Han Xuan (simplified: 韩玄, traditional: 韓玄, pinyin: Hán Xuán) was Administrator of Changsha (長沙) under Liu Biao. Huang Zhong served under him and defended Changsha. When Liu Bei took Jing Province after Red Cliffs and sent Guan Yu to take the southern commanderies, Wei Yan (then under Han Xuan) killed the city gate guard and invited Liu Bei’s forces in. Han Xuan tried to have Wei Yan executed for insubordination; Huang Zhong intervened—either to protect Wei Yan or because he considered Han Xuan unjust. Han Xuan was killed (by his own men or in the ensuing unrest), and Changsha submitted to Liu Bei. Huang Zhong then joined Liu Bei and became one of his leading generals. The episode is often cited to show Huang Zhong’s sense of justice and the transfer of the southern Jing commanderies to Liu Bei.
Biography
Changsha and the takeover
Han Xuan governed Changsha for Liu Biao and later for Liu Cong. After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao withdrew north and Liu Bei and Sun Quan expanded into Jing. When Liu Bei’s forces (under Guan Yu or others) approached Changsha, Wei Yan opened the way. Han Xuan accused Wei Yan of treason and ordered his execution. Huang Zhong, who had served Han Xuan loyally, could not accept the unjust execution of a man who had acted to welcome Liu Bei; he intervened, and in the confusion Han Xuan was killed. Changsha then came under Liu Bei.
Legacy
Han Xuan is remembered mainly as the Administrator of Changsha whose death allowed Huang Zhong and Wei Yan to join Liu Bei and as a minor figure in the transfer of the southern Jing commanderies after Red Cliffs.