Taishi Ci

Taishi Ci (Height 170cm/5'7")(太史慈), (Wade-Giles: T'aishih Tz'u) (166 - 206 AD), common name Ziyi, was a Chinese military officer who served during the time of the Three Kingdoms era (Cao Wei, Sun Wu and Shu Han between 220 - 280 AD). He was born in Huangxian in the Donglai Prefecture (presently the Shandong Province) where he studied hard, looked after his mother and was known throughout the province for his fealty. Taishi Ci came to the attention of Kong Rong, a descendant of Confucious, and the governor of Beihei Commandary (presently Weifang Prefecture). Rong admired Ci's fidelity, and so regularly provided food and financial assistance to his mother.

When Kong Rong was besieged by the Yellow Turbans during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Taishi Ci's mother implored him to lend aid to Kong Rong. So, with a small army, Taishi Ci fought his way into the castle in an effort to reinforce Kong Rong and fight off his would-be murderers. But as supplies ran low, a messenger was necessary to request Liu Bei (future founder of the Shu-Han Kingdom) send further support troops to assist the defensive effort.

Taishi Ci developed a plan in which he would courageously ride out of the castle's gates each day to practice his archery. On the first day, one hundred men pursued him. He continued doing this until only fifty men pursued him. Eventually, the Yellow Turbans lost interest and then, with a small escort, he dashed out of the castle successfully breaking through the enemy lines. Riding on, Ci returned with Liu Bei's troops, finally scattering the Yellow Turban forces surrounding Rong's castle.

After this famous accomplishment and the subsequent suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Taishi Ci returned south to the Jiangdong District and offered his services to Liu Yong, a capable warlord born and raised in the same village as Ci. During his time under Liu Yong, Sun Ce (eldest son of the "Tiger of Jiang Dong", Sun Jian) was rapidly expanding his forces and reclaiming lands he perceived as the rightful property of the Sun family. Ce had been unexpectedly successful, due to the fact that he had earlier traded the Imperial Seal in his possession to the wealthy and powerful Han noble, Yuan Shu, in exchange for several thousand of his most elite troops. Alongside his father's already impressive army, Sun Ce and his sworn brother Zhou Yu, invaded the lands of Wu, which were under the protection and rule of Liu Yong at the time. Forming an alliance with Wang Lang (governor of Guiji (presently Shaoxing Prefecture) and Yan Baihu (bandit and so-called "Virtuous King of Eastern Wu"), Liu Yong's forces clashed with Sun Ce's invading army, leading to many deaths in both camps. Yan Baihu was quickly defeated and slain by Ce's newly arrived officer, Dong Xi, whilst Wang Lang's forces were eventually destroyed, forcing him to surrender Guiji to the Sun family. Liu Yong was now faced with the task of defending the lands of Wu single handedly, whilst Sun Ce had gained a tremendous advantage through the capture of a local city which he could now use to rally and support his army.

One day, Taishi Ci came across Sun Ce, praying at a shrine in Wu. He attempted to arrest Ce, but the two fought to a stand still. As Ce's officers rode to his assistance, Taishi Ci was forced into a hasty retreat. Sun Ce had been impressed with Taishi Ci abilities and held him in good stead, noting him as one of very few men of honour in a chaotic and treacherous period.

Taishi Ci later broke allegiance with Liu Yong after Yong refused to heed Ci's strategic advice and was subsequently overrun, fleeing to a neighbouring region. Taishi Ci escaped to the region of Dangyang, a position of strategic military importance since the time of Sun Tzu, where he proclaimed himself governor. Ci's remnant forces were quickly besieged by Sun Ce's army, now roaming the lands of Wu unchallenged, and were consequently overrun and captured.

Taishi Ci was brought before Sun Ce, where he requested his immediate execution, as he perceived capture to be dishonourable. Taishi Ci had wished to die fighting alongside his men, and now firmly believed that his death in capture was the only valorous option. However, Sun Ce spent much time pleading with Ci to reconsider his fate, asking that he instead serve the Sun family as bravely as he had served Kong Rong and Liu Yong. Although initially hesitant, Ci eventually succumbed to Sun Ce's requests, accepting a highly ranked position within Sun Ce's army. He was appointed "Imperial Corps Commander who Oppresses the Enemy with Ferocity," and over time held the ranks of "Men Xiu Du" and "Zhong Lang Jiang".

Taishi Ci remained a loyal and staunch supporter of the Sun family for the rest of his life, feeling an obligation towards Sun Ce for placing such confidence in his abilities. Taishi Ci came to be well reputed amongst his troops and fellow officers and was held in high regard by Sun Quan, younger brother of Sun Ce. After Sun Ce's death, Taishi Ci vowed that he would see Ce's dreams realised, or die trying. Taishi Ci died of natural causes in 206 AD or the 11th Year of Rebuilt Tranquility.

In the novel The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Taishi Ci is instead slain by one of Cao Cao's most feared and talented officers, Zhang Liao, during the "Battle of Hefei". Although this event never actually occurred, author of the novel, Luo Guanzhong, altered the deaths of several renowned "Three Kingdoms" generals whom he believed deserved a much more dramatic and courageous death. The official texts and actual historical events can be read in the book Sanguo Zhi (or Records of Three Kingdoms), written in the 3rd century by Chen Shou, rumoured son of Shu Han general Chen Shi.

Taishi Ci is considered to have been one of the finest warriors ever to have served the Wu Kingdom. He is also a playable character in the highly popular Dynasty Warriors video game series. He is represented as a clean-shaven and handsome man, sporting intricately detailed armor and lavish clothing. In battle, Taishi Ci carries two large battle rods of which the most grandiose pair are named the "Tiger Slayers". He is shown to be brave, honourable and fiercely loyal to Sun Ce and the Wu Kingdom. He is also amongst the strongest of all characters in the series. Of all fifty characters so far represented in the series, Taishi Ci is third strongest, equal to the likes of Guan Yu and Dian Wei, and bested by only three characters: the mighty Zhang Fei, the Taoist sorcerer Zuo Ci and the greatest warrior of the Three Kingdoms era; "The Flying General", Lu Bu.The character Taishiji Shigi of the Japanimation short series Ikki Tousen is based roughly on Taishi Ci