![]() |
![]() |
Home | Novel &
History | Sanguo Zhi Translation | Submissions
| Webmaster | Links Font Styles (upgrade browser to use): Small Sans (default) | Large Serif (alternate) |
Xiahou Dun (SGZ Biography)translated by HolyMan Xiahou Dun [?-A.D. 220], styled Yuanrang, was born in Qiao county in Pei prefecture. He was a descendant of Xiahou Ying [?-172 B.C.]. At the age of 14 he pursued his studies under the guidance of a local teacher. There was an incident where someone had insulted his teacher, and Dun killed him. For this he was known as a righteous but violent person. When Taizu [Cao Cao] first rise to power, Dun had always been under his command and followed him into battle. After Taizu was promoted to the title of General who Displays Firmness, he appointed Dun as his military advisor, and stationed him at Baima. Dun was later promoted to the rank of Zhechong Xiaowei and taken up the position as the governor of Dong prefecture. When Taizu attacked Tao Qian, Dun was ordered to station himself at Puyang. One of Taizu’s commanders, Zhang Miao, took this chance to rebel and switched to Lu Bu’s side. Zhang Miao’s troops were stationed near Juancheng, and Taizu’s family lived in Juancheng. Therefore Dun gathered a small army and went to the rescue. On his way there he encountered Lu Bu and his troops, and they fought. Lu Bu retreated, took Puyang and seized Dun’s supplies as a result of Dun’s absence. Lu Bu then ordered some local commanders to Dun’s camp and staged a surrender. Dun fell for the trick and was taken as hostage. The rebelling commanders asked for a large amount for a ransom and this incident startled the rest of Dun’s troops. Han Hao, one of Dun’s commanders, ordered his troops to station themselves in front of Dun’s camp and called the other commanders for a meeting. He ordered other commanders to restrict their troops in their own camps. After the other camps came under control, Han Hao went into Dun’s camp and told the rebels loudly, “You man-eating traitors, how dare you take hostage of a general. Do you still hope to walk out of this alive? Besides, we are ordered to suppress the rebels, how can we let you off lightly just because of a general?” He then turned to Dun in teary eyes and said, “There is nothing I can do to help because the law forbids it.” After saying this he ordered his men to attack the rebels. Upon seeing this, the rebelling commanders released Dun immediately and begged for pardon. “We only wanted to ask for some cash to spend,” they said. Han Hao reprimanded them on their wrong doings and executed them after that. After Dun was rescued, Taizu learnt about it and praised Han Hao, “Your method can be a good example for ten thousand years.” For this, Taizu made a new ruling: “From now on, in situations when the enemies take hostages, kill both the enemies and the hostages. Do not take the safety of the hostages into consideration.” There were no more incidents of hostages being held from then on. [1] After Taizu returned from Xuzhou, Dun followed him to attack Lu Bu. He was hit by an arrow and lost his left eye. [2] He was later promoted to the governor of Chenliu and governor of Jiyin, and given the title of Jianwu Jiangjun, and was knighted as the duke of Gao An Xiang. During his term of office there were sometimes drought and locust attacks. Dun blockaded the river and used the fertile riverbed for agricultural purposes. He led his men to join in the labor and he carried soil on his back like the peasants. The people benefited because of his leadership, and later Dun became the governor of He’nan. After Taizu conquered He’bei and was appointed Jiande General, he was met with resistance from the rear from the Da Jiangjun [General-in-Chief, i.e., Yuan Shao]. After the city of Ye was conquered [from Yuan Shao], Dun was promoted to Fubo Jiangjun and still governed He’nan. He was given the power to impose or introduce whatever ruling he saw necessary, and was not restricted by law. In the 12th year of Jian’an [A.D. 207], Dun’s contributions were officially recorded, and he was given another 1800 households under his command besides the 2500 household he had already. In the 21st year of Jian’an [A.D. 216], after he returned with Taizu from war against Sun Quan, he was given the command of 26 army units and was ordered to station himself at Juchao. Taizu rewarded him with famous musicians and dancers, saying “Wei Jiang had united the barbaric tribes and had his legends inscribed in metal and stones, but you deserve more than that.” In the 24th year of Jian’an [A.D. 219], Taizu’s army defeated [the army of] Liu Bei [i.e. Guan Yu] at Mo’pi. Taizu often had Dun ride in the same carriage with him, and Dun was allowed to visit Taizu in his living quarters. Taizu showed special intimacy, trust and high regards towards Dun, with which the rest of his generals could not compare. Dun was appointed General of the Van. [3] Dun supervised the units returning to Shouchun. After that he was being stationed as Zhaoling. After Wei Wen Di [Cao Pi] inherited the title of Prince of Wei, Xiahou Dun was appointed as “Great General.” He passed away a few months after his new appointment. Although Xiahou Dun was a military man, he personally invited his teacher to his camp for guidance so that he can carry on his studies. He was a prudent man to himself and generous to others. He did not enjoy keeping a wealthy estate so whenever he had extra income he gave them to the masses, and whenever there was a shortage he took from the treasury. He was given the honorable title of “loyal duke” after his death. His son Xiahou Chong inherited his titles and positions. Wei Wen Di remembered Dun’s contributions and wanted to offer knighthood to his sons and grandsons. He gave Dun’s family another 1000 households, and gave all seven of Dun’s sons and two of Dun’s grandsons the title of “Marquis of the Imperial Domain.” Dun’s younger brother Xiahou Lian and Dun’s son Xiahou Mao were already dukes when he died. Initially, Taizu had married his daughter, Princess Qinghe, to Xiahou Mao. Mao had held the positions of palace attendant, Imperial Secretariat, and Anxi Zhendong Jiangjun. He was also given the prestigious royal mace. [4] After Xiahou Chong’s death, his son Xiahou Yi inherited Xiahou Dun’s title as the 3rd generation duke of Gao An Xiang. After Xiahou Yi’s death, his son Xiahou Shao inherited the title. [5] [1] Pei Songzhi’s notes: According
to Sun Sheng, during the time of Emperor Guangwu, 9th year of Jianwu [A.D.
33], robbers captured Lady Yin’s mother and younger brother. The
authorities tried to make the robbers release the hostages by force, and
the robbers killed the hostages. But attacking the hijackers and the hostage
was an ancient ruling. Since the time of Emperor An [A.D 107-125] and
Emperor Shun [A.D. 126-144], the situation had worsened to the extent
that even nobles were sometimes kidnapped, and the authorities did not
follow this ruling and kidnappers escaped when they had hostages. Han
Hao revived this rule so that Emperor Wei Wu [Cao Cao] praised him for
this. <return> © Copyright HolyMan
2002 |