CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Hu Yanzan呼延赞
Hu Yanzan killed Ouyang Fang to avenge his father, then sought refuge with Geng Zhong. In a dream, he learned spear techniques from Yuchi Gong. Later, he returned to Song and served as a vanguard, using a stratagem to capture Jietian Pass, and fought Yang Yande to a draw. Framed by Pan Renmei, he fled to Taihang Mountain, but was later summoned back to court.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 14
- RELATION RECORDS
- 25
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Hu Yanzan, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
1 figure · 1 record+
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Lady LiuisHu Yanzan’s mother
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
10 figures · 12 records+
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Emperor Zhenzong of SongisHu Yanzan’s ruler
Emperor Taizong of Song→Hu Yanzanappoint
Emperor Taizu of Song→Hu Yanzanconfer title
Pan Renmei—Hu Yanzansubordinate general
Hu Yanzan→Yang Yeproclaim edict
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
2 figures · 4 records+
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Pan Renmei→Hu Yanzanframe
Hu Yanzan—Yang Yanzhaobattle
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
6 figures · 8 records+
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Yang Yanzhao→Hu Yanzanprotect
Source record
Hu Yanzan→Eight Kingssave
Hu Yanzan→Cao Binaid
Hu Yanzan→Pan Renmeiaid
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · History of Song
A Song general, brave and daring, with tattoos covering his body.
In fiction · Generals of the Yang Family
Son of Hu Yanting, adopted by Ma Zhong, later killed Ouyang Fang to avenge his father. ; Son of Hu Yanting, killed Ouyang Fang's family to avenge his father, then sought refuge with Geng Zhong and Geng Liang. ; Hu Yanzan, son of a prime minister, skilled in martial arts, sought refuge with Geng Zhong to take revenge, later sworn brothers with Li Jianzhong and others, and learned spear techniques from Yuchi Gong in a dream.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Official history1 profile notes
History of Song
2 relations2 verified quotations- Hu Yanzan→ affiliated →Wang Quanbin
- Hu Yanzan→ affiliated →Cui Han
Verified original text · 2
从王全斌讨西川
affiliated · History of Song, 王继忠傅潜张昭允戴兴王汉忠王能张凝魏能陈兴许均张进李重贵呼延赞刘用耿全斌周仁美传
从崔翰戍定州
affiliated · History of Song, 王继忠傅潜张昭允戴兴王汉忠王能张凝魏能陈兴许均张进李重贵呼延赞刘用耿全斌周仁美传
- Literature / legend28 profile notes
Generals of the Yang Family
23 relations31 verified quotations- Emperor Zhenzong of Song→ ruler-subject →Hu Yanzan
- Hu Yanzan→ presented head →Emperor Zhenzong of Song
- Emperor Taizu of Song→ confer title →Hu Yanzan
- Emperor Taizong of Song→ appoint →Hu Yanzan
Verified original text · 31
以呼延赞为保驾大将军
ruler-subject · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 29
大将军呼延赞为保驾
appoint guard · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 33
29 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
In the official history, Huyan Zan was brave and reckless, tattooed with 'loyal heart to kill the enemy' all over his body, while the novel embellishes that he learned spear techniques from Yuchi Gong in a dream.
According to the 'History of Song: Biography of Huyan Zan', he was exceptionally brave, 'tattooed all over his body with the characters 'loyal heart to kill the enemy', and even his wife, children, and servants were all tattooed like that.' He also made the 'breaking formation sword' and the 'demon-subduing pestle'. The official history has no record of him learning spear techniques from a deity in a dream. In 'Romance of the Yang Family Generals', Chapter 2, it is fictionalized that Huyan Zan stayed overnight in a broken temple, saw a statue with the inscription 'Shrine of Yuchi Gong of the Tang Dynasty', and in a dream learned the invincible divine spear from Yuchi Jingde. This is purely a fictional deification in the romance.
Relationship network
- ruler-subject← Emperor Zhenzong of Song → Hu YanzanlitGenerals of the Yang Family, ch. 29Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 33Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 43
Original text (3)
以呼延赞为保驾大将军
大将军呼延赞为保驾
Original relation: appoint guard · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 33
因令敕葬,谥赠忠国公
Original relation: posthumous honor · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 43
Original text (1)
- confer title← Emperor Taizu of Song → Hu YanzanlitGenerals of the Yang Family, ch. 4Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 5
Original text (2)
呼延赞为团练副使
太行山呼延赞,当召而用之
Original relation: 遗命召用 · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 5
- appoint← Emperor Taizong of Song → Hu YanzanlitGenerals of the Yang Family, ch. 6Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 7Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 15Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 17
Original text (4)
朕是以宣之入朝
Original relation: summon · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 6
呼延赞为副先锋
令呼延赞屯定州
Original relation: garrison · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 15
着呼延赞保杨业一同出师
Original text (1)
牛思进与呼延赞回奏太宗
Original text (1)
呼延赞一骑冲到,急叫曰……主将可随吾杀出
Original text (1)
那壁杨延朗一马上前截住厮杀。战到七十余合
Original text (1)
- frame← Pan Renmei → Hu YanzanlitGenerals of the Yang Family, ch. 5Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 6Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 18
Original text (3)
令手下,依法施行
潘仁美每生计害之
可令呼延赞前去催运。
Original relation: 调离 · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 18
Original text (1)
我遭此贼毒手,性命几丧
Original text (1)
赞杀散追兵,保仁美而回
Original text (1)
仁美允其议,即令赞前去
Original text (1)
遣二人赍厚礼诣应州,来见令公
Original text (1)
杨业父子,冲人中坚,救出呼延赞。
Original text (1)
吾弟牢记此一法……赞愕然觉来,却是梦中
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
臣举一人,可保同往
Original text (1)
八王乃归府中,经过法场,见有许多兵卫,拥一绑缚犯人
Original text (1)
乃称感八殿下相救之由
Original text (1)
唤过呼延赞等,谓曰
- mother-son← Lady Liu → Hu YanzanlitGenerals of the Yang Family, ch. 1Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 3
Original text (3)
连夜回见其母刘氏
见是母亲,即丢枪下马
妾含冤负屈…………因将一家被害之故,备述一遍
Original text (1)
Original text (1)