Xu Huang
Encyclopedia
Xu Huang was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao
during the late Han Dynasty
era of Chinese history
. He served the state of Cao Wei
, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi
, during the Three Kingdoms
period. He was best noted for breaking the siege at the Battle of Fancheng
in 219.
Chen Shou
, author of the Records of Three Kingdoms
, considered Xu Huang among the Five Elite Generals, together with Zhang Liao
, Yue Jin
, Zhang He
and Yu Jin
.
) in the late years of the Han Dynasty, Xu worked as a local administrative officer in his younger days. Later, he followed the general Yang Feng on a campaign against the Yellow Turban Rebellion
and was appointed a commander of the cavalry (騎都尉).
In 196, after the death of the warlord Dong Zhuo
, Xu and Yang Feng escorted Emperor Xian
from Chang'an
back to Luoyang
, which by then was much dilapidated. In the same year, Cao Cao
came personally to Luoyang to move the emperor to Xuchang
.
Xu then prompted Yang to join Cao's forces, but Yang did not heed the advice. Instead he sent out a force in a futile bid to take back Emperor Xian. Cao soon retaliated and defeated Yang, whereupon Xu submitted to Cao.
, Yuan Shao
, Tadun, Sun Quan
, and Ma Chao
. Xu performed well in all of them except the campaign against Sun Quan. He was being noted especially for his military discipline.
During the Battle of Guandu
in 200, Yuan Shao had been storing supplies at a depot in the village of Gushi (southwest of present-day Yanjin, Henan); Xu, along Shi Huan (史渙), were sent to attack this position. They defeated the defenders, and burned Yuan's grain carts. Yuan's supply line was disrupted, and he was forced to call for relief supplies in response to this raid.
After Yuan Shao's death, Xu joined the campaign against Yuan's heirs. In 203, the defender of Yiyang, Han Fan, initially surrendered but soon changed his mind, because he was afraid that Cao Cao would plunder the town. Seeing such behavior, Xu knew there were doubts in his enemy's heart. He then wrote a letter of persuasion and had it fired into the city on an arrow. The defender was hence won over and Xu conquered the city without bloodshed.
in the same year. When Cao retreated north after his defeat at Red Cliffs, Xu was ordered to stay behind with Cao Ren
in Jiangling to resist Sun Quan
's counteroffensive. In one occasion, the enemy commander, Zhou Yu
, left the defense of his main camp to his subordinate, Ling Tong
, and led most of the troops to rescue another subordinate, Gan Ning
, who was surrounded by Cao Ren's cavalry in a distant castle; seeing that Ling Tong was the only general who was guarding the enemy camp, Xu and Cao Ren attempted to capitalize on their numerical superiority, but was defeated by Ling. The casualty was so huge after a year of nonstop fighting, and Xu and Cao Ren finally abandoned Jiangling.
After continuous setback in the south, Cao Cao turned his attention to the west, and provoked the Battle of Tong Pass
. Knowing the enemy leaders, Ma Chao and Han Sui
, did not leave any troops guarding the shallow of Puban, Xu suggested Cao to send him north and cross the Yellow River
via the Puban Ford (浦阪津) to the west with 4,000 men and pitch camp there to circumvent Tong Pass. Cao agreed to Xu's plan, and sent Zhu Ling
to go with him. They crossed Puban and started building fortifications, but before the defense preparation was complete, one of the enemy leaders, Liang Xing
, discovered them. Instead of reporting the issue to his allies, Liang attacked Xu and Zhu right away , but was defeated in the end. Xu then increased the pace to complete the fortifications, and waited for the arrival of Cao Cao.
In 215, Xu was stationed at Yangping Pass (陽平關) under the command of Xiahou Yuan
to defend Hanzhong
from the advances of Liu Bei
's army. Xu was tasked with defending Hanzhong's communication line, when Liu sent his general Chen Shi
to sever the supply routes to the city, Xu struck the enemy head-on. Due to Xu's ferocious attack, many enemy soldiers jumped off the cliff, and the casualty was high. Thus, Hanzhong was kept secure for the time being.
in 219. When the city of Fancheng (a district of present day Xiangfan
, Hubei
) was besieged by Guan Yu
and the first relief force led by Yu Jin
was vanquished, Xu was sent with a second relief force to help protect the city.
Knowing that most of his soldiers were composed of new recruits without training, Xu did not go into battle straight away but camped behind the enemy to impose a deterrence effect. Meanwhile, he instructed his men to dig trenches around the nearby enemy city of Yancheng (偃城) in a pretense to cut off supplies into the city. The enemies were deceived and abandoned their position. Xu then established a foothold in Yan.
By this time more support troops had arrived, and with the strengthened army Xu finally unleashed an attack on Guan's camp. Guan personally led 5,000 horsemen to meet the attackers, but was eventually outmatched. Many of his soldiers were forced into the nearby Han River and drowned. The siege on Fancheng was then broken. When Cao Cao heard of the victory, he praised Xu and compared the general to Sun Tzu
and Tian Rangju¹.
Upon Xu's return, Cao Cao went seven li
out of the city to greet him, giving him full credits for securing Fancheng. Throughout the field reception, the soldiers of other commanders shifted about in order to get a better view of Cao, but Xu's men stood stationary in neat files. Seeing this, Cao lauded, "General Xu has truly inherited the style of Zhou Yafu
."
. He was appointed General of the Right (右將軍) and Marquis of Yangping (陽平侯). When Cao Pi's successor Cao Rui
took over in 227, he sent Xu to defend Xiangyang against the Eastern Wu
invasion. However, Xu died in the same year due to illness, leaving behind a will demanding a burial in plain clothes. He was given the posthumous title
of Marquis Zhuang (壯侯), literally meaning the robust marquis. He was succeeded in his offices by his son, Xu Gai (徐該), who along with Xu Huang's other descendants was also given the title of marquis.
¹Tian Ranju (田穰苴) was a general of the Qi state
during the Warring States Period
, and was most famous for his military discipline.
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, Xu made his first appearance in chapter 13, where he served under Yang Feng, a general in the capital Chang'an
. Together they escorted Emperor Xian
back to Luoyang
after the death of Dong Zhuo
, who had been holding the emperor hostage.
When Cao Cao
came to Luoyang to fetch the emperor to Xuchang
, Yang sent out Xu Huang to deter him. Seeing the formidable Xu Huang on his horse, Cao knew he was an extraordinary man. Cao then dispatched his own personal bodyguard and one of his fiercest warriors Xu Chu
to duel with the enemy. Neither side could gain an advantage over each other after 50 bouts, by then Cao was very impressed by Xu Huang's skill. Not wanting either duelist to get hurt, Cao then called for Xu Chu to retreat. Knowing his lord intended to recruit Xu Huang, Man Chong
, a subject of Cao and a fellow townsman of Xu Huang, volunteered to persuade Xu to defect. That very night, Man disguised himself as a common soldier and sneaked into Xu's tent. After some persuasion, Xu was won over. Man then suggested slaying Yang Feng as a gesture of defection. However, Xu was a righteous man and refused to kill his former superior.
Xu, along with Zhang Liao
, was the closest friend to Guan Yu
during the latter's service under Cao Cao. They meet again when Xu led Cao Cao's army against Guan while Lü Meng
was attacking Jing Province
. After exchanging pleasantries, Xu shouted to his men offering 1,000 pieces of gold for whoever that took Guan's head. Guan was stunned, and Xu remarked that as he was on official duty, and he would not allow his private friendship with Guan to affect his performance.
In the novel, Xu met his end outside Xincheng
, where he was shot in his forehead by Meng Da
from the city wall. His men immediately took him back to camp, where the physician removed the arrow and tried to heal him, but Xu eventually died later that night. The novel claimed that he was 59 years old, but this figure is not supported by any historical record. Xu is also widely regarded as one of Cao Cao's greatest generals, along with Zhang Liao, Yue Jin
, and Zhang He
.
and Warriors Orochi
video game series. He also appears in all 11 installments of Koei's Romance of the Three Kingdoms
strategy game series.
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
era of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He served the state of Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
, during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period. He was best noted for breaking the siege at the Battle of Fancheng
Battle of Fancheng
The Battle of Fancheng was fought between the forces of warlords Liu Bei and Cao Cao in 219 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
in 219.
Chen Shou
Chen Shou
Chen Shou was a historian during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He is best known as the author of Records of Three Kingdoms, a historical account of the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period.-Biography:...
, author of the Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms , is regarded as the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history covering the years 184-280 CE. Written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century, the work combines the smaller histories of the rival states of Cao Wei , Shu Han and...
, considered Xu Huang among the Five Elite Generals, together with Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
, Yue Jin
Yue Jin
Yue Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty of China. He was noted as much for his short stature as for his valor and ferocity on the battlefield...
, Zhang He
Zhang He
Zhang He was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period until his death....
and Yu Jin
Yu Jin
Yu Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He joined Cao in the early years of the civil wars that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty...
.
Early life
Born in the county of Yang (present day Hongdong, ShanxiShanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
) in the late years of the Han Dynasty, Xu worked as a local administrative officer in his younger days. Later, he followed the general Yang Feng on a campaign against the Yellow Turban Rebellion
Yellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, also translated as Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt that broke out in 184 AD in China during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty...
and was appointed a commander of the cavalry (騎都尉).
In 196, after the death of the warlord Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo was a politician and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He seized control of the capital city Luoyang in 189 when it was in a state of turmoil following the death of Emperor Ling and a clash between the eunuch faction and some court officials led by...
, Xu and Yang Feng escorted Emperor Xian
Emperor Xian of Han
Emperor Xian of Han , personal name Liu Xie, style name Bohe, was the last emperor of the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
from Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
back to Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, which by then was much dilapidated. In the same year, Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
came personally to Luoyang to move the emperor to Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
.
Xu then prompted Yang to join Cao's forces, but Yang did not heed the advice. Instead he sent out a force in a futile bid to take back Emperor Xian. Cao soon retaliated and defeated Yang, whereupon Xu submitted to Cao.
Performance in Cao Cao's northern campaign
Hereafter Xu participated in every major campaign Cao Cao undertook, including offensives against Lü BuLü Bu
Lü Bu was a military general and later a minor warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. According to the Records of Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was highly-skilled in horse-riding and archery, and was thus nicknamed "Flying General"...
, Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
, Tadun, Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
, and Ma Chao
Ma Chao
Ma Chao was the oldest son of Ma Teng and a military general during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he received the nickname "Ma Chao the Splendid" due to his elaborate armour and grand skill...
. Xu performed well in all of them except the campaign against Sun Quan. He was being noted especially for his military discipline.
During the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
in 200, Yuan Shao had been storing supplies at a depot in the village of Gushi (southwest of present-day Yanjin, Henan); Xu, along Shi Huan (史渙), were sent to attack this position. They defeated the defenders, and burned Yuan's grain carts. Yuan's supply line was disrupted, and he was forced to call for relief supplies in response to this raid.
After Yuan Shao's death, Xu joined the campaign against Yuan's heirs. In 203, the defender of Yiyang, Han Fan, initially surrendered but soon changed his mind, because he was afraid that Cao Cao would plunder the town. Seeing such behavior, Xu knew there were doubts in his enemy's heart. He then wrote a letter of persuasion and had it fired into the city on an arrow. The defender was hence won over and Xu conquered the city without bloodshed.
Battles against Sun Quan and Liu Bei
In 208, Xu followed Cao Cao to pacify Jing Province, and was supposed to participate in the Battle of Red CliffsBattle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
in the same year. When Cao retreated north after his defeat at Red Cliffs, Xu was ordered to stay behind with Cao Ren
Cao Ren
Cao Ren was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty...
in Jiangling to resist Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
's counteroffensive. In one occasion, the enemy commander, Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
, left the defense of his main camp to his subordinate, Ling Tong
Ling Tong
Ling Tong was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He started his service to the Sun family since his childhood, and throughout his entire life, he had been contributing to the foundation and solidification of Eastern Wu...
, and led most of the troops to rescue another subordinate, Gan Ning
Gan Ning
Gan Ning was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was born in Linjiang, Ba Commandery .-Early life as a pirate:...
, who was surrounded by Cao Ren's cavalry in a distant castle; seeing that Ling Tong was the only general who was guarding the enemy camp, Xu and Cao Ren attempted to capitalize on their numerical superiority, but was defeated by Ling. The casualty was so huge after a year of nonstop fighting, and Xu and Cao Ren finally abandoned Jiangling.
After continuous setback in the south, Cao Cao turned his attention to the west, and provoked the Battle of Tong Pass
Battle of Tong Pass (211)
The Battle of Tong Pass was fought between the warlord Cao Cao and a coalition of forces from Guanxi from March to September 211 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle was initiated by Cao Cao's western expansion, which triggered uprisings in Guanxi...
. Knowing the enemy leaders, Ma Chao and Han Sui
Han Sui
Han Sui was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. For most of his life he was active in Liang Province and was involved in several rebellions against the Han Dynasty and against the warlord Cao Cao.-Biography:With the backing of the Qiang people who populated much of...
, did not leave any troops guarding the shallow of Puban, Xu suggested Cao to send him north and cross the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
via the Puban Ford (浦阪津) to the west with 4,000 men and pitch camp there to circumvent Tong Pass. Cao agreed to Xu's plan, and sent Zhu Ling
Zhu Ling (Three Kingdoms)
Zhu Ling was a vassal and military general of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.Zhu was born in Qinghe . He started to serve in the private army of the warlord Yuan Shao, and was later sent to aid Cao Cao's army when Cao was attacking Tao Qian. He was impressed with Cao...
to go with him. They crossed Puban and started building fortifications, but before the defense preparation was complete, one of the enemy leaders, Liang Xing
Liang Xing
Liang Xing was a general from Liang Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was from Zuopingyi Commandery of the capital province, Sili ....
, discovered them. Instead of reporting the issue to his allies, Liang attacked Xu and Zhu right away , but was defeated in the end. Xu then increased the pace to complete the fortifications, and waited for the arrival of Cao Cao.
In 215, Xu was stationed at Yangping Pass (陽平關) under the command of Xiahou Yuan
Xiahou Yuan
Xiahou Yuan was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was killed in the Battle of Mount Dingjun against Liu Bei's general Huang Zhong in 219, and was given the posthumous title of Marquis Min , literally meaning "sympathetic...
to defend Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
from the advances of Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
's army. Xu was tasked with defending Hanzhong's communication line, when Liu sent his general Chen Shi
Chen Shi
Chen Shi was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
to sever the supply routes to the city, Xu struck the enemy head-on. Due to Xu's ferocious attack, many enemy soldiers jumped off the cliff, and the casualty was high. Thus, Hanzhong was kept secure for the time being.
Defeating Guan Yu
Xu's most glorious moment in his military career came in the Battle of FanchengBattle of Fancheng
The Battle of Fancheng was fought between the forces of warlords Liu Bei and Cao Cao in 219 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
in 219. When the city of Fancheng (a district of present day Xiangfan
Xiangfan
Xiangyang is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province of the People's Republic of China. It was formed from two famous ancient cities, Xiangyang and Fancheng...
, Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
) was besieged by Guan Yu
Guan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...
and the first relief force led by Yu Jin
Yu Jin
Yu Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He joined Cao in the early years of the civil wars that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty...
was vanquished, Xu was sent with a second relief force to help protect the city.
Knowing that most of his soldiers were composed of new recruits without training, Xu did not go into battle straight away but camped behind the enemy to impose a deterrence effect. Meanwhile, he instructed his men to dig trenches around the nearby enemy city of Yancheng (偃城) in a pretense to cut off supplies into the city. The enemies were deceived and abandoned their position. Xu then established a foothold in Yan.
By this time more support troops had arrived, and with the strengthened army Xu finally unleashed an attack on Guan's camp. Guan personally led 5,000 horsemen to meet the attackers, but was eventually outmatched. Many of his soldiers were forced into the nearby Han River and drowned. The siege on Fancheng was then broken. When Cao Cao heard of the victory, he praised Xu and compared the general to Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
and Tian Rangju¹.
Upon Xu's return, Cao Cao went seven li
Li (unit)
The li is a traditional Chinese unit of distance, which has varied considerably over time but now has a standardized length of 500 meters or half a kilometer...
out of the city to greet him, giving him full credits for securing Fancheng. Throughout the field reception, the soldiers of other commanders shifted about in order to get a better view of Cao, but Xu's men stood stationary in neat files. Seeing this, Cao lauded, "General Xu has truly inherited the style of Zhou Yafu
Zhou Yafu
Zhou Yafu was a renowned Han Dynasty general who put down the Rebellion of the Seven States, but whose honesty and integrity eventually cost him the favor of Emperor Jing and his life...
."
Death
After Cao Cao's death in 220, Xu continued to be heavily trusted by Cao Cao's successor Cao PiCao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
. He was appointed General of the Right (右將軍) and Marquis of Yangping (陽平侯). When Cao Pi's successor Cao Rui
Cao Rui
Cao Rui , formally known as Emperor Ming of Wei, was the second emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was a son of Cao Wei's first emperor Cao Pi according to Liu Song dynasty historian, Pei Songzhi, but was a son of Yuan Xi according to modern...
took over in 227, he sent Xu to defend Xiangyang against the Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
invasion. However, Xu died in the same year due to illness, leaving behind a will demanding a burial in plain clothes. He was given the posthumous title
Posthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
of Marquis Zhuang (壯侯), literally meaning the robust marquis. He was succeeded in his offices by his son, Xu Gai (徐該), who along with Xu Huang's other descendants was also given the title of marquis.
¹Tian Ranju (田穰苴) was a general of the Qi state
Qi (state)
Qi was a powerful state during the Spring and Autumn Period and Period of the Warring States in ancient China. Its capital was Linzi, now part of the modern day city of Zibo in Shandong Province....
during the Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
, and was most famous for his military discipline.
In fiction
In Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, Xu made his first appearance in chapter 13, where he served under Yang Feng, a general in the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
. Together they escorted Emperor Xian
Emperor Xian of Han
Emperor Xian of Han , personal name Liu Xie, style name Bohe, was the last emperor of the Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
back to Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
after the death of Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo was a politician and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He seized control of the capital city Luoyang in 189 when it was in a state of turmoil following the death of Emperor Ling and a clash between the eunuch faction and some court officials led by...
, who had been holding the emperor hostage.
When Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
came to Luoyang to fetch the emperor to Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
, Yang sent out Xu Huang to deter him. Seeing the formidable Xu Huang on his horse, Cao knew he was an extraordinary man. Cao then dispatched his own personal bodyguard and one of his fiercest warriors Xu Chu
Xu Chu
Xu Chu was a warrior who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He served as a bodyguard to the warlord Cao Cao. Gigantic and strong, yet simple-minded and honest, Xu Chu was referred to as "Dumb Tiger" by his fellow men...
to duel with the enemy. Neither side could gain an advantage over each other after 50 bouts, by then Cao was very impressed by Xu Huang's skill. Not wanting either duelist to get hurt, Cao then called for Xu Chu to retreat. Knowing his lord intended to recruit Xu Huang, Man Chong
Man Chong
Man Chong , style name Boning , was an official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
, a subject of Cao and a fellow townsman of Xu Huang, volunteered to persuade Xu to defect. That very night, Man disguised himself as a common soldier and sneaked into Xu's tent. After some persuasion, Xu was won over. Man then suggested slaying Yang Feng as a gesture of defection. However, Xu was a righteous man and refused to kill his former superior.
Xu, along with Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
, was the closest friend to Guan Yu
Guan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...
during the latter's service under Cao Cao. They meet again when Xu led Cao Cao's army against Guan while Lü Meng
Lü Meng
Lü Meng was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served as the commanding general in the invasion of Jing Province that led to the death of Guan Yu.-Early life:Lü Meng was born in Fupo, Runan Commandery in 178...
was attacking Jing Province
Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province
Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province was a battle fought between the warlords Sun Quan and Liu Bei in 219 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Sun Quan's forces, led by Lü Meng, invaded Liu Bei's territory of Jing Province , which was defended by Guan Yu, and succeeded...
. After exchanging pleasantries, Xu shouted to his men offering 1,000 pieces of gold for whoever that took Guan's head. Guan was stunned, and Xu remarked that as he was on official duty, and he would not allow his private friendship with Guan to affect his performance.
In the novel, Xu met his end outside Xincheng
Xincheng District, Xi'an
Xincheng District is a district of Xi'an, Shaanxi, China....
, where he was shot in his forehead by Meng Da
Meng Da
Meng Da was a military general who served under Liu Zhang, Liu Bei, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.-Takeover of Yi Province:...
from the city wall. His men immediately took him back to camp, where the physician removed the arrow and tried to heal him, but Xu eventually died later that night. The novel claimed that he was 59 years old, but this figure is not supported by any historical record. Xu is also widely regarded as one of Cao Cao's greatest generals, along with Zhang Liao, Yue Jin
Yue Jin
Yue Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty of China. He was noted as much for his short stature as for his valor and ferocity on the battlefield...
, and Zhang He
Zhang He
Zhang He was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period until his death....
.
Modern references
Xu Huang is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriors
is a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
and Warriors Orochi
Warriors Orochi
, is a PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 hack and slash video game developed by Koei and Omega Force. It is a crossover of two of Koei's popular video game series, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors...
video game series. He also appears in all 11 installments of Koei's Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)
, or Sangokushi in Japanese, is a series of turn-based tactical role-playing simulation grand strategy wargames produced by Koei. Originating from Japan in 1985, eleven installments of the game have been published in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China and North America to date.-Overview:The games are...
strategy game series.