Lady Zhurong
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Homonymy : Zhurong is originally the name of a mythical emperor and fire deity of Chinese antiquity.
Lady Zhurong, sometimes known as Madam Zhu Rong or Lady Zhu Rong (祝融) (Pinyin: Zhù Róng; wg:Chu-jung) was a fictional character in the story of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel based on the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese History. She was the wife of Meng Huo, king of the Nanman tribes and claimed to be descended from the fire god from whom she acquired her name. Lady Zhurong was the only woman in the story who took part in any of the fighting, battling against the Kingdom of Shu alongside her husband.
[edit] In battle
After her husband was defeated by the Shu Commander Ma Dai, Zhu Rong took to battle herself and led a large army against a Shu unit. She wielded flying swords and managed to capture two Shu generals; Zhang Yi and Ma Zhong.
The following day she engaged in battle with Zhao Yun and Wei Yan and their armies, but both opponents quickly fled. Suspecting a trap, Zhurong did not give chase. The following day the same events happened; with both Shu officers retreating quickly. Again Zhurong did not chase them, however Wei Yan returned and hurled abuse at her. Enraged, she chased him, only to be led down a narrow valley where a trap lay waiting; entrapped in nets with her horse tripped by rope, Zhurong was ensnared.
Zhurong was brought to the Shu camp, and was treated well by Zhuge Liang, who offered her wine and severed her bonds. He then offered a proposal to Meng Huo; he would safely return Zhurong to the Nanman, if the two Shu generals Zhurong had recently captured would be released. Meng Huo agreed and Zhurong was returned to her husband.
Zhurong was captured another two times by the Shu. The last time she was captured, she had marched alongside her husband and their army to finish off the Shu army as they had been falsely informed that their ally King Wutugu's army had nearly obliterated the Shu. However much to their dismay, the Shu had actually routed Wutugu's army, and then they preceded to capture Zhurong.
After finally submitting to the Shu and pledging their allegiance, Meng Huo and Zhurong were released to continue their rule over the land. They never rebelled again.
[edit] Modern references
Zhurong appears as a playable character in the Koei video game series Dynasty Warriors, and is alternatively named "Zhu Rong." She is depicted as an aggressive, manipulative and beautiful woman who often coerces her husband and king of Nanman, Meng Huo, into action against rival kingdoms. The pair are the comical embodiment of the saying that "behind every great man lies an even greater woman." As Zhu finds Meng Huo's laid-back and contented nature a hindrance to the Nanman people, she sees it as her duty to inspire passion and ambition in her husband for the good of Nanman. Despite this, she loves her husband deeply and would never see him come to harm. Due to Meng's adoration for his wife, and his desire not to upset her ferocious temperament, he will usually wind up doing as she asks, with the results often proving positive for the Nanman people, even if not necessary to begin with.
In battle, Zhu wields a bladed boomerang called the "Inferno," and can be difficult to use for novice players, due to her unique, difficult fighting style and "Musou Attack." Zhu's "Musou Mode" revolves around the Nanman people's struggle to defend themselves against the armies of the Three Kingdoms who perceive them as savages who can easily be pacified and subjugated. Meng and Zhu take personal offense to this, and defend their lands vigorously from the invading armies. The final battle always culminates in a showdown between Meng and Zhuge Liang, who is portrayed as Meng's arch-rival and greatest threat, although ironically enough, Zhuge is the character who least wishes to see the Nanman come to any true harm, wishing only to gain their allegiance against the armies of Cao Wei. After defeating Zhuge in battle, Meng and Zhu return to their kingdom surrounded by adoring subjects with an unwavering loyalty for their king and queen.
