| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 韩融, 韓融, Hán Róng |
| Nickname | Yuanchang (元长); Grand Herald and Imperial Guardian |
| Other name | Hàn Dung |
| Courtesy name | 元长, 元長, Yuán Zhǎng, Yuan Zhang, tự Nguyên Trường |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Wuyang, Yingchuan (Wuyang County, Henan) |
| Death Reason | Died at about age 70 (natural) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Han Dynasty |
| Battles |
|
Biography & Historical Record
Han Rong (韩融, Hàn Dung), courtesy name Yuanchang (元长, Nguyên Trường), was an Eastern Han scholar-official from Wuyang in Yingchuan (modern Henan). Son of the official Han Shao (韩韶), he belonged to the late Han gentry caught between eunuch corruption, warlord violence, and the dying legitimacy of the imperial court. He served as Grand Herald (大鸿胪) and Imperial Guardian (太仆), and was one of the elderly ministers who stayed beside Emperor Xian during the Li Jue–Guo Si chaos — repeatedly risking himself as an envoy to negotiate with the very rebels holding the emperor hostage.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 13 (Li Jue and Guo Si Battle; Yang Feng and Dong Cheng Rescue the Emperor): After Li Jue and Guo Si drive the court into flight, Han Rong — then serving as Court Administrator (太仆) — arrives with Yang Biao (杨彪, Dương Biểu) to weep before the emperor. Han Rong tells Yang Biao: “The rebels have confidence in my words. You stay to guard His Majesty; I will take my life in my hands and try to bring about peace.” He goes alone to Li Jue and Guo Si, persuades them to release captive officials and palace women, and temporarily eases the court’s suffering. The novel follows Hou Hanshu tradition in portraying him as a voice of moral courage amid bandit-generals posing as ministers.
Han Rong (韩融) — Historical & Literary Timeline
189 AD
Summoned by Dong Zhuo
Among scholars Dong Zhuo called to office after deposing Emperor Shao — appointed Grand Herald alongside Chen Ji and others.
c. 190 AD
Envoy to Yuan Shao
Dong Zhuo sends Han Rong with Hu Mu Ban and others to pacify the Guandong coalition; other envoys are executed, but Han Rong is spared for his reputation.
Chapter 13
Negotiates with Li Jue and Guo Si
Volunteers to treat with the rebels holding Emperor Xian; secures release of officials and some palace captives.
c. 70 years old
Death
Dies at about seventy after decades of service — remembered among “Party Prohibition” survivors who became high ministers (陈纪、韩融之徒).
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Han Rong on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Han Shao (韩韶): Yingchuan official; Han Rong inherits gentry standing.
- No children prominently recorded in novel passage.
Friends
- Yang Biao (杨彪, Dương Biểu): Colleague who weeps with Han Rong before the emperor and stays to guard the throne while Han Rong negotiates.
- Chen Ji (陈纪) and fellow former prohibition victims: Scholar-ministers restored under Dong Zhuo.
Enemies
- Li Jue (李傕) and Guo Si (郭汜): Rebel generals whom Han Rong persuades to release captives — though they remain threats.
- Yuan Shao (袁绍) and Guandong lords: Earlier mission envoys were killed; Han Rong alone escaped.
Other
- Emperor Xian (汉献帝, Hán Hiến Đế): Sovereign Han Rong serves through flight and famine.
- Dong Zhuo (董卓): Summoned him to court in 189 AD.
- Zhu Jun (朱儁): Fellow hostage minister who dies of illness during Li Jue’s captivity — same crisis arc.
In Novel
Chapter 13
- Han Rong (韩融, Hàn Dung), styled Yuanchang: Arrives with Yang Biao to weep before Emperor Xian. Says to Yang Biao: "The rebels have confidence in my words. You stay as guard of the Emperor, and I will take my life in my hands and try to bring about peace." Later persuades Li Jue and Guo Si to release officials and palace people.
In History
Summary
- Han Rong (韩融, Hàn Dung), styled Yuanchang, Grand Herald and Imperial Guardian under Emperor Xian; envoy who survived Dong Zhuo's missions and later negotiated with Li Jue and Guo Si; died c. age 70.
Year: 189 AD
- Appointed Grand Herald when Dong Zhuo reforms the court.
Year: 195 AD
- Sent to Hongnong to negotiate with Li Jue and Guo Si; recovers officials and imperial property (Zizhi Tongjian).
Historical Record
- Hou Hanshu and Zizhi Tongjian Hanji entries.
- ROTK Chapter 13 dramatizes his peace mission to Li Jue and Guo Si.
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