Han Fu (Wei)

Biography & Historical Record

Han Fu (Wei) (died 200 AD) is a fictional military officer appearing in Luo Guanzhong’s historic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In the novel, he serves as the Grand Administrator and military commander of Xingyang Pass (Xingyang Commandery), a critical, heavily fortified mountain stronghold guarding the transit corridor between Xuchang and the northern Yellow River crossings.

In 200 AD, following Guan Yu’s departure from Cao Cao’s court to search for his sworn brother Liu Bei, Guan Yu escorted his two sisters-in-law (Lady Cam and Lady Mi) across northern Wei territory. Having already slain Kong Xiu at Donghe Pass for refusing passage without official clearance documents, Guan Yu approached Xingyang Pass. Knowing that he was no match for Guan Yu in martial combat, Han Fu (Wei) summoned his deputy officer Meng Tan to devise a treacherous stratagem. Meng Tan proposed laying a barricade trap while he lured Guan Yu into pursuit through a feigned retreat, allowing Han Fu (Wei) to shoot Guan Yu with a hidden sniper arrow from the battlements above.

When Guan Yu arrived, Meng Tan engaged him in combat before turning his horse to flee as planned. However, Red Hare’s legendary speed allowed Guan Yu to close the gap instantly, slicing Meng Tan in two. Spotting Guan Yu from the rocks above, Han Fu (Wei) drew his bow and shot a hidden arrow, striking Guan Yu’s left arm and causing blood to gush out. Enraged by the treacherous ambush, Guan Yu ignored his wound and spurred Red Hare directly up the pass. Before Han Fu (Wei) could notch a second arrow, Guan Yu galloped to the ramparts and severed Han Fu (Wei)’s head with a single sweep of his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, routing the Xingyang garrison and clearing the second pass of his epic journey.

Historically, Han Fu (Wei) is entirely a literary creation of Luo Guanzhong, as the journey across five passes is a fictional element designed to highlight Guan Yu’s extraordinary martial prowess and fortitude.

Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han Fu (Wei)’s character arc unfolds dramatically in Chapter 27. Stationed at Xingyang Pass, Han Fu (Wei) conspires with his deputy Meng Tan to ambush Guan Yu using a feigned retreat and a hidden sniper arrow. Although Han Fu (Wei) successfully shoots Guan Yu in the left arm, Guan Yu’s formidable rage overpowers his pain. Spurring Red Hare up the slope, Guan Yu reaches Han Fu (Wei) before he can fire a second arrow and cleaves his head off with a single blow, demonstrating that cowardly stratagems cannot halt the legendary warrior.

Han Fu (Wei) (韓福) — Literary Timeline

Key Relationships

Family

• No information

Friends

• Meng Tan (孟坦, Mạnh Thản) — Deputy officer at Xingyang Pass who conspired with Han Fu to ambush Guan Yu in 200 AD.
• Kong Xiu (孔秀, Khổng Tú) — Fellow pass defender who was slain by Guan Yu at Donghe Pass, prompting Han Fu to prepare his own defense.
• Bian Xi (卞喜, Biện Hỷ) — Fellow pass defender guarding the route against Guan Yu.
• Wang Zhi (王植, Vương Thực) — Fellow pass defender guarding the route against Guan Yu.
• Qin Qi (秦琪, Tần Kỳ) — Fellow pass defender guarding the route against Guan Yu.

Enemies

• Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) — Legendary general who was shot in the arm by Han Fu in 200 AD; he subsequently charged the pass and decapitated Han Fu.

Other

• Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — The warlord and ruler of the Wei faction whom Han Fu served as a military commander at Xingyang Pass.

Famous Allusion

Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals