許褚

Profile

Dian Wei’s successor as Cao Cao’s shield. A giant said to have dragged an ox backward a hundred paces, so taciturn they called him the "Tiger Fool." At Tong Pass his glare alone kept Ma Chao from striking at Cao Cao; crossing the river, he held up a saddle one-handed to block the arrows. After Cao Cao’s death, he is said to have wept blood at the tomb.

Key events

1. 211

   Battle of Tong Pass — Ma Chao Rises

   Ma Chao’s Xiliang coalition slams into Cao Cao — pressing him so hard legend says he cut off his beard to flee — before Jia Xu’s discord scheme broke the alliance.

   Ma ChaoCao CaoJia Xu

History vs. the novelHistoryvsNovel

The novel’s shirtless duel with Ma Chao is invention, but staring him down at Tong Pass is history. In both tellings he is loyalty made flesh.