Chapter 52 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms marks a critical turning point in the post-Red Cliffs era, as the Sun-Liu alliance begins to fray under the weight of competing ambitions.
While Sun Quan suffers a humiliating defeat at Hefei at the hands of the brilliant general Zhang Liao, Liu Bei swiftly capitalizes on the chaos, expanding his control over southern Jing Province with Zhuge Liang’s strategic guidance and Zhao Yun’s valor.
Though Luo Guanzhong dramatizes Zhao Yun’s confrontation with Zhao Fan for narrative flair, historical records like Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) corroborate the broad strokes: Zhang Liao’s heroic defense of Hefei in 214–215 CE and Liu Bei’s consolidation of the four southern commanderies.
Zhao Yun’s Capture of Lingling
Following the Red Cliffs victory, Liu Bei turned south under Zhuge Liang’s strategic guidance. Zhao Yun was dispatched to take Lingling Commandery.
In the novel, Lingling’s governor Liu Du sent his son Liu Xian and general Xing Daorong to resist. But Zhao Yun swiftly routed them; Zhang Fei joined the fray, and together they captured Xing Daorong.
To break the siege of Lingling, Xing Daorong pretended to surrender to Liu Bei. Although Zhuge Liang saw through Xing Daorong’s scheme, he still released him. Later, Zhuge Liang once again lured Xing Daorong and Liu Xian out of the city. In their second encounter, Zhao Yun did not give Xing Daorong a chance to beg for mercy and directly stabbed him to death.
Liu Xian was captured alive. Impressed by Zhao Yun’s integrity, Liu Xian urged his father to surrender. Liu Du, seeing no hope, opened the gates.
Historically, the Sanguozhi notes only that Liu Bei “attacked and pacified the four southern commanderies”, with Zhao Yun playing a key role – but Xing Daorong is entirely fictional, likely invented to highlight Zhao Yun’s martial prowess.
Zhao Yun and the Affair of Lady Fan
The conquest of Guiyang introduces one of the novel’s most morally charged episodes. Governor Zhao Fan initially resisted, sending generals Chen Ying and Bao Long, who were captured and later released by Zhao Yun as a gesture of goodwill. Zhao Fan then surrendered – but sought to wed his beautiful widowed sister-in-law, Lady Fan, to Zhao Yun.
Zhao Yun refused, declaring:
“You and I share the same surname. Your brother was my sworn brother. To marry his widow would be unrighteous.”
Zhao Fan, misinterpreting this as insult, plotted to assassinate Zhao Yun. The plot was uncovered, and Chen Ying and Bao Long were arrested and executed. Later Zhao Yun captured Zhao Fan. Liu Bei did not execute him, instead he chose mercy, reinstated Zhao Fan as governor – a decision meant to showcase his benevolent rule.
Historically, the Sanguozhi confirms that Liu Bei took control of Guiyang, Changsha, Lingling, and Wuling shortly after Red Cliffs , Zhao Fan did surrender Guiyang, and Zhao Yun did serve there, but Lady Fan and the marriage proposal appear only in the novel. Still, the episode reinforces a core theme: Liu Bei’s authority rests on virtue, not force.
Allies in name, Rivals in deed
Though nominally united against Cao Cao, Sun Quan and Liu Bei are now racing to fill the power vacuum left by Wei’s retreat. Sun Quan’s failure at Hefei contrasts sharply with Liu Bei’s smooth southern expansion – a disparity that fuels growing tension.
Sun Quan had expected Liu Bei to assist in the Hefei campaign; instead, Liu Bei seized territory unilaterally. This imbalance sows mutual suspicion, foreshadowing future clashes over Jing Province’s sovereignty.
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