| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 关平, 關平, Guān Píng |
| Other name | Quan Bình |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | 178 |
| Birth Place | Jie County, Hedong Commandery (河东郡解县; huyện Giải, quận Hà Đông) |
| Died | 220 |
| Death Reason | Executed by Eastern Wu (东吴, Đông Ngô) forces at Maicheng (麦城; Mạch Thành) (220 AD) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Shu Han |
| Battles | Battle of Red Cliffs, Invasion of Yi Province, Hanzhong Campaign, Battle of Fancheng, Defense of Maicheng |
Biography & Historical Record
Guan Ping (178–220 AD) was a valiant military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the eldest son (or adopted son in some novel variations) of the legendary Shu general Guan Yu. Hailing from Jie County in Hedong Commandery, Guan Ping followed his father through countless military campaigns, earning widespread renown for his exceptional bravery, martial prowess, and unwavering loyalty.
During Liu Bei’s campaigns to establish his foothold in Jing Province and later Western Shu, Guan Ping served alongside his father as a trusted vanguard commander. When Guan Yu was appointed to govern and defend Jing Province, Guan Ping stood as his right-hand man, participating in major military operations including the defense of Jing Province and the momentous Campaign against Fan Castle in 219 AD.
In the winter of 219 AD, following Eastern Wu’s betrayal led by Lü Meng and Sun Quan, Jing Province fell, and Guan Yu alongside Guan Ping retreated to Maicheng (Mai Castle). Surrounded by superior enemy forces and cut off from reinforcements, Guan Ping attempted to break through the encirclement with his father to seek aid from Shangyong. However, they were ambushed and captured by Wu forces at Zhangxiang. Refusing to surrender, Guan Ping was executed alongside his father Guan Yu at the age of 42. His younger brother Guan Xing later inherited his legacy in Shu Han.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s classic historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Ping is famously portrayed as the adopted son of Guan Yu, whom Guan Yu met during his brief period serving Cao Cao when Guan Ping was presented as an adopted heir by the scholar Guan Ding in Chapter 28. Guan Ping fights valiantly alongside his adoptive father throughout the epic, participating in the Battle of Red Cliffs, the conquest of Yi Province, the Hanzhong Campaign, and the tragic defense of Maicheng where father and son meet their heroic end.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “Father, we shall fight to the last breath to defend Jing Province!” — Guan Ping expressing his absolute devotion during the defense against Eastern Wu.
- “To die with honor for the Han Dynasty is our ultimate duty.” — Guan Ping’s resolute stance before his execution at Maicheng.
Guan Ping (关平) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Adopted by Guan Yu
During Guan Yu’s brief stay under Cao Cao, he meets gentry member Guan Ding and formally adopts Guan Ping as his eldest son.
Battle of Red Cliffs
Participates in allied coalition efforts against Cao Cao following Liu Bei’s southern migration.
Invasion of Yi Province
Assists Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang in securing Sichuan and establishing secure regional control.
Hanzhong Campaign
Fights valiantly under Liu Bei’s banner to conquer and secure Hanzhong from Wei forces.
Tragic Fall at Maicheng
Trapped at Maicheng, captured during breakout attempt, and executed alongside Guan Yu by Eastern Wu forces.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Guan Ping on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ): His father and mentor, under whom he served as a vanguard commander throughout the campaigns in Jing Province and the Fan Castle offensive.
- Guan Ding (关定, Quan Định): The local gentry member who presented Guan Ping to Guan Yu for adoption in 200 AD.
- Guan Xing (关兴, Quan Hưng): His younger brother who continued the family legacy in the Shu Han military after Guan Ping’s death.
- Guan Suo (关索, Quan Sách): His younger brother, often associated with the family in later literary traditions.
- Guan Yinping (关银屏, Quan Ngân Bình): His younger sister, daughter of Guan Yu.
Friends
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị): The sovereign of Shu Han to whom Guan Ping remained loyal throughout his military career.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): The Prime Minister of Shu Han who oversaw the strategic operations in which Guan Ping participated.
- Liao Hua (廖化, Liêu Hóa): A fellow officer who served alongside Guan Ping during the defense of Jing Province.
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): A senior general of Shu Han who fought alongside the Guan family in various campaigns to secure the state.
Enemies
- Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền): The ruler of Eastern Wu who ordered the betrayal and invasion of Jing Province in 219 AD, leading to Guan Ping’s capture.
- Lü Meng (吕蒙, Lữ Mông): The Eastern Wu strategist who masterminded the capture of Jing Province and the subsequent execution of Guan Ping and his father.
- Yu Jin (于禁, Vu Cấm): A Wei general defeated and captured by Guan Ping and Guan Yu during the flooding of Fan Castle in 219 AD.
- Pang De (庞德, Bàng Đức): A Wei general who fought against Guan Ping and his father during the Fan Castle campaign.
Other
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): The ruler of Wei; Guan Ping met Guan Yu while the latter was briefly serving under Cao Cao in 200 AD.
Appearance
In Novel
Chapter 28
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Eldest son of Guan Ding adopted by Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) at Mount Wolong, pledging his lifelong devotion to his adoptive father.
Chapter 39
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Fought alongside Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) and Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) at the Battle of Bowang Slope.
Chapter 41
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Escorted civilian refugees and protected Liu Bei's family entourage during the retreat from Dangyang.
Chapter 53
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Participated in the pacification of Changsha under Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ).
Chapter 63
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Dispatched from Jingzhou to deliver military dispatches to Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) in the Riverlands, participating in the siege operations around Luocheng.
Chapter 73
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Served as vanguard commander for Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) during the siege of Fan City, fighting Cao Ren (曹仁, Tào Nhân) and Pang De (庞德, Bàng Đức).
Chapter 74
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Assisted Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) in executing the water-flood stratagem that drowned Yu Jin's (于禁, Vu Cấm) seven divisions.
Chapter 76
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Defended Maicheng alongside Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) when surrounded by Eastern Wu forces; he broke through enemy cordons repeatedly but was ultimately captured in a night ambush at Zhangxiang.
Chapter 77
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình): Refused Sun Quan's (孙权, Tôn Quyền) demands to surrender and was executed alongside Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) in 219 AD, dying a martyr for Shu Han.
In History
Summary
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình) was the biological eldest son of Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) and a military officer serving under Liu Bei.
Year: 220 AD
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình) was captured together with his father after the fall of Jing Province and was executed by Sun Quan's forces at Linju.
Historical Record
- Guan Ping (关平, Quan Bình) was a real historical person and Guan Yu's biological son. The portrayal of Guan Ping as an adopted son is a later literary development associated with Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
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