Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade

The Fifty-Jin Trident Saber: Ji Ling’s Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade

The Fearsome Polearm of Yuan Shu’s Paramount Champion

In Luo Guanzhong’s classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义, Sān Guó Yǎn Yì), monstrous weapons of extraordinary weight were forged to showcase the superhuman strength and terrifying martial presence of top commanders. Among the most distinctive heavy polearms of the era stands the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade (三尖两刃刀, Sānjiān Liǎngrèn Dāo / also revered in Vietnamese martial folklore as Tam Tiêm Lưỡng Nhận Đao or Tam Mũi Thương). Weighing a formidable fifty Han jin (approximately 25–28 pounds or 11.5 kilograms), this deadly weapon was wielded exclusively by Ji Ling (纪灵, Kỷ Linh / courtesy name: Fuyi, 伏义), the chief military general of warlord Yuan Shu (袁术, Viên Thuật).

“Wielding a fifty-jin three-pointed double-edged blade, the towering champion rode forth under fluttering banners; facing the Peerless God of War at Xuyi, thirty rounds of thunderous clashes shook the earth without retreat.”

(重五十斤三尖两刃刀，匹马横枪战关羽, Zhòng wǔshí jīn sānjiān liǎngrèn dāo, pǐ mǎ héng qiāng zhàn Guān Yǔ)

Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade (三尖两刃刀, Tam Tiêm Lưỡng Nhận Đao / Tam Mũi Thương) — The 50-Jin Heavy Weapon of Ji Ling

As the supreme commander of Yuan Shu’s massive armies in Huainan, Ji Ling relied on the sheer crushing impact and hooking versatility of his trident blade to conquer hostile territories and intimidate rival warlords across the Central Plains.

1. Etymology and Weapon Morphology

The name of this exotic weapon is derived from its unique geometric blade structure and dual offensive functions:

• Sān Jiān (三尖): Translates to “Three Points” or “Three Tips.” The apex of the weapon splits into a prominent central thrusting spearhead flanked by two curving, razor-sharp side prongs shaped like outward crescent horns.
• Liǎng Rèn (两刃): Translates to “Double Edges.” Unlike standard single-edged sabers (Dāo / 刀), both outer lateral edges of the main blade and side prongs were sharpened to lethal perfection, enabling cutting, cleaving, and reverse slashing.
• Legendary Parallels: In classical Chinese mythology, the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade is the mythical weapon of Erlang Shen (二郎神, Dương Tiễn), the celestial warrior deity. In martial arts history, Ji Ling’s use of this design in the Han era is celebrated as its most renowned earthly battlefield manifestation.

2. Physical Specifications, Metallurgy and Anatomy

Crafted specifically for a physically imposing commander, Ji Ling’s polearm represented the pinnacle of Eastern Han heavy weapon manufacturing:

• Massive Blade Head: Forged from laminated iron and tempered steel, measuring nearly three Han feet in length. The thick central ridge provided structural rigidity against direct collisions with heavy blunt weapons.
• Trap and Hook Crescent Flukes: The two recurved side tips were designed to catch, trap, and pry away opponent weapons—such as long lances, halberds, and swords—rendering enemy riders disarmed during close-quarter mounted combat.
• Fifty-Jin Weight (Wǔshí Jīn / 五十斤): While slightly lighter than Guan Yu’s legendary 82-jin Green Dragon Crescent Blade, a 50-jin weapon in the late Han represented an extraordinary mass that only the most muscular elite champions could swing repeatedly on horseback.
• Heavy Iron-Banded Shaft: Attached to a reinforced steel socket (Qiāng Gū) and seated upon a dense oak pole wrapped in leather cord for non-slip grip during bloody mounted engagements.

3. Combat Mechanics and Tactical Execution

The Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade functioned as an ingenious fusion of spear, sword, and trident:

1. Armor-Penetrating Thrusts: The long central spearhead punched cleanly through iron mail and hardened lamellar cuirasses on cavalry charges.
2. Sweeping Cleaves and Chops: The heavy blade operated like a wide-bladed halberd, delivering devastating downward and horizontal sweeping chops capable of severing limbs and toppling horse mounts.
3. Blade Trapping and Counter-Strikes: In single combat, the deep recesses between the central point and the side wings allowed the wielder to snare incoming spear shafts, locking the opponent’s weapon before delivering a lethal counter-thrust.

4. Legendary Battles in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Ji Ling and his signature 50-jin weapon feature at the center of three dramatic confrontations in Luo Guanzhong’s narrative:

The Stalemate at Xuyi with Guan Yu (Chapter 14)

When Yuan Shu dispatched an army of 100,000 to conquer Xu Province, Ji Ling led the vanguard to Xuyi (盱眙). Riding forth on a battle-trained steed with his Fifty-Jin Three-Pointed Blade, he met Guan Yu in single combat. The two champions clashed in a furious duel that lasted thirty unbroken bouts without a victor. Exhausted by the sheer physical exertion of withstanding Guan Yu’s Green Dragon Blade, Ji Ling called for a temporary pause to rest his arms, proving his status as one of the few warlord champions capable of surviving a sustained duel against the God of War.

Lu Bu’s Archery Feat at the Camp Gate (Chapter 16)

Pursuing Liu Bei to Xiaopei with a massive army of 30,000, Ji Ling cornered Liu Bei’s meager garrison. Lu Bu intervened to mediate the dispute, inviting both Ji Ling and Liu Bei to a banquet. When Ji Ling realized Liu Bei was present, he initially attempted to draw his blade to attack, but was held back effortlessly by Lu Bu. Lu Bu famously hung his sky-piercing halberd at a distance of 150 paces and shot an arrow cleanly through the side crescent, compelling Ji Ling to respect the heavenly omen and withdraw his forces without bloodshed.

The Final Clash with Zhang Fei at Runan (Chapter 21)

Following Yuan Shu’s ruinous imperial pretensions, Ji Ling escorted his master’s remnants northward toward Hebei. Intercepted by Liu Bei’s intercepting army at Runan, Ji Ling charged furiously with his Three-Pointed Blade to clear an escape corridor. He clashed directly with Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi). In an explosive duel between the heavy trident saber and the Serpent Spear, Zhang Fei’s thunderous fury overwhelmed Ji Ling after ten intense rounds, piercing Ji Ling through the chest and ending the career of Huainan’s fiercest defender.

Summary of Profile Details

Historical Reality vs. Literary Myth

• In History (Records of the Three Kingdoms / 三国志): Chen Shou’s chronicles confirm that Ji Ling was indeed Yuan Shu’s senior general who commanded the 196 AD offensive against Liu Bei at Xiaopei and witnessed Lu Bu’s famous archery mediation. However, the specific mention of the “Fifty-Jin Three-Pointed Blade” is a vivid literary dramatization introduced in Ming-era storytelling to provide Ji Ling with a distinct, iconic weapon.
• Evolution in Folklore & Opera: In Chinese traditional opera and temple performances, Ji Ling always enters the stage wielding the Three-Pointed Blade, sporting golden pheasant plumes on his helmet and elaborate dragon-pattern armor, symbolizing his master Yuan Shu’s imperial extravagance.
• Gaming and Media Legacy: Across Koei Tecmo’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Dynasty Warriors series, as well as collectible card games, Ji Ling is defined by this signature weapon, offering wide sweeping radius attacks, weapon-disarming properties, and high physical staggering capability.

For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Ji Ling on Wikipedia.