Chapter 273: The sixth place on the Three Kingdoms Combat Power Ranking: one of the Five Tiger Generals, Huang Zhong

【Sky Screen Gold Ranking · Three Kingdoms Combat Power Ranking】

【Sixth Place: Five Tiger General · Huang Zhong】

On the Sky Screen, a poem slowly emerged:

"In youth, he hid his light, his ambition yet unshown,

In twilight years, his valor shook the Jing and Jin lands.

At Changsha, he startled Guan Yu; at Mount Dingjun, he slew Xiahou.

His arrows pierced the willow, striking fear into enemy hearts,

His blade's gleam dazzled the sun, shielding his sovereign's ministers.

Even at seventy, he displayed a hero's resolve,

His name etched in history, blooming through the ages."

After reading this poem, the emperors of various dynasties offered their comments one after another.

【Qin Shi Huang Ying Zheng: "The Huang Zhong described in this poem, though a general of another state, possesses a bravery and loyalty truly worthy of respect.

I swept across the six states and unified the world, relying also on many valiant warriors.

That Huang Zhong could still gallop across the battlefield and slay enemies in his twilight years is just like the resilience of my Great Qin's elite soldiers.

The poem depicts his heroic feats at Changsha and Mount Dingjun, fully revealing his heroic spirit.

I believe that if Huang Zhong had been born in Great Qin, he would surely have expanded my territory and achieved peerless merits.

This poem is written with great literary flair, honoring his achievements; it may be passed down to the world."】

【Han Gaozu Liu Bang: "Heh, this poem is well-written!

This old fellow Huang Zhong is still so capable of fighting at his age; he truly has that same drive I had when I first raised my army.

When I was conquering the world, I loved people who were both capable and loyal.

On the battlefield, he was majestic and feared no enemy, just as fierce as my subordinate Fan Kuai.

This poem makes Huang Zhong's deeds clear, making it seem as if I saw him fighting with my own eyes.

From now on, the generals of my Great Han must learn from Huang Zhong—no matter the time, they must serve the country well!"】

【Han Wudi Liu Che: "This poem is excellent! Although Huang Zhong only showed his ability in his twilight years, his valor was peerless and his loyalty commendable.

Observing the generals of the Great Han, they too should possess such ambition in their later years and the spirit to serve the country.

The battle at Mount Dingjun, where he slew an enemy commander, matches the bravery of my Han generals Wei Qing and Huo Qubing; he should be a model for future generations. The poem depicts the might of his battle formation as if one were there, fully manifesting his merits."】

【Tang Taizong Li Shimin: "This poem has beautiful rhythm and deep meaning, just like Huang Zhong himself.

Huang Zhong rose up in his twilight years, possessing both loyalty and bravery, achieving peerless merits in times of crisis; he is truly a model of loyalty.

I believe that in employing people, one should not be restricted by age. If there is talent, one should be heavily employed just like Huang Zhong.

The lines 'His arrows pierced the willow, striking fear into enemy hearts, his blade's gleam dazzled the sun, shielding his sovereign's ministers' fully display Huang Zhong's high martial arts and precious loyalty; I like it very much."】

【Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin: "This poem is written well!

Huang Zhong was old but still vigorous, charging into battle and rendering great service to Shu Han.

I deeply understand the importance of military generals; a fierce general like Huang Zhong is truly a blessing for the country.

The poem's description of Huang Zhong is vivid and lifelike, making me feel as if I saw him fighting bravely on the battlefield.

His heart of loyalty is worth learning from for future military generals."】

【Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang: "This poem captures that drive of Huang Zhong!

Huang Zhong, a mere old general, could achieve such deeds in his twilight years because of his spirit of refusing to grow old and his loyalty to his lord.

My Great Ming also needs such ministers; no matter how old they are, as long as they have ability and loyalty, they should serve the country.

The poem praises Huang Zhong's battle merits and martial arts right to the point; not bad!"】

【Reason for Ranking】

【The peerless old general of the late Han, one of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han!

He spent half his life in obscurity, only to erupt with peerless divine might in his twilight years; his archery was the best in the world, and his swordsmanship was the bravest among the three armies.

The Battle of Mount Dingjun made him a legend; he slew the Cao Wei western front commander Xiahou Yuan in battle, turning the tide of the Hanzhong campaign with his own strength.

At the age of sixty, he could fight the peak-form Guan Yu to a draw; he is the synonym for 'old but vigorous' throughout the ages.

By virtue of his combat power in his twilight years, he ranks among the top powerhouses of the Three Kingdoms; he is well-deserving of the sixth place on the Combat Power Ranking!】

Liu Bang raised an eyebrow when he saw the words "sixty years of age."

"He can still fight people when he's over sixty?"

He turned his head to look at Gu Shanhe.

"Immortal Master, what was this person raised on? I felt my bones stiffen when I was in my thirties, and I'd pant after running a few steps."

Gu Shanhe smiled: "Some people are just gifted; the older they get, the better they can fight."

"Just like wine, the longer it ages, the more potent it becomes."

Ying Zheng didn't speak, but the look in his eyes as he stared at the Sky Screen changed.

He looked at the words "slew Xiahou Yuan in battle" several times, calculating something in his heart—

Xiahou Yuan was a commander-in-chief. If a commander-in-chief is slain on the battlefield, how can the war still be fought?

This Huang Zhong is not only capable of fighting, but also knows when to strike.

The Sky Screen ignored the reactions of these people below, and the golden light shifted, beginning to spit out new content.

【Personal Basic File】

【Name: Huang Zhong】

【Lifespan: 147 AD – 220 AD】

【Courtesy Name: Hansheng, also known as Hanshu】

【Ancestral Home: Nanyang Commandery, Eastern Han (modern-day Nanyang, Henan)】

【Mentorship: No clear record of a master in official history; he practiced swordsmanship, horsemanship, and archery diligently from a young age, becoming self-taught. He mastered the divine archery of piercing a willow leaf from a hundred paces and the mountain-splitting, rock-crushing blade technique. He had peerless martial valor despite having no famous master.】

【Personal Nicknames: Peerless Old General, Divine Archer Huang Hansheng, War God of Dingjun, Old Huang Zhong; later generations often confuse him, frequently miscalling him 'Old General Huang Gai'.】

Liu Che curled his lips when he saw the words "Nanyang Commandery": "Nanyang produces talent."

Ying Zheng glanced at him and didn't respond.

Liu Bang, however, noticed the last sentence about being "miscalled Old General Huang Gai" and couldn't help but laugh:

"Huang Gai? These two names are too different, aren't they? Are the people of later generations hard of hearing?"

Gu Shanhe said slowly: "You can't blame them entirely. Both are old generals, both have the surname Huang, and both have a character with a grass radical in their names; it's normal to get them mixed up."

Ying Zheng snorted coldly: "Mixed up is mixed up; where do all these excuses come from?"

"In marching and fighting, confusing your generals is a recipe for disaster."

No one responded to him.

The golden light on the Sky Screen didn't stop, and lines of text continued to flip out.

【Career History of Allegiance】

【1. In his early years, he served Liu Biao, the Governor of Jingzhou, as a Colonel, guarding You County, Changsha, together with Liu Biao's nephew, Liu Pan;】

【2. After Liu Biao died, Jingzhou fell to Cao, so he submitted to Cao Cao and was granted the rank of Acting Lieutenant General, serving under Han Xuan, the Prefect of Changsha;】

【3. After Liu Bei pacified the four commanderies of Southern Jingzhou, he surrendered to Liu Bei. From then on, he was loyal and devoted until death, becoming a backbone general of Shu Han.】

Liu Bang smiled when he saw the third point: "He followed Liu Bei?"

He had some impression of the name Liu Bei.

Just now, when the Sky Screen reviewed the Five Tiger Generals, Ma Chao was mentioned, and Ma Chao was a subordinate of Liu Bei.

Gu Shanhe nodded: "Exactly."

"Liu Bei is a member of the Han imperial clan, a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan."

Liu Bang was satisfied, stroking his beard as he said:

"Not bad, not bad. My Liu family descendants still have some capability, being able to recruit such fierce generals."

Ying Zheng, standing to the side, added expressionlessly:

"If your Liu family descendants had any real capability, they wouldn't have messed up the Han Dynasty into the Three Kingdoms."

Liu Bang was choked up; he opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't say a thing.

The sky screen didn't give them time to bicker; the golden light continued to flow, and this time, a long list of battle records appeared.

【Lifetime battle records and defeated opponents】

【1. Battle of Jingnan Defense.

Stationed in You County, he repeatedly repelled invasions from Eastern Wu, stood his ground against various Eastern Wu generals without falling behind, and defended the territory effectively.】

【2. Battle of Jingnan's Submission to Shu.

Under the walls of Changsha, he fought Guan Yu for over a hundred rounds; their blade techniques and archery were evenly matched, earning Guan Yu's heartfelt respect.】