Yan Liang and Wen Chou are brave generals in command of his troops.
Yan Liang and Wen Chou have the bravery of common fellows. One battle will be enough to deal with them."
As Yuan Shao's army came south from the Yan Crossing, Cao Cao had his soldiers in camp under the southern slope.15 He sent men to look out, and they reported, "Some five or six hundred horsemen." After a short time they reported again, "Horsemen gradually increasing; too many foot-soldiers to count." "No more reports," ordered Cao Cao. He had his cavalry get down from their saddles and let the horses go. The baggage from Boma was still on the road, and the officers thought that since there were so many enemy horsemen it would be better to go back and guard the camp. Xun You said, "This is a trap for the enemy, how can we leave?" Cao Cao looked at him and smiled. Wen Chou and Liu Bei, commanders of Yuan Shao's cavalry, came up together with five or six thousand horsemen. The officers said again, "Now we can mount." "Not yet," said Cao Cao. There was a pause, the enemy approached in greater numbers, and some split off to go for the baggage. "Now!" said Cao Cao, and they jumped on their horses.16 They were fewer than six hundred, but they charged at speed, they completely defeated the enemy, and they took Wen Chou's head.
[Yuán] Shào sent his chief General Yán Liáng to attack Administrator of Dōng-jùn Liú Yán at Báimǎ, and Lord Cáo sent Zhāng Liáo and Yǔ as the vanguard to attack him. Yǔ saw [Yán] Liáng’s banner and chariot canopy, urged his horse onward and stabbed Liáng in the midst of the army, chopped off the head and returned, and among all of Shào’s officers none could stop him, and so the siege of Báimǎ was relieved. Lord Cáo at once memorialized to give Yǔ fief as Marquis of Hànshòu precinct.
Qin Feng wrote:What is it that Wen Chou and Yan Liang did that was so badass that killing them was a big deal? Were they simply very good in combat or something?
With Guan Yu, it is hardly going to be a fair account when one goes "all the stuff I know he achieved? Doesn't count." That isn't a fair way of considering any man. Was killing Yan Liang a big deal? Yes. There were only six other officer on officer kills in the entire era so Guan Yu did something unexpected and rare. Who was Yan Liang? One of Yuan Shao's most celebrated officers at time. His death and that of Wen Chou would have a noted affect on morale.
Previously in the time of Xiān-zhǔ only Fǎ Zhèng received posthumous title. In the time of Hòu-zhǔ, Zhūgě Liàng’s achievements and virtue were unrivaled, Jiǎng Wǎn and Fèi Yī bore the responsibilities for the state, and so also received posthumous title. Chén Zhī was a favored attendant and received many special rewards and honors, and Xiàhóu Bà came from afar to join the state, so they also obtained posthumous names. As a result Guān Yǔ, Zhāng Fēi, Mǎ Chāo, Páng Tǒng, Huáng Zhōng, and Yún were therefore given posthumous title, and at the time this was said to be an honor.
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