Han Dang | |
---|---|
General of Sun Quan | |
Born | (Unknown) |
Died | 227 |
Names | |
Traditional Chinese | 韓當 |
Simplified Chinese | 韩当 |
Pinyin | Hán Dāng |
Wade–Giles | Han Tang |
Courtesy name | Yigong (simplified Chinese: 义公; traditional Chinese: 義公; pinyin: Yìgōng; Wade–Giles: I-kung) |
Han Dang (died 227),courtesy name Yigong, was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan in the late Eastern Han dynasty and the early Three Kingdoms period. He previously served under Sun Quan's predecessors – Sun Jian (Sun Quan's father) and Sun Ce (Sun Quan's elder brother).
Han Dang was from Lingzhi County (令支縣), Liaoxi Commandery (遼西郡), which is in present-day Qian'an, Hebei. He possessed great physical strength and was highly skilled in archery and horse riding. The warlord Sun Jian recognised his abilities and recruited him. Han Dang accompanied Sun Jian on his military exploits throughout the 180s until 191, from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the campaign against Dong Zhuo. He was hardworking and made many contributions in battle. However, even though he was serving in an army, he was actually more of a youxia or mercenary, so he was not awarded any titles for his achievements. He remained as a Major of Separate Command (別部司馬) under Sun Jian.
After Sun Jian's death in 191, Han Dang continued serving under Sun Jian's eldest son, Sun Ce. He accompanied Sun Ce on his conquests in the Jiangdong (or Wu) region. The captured territories later served as the foundation of the state of Eastern Wu. Han Dang was promoted to First-to-Ascend Colonel (先登校尉) and given 2,000 troops under his command and 50 horses. In 200, Han Dang pledged allegiance to Sun Ce's younger brother, Sun Quan, after Sun Ce was assassinated in a hunting expedition. He participated in the battle against a minor warlord Liu Xun, the Battle of Jiangxia, and the campaign at Poyang (鄱陽). He was later appointed as the Chief (長) of Le'an County (樂安縣; northeast of present-day Dexing, Jiangxi). The Shanyue – tribal peoples in the Wu territories – were afraid of him and submitted to his administration.