Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhao Ang (courtesy name Weizhang) was a notable official and military officer serving the Eastern Han dynasty and later the state of Cao Wei during the late Three Kingdoms period. Born in Tianshui Commandery (present-day Gangu County, Gansu Province), Zhao Ang served as the Inspector of Liang Province and later held senior military posts including Officer of the Army (Caijun). He is historically celebrated alongside his heroine wife, Wang Yi, for their steadfast defense of Liang Province and their unwavering resistance against the ferocious warlord Ma Chao.
When Ma Chao laid siege to Ji City (Jicheng) in 213 AD following his defeat at Guandu and Tong Pass, Zhao Ang defended the city valiantly alongside Governor Wei Kang. Out of desperation and to spare the starving populace, Wei Kang surrendered despite Zhao Ang and Wang Yi’s bitter protests. Ma Chao treacherous backtracked on his terms, executing Wei Kang and holding Zhao Ang’s eldest son, Zhao Yue, as a hostage in Nanzheng. Undeterred by the personal threat to his son’s life, Zhao Ang conspired with loyalist officials including Yang Fu, Jiang Xu, Liang Kuan, and Zhao Qu to expel Ma Chao. Spurred on by Wang Yi’s legendary declaration that duty to the state outweighed the life of their son, Zhao Ang launched a surprise counter-uprising, seized control of Ji City, and successfully drove Ma Chao out of Liang Province. Ma Chao retaliated in a rage by executing Zhao Yue, but Zhao Ang and Wang Yi stood firm, earning everlasting renown for their loyalty and fortitude.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Ang’s dramatic saga is detailed in Chapter 64. Depicted as an Officer of the Army in Ji City, Zhao Ang is deeply loyal to Governor Wei Kang. When Ma Chao besieges Ji City, Zhao Ang and his brave wife Wang Yi assist in the defense. Following Wei Kang’s tragic execution, Zhao Ang works closely with Yang Fu and Jiang Xu to orchestrate a deceptive plot. Wang Yi famously advises Zhao Ang to sacrifice their hostage son Zhao Yue for the sake of righteous vengeance. Zhao Ang executes the uprising flawlessly, locking Ma Chao out of Ji City and driving him into exile toward Hanzhong, securing Liang Province for Cao Cao’s northern realm.
Zhao Ang (趙昂) — Literary Timeline
213 AD
Siege of Ji City
Serves under Governor Wei Kang during Ma Chao’s fierce assault on Ji City; vehemently opposes surrendering to Ma Chao and attempts to maintain defenses.
213 AD
Plot Against Ma Chao
Formulates a counter-offensive with Yang Fu, Jiang Xu, and Zhao Qu; consults his wife Wang Yi, who urges him to proceed with the plot despite their son Zhao Yue being held hostage by Ma Chao.
214 AD
Expulsion of Ma Chao
Launches the uprising in coordination with Xiahou Yuan’s relief army; successfully recaptures Ji City and expels Ma Chao from Liang Province, securing the western border for Cao Cao.
Key Relationships
Family
- Wang Yi (王异, Vương Dị): His wife, a courageous strategist who famously urged Zhao Ang to prioritize duty over the life of their son during the conflict with Ma Chao.
- Zhao Yue (赵月, Triệu Nguyệt): His eldest son, who was held as a hostage in Nanzheng and executed by Ma Chao in retaliation for the uprising in 213 AD.
- Zhao Ying (赵英, Triệu Anh): His daughter, who survived the chaotic conflicts in Liang Province alongside her mother.
Friends
- Wei Kang (韦康, Vi Khang): The Governor of Liang Province whom Zhao Ang served loyally; he was executed by Ma Chao after being forced to surrender Ji City.
- Yang Fu (杨阜, Dương Phụ): A close ally and fellow official who collaborated with Zhao Ang to orchestrate the successful uprising against Ma Chao in 213 AD.
- Jiang Xu (姜叙, Khương Tự): A military officer and co-conspirator who raised troops at Liching to assist in driving Ma Chao out of the province.
- Zhao Qu (赵衢, Triệu Cù): A fellow conspirator inside Ji City who helped coordinate the internal revolt against Ma Chao.
- Liang Kuan (梁宽, Lương Khoan): A key official who worked with Zhao Ang to secure the gates of Ji City during the counter-uprising.
Enemies
- Ma Chao (马超, Mã Siêu): A warlord who besieged Ji City in 213 AD, executed Wei Kang, and killed Zhao Ang’s son, Zhao Yue, making him Zhao Ang’s primary antagonist.
- Ma Dai (马岱, Mã Đại): A cousin and officer under Ma Chao who participated in the siege and occupation of Ji City.
- Pang De (庞德, Bàng Đức): A prominent general serving under Ma Chao during the campaigns in Liang Province.
Other
- Xiahou Yuan (夏侯渊, Hạ Hầu Uyên): A senior general under Cao Cao whose relief army provided the necessary support for Zhao Ang to successfully reclaim Ji City in 214 AD.
In Novel
Chapter 59
- Zhao Ang (赵昂, Triệu Ngang): Zhao Ang serves as a local official in Liang Province and becomes one of the principal figures resisting Ma Chao. After Ma Chao’s rebellion destabilizes the region, Zhao Ang and his wife Wang Yi become personally committed to fighting him.
Chapter 60
- Zhao Ang (赵昂, Triệu Ngang): Zhao Ang helps organize the Liang Province resistance alongside Yang Fu, Jiang Xu and other local leaders. Ma Chao’s attacks place Zhao Ang’s family in danger, but Zhao Ang continues to coordinate the resistance instead of surrendering.
Chapter 61
- Zhao Ang (赵昂, Triệu Ngang): Zhao Ang takes part in the final resistance that drives Ma Chao from Liang Province. His cooperation with Yang Fu and the other local commanders helps trap Ma Chao and destroy his political base in the region.
In History
Summary
- Zhao Ang (赵昂, Triệu Ngang) was a Han and Wei official from Liang Province who became famous for resisting Ma Chao.
- His wife, Wang Yi, also became famous for her role in the family’s resistance and survival during the Liang Province wars.
Year: 211 AD — Liang Province Rebellion
- Zhao Ang served in Jicheng and remained loyal to the Han/Cao Cao side during Ma Chao’s rebellion.
- He and his family endured severe pressure during the siege and political upheaval surrounding Ma Chao’s control of the region.
Later Career
- After Ma Chao’s defeat, Zhao Ang continued serving the Wei government and held administrative positions in the northwest.
Historical Record
- Zhao Ang was a historical figure. His biography is closely associated with the biography of his wife Wang Yi and is preserved in the Records of the Three Kingdoms.
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