| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 车胄, 車冑, Chē Zhòu |
| Other name | Xa Trụ |
| INFORMATION | |
| Died | 199 |
| Death Reason | Decapitated in battle by Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) at Xuzhou (徐州; Từ Châu) (199 AD) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Cao Wei |
| Battles | Campaign against Yuan Shu; Defense of Xiapi |
Biography & Historical Record
Che Zhou (died 199 AD) was a military general and regional official serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Following Cao Cao’s decisive victory over Lu Bu at the Siege of Xiapi in 198 AD, Cao Cao consolidated his authority over Xu Province and appointed Che Zhou as the Inspector of Xu Province (徐州刺史) to govern the strategic region and maintain military control. In 199 AD, Cao Cao dispatched Liu Bei along with Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to intercept Yuan Shu, who was attempting to march north to join his cousin Yuan Shao. After Yuan Shu’s death in Vance, Liu Bei returned toward Xu Province, sent Cao Cao’s generals Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao back to Xuchang, and moved to reclaim Xu Province for himself. Realizing Che Zhou posed an immediate threat to his independence, Liu Bei launched a surprise strike on Xu Province, during which Che Zhou was killed. Liu Bei subsequently seized control of Xiapi and Xiaopei, openly rebelling against Cao Cao.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Che Zhou appears in Chapter 21 as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Xu Province stationed at Xiapi by Cao Cao. When Liu Bei petitions Cao Cao for an army to intercept Yuan Shu, Cao Cao grants him 50,000 troops. Fearing Liu Bei’s growing independence once released from Xuchang, Cao Cao secretly dispatches a covert imperial order to Che Zhou, commanding him to ambush and assassinate Liu Bei as soon as he returns to Xu Province. However, Che Zhou consults with the prominent local official Chen Deng to plan the assassination. Chen Deng, loyal to Liu Bei, immediately reveals the plot to Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei devise a ruse, leading a night raid under the guise of Cao Cao’s reinforcements under Zhang Liao arriving at the city gates. When Che Zhou rides out of Xiapi to receive them, Guan Yu confronts him on horseback, berating him for his treachery. After a brief duel of only a few passes, Guan Yu slays Che Zhou with a single stroke of his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, cuts off his head, and throws it over the wall. Zhang Fei then exterminates Che Zhou’s entire household within the city to eliminate future vengeance.
Che Zhou (車冑) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Appointment as Inspector of Xu Province
Following the defeat and execution of Lu Bu at Xiapi, Cao Cao appoints Che Zhou as Inspector of Xu Province to maintain military control over the region.
Secret Assassination Order
Receives a secret directive from Cao Cao ordering him to ambush and assassinate Liu Bei upon his return from the campaign against Yuan Shu.
Plot Exposed by Chen Deng
Confides the assassination scheme to Chen Deng, who secretly reports the ambush plan to Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
Night Ambush, Slain by Guan Yu and Extermination
Duped by Guan Yu’s fake reinforcement deception, Che Zhou rides out of Xiapi at night; he is confronted and decapitated by Guan Yu in battle, while Zhang Fei eliminates his family inside the city.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Che Zhou on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Unnamed family members — Che Zhou’s entire household was exterminated by Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) in 199 AD following the death of Che Zhou at Xiapi.
Friends
- No information
Enemies
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) — The general who exposed Che Zhou’s assassination plot, confronted him outside the city gates, and decapitated him in 199 AD.
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — The warlord and primary target of Che Zhou’s secret assassination directive issued by Cao Cao.
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) — The general who participated in the night raid and subsequently executed Che Zhou’s family members within Xiapi.
- Chen Deng (陈登, Trần Đăng) — A local official who feigned loyalty to Che Zhou but betrayed his secret assassination plans to Liu Bei, leading directly to Che Zhou’s downfall.
Other
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — The warlord and sovereign who appointed Che Zhou as the Inspector of Xu Province in 198 AD and later issued the secret order for him to assassinate Liu Bei.
- Chen Gui (陈珪, Trần Khuê) — A prominent official of Xu Province whose son, Chen Deng (陈登, Trần Đăng), was instrumental in the plot against Che Zhou.
In Novel
Chapter 22
- Che Zhou (车胄, Xa Trụ): Che Zhou is appointed by Cao Cao as Administrator of Xuzhou after Liu Bei leaves the region. Liu Bei secretly returns and prepares to retake the province. Che Zhou meets Liu Bei's force at night and is killed by Guan Yu after the Shu side infiltrates the city.
Chapter 23
- Che Zhou (车胄, Xa Trụ): The aftermath of Che Zhou's death allows Liu Bei to regain control of Xuzhou. His death is used by Cao Cao as evidence that Liu Bei has openly broken with Wei.
In History
Summary
- Che Zhou (车胄, Xa Trụ) was a Han military commander associated with Cao Cao's control of Xu Province.
- His historical biography is brief, and most surviving information concerns his appointment and death during the conflict between Cao Cao and Liu Bei.
Year: 199–200 AD — Xu Province
- After Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu, he strengthened his control over Xu Province and appointed Che Zhou as a military commander there.
- When Liu Bei later returned to Xu Province and rebelled against Cao Cao's authority, Che Zhou became one of the principal targets of Liu Bei's attack.
Death
- Che Zhou was killed during Liu Bei's seizure of Xu Province. The episode marked the temporary restoration of Liu Bei's control in the region before Cao Cao personally intervened.
Historical Record
- Che Zhou was a historical figure. His death is recorded in the historical accounts surrounding Liu Bei's struggle with Cao Cao for Xu Province.
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