Biography
Early life
Shi Huan was from Pei State, Yuzhou (present-day Pei County, Jiangsu).
His courtesy name was Gongliu.
When he was young, he already had the style of a chivalrous person.
He also had a heroic appearance.
Early service
When Cao Cao first began to rise, Shi Huan followed Cao Cao as a retainer.
He served as Commandant of the Central Army.
Afterwards, Shi Huan always followed Cao Cao in campaigns east and west.
He achieved many military merits.
Although he rarely led an army alone, he often served as an army supervisor.
This shows that Cao Cao trusted him greatly.
He was later transferred to Leader of the Central Army.
Relationship with Han Hao
Shi Huan’s status was approximately equal to Han Hao’s.
Both were Cao Cao’s trusted followers.
They became famous for loyalty and bravery.
They jointly commanded the palace guards.
They were both enfeoffed as marquises.
Campaign against Sui Gu
In 199 CE, the fourth year of Jian’an, Zhang Yang, Grand Marshal of the Eastern Han, was killed by his subordinate general Yang Chou.
Yang Chou was about to lead his followers to surrender to Cao Cao.
However, Sui Gu, another subordinate general, killed Yang Chou.
He planned to defect to Yuan Shao.
At that time, Sui Gu’s army was stationed at Shedog (present-day northwest of Wuzhi, Henan).
Cao Cao saw this.
He sent Shi Huan, together with Cao Ren and Xu Huang, to cross the Yellow River and pursue Sui Gu.
Sui Gu knew he could not resist.
He was about to go to Yuan Shao to ask for help.
However, he encountered Cao Cao’s army at Dog City.
As a result, Shi Huan and Cao Ren achieved a great victory against Sui Gu.
They beheaded him.
They completely surrendered his army.
This battle was Shi Huan’s most meritorious military achievement.
Campaign against Yuan Shao
During the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao sent his subordinate general Han Xun (or Han Meng).
He was about to attack Cao Cao’s army from the western route.
However, he encountered Cao Ren’s interception at Jiluo Mountain.
Yuan Shao therefore did not dare to use the strategy of dividing troops to attack from the side.
Taking advantage of this, Shi Huan, together with Cao Ren and Xu Huang, intercepted Yuan Shao’s grain transport carts.
They burned the grain.
They greatly damaged Yuan Shao’s army’s morale.
Campaign against Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi
After Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao, he continued to pursue the Yuan clan at Liucheng.
Shi Huan believed that Cao Cao’s decision to go deep into enemy territory had certain dangers.
He wanted to remonstrate together with Han Hao.
However, Han Hao said that their army’s morale was now like a rainbow.
They were unstoppable.
As leaders of the central army, they should not damage the army’s morale.
He therefore stopped.
Although Cao Cao was indeed able to successfully capture Liucheng later, this matter also shows Shi Huan’s cautious character.
Death
In 209 CE, the fourteenth year of Jian’an, Shi Huan died.
His son Shi Jing succeeded to his office and marquis title.
Personality
Shi Huan was known for his loyalty and bravery.
He was also known for his cautious character.
He was also known for his trustworthiness.
Military achievements
Campaign against Sui Gu
Shi Huan successfully participated in the campaign against Sui Gu.
He achieved a great victory together with Cao Ren.
Campaign against Yuan Shao
Shi Huan successfully participated in the campaign against Yuan Shao.
He intercepted and burned Yuan Shao’s grain transport carts.
Commanding the palace guards
Shi Huan successfully commanded the palace guards together with Han Hao.
Relationships
With Han Hao
Shi Huan worked together with Han Hao to command the palace guards.
They were both known for their loyalty and bravery.
With Cao Ren
Shi Huan often campaigned together with Cao Ren.
With Xu Huang
Shi Huan often campaigned together with Xu Huang.
With Cao Cao
Shi Huan served under Cao Cao and was trusted by him.
Anecdotes
Campaign against Sui Gu
Shi Huan successfully participated in the campaign against Sui Gu.
He achieved a great victory together with Cao Ren.
Campaign against Yuan Shao
Shi Huan successfully intercepted and burned Yuan Shao’s grain transport carts.
This greatly damaged Yuan Shao’s army’s morale.
Remonstrating about Liucheng
Shi Huan wanted to remonstrate about Cao Cao’s decision to go deep into enemy territory.
However, Han Hao stopped him.
This shows Shi Huan’s cautious character.
Achievements
- Successfully participated in campaigns against Sui Gu and Yuan Shao
- Successfully commanded the palace guards together with Han Hao
- Known for loyalty and bravery
- Known for cautious character
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Shi Huan’s biography does not appear in the main text of the Records of the Three Kingdoms.
It only appears in Pei Songzhi’s annotations, which quote Yu Huan’s Wei Lue.
However, he is mentioned in Han Hao’s biography.
The palace guards
Shi Huan worked together with Han Hao to command the palace guards.
They were both trusted by Cao Cao.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Chen Shou wrote: “Shi Huan of Pei State and Han Hao both became famous for loyalty and bravery.”
Later historians
Shi Huan was known for his loyalty and bravery.
He was also known for his cautious character.
Legacy
Shi Huan is remembered as a key general who commanded the palace guards.
His loyalty and bravery are praised.
His cautious character is also praised.
Timeline
- Unknown: Born in Pei State, Yuzhou; had chivalrous style and heroic appearance when young
- ?: Followed Cao Cao as retainer; served as Commandant of the Central Army; followed Cao Cao in campaigns; achieved many military merits; often served as army supervisor; transferred to Leader of the Central Army; commanded palace guards together with Han Hao; enfeoffed as marquis
- 199 CE: Participated in campaign against Sui Gu; together with Cao Ren and Xu Huang crossed Yellow River; pursued Sui Gu; achieved great victory at Dog City; beheaded Sui Gu; surrendered his army
- 200 CE: Participated in Battle of Guandu; intercepted Yuan Shao’s grain transport carts together with Cao Ren and Xu Huang; burned grain; damaged Yuan Shao’s army’s morale
- 207 CE: Wanted to remonstrate about Cao Cao’s decision to go deep into enemy territory at Liucheng; Han Hao stopped him; Cao Cao successfully captured Liucheng
- 209 CE: Died; son Shi Jing succeeded to office and marquis title
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 9, Biography of the Various Xiahou and Cao.
- Pei Songzhi. Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms, quoting Yu Huan’s Wei Lue.
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, various chapters.