Han Sui (simplified: 韩遂, traditional: 韓遂, pinyin: Hán Suì) was a warlord in Liang Province (涼州) who allied with Ma Teng and later Ma Chao. He and Ma Teng had long dominated the Guanzhong–Liang region; Zhong Yao and Cao Cao persuaded them to send sons to the court as hostages. When Ma Chao rebelled in 211 after Ma Teng’s summons to court, Han Sui joined him and they fought Cao Cao at Tong Pass. Cao Cao used a stratagem to sow distrust between Ma Chao and Han Sui; Han Sui eventually made peace with Cao Cao. He was killed by his own officers in 215.
Biography
Alliance with Ma Teng
Han Sui and Ma Teng were the main powers in the northwest. They sometimes cooperated and sometimes clashed. Zhong Yao mediated and got them to send sons to the court; Cao Cao later summoned Ma Teng to the capital, which contributed to Ma Chao’s decision to rebel.
Tong Pass and split with Ma Chao
In 211 Ma Chao and Han Sui led a coalition of northwestern forces against Cao Cao. At the Battle of Tong Pass, Cao Cao held the pass and then crossed the river to threaten their rear. He also sent a letter to Han Sui that was deliberately made to look altered, so that Ma Chao would suspect Han Sui of secret dealings with Cao Cao. The alliance fractured; Han Sui made peace with Cao Cao and was enfeoffed. Ma Chao was defeated and fled. Han Sui remained in the northwest until his officers turned on him and killed him in 215.
Legacy
Han Sui is remembered as a key northwestern warlord whose alliance with Ma Teng and Ma Chao challenged Cao Cao, and whose break with Ma Chao after Tong Pass helped Cao Cao secure the region.