Later depiction of Zhao Yun
Later depiction of Zhao Yun · 清代A transmitted or later depiction, not presented as a contemporary documentary portraitUnknown artistSource·Public domain

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Zhao Yun赵云

Shu HanHistory × Fiction

Originally served Yuan Shao, later joined Gongsun Zan, brave and skilled in battle.

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DIRECT FIGURES
19
RELATION RECORDS
27
SOURCE WORKS
4

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Zhao Yun, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
MENTORSHIP

Mentorship

Teachers, disciples and transmission

1 figure · 1 record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

4 figures · 7 records
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

17 figures · 18 records
11 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

1 figure · 1 record
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12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms · History of Song

A famous general of Shu Han, fought alongside Liu Bei.

In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era

Originally served Yuan Shao, later joined Gongsun Zan, brave and skilled in battle. A general under Gongsun Zan, followed Liu Bei to rescue Xuzhou. Killed Pei Yuanshao, then surrendered to Liu Bei.

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.

  1. 44 profile notes
    27 relations47 verified quotations
    • Zhao Yun→ intercept →Cao Cao
    • Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Zhao Yun
    • Zhao Yun→ subordinate general →Liu Bei
    • Liu Bei→ miss →Zhao Yun
    Verified original text · 47
    1. 我赵子龙奉军师将令，在此等候多时了

      intercept · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 50

    2. 遂唤赵云近前，附耳言曰：“汝保主公入吴

      ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 54

    45 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. 6 profile notes
    2 relations1 verified quotations
    • Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Zhao Yun
    • Zhao Yun→ subordinate general →Liu Bei
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 赞赵子龙、陈叔至

      ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传

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  3. Official history

    History of Song

    1 profile notes
    0 relations0 verified quotations

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  4. 2 profile notes
    2 relations2 verified quotations
    • Zhao Yun→ intercept →Cao Cao
    • Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Zhao Yun
    Verified original text · 2
    1. 云于后射之，公军大骇

      射之 · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 骁勇一

    2. 子龙一身都是胆也

      praise · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 骁勇一

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History vs. fiction

In official history, he was a Shu Han general known for his weighty responsibility, gentleness, and benevolence; in the novel, he is portrayed as an invincible warrior and the foremost spear master.

  • based on factAt Changban Slope, he rode alone to rescue the young lord, charging into the enemy's ranks.

    The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biography of Zhao Yun records that he protected Lady Gan and Adou from danger at Changban Slope; the novel's account of his slaying over fifty Cao camp generals is fictional. The original text says, 「及先主为曹公所追于当阳长阪，弃妻子南走，云身抱弱子，即后主也，保护甘夫人，即后主母也，皆得免难。」（《Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Biographies of Guan, Zhang, Ma, Huang, and Zhao》）

  • attestedHe intercepted the river to seize Adou and used the empty camp stratagem at the Han River.

    The Biography of Yun (Yun Biezhuan) records that Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei intercepted the river to recover Adou; at the Battle of Han River, he set an ambush and repelled Cao Cao's forces, earning Liu Bei's praise: 'Zilong is full of courage.'

  • novel inventionHe was listed among the Five Tiger Generals.

    In the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Shu, Zhao Yun is grouped in a single biography with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong, but during Liu Bei's lifetime, only Guan, Zhang, Ma, and Huang were enfeoffed as the Four Front, Rear, Left, and Right Generals, with Zhao Yun's official rank slightly lower. The 'Five Tiger Generals' is a later term derived from Chen Shou's combined biography, and the Records of the Three Kingdoms itself does not contain this designation.

Relationship network

20 figures · 109 links
Zhao YunZhao YunCao CaoCao CaoLiu BeiLiu BeiZhuge LiangZhuge LiangZhang FeiZhang FeiJiang WeiJiang WeiZhou YuZhou YuCao RenCao RenXu HuangXu HuangZhang HeZhang HeGongsun ZanGongsun ZanCao ZhenLiu ShanHuang ZhongLi DianZhu RanXu ShengWu YiLü KuangGao Lan
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·主妃子传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 7; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 幻术三; History of Song, 王德王彦魏胜张宪杨再兴牛皋胡闳休传; Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·先主传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 11; Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 骁勇一; Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.