The Colonel (校尉 xiàowèi) was a mid-level military rank in the Han and Three Kingdoms. Colonels commanded specific units—such as cavalry, palace guards, or regional troops—and were often given titles that described their role or theatre.
Variants and roles
Titles such as Colonel of Cavalry (骑都尉), Colonel Who Pacifies the East (平東校尉), or Colonel of the Northern Side Gate (北軍中候) appear frequently in the sources. Lü Bu was Colonel of Cavalry under Dong Zhuo before being promoted to General of the Household. Colonels could lead campaigns, guard the ruler, or administer a district. The rank was a common step for officers on the way to higher general ranks.
Importance
Control of key colonelcies—especially capital guard units—could determine control of the court. Many late Han and Three Kingdoms figures held one or more colonel titles before rising to general or ministerial rank.