| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 眭固, 眭固, Suī Gù |
| Nickname | Botu / White Rabbit (白兔, Bạch Thố) — courtesy name or outlaw alias |
| Other name | Tuy Cố; Botu (白兔, Bạch Thố) — White Rabbit alias |
| Courtesy name | 白兔, 白兔, Bóitù (Botu / White Rabbit); Viet: Bạch Thố |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Bing Province (并州; Tinh Châu) |
| Died | 199 |
| Death Reason | Slain in 199 at Quancheng / Dog City (犬城, Quách / Khuyển Thành) by Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo)'s general Shi Huan (史涣, Sử Hoán) after ignoring a witch's rabbit-meets-dog omen (Dianlue / Romance Ch.19). |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Heishan / Black Mountain Bandits under Zhang Yan → Zhang Yang (Henei) → attempt to join Yuan Shao |
| Battles | 191 Yan Province raid; 193 Changshan vs Yuan Shao; 198–199 aftermath of Zhang Yang's death; Quancheng / Daicheng (199) |
Here is the exhaustive biography, ancestral background, historical records, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms narrative for Sui Gu (眭固), courtesy name Botu (白兔) (d. 199 AD), incorporating all detailed accounts of his military career, bandit background, and fateful encounter at Quancheng.
Ancestry, Family Background & Early Life
Sui Gu was born in Bing Province (Tịnh Châu). His specific ancestry and family members are unrecorded in historical annals. His courtesy name Botu (白兔) literally translates to “White Rabbit”, an exceptionally unusual courtesy name for the Han dynasty, leading scholars to speculate that it was an outlaw alias adopted during his time as a bandit in the Taihang Mountains.
Black Mountain Bandit Era & Service Under Zhang Yang
Sui Gu initially rose to prominence as a chieftain of the **Heishan Bandits** (Black Mountain Bandits) under the supreme leadership of Zhang Yan. In 191 AD, Sui Gu alongside fellow bandit leaders Yu Du and Bo Rao launched a massive invasion into Yan Province, defeating Wang Gong (an official under Liu Dai), before being decisively defeated and repelled by Cao Cao. In 193 AD, when Yuan Shao launched a campaign against the Black Mountain forces in the Taihang Mountains, Sui Gu fought alongside Zhang Yan at Changshan until both sides withdrew due to heavy casualties. Sui Gu later left the mountains to pledge allegiance to Zhang Yang, the Grand Administrator of Henei commandery, becoming one of his prominent generals.
Assassination of Yang Chou & Defection Attempt to Yuan Shao
In late 198 AD, during Cao Cao’s siege of Lü Bu at Xiapi, Zhang Yang mobilized his troops to support Lü Bu. However, Zhang Yang’s officer Yang Chou assassinated Zhang Yang, intending to surrender his army to Cao Cao. Furious at the betrayal, Sui Gu immediately executed Yang Chou, took full command of Zhang Yang’s remnant forces, and marched east to Shequan to defect to Cao Cao’s rival, Yuan Shao.
The Omen of Quancheng & Fateful Death
In 199 AD, Cao Cao dispatched generals Shi Huan and Cao Ren to intercept Sui Gu at Quancheng. According to the historical text Dianlue (典略), a local sorceress warned Sui Gu: “General, your courtesy name is Rabbit (‘Botu’), while this city’s name is Dog (‘Quancheng’ = Dog City). When a rabbit meets a dog, it is naturally terrified and doomed. You must leave at once.” Sui Gu stubbornly disregarded the omen, engaged Shi Huan’s forces outside Quancheng, and was defeated and slain in battle. His remaining troops were absorbed into Cao Cao’s army.
Sui Gu (眭固) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Black Mountain Invasion of Yan Province
Joins Yu Du and Bo Rao to raid Yan Province; defeats Wang Gong before being driven back by Cao Cao.
Battle of Changshan
Fights alongside Zhang Yan against Yuan Shao’s forces at Changshan before both sides withdraw.
Avenging Zhang Yang
Kills Yang Chou after Yang Chou assassinates Zhang Yang. Takes command of Zhang Yang’s remnant forces to align with Yuan Shao at Shequan.
Defeat & Death at Quancheng
Ignores the witch’s prophecy warning of “Rabbit” at “Dog City”. Intercepted and slain by Cao Cao’s general Shi Huan at Quancheng/Daicheng.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Narrative
In Chapter 19 of Luo Guanzhong’s novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sui Gu appears during the aftermath of Lü Bu’s downfall. Following Zhang Yang’s decision to aid Lü Bu, Yang Chou murders Zhang Yang to claim reward from Cao Cao. Sui Gu slays Yang Chou in retribution, seizes command of the army, and attempts to march to Daicheng (Quancheng) to join Yuan Shao. Cao Cao dispatches Shi Huan to attack him. Sui Gu is intercepted on the road, utterly defeated, and slain in single combat by Shi Huan.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Sui Gu on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zhang Yan (张燕, Trương Yến): Supreme leader of the Heishan Bandits under whom Sui Gu served during his early career in the Taihang Mountains.
- Yu Du (于毒, Vu Độc): Fellow chieftain of the Heishan Bandits who partnered with Sui Gu during the 191 AD invasion of Yan Province.
- Bo Rao (白绕, Bạch Nhiễu): Fellow chieftain of the Heishan Bandits who joined Sui Gu and Yu Du in the 191 AD campaign against Yan Province.
- Zhang Yang (张杨, Trương Dương): Grand Administrator of Henei whom Sui Gu served as a loyal general; Sui Gu sought to avenge his death after his assassination.
Enemies
- Yang Chou (杨丑, Dương Xú): An officer under Zhang Yang who assassinated his lord; Sui Gu killed him in retribution in 198 AD.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Principal rival whose forces repelled Sui Gu in 191 AD and whose generals ultimately orchestrated his defeat and death in 199 AD.
- Shi Huan (史涣, Sử Hoán): Cao Cao’s general who intercepted Sui Gu at Quancheng in 199 AD and slew him in battle.
- Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu): Although Sui Gu attempted to defect to him, Yuan Shao was a primary adversary of the Heishan Bandits, notably fighting against Sui Gu and Zhang Yan at the Battle of Changshan in 193 AD.
Other
- Wang Gong (王肱, Vương Quăng): An official under Liu Dai whose forces were defeated by Sui Gu and his fellow bandits during the 191 AD invasion of Yan Province.
In Novel
Chapter 19
- Sui Gu (眭固, Tuy Cố), courtesy name Botu (白兔, Bạch Thố / White Rabbit): Appears after Zhang Yang (张杨, Trương Dương) moves to aid Lu Bu (吕布, Lã Bố) at Xiapi. Officer Yang Chou (杨丑, Dương Xú) murders Zhang Yang to seek favour from Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo). Sui Gu kills Yang Chou in revenge, seizes the remnant army, and marches toward Daicheng / Quancheng intending to join Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu). Cao Cao sends Shi Huan (史涣, Sử Hoán) to intercept him; Sui Gu is defeated on the road and slain by Shi Huan. The novel compresses the historical rabbit–dog omen tale into this single-combat death after the Zhang Yang betrayal arc.
In History
Summary
- Sui Gu (眭固, Tuy Cố), styled Botu (白兔, White Rabbit), rose among the Heishan / Black Mountain Bandits under Zhang Yan (张燕, Trương Yến), later served Zhang Yang of Henei, avenged Zhang Yang by killing Yang Chou, and tried to take the remnant force to Yuan Shao. In 199 Cao Cao's officers intercepted him at Quancheng (犬城, "Dog City"); a local sorceress warned that a rabbit (his style) meeting a dog (the city name) meant doom — he ignored her and was killed by Shi Huan. Remaining troops entered Cao Cao's army.
Year: 191 AD
- With fellow Heishan leaders Yu Du (于毒) and Bo Rao (白绕), raids Yan Province; initially beats local forces before Cao Cao drives the bandits back.
Year: 193 AD
- Fights beside Zhang Yan against Yuan Shao at Changshan; both sides withdraw after heavy losses.
Year: 198–199 AD
- Zhang Yang is assassinated by Yang Chou; Sui Gu kills Yang Chou, takes command, marches for Yuan Shao via Shequan / Quancheng; Shi Huan (and Cao Ren in some notices) intercept and kill him at Quancheng after the rabbit–dog omen.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi / Pei notes on Cao Cao's early campaigns; Dianlue (典略) preserves the Quancheng rabbit–dog omen; Zizhi Tongjian for Jian'an 3–4 (198–199) on Zhang Yang, Yang Chou, and Sui Gu.
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