Three Kingdoms History: Officer Names

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

Recommended by Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai became a valuable officer to Cao Cao.

Authored the Han/Jin historical text, Han Jin chunqiu.

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.

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

Brother of Xiahou Shang. Slain by Yan Yan at Tiandang mountain.

One of Cao Cao’s original officers, with civil and military talent. Lost an eye ...

* Xia Hou is the double barreled surname, Dun is the given name in this instance.

Carried Cao Cao’s Blue Blade. Cut down by Zhao Yun at Dangyang.

Fourth son of Xiahou Yuan. Fought well against Shu’s Zhuge Liang.

Third son of Xiahou Yuan. Fought alongside his brother He on the front lines.

Jin officer. Appointed to do battle with the Qiang tribes.

Son of Xiahou Dun. Titled Marquis of the Imperial Domain following his fathers death.

Xiahou Dun’s nephew. Captured at Mt. Dingjun, but traded for Chen Shi.

Xiahou Yuan’s second son. Campaigned against both Shu and Gongsun Yuan.

General who assisted Zhong Hui in taking Shu.

Served Cao Fang. Killed by Sima Shi for plotting against him with Li Fang and Zhang Qi.

Xiahou Dun’s brother. Famed for his attacks against the western barbarians.

* Xia Hou is the double barreled surname, Yuan is the given name in this instance.

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.

A military officer in Wu. Served under Lu Xun during Yiling.

Younger of Wu’s Qiao Sisters. Sister to Da Qiao. Married to Zhou Yu.

* Xiao (小), in this context, translates to ‘Little’, thus ‘Younger’. Rather than refer to her as the ‘Younger Qiao’, the name Xiao Qiao has become a popular alternative. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were names first used by KOEI in Dynasty Warriors 3 when the characters were introduced.[Note that Da4 and Xiao3 can still be used in context in modern times when used in families, also that it’s usually the surname used after the “Da/Xiao” part] for example someone called Qiao Zhi Lian, and their sister Qiao Zhi Li, may be called in families Da/ Xiao Qiao!]

Served Wu. In novel, but not history, killed by Zhang Bao in battle with Shu.

An follower of Cao Shuang, his sister warned him to stay loyal.

Xin Ping’s younger brother. At first a vassal of the Yuan’s, he later served ...

An officer of Han Fu, he later served the Yuan’s loyally when Fu fled.

Sister of Xin Chang. Advised him to go to Cao Shuang’s camp, saving his life.

A hardy commander of Liu Du. Killed in battle with Liu Bei. In the novel, by Zhao Yun.

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

Raised revolt against the Han but was put down by Zang Min and Sun Jian.

One of Cao Cao’s trusted guards and a commander. Leader of the Tiger Guard.

* His name is frequently written ‘Xu Zhu’, but this is incorrect. Nicknames include ‘Mad Tiger’ and ‘Tiger Lord’.

Advisor of Zhang Miao who subsequently joined Lü Bu.

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

Prefect of Wu Territory. Executed by Sun Ce for having relations with Cao Cao.

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.

The son of Xu Zhen and Sun Ce’s cousin whose strength was valued by Sun Ce. Died ...

Officer of Wei who held the post of Grand Minister of Agriculture.

Officer of Dong Zhuo. Ambushed and shot by Cao Cao. Killed by Xiahou Dun.

A specialist of personalities living in Runan. Praised Cao Cao. Later served Liu Yao.

* Appears in Destiny of an Emperor by the name of Xu Shou. If you say this person’s surname followed by style name it would become “Xu2 Zi3jiang1” because of the third tone after the Xu3.

Served in Chibi and Wu’s invasions into Wei. Tricked Cao Pi with a fake wall.

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

* Also went by the name Shan Fu (單福).

Officer of Wei who served from Cao Cao through to Cao Rui.

Son of Xu Chu. Led the attack on Nanzheng, but was defeated by Shu’s Lu Xun.

An officer of Sun Ce. Participated in battle against Chen Yu.

A man from Dongguan who was involved in the defeat of Ma Chao.

Childhood friend of Cao Cao. Betrayed Yuan Shao to Cao, but was killed by Xu Chu.

Son of Xu Chang. Killed by Sun Jian along with his father.

* Xu Hao in some Brewitt-Taylor translations. Xu Zhao’s name is a bit of a mystery. Xu Chang (probably Xu Zhao’s) staged a rebellion in Kuaiji (or Xu Zhao did) and Xu Zhao was either leader (HHS 102), sole son by the name of Xu Shao, associated leader by the name of Xu Shao (SGZ Wu 1), or two sons named Zhao and Shao. In any case, Xu Zhao 昭 seems most likely as Shao 韶 may have been used in Sanguozhi to avoid a taboo on Sima Zhao’s name.

Married to Sun Jian’s younger sister.

Minister of Wei. Reccomended Guan Lu to Cao Cao. Later convinced Cao Pi to take the throne.

Served Liu Yao with Zhang Ying. Killed by his former ally Ze Rong.

Wu official who served as an envoy to Shu. Warned Sun Xiu that Shu was on verge of collapse.

One of the collaborative authors behind the Wu shu (Wu History).

Took part in conquering Vietnam, skilled in debate and composition.

Younger brother of Xun Yu. Advised Han Fu on administration. Later served Yuan Shao.

* Xun Chen’s name is misrepresented in numerous sources, including: Pinyin Brewitt-Taylor chapter 7 as Xun Chang, chapters 22 and 26 as Xun Shen; Moss Roberts chapter 7 as Xun Chan, chapters 22 and 26 as Xun Shen; Zizhi Tongjian as Xun Shen. And in hoards of sites and games. You will see these mistakes wherever you see the 諶 character.

Served Yuan Shao then Cao. Son of Xun Shu, father of Xun Yu. One of the ‘Eight Dragons’.

Son of Xun Shu, uncle to Xun Yu, one of the ‘Eight Dragons’

Son of Xun Shu, uncle to Xun Yu, one of the ‘Eight Dragons’

Officer of Wei. Saved Zhong Hui at Nanzheng by shooting Lu Xun.

Son of Xun Shu, uncle to Xun Yu, one of the ‘Eight Dragons’

Grandfather of Xun Yu.

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

* Also known as Xun Xu.

Son of Xun Shu, uncle to Xun Yu, one of the ‘Eight Dragons’

Son of Xun Shu, uncle to Xun Yu, one of the ‘Eight Dragons’

Inspector of the Palace Writers. Chen Shou’s nemesis in the Jin court.

Brother of Xun Yu, he defeated Gao Gan’s surprise attack.

Uncle of Chen Tai, was sent by Sima Zhao to fetch Chen Tai after Cao Mao’s death.

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

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

Brother of Xun You, a very talented advisor under Cao Cao. Commited suicide.

* The reason we have Xun Yu and Xun “You” is because, though the sounds are the same (both Yu), they’re pronounced Yu4 and Yu1, the You idea, I suppose, comes in for foreign readers who cannot see the tones.

Son of Xun Shu, uncle to Xun Yu, one of the ‘Eight Dragons’