Lady Zhurong
| Zhurong | |||||||||
 Qing Dynasty illustration | |||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 祝融 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 祝融 | ||||||||
| |||||||||
Lady Zhurong, sometimes known as Madam Zhurong, is a fictional character in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. She was the wife of the Nanman chieftain Meng Huo, who controlled the lands in southern Shu Han. She claimed to be descended from the fire deity Zhu Rong, from whom she acquired her name. Zhurong was the only woman in the novel who took part in any of the fighting, battling against Shu Han forces alongside her husband.
Biography
After her husband was defeated by the Shu Han commander, Ma Dai, Lady Zhurong took to battle herself and led a large army against a Shu unit. She wielded flying swords and managed to capture two Shu Han generals; Zhang Ni and Ma Zhong.
The following day she engaged in battle with Zhao Yun and Wei Yan, 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 army. 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 Wutugu's army had nearly obliterated the Shu forces. However much to their dismay, Shu had actually routed Wutugu's army, and then they proceeded to capture Zhurong.
After finally submitting to Shu Han and pledging their allegiance, Meng Huo and Zhurong were released to continue their rule over the southern jungles. They never rebelled again.
Modern references
- Lady Zhurong appears as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series. She is referred to as "Zhu Rong" in the games.
- In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, there is a card named "Lady Zhurong, Warrior Queen" in the Portal Three Kingdoms set.
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms
- List of fictional people of the Three Kingdoms
- List of Dynasty Warriors characters
References
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 90.