Xu Huang

Biography

Family Background and Early Years

Xu Huang was born in Yang County, Hedong Commandery, present-day Hongtong County, Shanxi. In his early years he served as a commandery clerk in Hedong. As the Eastern Han collapsed into disorder, he followed General of Chariots and Cavalry Yang Feng in campaigns against bandits and was appointed Commandant of Cavalry for his service. In 192, the third year of Chuping, Wang Yun and Lü Bu killed Dong Zhuo, but Dong Zhuo's former generals Li Jue and Guo Si then captured Chang'an, killed Wang Yun and others, and subsequently fought among themselves, throwing the capital into chaos. Xu judged the situation and persuaded Yang Feng to escort Emperor Xian of Han eastward to Luoyang. When the emperor crossed the Yellow River and reached Anyi, he rewarded those who had protected him, and Xu was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting.

Joining Cao Cao

In 196, the first year of Jian'an, Emperor Xian returned to Luoyang under the protection of Zhang Yang, administrator of Henei, Yang Feng, and others. Yang Feng was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and stationed at Daliang. Xu saw the conflict between General-in-Chief Han Xian and General of the Guards Dong Cheng intensifying and urged Yang Feng to submit to Cao Cao. Yang initially agreed but later changed his mind. That autumn Cao Cao escorted Emperor Xian to the new capital at Xu County. Yang Feng and Han Xian attempted to seize the emperor but were defeated by Cao Cao. Cao then campaigned personally against Yang Feng, who fled south to Yuan Shu; Xu Huang instead joined Cao Cao. Cao Cao assigned troops to Xu and sent him to attack Juan and Yuanwu, where he defeated rebel forces and was appointed Assistant General. He later accompanied Cao Cao against Lü Bu, induced Lü Bu's officers Zhao Shu and Li Zou to surrender, and together with Shi Huan killed Sui Gu in Henei.

Merit at Guandu

In 200, the fifth year of Jian'an, Xu Huang followed Cao Cao in defeating Liu Bei in the campaign in Xu Province. He then took part in the defeat of Yan Liang and the capture of Baima. When Cao Cao's army advanced to Yanjin, it used baggage as bait to defeat Wen Chou, and Xu was promoted to General of a Separate Command for his service. During the stalemate at the Battle of Guandu, thousands of carts of Yuan Shao's grain were being transported toward the front. Strategist Xun You recommended Xu Huang to Cao Cao, who ordered Xu and Shi Huan to lead several thousand cavalry in intercepting the convoy commander Han Meng at Gushi. They routed the force and burned the supplies. Xu was credited with the greatest merit in the action and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting.

Pacifying Hebei

In 204, the ninth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao besieged Ye and captured Handan. Han Fan, magistrate of Yiyang, pretended to surrender but continued to defend the city, so Cao Cao sent Xu Huang against him. Xu approached the walls and shot a letter into the city explaining the advantages and dangers of the situation. Han Fan then surrendered the entire city. Xu advised Cao Cao: “The two Yuans have not yet been destroyed, and the cities that have not submitted are listening closely. If Yiyang is destroyed today, tomorrow they will all defend themselves to the death, and I fear Hebei will never be pacified. I ask that you accept Yiyang's surrender as an example to the other cities; then none will fail to submit at the sight of our advance.” Cao Cao accepted the advice and made Han Fan a Marquis within the Passes. Xu later attacked Maocheng, used an ambush to defeat three Yuan camps, followed Cao Cao in routing Yuan Tan at Nanpi, and suppressed rebels in Pingyuan. In 207 he accompanied Cao Cao in the northern campaign against the Wuhuan. Under Zhang Liao's command at the Battle of White Wolf Mountain, the army routed the enemy and killed Tadun; Xu was appointed General Who Sweeps Across the Wilderness.

Campaigning North and South

In 208, the thirteenth year of Jian'an, Xu followed Cao Cao south into Jing Province. He was separately stationed at Fancheng, subdued enemies at Zhonglu, Linju, and Yicheng, joined Man Chong in fighting Guan Yu at Hanjin, and fought Zhou Yu at Jiangling together with Cao Ren. After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao returned north and left Cao Ren and Xu Huang to defend Jiangling. In 210 Xu accompanied Xiahou Yuan against rebels in Taiyuan, captured Daling, and killed their leader Shang Yao.

In 211, the sixteenth year of Jian'an, a coalition under Ma Chao and Han Sui held Tong Pass against Cao Cao. When Cao's army could not advance, he asked Xu Huang for advice. Xu replied: “You have concentrated a great army here, yet the enemy has not separately guarded Puban. This shows they have no plan. If you give me elite troops to cross at Puba Ford and establish a forward position behind them, the enemy can be captured.” Cao Cao therefore ordered Xu Huang and Zhu Ling to lead 4,000 elite troops across the river at Puba Ford. Before the position was complete, Liang Xing attacked by night with more than 5,000 men, but Xu drove him off. After Cao's main force crossed the river, Cao Cao used Jia Xu's scheme to divide Ma Chao and Han Sui and decisively defeated the Guanzhong coalition. Xu later accompanied Xiahou Yuan in pacifying Di groups at Yumi and Qian and remaining rebels at Fu and Xiayang, killing Liang Xing.

In 215, the twentieth year of Jian'an, Xu accompanied Cao Cao against Zhang Lu. He attacked the mountain Di groups at Du and Qiuyi and received their surrender, after which he was promoted to General Who Pacifies Bandits. He also relieved General Zhang Shun's siege and broke more than thirty camps under Chen Fu and others. When Cao Cao returned to Ye, he left Xu Huang and Xiahou Yuan to oppose Liu Bei at Yangping Pass.

Battle of Hanzhong

In 218, the twenty-third year of Jian'an, Liu Bei attacked Hanzhong and sent Chen Shi and more than ten camps to strike at the Maming Gallery Road in an effort to sever Cao Cao's communications. Xu Huang led troops against Chen Shi and defeated him; many Shu soldiers threw themselves into ravines and died. Cao Cao was delighted by the news and granted Xu Acting with the Imperial Tally, declaring: “This gallery road is the vital throat of Hanzhong. Liu Bei wished to cut off inner and outer communications in order to seize Hanzhong. With one action the general has defeated the enemy's plan; this is excellence upon excellence.” After Xiahou Yuan was killed, Cao Cao ordered Cao Zhen to supervise Xu Huang and other generals; at Yangping they defeated Liu Bei's subordinate commander Gao Xiang.

Lifting the Siege of Fancheng

In 219, the twenty-fourth year of Jian'an, Guan Yu led his main force north to attack Fancheng and trapped Cao Ren there. Xu Huang was stationed at Wan County, but many of his troops were recent recruits and were not yet ready to contend directly with Guan Yu. Xu therefore advanced only to Yanglingpo and encamped. Cao Cao sent Xu Shang and Lü Jian as reinforcements and ordered Xu to wait until the troops were fully assembled before advancing together. Guan Yu's forward force occupied Yancheng. Xu feigned an attack and cut its rear route, causing Guan Yu's troops to burn their camp and withdraw. Xu occupied Yancheng, established linked camps on both sides, and gradually moved closer to the forces besieging Fancheng, until his camp stood only three zhang from Guan Yu's siege lines. Cao Cao then sent Yin Shu, Zhu Gai, and twelve additional camps of troops to Yancheng, placing them all under Xu's command.

Guan Yu's main force was at Weitou, with another camp at Sizhong. Xu used a diversion, announcing that he would attack Weitou but unexpectedly striking Sizhong instead. Guan Yu led 5,000 infantry and cavalry to respond and was defeated. Xu pursued the victory and burst into Guan Yu's siege works. Guan Yu's army collapsed, and many soldiers threw themselves into the Mian River and drowned. Guan Yu lifted the siege and withdrew, and Fancheng was relieved. Cao Cao issued an order stating: “The enemy's siege trenches and abatis formed ten layers. The general fought them and won a complete victory, broke into their encirclement, and took many heads and captives. In more than thirty years of warfare, and in all I have heard of the skilled commanders of antiquity, I have never known another who drove straight into an enemy's encirclement. Moreover, the danger at Fan and Xiangyang exceeded that of Ju and Jimo. The general's achievement surpasses Sun Wu and Rangju.”

When Xu returned in triumph to Mobei, Cao Cao personally rode seven li out from camp to welcome him. At the celebratory banquet Cao raised his cup and said, “The preservation of Fan and Xiangyang is entirely the general's achievement.” Many armies were gathered at Mobei. When Cao inspected their camps, soldiers from many units left formation to watch him, but Xu Huang's camp remained orderly and his officers and men stayed at their stations. Cao Cao exclaimed: “General Xu may truly be said to have the bearing of Zhou Yafu!”

Senior General of Cao Wei

In 220, the twenty-fifth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao died and Cao Pi succeeded as King of Wei. Xu Huang was appointed Right General and advanced to Marquis of Luxiang. Later that year Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor and advanced Xu to Marquis of Yang. General Who Conquers the South Xiahou Shang proposed a surprise attack on Liu Bei's troops at Shangyong, and Cao Pi ordered Xu Huang and Xiahou Shang to lead the assault, which captured Shangyong. Xu was later ordered to defend Yangping and was re-enfeoffed as Marquis of Yangping. Sun Quan sent Chen Shao to occupy Xiangyang; Cao Ren and Xu were ordered to attack and recovered the city.

In 222, the third year of Huangchu, Cao Pi personally campaigned against Eastern Wu. Xu joined Xiahou Shang and others in besieging Jiangling, defended by Zhu Ran, but the city was not taken and the Wei army withdrew. In 226, the seventh year of Huangchu, Cao Rui ascended the throne. When the Wu general Zhuge Jin attacked Xiangyang, Xu defended the city and, for his service, received an additional 200 households, bringing his total fief to 3,100. Xu later fell ill, and Emperor Ming of Cao Wei personally sent men to search for medical prescriptions. Xu died in 227, the first year of Taihe, and received the posthumous title Marquis Zhuang. His son Xu Gai succeeded him. In 243, the fourth year of Zhengshi, Xu Huang was accorded sacrificial association in the temple of Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Cao Wei.

Major Activities

Military Contribution

Xu Huang fought throughout his life and participated in nearly all of Cao Wei's major campaigns. At the Battle of Guandu he intercepted and burned Yuan Shao's grain convoy and was credited with the greatest merit. At Weinan he proposed crossing at Puba Ford, opening a route for Cao Cao's army. At Hanzhong he defeated Chen Shi and thwarted Liu Bei's effort to cut the gallery road. At Fancheng he used a diversion and then drove directly through Guan Yu's multilayered siege works, lifting the siege. His style of command was described as first making defeat impossible and only then seeking battle; he observed the enemy carefully and was skilled at recognizing the decisive moment.

Political Judgment

Xu Huang possessed political judgment as well as military ability. Early in his career he persuaded Yang Feng to escort Emperor Xian eastward, recognizing an important political opportunity. After joining Cao Cao, he proposed a policy of accepting Yiyang's surrender rather than destroying the city, arguing that this would encourage the rest of Hebei to submit. Cao Cao praised and adopted the proposal.

Military Discipline

Xu maintained strict discipline and required absolute obedience to orders. After the Battle of Fancheng, when many armies gathered at Mobei and Cao Cao inspected the camps, Xu's was the only one in which the soldiers remained in formation rather than crowding out to watch. Cao Cao therefore compared him to the Western Han general Zhou Yafu. A saying circulated in the army: “If supplies have not arrived, you belong to Xu Huang,” reflecting the severity of his discipline.

Friendship with Guan Yu

Xu Huang and Guan Yu came from the same commandery and had a close personal friendship. Pei Songzhi's annotation to the “Biography of Guan Yu” in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, quoting the Records of Shu, states that during the Battle of Fancheng they spoke across the lines “about matters from their earlier lives, but did not discuss military affairs.” Yet when Guan Yu was defeated, Xu pursued him and routed his army. Their friendship did not lead Xu to compromise his duty on the battlefield, and later writers treated this as evidence of his separation of public duty from private feeling.

Personal Relations

Family

Xu Gai: son, inherited the title Marquis Zhuang.

Rulers

Cao Cao: ruler and commander who praised Xu as having “the bearing of Zhou Yafu.”

Cao Pi: ruler who appointed Xu Right General and Marquis of Yang.

Cao Rui: ruler who personally sent men to seek medical prescriptions during Xu's illness.

Colleagues

Yang Feng: Xu's early superior, later an opponent.

Xiahou Yuan: Long-term colleague who fought alongside Xu in several campaigns.

Zhang Liao: Colleague under whose command Xu fought at White Wolf Mountain.

Shi Huan: Colleague who fought alongside Xu on several occasions.

Cao Ren: Colleague who defended Jiangling with Xu and later helped recover Xiangyang.

Man Chong: Colleague who fought Guan Yu with Xu at Hanjin.

Xiahou Shang: Colleague who fought with Xu at Shangyong and Jiangling.

Xun You: Strategist who recommended Xu for the raid on Yuan Shao's grain convoy.

Opponents

Guan Yu: Close friend from the same commandery and battlefield opponent at Fancheng.

Ma Chao: Opponent at Weinan.

Han Sui: Opponent at Weinan.

Liu Bei: Opponent in the Hanzhong campaign.

Contemporaries

Lü Bu: Early target of campaigns Xu joined under Cao Cao.

Yuan Shao: Opponent at Guandu.

Zhou Yu: Opponent at Jiangling.

Zhu Ran: Opponent in the defense of Jiangling.

Historical Assessment

Wei and Contemporary Assessments

Cao Cao: “The enemy's siege trenches and abatis formed ten layers. The general fought them and won a complete victory, broke into their encirclement, and took many heads and captives. In more than thirty years of warfare, and in all I have heard of the skilled commanders of antiquity, I have never known another who drove straight into an enemy's encirclement. Moreover, the danger at Fan and Xiangyang exceeded that of Ju and Jimo. The general's achievement surpasses Sun Wu and Rangju.” (Records of the Three Kingdoms, “Biography of Xu Huang”)

Cao Cao: “General Xu may truly be said to have the bearing of Zhou Yafu.” (Records of the Three Kingdoms, “Biography of Xu Huang”)

Yu Huan: “Xu Huang was severe by nature and drove his officers and soldiers without allowing them leisure or rest.” (Weilüe)

Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties

Chen Shou: “In establishing these military achievements, Taizu's foremost good generals of the age were the five.” (Records of the Three Kingdoms, juan 17)

Chen Shou: “By nature he was frugal, restrained, cautious, and fearful. As a general he always sent scouts far ahead, first made himself impossible to defeat, and only then fought. In pursuit and competition for advantage, his soldiers had no time even to eat.” (Records of the Three Kingdoms, “Biography of Xu Huang”)

Tang and Song Periods

Wen Tingyun: “Shi Bao rose from humble bondage and early met He Zeng; Emperor Wu of Wei, though exalted, discerned Xu Huang. Thereafter they all became eminent and finally established great merit. The bamboo annals shone more brightly and the ritual vessels gained new brilliance.” (“Memorial to Chancellor Pei”)

Han Yi: “Xu Huang was calm and deliberate and distinguished from youth. Having successfully inherited the family tradition, he was entrusted with service in his old region.” (“Edict Appointing Xu Huang as Prefect of Wei Prefecture”)

Fan Shu: “Xu Huang enforced punishments, and his battle formations were orderly; Murong was lenient in law, and the soldiers gave him their hearts. Severity and leniency complement one another; therefore neither can be applied without balance.” (Friendly Discussions from Yunxi)

Biographies of One Hundred Generals from Seventeen Histories: “What Sun Wu called ‘taking another's city without direct assault,’ ‘advancing by a route the enemy does not expect and attacking where he is unprepared,’ ‘the skilled attacker leaves the enemy not knowing what to defend,’ and ‘when the army is disordered, the commander lacks gravity’—Xu Huang was capable of all of these.”

Modern Period

Lu Bi: “In the campaign at Fancheng, Xu Huang used newly raised troops to break Guan Yu's army after a long siege and drove straight into the encirclement; such a feat is rare in ancient and modern times.” (Collected Annotations on the Records of the Three Kingdoms)

Lü Simian: “Xu Huang's use of troops was steady; he did not seek empty reputation and was among the most praiseworthy of Cao Wei's generals.” (Stories of the Three Kingdoms)