Han Sui
Han Sui | |
---|---|
韓遂 | |
![]() A Qing dynasty illustration of Han Sui | |
General Who Attacks the West (征西將軍) | |
In office 201–211 | |
Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
General Who Pacifies the Qiang (安羌將軍) | |
In office 195–201 | |
Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
General Who Guards the West (鎮西將軍) | |
In office 192–195 | |
Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
Personal details | |
Born | Unknown |
Died | 215[1] |
Occupation | General, warlord |
Courtesy name | Wényuē (文約) |
Other name | Han Yue (韓約) |
Han Sui (
Life
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/End_of_Han_Dynasty_Warlords.png/450px-End_of_Han_Dynasty_Warlords.png)
With the backing of the
Early in 192, the two of them submitted to the Han central government, then under Dong Zhuo's control, but Dong Zhuo was assassinated by Lü Bu and Wang Yun in April. After Li Jue, Guo Si and other former followers of Dong Zhuo seized control of the Han central government later that year, Han Sui and Ma Teng allied themselves with Liu Yan and led their armies to attack the Han imperial capital, Chang'an. After suffering a major defeat 13 miles west of Chang'an, and running short on supplies, the warlords retreated back to Liang Province.
Not long afterwards, however, Han Sui and Ma Teng's relationship soured and the two of them battled each other for control of Liang Province. Their battle escalated to the point where both were killing each other's wives and children. Cao Cao, having achieved victory at the
When Cao Cao began gathering armies with the intent of invading Hanzhong Commandery, then under the rule of Zhang Lu, Han Sui and Ma Chao suspected that it was they, and not Zhang Lu who would be attacked. The two of them gathered warlords from the western regions and went to war against Cao Cao. In the course of the conflict, however, Cao Cao managed to turn Ma Chao and Han Sui against each other. Han Sui realised that there was no hope for victory with the forces divided against each other in suspicion, and retreated once again to Liang Province. Cao Cao captured and killed Han Sui's children and grandchildren.
When
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han Sui is depicted as Ma Teng's sworn brother and subordinate, when historically he was actually a warlord of equal footing as Ma Teng. Han Sui's preference to remain out of the scenes may have been a reason for this depiction.
In the novel, during Ma Chao's battles against Cao Cao's forces, Han Sui has eight elite officers serving under him. After Cao Cao successfully used a scheme to turn Ma Chao and Han Sui against each other, Ma Chao grew suspicious of Han Sui and attacked him, cutting off his left arm in the process. Han Sui managed to escape and defect to Cao Cao, who accepted his surrender and allowed him to continue serving as a general in Liang Province alongside Xiahou Yuan.
See also
References
- ^ a b de Crespigny (2007), p. 301.
- ^ The Dianlüe recorded that Han Sui was in his 70s when he died. (《典略》曰:遂字文约,....至是乃死,年七十馀矣。) Dianlüe annotation in Sanguozhi vol.01. Thus by calculation, his birth year should be in the 140s.
- ^ According to Cao Cao's biography in Sanguozhi, Han Sui was killed in the 5th month of the 20th year of the Jian'an era of Liu Xie's reign. This corresponds to 15 June to 13 July 215 on the Julian calendar. [(建安二十年)五月,公攻屠之。西平、金城诸将麹演、蒋石等共斩送韩遂首。] Sanguozhi vol.01
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- ISBN 9789004156050.
- Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms(Sanguozhi zhu).
- Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.