| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 赵范, 趙範, Zhào Fàn |
| Other name | Triệu Phạm |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Guiyang Commandery, Jing Province (荆州桂阳郡; quận Quế Dương, Kinh Châu) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Shu Han (briefly) |
| Battles | Southern Jing Campaign |
Biography & Historical Record
Zhao Fan (fl. 200s–210s) was a government official and minor warlord who served as the Administrator of Guiyang during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Following the Battle of Chibi in 208 AD, Liu Bei dispatched his general Zhao Yun to conquer the four southern commanderies of Jing Province. Facing Zhao Yun’s impending invasion, Zhao Fan chose to surrender rather than fight. After his submission, he attempted to foster a closer relationship with Zhao Yun by offering his widowed sister-in-law, Lady Fan, in marriage. However, Zhao Yun sternly rejected the proposal, citing shared family names and potential political complications. Feeling humiliated or suspicious of the ensuing political shifts, Zhao Fan later attempted to flee or rebel, leading to his capture and imprisonment by Zhao Yun, after which his ultimate historical fate became obscure.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s epic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Fan appears in Chapter 52 as the Administrator of Guiyang. When Liu Bei’s forces under Zhao Yun approach, Zhao Fan consults his two primary generals, Chen Ying and Bao Long. While Zhao Fan leans towards surrender, his generals insist on fighting, only to be utterly defeated and killed by Zhao Yun. Left with no military options, Zhao Fan formally surrenders and yields the city.
Seeking to secure protection and cement ties, Zhao Fan invites Zhao Yun to a banquet and proposes a marriage between Zhao Yun and his beautiful widowed sister-in-law, Lady Fan. Zhao Yun angrily refuses, arguing that marrying a fellow clansman’s widow would bring disgrace and chaos. Enraged and humiliated by the blunt rejection, Zhao Fan plots with Chen Ying’s former subordinates to capture Zhao Yun, but the plot is uncovered. Zhao Fan is subsequently arrested, though later pardoned and stripped of office when Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang arrive to stabilize Guiyang.
Notable Quotes & Famous Sayings
- “General, you and I share the same surname of Zhao. If your ancestors were connected with mine, then a marriage between us would unite our families in wonderful harmony.” — Zhao Fan trying to persuade Zhao Yun to accept the marriage proposal.
- “General Zhao has treated me with great kindness, but my sister-in-law has vowed never to remarry unless her suitor meets three strict conditions: he must be well-versed in letters and martial arts, he must be handsome and distinguished, and he must share the same family name.” — Zhao Fan presenting the criteria for Lady Fan’s hand.
Zhao Fan (趙範) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Surrender of Guiyang
Facing the invasion led by Shu general Zhao Yun, Zhao Fan overrides his dissenting generals Chen Ying and Bao Long, choosing to formally surrender Guiyang to secure peace.
The Marriage Proposal & Rejection
Zhao Fan hosts a banquet for Zhao Yun and offers his widowed sister-in-law Lady Fan in marriage. Zhao Yun reacts with anger and outright rejects the offer, causing deep resentment.
Failed Plot and Imprisonment
Humiliated by the refusal, Zhao Fan conspires to betray and assassinate Zhao Yun. The plot is exposed, resulting in Zhao Fan’s arrest and detention until Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang arrive to reorganize the commandery.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Zhao Fan on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- Lady Fan (樊氏, Phàn Thị) — His widowed sister-in-law whom he attempted to use as a political pawn by offering her in marriage to Zhao Yun to secure his position in Guiyang.
Friends
- No information
Enemies
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) — The Shu general who conquered Guiyang in 209 AD; he rejected Zhao Fan’s marriage proposal, leading to a failed assassination plot by Zhao Fan and his subsequent arrest.
- Chen Ying (陈应, Trần Ứng) — A subordinate general who initially opposed Zhao Fan’s surrender to Liu Bei’s forces and was killed by Zhao Yun during the conflict.
- Bao Long (鲍隆, Bào Long) — A subordinate general who served under Zhao Fan and died in battle against Zhao Yun while resisting the Shu invasion.
Other
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — The warlord of Shu Han who ordered the conquest of the southern commanderies and eventually pardoned Zhao Fan after the stabilization of Guiyang.
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) — The chief strategist of Shu Han who arrived in Guiyang to reorganize the administration and oversaw the final disposition of Zhao Fan’s case.
In Novel
Chapter 52
- Zhao Fan (赵范, Triệu Phạm): Zhao Fan is the Administrator of Guiyang when Zhao Yun arrives with 3,000 troops to take the commandery. Zhao Fan knows that Guiyang cannot withstand Liu Bei's army and initially intends to surrender, but his officers Chen Ying and Bao Long insist on fighting. Chen Ying leads 3,000 men against Zhao Yun and is defeated and captured. Zhao Yun releases him so that he can return and tell Zhao Fan to surrender. Zhao Yun then uses a deception: Chen Ying and Bao Long are killed, their soldiers are made to imitate their returning army, and Zhao Yun enters Guiyang under the impression that the officers have returned victorious. Zhao Fan is seized and the city is secured. Later Zhao Fan explains that he had offered his widowed sister-in-law to Zhao Yun in marriage. Zhao Yun refuses because Zhao Fan has become his sworn brother, the woman should not be forced into remarriage, and Zhao Fan has only just surrendered and cannot yet be fully trusted. Liu Bei accepts Zhao Yun's reasoning, releases Zhao Fan, and allows him to continue as Administrator of Guiyang.
In History
Summary
- Zhao Fan (赵范, Triệu Phạm) was the Administrator of Guiyang Commandery during Liu Bei's expansion into southern Jing Province.
- He is chiefly remembered for his surrender to Liu Bei and for the dispute involving his widowed sister-in-law, Fan Shi (樊氏, Phàn Thị), whom historical tradition records as a beautiful woman.
Year: 209 AD
- After Liu Bei gained control of the southern Jing commanderies, Zhao Fan (赵范, Triệu Phạm) became one of the local administrators confronted by the Shu expansion.
- He eventually surrendered Guiyang to Liu Bei.
Fan Shi and Zhao Yun
- According to the biography of Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân), Zhao Fan proposed that Zhao Yun marry his widowed sister-in-law Fan Shi. Zhao Yun refused.
- This episode is historically important because it confirms the existence of Fan Shi, although her personal name beyond the surname Fan is not securely preserved in the primary record.
Later Career
- The historical record concerning Zhao Fan (赵范, Triệu Phạm) after the surrender of Guiyang is limited. The elaborate conflicts and confrontations presented in later fiction should not be treated as secure history.
Historical Record
- Zhao Fan (赵范, Triệu Phạm) was a real historical official. His surrender of Guiyang and the marriage proposal involving Fan Shi are the principal events securely associated with him.
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