Zhou Cang

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Zhou Cang

Zhou Cang (left) and Guan Yu (right). Qing Dynasty illustration.
Traditional Chinese: 周倉
Simplified Chinese: 周仓

Zhou Cang is a fictional character created by Luo Guanzhong in his historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. A strong warrior with a dark face and a wiry beard, Zhou Cang became caught up in the Yellow Turban Rebellion and joined the rebels. It was during this time that he first met Guan Yu, who impressed him with his courage and sense of honor. However, after the Rebellion was crushed by Han troops, Zhou Cang became a renegade bandit. He inhabited Mount Woniu with another former Yellow Turban, Pei Yuanshao and became infamous as a warrior of great strength and skill. After encountering Guan Yu once more on a mountain road, he swore his loyalty to the worthy general and was appointed to the rank of Guan Yu's Saber Carrier. A skilled boatman, his talents were critical in helping achieve Guan Yu's water attack at the Battle of Fancheng. At Fan, he managed to capture the fearsome warrior Pang De during the flooding of the castle. Unfortunately, his fierce loyalty to his lord would cost him his life, when, upon seeing the heads of Guan Yu and Guan Ping displayed by the forces of Wu, he committed suicide. After Guan Yu was made a deity, Zhou Cang was made part of the holy trio, along with Guan Yu's adopted son Guan Ping. His face is often portrayed as coal black, a stark contrast to Guan Ping's pure white features, and Guan Yu's shades or red.

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[edit] References

  • Luo Guanzhong (1986). San Guo Yan Yi, Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80520-013-0.
  • Lo Kuan-chung; tr. C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (2002). Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3467-9.