Lady Zhurong
Encyclopedia
Lady Zhurong, sometimes known as Madam Zhurong, is a fictional character in Luo Guanzhong
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
. She was the wife of the Nanman
chieftain Meng Huo
, who controlled the lands in southern Shu Han
. She claimed to be descended from the fire deity Zhu Rong
, from whom she acquired her name. Zhurong was the only woman in the novel who took part in any of the fighting, battling against Shu Han forces alongside her husband.
, Lady Zhurong took to battle herself and led a large army against a Shu unit. She wielded flying swords and managed to capture two Shu Han generals; Zhang Yi
and Ma Zhong
.
The following day she engaged in battle with Zhao Yun
and Wei Yan
, but both opponents quickly fled. Suspecting a trap, Zhurong did not give chase. The following day the same events happened; with both Shu officers retreating quickly. Again Zhurong did not chase them, however Wei Yan returned and hurled abuse at her. Enraged, she chased him, only to be led down a narrow valley where a trap lay waiting; entrapped in nets with her horse tripped by rope, Zhurong was ensnared.
Zhurong was brought to the Shu camp, and was treated well by Zhuge Liang
, who offered her wine and severed her bonds. He then offered a proposal to Meng Huo; he would safely return Zhurong to the Nanman, if the two Shu generals Zhurong had recently captured would be released. Meng Huo agreed and Zhurong was returned to her husband.
Zhurong was captured another two times by the Shu army. The last time she was captured, she had marched alongside her husband and their army to finish off the Shu army as they had been falsely informed that their ally Wutugu's army had nearly obliterated the Shu forces. However much to their dismay, Shu had actually routed Wutugu's army, and then they proceeded to capture Zhurong.
After finally submitting to Shu Han and pledging their allegiance, Meng Huo and Zhurong were released to continue their rule over the southern jungles. They never rebelled again.
Luo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
. She was the wife of the Nanman
Nanman
Nanman were aboriginal tribes who lived in southwestern China. They may have been related to the Sanmiao, dated to around the 3rd century BC. The Nanman were multiple ethnic groups including the Miao, the Kinh, the Thai, and some Tibeto-Burman groups such as the Bai. There was never a single...
chieftain Meng Huo
Meng Huo
Meng Huo was popularly regarded as a local leader representing the gentries of the Nanzhong region during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
, who controlled the lands in southern Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
. She claimed to be descended from the fire deity Zhu Rong
Zhu Rong (god)
Zhu Rong is the Chinese god of fire and ruler of the southern hemisphere from pre-Qin mythology. He is depicted as a proud man clad in armor wielding a sword and riding on a large tiger. He was one of the gods that helped separate Heaven and Earth and set up Universal Order.He is most famous for...
, from whom she acquired her name. Zhurong was the only woman in the novel who took part in any of the fighting, battling against Shu Han forces alongside her husband.
Biography
After her husband was defeated by the Shu Han commander, Ma DaiMa Dai
Ma Dai was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He previously served under his uncle, the warlord Ma Teng...
, Lady Zhurong took to battle herself and led a large army against a Shu unit. She wielded flying swords and managed to capture two Shu Han generals; Zhang Yi
Zhang Yi (Boqi)
Zhang Yi , style name Boqi, was a military general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of China. He was instrumental in pacifying the barbarian peoples who rebelled against Shu. He was slain by Xu Zhi during one of Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions while distracting the enemy from pursuing...
and Ma Zhong
Ma Zhong
Ma Zhong may refer to:*Ma Zhong , general who served the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty*Ma Zhong , general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period...
.
The following day she engaged in battle with Zhao Yun
Zhao Yun
Zhao Yun was a military general who lived during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. For most of his career, Zhao served the warlord Liu Bei, playing a part in the establishment of state of Shu Han...
and Wei Yan
Wei Yan
Wei Yan was a military general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He became a soldier of Liu Bei when the latter fled Jing Province and seek protection from the eastern warlord, Sun Quan, in 208. In 211, Wei had climbed up the ranks and become a general in Liu Bei's...
, but both opponents quickly fled. Suspecting a trap, Zhurong did not give chase. The following day the same events happened; with both Shu officers retreating quickly. Again Zhurong did not chase them, however Wei Yan returned and hurled abuse at her. Enraged, she chased him, only to be led down a narrow valley where a trap lay waiting; entrapped in nets with her horse tripped by rope, Zhurong was ensnared.
Zhurong was brought to the Shu camp, and was treated well by Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
, who offered her wine and severed her bonds. He then offered a proposal to Meng Huo; he would safely return Zhurong to the Nanman, if the two Shu generals Zhurong had recently captured would be released. Meng Huo agreed and Zhurong was returned to her husband.
Zhurong was captured another two times by the Shu army. The last time she was captured, she had marched alongside her husband and their army to finish off the Shu army as they had been falsely informed that their ally Wutugu's army had nearly obliterated the Shu forces. However much to their dismay, Shu had actually routed Wutugu's army, and then they proceeded to capture Zhurong.
After finally submitting to Shu Han and pledging their allegiance, Meng Huo and Zhurong were released to continue their rule over the southern jungles. They never rebelled again.
Modern references
- Lady Zhurong appears as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriorsis a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
and Warriors OrochiWarriors Orochi, is a PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 hack and slash video game developed by Koei and Omega Force. It is a crossover of two of Koei's popular video game series, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors...
video game series. She is referred to as "Zhu Rong" in the games.
- In the collectible card game Magic: The GatheringMagic: The GatheringMagic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...
, there is a card named "Lady Zhurong, Warrior Queen" in the Portal Three KingdomsPortal Three KingdomsPortal Three Kingdoms is the third Magic: The Gathering expansion of the Portal block, and the third starter level set. Like the other expansions in the Portal block, Portal: Three Kingdoms is designed for beginners to Magic. The setting is heavily based on the Chinese historical novel Romance of...
set.
See also
- List of people of the Three Kingdoms
- List of fictional people of the Three Kingdoms
- List of Dynasty Warriors characters