, he granted Ba five hundred households, along with the previously granted households, bringing the total to three thousand five hundred households. Ba passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Weihou. His son Ai inherited his title and rose to the position of Governor of Qingzhou and the Minister of Finance. After Ai's death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Gonghou. His son Quan inherited his title. Ba made significant contributions during his lifetime, and the emperor ennobled his three sons as marquises, granting one son the title of Guanneihou.
Sun Guan also attained the position of Governor of Qingzhou and was granted the authority of a temporary commander. He fought alongside Emperor Taizu against Sun Quan, but was wounded in battle and later died. His son Yu inherited his title and also became Governor of Qingzhou.
Wen Pin, known as Zhongye, was from Wanyang County, Nanyang. He was an important general under Liu Biao, tasked with defending against northern enemies. After Liu Biao's death, his son Liu Cong succeeded him. When Cao Cao launched an attack on Jingzhou, Liu Cong surrendered and sought to take Wen Pin along. However, Wen Pin said, "I couldn't even defend Jingzhou; I can only accept my punishment." After Cao Cao crossed the Han River, Wen Pin went to see him. Cao Cao asked him, "Why are you here so late?" Wen Pin replied, "I failed to assist Governor Liu of Jingzhou, failed to serve the court as I should have. Although Jingzhou has fallen, I have always wanted to defend Hanchuan and protect this land, to live up to the people's expectations, and not be ashamed in front of heaven and earth. In desperation, I have come to this point today. My heart is full of sorrow and shame; I truly have no face to see you earlier." With that, Wen Pin burst into tears. Cao Cao was moved by him and said, "Zhongye, you are truly a loyal minister!" Thus, he treated him with great respect.
Cao Cao granted Wen Pin command, allowing him to pursue Liu Bei during the Battle of Changbanpo together with Cao Chun. After Cao Cao captured Jingzhou, the Jiangxia region, near the state of Wu, was in a state of unrest. Therefore, Cao Cao appointed Wen Pin as the Governor of Jiangxia, allowing him to command the northern army, responsible for border defense, and he was granted the title of Marquis Within the Passes. Later, he fought alongside Yue Jin against Guan Yu, gaining military accolades, and was bestowed the title of General Who Conquers Rebels. He also launched a surprise attack on Guan Yu's supply route at Hanjin and burned Guan Yu's ships in Jingcheng. After Emperor Wen of Wei took the throne, Wen Pin was enfeoffed as Marquis of Chang'anxiang and granted the authority to act independently. In the battle to besiege Jiangling, he fought alongside Xiahou Shang, stationed at Miankou, blocking the army of Shi Fan, personally leading the troops in battle, achieving numerous military successes, and was promoted to Rear General, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xinye. Sun Quan once led fifty thousand troops to besiege Wen Pin at Shiyang, and the situation was extremely dire. However, Wen Pin held his position and refused to retreat. Sun Quan lifted the siege after more than twenty days. Wen Pin pursued the victory and defeated Sun Quan's army, resulting in an increase of five hundred households in his fiefdom, adding up to a total of one thousand nine hundred households.
Wen Pin defended Jiangxia for decades, earning high prestige, deep respect, and a far-reaching reputation, deterring enemies and instilling fear of invasion. The court further enfeoffed Wen Pin's estate, enfeoffed his son Wendai as a Marquis, and conferred the title of Marquis Within the Passes on his grandson. After Wen Pin's death, he was posthumously titled the Valorous Marquis. His son Wendai also passed away early, so Wen Pin's adopted son Wen Xiu inherited the title. After Wen Xiu's death, his son Wen Wu inherited the title.
During the Jiaping period, Huan Yu from Qiao County served as the Governor of Jiangxia. He was honest and frugal, his benevolence reached the people, and his reputation ranked just behind that of Wen Pin.
Lu Qian, courtesy name "Zike," was a native of Rencheng, Shandong. When Cao Cao was in Yanzhou, he heard that Lu Qian was very courageous and strategic, so he appointed him as his advisor and sent him with his personal troops to guard the Huludao area. At that time, a man named Jiongmu led a rebellion against the Xiangben Commandant Du Song and colluded with the rebels from Changchi. Cao Cao then sent Lu Qian to replace Du Song. Upon taking office, Lu Qian used a clever ruse to lure Jiongmu and dozens of his associates, hosting them with food and drink. Secretly, he arranged elite soldiers to ambush nearby. When they were drunk, Lu Qian gave the order, and the ambushing soldiers rushed out, killing all these rebellious elements. The remaining rebels, witnessing this, surrendered without resistance, and the rebellion was quelled.
Cao Cao held Lu Qian in high regard and appointed him as the Governor of Mount Tai. Mount Tai is situated between mountains and the sea, and at that time, the world was in turmoil, with many commoners in hiding. Several captains previously appointed by Yuan Shao, such as Guo Zu and Gongsun Du, with dozens of men, occupied the mountains and became bandits, bringing immense suffering to the local people. Lu Qian arrived at Mount Tai with his troops and implemented a policy of leniency, expressing trust in them. As a result, Guo Zu and their associates surrendered, and the people hiding in the mountains returned to their homes to live in peace. Lu Qian also selected strong young men to supplement the army, and as a result, Mount Tai gained elite soldiers, and its reputation spread far and wide.
Later, the Yellow Turban army in Jinan, led by Xu He and others, looted officials and attacked cities. Lv Qian led troops to suppress them along with Xiahou Yuan, fighting dozens of battles, killing and capturing thousands. Cao Cao then sent him to lead the army of various counties in Qingzhou to suppress rebels in Donglai led by Li Tiao, where Lv Qian also achieved remarkable victories. Cao Cao praised him, stating, "Those with aspirations will succeed. This is what a great man should pursue! Since you took office in Mount Tai, you have captured villains, suppressed riots, and allowed the people to live in peace and contentment. You personally led the charge, unstoppable in all directions. Just like the ancient heroes Kou Xun who established merit in Runan and Yingchuan, and Geng Yan who made achievements in Qingzhou and Yanzhou, heroes of the past and present are all the same!" Cao Cao further promoted Lv Qian to Outstanding Talent, appointed him as Cavalry Commandant, and allowed him to continue serving as the Prefect of Mount Tai.
Lv Qian served as Prefect of Mount Tai for over ten years, loved by the people. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he promoted Lv Qian to General of the Guard, granted him the title of Viscount of Yishouting, transferred him to serve as Inspector of Xuzhou, and further appointed him as Wei Lu General. He also appointed Wang Xiang of Langya as his assistant, earning praise for his ability to employ talented individuals. Later, he suppressed rebels in Licheng, securing military success once again. After Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he changed Lv Qian's fief to Viscount of Wannianting, increasing his fief to a total of six hundred households. Lv Qian passed away, and his son, Lv Fan, succeeded him in his title; after Lv Fan's death, his son Lv Gui inherited the title.
Xu Chu, styled Zhongkang, was from Bozhou, Anhui. He stood over eight feet tall, with a waist as thick as ten spans, towering and powerful, with unmatched strength. In the late Han Dynasty, he led several thousand villagers to unite and build a strong city wall to fend off bandits.
At that time, there were more than ten thousand bandits in Gebei, Runan, who came to attack the fortifications built by Xu Chu and his men. Xu Chu's forces were outnumbered, fought valiantly but ultimately became exhausted. Running out of weapons, Xu Chu had the men, women, and children in the city collect large stones the size of a large bucket and placed them at the four corners of the city wall. Xu Chu picked up the stones and hurled them, hitting the bandits and driving them back.
Later, when food supplies ran low, Xu Chu feigned negotiations with the bandits and exchanged cattle for food. When the bandits came to take the cattle, the cattle bolted back in panic. Xu Chu walked to the front of the group, grabbed a cow by the tail, and dragged it over a hundred steps. The bandits were terrified and quickly abandoned the cattle, fleeing in panic. From then on, in the regions around the Huai River, Ru River, Chen County, and Liang State, upon hearing Xu Chu's name, they were too frightened to act carelessly.
When Cao Cao attacked Huainan and Runan, Chu Yuan and many others joined him. Cao Cao, upon seeing Chu Yuan, considered him particularly formidable and praised him, "This is my Fan Kuai!" That day, he appointed him as a captain and kept him close as a personal guard. The men Chu Yuan brought with him were all fierce warriors, and everyone regarded them as formidable fighters. Later, when he accompanied Cao Cao to confront Zhang Xiu, Chu Yuan charged into battle, defeated countless enemies, and was promoted to Colonel.
Later, he followed Cao Cao to Guandu to fight Yuan Shao. At that time, there were some soldiers in the camp, like Xu Ta and others, secretly planning a rebellion. They knew that Zhu Yuan often served by Cao Cao's side, so they were too afraid to act rashly. They waited for Zhu Yuan to rest, then rushed in with knives. Zhu Yuan was about to return to Cao Cao's side, feeling something was wrong, so he hurried back. When the rebels rushed into the tent, they were shocked to find it empty. Their faces changed, and Zhu Yuan noticed, immediately cutting them down. Cao Cao trusted him even more and took him everywhere, inseparable.
Later, while besieging Ye City, Zhu Yuan bravely killed the enemy, achieved great merit, and was appointed as the Marquis Within the Passes. Later on, he followed Cao Cao to Tongguan to fight Han Sui and Ma Chao. Cao Cao wanted to cross the Yellow River, so he first sent troops across, leaving Zhu Yuan and over a hundred elite soldiers to hold the rear. Ma Chao led tens of thousands of cavalry to attack Cao Cao's army, arrows rained down like a storm. Zhu Yuan quickly told Cao Cao, "There are too many enemies; our troops have all crossed the river, we need to hurry and leave!" He then helped Cao Cao onto the boat. The enemy's attack was fierce, everyone rushed to cross the river, and the boat was overloaded and nearly capsized. Zhu Yuan cut down those clinging to the boat, using a saddle with his left hand to shield Cao Cao. The boatman was shot dead by arrows, so Zhu Yuan used his right hand to support the boat, and finally managed to cross the river. That day, if it hadn't been for Zhu Yuan, Cao Cao would have been in serious danger.
Later, Cao Cao met with Han Sui and Ma Chao alone to discuss matters, and no one else could accompany them except for Chu Yuan. Ma Chao, confident in his strength, secretly planned to attack Cao Cao and suspected that the attendant with them was Chu Yuan. He then asked Cao Cao, "Where is that general who is as fierce as a tiger?" Cao Cao pointed to Chu Yuan, who stared back at Ma Chao. Ma Chao did not dare to make a move, and both sides retreated. A few days later, the two armies clashed again, with Cao Cao defeating Ma Chao, and Chu Yuan personally killing many enemies, which led to his promotion to General of the Martial Guards. From then on, he was known by this title. People in the army praised Chu Yuan for his strength and simplicity, calling him "Tiger Fool." Therefore, when Ma Chao asked Cao Cao about "Tiger Marquis," people have called him that ever since, thinking it was his name. Mr. Chu was particularly cautious, adhering strictly to rules and speaking little. Once, when Cao Ren came from Jingzhou to see Cao Cao, and Cao Cao had not come out yet, Cao Ren met Mr. Chu outside the hall. Cao Ren invited Mr. Chu in to chat, but Mr. Chu said, "The King will be out soon," and went back inside, which left Cao Ren feeling displeased. Some criticized Mr. Chu, saying, "General Cao Ren is a royal relative and an important minister of the court. He invited you in, why did you refuse?" Mr. Chu replied, "Although he is of high status, he is still an official from an outside region. I am an official of the court; it's enough to chat with everyone. It is not appropriate to have private meetings with him." Cao Cao, upon hearing this, admired Mr. Chu even more and promoted him to a key general. When Cao Cao passed away, Mr. Chu cried bitterly, overcome with grief.
After Cao Pi became emperor, he appointed Mr. Chu as the Marquis of Wansui Ting, and then promoted him to the rank of General of the Imperial Guards, demonstrating his great trust in him. Initially, the tiger warriors led by Mr. Chu followed Cao Cao into battle, and Cao Cao deemed them all fierce warriors and granted them titles and ranks accordingly. Later, among these individuals, dozens were promoted to generals and marquises, and hundreds became Captains and Colonels, all of them skilled martial artists. After Cao Rui became emperor, he further appointed Mr. Chu as the Marquis of Mouxiang, with a fief consisting of seven hundred households, and also granted his son the title of Marquis of Guannei. After Mr. Chu passed away, he was posthumously granted the title "Zhuanghou," and his son Chu Yi inherited his title. Mr. Chu's elder brother, Chu Ding, was also appointed General Zhenwei for his military achievements, commanding the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.
When Cao Mao became emperor, he recalled Mr. Chu's loyalty and filial devotion, and issued a decree to specifically commend him, granting titles of Marquis of Guannei to two of Mr. Chu's descendants. Unfortunately, Chu Yi was later killed by Zhong Hui. In the early reign of Cao Huan as emperor, Mr. Chu's son Chu Zong inherited his title.
Dian Wei was from Chenliu, who was robust and exceptionally strong, and he was very loyal and righteous, always standing up for what was right. There was a feud between the Liu family in Xiangyi and the Li family in Suiyang, and Dian Wei helped the Liu family seek revenge. At that time, Li Yong was the county magistrate of Fuchun, and his home was heavily guarded. Dian Wei brought a chicken and wine, pretending to visit, and when the door opened, he drew a dagger and charged in to kill Li Yong, even killing his wife, then calmly exited, picked up the sword and halberd on the carriage, and left on foot. Li Yong's house was near the market, and the entire market was thrown into a panic. Hundreds of people chased after him, but none dared to get close. After walking four or five miles, he encountered his companions, fought briefly, and eventually escaped. From then on, Dian Wei was regarded as a hero by the people.
During the Chuping era, Zhang Miao raised an army to rebel, and Dian Wei became a soldier under Sima Zhaochong. At that time, there was a flag bearer guarding the camp gate, and each one was formidable and unbeatable. Dian Wei single-handedly defeated them all, earning Zhaochong's admiration for his talent and strength. Later, Dian Wei followed Xiahou Dun and achieved many military accomplishments, which earned him the title of Sima. During the battle of Puyang between Cao Cao and Lü Bu, Lü Bu had a camp about forty to fifty miles west of Puyang. Cao Cao launched a night attack and breached the enemy lines before dawn. Before Cao Cao's forces could retreat, Lü Bu's reinforcements arrived and surrounded Cao Cao's forces on three sides. Lü Bu personally entered the battle, fighting from morning till afternoon in many rounds, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage. Cao Cao then ordered his soldiers to charge the enemy lines, and Dian Wei was the first to lead the charge with dozens of volunteers. All of them were dressed in thick clothes and double-layered armor, discarding their shields and only wielding long spears and halberds. As the fighting grew fiercer in the west, Dian Wei rushed forward to resist. Arrows rained down like a storm, but Dian Wei remained unflinching, instructing those around him, "Tell me when the enemy is ten steps away." When they informed him, he replied, "Tell me when they are five steps away!" The nearby soldier, filled with fear, quickly exclaimed, "They're here!" Dian Wei then seized more than a dozen halberds, shouting as he charged forward, knocking down every enemy he struck. Lü Bu's army was defeated and retreated. As night fell, Cao Cao was finally able to pull back his troops. Cao Cao appointed Dian Wei as a captain, keeping him close with several hundred personal soldiers who frequently patrolled around Cao Cao's tent.
Dian Wei not only had exceptional martial arts skills, but also commanded a band of elite warriors. Every time he went to battle, he was always the first to charge into the enemy ranks. Later, Dian Wei was promoted to the rank of Colonel. He was loyal, cautious, and he stood by Cao Cao's side throughout the day, sleeping beside Cao Cao's tent at night, seldom returning to his own quarters. He loved to drink and eat meat, with an insatiable appetite. Every time Cao Cao ate in front of him, Dian Wei would drink and eat heartily, with others taking turns to bring him dishes. He favored wielding a massive pair of halberds and a long sword, with a saying in the military camp: "In the camp, there's Dian, brandishing a pair of halberds weighing eighty catties."
When Cao Cao attacked Jingzhou and reached Wancheng, Zhang Xiu voluntarily surrendered. Cao Cao was extremely pleased and hosted a feast to entertain Zhang Xiu and his generals. During the feast, Xiahou Dun stood behind Cao Cao, brandishing a large axe with a blade nearly a foot wide, glaring at the guests as Cao Cao moved around. After the feast, neither Zhang Xiu nor his generals dared to raise their heads.
After over ten days, Zhang Xiu rebelled, attacking Cao Cao's camp. Cao Cao went into battle but was defeated and had to flee on horseback. Xiahou Dun fought valiantly at the camp gate, holding the enemy at bay. However, the other soldiers panicked and fled through the other gates. At that time, Xiahou Dun had only a dozen men left under his command, with each man holding off ten enemies. As the enemy forces swelled, Xiahou Dun wielded his long spear, shattering more than ten enemy spears with each strike. Most of the soldiers around him were either killed or wounded. Xiahou Dun sustained numerous knife wounds, engaging the enemy in close combat as they charged forward. He grabbed two enemies, killing them, causing the remaining enemies to hesitate. Xiahou Dun charged forward, taking down several more before succumbing to his injuries, cursing loudly as he died. Only then did the enemy finally dare to approach, decapitating him and displaying his head, then returning to the battlefield to inspect his corpse.
Cao Cao retreated to Wuyin, where he heard of Xiahou Dun's death and wept inconsolably. He had Xiahou Dun's body secretly retrieved and personally mourned for him before burying him in Xiangyi and appointing his son Xiahou Mao as a court official. Whenever Cao Cao passed by that place, he would pay his respects to Xiahou Dun. Cao Cao always remembered Xiahou Dun and eventually promoted Xiahou Mao to the position of Sima, keeping him close. After Cao Pi ascended to the throne as King of Wei, he further appointed Xiahou Mao as Commandant and granted him the title of Marquis of Guannei.
Pang De, style name Lingming, was a Daoist priest from Nan'an. When he was young, he served as an official in the county and as an official in the province. During the Chuping era, he followed Ma Teng to fight against the rebellious Qiang and Di tribes. He gained several military achievements and slowly rose to the rank of Colonel. During the Jian'an period, Cao Cao campaigned against Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang at Liyang. Yuan Tan sent Guo Yuan, Gao Gan, and others to capture the Hedong region, so Cao Cao sent Zhong Yao to lead generals from various regions in Guanzhong to attack them. Pang De fought alongside Ma Chao, Ma Teng's son, to resist Guo Yuan and Gao Gan in Pingyang. Pang De led the charge, vigorously attacking Guo Yuan and Gao Gan, achieving a decisive victory, and even personally killed Guo Yuan. He was subsequently appointed as a General of the Household and bestowed the title of Marquis of Duting. Later, Zhang Baiqi led a rebellion in Hongnong, and Pang De followed Ma Teng to suppress him, defeating Zhang Baiqi at the confluence of the two rivers. In every battle, he consistently led the charge, resisted the enemy, and demonstrated bravery that surpassed that of others in Ma Teng's army. After Ma Teng was summoned to serve as the Commandant of the Guards, Pang De stayed under Ma Chao. When Cao Cao defeated Ma Chao at Weinan, Pang De fled with Ma Chao to Hanyang and held out at Jicheng. Later, he followed Ma Chao to Hanzhong and allied with Zhang Lu. After Cao Cao secured Hanzhong, Pang De surrendered alongside the others. Cao Cao had long heard of his bravery and skill in battle, so he appointed him the General of Establishing Righteousness, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Guanmenting, along with a fief of three hundred households.
Pang De and Wei Kai rose in rebellion together. Cao Cao dispatched De Jiang and Cao Ren to assault Wancheng, where they killed Pang De and Wei Kai. They then stationed their troops in Fancheng, preparing to launch an attack against Guan Yu. The generals stationed at Fancheng learned that Pang De's brother was in Hanzhong, which led them to doubt his loyalty. Pang De often said, "I have received the nation's favor and must die for it. I want to personally defeat Guan Yu. If I cannot kill Guan Yu this year, Guan Yu will surely kill me." Later, Pang De personally fought with Guan Yu and struck him in the forehead with an arrow. At that time, Pang De was always seen riding a white horse, and Guan Yu's troops referred to him as the "White Horse General," instilling fear in their hearts. Cao Ren ordered Pang De to station ten miles north of Fancheng, just as a deluge raged for over ten days. The Han River surged, submerging the flatlands below Fancheng under five or six zhang of water. Pang De and his soldiers sought refuge on the embankment. Guan Yu attacked them from all directions with large ships, raining arrows upon the embankment. Pang De, wearing armor and holding a bow and arrow, hit every target with deadly accuracy. Generals Dong Heng, Dong Chao, and others wanted to surrender, but Pang De executed them all. From morning until noon, Guan Yu's assaults grew increasingly fierce. As Pang De exhausted his supply of arrows, a brutal melee ensued. Pang De declared to his officer Cheng He, "I've heard that a true general doesn’t seek to survive out of fear of death, and a martyr won't sacrifice their principles just to stay alive. Today is the day I die!" He fought with increasing valor and ferocity, but as the water continued to rise, his soldiers began to surrender. Pang De, along with a subordinate general and two captains, readied their bows and set out in a small boat. However, the boat capsized, and they lost their bows and arrows. Pang De clung to the boat rolling in the water, where he was captured by Guan Yu. He stood tall and refused to kneel. Guan Yu said to him, "Your brother is in Hanzhong, and I want you to join my ranks. Why didn't you surrender earlier?" Pang De cursed Guan Yu, saying, "You brat, talking about surrendering! The King of Wei commands a million troops that dominate the realm. You, Liu Bei, are nothing but a mediocre talent. How could you possibly think to oppose me? I'd rather be a ghost serving my country than be your general!" He was then killed by Guan Yu.
After hearing the news, Cao Cao was very sad, shed tears, and granted titles to Pang De's two sons as marquises. When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he sent someone to Pang De's tomb to confer a posthumous title; the imperial edict stated: "In the past, Xian Zhi died in battle; Wang Ju was killed. They sacrificed themselves for the country; people of the past praised them. Marquis Pang followed their bravery, risked danger to establish meritorious deeds, his reputation spread far and wide at that time, and his loyalty surpassed that of his predecessors. I deeply regret his loss and posthumously confer the title 'Zhuang Hou'." Four of Pang De's sons, including Pang Hui, were enfeoffed as marquises, each with a fief of one hundred households. Pang Hui, who was brave and resembled his father, rose to the rank of General of the Central Army and was also enfeoffed as a marquis.
Pang Yu, styled Ziyi, was from the Biao clan in Jiuquan. Initially, he served as an official in Liangzhou, tasked with guarding Poqiang County. Coincidentally, the Governor of Wuwei, Zhang Meng, rebelled and killed the Inspector Handan Shang. Zhang Meng ordered, "Anyone who dares to go to Handan Shang's memorial hall will face death without mercy!" Upon hearing the news, Pang Yu immediately resigned, traveled day and night to Handan Shang's memorial hall, and wept in mourning. After crying, he went directly to Zhang Meng's doorstep, hiding a dagger, hoping to confront Zhang Meng and avenge Handan Shang. Zhang Meng knew that Pang Yu was a righteous man and ordered not to kill him. Since then, Pang Yu earned a reputation for his loyalty and righteousness.
Later, the Governor Xu Yi invited Pang Yu to serve as his registrar. Later, a man named Huang Ang rebelled in the county and surrounded the county seat. Pang Yu left his wife and children, scaled the wall under the cover of night, and ran to Zhangye and Dunhuang to seek reinforcements. At first, the leaders of the two counties were suspicious and reluctant to send troops. Pang Yu planned to commit suicide with his sword to demonstrate his resolve. The two counties were moved by his righteous act and finally decided to send troops. However, before the army arrived, the county seat had already been breached, and Xu Yi had died. Pang Yu retrieved Xu Yi's body, took it back to his hometown, and mourned for him for three years before returning.
After hearing about this matter, Cao Cao called him to serve as his advisor. When Emperor Han Wen ascended to the throne, Pang Yu was appointed as the Imperial Cavalry Commander, later promoted to the position of Governor of Xihai, and granted the title of Marquis of Guannei. Subsequently, he was summoned to serve as a Consultant in the Imperial Secretariat and eventually passed away. His son inherited his title.
Initially, Pang Yu's maternal grandfather Zhao An was murdered by Li Shou from the same county, and Pang Yu's three uncles all passed away at the same time, which greatly pleased Li Shou's family. Pang Yu's mother, Madam E, was deeply saddened by the fact that her father's revenge had not been avenged. Therefore, she secretly concealed a sword in her sleeve and brazenly assassinated Li Shou in broad daylight outside the government office. After committing the act, she calmly surrendered herself to the county office, saying, "I have avenged my father's death, please punish me!" The county magistrate wanted to release her by removing his seal, but she refused to leave, so the magistrate had no option but to send her home against her will. She was later pardoned thanks to a general amnesty, and the locals admired her bravery, erecting a monument and commemorating her in a biography to honor her righteousness.
Yan Wen, styled Bojian, was from Xicheng in Tianshui. He served as Liangzhou's Deputy and concurrently as the Prefect of Shanggui County.
Later, Ma Chao fled to Shanggui with his troops, and local people like Ren Yang organized a welcome committee for him. Yan Wen tried his best to stop them, but it was no use. In the end, he hurried back to the provincial capital. Ma Chao then heavily besieged the provincial capital of Jicheng, and the situation became dire. The province discreetly sent Yan Wen to seek help from Xiahou Yuan.
The enemy's encirclement was layer upon layer, and Yan Wen emerged from the water at night. The next day, the enemy discovered his whereabouts, sent people to chase and intercept him, and brought him back to Machao. Machao untied his ropes and said to him, "Now the outcome is clear. You sought help for the isolated city, but ended up being captured. What happened to your loyalty and righteousness? If you listen to me, go back and tell the people in the city that there will be no reinforcements from the east, turning this disaster into an opportunity. Otherwise, you will be killed now!" Yan Wen pretended to agree, and Machao brought him to the city gates.
Yan Wen shouted loudly towards the city, "The main army will arrive in three days at most, everyone hold on!" The people in the city wept and shouted in support. Machao angrily rebuked him, "Aren't you worried about your own fate?" Yan Wen did not answer. At that time, Machao had been attacking the city for a long time without success, so he gradually coaxed Yan Wen, hoping he would change his mind. Machao asked Yan Wen again, "Do you know anyone in the city who wants to join me?" Yan Wen still did not answer. So Machao sternly questioned him, and Yan Wen said, "As a subject, one must be loyal to the sovereign and remain steadfast until death. How could I utter treacherous words just to save my skin?" Machao eventually killed him.
At first, the Hexi Corridor was a mess, and all transportation was cut off. The Prefect of Dunhuang, Ma Ai, passed away, leaving the position empty. Zhang Gong, the Assistant Magistrate, was a knowledgeable and virtuous man, and he was appointed by the locals to take over as Prefect. He did really well, and everyone appreciated him. He then sent his son Zhang Jiu to the east to see Cao Cao, asking the court to send a new Prefect. At that time, the Prefect of Jiuquan, Huang Hua, and the Prefect of Zhangye, Zhang Jin, each held their own territory and wanted to team up with Zhang Gong. Zhang Jiu arrived in Jiuquan, where he was captured by Huang Hua and threatened with a knife at his throat. But Zhang Jiu wasn’t scared at all, and wrote a secret letter to Zhang Gong, saying, "Sir, you're running Dunhuang with loyalty and integrity. How can you give up just because I’m stuck here? In the past, Le Yang even sacrificed his own child for the greater good; Li Tong gave up his family property for the country. How can loyal subjects like them worry about their wives and kids? The army’s about to arrive; we just need to hurry up and hit them; I hope you won’t be too upset about me, let me die out here without regrets."
Zhang Gong immediately sent his younger sibling to attack the counties of Shatou and Ganqi in Jiuquan. Zhang Gong himself led troops closely following behind Huang Hua, mounting a pincer attack. He also sent two hundred cavalry troops to meet the imperial officials, traversing the northern border of Jiuquan en route to Zhangye, to welcome the newly appointed prefect Yin Feng. At this time, Zhang Jin was in dire need of assistance from Huang Hua; Huang Hua wanted to save Zhang Jin, but upon seeing Zhang Gong's army behind him, he feared a surprise attack, so he surrendered to Su Ze, the Prefect of Jincheng. Ultimately, Zhang was unharmed, and Yin Feng assumed his post without incident. In the second year of Huang Chu, the court issued a decree commending Zhang Gong's achievements, elevating him to the title of Marquis of Guannei, and appointing him as Wujixiaowei of the Western Regions. Several years later, the court summoned him back to the capital, preparing to give him a position as a courtier, but he sent his son Zhang Jiu to take his place. After returning to Dunhuang, Zhang Gong claimed to be gravely ill and firmly declined his position. He passed away during the Taihe era and was posthumously honored with the title of Commandant of Justice. His son Zhang Jiu later became the Prefect of Jincheng, and the father and son gained considerable fame in the Western Regions.
Comments: Li Dian was noble and elegant, upholding righteousness over personal interests, which is truly commendable! Li Tong, Zang Ba, Wen Pin, and Lu Qian stationed in various prefectures, were highly respected and beloved by the people. Xu Chu and Dian Wei fought bravely by Cao Cao's side, comparable to Fan Kuai of the Han Dynasty! Pang De rebuked the enemy as resolute as Zhou Ke. Pang Yu, unafraid of sacrifice, willingly faced death, and his loyalty moved neighboring countries. Yan Wen shouted loudly under the city walls, embodying the spirit of loyalty and righteousness exemplified by figures like Qi Jie and Lu Wenshu.
