Three Kingdoms History: Officer Names

Mother of Bao Chu. She lived more than 100 years.

Yuan Shao’s wife. Mother of Yuan Shang.

Consort of Liu Bei. Mi Zhu’s sister. Took her own life so Zhao Yun could save Liu ...

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Was a native of Juzhang in Kuaiji.

Sun Quan’s sister. Married to Liu Bei by Sun Quan, but later returned to Wu.

* Sun Shangxiang is Lady Sun’s name in most Koei Games. Sun Ren is incorrect. As is Sun Li, which you may come across. Her actual name is unknown. [This is the only audio file which I have used the style name first instead of the given name first, the reason being that most people know her as Sun Shang Xiang first rather than Sun Fei -Tongy]

Daughter of Sun Ce. Wife of Lu Xun. Her marriage bonded the Lu and Sun families.

* Sun Shi in Koei’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Mother of Sun He. Was a native of Langya.

* Lady Wang of Langya. Not to be confused with Lady Wang of Nanyang.

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Mother of Sun Xiu. Was a native of Nanyang.

* Lady Wang of Nanyang. Not to be confused with Lady Wang of Langya.

Mother of Sun Quan and Sun Ce. Husband to Sun Jian. Endorsed marriage of lady Sun.

Wife of Sun Quan, the Lord of Wu. Was a native of Fuchun in Wu Commandary.

Wife of King Meng Huo. Said to be descended from the Goddess of Fire.

* Zhu4rong2 is her name, but Fei1 means literally “imperial concubine”

Former wife of Zhang Ji. Caught Cao Cao’s fancy while staying with Zhang Xiu.

* Appears as ‘Lady Zhou’ in Koei games, and in the Brewitt-Taylor translation. Lady Zou’s name is strange in meaning. Zou1 is a surname as expected, but Shi4 is a clan or maiden name.

Given the rank of Minister by Zhuge Liang. Tested Fei Yi over a game of Weiqi.

* Called Liu Min in poisonpie’s novel listing.

Serves Yuan Shu, then later leaves to join the Mt. Songshan Bandits with Chen Lan.

Officer of Liu Zhang and, later, Liu Bei. Killed by Zhang He at Ba Xi.

Fought Wei Yan and Huang Zhong, he was captured twice. He was executed the second time.

* Sometimes erroneously referred to as Ling Bao.

Served Wei. Fought along with Cao Chun during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Served Cao Fang. Killed by Sima Shi for plotting against him with Xiahou Xuan and Zhang ...

Served Yuan Shu guarding Shouchun, but died after his defeat there by Cao Cao.

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

Served Lü Bu. Killed by Xu Chu after neglecting his post in Yanzhou.

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

Chief Secretary. Sent by Liu Shan to check on the dying Zhuge Liang.

Secretary to Yuan Shang, then served under Cao Pi.

Begged Liu Zhang not to let Liu Bei in, persuaded Ma Chao to surrender to Liu Bei.

Son of Li Tong who inherited his rank.

Served Dong Zhuo. Later took control of the imperial court with Guo Si.

One of Han Sui’s Eight Knights. Accidentally killed by Yu Jin’s arrow.

Officer of Shu. Died defending Mianzhu during Deng Ai’s attack on the city.

A colleague of Yin Mo. Studied under Song Zhong and Sima Hui in Nanyang.

Served Dong Zhuo as an advisor. Died with his lord’s ambitions.

Member of Cao Shuang’s faction, he was sent to check on Sima Yi’s health.

Using Red Hare and other gifts he persuaded Lü Bu to kill Ding Yuan and join Dong ...

An officer of Wei. Saved Cao Cao’s rearguard in the retreat from Zhang Xiu.

Nephew of Li Jue. Helped Li Jue smuggle out the Emperor. Killed by Xu Chu.

Officer of Shu. Achieved merit in Jiang Wei’s first northern campaign.

Son of Li Tong who was stationed at Fancheng, where he achieved some merit.

A talented officer who originally served Liu Zhang, but later joined Liu Bei.

* Li Yan changed his name to Li Ping after rising in Shu authority.

General of Sun Huan. Slain by Guan Xing in the novel.

Fortune Teller who warned Liu Bei what would happen should he attacked Wu.

Li Hui’s son.

* There are two ways to display 遺 in Pinyin: Yi and Wei. We use Yi2.

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

Minister of Liu Shan’s.

Served Yuan Shu guarding Shouchun, but died after his defeat there by Cao Cao.

Advised Gongsun Du against attacking Ye while Cao Cao was on campaign elsewhere.

Inspector of Bing province, he pacified the Shanyu.

One of Han Sui’s Eight Knights. Killed by Ma Chao in an attempt to protect Sui.

Originally of Wei, he submitted to Zhuge Liang and was made Governor of Tianshui.

Officer in service of Shu. Served through the full span of the Shu Kingdom.

* Also known as Liao Chun (廖淳).

Arrogant officer who neglected his duties, was demoted by Zhuge Liang.

Served Wu. Was killed in one of Gan Ning’s arrow attacks fighting Huang Zu.

Served Wu. Resented Gan Ning for killing his father, Ling Cao, but later forgave him.

An officer of Liu Zhang and, later, Liu Bei. Served in the northern campaigns.

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.

Liu Shan’s fifth son. Rather than surrender to Wei, he committed suicide.

* Also known as Liu Chan in some versions of the novel.

Guarded the gates of the palace. Executed by Sun Chen for taking part in Sun Liang’s ...

Inherited Liu Biao’s kingdom upon his death, then surrendered it to Cao Cao.

* His name is frequently written ‘Liu Zong’, but this is incorrect.

Governor of Yan. Attacked the Qingzhou Yellow Scarves, but was killed.

Governor of Lingling. He surrendered to Liu Bei after his son was defeated.

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

Liu Bei’s adopted son. Executed after the death of Guan Yu at Zhuge Liang’s ...

Imperial Protector of Yangzhou. Rendered valuable service. Killed by Cao Cao in a drunken ...

Sent to hold Luocheng, he advised visiting a local sage. Cut down by Zhang Yi.

* Sometimes appears in games as Liu Kui.

Shu officer. Died in the year following Kongming’s occupation of Hanzhong.

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).

Attacked Mian Zhu while Liu Bei welcomed Ma Chao. Killed by Zhao Yun.

Third son of Liu Bei. Married to Ma Chao’s daughter.

General under Zhuge Ke, defended against Wei.

Participated in Liu Bei’s attack on Wu, but was defeated and surrendered.

After rebelling with the Yellow Scarves, moved to Runan. Later joined Liu Bei.

Officer of Wu. Was executed by Sun Hao for objecting to his cruelty.

Eldest son of Liu Biao and legitimate heir of Jing. Became close friends with Liu Bei.

Liu Bei’s son and the second Emperor of Shu. Destroyed Shu through ineptitude.

* Also known by his infant name, A-Dou (阿斗). See Liu Shan’s Comprehensive Officer Biography for more information on his name.

Sent by Cao Rui to save Jiangxia from Wu.

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

Predicted Shu would fall but also that neither Deng Ai nor Zhong Hui would return.

Liu Du’s son. Defended Lingling with Xingdao Rong against Liu Bei, but failed.

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

Served under Liu Cong with Deng Yi. Surrendered to Cao Cao after Cong’s death.

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

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

Son of Liu Shan, and his crown prince. Died during Zhong Hui’s rebellion.

* Called Liu Rui in Brewitt Taylor translation of the novel.

Raised a force against Yuan Tan at Tayin.

Prefect of Lu Jiang under Yuan Shu. He was tricked into abandoning his city by Sun Ce ...

Grand Administrator of Dong commandery. Yuan Shao sent Yan Liang to attack him.

* Appears in Brewitt-Taylor translations as Liu Yue.

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

Former Administrator of Yi Province. Executed after accusing Liu Shan of seducing his ...

* Liu Yan’s style, Weishi, is also translated as Weishuo. Either may turn up in references.

Imperial Inspector of Yangzhou. Liu Dai’s brother. Defeated by Sun Ce, then died ...

* Referenced incorrectly as ‘Liu Yong’ in many Koei games, along with a few other video games. Historical sources, and nearly all novel translations, use ‘Liu Yao’ instead.

With other officials, went to Emperor Xian to petition his abdication to Cao Pi.

Served Wei. Among the officials that petitioned Emperor Xian to abdicate to Cao Pi.

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

Liu Bei’s uncle. Recognized Liu Bei’s ambition, and worked to maintain the ...

Father of Liu Lue. Marched to meet Wei’s invasion on Zhuge Luo’s orders.

Son of Liu Yan. Governed Ba-shu before Liu Bei took his kingdom out from under his feet.

Sent by Cao Cao to reinforce Zhao Yan, who was having trouble with mutineers.

Liu Yuanqi’s brother

Executed for rebuking Sun Hao about his tyranny.

Friend of Cao Song. Killed by the fleeing Cao Cao.

Said to be the finest warrior of the Three Kingdoms era. Executed by Cao Cao.

Father of Lü Yi (Jiyang). He served Liu Yan and followed him into Yi Province.

General of Wu. Executed the last vestiges of the Shi clan in Jiao province.

Was an aid to Yuan Shu, but left for Sun Ce. Suggested Lady Sun’s marriage.

Dismissed fears that Liu Cong’s surrender was a trap.

* ‘Lou’ and ‘Lu’ are both accepted ways of writing 婁.

A relative of Lu Xun’s. During his youth, he was said to have stolen an orange from ...

The second son of Lu Xun and Wu Grand Admiral. Died in battle with Jin forces.

Second son of Lü Fan and an officer of Wu. Killed by Sun Chen.

Together with Wan Yu, shared the responsibility of Prime Minister under Sun Hao.

* Listed incorrectly as ‘Lu Kuai’ in some Brewitt-Taylor translations.

Served Shu with Wang Kang. Was Kongming’s guide while battling against the Man.

Lu Xun’s second son. Known to be as capable a commander as his father.

Served Yuan Shang. Defected to Yuan Tan then Cao Cao. Attacking Liu Bei, killed by Zhao ...

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

Served Wu. Originally a skilled warrior, turned out to be a scholar as well.

* The Lu surname is pronounced Lu2 because of the preceeding Meng, which is 3rd tone, the same rule applies when pronouncing the style name because Zi3 is also third tone.

Served Cao Cao, and later Cao Pi, as Military Aide.

The son of Lu Su. Praised as a capable military commander.

Brilliant and insightful Wu commander. Was ambassador to Shu.

* When saying Lu Su’s surname and style name together the surname should be pronounced Lu2 instead of Lu3 because of the tone preceeding it.

Officer of Yuan Shao. Guarded Wuchao as a lieutenant of Chunyu Qiong.

Younger brother of Lü Kuang, whom he followed everywhere.

* For some reason in To Esablish Peace his name is Gao Xiang

Officer of later-Shu. Defeated Zhong Hui at Nanzheng, but was later killed by Xun Kai.

Famous and brilliant Wu commander that defeated Liu Bei at Yi Ling.

* Originally named Lu Yi (陸議).

Served Shu as Grand Administrator of Hanzhong during Zhuge Liang’s time.

* Some Brewitt-Taylor translations incorrectly list Lü Yi as ‘Lu Yin’. Some books, historical or simplified, including some Chinese Moss Roberts translations, list Lü Yi’s name as 呂義 or its simplified variant 呂义. They are presented as the same person because the two names are both used in reference to the same person, a Lü Yi who was Grand Administrator of Hanzhong during Zhuge Liang’s time, and because there is no reference to another Lü Yi in Shu.

Son of Lu Zhi, became Consultant Foreman Clerk in the Department of Legal Administration.

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

He was beheaded for criticizing Gongsun Yuan’s plan to revolt.

Better known as Luo Guanzhong. Credited for having authored the Sanguo yanyi.

* In discussion and reference his style name is nearly always used, hence ‘Luo Guanzhong’.

Vassal of Sun Quan, famed for being a poor yet honourable man, loyal to his step mother.

Luo Meng’s son. Served in Shu under Liu Shan. Did not support Huang Hao.