CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Sun Qian孙乾
A strategist under Liu Bei, who served as an envoy to various warlords and accompanied Liu Bei through his wanderings.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 4
- RELATION RECORDS
- 5
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Sun Qian, 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
Sun Chen—Sun Qianbrothers
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
2 figures · 3 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Sun Qian→Liu Beimaster-servant
Tao Qian→Sun Qianrecommend
03THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Sun Qian→Guan Yureport news
4 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms · History of Song
An aide to Liu Bei, sent as envoy to Yuan Shao. A native of Beihai, he followed Liu Bei and became General of Bingzhong. He was a Right Class Attendant of the Palace and a member of the imperial clan.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Sun Qian was a strategist under Liu Bei, assisting him after being recommended by Tao Qian. He repeatedly advised Liu Bei on strategies, such as seeking help from Lü Bu, surrendering to Cao Cao, and urgently requesting aid from Cao Cao. When Liu Bei lost power, Sun Qian fled with him and was sent as envoy to Yuan Shao and Liu Biao to request reinforcements. While Guan Yu was temporarily in Cao Cao's camp, Sun Qian secretly communicated news, and later accompanied Guan Yu to escort the two ladies and went to Hebei to report. After Liu Bei entered Jingzhou, Sun Qian accompanied him, participating in celebrations and helping to ferry people across the river. After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Qian remained to guard Xiakou, accompanied Liu Bei to Wu, and advised Zhang Fei not to underestimate Pang Tong. Later, he was sent as envoy to Hanzhong and became an official of Shu Han.
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 / legend25 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
5 relations5 verified quotations- Sun Qian→ master-servant →Liu Bei
- Liu Bei→ dispatch →Sun Qian
- Sun Qian→ report news →Guan Yu
- Tao Qian→ recommend →Sun Qian
Verified original text · 5
刘使君天下英雄
master-servant · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 31
刘玄德使孙乾来与都督作贺。
dispatch · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 51
3 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history2 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
2 relations2 verified quotations- Sun Qian→ master-servant →Liu Bei
- Liu Bei→ dispatch →Sun Qian
Verified original text · 2
后随从周旋
follow · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·许糜孙简伊秦传
遣孙乾与袁绍连和
subordinate · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·先主传
- Official history1 profile notes
History of Song
0 relations0 verified quotations
History vs. fiction
Sun Qian's embassies to Yuan Shao and Liu Biao: the novel agrees with the history.
Sanguozhi (Shu, biographies of Xu, Mi, Sun, Jian, Yi and Qin) records both embassies and says both achieved their aim: 「先主之背曹公，遣乾自结袁绍，将适荆州，乾又与麋竺俱使刘表，皆如意指。」 Romance of the Three Kingdoms depicts Sun Qian securing these alliances in the same terms — not a fabrication.
Relationship network
- master-servantSun Qian → Liu Beihist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·许糜孙简伊秦传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 31
Original text (2)
刘使君天下英雄
后随从周旋
Original relation: follow · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·许糜孙简伊秦传
- dispatch← Liu Bei → Sun Qianhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·先主传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 51
Original text (2)
刘玄德使孙乾来与都督作贺。
遣孙乾与袁绍连和
Original relation: subordinate · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·先主传
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
谦曰：“某举一人，可为公辅：系北海人，姓孙，名干，字公祐。此人可使为从事。”
Original text (1)