In fact, the primary reason Liu Bei hesitated to assign Zhao Yun the task of defending Jingzhou was due to three significant disadvantages Zhao Yun possessed. These shortcomings made Liu Bei deeply concerned about the security and stability of Jingzhou.
Whenever Jingzhou is mentioned, most people immediately think of Guan Yu’s careless loss of the territory. The popular narrative blames Guan Yu’s arrogance for causing Sun Quan’s betrayal and the revolt of generals like Mi Fang and Fu Shiren, which ultimately led to the fall of Jingzhou and heavy losses for Liu Bei’s forces. Simply put, if Guan Yu had been less prideful, accepted the political marriage alliance with Sun Quan, and treated his colleagues better, Jingzhou might never have been lost. In contrast, Zhao Yun was much more low-key; he lacked Guan Yu’s arrogance and was unlikely to offend Sun Quan or mistreat fellow commanders. Additionally, Zhao Yun had a strong military track record. This suggests that had Zhao Yun been in Guan Yu’s place, Jingzhou probably would have remained secure, Liu Bei would have suffered fewer losses, and Shu Han might have had a stronger chance at unifying the realm.
展开剩余88%Therefore, in popular opinion, Zhao Yun appears better suited to defend Jingzhou than Guan Yu. This raises the question: if Zhao Yun’s capabilities and personality were superior in this regard, why didn’t Liu Bei entrust him with Jingzhou’s defense?
The truth is, Liu Bei knew Zhao Yun very well and understood that Zhao Yun had three major disadvantages, which clearly marked the difference between him and Guan Yu.
First, Zhao Yun’s status and reputation were far inferior to Guan Yu’s. Within Liu Bei’s faction, though Liu Bei held absolute leadership, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were original founders and held extremely high positions—almost like co-owners. During military campaigns, when forces were divided, Guan Yu often commanded a significant contingent alongside Liu Bei, demonstrating Liu Bei’s high regard and trust for Guan Yu. Essentially, Guan Yu was considered the second-in-command, a top-tier leader in Liu Bei’s camp.
Liu Bei’s decision to leave Guan Yu in charge of Jingzhou stemmed from Guan Yu’s influential status and renowned reputation, both of which were essential to intimidate local Jingzhou elites and the eastern forces of Sun Quan. Although Liu Bei had secured much of Jingzhou and formed an alliance with Sun Quan, the region was rife with undercurrents of tension. Historically, there is a saying: “The ruler flows like water, but the clans are iron-bound.” This means rulers often change, but prominent noble families endure for centuries. In Jingzhou, the powerful local clans were not fully loyal to any ruler but primarily concerned with protecting their own interests.
When Liu Bei took control of Jingzhou after Cao Cao’s invasion and later faced Sun Quan’s challenge, these noble families did not fiercely resist because they knew real control depended on their cooperation. Since Liu Bei had to leave Jingzhou’s main forces elsewhere, he needed a figure who could maintain order and deter rebellious factions. Guan Yu’s prominent position and power were well known to these families, who dared not provoke him lightly. Furthermore, Guan Yu’s fame as a military commander was unmatched in the realm; even the Cao Wei court recognized him as the only true general in Liu Bei’s camp.
With such standing and respect, Guan Yu wielded absolute authority in Jingzhou, effectively keeping local clans in check.
By contrast, Zhao Yun’s rank and reputation were much lower. Though Zhao Yun had been acquainted with Liu Bei early on, he initially served under Gongsun Zan and only joined Liu Bei after Gongsun Zan’s defeat. By that time, Cao Cao was already dominating northern China, and Liu Bei’s power was comparatively limited. Zhao Yun was thus a relatively late addition to Liu Bei’s camp, more of a seasoned officer than a founding partner. After joining Liu Bei, Zhao Yun was mostly assigned guard duties, which limited his battlefield achievements and public recognition.
Despite his strength, Zhao Yun’s fame did not flourish until the famous Battle of Changban, where he fought through thousands of Cao Wei troops to rescue Liu Bei’s infant son. Yet even then, his renown was largely tied to his loyalty and bravery rather than Guan Yu’s broader military accomplishments.
In summary, Zhao Yun’s later arrival and modest track record meant he lacked Guan Yu’s prestige and influence, rendering him incapable of commanding the respect necessary to control Jingzhou’s powerful clans. If Liu Bei had replaced Guan Yu with Zhao Yun, those local families would have been tempted to stir unrest, putting Jingzhou’s safety at serious risk.
Second, Zhao Yun’s straightforward personality made him less adept at navigating political relationships. After joining Liu Bei, Zhao Yun mostly served as a personal guard, keeping him out of the spotlight. Liu Bei recognized Zhao Yun’s potential and sought to give him a chance to prove himself by entrusting him with the conquest of Guiyang Commandery after the Battle of Red Cliffs.
However, this campaign exposed Zhao Yun’s limitations in diplomacy. When the local governor Zhao Fan planned to surrender peacefully, Zhao Yun welcomed this without hesitation. Securing the territory without bloodshed should have been a triumph for Zhao Yun’s leadership. Yet, negotiations between Zhao Yun and Zhao Fan soured over a dispute involving a woman—Zhao Fan’s widowed sister-in-law, Lady Fan.
Zhao Fan offered to marry Lady Fan to Zhao Yun to cement their alliance, but Zhao Yun refused, citing his principles. This rejection alienated Zhao Fan, who then revolted. Although Zhao Yun ultimately subdued Zhao Fan by force and took control of Guiyang, the incident revealed Zhao Yun’s inability to manage delicate social relations effectively.
Zhao Fan’s offer was understandable; as a surrendered official, he was anxious about his future and sought to secure his position through marriage ties with Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun’s strict moral stance failed to appreciate this political nuance, and his rejection created mistrust, provoking Zhao Fan’s rebellion.
If Zhao Yun had been more tactful—perhaps by initially agreeing to the marriage proposal to maintain peace until Liu Bei’s arrival—he might have avoided the conflict altogether.
Later, when Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang arrived and suggested Zhao Yun reconsider the marriage to stabilize Guiyang, Zhao Yun again refused outright, disappointing Liu Bei.
Liu Bei even praised Zhao Yun as a “true man,” but he realized Zhao Yun’s blunt nature made him unsuitable for high-level responsibilities involving complex alliances. Entrusting Jingzhou to Zhao Yun risked further alienation of influential clans and threatened regional stability.
Third, Zhao Yun’s unwavering loyalty was to the Han dynasty and virtuous rulers rather than to any individual leader. His allegiance to Gongsun Zan stemmed from believing him to be a benevolent figure supporting the Han, but upon discovering Gongsun Zan’s true intentions, Zhao Yun switched allegiance to Liu Bei.
Was Liu Bei the ideal virtuous ruler Zhao Yun sought?
On the surface, Liu Bei presented himself as a loyalist to the Han, but his ambitions were greater. While he claimed to restore the Han dynasty, Liu Bei’s ultimate goal was to establish his own empire, even if it meant dethroning Emperor Xian.
For a man like Zhao Yun, devoted to the Han and moral governance, Liu Bei’s eventual usurpation posed a grave dilemma. If Zhao Yun perceived Liu Bei’s betrayal of the Han, would he turn against him?
This question is difficult to answer. From Liu Bei’s perspective, the risk of Zhao Yun’s potential betrayal was real. Therefore, to minimize harm, Liu Bei decided that Zhao Yun could not be entrusted with the vital command of Jingzhou.
In contrast, Guan Yu was a founding member and one of the main beneficiaries of Liu Bei’s regime, making his loyalty far more reliable. Entrusting Jingzhou to Guan Yu was thus a more logical and secure choice.
In conclusion, Liu Bei’s reluctance to assign Zhao Yun to defend Jingzhou was based on three clear disadvantages. First, Zhao Yun’s lower status and fame made him ineffective at intimidating Jingzhou’s local clans and rivals from Jiangdong. Second, Zhao Yun’s blunt and rigid personality hindered his ability to maintain stable relationships with powerful families, risking unrest. Third, Zhao Yun’s ultimate loyalty to the Han dynasty made him a potential threat if Liu Bei’s ambitions clashed with those ideals.
What are your thoughts on this analysis? Feel free to share your opinions and engage in discussion!
(This article mainly references the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.)
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