Han Xian (Han dynasty)

Han Xian (died 197) was the leader of the White Wave Bandits during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a close friend of cavalry commander Yang Feng. When Li Jue and Guo Si held Emperor Xian of Han hostage, Yang wanted to defeat the rebels; however, his forces were too weak to hold up against them. Han was then recruited by Yang along with two other generals of the White Wave Bandits, Hu Cai and Li Yue. Together with the forces of Cao Cao, Guo and Li were finally defeated; however, Yang and Han felt that Cao was overambitious and conflicts would arise, so it was better if they left the capital. They then joined Yuan Shu's army. He served Yuan Shu for some time. After Lü Bu captured and killed Yuan Shu's agent Han Yin after discovering Yuan was trying to take Lü's daughter hostage, the enraged Yuan Shu led an army of 200,000 men to attack the city of Xiapi in Xu Province. Han and Yang served as rear generals.

But with the help from Chen Gui, Lü Bu's advisor who was a mole working for Cao Cao, Han Xian was told that Yuan Shu was a rebel trying to take over power from the emperor. With his Sixth Battalion, he wrought havoc on Yuan Shu's camp along with Yang and managed to give Lü Bu enough time to intercept Yuan Shu's camp, forcing Yuan to retreat. After Yuan's defeat he and Yang were promoted by Lü, however, his bandit behaviour did not change. He and Yang were caught robbing civilians with their army and were executed by Liu Bei.

Appointments and titles held

• General-in-Chief (大將軍)
• Director of Retainers (司隸校尉)

See also

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms

References