Three Kingdoms History: Officer Names

Fictional officer of Jiang Wei. Acted as a decoy but was defeated and killed by Chen Tai.

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

Beaten and later slain by Zhang Fei, he was a reason Lü Bu attacked Xuzhou.

One of the Taishan Mountain Bandits. Persuaded to join Cao Cao by Zhang Liao.

Served Liu Bei since he held Yizhou. Held office just under Zhao Yun.

Spied on Lü Bu with his father, Gui, for Cao Cao. Joined Liu Bei, then surrendered ...

Father of Chen Deng. Served Cao Cao and Liu Bei spying on Lü Bu, then under Cao.

Served Shu. Chen Zhen’s son.

Served Wei. Imperial Censor under Cao Cao. Supreme Commander under Cao Pi.

* Sometimes his style is referenced incorrectly as ‘Zhangwen’.

Rumored father of Chen Shou. Traded for Xiahou Shang at Hanzhong. Executed.

Served Shu and later Jin. Author of the highly-respected Three Kingdoms history, Sanguozhi.

Local official, was sent as emissary to Wu, swearing oath of alliance with Sun Quan.

Served Liu Shan. Surrended to Deng Ai on behalf of Liu Shan.

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

Served Zhuge Liang. Was responsible for restoration of alliance with Wu.

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

Governor of Yizhou city. Suggested asking Zhang Lu for aid against Liu Bei.

Served Shu. As an ambassador to Wu, advised Fei Yi on how to reply to Sun Quan.

Brought troops to defend Saber Pass from Deng Ai and Zhong Hui.

Served Shu as a High Minister during Liu Shan’s reign.

Served Shu as a High Minister during Liu Shan’s reign. A teacher of Qiao Zhou.

Faked illness, even faked being deaf, to avoid serving Liu Bei.

Concubine and later Empress of Liu Bei. She was a native of Pei.

Consort and later Empress of Liu Bei. From Chenliu. Wu Yi’s sister.

* Empress Mu (穆皇后) is her traditional name. Informally, you will find her referenced as Empress Wu (吳皇后).

Zhang Fei’s daughter. Empress Zhang married to Liu Shan. Zhang Xingcai in Koei games.

* ‘Empress Zhang’ or ‘Lady Zhang’ in the novel and other historic sources, she has been given a fictional personality by Koei under the name ‘Zhang Xingcai’ or simply ‘Xing Cai’. Both names refer to the same person, but the story given her in Koei games is fictional. I’ve recorded this as the English translation presents itself (so, Huanghou Zhang (empress Zhang) and Xing1cai3 as her given name)

Served Shu. Son of Fa Zheng.

Served Liu Zhang then Liu Bei. Was integral to the foundation of Shu.

Secretary under Kongming then Jiang Wei. Went with Liu Shan when Shu fell.

Served Shu. Son of Fei Yi, and his heir. Older brother to Fei Gong.

Served Shu. Son of Fei Yi. Younger brother of Fei Cheng.

Served Liu Zhang, but surrendered to Liu Bei. Made a secretary in Cheng Du.

Shu official. Took over affairs of state after Jiang Wan’s death.

Officer of Shu. Died fighting at the battle of Yiling.

Fu Tong’s son serving Shu. Captured Li Peng and Wang Zhen. Died in battle.

Persuaded by Lü Meng to betray Guan Yu. Killed by Guan Xing after trying to return ...

* Just known as Shi Ren in ZZTJ and GOS.

Central military advisor for the Shu forces. Died during the battle of Yiling.

* Called Fu Rong by SGZ.

Shu vassal that revolted with the southern Man region.

Officer of Shu. Participated in many of Zhuge Liang’s northern campaigns.

Joined Liu Bei. Former Yellow Scarve. Killed by Xiahou Yuan battling at Ru Nan.

Advised Jin Xuan to surrender. When Jin Xuan returned defeated, Gong Zhi shot him.

Drunkard officer under Li Yan. Beaten for arriving late with supplies, and fled to Wei.

Served Shu. Guan Yu’s son (adopted in novel). Executed with Guan Yu by Sun Quan.

Son of Guan Yu. Younger brother to Guan Ping and Guan Xing. Fictional.

Son of Guan Xing. Succeeded his father’s position as Marquis of Han Shou.

Son of Guan Yu. Served in Zhuge Liang’s northern campaigns.

Son of Guan Xing. Died fighting Wei troops during Zhong Hui’s rebellion.

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).

Described by Zhuge Liang as loyal and honest, advised Liu Shan on palace matters.

Magistrate of Chang Sha. Wei Yan killed him when surrendering to Liu Bei.

Son of Hu Hua. Helped Guan Yu during his 1,000 li journey from Cao Cao.

Based in Hanshou, went to Cheng Du to get help to repel Wei’s invasion.

Son of Huang Quan, who served Liu Zhang then Shu. Killed by his soldiers.

Eunuch in service to Liu Shan. His advice helped to destroy Shu.

Served Liu Zhang and later Liu Bei. Surrendered to Wei out of necessity.

Served Shu. Huang Zhong’s son, died young without children.

Son of Huang Quan, who served Liu Zhang then Shu. Died without issue.

Zhuge Liang’s wife. Huang Chengyan’s daughter. Was very smart, but not beautiful.

Joined Liu Bei after Han Xuan’s defeat. One of the Five Tiger Generals.

Held Jiameng against Liu Zhang’s generals before his counter attack defeated them..

Son of Huo Jun, was concerned about lack of defences at Cheng Du.

Originally served Tao Qian. Persuaded Liu Zhang to surrender to Liu Bei.

* Jian Yong’s family name may have originally been ‘Geng’ (耿), but in the Youzhou dialect ‘Geng’ it was pronounced ‘Jian’, so he changed it.

Served Shu as a general under Liu Shan. Later surrendered to Zhong Hui.

Jiang Wei highly prized his talent, was disgruntled and defected in Wei’s invasion.

Served Shu starting with the Yi invasion. Trusted and influential. Died as Regent.

Served Shu as Minister of War, eventually inheriting Zhuge Liang’s responsibilities.

Sent by Liu Shan to order Jiang Wei to surrender.

Originally a tribal leader, he helped Liu Bei at Yi Ling but died fighting Wu.

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

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]

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

* Called Liu Min in poisonpie’s novel listing.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Fond of practical jokes, admired by Liu Xuan but not given important tasks. Skilled scholar

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.

Rescued Shu’s economy after Liu Bei’s troops had plundered the treasury.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Son of Ma Liang.

Served Shu after fleeing from the north. Third of the Five Tiger Generals.

Ma Chao’s cousin. He surrendered to Liu Bei with Ma Chao.

Administered Jing after Liu Bei took Shu. Nicknamed ‘White Eyebrows’.

Served Shu. Surrendered Jiang You castle prompting his wife to commit suicide.

Ma Liang’s younger brother. Executed by Zhuge Liang after his failure at Jie Ting.

Son of Ma Zhong (Dexin). His family continued service in Jin after Shu’s surrender.

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

Fictional character created by Koei. Daughter of Ma Teng. Married to Zhao Yun.

* Sometimes appears incorrectly as Ma Yunli.

Served Shu notably during the northern and southern campaigns.

* Also known as Hu Du (狐篤).

Refused aid to Guan Yu. Defeated by Sima Yi. In novel, kills Xu Huang.

Oversaw the building of the terrace so Liu Bei could become Emperor.

Mi Zhu’s brother. Served Shu then Wu. Caused Guan Yu’s demise.

Served Shu. Mi Fang’s brother. Died shortly after Mi Fang’s betrayal.

Officer of later-Shu. Offered Jiang Wei a plan that defeated Deng Ai’s invading ...

Began his career under Liu Biao then Liu Bei. After Guan Yu’s death, served in Wu.

Son of Pang Tong, became Governor of Fu.

Pang Tong’s brother. Fought in Yiling. Surrendered to Wei with Huang Quan.

Friend of Sima Hui’s and Shu’s “Fledgling Phoenix.” Killed by ...

A friend of Liu Yan. Collected his grandchildren and brought them to Shu.

Served Shu. Friend of Meng Da, plotted revolt against Liu Bei.

Historian. Advised Liu Zhang to surrender to Liu Bei. Studied with Chen Shou.

Rebuked Jian Yong for his arrogance, thrown in jail for opposing the invasion of Wu.

Brother of Shen Yi. Governor of Shangyong. Surrendered from Wei to Shu to Wei.

Brother of Shen Dan. Friend of Meng Da. Surrendered from Wei to Shu then again to Wei.

Served Liu Bei. From Beihai. At death ranked General Who Upholds Loyalty.

General of Wei under Cao Rui who was dispatched to Xiangyang to counter Wu’s invasion.

* Also referred to erroneously as Tian Du.

Warned Guan Yu about Lü Meng, Pang Jun and an ambush but was ignored.

Defender of Yuecheng, surrendered on the loss of Hanzhong.

Served Shu. Defended Yongchang against Yong Kai’s attack.

Shu governor who did well economically. He warned Zhuge Liang of the risk of malaria.

Served Wei but later surrendered to Shu. Served in the northern campaigns.

* Also known as He Ping (何平).

Served Shu. Wang Lian’s son.

Wang Ping’s son and heir.

Talented commander. Killed Han Xuan and surrendered his territory to Liu Bei.

Served Liu Bei and Liu Shan in Shu. Son of Wu Kuang. Cousin of Wu Yi.

* Also called Hu Ban in some versions of the novel.

Served Liu Yan and Zhang then Liu Bei. Killed in battle with Cao Zhang.

Brother-in-law of Liu Zhang. Later servant of Liu Bei, who his younger sister married.

* Wu Yi4 (懿) or Yi1 (壹) are both proper.

Shu civil officer, he served Liu Shan even after the surrender to Jin.

Xiahou Yuan’s son. Originally served Wei, betrayed to Shu. Attacked Didao with Jiang ...

Served Shu. Xiang Chong’s older brother. Died fighting Hanjia barbarians.

Served Liu Biao then Liu Bei. Defended rear flank in the northern campaigns.

Xiang Lang’s son, he was a man of great learning.

Officer of Liu Bei in Xuzhou. Opened the gates for Lü Bu when he attacked Zhang Fei.

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

One of Sima Hui’s students. Served Liu Bei, then later, through trickery, Cao Cao.

* Also went by the name Shan Fu (單福).

Served Liu Zhang, but surrendered to Zhang Fei after being defeated by him.

Given rank by Huang Hao. Talentless. Disbanded Jiang Wei’s defense of Qishan Hills.

* Yan Yu’s name is incorrectly translated in the Brewitt-Taylor as ‘Yan Yun’.

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

Served Liu Zhang and remained in service under Liu Bei. Provincial Secretary.

Served Shu. Yang Yi’s brother, died at 17 but was known for virtue.

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

Respected for his honesty but was sacked and died a commoner. Wrote the Ji-Han fuchen zan.

High ranking Shu minister. Later later stripped of rank for dissentious words.

Originally served Liu Biao, but after Biao’s death left to serve Liu Bei.

* Rafe calls him Yin Ji.

Learnt from Sima Hui, had great knowledge of the classics, appointed tutor of Liu Shan.

Friend of Jiang Wei in Tianshui. Surrendered Tianshui to Shu, made Prefect of Jicheng.

Along with Gao Ding and Zhu Bao, rebelled in Southern Yizhou.

A man of courtesy, generosity and restraint, he refused to rebuke Liu Bei.

Zhang Fei’s son and Guan Xing’s blood brother. Died in the Northern Campaigns.

* Sometimes ‘苞’ is translated as Pao, thus Zhang Pao. We continue to use Bao.

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.

Great-grandfather of Zhang Yi (Bogong), who served Shu.

Great-great-grandfather of Zhang Yi (Bogong), who served Shu.

Officer of Shu. Died fighting at the battle of Yiling.

Served Shu with Zhuge Liang. Wounded by Wang Shuang. Died rescuing Jiang Wei.

* 張嶷 is commonly translated as both Zhang Yi and Zhang Ni. Zhang Ni is perhaps the most common translation, likely to disambiguate from other Zhang Yis, but both are accepted.

Second son of Zhang Fei. Surrendered to Wei after Shu’s collapse.

Officer of Liu Zhang and Shu. Aided Liu Bei in Ba-Shu. Angered Cao Cao in Sanguo Yanyi.

Served Shu. Zhang Yi (Bogong)’s son.

Fought in the Northern Campaigns. Respected for his kindness.

Served Liu Zhang, then Liu Bei. Once captured by Sun Quan. Father of Zhang Miao.

Served Shu. Divined Shu’s fall nine years after taking Hanzhong. Executed by Liu ...

Administrator of Guiyang. Offered his sister-in-law to Zhao Yun, who refused.

Second son of Zhao Yun. Died during an expedition under Jiang Wei.

Officer of Shu. Said to be loyal and trust-worthy, he died fighting Wu with Guan Yu and ...

Eldest son of Zhao Yun. Inherited his father’s title.

Served Shu. Highly trusted by Liu Bei. Fourth of the Five Tiger Generals.

Yellow Scarves leader turned subordinate of Guan Yu. Fictional.

Officer of Shu. Rewarded with gifts after Liu Bei gained Yizhou.

Rebelled against Shu with Yong Kai and Gao Ding. Killed when Gao Ding defected.

Zhuge Zhan’s second son. Served Jin following the collapse of Shu.

Zhuge Liang’s younger brother, worked his way up in Shu.

Mastermind of Shu’s rise as a great power. Also known as ‘Sleeping Dragon’.

* Also known by his nickname, ‘Sleeping Dragon’ or ‘Wo Long’ (臥龍). His original novel introduction, with Pang Tong, comes under this title. In this case, Zhuge is his surname, Liang his given name.

The son of Zhuge Qiao. After Zhuge Ke’s death, was restored as Zhuge Jin’s ...

Adopted son of Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Jin’s second son.

* Originally styled Zhongshen (仲慎), but after adopting him Zhuge Liang changed it to Bosong (伯松).

Zhuge Zhan’s eldest son. Died with his father on the battlefield against Deng Ai.

Zhuge Liang’s son. Died along with his son defending Shu from Deng Ai.

Shu minister sent to Wu to ask why their guard increased after Liang’s death.