Cao Cao's general in the west, of whom his soldiers said five hundred li in three days. Held Hanzhong for four years; died beneath the heights of Dingjun.
Five hundred li in three days.The army's saying of Xiahou Yuan's speed; Wei Lüe, in Pei Songzhi's commentary to Sanguozhi, Wei shu 9
Appears in
Three Kingdoms 7 · panel 5Three Kingdoms 7 · panel 7Three Kingdoms 7 · panel 8Three Kingdoms 7 · panel 9
Relations
- Cao Cao kinsman & commander — Cao Cao's western commander, holding Hanzhong since 215; his reward for the western wars was the title General Who Attacks the West.
- Huang Zhong opponents — Divided his troops to mend the broken stakes; the descent from Dingjun fell where he was thin, and killed him.
Myth vs record
The story you may know
He fell in a duel with Huang Zhong — month after month of single combat deciding Hanzhong.
What the sources say
The histories give an assault, not a duel: his soldiers were divided to help Zhang He and to hold the south of the camp, the attack fell where the line was thin, and he died beneath the heights with the inspector Zhao Yong. No single combat is recorded anywhere in the campaign; it was decided by who held the heights.