CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Liao Hua廖化
A general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, initially a remnant of the Yellow Turbans, later submitted to Liu Bei, followed Jiang Wei on the Northern Expeditions, and rose to the rank of Right Chariot and Cavalry General.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 9
- RELATION RECORDS
- 11
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Liao Hua, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 5 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Liu Bei—Liao Huaruler-subject
Jiang Wei—Liao Huacolleague
Zhuge Liang—Liao Huasubordinate
Guan Yu—Liao Huasubordinate general
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
5 figures · 5 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Liao Hua→Sima Yipursue and kill
Deng Ai—Liao Huabattle
Guo Huai→Liao Huaattack siege
Zhong Hui→Liao Huaaccept surrender
Liao Hua→Liu Fengask for help
Read the original source
化曰：“关公兵败，见困于麦城，被围至急。蜀中援兵，不能旦夕即至。特令某突围而出，来此求救。望二将军速起上庸之兵，以救此危
03THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Liao Hua→Guan Yuthank
10 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
A general of Shu Han, often mentioned alongside Jiang Wei. Participated in defense. Rose to the rank of Right Chariot and Cavalry General.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Liao Hua was initially a remnant of the Yellow Turbans, killed Du Yuan to rescue Guan Yu's two wives. Later submitted to Liu Bei, assisted Guan Yu in defending Jingzhou, and served as vanguard in the attack on Fancheng. After Guan Yu's defeat and death, he broke through the siege to seek help but failed. He followed Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei on the Northern Expeditions, achieved many military exploits, chased Sima Yi and captured his golden helmet, and killed Zheng Lun. He rose to the rank of Right Chariot and Cavalry General, and defended Yinping Bridge. After the fall of Shu, he surrendered to Zhong Hui with Jiang Wei, but pretended to be ill and refused to serve, eventually dying of grief.
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.
- Literature / legend22 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
8 relations11 verified quotations- Liao Hua→ surrender →Liu Bei
- Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Liao Hua
- Zhuge Liang→ subordinate →Liao Hua
- Guan Yu→ subordinate general →Liao Hua
Verified original text · 11
临行时，忽廖化引一军来降。玄德便教廖化辅佐云长，以拒曹操。
surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 60
化哭拜于地，细奏刘封、孟达不发救兵之事。
report · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 77
9 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history7 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
6 relations5 verified quotations- Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Liao Hua
- Zhuge Liang→ subordinate →Liao Hua
- Guan Yu→ subordinate general →Liao Hua
- Deng Ai→ battle →Liao Hua
Verified original text · 5
先主大悦，以化为宜都太守。
appoint · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传
为前将军关羽主簿
registrar · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传
3 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Whether Liao Hua had an early career
In Chapter 73 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, there are many episodes of Liao Hua accompanying Guan Yu in his early years: "Yunchang then ordered Liao Hua as vanguard, Guan Ping as deputy general, and himself commanded the central army." However, in Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biographies of Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and Jiang Wei, Liao Hua's records are concentrated in the late Shu Han period: "It is appropriate to send Zhang Yi and Liao Hua to lead troops to guard Yang'an Pass and Yinping Bridgehead separately, to prevent unforeseen events."
Relationship network
- surrenderLiao Hua → Liu BeilitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 60Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 77
Original text (2)
临行时，忽廖化引一军来降。玄德便教廖化辅佐云长，以拒曹操。
化哭拜于地，细奏刘封、孟达不发救兵之事。
Original relation: report · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 77
- ruler-subject← Liu Bei → Liao Huahist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 79
Original text (2)
廖化出班，哭拜于地
先主大悦，以化为宜都太守。
Original relation: appoint · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传
- subordinate← Zhuge Liang → Liao Huahist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·杜周许孟来尹李谯郤传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 99
Original text (1)
孔明又唤姜维、廖化分付曰：“与汝二人一个锦囊
- subordinate general← Guan Yu → Liao Huahist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 76
Original text (2)
关公即修书付廖化藏于身畔，饱食上马，开门出城。
为前将军关羽主簿
Original relation: registrar · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传
Original text (1)
关公听言，乃拜谢廖化
Original text (1)
- colleague← Jiang Wei → Liao HualitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 99Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 114Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 115Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 116
Original text (3)
命廖化，张翼断后
Original relation: command · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 114
乃问廖化曰
Original relation: ask · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 115
右将军廖化也
Original relation: meet · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 116
Original text (1)
维遣廖化自白水南向艾结营。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
维等所统步骑四五万人，擐甲厉兵，塞川填谷，数百里中首尾相继
Original text (1)
化曰：“关公兵败，见困于麦城，被围至急。蜀中援兵，不能旦夕即至。特令某突围而出，来此求救。望二将军速起上庸之兵，以救此危