I. Introduction

Guan Yu, also known as Yunchang, was a famous general of the Shu Han period in Chinese history and was revered as the "Martial Saint". He was loyal, brave, skilled in martial arts, and upright, earning deep respect from later generations. However, despite Guan Yu's illustrious life, his wife remains relatively unknown. This article will focus on Guan Yu's wife, exploring her history and legends.

II. Guan Yu's Wife in Historical Records

There are relatively few historical records about Guan Yu's wife. The "Records of the Three Kingdoms" only mentions that Guan Yu had a wife, but without specifying her name. According to the "Biography of Guan Yu" in the "Records of the Three Kingdoms," "Yu had two daughters, both married to the sons of Sun Quan." Here, "Sun Quan" refers to the leader of the Wu Kingdom, and Guan Yu's daughters were married to Sun Quan's sons Sun Deng and Sun Ba, respectively.

Although the official history does not explicitly record the name of Guan Yu's wife, her name is mentioned in some local chronicles and folk legends. For instance, in the "Dangyang County Chronicles" of Dangyang County, Hubei Province, Guan Yu's wife is recorded as "Hu Shi." In contrast, the "Langzhong County Chronicles" of Langzhong City, Sichuan Province, mentions her name as "Wang Shi." Although these local chronicles cannot fully determine the true name of Guan Yu's wife, they provide us with certain clues to understanding her.

III. Guan Yu's Wife in Legends

In folk legends, the name and image of Guan Yu's wife are more colorful and diverse. In some local legends, Guan Yu's wife is known as "Guan Shi," a beautiful and virtuous woman. She was deeply loved by Guan Yu and gave birth to a son and a daughter. During Guan Yu's tenure in Jingzhou, Guan Shi accompanied him, enduring many difficult times together.

The image of Guan Yu's wife is also vividly depicted in literary works such as novels and dramas. For instance, in Luo Guanzhong's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," Guan Yu's wife is also referred to as "Guan Shi," portrayed as a beautiful and virtuous woman. She accompanied Guan Yu during his tenure in Jingzhou and shared many difficult moments with him. After Guan Yu's death by the hands of the Eastern Wu Kingdom, Guan Shi made the resolute decision to leap into the river and die alongside her husband to preserve the lives of her children. This plot further enriches and deepens the image of Guan Yu's wife, making her more touching and memorable.

IV. Conclusion

As an important companion in Guan Yu's life, his wife, although sparsely mentioned in official histories, holds a rich image in folk legends and literary works. Whether it's Hu Shi or Wang Shi mentioned in historical records or Guan Shi in legends, they are all indispensable parts of Guan Yu's life. By understanding the history and legends of Guan Yu's wife, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of this heroic general and his family life, thereby better preserving and promoting the culture of the Three Kingdoms era.

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