| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 韩馥, 韓馥, Hán Fù |
| Other name | Hàn Phức |
| Courtesy name | 文节, 文節, Wénjié, Wen Jie, tự Văn Tiết |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Yingchuan Commandery, Yu Province (豫州颍川郡; quận Dĩnh Xuyên, Dự Châu) |
| Died | 191 |
| Death Reason | Committed suicide by slashing his throat in the privy after being intimidated by Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) (191 AD) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Han Dynasty, Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition |
| Battles | Battle of Hulao Pass |
Biography & Historical Record
Han Fu (died 191 AD), courtesy name Wenjue, was a politician and regional warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Originally serving as an imperial clerk and Censor in the Han central government, he was appointed as the Inspector of Ji Province by Dong Zhuo in 189 AD to secure control over one of China’s most populous and prosperous northern territories. However, Han Fu lacked strong military leadership skills and tactical vision. When the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition formed in 190 AD, Han Fu participated as a major coalition member, supplying provisions and troops. Threatened by the rising power and proximity of Gongsun Zan, and heavily influenced by his advisors Xun Chen and Ziyin, Han Fu made the fateful decision to cede his governorship and control of Ji Province to Yuan Shao in 191 AD. Filled with anxiety and regret after losing his domain, Han Fu fled to Changshi, where he committed suicide out of fear and psychological distress after accidentally injuring himself during a panic.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s epic historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Han Fu is introduced in Chapter 5 as the Inspector of Ji Province and one of the allied warlords joining the coalition against Dong Zhuo. During the initial assembly, he brings substantial provisions to support the alliance. At the Battle of Hulao Pass, when Yuan Shao’s forces face the invincible warrior Lu Bu, Han Fu proudly puts forward his champion vanguard general, Pan Feng, boasting of his peerless valor. To Han Fu’s utter dismay and embarrassment, Pan Feng is slain by Lu Bu within a few clashes.
Later, in Chapter 6, following the dissolution of the coalition, Han Fu’s advisors Xun Chen and Ji Ling conspire with Yuan Shao to usurp Ji Province. Terrified by Yuan Shao’s growing military pressure and his own lack of courage, Han Fu foolishly resigns his post and hands over Ji Province to Yuan Shao. Realizing too late that he has walked into a trap, Han Fu escapes to find refuge with Zhang Miao, but driven to extreme paranoia and depression by Yuan Shao’s continued harassment, he commits suicide by slashing his throat with a writing knife.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “I have a supreme general named Pan Feng who can hack through any opponent; he can surely defeat Lu Bu.” — Han Fu boasting of Pan Feng before Hulao Pass.
Han Fu (韓馥) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Appointment to Ji Province
Han Fu is appointed as the Inspector of Ji Province by the central court, taking command of a rich and powerful northern territory.
The Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition & Pan Feng’s Death
Han Fu joins the coalition against Dong Zhuo. At Hulao Pass, his top general Pan Feng is slain by Lu Bu after Han Fu boasts of his martial prowess.
Cession of Ji Province and Suicide
Manipulated by his advisors and pressured by Yuan Shao, Han Fu surrenders control of Ji Province to Yuan Shao. Overwhelmed by regret and fear, he commits suicide while staying with Zhang Miao.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Han Fu on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Xun Chen (荀谌, Tuân Thầm) and Ziyin (辛评, Tân Bình): Advisors who served Han Fu and ultimately persuaded him to cede Ji Province to Yuan Shao in 191 AD.
- Pan Feng (潘凤, Phan Phượng): A vanguard general under Han Fu who was boasted as a champion before being killed by Lu Bu at the Battle of Hulao Pass in 190 AD.
- Zhang Miao (张邈, Trương Mạc): The Administrator of Chenliu who provided refuge to Han Fu after he fled his governorship; Han Fu later committed suicide while under his protection.
Enemies
- Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu): A powerful warlord who pressured and manipulated Han Fu into surrendering control of Ji Province in 191 AD, leading to Han Fu’s eventual downfall.
- Gongsun Zan (公孙瓒, Công Tôn Toản): A rival northern warlord whose military expansion and proximity posed a significant threat to Han Fu’s territory.
- Lu Bu (吕布, Lã Bố): A formidable warrior serving Dong Zhuo who defeated and killed Han Fu’s general, Pan Feng, during the 190 AD campaign at Hulao Pass.
- Dong Zhuo (董卓, Đổng Trác): The tyrannical chancellor whom Han Fu nominally opposed as a member of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition in 190 AD.
Other
- Emperor Xian (汉献帝, Hán Hiến Đế): The sovereign of the Eastern Han Dynasty whom Han Fu served as an imperial clerk and Censor before his appointment as Inspector of Ji Province.
Comrades
In Novel
Chapter 5
- Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức): Han Fu, Inspector of Jizhou, is named as the second allied lord responding to Cao Cao's proclamation against Dong Zhuo. He joins the coalition of regional commanders that gathers to attack Dong Zhuo and is identified as one of the principal lords in the anti-Dong Zhuo alliance.
Chapter 7
- Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức): After the coalition breaks apart, Yuan Shao is stationed in Henei and lacks supplies, so Han Fu sends grain from wealthy Jizhou to support him. Yuan Shao's adviser Feng Ji then proposes taking Jizhou rather than continuing to depend on Han Fu. Yuan Shao secretly persuades Gongsun Zan to attack Jizhou and simultaneously informs Han Fu that Gongsun Zan is coming. Frightened by Gongsun Zan's army, Han Fu consults Xun Chen and Xin Ping. They advise him to invite Yuan Shao into Jizhou to share control, arguing that Yuan Shao's prestige and military strength will protect him. Han Fu accepts the plan despite Geng Wu's warning that giving Yuan Shao access to Jizhou is like releasing a tiger into a flock of sheep. More than thirty officials resign in protest, while Geng Wu and Guan Chun remain outside the city to resist Yuan Shao. After Yuan Shao arrives, Yan Liang kills Geng Wu and Wen Chou kills Guan Chun. Yuan Shao takes control of Jizhou, strips Han Fu of real authority, and appoints him as General Who Inspires Might. Realizing too late that he has surrendered his own province, Han Fu abandons his family and rides alone to seek refuge with Zhang Miao in Chenliu.
In History
Summary
- Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức), courtesy name Wenjie, was the Inspector of Jizhou and an important regional governor at the beginning of the warlord era.
- He is particularly remembered for losing Jizhou to Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) despite initially controlling one of the richest provinces in northern China.
Year: 189 AD
- Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức) governed Jizhou during the collapse of central Han authority and joined the coalition against Dong Zhuo.
Year: 191 AD
- When Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) entered Jizhou, Han Fu came under intense political pressure. His advisers debated whether to resist Yuan Shao.
- Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức) eventually surrendered control of Jizhou to Yuan Shao, ending his independent political power.
Later Life
- After losing Jizhou, Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức) lived under the protection of others and eventually died during the continuing political instability.
Historical Record
- Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức) was a real historical governor. His loss of Jizhou was a major step in Yuan Shao's consolidation of northern China.
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