Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Chang Xi (died 206 AD) was a military officer and bandit leader active during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Originating from the Mount Tai region, he was one of the four infamous Mount Tai Bandit Leaders (Four Bandits of Mount Tai), alongside Sun Guan, Wu Dun, and Yin Li. Initially serving as a subordinate commander under Zang Ba, Chang Xi operated an independent military force in Mount Tai, controlling key mountain passes bordering Yan and Xu Provinces.
During the war between Lu Bu and Cao Cao for control of Yan and Xu Provinces, Lu Bu dispatched Chen Gong and Zang Ba to forge a military alliance with the Mount Tai bandits. Chang Xi joined this coalition, commanding over 30,000 troops to support Lu Bu. He attempted to block Cao Cao’s grand expeditionary army at Xiaoguan Pass but was repulsed by Xu Chu. Following Lu Bu’s total defeat and execution at Xiapi in 199 AD, Zang Ba and the Mount Tai commanders submitted to Cao Cao. However, Chang Xi was notoriously rebellious and treacherous, continually changing allegiance.
In late 199 AD, Chang Xi rebelled against Cao Cao in Mount Tai, allying with Liu Bei. Cao Cao dispatched Zhang Liao and Xiahou Yuan to besiege him. During the siege, Zhang Liao personally rode up the mountain to negotiate with Chang Xi, convincing him to surrender. In 206 AD, Chang Xi launched another major rebellion against Cao Cao. Cao Cao dispatched his senior general Yu Jin to lay a strict siege around Chang Xi’s stronghold. Knowing Yu Jin was an old personal friend, Chang Xi opened the city gates and surrendered, hoping for clemency. However, Yu Jin strictly enforced Cao Cao’s military law—which dictated that any commander who surrenders only after being completely encircled shall not be spared—and tearfully ordered Chang Xi’s execution.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chang Xi appears in Chapters 18 and 19 as one of the four Mount Tai bandit leaders allied with Zang Ba. Responding to Chen Gong’s diplomatic invitation, Chang Xi mobilizes his forces to bolster Lu Bu’s defense against Cao Cao. Positioned at Xiaoguan Pass, Chang Xi and his fellow bandit commanders attempt to ambush Cao Cao’s vanguard but are routed by Xu Chu. Following Xiapi’s fall, Chang Xi surrenders to Cao Cao alongside Zang Ba, serving as a regional border defender before his repeated rebellions and eventual execution by Yu Jin.
Chang Xi (昌豨) — Literary Timeline
Alliance with Lu Bu and Battle of Xiaoguan
Joins Zang Ba in forming an alliance with Lu Bu; leads 30,000 bandit troops to defend Xiaoguan Pass against Cao Cao before being repulsed by Xu Chu.
Submission to Cao Cao
Surrenders to Cao Cao alongside Zang Ba, Sun Guan, Wu Dun, and Yin Li after the fall of Xiapi and execution of Lu Bu.
Rebellion and Execution by Yu Jin
Rebels against Cao Cao for a final time; surrenders to his former friend Yu Jin under siege, but is executed strictly according to military law.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zang Ba (臧霸, Tang Bá) — Senior Mount Tai commander and leader under whom Chang Xi served; he led the Mount Tai bandits into the service of Lu Bu and later Cao Cao.
- Sun Guan (孙观, Tôn Quan), Wu Dun (吴敦, Ngô Đôn), and Yin Li (尹礼, Doãn Lễ) — Fellow leaders of the Four Bandits of Mount Tai who acted in concert during the campaigns against Cao Cao.
Enemies
- Yu Jin (于禁, Vu Cấm) — A senior general under Cao Cao and a personal friend of Chang Xi; he oversaw the siege in 206 AD and executed Chang Xi for his repeated rebellions.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — The warlord and later Chancellor of the Han whom Chang Xi served intermittently and rebelled against multiple times.
- Zhang Liao (张辽, Trương Liêu) and Xiahou Yuan (夏侯渊, Hạ Hầu Uyên) — Generals sent by Cao Cao to suppress Chang Xi’s 199 AD rebellion; Zhang Liao successfully negotiated Chang Xi’s temporary surrender.
- Xu Chu (许褚, Hứa Chử) — Cao Cao’s bodyguard who defeated Chang Xi’s forces at Xiaoguan Pass in 198 AD.
Other
- Lu Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố) and Chen Gong (陈宫, Trần Cung) — Warlord and strategist who recruited the Mount Tai bandits to support their defense against Cao Cao in 198 AD.
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — Warlord who formed a brief, strategic alliance with Chang Xi during his 199 AD rebellion against Cao Cao.
In Novel
Chapter 18
- Chang Xi (昌豨, Chāng Xī): Chang Xi is one of the Taishan bandit leaders who becomes involved in the fighting around Yan and Xu provinces. He is listed with Sun Guan, Wu Dun and Yin Li among the regional forces moving through the eastern territories.
Chapter 19
- Chang Xi (昌豨, Chāng Xī): Chang Xi commands more than 30,000 troops and blocks the route of Cao Cao’s forces. He participates in the unstable alliance of eastern commanders whose loyalty shifts as Cao Cao and Lü Bu compete for control.
Chapter 20
- Chang Xi (昌豨, Chāng Xī): Chang Xi remains the last of the Taishan leaders refusing Cao Cao’s attempt at reconciliation after Sun Guan, Wu Dun and Yin Li submit. His continued resistance keeps the eastern region unstable.
In History
Summary
- Chang Xi (昌豨, Xương Hi) was a local military leader in the Xuzhou region who repeatedly shifted allegiance during the late Eastern Han wars.
Period I — Early Conflicts
- Chang Xi was associated with forces operating around Mount Tai and Xuzhou and came into conflict with Cao Cao.
Period II — Submission and Rebellion
- He surrendered to Cao Cao but later rebelled again.
- During Cao Cao’s campaign against him, Chang Xi was captured and executed.
Historical Record
- Chang Xi was historical. His repeated changes of allegiance are recorded in the Wei historical biographies.