Biography
Early life
Man Chong was born in Changyi, Shanyang Commandery (present-day Juye County, Shandong).
His courtesy name was Boning.
He was eight chi tall.
Early career
At the age of eighteen, Man Chong served as Commandant of the Commandery.
At that time, Li Shuo and others in the commandery each privately maintained troops and harassed the common people.
The Administrator sent Man Chong to govern them.
Li Shuo and others came to confess their crimes and no longer harassed the common people.
Man Chong later served as Acting Magistrate of Gaoping.
In the county, there was a Commandant of the Commandery named Zhang Bao who was corrupt and accepted bribes, disrupting the administration.
Man Chong led troops to arrest him, enumerated his crimes, and tortured him to death in prison.
Man Chong then resigned and returned home.
Service under Cao Cao
In 192 CE, the third year of Chuping, Cao Cao came to Yanzhou and made Man Chong an Attendant.
In 196 CE, the first year of Jian’an, Cao Cao moved Emperor Xian to Xu County and served as Grand General.
He recruited Man Chong as Army Adviser to the West and appointed him Magistrate of Xu County.
Strict law enforcement
At that time, Cao Hong, Cao Cao’s cousin, was a member of the imperial clan and a close relative.
His guests repeatedly broke the law within the boundaries of Xu County.
Man Chong arrested them and put them in prison.
Cao Hong wrote a letter asking for leniency, but Man Chong did not listen.
Cao Hong therefore reported to Cao Cao, who summoned Man Chong.
Man Chong knew that the lawbreakers would be released, so he immediately executed them.
Cao Cao was pleased and said: “Is this not what those who enforce the law should do?”
The case of Yang Biao
The former Grand Commandant Yang Biao was imprisoned.
Xun Yu and Kong Rong wrote letters saying: “Only question him, do not torture him.”
Man Chong did not respond and tortured him as usual.
After several days, Man Chong requested to see Cao Cao and said: “I have tortured Yang Biao but found no evidence of crime. If you want to execute him, you must find evidence before carrying it out. This person is famous throughout the realm. If you execute him without evidence, you will greatly lose the people’s hearts. Please think carefully, my lord.”
Cao Cao released Yang Biao that very day.
Initially, when Yang Biao was imprisoned, Xun Yu and Kong Rong were quite angry about Man Chong’s harsh torture of Yang Biao.
However, Man Chong’s methods actually led to Yang Biao’s eventual release, making Xun Yu and Kong Rong respect and befriend Man Chong even more afterward.
Administrator of Runan
Later, Yuan Shao grew powerful in Hebei, and Runan Commandery was Yuan Shao’s home commandery.
His students and guests filled every county, each maintaining troops and holding strongholds.
Cao Cao was worried and made Man Chong Administrator of Runan.
Man Chong recruited five hundred soldiers who obeyed him, led them to attack more than twenty strongholds, lured the leaders who had not surrendered, and killed more than ten of them at a banquet.
Everything was pacified at once.
He obtained twenty thousand households and two thousand soldiers and ordered them to farm.
Campaign against Jing Province
In 208 CE, Man Chong followed Cao Cao in attacking Jing Province.
After returning, Cao Cao left Man Chong as General Who Spreads Awe, stationed at Dangyang.
Sun Quan repeatedly harassed the eastern border, so Cao Cao summoned Man Chong back to serve as Administrator of Runan and enfeoffed him as Marquis Within the Passes.
Defence of Fancheng
In 219 CE, the twenty-fourth year of Jian’an, Guan Yu attacked Fancheng.
In the eighth month, the Han River overflowed, causing a natural disaster.
Guan Yu took advantage of this to attack by boat, capturing Yu Jin and killing Pang De.
The walls of Fancheng also collapsed in many places due to flooding, and the troops were in chaos.
Someone said to Cao Ren: “Today’s danger is not easy to withstand. While Guan Yu has not yet surrounded the city, we should take light boats at night. Although we will lose the city, we can escape completely.”
Man Chong advised: “Mountain floods come and go quickly. I hope it will not last long. I have heard that Guan Yu has sent other generals to Jiaxia. From Xu southward, the people are worried. Guan Yu dares not advance because he fears our army will form a pincer attack from behind. If we flee now, the land south of the Hong River will no longer belong to our state. Please hold on a little longer, my lord.”
Cao Ren said: “Correct.”
Man Chong drowned his own white horse and swore an oath with the soldiers, vowing to fight to the death.
Everyone regained their resolve.
Later, Xu Huang’s relief troops arrived, and the water also subsided somewhat.
Cao Ren, Man Chong, and Xu Huang attacked Guan Yu from front and rear, and Guan Yu finally fled.
Service under Cao Pi
In 220 CE, Cao Pi succeeded to the throne and promoted Man Chong to General Who Spreads Martial Might.
Soon after, because Man Chong defeated Wu troops at Jiangling and achieved merit, he was changed to General Who Subdues Waves and stationed at Xinye.
Campaign at Jinghu
In 225 CE, the sixth year of Huangchu, the army campaigned south and reached Jinghu.
Man Chong led the various armies in front, separated from the enemy by water.
Man Chong commanded his generals: “Tonight the wind is very strong. The enemy will certainly come to burn our camp. Everyone must prepare.”
All the armies were on alert.
At midnight, the enemy indeed sent ten units to burn the camp under cover of night.
Man Chong attacked and greatly defeated the enemy.
He was enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanxiang.
Imperial credentials
In 222 CE, the third year of Huangchu, Man Chong was granted imperial credentials and the battle-axe.
In 224 CE, the fifth year of Huangchu, Man Chong became General of the Vanguard.
Marquis of Changyi
In 227 CE, the first year of Taihe, after Cao Rui succeeded to the throne, Man Chong was further enfeoffed as Marquis of Changyi.
Rescue of Cao Xiu
In the autumn of 228 CE, the second year of Taihe, Cao Rui sent Cao Xiu from Lujiang south to Hefei and ordered Man Chong to go to Xiakou.
In the same year, Jia Kui, Inspector of Yu Province, led Man Chong, Hu Zhi, and others in four armies to attack, advancing from Xiyang toward Dongguan.
At the same time, Cao Xiu advanced toward Wan, and Sima Yi advanced toward Jiangling.
Man Chong, under Jia Kui’s leadership, advanced to Wujiangshan.
At this time, Cao Xiu memorialized: “There are people from Eastern Wu requesting surrender. I will lead the army deep.”
Man Chong memorialized: “Although Cao Xiu is intelligent and decisive, he rarely uses troops and lacks practical experience. The route he is taking has a lake behind and the Yangtze River beside. It is easy to advance but difficult to retreat. This is what military strategists most avoid. If he enters Wujiangkou, he should make full preparations.”
Man Chong’s memorial did not reach Cao Rui before Cao Xiu had already led the army deep.
The enemy indeed cut off the road to Jiashi at Wujiangkou, blocking Cao Xiu’s retreat.
Cao Xiu fought unfavourably and retreated.
Jia Kui said: “Grand Marshal Cao Xiu has been defeated outside, and his road is cut off inside. He cannot advance to fight or retreat to return. He is in imminent danger. Eastern Wu knows there are no reinforcements behind, so they dare to pursue boldly. If we advance quickly now and arrive at Jiashi unexpectedly, suddenly attacking, this is what is called ‘striking first to seize their hearts.’ When Wu sees our army, they will certainly retreat. If we wait for reinforcements to arrive, Wu will have already cut off all the dangerous roads. What use will more troops be then?”
Jia Kui therefore led Man Chong, Hu Zhi, and others and advanced quickly.
At that time, Zhu Ling and others intercepted the enemy from behind.
Man Chong and others, under Jia Kui’s leadership, encountered the enemy.
The enemy was frightened and fled, and Cao Xiu was able to return safely.
Inspector of Yu Province
In the same year, Man Chong concurrently served as Inspector of Yu Province.
Acting Commander of Yang Province
In the ninth month of 228 CE, Cao Xiu died.
Man Chong served as Acting Commander of Yang Province in his capacity as General of the Vanguard.
The soldiers and people of Runan admired and missed Man Chong.
They supported the old and carried the young, wanting to follow Man Chong.
This could not be stopped.
The Protector of the Army memorialized requesting to execute the leaders.
Cao Rui allowed Man Chong to take one thousand trusted subordinates to Yang Province to take office, and the rest were no longer concerned.
Conflict with Wang Ling
At that time, Wang Ling, Inspector of Yang Province, had long been at odds with Man Chong.
His faction slandered Man Chong as old, fond of wine, and unable to serve any longer.
Man Chong was recalled to court.
However, when Cao Rui saw that Man Chong was still strong and healthy, he sent him back to his original post.
Construction of New City
In 233 CE, the first year of Qinglong, Man Chong memorialized Cao Rui to build a new city at Hefei.
He believed: “If Hefei is far north from Shouchun, it is easy for the enemy to use water to attack. If someone besieges the city, we must attack the besiegers from behind to relieve the siege. Our reinforcements should place troops about thirty li away, where there are natural dangers and strong defences. Building a new city there can lengthen the enemy’s attack route, use water to attack, and also cut off the enemy’s retreat.”
He also quoted Sun Tzu’s Art of War: “Warfare is the way of deception” to explain: “We should lure the enemy into the new city and make them fall into our trap. Before Wu attacks, we should move our troops there to prevent the enemy.”
Cao Rui heard this again and consulted Zhao Zi, Prefect of the Masters of Writing.
Zhao Zi believed it was feasible, and Cao Rui followed Man Chong’s plan.
Defence of Hefei New City
In the second month of 234 CE, the second year of Qinglong, Zhuge Liang, Chancellor of Shu Han, launched his fifth northern expedition and sent an envoy to request Eastern Wu to attack together.
Sun Quan agreed.
This immediately triggered the fourth Battle of Hefei.
In the fifth month of the same year, Sun Quan stationed at Chaohukou, claiming to have one hundred thousand troops, and personally led troops to attack Hefei New City.
On the other hand, he also sent Lu Xun and Zhuge Jin to lead more than ten thousand troops to station at Jiangxia and Miankou, attacking toward Xiangyang.
Generals Sun Shao and Zhang Cheng stationed at Huai, advancing toward Guangling and Huaiyin, forming a three-pronged northern expedition.
Man Chong’s advice
In the sixth month, Man Chong wanted to lead troops to rescue Zhang Ying, the defender of New City.
However, Tian Yu, General Who Exterminates Barbarians, believed that New City could defend itself sufficiently.
If reinforcements arrived, he feared Sun Quan would turn around and swallow the reinforcements.
At that time, many officials and soldiers were on leave.
Man Chong memorialized requesting to summon the central army and recall all soldiers on leave to gather and resist.
However, Liu Shao, Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry from Guangping, believed that Man Chong should defend and not attack, avoiding the enemy’s edge.
The central army should first send five thousand infantry and three thousand elite cavalry, arranging the troops in a sparse formation with many banners and drums.
When the enemy knew the great army had arrived, they would certainly retreat on their own, and victory could be achieved without fighting.
Cao Rui followed Liu Shao’s plan and first sent the vanguard.
Cao Rui’s decision
Cao Rui also did not accept Man Chong’s opinion about reinforcements.
He believed that Hefei, Xiangyang, and Qishan were the three important defensive points of Cao Wei in the east, south, and west.
The city could defend itself sufficiently.
Cao Rui therefore personally led the navy east on the ren-yin day of the seventh month.
The fire attack
Man Chong, who was already in his declining years, recruited several dozen strong men.
They broke pine branches to make torches, poured hemp oil on them, and set fire to them from the upwind position.
The fire spread continuously under the force of the wind, burning all the way to the enemy’s siege equipment.
Sun Tai, Sun Quan’s nephew, came to fight the fire.
Man Chong’s army again shot arrows at the Wu army.
At that time, the arrows shot by Man Chong’s army were downwind, and their range and penetrating power were increased by the wind.
They finally shot and killed Sun Tai.
Sun Quan’s withdrawal
Sun Quan’s army besieged Hefei New City for many days.
Zhang Ying and others, the defenders of Hefei New City, defended fiercely, and the Wu army found it difficult to break the city.
When Sun Quan learned that Cao Rui’s great army was not far away, and because many soldiers in the Wu army were ill, Sun Quan withdrew.
Sun Shao’s army also withdrew at the same time.
Only Lu Xun’s army continued to fight, but it also withdrew soon after.
Later campaigns
In the spring of 235 CE, the third year of Qinglong, Sun Quan sent several thousand households to farm north of the Yangtze River.
In the eighth month of this year, Man Chong believed that it was the harvest season, and men, women, old, and young filled the fields.
The farming soldiers were several hundred li from the city and could be attacked unexpectedly.
He therefore sent a Chief Clerk to lead troops east along the Yangtze River, destroying various farming camps and burning many grains before withdrawing.
Cao Rui issued an edict praising Man Chong and granted all the captured items to the officers and soldiers.
Grand Commandant
After Cao Rui died, Man Chong continued to serve Cao Fang, along with Sima Yi, Jiang Ji, and others, as one of the four-generation veterans of the Cao family.
In the third month of 239 CE, the third year of Jingchu, Man Chong was promoted to Grand Commandant because of his advanced age and was withdrawn from the front line.
Death
Man Chong did not like to accumulate wealth, so his household had no surplus property.
Cao Fang issued an edict: “The general led troops outside, wholeheartedly serving the public, with the style of Jisun Xingfu and Ji Zun. I grant ten qing of fields, five hundred hu of grain, and two hundred thousand cash to commend your pure loyalty and frugal integrity.”
Man Chong’s fief was increased to a total of nine thousand six hundred households, and two descendants were enfeoffed as marquises of ting.
In the third month of 242 CE, the third year of Zhengshi, Man Chong died of illness.
He was posthumously titled Marquis Jing.
His son Man Wei succeeded to the marquis title.
Personality
Man Chong was described as having “determined will, firmness, bravery, and strategy.”
He was known for strict law enforcement and was not afraid of powerful people.
He was also known for integrity and did not accumulate wealth.
Military achievements
Defence of Fancheng
Man Chong successfully assisted Cao Ren in defending Fancheng against Guan Yu’s attack.
He persuaded Cao Ren not to abandon the city and drowned his white horse to swear an oath with the soldiers.
Defence against Wu
Man Chong successfully defended against Wu attacks for many years.
He defeated Wu troops at Jiangling, ambushed Wu troops at Jinghu, and defended Hefei New City.
Construction of New City
Man Chong proposed and supervised the construction of Hefei New City, which improved the defence of the eastern border.
Relationships
With Cao Cao
Man Chong served under Cao Cao and was known for strict law enforcement.
Cao Cao praised his methods.
With Cao Ren
Man Chong assisted Cao Ren in defending Fancheng against Guan Yu.
He persuaded Cao Ren not to abandon the city.
With Cao Pi and Cao Rui
Man Chong served under Cao Pi and Cao Rui.
He was promoted to various positions and enfeoffed as Marquis of Changyi.
With Wang Ling
Man Chong had long been at odds with Wang Ling, Inspector of Yang Province.
Wang Ling’s faction slandered Man Chong, but Cao Rui saw that Man Chong was still capable and sent him back to his post.
Anecdotes
The execution of Cao Hong’s guests
When Cao Hong’s guests broke the law, Man Chong arrested them.
Cao Hong asked for leniency, but Man Chong executed them before Cao Cao could intervene.
Cao Cao praised him: “Is this not what those who enforce the law should do?”
The case of Yang Biao
Man Chong tortured Yang Biao despite Xun Yu and Kong Rong’s requests not to.
However, his methods led to Yang Biao’s release, and Xun Yu and Kong Rong respected him even more.
The white horse oath
When defending Fancheng, Man Chong drowned his white horse and swore an oath with the soldiers, vowing to fight to the death.
The fire attack
When defending Hefei New City, Man Chong used fire to burn the enemy’s siege equipment and shot and killed Sun Tai.
Achievements
- Strict law enforcement and not afraid of powerful people
- Successfully defended Fancheng against Guan Yu
- Successfully defended against Wu attacks for many years
- Proposed and supervised construction of Hefei New City
- Known for integrity and not accumulating wealth
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Man Chong’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, grouped with Tian Yu, Qian Zhao, and Guo Huai.
Long service
Man Chong served for many years, showing the importance of stable commandership in border defence.
The construction of New City
Man Chong’s proposal to build Hefei New City shows his strategic thinking and understanding of military geography.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Cao Cao said: “Is this not what those who enforce the law should do?”
Guo Mou said: “Man Chong served as Administrator of Runan and Inspector of Yu Province for more than twenty years and achieved merit in the provinces. When he defended Huainan, the Wu people feared him.”
Cao Rui said: “In the past, Lian Po ate heartily, and Ma Yuan leaned on his saddle. Now you are not old but call yourself old. How does this compare with Lian Po and Ma Yuan? Think about pacifying the border and benefiting this Central Kingdom.”
Cao Fang said: “You led troops outside, wholeheartedly serving the public, with the style of Jisun Xingfu and Ji Zun.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Man Chong had determined will, firmness, bravery, and strategy.”
Legacy
Man Chong is remembered as a capable general who successfully defended against Wu for many years.
His strict law enforcement and integrity are praised.
His proposal to build Hefei New City shows his strategic thinking.
Timeline
- Before 175 CE: Born in Changyi, Shanyang Commandery
- ?: Served as Commandant of the Commandery at age 18
- ?: Served as Acting Magistrate of Gaoping; executed Zhang Bao; resigned
- 192 CE: Recruited by Cao Cao as Attendant
- 196 CE: Appointed Army Adviser to the West and Magistrate of Xu County; executed Cao Hong’s lawbreaking guests; handled Yang Biao case
- ?: Appointed Administrator of Runan; pacified Yuan Shao’s followers
- 208 CE: Followed Cao Cao in attacking Jing Province; appointed General Who Spreads Awe, stationed at Dangyang; later returned to Runan as Administrator; enfeoffed as Marquis Within the Passes
- 219 CE: Assisted Cao Ren in defending Fancheng against Guan Yu; drowned white horse and swore oath
- 220 CE: Promoted to General Who Spreads Martial Might; later changed to General Who Subdues Waves, stationed at Xinye
- 222 CE: Granted imperial credentials and battle-axe
- 224 CE: Promoted to General of the Vanguard
- 225 CE: Defeated enemy at Jinghu; enfeoffed as Marquis of Nanxiang
- 227 CE: Enfeoffed as Marquis of Changyi
- 228 CE: Participated in rescue of Cao Xiu; concurrently served as Inspector of Yu Province; served as Acting Commander of Yang Province after Cao Xiu’s death
- 230 CE: Promoted to General Who Conquers the East
- 233 CE: Proposed construction of Hefei New City
- 234 CE: Defended Hefei New City against Sun Quan; used fire attack; shot and killed Sun Tai
- 235 CE: Attacked Wu farming camps
- 239 CE: Promoted to Grand Commandant
- 242 CE: Died of illness; posthumous title Marquis Jing
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 26, Biography of Man, Tian, Qian, Guo.
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, various chapters.