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Biography and Career of Dong Heng
Dong Heng (董衡, died 219 AD) was a military officer serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the prelude to the Three Kingdoms era. He served as a subordinate commander under the resolute general Pang De during the vital campaign in Jing Province.
In the autumn of 219 AD, Guan Yu launched an aggressive offensive against Cao Ren at Fancheng. In response, Cao Cao dispatched General of the Left Yu Jin and Pang De with seven armies to relieve the besieged stronghold. However, heavy seasonal downpours caused the Han River to overflow, submerging the low-lying Wei encampments during the historical Battle of Fancheng. While Yu Jin and the bulk of the expedition surrendered, Pang De rallied his surviving men on an elevated dyke.
Surrounded by hostile waterborne units and enduring constant volleys of arrows, the officers recognized that their tactical situation was hopeless. Believing resistance would only guarantee the slaughter of the remaining troops, they proposed surrendering to Guan Yu. Viewing this suggestion as blatant treason, Pang De summarily executed Dong Heng and his comrade Dong Chao on the spot before fighting to his death.
Portrayal in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dong Heng appears in Chapter 74 during the flooded battlefield sequence. Trapped on a tiny dyke, he urges Pang De to yield, noting that their ammunition is exhausted and escape is impossible. Pang De passionately rejects the plea, declaring he would rather die as a loyal spirit of Wei than live as a captive traitor, immediately executing the dissenting officers to steel the resolve of the remaining troops.
Key Relationships
- Dong Chao: Fellow military officer who shared the same tragic fate on the flooded embankment.
- Yu Jin: Supreme commander of the Wei relief expedition who surrendered following the flood.
- Pang De: Commanding general who executed his subordinates for advocating surrender.
- Guan Yu: Adversary whose tactical inundation trapped and destroyed the northern forces.
In Novel
Chapter 74
- Dong Heng (董衡, Đổng Hành): Dong Heng serves under Pang De in Cao Cao’s army during the relief of Fan Castle. He objects to Pang De being appointed as the principal commander, arguing that Pang De formerly served Ma Chao and that Ma Chao is now one of Liu Bei’s generals. When Pang De is chosen anyway, Dong Heng continues with the army. During Guan Yu’s flood attack, Pang De’s position collapses; Dong Heng and Dong Chao consider surrendering to Guan Yu. Pang De discovers their intention and kills both men. Dong Heng therefore dies because Pang De regards his attempted defection as betrayal.
In History
Wei Service
- Dong Heng (董衡, Đổng Hành) was a general serving Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) during the late Eastern Han.
219 AD
- During Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ)‘s northern campaign against Wei, Dong Heng was stationed at Fancheng and served under Cao Ren (曹仁, Tào Nhân).
Battle of Fancheng
- As Guan Yu’s forces placed Fancheng under heavy pressure, Dong Heng was involved in the defence. The battle became one of the most dangerous moments for Cao Cao’s regime before reinforcements under Xu Huang (徐晃, Từ Hoảng) broke the siege.
219 AD
- Dong Heng was killed during the fighting at Fancheng. His death occurred during the intense defensive struggle that eventually ended Guan Yu’s northern offensive.