Zhou Cang

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Zhou Cang (left) and Guan Yu (right). Qing Dynasty illustration.

Zhou Cang (周倉) was a fictional character created by Luo Guanzhong in his Romance of the Three Kingdoms. A strong warrior with a dark face and a wiry beard, Zhou Cang became caught up in the Yellow Turban Rebellion. It was during this time that he first met Guan Yu, who impressed him with his courage and sense of honor. However, after the Rebellion was crushed by Han troops, Zhou Cang became a renegade bandit. He inhabited Mt. Wo Niu with another former Yellow Turban, Pei Yuanshao and became infamous as a warrior of great strength and skill. After encountering Guan Yu again on a mountain road, he swore his loyalty to the worthy warrior and was appointed to the rank of Guan Yu's Saber Carrier. A skilled boatman, his talents were critical in helping Guan Yu flood Fan Castle and he even managed to capture the fearsome warrior Pang De during the water attack on the castle. Unfortunately, his fierce loyalty to his lord cost him his life, when, upon seeing the heads of Guan Ping and Guan Yu displayed by the forces of Wu, he committed suicide. After the Guan Yu was made a god, Zhou Cang was made part of the holy trio, along with Guan Yu's adopted son Guan Ping. His face is often portrayed as coal black, a stark contrast to Guan Ping's pure white features.