Biography
Early life
Liao Hua was born in the late 2nd century CE (around 185-193 CE) in Zhonglu County, Xiangyang Commandery (present-day Xiangyang, Hubei).
His original name was Liao Chun (廖淳).
He came from a prominent family in Miannan.
Service under Guan Yu
Liao Hua initially served as Registrar under Guan Yu, General of the Vanguard.
Capture by Wu
In 219 CE, the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an, in the winter, Sun Quan sent troops to attack Jing Province.
Guan Yu was defeated and killed, and Liao Hua was captured and forced to serve under Eastern Wu.
Return to Shu
Liao Hua longed to return to Shu Han.
He feigned death, and people believed it was true.
Liao Hua took advantage of this and, with his elderly mother, travelled day and night westward to return to Shu Han.
When people learned the truth, they all felt admiration for him.
Meeting with Liu Bei
In 222 CE, the second year of Zhangwu, in the spring, Liu Bei personally led his generals on an eastern campaign against Wu (see the Battle of Yiling).
He met Liao Hua and his mother at Zigui.
When Liu Bei saw Liao Hua return, he was greatly pleased and immediately appointed Liao Hua as Administrator of Yidu.
The Battle of Yiling
Subsequently, Liu Bei again appointed Liao Hua as Separate Commander and stationed him with the main army at the border of Yiling.
However, in the intercalary sixth month of 222 CE, Liu Bei’s army was defeated by Lu Xun, and Liao Hua retreated to Shu with the defeated army.
Service under Zhuge Liang
In 223 CE, the third year of Zhangwu, in the fourth month, Liu Bei died of illness at Baidicheng.
In the fifth month, Crown Prince Liu Shan succeeded to the throne and changed the era name to Jianxing.
Liao Hua was promoted to Army Adviser to the Chancellor.
Later, he became Commander of Guangwu and Administrator of Yinping.
In the same year, when Zhuge Liang recommended Jiang Wan as a Maocai, Jiang Wan insisted on deferring to Liu Yong, Yin Hua, Pang Yan, and Liao Hua.
Campaigns against Wei
In 229 CE, the seventh year of Jianxing, Zhuge Liang pacified the two commanderies of Wudu and Yinping.
He later ordered Liao Hua to supervise Guangwu and serve as Administrator of Yinping.
Battle against Guo Huai
In 238 CE, the first year of Yanxi, in the ninth month, Liao Hua led troops to attack the camp defended by Dang Xun, Marquis Shanshan Qiang of Wei.
Guo Huai, Inspector of Yong Province, sent Wang Yun, Administrator of Guangwei, and You Yi, Administrator of Nan’an, to lead troops to rescue him.
The two armies divided their forces along the east and west sides to advance together, intending to attack Liao Hua’s army from both sides.
Liao Hua seized the opportunity to defeat them one by one.
You Yi’s army was repelled, and Wang Yun was killed by an arrow in battle.
Campaigns with Jiang Wei
In 247 CE, the tenth year of Yanxi, Hu King Baihuwen and Zhi Wudai of Liang Province led their followers to rebel against Wei and surrender to Shu.
They were defeated by Wei general Guo Huai.
Jiang Wei led troops to welcome them.
The following year, Jiang Wei ordered Liao Hua to build a city at Chengzhongshan for defence.
He was later defeated by Wei general Guo Huai.
However, he successfully moved the Hu tribes to Fan County.
Battle against Deng Ai
In 249 CE, the twelfth year of Yanxi, Liao Hua followed Jiang Wei in attacking Yong Province.
Jiang Wei sent Liao Hua to camp on the south bank of Baishui to confront Wei general Deng Ai, intending to tie down Deng Ai’s army so he could send troops to attack Taocheng.
However, Deng Ai saw through the plan and preemptively occupied Taocheng.
Jiang Wei could not capture it and withdrew his troops.
Promotion to Right Chariot and Cavalry General
In 259 CE, the second year of Jingyao, Liao Hua was again promoted to Right Chariot and Cavalry General, with imperial credentials, concurrently Inspector of Bing Province, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhongxiang.
His official rank was equal to Zhang Yi, Left Chariot and Cavalry General, and above Zong Yu, General Who Stabilizes the Army.
The saying
At that time, people said: “Earlier there were Wang Ping and Ju Fu; later there were Zhang Yi and Liao Hua.”
This saying indicated that Liao Hua was considered one of the outstanding generals of later Shu Han.
Concern about Jiang Wei’s campaigns
In 262 CE, the fifth year of Jingyao, in the autumn, when Jiang Wei led troops to attack Didao in a northern campaign against Cao Wei, Liao Hua said: “‘If troops are not sheathed, they will burn themselves.’ This is what is said of Bo Yue (Jiang Wei’s courtesy name). His wisdom does not exceed the enemy’s, and his strength is less than the enemy’s, but he uses troops without satisfaction. How can he survive like this? The Book of Songs says: ‘Not before me, not after me’—this is today’s situation.”
This pointed out Liao Hua’s concern about Jiang Wei’s continuous campaigns and the drain on Shu Han’s national strength.
As expected, in the tenth month of the same year, Jiang Wei was defeated by Deng Ai at Houhe and withdrew his troops to station at Tazhong.
The fall of Shu Han
In 263 CE, the sixth year of Jingyao, in the summer, Wei launched a large-scale attack on Shu.
Liu Shan, Emperor of Shu Han, sent Liao Hua to Tazhong to support Jiang Wei.
Liao Hua led troops north to Yinping.
When he heard that Wei general Zhuge Xu was advancing toward Jianwei, he stopped and waited, observing his movements.
In the ninth month, Jiang Wei was forced by Deng Ai to withdraw from Tazhong and station at Yinping.
He joined forces with Liao Hua and intended to go to rescue Yang’an Pass.
On the way, they learned that Yang’an Pass had been captured and Zhong Hui’s army had advanced deep into Shu.
They therefore abandoned Yinping, withdrew to Baishui, and later joined forces with Dong Jue and Zhang Yi’s armies, which had just reached Hanshou.
They all withdrew to defend Jiange and resist Zhong Hui’s attack.
Surrender
In the eleventh month, Zhuge Zhan was defeated by Deng Ai at Mianzhu.
The whereabouts of Liu Shan, Emperor of Shu Han, were unknown.
Liao Hua and others therefore followed Jiang Wei east into Baxi Commandery, detoured to the area around Qi County, Guanghan Commandery, to investigate the situation.
Soon after, they received Liu Shan’s edict to surrender.
They therefore went with Jiang Wei and others to Fu County to surrender to Zhong Hui.
Shu Han was destroyed.
Death
In 264 CE, the first year of Xianxi, in the spring, Liao Hua and Zong Yu moved inward to Luoyang.
On the way, Liao Hua died of illness at the age of over seventy.
Personality
Liao Hua was described as “known for his resolute and fierce character.”
He was loyal to Shu Han and risked his life to return after being captured by Wu.
He served Shu Han faithfully for many years, from the late Eastern Han through the fall of Shu.
Military achievements
Battle against Guo Huai
Liao Hua defeated You Yi and killed Wang Yun in battle.
Campaigns with Jiang Wei
Liao Hua participated in multiple campaigns with Jiang Wei against Wei.
Defence of Shu Han
Liao Hua participated in the defence of Shu Han during Wei’s final attack.
Relationships
With Guan Yu
Liao Hua served as Registrar under Guan Yu.
After Guan Yu was defeated and killed, Liao Hua was captured by Wu.
With Liu Bei
Liao Hua risked his life to return to Shu Han and met Liu Bei during the eastern campaign.
Liu Bei was greatly pleased and appointed him Administrator of Yidu.
With Zhuge Liang
Liao Hua served as Army Adviser to the Chancellor under Zhuge Liang and participated in the Northern Expeditions.
With Jiang Wei
Liao Hua served under Jiang Wei in multiple campaigns against Wei.
However, he was concerned about Jiang Wei’s continuous campaigns and their drain on Shu Han’s national strength.
With Zhang Yi
Liao Hua and Zhang Yi were considered the outstanding generals of later Shu Han.
They were said to be equal in rank and ability.
Anecdotes
The return to Shu
Liao Hua feigned death to escape from Wu and returned to Shu Han with his elderly mother.
When people learned the truth, they all felt admiration for him.
The saying “Shu has no great generals, Liao Hua leads the vanguard”
This saying means that when there are no outstanding generals available, even an ordinary general must serve as the vanguard.
However, historically, Liao Hua’s ability was not mediocre.
He was considered one of the outstanding generals of later Shu Han.
The concern about Jiang Wei’s campaigns
Liao Hua expressed concern about Jiang Wei’s continuous campaigns and their drain on Shu Han’s national strength.
His prediction proved correct when Jiang Wei was defeated by Deng Ai.
Achievements
- Returned to Shu Han after being captured by Wu
- Served faithfully for many years
- Participated in multiple campaigns against Wei
- Considered one of the outstanding generals of later Shu Han
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Liao Hua’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, attached to Zong Yu’s biography.
The saying
The saying “Shu has no great generals, Liao Hua leads the vanguard” is not from historical records but from a late Qing anti-superstition literary work Saomizhou.
However, historically, Liao Hua was considered an outstanding general.
Long service
Liao Hua served Shu Han from the late Eastern Han through the fall of Shu, spanning several decades.
He was over seventy when he died.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
People said: “Earlier there were Wang Ping and Ju Fu; later there were Zhang Yi and Liao Hua.”
This indicated that Liao Hua was considered one of the outstanding generals of later Shu Han.
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Known for his resolute and fierce character.”
Legacy
Liao Hua is remembered as one of the outstanding generals of later Shu Han.
His long service and loyalty are legendary.
The saying “Shu has no great generals, Liao Hua leads the vanguard” has become a famous Chinese idiom, though historically Liao Hua was not mediocre.
His story represents both loyalty and the decline of Shu Han’s military talent pool.
Timeline
- 185-193 CE: Born in Zhonglu County, Xiangyang Commandery; original name Liao Chun
- ?-219 CE: Served as Registrar under Guan Yu
- 219 CE: Captured by Wu after Guan Yu’s defeat
- 222 CE: Returned to Shu Han; met Liu Bei at Zigui; appointed Administrator of Yidu; participated in Battle of Yiling
- 223 CE: Promoted to Army Adviser to the Chancellor
- 229 CE: Appointed Commander of Guangwu and Administrator of Yinping
- 238 CE: Defeated You Yi and killed Wang Yun in battle
- 247-248 CE: Participated in campaigns with Jiang Wei
- 249 CE: Participated in campaign against Deng Ai
- 259 CE: Promoted to Right Chariot and Cavalry General, with imperial credentials, concurrently Inspector of Bing Province, enfeoffed as Marquis of Zhongxiang
- 262 CE: Expressed concern about Jiang Wei’s campaigns
- 263 CE: Participated in defence of Shu Han; surrendered to Zhong Hui
- 264 CE: Died of illness en route to Luoyang age 70+
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 45, Biography of Deng, Zhang, Zong, Yang.
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, various chapters.