Xiahou Dun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xiahou Dun
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| 夏侯惇 | |||||||||||||||||
A Qing dynasty illustration of Xiahou Dun swallowing his eyeball
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| General-in-Chief (大將軍) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 23 April – 13 June 220 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han | ||||||||||||||||
| Chancellor | Cao Pi | ||||||||||||||||
| General of the Vanguard (前將軍) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 219 – 23 April 220 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han | ||||||||||||||||
| Chancellor | Cao Cao / Cao Pi | ||||||||||||||||
| General Who Calms the Waves (伏波將軍) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 204–219 |
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| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han | ||||||||||||||||
| Chancellor | Cao Cao (from 208) | ||||||||||||||||
| Intendant of Henan (河南尹) | |||||||||||||||||
| General Who Builds Martial Might (建武將軍). | |||||||||||||||||
| Administrator (太守) of Jiyin Commandery (濟陰) | |||||||||||||||||
| Administrator (太守) of Dong Commandery (東郡) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 192–? |
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| Preceded by | Cao Cao | ||||||||||||||||
| Colonel Who Breaks and Charges (折衝校尉) | |||||||||||||||||
| Major (司馬) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 190–? |
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| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | Unknown Bozhou, Anhui |
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| Died | 13 June 220 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Occupation | Military general, politician | ||||||||||||||||
| Courtesy name | Yuanrang (元讓) | ||||||||||||||||
| Posthumous name | Marquis Zhong (忠侯) | ||||||||||||||||
| Peerage | Marquis of Gao'an District (高安鄉侯) | ||||||||||||||||
| Nickname | "Blind Xiahou" (盲夏侯) | ||||||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 夏侯惇 | ||||||||||||||||
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Xiahou Dun (died 13 June 220), also known by his courtesy name Yuanrang, was a brave general and important leader in ancient China. He served under a powerful warlord named Cao Cao during a time called the late Eastern Han dynasty. After Cao Cao, he also served Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi, for a short time before he passed away. Xiahou Dun was one of Cao Cao's most trusted friends and helped him win many battles against other leaders like Lü Bu, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan.
Xiahou Dun is famous for losing his left eye during a battle in the late 190s. An arrow hit him while he was fighting against Lü Bu's army. Because of this, people sometimes called him "One-eyed Xiahou." A popular story from a 14th-century book, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, says he pulled the arrow out and ate his own eyeball. This story, though possibly not true, shows how determined and tough he was.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Xiahou Dun grew up in a place called Qiao County, which is now Bozhou, Anhui. His family was important in the area and had a famous ancestor, Xiahou Ying, who served the first Han emperor. When Xiahou Dun was only 13, he showed his fierce loyalty by killing a man who had insulted his teacher.
In the 180s, Xiahou Dun started helping Cao Cao gather soldiers. He became Cao Cao's second-in-command and stayed by his side through many fights. In 190, when Cao Cao formed an army to fight against a powerful leader named Dong Zhuo, Xiahou Dun became a Major. He helped Cao Cao recruit more troops and was later promoted to Colonel. He also became the leader of Dong Commandery, taking over from Cao Cao himself.
Defending Yan Province
In 193, Cao Cao left his main base in Yan Province to fight in another area. He left Xiahou Dun in charge of defending their capital city, Puyang.
While Cao Cao was away, some of his own officers turned against him and invited another warlord, Lü Bu, to take over Yan Province. Xiahou Dun quickly led his soldiers to stop Lü Bu. During the fight, Lü Bu tricked Xiahou Dun's men and captured Puyang, taking many of their supplies. Lü Bu then sent some of his soldiers to pretend to surrender to Xiahou Dun. Xiahou Dun fell for the trick and was taken hostage in his own camp! Lü Bu's men demanded a large payment to release him.
Xiahou Dun's soldiers were scared and confused. But one of his trusted officers, Han Hao, quickly took control. Han Hao ordered an attack on the hostage-takers, who were surprised and surrendered. Han Hao then had them executed, and Xiahou Dun was saved. After this, Xiahou Dun continued to defend their remaining lands and helped keep Cao Cao's forces strong until Cao Cao returned. During these battles, Xiahou Dun was hit in the left eye by an arrow, which led to his famous nickname, "One-eyed Xiahou." He really disliked this name and would even break mirrors if he saw his reflection.
Later Military Roles
Xiahou Dun was given new roles, including leading Chenliu and Jiyin commanderies. He also became a General. During his time as a leader, there was a terrible drought and many locusts, which destroyed crops. To help the people, Xiahou Dun started a big farming project. He built a dam on the Taishou River to create a large pond for water. He even helped with the construction work himself and encouraged everyone to grow crops in the watered land. This project saved many people from hunger.
In 202, a rival leader, Liu Bei, started attacking Cao Cao's lands. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun and other generals to stop him. They fought at the Battle of Bowang. Liu Bei tricked Xiahou Dun by burning his camps and pretending to run away. Xiahou Dun and his men chased after him and fell into an ambush. They were defeated, but another general, Li Dian, had warned Xiahou Dun about the trap and didn't join the chase. Li Dian brought reinforcements, and Liu Bei's attack stopped.
After another victory in 204, Xiahou Dun was promoted to General Who Calms the Waves. He was given special freedom to make his own decisions without needing to follow all the usual rules. In 207, Cao Cao rewarded Xiahou Dun with more land and people to govern, showing how much he valued his contributions.
Final Years and Passing
In 215, Xiahou Dun joined Cao Cao on a campaign against Zhang Lu in Hanzhong. During this fight, Cao Cao's army faced difficulties. Xiahou Dun helped bring the troops back from the hills. In the confusion, some soldiers accidentally surprised the enemy, causing them to flee. Xiahou Dun quickly reported this to Cao Cao, who used the chance to win the battle.
In 219, Cao Cao showed Xiahou Dun very special respect. He allowed Xiahou Dun to ride in the same carriage as him and even enter his private rooms, which was a huge honor. At this time, Cao Cao had been made a "King of Wei" by the Emperor. Xiahou Dun wanted to serve in Cao Cao's new kingdom to show his loyalty, but Cao Cao told him he was too important to serve such a "small kingdom." Xiahou Dun insisted, so Cao Cao made him General of the Vanguard.
Around late 219, Xiahou Dun, along with other important officials, encouraged Cao Cao to become the new Emperor. Xiahou Dun believed that the Han dynasty was ending and that Cao Cao had earned the right to rule. Cao Cao replied that if Heaven wanted him to be ruler, he would be like a wise ancient king.
Cao Cao died in early 220, and his son, Cao Pi, took over as King of Wei. Xiahou Dun was promoted to General-in-Chief on April 23. He passed away a few months later on June 13, 220. Cao Pi personally led the mourning for him, showing how much he was respected.
Family and Legacy
Later in 220, Cao Pi became the new Emperor, ending the Han dynasty and starting the Three Kingdoms period.
Cao Pi gave Xiahou Dun the special title "Marquis Zhong," which means "loyal marquis," after his death. Xiahou Dun's son, Xiahou Chong, inherited his father's title. To honor Xiahou Dun even more, Cao Pi added more households to Xiahou Chong's land and gave special titles to Xiahou Dun's seven other sons and two grandsons. Xiahou Dun's younger brother, Xiahou Lian, also became a marquis. His second son, Xiahou Mao, married one of Cao Cao's daughters and held important positions in the new Wei government.
Character and Habits
Even though Xiahou Dun was often busy as a soldier, he made sure to have teachers help him study. He lived a simple life and used any extra money he had to help people who were in need. He would take money from official government funds, not from ordinary people, if he needed more. He also didn't own a lot of personal belongings.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Xiahou Dun is a popular character in the famous 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. This book tells a romanticized version of the events during the Three Kingdoms period.
In the novel, Xiahou Dun is shown as a very brave warrior. One famous story from the book describes him fighting Lü Bu. Xiahou Dun chases Lü Bu, who pretends to run away. Lü Bu's archer then shoots Xiahou Dun in the left eye. In the story, Xiahou Dun pulls the arrow out, shouts, and then eats his own eyeball before charging back into battle! This dramatic scene highlights his incredible courage and determination in the novel.
See also
- Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms
