Three Kingdoms History: Officer Names

An Inspector of Xu who held command against the Yellow Turbans, and reported on the excellent ...

A colonel in the northern army who would later be reported embezzling local funds.

Lord of Jibei. Bao Zhong’s brother. Died fighting the Yellow Turbans.

One of the 12 Regular Attendants who was known for his engineering achievements.

Governor of Jiujiang. Killed by Xiahou Dun reinforcing Tao Qian against Cao Cao.

Cai Yong’s daughter. Captured by the Xiongnu, but bought back by Cao Cao.

* Better known as the poetess Cai Wenji. An alternate style, Zhaoji (昭姬), is used in Lie Nu Hou Zhuan, while Wenji (文姬) is most commonly used (including in the Hou Han shu).

Advised Emperor Ling’s court. Hated the eunuchs. Died honoring Dong Zhuo.

* In some Wade-Giles translations of the novel Cai Yong is incorrectly listed as Ch’ai Yung.

Founder of Wei. Built the foundation of what would become the Jin Dynasty.

* In Sanguozhi Chen Shou references him with the honorary title, Wu Di (武帝), or ‘Martial Emperor’. Cao Cao appears in other sources under this name. Cao Cao’s infant name was A-Man (阿瞞).

Younger relative of Cao Song, uncle of Cao Cao. Killed by Zhang Kai with Cao Song.

The Chief of the Ten Regular Attendants under Emperors Huan and Ling of Han.

Adopted son of Cao Teng and father of Cao Cao. Also called Xiahou Song.

* Occasionally listed as, and once named, Xiahou Song (夏侯嵩). Pronunciation of Jugao as a style name cannot be added until we have Han Zi for this.

Adopted Cao Song (formerly Xiahou), father of Cao Cao, into the Cao family. Eunuch.

Prefect of Wuling. Forged a decree to Sun Jian calling for Wang Rui’s execution.

One of the Eight Paragons of Jiangxia. From Nanyang.

Served Emperor Ling of Han as Imperial Guardian. Died opposing the eunuchs.

Talented advisor who served, and died with, Lü Bu. Helped Cao Cao in the novel.

Served under Emperor Ling, then under Yuan Shao. A superior writer.

Served Han as High Minister. Advisor to Li Ying. Mocked in jest by young Kong Rong.

One of the Eight Paragons of Jiangxia. From Runan.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

Served Han as Minister of Ritual. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s troops.

Served Han as Changshui Commandant. Friend of Dong Cheng. Executed by Cao Cao.

Han Court Counsellor. Helped Ma Teng and Han Sui. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si.

Commandant of the Capital Gates. Cui Yi’s brother. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s ...

* Referenced incorrectly as ‘Sui Yi’ in Brewitt-Taylor’s translation and other sources.

Served Han under Emperor Ling. Cui Lie’s brother.

* Referenced incorrectly as ‘Sui Lie’ in Brewitt-Taylor’s translation and other sources.

Wang Yun’s adopted daughter. Helped to kill Dong Zhuo. Fictional.

* Also known as Sable Cicada. [Are there Han Zi for this? I can pronounce it if need be -Tongy]

Served Han as Imperial Secretary. Opposed Dong Zhuo’s change of Emperors.

Served Han as Imperial Inspector of Jingzhou. Lü Bu’s adoptive father.

Served Han as General of Cavalry and Chariots. Plots to assassinate Cao Cao.

Served Han as General of the Flying Cavalry. Lady Dong’s brother.

* Is also known as Deng Zhong in the ZZTJ.

Served Han then Wei. Advised Cao Cao to move the capital to Xuchang.

Siezed control of Luo Yang and the Han government before being killed by Lü Bu.

Served Emperor Ling of Han as Regent-Marshal. Died opposing the eunuchs.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by Min Gong searching for Emperor Ling.

Emperor Huan of the Han. Destroyed the Liang family, but empowered the eunuchs.

* In Chinese the name of the emperor comes before the use of the word emperor hence Huan (the name) Di (emperor).

Emperor Ling of Han (AD 156–189). Ruled through the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

* In Chinese the name of the emperor comes before the use of the word emperor hence Ling (the name) Di (emperor).

Emperor Shao of Han (AD 189). Deposed and poisoned by Dong Zhuo.

Son of Emperor Ling. Reigned AD 189–220. Forced to abdicate by Cao Pi.

* In Chinese the name of the emperor comes before the use of the word emperor hence Xian (the name) Di (emperor). In this case, Emperor Xian also has a style name attached to his normal name, therefore if you were addressing him as emperor you would say Xian Di, if you knew his name and were close you may use Liu Xie, or if you wanted his style name you’d call him Liu Bohe.

Second daughter of Cao Cao. Emperor Xian’s empress after death of Empress Fu.

* Also known as Empress Cao, Empress Xianmu (獻穆皇后) and Duchess Shanyang.

Wife of Emperor Xian. From Langya. Daughter of Fu Wan. Executed by Cao Cao.

* Commonly referenced simply as ‘Empress Fu’.

Emperor Shao’s mother. He Jin’s half-sister. Died of grief or through suicide.

Grandfather of Fa Zheng. Held high civil rank. Read the five classics at a young age.

Appointed a prefect of Luoyang when Cao Cao moved the capital to Xuchang.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. An agent of Zhang Jue of the Yellow Scarves.

Launched a coup against Cao Cao. Wounded Wang Bi. Executed after his failure.

Imperial Protector of Qingzhou. Attacked by the Yellow Scarves. Supported by Liu Bei.

Magistrate of Bei Ping. Fought Yuan Shao. Committed suicide with his family.

Sworn brother of Liu Bei and Zhang Fei. First of the Five Tiger Generals.

* Originally styled Changsheng (長生). He is frequently referenced by the honorary title, Guan Gong (關公), or ‘Lord Guan’. Guan Yu appears as Guan Gong or Lord Guan in most novel translations, many historic texts, and modern conversation outside the Three Kingdoms community, and on most merchandise. In religion he is called Saintly Emperor Guan (關聖帝君) or in Buddhism, Sangharama Bodhisattva (伽藍菩薩) (more).

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

* In the notes section of To Esablish Peace they have two names for him from different sources: 1. from HHJ25 says Guo Mai and 2. from Jiuzhou chunqiu says Lang Sheng

White Wave Rebel. Helped Emperor Xian. Served Yuan Shu, Lü Bu. Killed by Bei’s ...

Grand Administrator in the Han courts, but was assassinated by the eunuchs.

Empress He’s older half-brother. Later assassinated by Dong Zhuo.

From Nanyang. Encouraged Cao Cao to restore the Han during Zhang Jue’s rebellion.

* His name is incorrectly translated as ‘He Yong in some Brewitt-Taylor editions, also called Yong in ZZTJ.

Father of Empress He, became General of Chariots and Cavalry.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Tried to make off with Emperor Bian.

Privy counselor to Emperor Xian. Tried to calm an angry Huangfu Li to protect him.

Father of Zhuge Liang’s wife. A prominent scholar of the Later Han Dynasty.

* Incorrectly referenced as Huang Chenyan (承 [Cheng2] as ‘Chen’) in many sites, biographies, and in some Brewitt-Taylor translations.

Served Emperor Xian. Charged with making peace between Li Jue and Guo Si.

Imperial Commander under Han. Fought heavily against the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Son of Ji Ping. Joined Geng Ji’s coup to avenge his father but was killed in the ...

* Ji Miao sometimes appears as Ji Mao. The correct translation of 邈 is Miao.

Son of Ji Ping. Fled the capital but returned secretly. Died in Geng Ji’s coup.

Court physician from Luoyang. Forced to commit suicide by Cao Cao.

* Also referenced by the name Chi T’ai in the Brewitt-Taylor translation. Called Ji Ben in SGZ

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by fellow eunuch Guo Sheng.

* The character 碩 can also be translated as Shi and in some academic sources this is considered to be the standard translation (e.g. anything by Rafe de Crespigny). We are using Jian Shuo because that is the most commonly used Romanization.

Descendant of Jin Midi. Advised Geng Ji on killing Wang Bi. Died fighting in the coup.

* May also have been Jin Wei, son of Jin Shang.

Great-great-grandfather of Kong Rong, who served Wei.

Governor of Henan. Visited and impressed by a young Kong Rong.

First Emperor of Shu and sworn brother of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

* Liu Bei is commonly referenced by the name, Xian Zhu (先主), ‘First Ruler’ or ‘First Soverign’. Chen Shou, in the Sanguozhi, refers to Liu Bei by this title to indicate the illegitimacy of his dynasty in the eyes of Jin. Sun Quan and his clan are placed on an even lower pedestal.

Inspector of Jing province under the Han. Opposed the Sun family militarily.

Han Left Imperial Corps Commander. Helped Ma Teng. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si.

Liu Bei’s father. Son of Liu Xiong, said to be descended from Emperor Jing of Han.

* His given name was originally Shan (山) and later Yi (義).

Liu Bei’s ancestor. Prince of Jing of Zhongshan. Son of Emperor Jing of Han.

Liu Bei’s grandfather. Said to be descended from Emperor Jing of Han.

Liu Zhang’s father. Magistrate in the Yi territory after fighting Yellow Scarves.

Governor of You Province during the Later Han. Quelled Zhang Ju’s rebellion.

Served Han as Court Steward. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s troops.

Imperial Corps Commander in service of Han. Was Liu Bei’s teacher and friend.

Sent as envoy to stop the war between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan.

Governed Xi Liang. Descendant of the famous warrior Ma Yuan. Ma Chao’s father.

Han Privy Counsellor. Helped Ma Teng and Han Sui. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si.

Han commander in the Henan district. Killed eunuch Duan Gui. Helped Emperor Shao.

Plotted to save Emperor Xian with Empress Fu and Fu Wan. Executed by Cao Cao.

Encouraged Cao Cao to restore to the Han during the Yellow Scarve rebellion. Father-in-law ...

Conspired with Geng Ji and Wei Huang to abduct the Han Emperor.

Father of Sun Ce, Sun Quan, and the kingdom of Wu.

Follower of Zhang Jue. Betrayed his plans to the Han, and got Ma Yuanyi beheaded.

Accused Prince Li of treason after receiving no bribe. Accused Empress Song of witchcraft.

Part of the ‘Jade Girdle’ plot to kill Cao Cao. Courtier of Dong Cheng. Executed ...

* Wang Fu appears as Wang Zifu (王子服) in the novel, SGZ Shu, and other sources. This appears to be an error. Rafe de Crespigny wrote the following in To Establish Peace I: “The main text of SGZ 32 gives the personal name of Wang Fu as, but Xiandi qijuzhu, quoted by PC, and the parallel texts HHS 9, 381, and HHS 72/62, 2343, all omit the character zi. It is presumably dittography from the name of Wu Zilan immediately preceding.”

Prefect of Henei during the Later Han. Joined the Dong Zhuo alliance.

Originally the prefect of Huiji, he later joined Wei. Debated with Zhuge Liang.

Served Han as Commandant of the Exemplary Cavalry. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s ...

Governor of Jingzhou. Tried to have Cao Yin killed, but was killed first by Sun Jian.

Diaochan’s father. Orchestrated the plot which resulted in Dong Zhuo’s death.

Of a wealthy family, he gave his property to Cao Cao to raise troops to restore the Han.

Han loyalist. Participated in a coup with Geng Ji and Jin Yi. Captured by Xiahou Dun.

Part of the ‘Jade Girdle’ plot to kill Cao Cao. Friend of Dong Cheng and Wang ...

* In SGZ: Shu 2 a man by the name of Wu Zilan 吳子蘭 is described as one of the conspirators. It is likely that this is Wu Shi, and that Zilan was his style.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

* You may also see him referenced as Xia Hui (‘暉’ can be ‘Hui1’). In this case, we have sided with the Moss Roberts and Brewitt-Taylor translations.

Served Cao Cao. Famous for breaking the siege of Fancheng against Guan Yu.

Xu Shao’s brother. A vassal of Liu Zhang and, later, Shu. Said to be an able critic.

A scholarly man of utmost honesty, he refused to serve Yuan Shu and returned the imperial ...

* Also Xu Jiu. Styled Mengyu (孟玉), Mengben (孟本), or Mengping (孟平). Sometimes found as Xu Liu.

Fast tracked by Dong Zhuo, he calmed Zhuo down when Yang Biao angered him.

* Also known as Xun Xu.

Advisor of Cao Cao. Xun Yu’s brother. Died grieving Cao Cao’s interest in ...

* His name is pronounced differently from Xun Yu’s.

Betrayed Li Jue to help Emperor Xian. Served Yuan Shu then Lü Bu. Killed by Bei’s ...

Imperial Corps Commander. Persuaded Guo Si not to kill Yang Biao.

Imperial Counselor to Emperor Xian. Advised through Li Jue and Guo Si’s abuse.

Father of Yuan Shu and possibly Yuan Shao. Minister of Agriculture in service to Han.

Childhood friend, and later enemy of, Cao Cao. Defeated at Guan Du.

Yuan Shao’s younger brother. Declared himself Emperor, but soon after died.

Imperial Guardian and uncle to Yuan Shao. Killed by a vengeful Dong Zhuo.

Sworn brother of Liu Bei and Guan Yu. Second of the Five Tiger Generals.

* Sanguozhi records Zhang Fei’s style as 益 (yi4: ‘benefit’ or ‘increase’) rather than 翼 (yi4: ‘wing’), as used in the novel, games, and most literature.

One of the Eight Paragons of Jiangxia, people protected him from the Han.

Blamed the Yellow Turban revolt on the eunuchs. Arrested and flogged on false charges.

Most influential of the Ten Regular Attendants. Drowned himself to avoid capture.

Han Minister of Exterior. Supressed Han Sui’s revolt in Liang.

Governor of Shangdang. Safely sees Emperor Xian to Luoyang. Killed by Yang Chou.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

Father of Empress Zhen, but died while she was young. Commandery Governor.

Served Han as Minister of Protocol. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s troops.

Served Liu Yao. Defeated by Wu Jing and Sun Ce. Fled to Wang Lang, and died in battle.

Han minister who fought against the Yellow Scarves with Liu Bei and Sun Jian.

Zhuge Liang’s father. Descended from Zhuge Feng. Governor’s deputy in Taishan.

* His style is entered in the Sanguozhi as Jungong (君貢) but in Sanguo Yanyi as Zigong (子貢). Jungong is likely correct as it stems from Sanguozhi. We are looking into this.

Served as Commandant under Liu Yan. Fought the Yellow Scarves with Liu Bei.

* His name is incorrectly translated as ‘Zhou Jing’ in some Brewitt-Taylor editions.

Eunuch of Han. Sent to evaluate Lu Zhi. Demanded a bribe, then lied about his merit.

* His name is incorrectly translated as ‘Zhuo Feng’ in some Brewitt-Taylor editions.