Han De

Biography & Historical Record

Han De (died 228 AD) is a fictional military officer appearing in Luo Guanzhong’s historic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In the novel, he is depicted as a veteran general of Cao Wei stationed along the northwestern frontier in Xiliang (Liang Province). Known for his formidable martial strength, immense physical stature, and mastery over heavy battle axes, Han De commanded great respect among the Qiang border tribes and local garrison divisions.

In 228 AD, when Shu Han’s Prime Minister Zhuge Liang launched the First Northern Expedition, Cao Wei’s imperial court appointed Xiahou Mao as the Grand Commander of Western Armies to repel the invasion. Hearing of the campaign, Han De volunteered to lead a massive force of 80,000 Xiliang cavalry and infantry troops to reinforce Xiahou Mao at Fengming Mountain. Han De brought his four sons—Han Ying, Han Yao, Han Qiong, and Han Qi—all of whom were skilled martial artists and commanders in their own right, swearing an oath to exterminate the Shu vanguard and capture Zhuge Liang alive.

During the Battle of Fengming Mountain, Han De’s division encountered Shu Han’s legendary veteran general Zhao Yun (Zhao Zilong), who was over seventy years old at the time. In a single tragic day of combat, all four of Han De’s sons engaged Zhao Yun sequentially and in joint combat, but Zhao Yun proved completely invincible: slaying Han Ying in single combat, capturing Han Yao alive, shooting Han Qiong through the face with an arrow, and spearing Han Qi to death. Devastated, grief-stricken, and overcome with rage at the annihilation of his entire lineage, Han De personally rode out wielding his large battle axe to challenge Zhao Yun. After fewer than three passes, Zhao Yun pierced through Han De’s defenses and speared him to death, completely wiping out Han De’s family and routing his 80,000-strong army.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han De’s dramatic role is featured in Chapter 92. As a Xiliang general, he brings 80,000 troops and his four valiant sons to assist Xiahou Mao against Zhuge Liang’s First Northern Expedition. Facing the aged Zhao Yun at Fengming Mountain, Han De boasts of his sons’ martial prowess. However, Zhao Yun slays Han Ying, Han Qiong, and Han Qi while capturing Han Yao in rapid succession. Blinded by grief, Han De charges Zhao Yun with his battle axe but is speared to death in less than three bouts, serving to showcase Zhao Yun’s undiminished martial supremacy in his twilight years.

Han De (韓德) — Literary Timeline

For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Han De on Wikipedia.

Key Relationships

Family

• Han Ying (韩瑛, Hàn Anh) — Eldest son who served under Han De and was killed in single combat by Zhao Yun during the 228 AD Battle of Fengming Mountain.
• Han Yao (韩瑶, Hàn Dao) — Second son who served under Han De and was captured alive by Zhao Yun during the 228 AD Battle of Fengming Mountain.
• Han Qiong (韩琼, Hàn Quỳnh) — Third son who served under Han De and was shot through the face with an arrow by Zhao Yun during the 228 AD Battle of Fengming Mountain.
• Han Qi (韩琪, Hàn Kỳ) — Fourth son who served under Han De and was speared to death by Zhao Yun during the 228 AD Battle of Fengming Mountain.

Friends

• Xiahou Mao (夏侯楙, Hạ Hầu Mậu) — The Grand Commander of Western Armies for Cao Wei whom Han De served as a subordinate commander during the 228 AD defense against the First Northern Expedition.

Enemies

• Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) — The legendary Shu Han general who defeated and killed Han De and all four of his sons during the 228 AD Battle of Fengming Mountain.
• Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) — The Prime Minister of Shu Han whose 228 AD First Northern Expedition prompted Han De to mobilize his forces for the defense of the Xiliang frontier.
• Deng Zhi (邓芝, Đặng Chi) — A Shu Han commander who served alongside Zhao Yun during the 228 AD campaign at Fengming Mountain.

Other

• Cao Rui (曹叡, Tào Duệ) — The Emperor of Cao Wei whose northwestern frontier territories Han De was tasked with defending against the Shu Han invasion in 228 AD.

Gallery