Biography
Early life
Han Hao was from Henei Commandery (present-day southwest of Wuzhi, Henan).
His courtesy name was Yuansi.
Early service
At the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, the realm was in great chaos.
The area where Han Hao lived was surrounded by mountains.
Therefore, bandits were especially numerous.
Han Hao gathered followers to protect the county.
Later, Wang Kuang, Administrator of Henei, summoned him as Clerk.
Service against Dong Zhuo
When the Guandong heroes raised troops to campaign against Dong Zhuo, Han Hao, together with Wang Kuang, led troops to Mengjin to resist Dong Zhuo.
At that time, Han Hao’s uncle Du Yang was Magistrate of Heyin.
He was captured by Dong Zhuo.
Dong Zhuo threatened Han Hao to submit.
Han Hao refused.
He therefore became famous.
Service under Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu heard that Han Hao was brave and resolute.
He appointed him as General of the Household.
Service under Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun, a general under Cao Cao, heard of his name.
He met with him and was greatly surprised.
He therefore had Han Hao serve as his subordinate general.
He led troops and followed him in campaigns.
The “eternal law” incident
In 194 CE, the first year of Xingping, Lü Bu launched a surprise attack on Yanzhou.
Xiahou Dun fought with Lü Bu.
Lü Bu sent people to Xiahou Dun’s camp to feign surrender.
They took the opportunity to kidnap Xiahou Dun.
The commander was kidnapped.
The army was in great chaos.
At that time, Han Hao was guarding the camp gate.
He gathered all the generals together.
He ordered them to pacify their subordinates.
They must not act rashly.
Xiahou Dun’s army gradually stabilized.
Han Hao went to Xiahou Dun’s residence.
He angrily scolded the kidnappers: “You cruel rebels, you actually dare to kidnap the Grand General as a hostage. Do you not want to live? Moreover, I bear the mission of campaigning against rebels. Would I let you do as you please because of one Grand General?”
He also wept and said to Xiahou Dun: “The law of the state is like this. I have no choice but to do this.”
He immediately gathered soldiers to attack the kidnappers.
The kidnappers were afraid and kowtowed repeatedly.
They said: “We only ask for travel expenses. Let us go back.”
Han Hao angrily scolded the kidnappers’ actions.
He killed them all.
Xiahou Dun was spared.
Cao Cao’s praise
Cao Cao heard about this.
He said to Han Hao: “Your method can serve as an eternal law.”
He therefore issued an order: “From now on, if there are kidnappers, eliminate them together with the hostages. Do not worry about the hostages.”
Afterwards, kidnapping incidents never happened again.
Establishing military colonies
Han Hao was one of the initiators of the military colony system.
He made great contributions to Cao Cao’s accumulation of strength.
In 196 CE, the first year of Jian’an, Cao Cao adopted the suggestions of Zao Zhi and Han Hao.
He implemented military colonies near Xuchang (present-day Xuchang, Henan).
The land for military colonies was ownerless and wasteland.
The labour force, oxen, and farming tools were captured during the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Some of the labour force was claimed to be recruited.
However, they were actually forced to come.
In that year, the military colonies harvested one million hu of grain.
This alleviated social conflicts.
Therefore, all provinces and commanderies set up agricultural officials and stored grain.
The army campaigned everywhere without the burden of transporting grain.
They were able to annex various bandits and pacify the realm.
Promotion
Because of Han Hao’s merit, Cao Cao promoted him to Protector of the Army.
Campaign against Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi
In 207 CE, the twelfth year of Jian’an, Cao Cao planned to send troops to Liucheng.
He campaigned against Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi.
Shi Huan, Leader of the Central Army, believed that going deep into distant territory was not a completely safe plan.
He wanted to remonstrate together with Han Hao to stop Cao Cao.
However, Han Hao said: “Now the military situation is strong. Prestige extends to the four seas. Victory in battle and capture of cities, nothing is not as desired. If we do not take advantage of this time to eliminate the great troubles of the realm, they will certainly become future worries. Moreover, Duke Cao is divine and martial. His calculations leave nothing out. You and I are leaders of the central army. We should not disturb the hearts of the masses.”
Later, Han Hao followed Cao Cao and captured Liucheng.
He was changed to Leader of the Central Army.
He set up a Chief Clerk and a Major.
Commanding the palace guards
Together with Shi Huan, Leader of the Central Army, he was jointly responsible for commanding the palace guards.
He was enfeoffed as a marquis.
Persuading Cao Cao to become Duke of Wei
In 213 CE, the eighteenth year of Jian’an, Han Hao, who was Leader of the Central Army and Marquis of Wansui at that time, together with Xun You and others, jointly persuaded Cao Cao to become Duke of Wei.
Campaign against Zhang Lu
In 215 CE, the twentieth year of Jian’an, Han Hao followed Cao Cao in campaigning against Zhang Lu of Hanzhong.
Zhang Lu surrendered.
Everyone believed that Han Hao’s wisdom and strategy were sufficient to defend the border.
He could be left to guard Hanzhong and command the various armies.
Cao Cao was reluctant.
He said: “How can I be without the Protector of the Army (Han Hao)?”
Cao Cao therefore brought him back to the capital.
Death
Han Hao died later.
Cao Cao felt very sorry.
Han Hao had no sons.
He had his adopted son Han Rong succeed to the marquis title.
Personality
Han Hao was known for his loyalty and bravery.
He was also known for his wisdom and strategy.
He was also known for his integrity.
Military achievements
Establishing military colonies
Han Hao successfully helped establish the military colony system.
This greatly contributed to Cao Cao’s accumulation of strength.
Campaign against Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi
Han Hao successfully participated in the campaign against Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi.
Campaign against Zhang Lu
Han Hao successfully participated in the campaign against Zhang Lu.
Relationships
With Xiahou Dun
Han Hao served under Xiahou Dun and saved his life during the kidnapping incident.
With Shi Huan
Han Hao worked together with Shi Huan to command the palace guards.
They were both known for their loyalty and bravery.
With Cao Cao
Han Hao served under Cao Cao and helped establish military colonies.
With Zao Zhi
Han Hao worked together with Zao Zhi to establish military colonies.
Anecdotes
The “eternal law” incident
Han Hao successfully handled the kidnapping incident.
He killed the kidnappers even though Xiahou Dun was held hostage.
Cao Cao praised this as an “eternal law.”
Establishing military colonies
Han Hao successfully helped establish the military colony system.
This greatly contributed to Cao Cao’s strength.
Refusing Dong Zhuo
Han Hao successfully refused Dong Zhuo’s threat.
He did not submit even though his uncle was captured.
Achievements
- Successfully helped establish the military colony system
- Successfully commanded the palace guards together with Shi Huan
- Successfully participated in campaigns against Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, and Zhang Lu
- Known for loyalty and bravery
- Known for wisdom and strategy
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Han Hao’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, grouped with Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Cao Shuang, Xiahou Shang, and others.
The military colony system
Han Hao was one of the initiators of the military colony system.
This system greatly contributed to Cao Cao’s strength.
The “eternal law”
Han Hao’s handling of the kidnapping incident became an “eternal law.”
It prevented future kidnapping incidents.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Cao Cao said: “Your method can serve as an eternal law.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Shi Huan of Pei State and Han Hao both became famous for loyalty and bravery.”
The Wei Shu wrote: “Those who discussed believed that Han Hao’s wisdom and strategy were sufficient to pacify the border.”
Legacy
Han Hao is remembered as a key general who helped establish the military colony system.
His loyalty and bravery are praised.
His handling of the kidnapping incident is also praised.
Timeline
- Unknown: Born in Henei Commandery
- ?: Gathered followers to protect county; summoned by Wang Kuang as Clerk; led troops to Mengjin to resist Dong Zhuo; uncle Du Yang captured by Dong Zhuo; refused to submit; became famous; appointed General of the Household by Yuan Shu; served under Xiahou Dun
- 194 CE: Lü Bu attacked Yanzhou; Xiahou Dun kidnapped; Han Hao handled incident; killed kidnappers; Xiahou Dun spared; Cao Cao praised as “eternal law”
- 196 CE: Together with Zao Zhi suggested establishing military colonies; Cao Cao adopted; military colonies established near Xuchang; harvested one million hu of grain; promoted to Protector of the Army
- 207 CE: Participated in campaign against Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi; captured Liucheng; changed to Leader of the Central Army; set up Chief Clerk and Major; commanded palace guards together with Shi Huan; enfeoffed as marquis
- 213 CE: Together with Xun You and others persuaded Cao Cao to become Duke of Wei
- 215 CE: Participated in campaign against Zhang Lu; Zhang Lu surrendered; everyone suggested leaving him to guard Hanzhong; Cao Cao was reluctant; brought back to capital
- ?: Died; Cao Cao felt sorry; adopted son Han Rong succeeded to marquis title
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 9, Biography of the Various Xiahou and Cao.
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 1, Biography of Emperor Wu.