Romance of the Three Kingdoms (novel)/Characters

Due to being quite a Doorstopper, Romance of the Three Kingdoms has Loads and Loads of Characters, here sorted by the kingdoms they serve.

Liu Bei
Founder of the Kingdom of Shu. Portrayed as a loyal servant of the Han Empire and its people. After the Han's downfall, he continues the Han lineage as the ruler of Shu-Han.


 * Badass Decay: In the first few chapters of the novel, he displayed some serious fighting skills and was able to duel Lu Bu alongside his brothers. Later on, he became more of an Iron Woobie.
 * Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Lampshaded by one of Sun Quan's officers.
 * Designated Hero
 * Dual-Wielding: His rarely seen fighting style.
 * Gonk: If you take his description in the novel literally, it is hard to believe he was even human.
 * His eyes were able to look at the back of his head.
 * Historical Hero Upgrade
 * Honor Before Reason
 * Messianic Archetype
 * Power Trio: With Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, of course.
 * Revenge Before Reason: Everything that happens after
 * Roaring Rampage of Revenge:

Liu Shan
Second and final emperor of Shu. His bungling is largely blamed for Shu's downfall.


 * Alternative Character Interpretation: A not insignificant body of historians considers him to be Obfuscating Stupidity while being a Manipulative Bastard. Especially considering he had one of the longest reigns (41 years, in which 30 was after Zhuge Liang's death) in Chinese history in the weakest state in one of the most turbulent era, without being a tyrant, embroiled in Succession Crises (like Wu) or controlled by a Regent for Life (like Wei).
 * His most Idiot Ball moment (claiming "I am too happy [in Luoyang] to think of Shu" after his surrender) was especially interpreted this way, as claiming to have any remorse towards Shu would most likely cost his head. As a matter of fact, he is also one of the few surrendered monarchs who died of a natural cause.
 * The Load

Guan Yu
One of Liu Bei's oath brothers. Famous for his moral rectitude and incredibly long beard. The leader of the Five Tiger Generals.


 * Ascended to A Higher Plane of Existence: A lifetime of badassery made him do this.
 * Badass: One of the biggest ones in the novel.
 * Badass Beard: It made people who saw it surrender instantly.
 * Blade on a Stick: The guan dao.
 * Cool Horse: The Red Hare, or Chi Tu Ma.
 * Genius Bruiser: His Fan Castle tactics made him one.
 * Later subverted as he was easily tricked by Lu Meng.
 * Half the Man He Used To Be: What happens to most of his enemies.
 * Honor Before Reason

Zhang Fei
The youngest of Liu Bei's oath brothers. He had a fiery personality and a love of alcohol that got him into trouble at times. A member of the Five Tiger Generals.


 * Badass
 * Badass Boast: "I am Zhang Fei of Yan! Who dares to challenge me?!"
 * Boisterous Bruiser
 * Genius Bruiser: During Liu Beis conquests of Shu and Han Zhong.
 * Hot-Blooded
 * Screaming Warrior: Weaponized this in one battle to terrify the Wei troops.
 * Took a Level In Badass: Goes from an incredibly strong drunkard to a crafty general.
 * You Shall Not Pass

Zhao Yun
A former servant of Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. He joins with Liu Bei when the latter is fleeing from Yuan Shao. A member of the Five Tiger Generals.


 * Badass
 * Badass Grandpa: Later on.
 * Bishonen: Pretty much every adaptation makes him one.

Ma Chao
The eldest son of Ma Teng, the ruler of the Liangzhou region in northwest China. When his father is assassinated by Cao Cao, Ma attempts to fight off the Wei army on his own, but fails and is forced into the service of Zhang Lu. He would eventually defect to Liu Bei's force, where he would become one of the Five Tiger Generals.


 * Anti-Hero
 * Despair Event Horizon: His repeated defeats by Cao Cao, as well as him having to watch his family slaughtered, led him to give up on his wish to kill Cao Cao and instead made him an underling to Zhang Lu.
 * La Résistance: He led one, for a short time. It didn't end well...
 * What the Hell, Hero?: Murdering the mother of a Wei officer.
 * You Killed My Father

Huang Zhong
A veteran general who has to deal with being discriminated against because of his age. Famous for his ability with a bow. The last of the Five Tiger Generals.


 * The Archer
 * Badass Grandpa: Hell yes!
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Old Master

Zhuge Liang/Kongming
A master strategist, politician, scholar, and inventor, possibly the greatest of his age. He joined with Liu Bei after Liu made three visits to his cottage, and served him and his son loyally until his death. Rose to the position of Prime Minister of Shu.


 * Automatic Crossbows: An invention of his.
 * Batman Gambit
 * Magnificent Bastard
 * Mary Tzu
 * The Smart Guy
 * The Strategist

Pang Tong
A strategist of Shu. Was turned away from Wu for being too ugly. Died relatively young in an ambush by Liu Zhang's forces.


 * Gonk: Since it was said that fledgling phoenixes were ugly and they were to grow to be majestuous creatures, he gained the nickname of "Young Phoenix".
 * The Strategist: Well, more like "a strategist". But he was considered incredibly skilled: it was said that if you could control both him and Zhuge Liang, you could reunite China. His early death means this was never really tested.

Wei Yan
Defected from Han Xuan because of Han's shoddy treatment of Huang Zhong and his own desire to serve Liu Bei. Served Liu Bei loyally and skillfully, but after Liu Bei's death he became dissatisfied. Zhuge Liang was able to keep a leash on him, but on Zhuge's death he revolted and was eventually killed.


 * Ambition Is Evil
 * Too Dumb to Live: After having spent most of his later live serving Zhuge Liang, he should have known that the guy had taken some precautions against potential traitors.

Mi Zhu
An officer under Tao Qian who joined Liu Bei when Tao left his city to Liu. Protected Liu Bei's family from Lu Bu.


 * Beware of Hitch-Hiking Ghosts
 * Non-Action Guy
 * Officer and a Gentleman

Mi Fang
Brother of Mi Zhu. When Wu invaded Jing province, he defected to avoid a threatened punishment from Guan Yu.


 * Evil Counterpart
 * Rewarded as a Traitor Deserves: His first treason went off well. But when he tried to get back into Liu Bei's good books by bringing him the head of one of Guan Yu's killers, Liu Bei had him executed.

Sun Qian
Another officer of Tao Qian that Liu Bei inherited on Tao's death.


 * Ambassador: He is usually the guy to go on diplomatic missions for Liu Bei.

Ma Dai
A cousin of Ma Chao, who served under him. He served in Zhuge Liang's Southern and Northern Campaigns, often playing crucial roles.


 * Dude in Distress: He was one of two Shu officers defeated and captured by Lady Zhurong.

Liu Feng
Liu Bei's adopted son. Was forced to commit suicide after failing to supply Guan Yu with reinforcements on Meng Da's advice.


 * Driven to Suicide
 * Revenge Before Reason: A victim of this: Liu Bei would eventually regret forcing him to commit suicide.

Liao Hua
A bandit who quits banditry to serve Guan Yu. Briefly survived the fall of the Kingdom of Shu.


 * Chaste Hero: When he kidnaps Liu Bei's wives, his partner wants them to marry the two women. When Liao realizes who he's kidnapped, he kills his partner and returns the wives, along with his partners head, to Guan Yu as an apology.

Jiang Wei
An officer of Wei who defected to Shu because of the machinations of Zhuge Liang. He would be the main support of Shu for most of the last quarter of the story.


 * Arrow Catch
 * Badass Bookworm: In his first appearance he outsmarts Zhuge Liang and outfights Zhao Yun.
 * Catch and Return

Cao Cao
Minister of Han. While young, a sage told him he was "a good subject in peaceful times; a crafty hero in a troubled land." This prediction was borne out: as the land became more and more divided, Cao amassed more and more power until even the Emperor was afraid of him.

"Cao Cao: Better I betray the world than the world betray me."
 * Ambition Is Evil
 * Disproportionate Retribution: Against Tao Qian.
 * Faking the Dead: Against Lu Bu.
 * Historical Villain Upgrade: And how!
 * Humiliation Conga: Happens a couple of times to him.
 * The Man: One of his many official titles.
 * My God, What Have I Done?: Played straight, but also famously averted after he accidentally kills his father's sworn brother after suspecting treason:


 * Regent for Life
 * Repetitive Name: Only when transliterated. In his native language they merely sound very similar.
 * Speak of the Devil: The Chinese version of the proverb is "Speak of Cao Cao and he shall appear".
 * Unfortunate Name: His name is unfortunately close to a Chinese word for fucking.
 * Warrior Poet: One of the greatest poets of his age.
 * Wicked Cultured: Though he's portrayed as a villain, he's also a Warrior Poet.

Cao Pi
Cao Cao's eldest son and heir. He was the one who took the step of usurping the Imperial Mandate from the Han Emperor. Well known for his poetry.


 * Big Screwed-Up Family: Pi and his brothers Zhi and Zhang squabbled over becoming Cao Cao's heir.
 * Offered the Crown: Subversion. In order to maintain an air of propriety, Cao Pi insists that the Imperial title be offered to him, not once, but three times. The terrified Emperor does so.
 * Unfortunate Name: Even worse than his dad's, as his given name ("Pi" with a flat tone) is unfortunately close to the Chinese word for fart ("Pi" with a falling tone).
 * Warrior Poet

Lady Zhen
The widow of Yuan Shao's son, Cao Pi was taken by her beauty and made her his wife. Later, she would be replaced by Lady Guo, who intrigued against her. She was forced to commit suicide.


 * Disposable Woman
 * Driven to Suicide

Xiahou Dun
A general of Wei. One of Cao Cao's most loyal generals. Famous for eating his own eye after it was shot through with an arrow.


 * Eyepatch of Power
 * Eye Scream

Xiahou Yuan
A general of Wei, and elder cousin of Dun. Was famous for his lightning quick attack, but was easily provoked into attacking which led to his downfall.


 * The Archer

Dian Wei
Cao Cao's personal bodyguard. A man of great physical strength and loyalty to Cao Cao. He died holding a gate against Cao Cao's enemies.


 * Dual-Wielding: He was strong enough to dual wield polearms.
 * Grievous Harm with a Body: When his weapon broke during his last stand, he used fallen enemy soldiers as bludgeons.
 * You Shall Not Pass

Xu Zhu
Head of Cao Cao's personal bodyguard, the Tiger Guards. A man of great size, both girth and height, and strength, but known for being gentle and simple off the battlefield. Also known as "Crazy Tiger" or "Marquis Tiger".


 * Gentle Giant
 * Stout Strength: Once dragged two stampeding oxen backwards by their tails.

Zhang Liao
The leader of the Five Generals of Wei. Originally served Lu Bu, but was spared at the request of Liu Bei and Guan Yu after Lu Bu's defeat and execution. After a devastating victory against Wu with an inferior force, he became used as a boogeyman by Wu mothers.


 * Friendly Enemy: Of Guan Yu.
 * Please Spare Him, My Liege

Xu Huang
One of the Five Generals of Wei. Was instrumental in the campaign against Guan Yu in Jing.


 * The Archer: The winner of Cao Cao's archery tournament.
 * Big Damn Heroes: His first appearance is saving the emperor from bandits.
 * Friendly Enemy: Of Guan Yu.
 * My Country, Right or Wrong: When Guan Yu attempts to turn him to the side of Shu, he states that his public obligations outweigh his private friendship with Guan.
 * Worthy Opponent: Of Guan Yu.

Zhang He
One of the Five Generals of Wei. Frequently served as Sima Yi's front line commander, and was feared by Zhuge Liang.


 * Badass Bookworm: Off the battlefield, he promoted learning of the Five Classics.
 * The Dragon: To Sima Yi.

Yu Jin
One of the Five Generals of Wei. After a meritorious career, he was sent against Guan Yu, who captured him due to his obstinacy and jealousy of Pang De. He died of illness after being ridiculed by Cao Pi for being captured.


 * Badass in Distress
 * Death by Despair
 * Driven by Envy
 * Green-Eyed Monster

Yue Jin
One of the Five Generals of Wei. Amongst other accomplishments, he was one of the three generals who held Hefei against Sun Quans large army.


 * Defensive Feint Trap: His role in the Battle of Hefei.

Li Dian
The third of the generals who held Hefei. Famously cautious, especially compared to many of the other generals mentioned here.


 * The Resenter: Towards Zhang Liao. However, he overcomes this for the Battle of Hefei.
 * Sour Supporter: His cautiousness clashed with most of his compatriots more direct style of combat. However, he was usually justified.

Pang De
Former officer of Ma Chao and Zhang Lu. Marched against Guan Yu to prove his loyalty to Cao Cao, he was captured by Guan Yu owing to the jealousy of Yu Jin, and then executed.


 * Death Seeker: He took a coffin with him to battle Guan Yu.

Guo Jia
Adviser to Cao Cao, responsible for many of his early victories. He would die of illness in his thirties while on campaign, and Cao Cao would lament his absence at the Battle of Chi Bi.


 * My Death Is Just the Beginning: He leaves instructions in his will that end in the deaths in the final two sons of Yuan Shao.
 * Professional Butt-Kisser: Famous for his description of Cao Cao's ten strengths compared to Yuan Shao's ten weaknesses.
 * The Strategist

Xun Yu
Adviser to Cao Cao. He was highly favored, often acting as Cao Cao's steward when he was away on campaigns. However, he opposed Cao's ascent to dukeship, and was forced to commit suicide.


 * Driven to Suicide
 * One Steve Limit: Averted. He served along with his nephew Xun You. In certain romanizations, the only difference between their given names was an umlaut.

Xu Shu
Adviser to Cao Cao. Originally served Liu Bei, but was intrigued against and came to Cao's court against his will. He promised to never make a plan for Cao.


 * Evil Chancellor: Towards Cao Cao.
 * The Strategist: Albeit more during his tenure with Liu Bei.

Sima Yi
Adviser to Cao Cao and his heirs. He would later plot to usurp power from the Cao family.


 * Evil Chancellor
 * I Shall Taunt You
 * The Strategist

Sun Jian
Patriarch of the Sun family, who claims to be a descendant of Sun Zi. He is killed by an ambush.


 * Laser-Guided Karma

Sun Ce
Heir of Sun Jian, who managed to set the foundations of what would become Wu. He would die young. Also called "The Little Prince", after crushing a captured officer to death under one arm while scaring another to death with a shout.


 * Blood Brothers: With Zhou Yu.
 * Burn the Witch: Didn't like Taoists.
 * Does Not Know His Own Strength
 * The Magnificent
 * Make Me Wanna Shout

Sun Quan
Sun Ce's brother and heir. He took Wu to its largest boundaries, eventually declaring himself Emperor.


 * Dude in Distress: Is frequently needing rescue.
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something: Subverted. His attempts to lead his army from the front just wind up with the entire enemy army targeting him, and his favorite officers being forced to risk life and limb to get him out of danger.

Lady Wu
Sun Jian's wife, and mother of Ce, Quan, and Shangxiang. She was instrumental in Liu Bei's survival during his marriage to Lady Sun.


 * Cool Old Lady
 * My Beloved Smother

Lady Sun
Sun Quan's younger sister, who would marry Liu Bei. Was something of a tomboy, who enjoyed arms and taught all of her serving maids swordplay.


 * Action Girl
 * Amazon Brigade: Her maids.
 * Lady of War
 * Perfectly Arranged Marriage

Zhou Yu
Adviser to the Sun family. He was especially close to Sun Ce, who was his blood brother. After Ce's death, he served Sun Quan capably, but was never able to keep up with the wiles of Zhuge Liang.


 * Always Second Best: To Zhuge Liang.
 * Blood Brothers
 * Death by Despair
 * Driven by Envy
 * Faking the Dead: Uses this to beat Wei forces.
 * The Strategist

Lu Su
Strategist of Wu, famous for his generosity. He is Zhou Yu's eventual successor as chief strategist of Wu.


 * The Watson: For Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang's plots.

Lu Meng
An officer of Wu, who also took up scholarship after being criticized by Sun Quan. He was the successor of Lu Su as chief strategist of Wu. He was the mastermind of the campaign against Guan Yu in Jing.


 * Badass Bookworm
 * Playing Sick: A fake illness, followed by a show of meekness from his supposed successor, caused Guan Yu to lower his guard against Wu invasion.

Lu Xun
A scholar who was named Lu Meng's successor. Served in the campaign against Guan Yu in Jing, as well as masterminding the victory over Liu Bei at Yiling.


 * Extreme Doormat: When taking over during Lu Meng's fake illness, he pretends to be one of these towards Guan Yu to lower his guard further.
 * The Strategist
 * Straw Civilian: Subversion. All of the military officers under him are unhappy with serving someone they view to be a mere scholar, right up until he manages the Wu victory at Yiling.

Gan Ning
A former pirate who joins Sun Quan after serving Sun Quan's rival, Liu Biao. During his previous service he killed Ling Tong's father, causing friction between the two.


 * Boisterous Bruiser
 * Cool Boat: Gan Ning was called "The Pirate of the Silk Sails", because his ship only used silk sails.
 * Nice Hat: During a famous night raid on a Wei camp, Gan Ning and his men stuck white goose feathers into their helmets so as to be able to tell each other apart. The raid went off without a single casualty for Wu.
 * The Rival: To Ling Tong

Ling Tong
A general of Wu. His father was killed by Gan Ning, causing friction between the two. This is exacerbated by the fact that Gan Ning is a better commander than he is.


 * Always Second Best: To Gan Ning.
 * Embarrassing Rescue: By Gan Ning.

Zhou Tai
An officer of Wu, famous for the injuries he received defending Sun Quan.


 * Good Scars, Evil Scars: Good, in his case.

Huang Gai
An officer of Wu. His false surrender allowed for the fire attack at Chibi. One of the few to have served under three rulers of Wu.


 * Fake Defector

Taishi Ci
An officer of Wu. He joined after having been defeated in Liu Yao's service.


 * The Archer
 * Defeat Means Friendship

Zhang Jiao
A Taoist mystic leading a rebellion against the Han Empire, kickstarting the end of the Dynasty.


 * Religion Is Magic

Dong Zhuo
A tyrant who attempts to take control of the Empire by deposing one emperor and ruling through that emperor's younger brother. A woman comes between him and his second-in-command, Lu Bu, and he is assassinated.


 * Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas
 * Regent for Life
 * Villainous Glutton

Li Ru
Dong Zhuo's most trusted adviser. He is the one who kills the deposed Emperor Shao, his consort, and his mother. He is executed after Dong Zhuo's death.


 * Kick the Dog
 * The Strategist: He sees through Diao Chan, but can't get Dong Zhuo to listen to reason.

Lu Bu
The mightiest warrior in all of China. After serving Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo (and assassinating both), he becomes a powerful warlord in his own right. He is eventually defeated by Cao Cao and executed.


 * The Archer: Manages to get a peace treaty signed by performing an impossible shot.
 * Chronic Backstabbing Disorder
 * The Dragon: To Dong Zhuo.
 * Four-Star Badass: In a series full of them, he deserves special mention.
 * Please Spare Him, My Liege: Inverted. Cao Cao was going to spare him in order to make use of him, until Liu Bei pointed out the fate of his previous lords. Cao then changes his mind and executes him.
 * Self-Made Orphan: Both of the lords whom he assassinated were also adoptive fathers.

Diao Chan
A singing girl who is roped into bringing down Dong Zhuo by her adopted father by playing him and Lu Bu against each other.


 * Honey Trap
 * Wounded Gazelle Gambit: She convinces both Dong and Lu that she is miserable whenever she is with the other one, making them both want her more.

Chen Gong
A strategist who followed Cao Cao until he became disgusted by his immoral behaviour, then joined up with Lu Bu in order to oppose him. When Lu Bu is defeated, Cao Cao offers him a chance to repent, but he refuses and is executed. Cao Cao was so moved that he provided for Chen Gong's family thereafter.


 * Doomed Moral Victor
 * My God, What Have I Done?: He assists Cao Cao in killing his adoptive uncle's household, under the false impression that they were going to betray him and Cao Cao to the authorities.

Chen Deng
Another strategist for Lu Bu who, along with his father, acted as a fifth column in favour of Liu Bei and Cao Cao. They were both highly rewarded after Lu Bu was defeated.


 * Evil Chancellor: Towards Lu Bu.
 * The Mole, possibly the Reverse Mole depending on how you feel towards Lu Bu and Cao Cao.

Yuan Shu
A warlord vying for power and brother of Yuan Shao. He declares himself Emperor when Sun Ce trades him the Imperial Seal for troops.


 * Alas, Poor Villain: His death is arguably the most pathetic in the entire book.
 * Smug Snake: All of Cao Cao or Sima Yi's arrogance with only a tiny fraction of their competence.

Yuan Shao
The most powerful warlord in the north. His arrogance eventually leads to his downfall at Guan Du.


 * Blue Blood: The Yuan family is one of the most distinguished at the beginning of the story.

Liu Zhang
The governor of Yizhou. He was considered an incompetent by some of his own officers, who wanted Liu Bei to replace him. The rest served him loyally until his defeat, whereupon most of the survivors joined Liu Bei.


 * General Failure: He was unable to correctly use the talented officers under his command, which led to their resenting him.

Meng Huo
A barbarian king, he attempts to rebel against the rule of Shu only to be beaten seven times by Zhuge Liang. After the seventh time, he repents and swears loyalty to Shu.


 * Badass: Let's just forget the Humiliation Conga thingy below, he rode a freaking  red ox into battle!
 * Humiliation Conga

Lady Zhurong
Meng Huo's wife who claimed to be a descendant from the goddess of fire. She is the only woman in the book to actually fight.


 * Action Girl
 * Lady of War