Guan Yu
Guan Yu (162–219AD), the sworn brother of Liu Bei, ranked first among the five Great Generals of Liu. He was also known as Yunchang, or Changsheng, and born in Xie Town of Hedong Territory (today’s Linyi of Shanxi). In the chaos caused by the wars, he fled to Zhuo Territory. Together with Zhang Fei, he joined Liu Bei. Guan made his name by slaying the seemingly "undefeatable" warrior Hua Xiong in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, and challenged the mighty warrior Lv Bu at the Battle of Hulao Pass. He was captured by Cao Cao before the Guandu War, appointed as Pianjun, and given the title of Marquis of Hanshou by Cao Cao. As a tribute to him, Guan killed General Yan Liang and General Wen Chou of Yuan Shao for Cao Cao. To rejoin his sworn brother, he rode the steed Red Hare for 1,000 li with a long green-dragon-halting-moon broadsword. He crossed five passes on his way and slew six generals who tried to stop him. He was famed for defeating Cao Ren in the siege on Fancheng, flooding the enemy’s armies, capturing General Yu Jin of Cao Cao, slaying Pang De, and letting the famous physician Hua Tuo cut open his arm and scrape off traces of poison on the bone without any anesthesia. Because of his pride, he and his army were besieged by Eastern Wu forces at Maicheng and finally executed by Sun Quan after refusing to surrender. He died at the age of 58. In all his life, he was well known for his loyalty, courage, intelligence and high skill in wushu.
Zhang Fei
Zhang Fei (167 - 221AD), the sworn brother of Liu Bei, ranked second among the five Great Generals of Liu. He was also known as Yide, and born in Zhuo Territory (present day Zhuozhou, Hebei). Together with Guan Yu, he served Liu Bei for a long time. He challenged Lv Bu with Guan Yu and Liu Bei at the Hulao Pass. His shouting on the Changban Bridge was said to have frightened and held off 10,000 troops of Cao Cao. With a long serpent spear in hand, he fought against Ma Chao at night in the battle of Jiameng Pass, and defeated Zhang He in the Battle of Baxi. After Liu Bei finally annexed the very important Hanzhong, he was appointed General Benqi, and given the title of Marquis Xixiang. In 221, in preparing for war against the Eastern Wu to avenge the death of Guan Yu, when he was going to assail the eastern Wu with Liu Bei, he was murdered by his soldiers Zhang Da and Fan Jiang for beating and threatening to behead them. He died at the age of 55.
Xu Huang
Xu Huang (169 – 227AD), also known as Gongming, born in the county of Yang (present day Hongdong, Shanxi), was a prominent military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao. He served Yang Feng as his cavalry commander. Xu Huang surrendered himself to Cao Cao after the defeat of Yang Feng. He participated and performed well in the important battles, such as the battle of Guandu, battle of the Red Cliffs, the battle of Guanzhong, and Hanzhong. In the Battle of Fancheng, he supported Cao Ren to defeat Guan Yu. Cao Cao praised him like Zhou Yafu, the famous general of Western Han Dynasty, for his military discipline. After Cao Pi came to the throne, he was appointed General You. He died in 227 and was given the posthumous title of “Marquis Zhuang.”
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