Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhao Cen is a fictional minor officer appearing in Luo Guanzhong’s classic 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In strict historical reality, Zhao Cen does not appear in Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) or Pei Songzhi’s annotations. He is a completely fictional creation introduced by Luo Guanzhong to facilitate the narrative progression of the coalition campaign against Dong Zhuo and explain the peaceful surrender of Sishui Pass following Hua Xiong’s dramatic death.
In the novel’s narrative during Chapter 5, Zhao Cen serves as a military officer under the tyrannical warlord Dong Zhuo during the chaotic collapse of the Eastern Han dynasty. When the coalition of eighteen regional warlords rises in rebellion and marches toward the imperial capital of Luoyang, Dong Zhuo divides his forces to garrison key strategic passes. Zhao Cen is dispatched alongside Hua Xiong, Li Su, and Hu Zhen to command a force of 50,000 troops tasked with holding Sishui Pass (Sishuiguan) against Sun Jian’s coalition vanguard.
Following Hua Xiong’s sudden death in single combat against Guan Yu, the garrison at Sishui Pass is thrown into panic. Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu personally advance to reinforce Hulao Pass nearby, leaving Zhao Cen behind to maintain a tight defense at Sishui Pass and hold off the coalition forces. After Dong Zhuo suffers defeat at Hulao Pass, burns Luoyang to the ground, and forcibly relocates the Han emperor and court west to Chang’an, Zhao Cen recognizes that Dong Zhuo’s cause is lost. Seeing no purpose in continued resistance, Zhao Cen surrenders Sishui Pass, throwing open the gates and handing the vital fortification directly over to Cao Cao and Sun Jian as the coalition forces advance into the destroyed capital.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Cen is featured in Chapter 5 as a subordinate officer under Dong Zhuo. Initially deployed to assist Hua Xiong, Li Su, and Hu Zhen at Sishui Pass against the allied warlords, Zhao Cen maintains a defensive posture atop the ramparts after Hua Xiong’s demise. When Dong Zhuo abandons Luoyang and retreats westward to Chang’an, Zhao Cen abandons his allegiance to Dong Zhuo and surrenders Sishui Pass directly to Sun Jian and Cao Cao, granting the coalition unimpeded access to the imperial heartland.
Zhao Cen (趙岑) — Literary Timeline
Defense of Sishui Pass
Dispatched by Dong Zhuo alongside Hua Xiong, Li Su, and Hu Zhen with 50,000 troops to defend Sishui Pass against Sun Jian and the eighteen-warlord coalition.
Surrender of Sishui Pass
Surrenders Sishui Pass to Cao Cao and Sun Jian following Hua Xiong’s death and Dong Zhuo’s forced retreat to Chang’an.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Zhao Cen on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Dong Zhuo (董卓, Đổng Trác): The tyrannical warlord whom Zhao Cen served as a garrison officer at Sishui Pass during the 190 AD coalition campaign.
- Hua Xiong (华雄, Hoa Hùng): A fellow officer and vanguard general who co-commanded the defense of Sishui Pass before his death in 190 AD.
- Li Su (李肃, Lý Túc): A fellow officer stationed alongside Zhao Cen at Sishui Pass to defend against the coalition forces.
- Hu Zhen (胡轸, Hồ Chẩn): A fellow officer who served with Zhao Cen in the garrison force at Sishui Pass.
- Lu Bu (吕布, Lã Bố): A high-ranking general under Dong Zhuo who reinforced the nearby Hulao Pass while Zhao Cen held Sishui Pass.
Enemies
- Sun Jian (孙坚, Tôn Kiên): The coalition vanguard leader to whom Zhao Cen surrendered Sishui Pass in 190 AD.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): A prominent coalition leader who accepted the surrender of Sishui Pass from Zhao Cen.
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): The Shu Han general whose defeat and killing of Hua Xiong in 190 AD directly contributed to the collapse of morale at Sishui Pass.
Other
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 5
- Zhao Cen (赵岑, Zhào Cén): Zhao Cen serves under Dong Zhuo during the coalition’s attack on the Hulao Pass region. He is one of Dong Zhuo’s commanders involved in the fighting against the allied warlords.
Chapter 6
- Zhao Cen (赵岑, Zhào Cén): Zhao Cen remains part of Dong Zhuo’s forces as the coalition advances. His role is subordinate to the principal commanders and he does not receive an extended individual duel.
In History
Summary
- Zhao Cen (赵岑, Triệu Sầm) is known primarily from the literary account of the campaign against Dong Zhuo.
Historical Record
- The novel presents Zhao Cen as a commander associated with Dong Zhuo’s forces, including the fighting around Sishui Pass. His detailed role belongs primarily to the novelistic tradition and should not be presented as securely established history without corroboration.
Famous Allusion
温酒斩华雄, Wēn Jiǔ Zhǎn Huá Xióng, Ôn Tửu Trảm Hoa Hùng