The General of the Household (中郎将 zhōngláng jiàng) was a high military title in the Han and Three Kingdoms. Generals of the Household typically commanded the ruler’s guard or other elite units and were frequently dispatched to lead armies.
Function and variants
The title implied a commander with direct ties to the sovereign or the court. Variants included General of the Household for Pacifying the East (安東中郎將), General of the Household for Inspecting the Army (督軍中郎將), and others, each indicating a specific role or theatre. Lü Bu was made General of the Household (中郎將) under Dong Zhuo after killing Ding Yuan. Sun Huan was General of the Household for Pacifying the East (安東中郎將) when he fought at Yidao against Liu Bei.
Importance
Control of household troops was a key element of political power. Promotions to General of the Household often signalled the ruler’s trust and the officer’s access to the centre of military and political authority.