Huang Gai

One of Sun Jian's four generals, the iron-whip wielder of Lingling; survives the night rout at Sishui and regroups with Cheng Pu and Han Dang around their chief.

Answers Kuai Yue's blockade for Sun Jian: a few bouts with Cai Mao, then the iron whip lands on the breastplate over the heart and Cai Mao flees, letting Sun Jian's column punch through. Also stands ready behind his lord in the seal confrontation.

Prepares the river fleet for the Jingzhou expedition, commands the ships during the land battles, and when the night sortie erupts after Sun Jian's death, lands his marines and takes Huang Zu prisoner - the bargaining piece for his lord's body.

Opens the campaign dueling Zhang Ying above the Bullock Rapid, captures Jiaxing in the Wujun collapse, and rides out against Zhou Xin at Shanyin.

Bursts into the scholars' baiting session with the Commissariat chief's impatience - 'our archenemy nears our borders and you sit wrangling!' - and personally leads Zhuge Liang out of the debating pit toward Sun Quan.

Smites his forehead before Zhou Yu - 'they may take my head, but I swear never to surrender' - and is named joint Leader of the Van with Han Dang, first ships to the Three Gorges.

Comes by night with fire on his mind and volunteers his own body when Zhou Yu laments the missing defector: 'kill me, I do not mind.' Next day he plays treason on cue - 'better take Zhang Zhao's advice and surrender' - invokes three generations of service under Sun Jian, and takes fifty strokes that leave his back running blood, swooning on the way to his tent. Only to Kan Ze, who guesses, does he confirm the ruse and ask for his letter-carrier.

Slips off his sick couch to salute the friend who will carry his letter, and receives Cao Cao's answer in the flesh of his beaten back: 'if it had not been for your persuasive tongue, then had I undergone this suffering in vain.'

Sails third in the line under 'Van Leader Huang Gai', twenty ships of oiled reeds and saltpeter behind dragon-toothed flags; a mile out he waves his sword and the fleet becomes fiery arrows. He hunts Cao Cao himself through the burning water - and Zhang Liao's unheard arrow takes him in the shoulder and drops him into the river.

Saved from the winter river by Han Dang's ear for his voice - the arrowhead cut out with a dagger, the wound bound with a flag - proof, says the narrator, of his natural affinity for water.

Sails in Zhou Yu's own pursuit fleet - swift as a falling star, and just too late at every landing.

Huang Gai; with Zhou Yu.

Huang Gai; with Sun Quan.