Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhao Yun (died 229 AD), courtesy name Zilong, was a legendary military general of the state of Shu Han during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period. Hailing from Zhending in Changshan Commandery, Zhao Yun was famed across the realm for his striking physical appearance, peerless martial prowess, unwavering loyalty, and exceptional tactical judgment. Initially serving under Gongsun Zan, Zhao Yun met Liu Bei during the campaigns against the Yellow Turbans and Cao Cao, eventually pledging his lifelong allegiance to Liu Bei and becoming one of the premier pillars of Shu Han alongside Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
In historical records, Zhao Yun is most celebrated for his supreme act of heroism at the Battle of Changban in 208 AD. When Cao Cao’s elite cavalry routed Liu Bei’s fleeing forces, Zhao Yun single-handedly charged back into enemy lines to rescue Liu Bei’s infant son Liu Shan and protect Lady Gan, cutting down dozens of enemy officers and capturing Cao Cao’s treasured sword Qinggang. Appointed as one of the elite Five Tiger Generals by Liu Bei, Zhao Yun consistently displayed prudence, integrity, and wisdom, famously advising Liu Bei against distributing captured properties in Chengdu to the common people and opposing the reckless punitive expedition against Eastern Wu following Guan Yu’s death. As a trusted vanguard and commander under Zhuge Liang during the Northern Expeditions, Zhao Yun commanded the rearguard during the retreat from Jieting, successfully preserving his army’s supplies and personnel without suffering a single defeat. He passed away peacefully in 229 AD, posthumously honored for his lifelong dedication to the state.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s epic historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Yun is immortalized as the ultimate knight-errant and the embodiment of the perfect military hero—brave, handsome, calm under pressure, and unfailingly righteous. His narrative spans from Chapter 6 through Chapter 102. Major novelistic highlights include his dramatic rescue of young Liu Shan at Changban, his solo defense of the riverboat against Eastern Wu forces with Lady Sun, his capture of Jing Province territories, and his legendary lone-rider charge at Mount Jieting in his old age.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “I am Zhao Zilong of Changshan! Who dares to face me?!” — Zhao Yun’s iconic battle cry when charging into enemy ranks.
- “A true soldier serves with loyalty and righteousness. I follow my lord Liu Bei because his heart is for the people.” — Zhao Yun expressing his core philosophy.
Zhao Yun (赵云) — Historical & Literary Timeline
First Encounter with Liu Bei
Meets Liu Bei while serving Gongsun Zan during the campaigns against Yuan Shao; displays exceptional martial skills and forms a mutual bond of respect.
Heroic Rescue at Changban
Rides alone into Cao Cao’s million-strong army to rescue infant Liu Shan; slays dozens of enemy generals, captures the Qinggang sword, and successfully saves the heir.
Conquest of Yi Province
Commands forces advancing through the Yangtze River valley during the invasion of Sichuan, securing key strategic points and joining Liu Bei in Chengdu.
The Solitary Camp Strategy at Hanzhong
Employs the brilliant “solitary camp stratagem” against Cao Cao’s forces at Mount Dingjun, rescuing Huang Zhong and earning praise from Liu Bei as “General of All Prowess.”
Heroic Rearguard Action at Northern Expeditions
Commands the rearguard during Zhuge Liang’s first Northern Expedition, safely withdrawing the Shu army with minimal losses despite defeat at Jieting.
Death in Chengdu
Passes away peacefully from illness in 229 AD, prompting deep mourning throughout the Shu Han court.
Items
- The Qinggang Sword
- Bailong Ma (White Jade Lion)
- Gentian Spear (Dragon Gall Bright Silver Spear)
Key Relationships
Family
- Zhao Tong (赵统, Triệu Thống): Eldest son who served as an official in the Shu Han military.
- Zhao Guang (赵广, Triệu Quảng): Younger son who served as a commander and died in battle defending the Shu border.
- Lady Ma (马氏, Mã thị): Wife of Zhao Yun, mentioned in later historical accounts and folklore.
Friends
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): Fellow Five Tiger General and pillar of the Shu Han state; they shared a mutual bond of respect as senior commanders.
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi): Fellow Five Tiger General and sworn brother of Liu Bei; they frequently fought alongside each other in major campaigns.
- Huang Zhong (黄忠, Hoàng Trung): Fellow Five Tiger General; Zhao Yun famously rescued him during the Hanzhong Campaign in 219 AD.
- Gongsun Zan (公孙瓒, Công Tôn Toản): Zhao Yun’s initial lord before he pledged his lifelong allegiance to Liu Bei.
Enemies
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): The primary antagonist whose forces Zhao Yun defied throughout his career, most notably at Changban in 208 AD.
- Cao Chun (曹纯, Tào Thuần): Commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry whom Zhao Yun faced during the retreat at Changban.
- Xiahou En (夏侯恩, Hạ Hầu Ân): Wei officer slain by Zhao Yun at Changban, from whom Zhao Yun seized the Qinggang Sword.
Other
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): Sovereign of Shu Han; Zhao Yun served him with unwavering loyalty for decades, famously rescuing his son Liu Shan in 208 AD.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Prime Minister of Shu Han; Zhao Yun served as a trusted vanguard and commander under his leadership during the Northern Expeditions.
- Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện): The son of Liu Bei whom Zhao Yun heroically rescued from enemy lines during the chaos of the Battle of Changban.
In Novel
Chapter 7
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Valiant warrior from Changshan, courtesy name Zilong (子龙), who rescued Gongsun Zan (公孙瓒, Công Tôn Toản) at the Battle of the Pan River, dueled Wen Chou (文丑, Văn Sú) for sixty bouts, and slew Qu Yi (麴义, Khúc Nghĩa).
Chapter 11
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Assisted Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) with Gongsun Zan’s cavalry in lifting the siege of Xuzhou, forming an unbreakable bond with Liu Bei.
Chapter 28
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Reunited with Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) at Mount Wolong, formally entering his lifelong service as a devoted general.
Chapter 31
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Slew Gao Lan (高览, Cao Lãm) and rescued Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) from surrounding enemies during the retreat from Runan.
Chapter 35
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Slew the bandit leader Lu Kuang at Xinye, securing the local frontier.
Chapter 36
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Captured Fancheng by leading the charge across the river under Xu Shu’s (徐庶, Từ Thứ) tactical direction.
Chapter 39
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Led the vanguard feigned retreat at the Battle of Bowang Slope to lure Xiahou Dun (夏侯惇, Hạ Hầu Đôn) into Zhuge Liang’s fire trap.
Chapter 41
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Rode alone through Cao Cao’s (曹操, Tào Tháo) massive host at Changban Slope, killing over fifty commanders, seizing the Blue Blade Sword, and rescuing the infant prince Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện) and Lady Gan.
Chapter 42
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Escorted Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) safely to Hanjin after surviving the ordeal at Changban.
Chapter 49
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Stationed along the Yangtze River to intercept Cao Cao’s (曹操, Tào Tháo) retreating forces after the fire at Red Cliffs.
Chapter 52
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Pacified Guiyang Commandery through tactical brilliance, refusing to compromise moral decorum by declining marriage to Fan Yufeng (樊氏, Phàn Ngọc Phượng).
Chapter 54
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Escorted Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) to Eastern Wu for his marriage to Lady Sun, strictly executing Zhuge Liang’s (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) three silk-bag stratagems.
Chapter 55
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Safely escorted Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and Lady Sun back to Jingzhou, outwitting Wu’s pursue commanders.
Chapter 61
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Intercepted Eastern Wu’s naval vessel alongside Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) to rescue prince Liu Shan (刘禅, Lưu Thiện) from being taken to Wu.
Chapter 64
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Marched through the Riverlands along the northern route, capturing cities and reinforcing Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) at Luocheng.
Chapter 65
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Commanded Shu divisions in encircling Chengdu until Liu Zhang surrendered.
Chapter 71
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Rescued Huang Zhong (黄忠, Hoàng Trung) at the Han River, single-handedly charged through Cao Cao’s (曹操, Tào Tháo) army, and defended his camp with open gates, prompting Liu Bei to praise him as ‘a man of pure courage’.
Chapter 73
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Elevated to the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han upon Liu Bei’s accession as King of Hanzhong.
Chapter 81
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Candidly admonished Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) against attacking Eastern Wu, arguing that the primary national enemy was Cao Wei rather than Sun Quan.
Chapter 84
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Brought reinforcements to Xiaoting, rescued Emperor Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) from Lu Xun’s pursuit, and speared Wu commander Zhu Ran to death.
Chapter 87
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Served as a chief vanguard commander during Zhuge Liang’s (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) southern expedition, capturing tribal leaders Jinhuan Sanjie (金环三结, Kim Hoàn Tam Kết) and Meng Huo (孟获, Mạnh Hoạch).
Chapter 91
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Appointed vanguard commander during the first Northern Expedition despite his advanced age.
Chapter 92
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Slew five enemy commanders of the Han clan in a single day at Mount Fengming.
Chapter 96
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Maintained a completely disciplined rear guard during the retreat from Ji Valley, ensuring not a single soldier or piece of equipment was lost.
Chapter 97
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): Passed away peacefully of old age in Chengdu in 229 AD, deeply mourned by Emperor Liu Shan and Chancellor Zhuge Liang.
In History
Summary
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân), courtesy name Zilong, was a real historical general who served Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and Shu Han.
Year: 208 AD
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) participated in Liu Bei’s retreat from Jing Province and was responsible for protecting members of Liu Bei’s household.
Year: 219 AD
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) served in the Hanzhong campaign and was praised by Liu Bei after successfully defending his position against Cao Cao’s forces.
Year: 229 AD
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) died in Chengdu. He was later granted a posthumous title by Shu.
Historical Record
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) was a real historical commander. The novel greatly expands his battlefield exploits, including the famous rescue of Liu Bei’s infant son at Changban.
Gallery
Famous Allusion
Zhao Yun Rescues A'Dou at Dangyang