3 Great Heavens, New 3 Great Heavens, King WuLing of Zhao, King DaoXiang of Zhao and Zhao Kuo

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Kingdom of Zhao

King Wuling of Zhao

Ancestral Name : Ying (嬴)

Clan Name : Zhao 趙

Personal Name : Yong 雍

He mentioned several times in manga and anime as the king who transformed the way cavalry used in his kingdom. He often credited as pioneer who brought cavalry warfare to Chinese although this view widely disputed.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Wuling_of_Zhao

King Daoxiang of Zhao (Tou Jo Ou)

Ancestral Name : Ying (嬴)

Clan Name : Zhao 趙

Personal Name : Yan 偃

Image: King Daoxiang

King Daoxiang of Zhao (Traditional Chinese: 趙悼襄王) (died 236 BCE, reigned 244 BCE – 236 BCE) reigned in the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period of Chinese history.

Born as Zhao Yan to King Xiaocheng of Zhao, he was originally not groomed to succeed to the throne. However, his path to the throne was eased by the circumstances. Firstly, the heir to the Zhao throne was required to spend a large portion of his youth as a hostage in the Qin court – thus making him susceptible to court intrigue. Secondly, the minister Guo Kai was intent on making Zhao Yan the next king. Therefore, when King Xiaocheng died, instead of welcoming the rightful heir back to Handan, Guo Kai proclaimed Zhao Yan as king instead. The famous Zhao general Lian Po objected to this state of affairs and resigned his posts as a result.

King Daoxiang’s rule saw Zhao engage in warfare with its eastern neighbor, Yan. Under the command of general Li Mu, Zhao initiated two successful campaigns against Yan in 244 BCE and 235 BCE, gaining land in what is now central Hebei. Zhao Daoxiang died in 236 BCE, in the midst of a Qin invasion of Zhao.

There is no proof that King Daoxiang was gay/bi with Lord Chunping. He was mentioned as a womanizer instead. Lord Chunping did exist however.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Daoxiang_of_Zhao

He is the King of Zhao for current timeline

First Generation of Three Heavenly Generals

Lin Xiangru (Rin Shojo)

Lin Xiangru was a general of the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (5th cent-221 BCE). When he was a retainer of Miao Xian, a palace eunuch (huanzhe ling 宦者令) of the king, the powerful king of Qin demanded the jade ring of He (Heshi bi 和氏璧), which as in possession of the king of Zhao. Miao Xian selected Lin Xiangru as a envoy to Qin to hand over the jade ring. Lin Xiangru was able to fool the king of Qin by presenting him territory in exchange and by threatening to destroy the ring. He then slipped away and returned to Zhao, with the ring.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He_Shi_Bi

For this bravura he was granted the title of senior grand master (shang dafu 上大夫). In 279 he came with King Huiwen (r. 298-266 BCE) to meet the king of Qin at Mianchi. A second time he ashamed the king of Qin and was rewarded with the rank of senior minister (shangqing 上卿). This quick success instigated the envy of general Lian Po. But Lin Xiangru’s broadminded and upright character moved Lian Po so that they made their peace with each other.

http://chineseproverbstories.com/car…k-punnishment/

Lin Xiangru later commanded the troops defeating the army of Qi. Under King Xiaocheng (r. 265-245) he had the nominal command of the troops of Zhao during the year-long siege of Changping (modern Gaoping, Shanxi). Lin was already very sick at that time. He nevertheless criticised the king’s plan to demote Lian Po and having him replaced by the far less able Zhao Kuo. Shortly after the ensuing defeat of Zhao, Lin Xiangru died.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lin_Xiangru

Zhao She (Chou Sha)

A famous general from Zhao that capable defeated powerful Qin army at E Yu. His son, Zhao Kuo, is the commander in chief of Zhao army during Battle of ChangPing.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_She

Lian Po (Renpa)

Image:

Renpa in Kingdom Guidebook 2

Lian Po was a general of the state of Zhao during the Warring States period (5th cent-221 BCE). Under the reign of King Huiwen (r. 298-266) he was successfuly waging war against Qin, Wei and Qi. He was promoted to the position of senior minister (shangqing 上卿). He created himself the name of a stubborn and brave enemy at Changping 長平 (modern Gaoping, Shanxi), where he was able to resist the intruding powerful army of Qin under command General Wang He for more than three years. After the death of King Huiwen, spies of Qin managed to have him demoted and replaced with Zhao Kuo, a less able military leader that could not keep on the success of Lian Po. The armies of Zhao were smashed, and only then Lian Po could reenter governmental service. In 251 he crushed an army of Yan, was appointed Counselor-in-chief and enfeoffed as Lord of Xinping. Years later he again lost the confidence of the court, left Zhao and served Wei and finally Chu, where he died.

Source: http://www.chinaknowledge.de

Second Generation of Three Heavenly Generals

Li Mu (Ri Boku)

Image:

Riboku in Kingdom Guidebook 2

The last great general from Kingdom of Zhao. He never lost any battle in history, defeated 100.000 Xiongnus at Yan Men and capable defeated much powerful Qin army twice. The first battle at Fei ended as great victory for Zhao with 100.000 Qin soldiers killed and General Huan Yi escaped to Yan. When Zheng sent new army under Wang Jian’s command, the battle ended as stalemate despite Zhao severely weakened by earthquake earlier. He later assassinated by his own king because fear that Li Mu would rebelled against him (a slander attributed to Guo Kai bribed by Qin).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Mu

Pang Nuan (Houken)

Image:

Houken in Kingdom Guidebook 2

In 251 the king of Yan considered attacking Zhao because the army had been decimated in the battle of Changping. While counselor Li Fu, who had inspected the situation in Zhao, advocated a war against Zhao, Yue Xian argued that Zhao was experienced with fighing and could not easily be brought down. The king of Yan nevertheless decided to wage war against Zhao, and his army, commanded by Li Fu and Qing Qin, was heavily defeated by Lian Po.

In the following year Zhao was even able to besiege the capital of Yan.
Prince Yan succeeded to the throne. He is known as King Daoxiang (r. 245-236). General Pang Nuan continued harrassing the state of Yan, but in 241 he functioned as highest commander of an allied army of troops from Zhao, Chu, Wei, Yan and Han in a campaign against Qin.

Source: http://www.chinaknowledge.de

Note: There is no evidence at all about three heavenly generals as nickname for those generals, but they are real characters in history. Also, we still don’t get the third heavenly general of Zhao. Only first two spot already fill in.

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Zhao Kuo (Chou Katsu)

He was son of Zhao She and replaced Lian Po as commander in chief of Zhao army during Battle of ChangPing. The battle was ended as disaster for Zhao with 400.000 soldiers buried alive by order from General Bai Qi.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhao_Kuo