| Liao Hua | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| General of Shu Han | |
| Born | (Unknown) |
| Died | 264 |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 廖化 |
| Traditional Chinese | 廖化 |
| Pinyin | Liáo Huà |
| Wade-Giles | Liao Hua |
Liao Hua (died 264),[1] originally named Liao Chun (廖淳), style name Yuanjian (元儉), was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.
Contents |
Little was known about Liao Hua's early life. He probably worked as a clerk in Jing Province, and became Guan Yu's secretary during his middle years. After Guan Yu's failure in the battle of Fancheng (Liao Hua's role in the battle is unknown), Liao was captured by the forces of Sun Quan. Determined to return to his former ruler, Liu Bei, Liao Hua staged his own death and led the others to believe it. He then took his mother and escaped westward, traveling night and day. Meanwhile, Liu Bei was marching eastward, and the two met up at Zigui. Liu Bei was greatly pleased, and made Liao Hua grand administrator of Yidu.
After Liu Bei's death, Liao Hua was made the military adviser to the Shu chancellor, Zhuge Liang. He later became administrator of the Guangwu region, and was promoted to the position of General of the Chariots and Cavalry of the Right, made designated inspector of Bing Province, and granted the title of Marquis of Zhong. He was famous for his determination and fiery, and was involved in several Shu's campaigns against the rival state of Wei. After the surrender of Shu, Liao Hua was relocated to Luoyang, but he died on the way, at an age above 70.[2]
Liao Hua was very critical of Jiang Wei and his later campaigns, stating "One who does not put arms away will surely end up having himself burnt [...] His intelligence does not surpass that of the foe, and his forces number less than that of the enemy. Yet he employs the troops without ceasing – how?"[3]
Liao Hua is one of the most aggrandized historical figures in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The following are some significant stories involving Liao Hua from the novel[4][5]:
Liao Hua was a follower of Zhang Jiao during the Yellow Turban Rebellion in 184. Following the failed uprising, Liao Hua went rogue for some time, leading a force of over 500 bandits that plundered near the lakes and rivers.
After Guan Yu's temporary service with Cao Cao had ended in 200, he began heading to Gucheng with the two wives of his sworn brother, Liu Bei. At some point during the journey, when Guan Yu was away, a bandit by the name of Du Yuan approached the carriage and kidnapped the two women. After bringing them to the nearby hills, Du Yuan was confronted by Liao Hua who demanded they be set free, knowing them to be of gentle birth. Du Yuan refused, but offered one of them to Liao Hua as compensation. Liao Hua rejected the offer and slew Du Yuan instead, severing his head and tying it around the neck of his horse. He then rode with the women back to Guan Yu. Here, Liao Hua was impressed by Guan Yu who showed no sign of fear in the face of Liao Hua, who was wielding a spear and riding a horse with a severed head tied around its neck. Guan Yu instead thanked the bandit graciously and Liao Hua requested he join Guan Yu on his journey; but Guan, noticing the yellow scarf around Liao's head, refused and left him behind. At some unspecified time later, Guan Yu reconsidered and allowed Liao Hua to join him. From here, he became one of Guan Yu's most trusted officers, often being placed in charge of the vanguard unit and receiving promotions evenly with Guan Yu's son, Guan Ping.
When Guan Yu marched on Xiangyang in 219, Liao Hua and Guan Ping were made leaders of the vanguard. As the army approached the region, Liao Hua was given orders to duel the enemy general, Zhai Yuan. Shortly after the duel started, Liao Hua faked injury and retreated, luring Zhai Yuan and his army into a trap. After they had traveled several miles away, a force led by Liao Hua and Guan Ping began chasing after Zhai Yuan and his own force. Guan Ping slew Zhai Yuan. The enemy commander Cao Ren, realizing this was a planned maneuver, withdrew back to Xiangyang, but was cut off by Guan Yu just a few li short of the city. Guan Yu awaited Cao Ren under an unfurled banner, mount poised and sword leveled. Stricken with fear, Cao Ren retreated down a side road toward the city of Fancheng and Guan Yu did not give chase. Wang Fu commented on Cao Ren's defeat and Guan Yu's capture of Xiangyang, but warned Guan Yu that Sun Quan's forces, led by Lü Meng, could pose a problem if they joined the battle. Guan Yu, though suspicious of Lü Meng himself, advised Wang Fu to not be so apprehensive and he instead concentrated his sights on seizing Fancheng.
After Guan Yu had surrounded Fancheng and defeated the relief force led by Yu Jin and Pang De, Cao Cao received a letter from Sun Quan that outlined his impending attack on Guan Yu and his request for a joint operation. Cao Cao adopted the proposal and urged his general Xu Huang to attack Guan Yu. Xu Huang immediately mobilized his troops and attacked Guan Ping's encampment at Yencheng. Guan Ping met Xu Huang in battle, but was demoralized by Xu Huang's claim that Lü Meng had made his move and seized Jingzhou. Guan Ping turned and charged to Liao Hua's encampment at Sizhong for support. At this point, Liao Hua had also received word from a messenger that Lü Meng had invaded Jingzhou and he was hesitant to leave Sizhong in the hands of his subordinates in fear that Lü Meng would attack there next; but Guan Ping insisted that the news was a lie and demanded that anyone spreading the rumors should be put to death. So Liao Hua eased his mind and agreed to go fight Xu Huang, telling his subordinates that they should "signal by fire if the bastards come." Liao Hua moved to Yancheng to fight Xu Huang, but was denied the opportunity when Guan Ping was defeated by an ambush in the north. Liao Hua escorted Guan Ping back to Sizhong, but discovered that in his absence, Xu Huang had taken advantage of the situation and stole away the camp. With no options left, Liao Hua went south to report to Guan Yu at Fancheng. On the way, Liao Hua met with a detachment led by Xu Huang and was finally given his chance to combat the general. He successfully fought his way through and met up with Guan Yu at the main camp. Guan Yu refused to believe that Lü Meng was attacking to the south and he rode out to fight Xu Huang himself. However, Cao Ren, learning of Xu Huang's march, led his troops out of Fancheng to join him in an assault against Guan Yu. Guan Yu retreated south. During the retreat, Guan Yu was informed by a messenger that Lü Meng had indeed seized Jiangling. With nowhere left to run, Guan Yu led his troops into the small city of Maicheng to hold off against any further attacks.
While besieged in the city of Maicheng, Guan Yu required an officer to ride on horseback to reach Liu Feng's castle to request reinforcements, and Liao Hua volunteered. As he made his way out of Maicheng, Ding Feng tried to check him, but was beaten back by Guan Ping; this was the last time Liao Hua would see his comrade who would later be captured and killed along with Guan Yu. He was then able to travel alone, through the oncoming horde of Sun Quan's soldiers, finally reaching Liu Feng. Liu Feng, however, refused to send reinforcements and supplies, since Guan Yu was besieged by overwhelming enemy troops and it might be too risky for a rescue. Angered, Liao Hua rode to Chengdu and reported Liu Feng's refusal to help Guan Yu to Liu Bei; Liu Bei, enraged, ordered the execution of Liu Feng.
Liao Hua played a prominent role in Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions. In 229, when Zhuge Liang was attacking Chencang, he commanded Liao Hua, Wang Ping and Zhang Yi (Boqi) to slay Wang Shuang. When the three rode out to Wang Shuang's position, Zhang Yi challenged the Wei general to a duel. During the fight, Wang Shuang hurled a meteor hammer at Zhang Yi and struck him in the back. Zhang Yi fell over his saddle, vomiting blood. Wang Shuang approached to commit the final blow, but was pushed back by Liao Hua and Wang Ping, who rescued Zhang Yi and rode back to Zhuge Liang. After witnessing the three generals returning without a victory, Zhuge Liang commented on Wang Shuang, "no one can stand up to him." Wang Shuang was later defeated by Wei Yan.
During Zhuge Liang's campaign in Mount Qi, Liao Hua stood with Jiang Wei on a nearby mountaintop, spectating the battle. Upon witnessing the enemy's strength, Liao Hua and Jiang Wei opened a silken bag given to them by Zhuge Liang that outlined a secret plan. It said to travel to Sima Yi's camp and cause him to retreat, so the two divided the force and started for the enemy's camp. Believing the march to be an obscure scheme by Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi did indeed retreat. Later, Liao Hua and Guan Xing blocked the passages of escape for the Wei army. Upon seeing this, Cao Zhen's general Qin Liang rode out to duel Liao Hua, but was slain almost immediately by Liao.
At Gourd Valley, Liao Hua caught sight of Sima Yi fleeing the battlefield on horseback. Liao Hua gave chase into a dense forest and, being a proficient horseman, was able to catch up and get close enough to strike the Wei strategist; but when Sima Yi swerved around a tree, Liao Hua missed the shot and his sword became lodged into the tree, allowing Sima Yi to escape. During the chase however, Sima Yi dropped his golden helmet. Liao Hua took the helmet and tied it around his horse's saddle as a reminder for him missing his target. He then traveled back to Zhuge Liang who rewarded him with the first grade of merit for his attempt. This event angered Wei Yan who felt Liao Hua was being unfairly praised. Zhuge Liang noticed this but said nothing, leading to a mild distaste for Wei Yan's jealousy.
Right before Zhuge Liang passed away, he named Liao Hua, along with Ma Dai, Wang Ping, Zhang Yi (Boqi) and Zhang Yi (Bogong), as the loyal generals of Shu who should be retained.
In 253, while Liao Hua and Zhang Yi (Bogong) were leading their force north, Liao was challenged to a duel by Wei general Xu Zhi, wielding a mighty splitter-of-mountains axe. Liao Hua accepted, but after several bouts, his age became apparent. Realizing he did not have the endurance to gain the edge on the younger Xu Zhi, Liao Hua took advantage of a feint and allowed Zhang Yi to take his place in the duel; but Zhang Yi was quickly bested and he retreated along with Liao Hua. Later, Jiang Wei made a plan to attack Xu Zhi's force and commanded Liao Hua and Zhang Yi to lead separate armies in opposite directions. The two accepted and committed a successful surprise attack. Although his force was wiped out, Xu Zhi managed to escape unharmed. However, during his getaway, he ran into an ambush party led by Jiang Wei, and was immediately killed. Later, Sima Zhao fled his camp on horseback, following a surprise attack led by Xiahou Ba. Liao Hua awaited him on the escape path however; and Sima Zhao, overwhelmed with fear upon seeing Liao, fled for the hills where he exclaimed "Death will surely come to me here!" Jiang Wei saw this as redemption for Sima Yi escaping Liao Hua's clutches at Gourd Valley, but Sima Zhao survived the ordeal.
When Liao Hua marched on Mount Qi in 258, he hid in the hills with his men. As Wei general Zheng Lun approached, a bomb exploded. Drums began to rumble and as the smoke cleared, Zheng Lun spotted Liao Hua standing before him. Neither side stayed to parley, and the two leaders engaged in a duel. In the first round, Liao Hua cut down Zheng Lun. This gave Zhang Yi an opportunity to ride in and attack Deng Ai. Deng Ai escaped alive, but with four arrow wounds. Soon after, Deng Ai sent Dang Jun to Shu to speak with eunuch Huang Hao. Huang Hao was paid off handsomely and he convinced Liu Shan to order a retreat. Although he was ignorant to the reason, Jiang Wei was recalled by an imperial edict and he could not disobey; but Liao Hua refuted these orders and advised Jiang Wei that "a leader in the field is independent and need not obey even the command of his prince." Although Jiang Wei ended up following Liu Shan's demands, Liao Hua became somewhat of his personal adviser after this event, and was often called upon for advice until Shu's surrender to Wei in 263.
When Sima Zhao became regent and Duke of Jin in 260, Jiang Wei seized it as an opportunity to punish Wei for deposition against its ruler, Cao Huan. The number of men in the army totaled 150,000 and Liao Hua was made leader of the vanguard as he marched to Ziwu Valley. At this time, Deng Ai sent Wang Guan to Xie Valley where Jiang Wei was stationed. Wang Guan faked defection, and although Jiang Wei knew this, he led Wang to believe otherwise. Jiang Wei then ordered Liao Hua and Zhang Yi to capture Mount Qi while he used Wang Guan's known allegiance as a means of luring Deng Ai away from Mount Qi and into a trap. The plan worked and Jiang Wei defeated Deng Ai, but he suffered great losses and Deng returned to Mount Qi before it could be taken. Two years later, Jiang Wei requested permission from Liu Shan to attack Wei again. He was granted said permission, but before the final preparations were complete, he questioned Liao Hua on the best way to start the expedition. Unexpectedly, Liao Hua advised Jiang Wei to not march at all and spoke up for the people of Shu who had been fighting for years without rest. Annoyed by his senior general's advice, Jiang Wei retorted, "the late Chancellor made six attempts, all for the state. I have attacked eight times. Was anyone of those attacks to serve my private ends? This time I go to attack Taoyang, and no one shall say me nay. I will punish opposition with death." So Liao Hua was left behind to guard Hanzhong as Jiang Wei marched toward Taoyang with 300,000 troops. Jiang Wei was soundly defeated.
With resources drained, Jiang Wei and Liao Hua attempted one more campaign against Wei, but were unsuccessful and Shu submitted. After Liu Shan's surrender was official, he was relocated to Luoyang with many of his officers, including Fan Jian, Qiao Zhou and Xi Zheng. Liao Hua, however, was embarrassed for his fallen state and refused to follow his ruler, faking illness as an excuse. He died of grief soon after.
Liao Hua was the only Shu general who lived to see the birth of the state of Shu to its demise. Although his exact age is never specified, it seems likely that due to his longevity, Liao Hua was a child soldier during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and remained active well into his 80s or 90s. In his career, Liao Hua reached the second-in-command military rank just behind Jiang Wei, proving himself in battle on several occasions. This was, according to some, the most telling reflection of the ill fortunes which plagued Shu. After all, many of Shu's greatest generals such as the likes of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei and Huang Zhong, all met untimely deaths and could not live to see the later prosperities of Shu.
There is a Chinese proverb that translates to "Shu has no more famous commanders, Liao Hua takes the lead of the vanguard". It speaks of the twilight years of the state of Shu, when all the prominent figures had died, leaving Liao Hua as Shu's most prestigious general. The proverb is used to portray when someone who is seemingly unfit for a job is forced, yet willing to face what seems to be insurmountable odds against them.
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||