太史慈

Profile

Wu’s legendary archer, famed equally for keeping his word. As a young man he broke through a siege alone to fetch help for the surrounded Kong Rong; his duel with Sun Ce at Shenting led to capture — and devotion. Released on his promise to return by a set day, he rode back exactly on time at the head of new troops: the story that defines him. He died at forty-one, lamenting that a true man should "wear a seven-foot sword and ascend the steps of the Son of Heaven."

Key events

1. 195

   Sun Ce Conquers the Southland

   Sun Ce sets out to conquer the Southland with his father’s veterans. After their famous duel at Shenting, he captured Taishi Ci and won him over.

   Sun CeZhou YuHuang GaiCheng Pu

2. 215

   Battle of Hefei — Zhang Liao’s 800

   Zhang Liao’s 800 volunteers shatter Sun Quan’s host of 100,000 in a dawn assault — his very name, it was said, silenced crying children in Wu.

   Zhang LiaoSun QuanGan Ning

History vs. the novelHistoryvsNovel

The novel relocates his death to the battle of Hefei for a hero’s end; the historical Taishi Ci died of illness nine years earlier. The duel and the kept promise, however, are genuine history.