Pang De's Loyalty in Defeat

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms

This flow traces Pang De’s resolve to prove loyalty to Cao Cao, his confrontation with Guan Yu, and the honor accorded him after defeat.

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Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Commander Under Suspicion A Commander Under Suspicion from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Loyalty Questioned A Troubled Record Pang De’s past service with Ma Chao and family ties to the Shu cause make Wei commanders question whether he can be…

Loyalty Questioned A Troubled Record Pang De’s past service with Ma Chao and family ties to the Shu cause make Wei commanders question whether he can be trusted. A Defense of His Allegiance He insists that Cao Cao’s kindness binds him and that his brother’s choices do not dictate his own. Cao Cao restores his command after hearing the explanation.

The Coffin to Battle The Coffin to Battle from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Public Pledge A Stark Preparation Pang De has a coffin carried before his forces, declaring that either he will die or return with Guan Yu’s head.

The Coffin to Battle from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". A Public Pledge A Stark Preparation Pang De has a coffin carried before his forces, declaring that either he will die or return with Guan Yu’s head.

A Public Pledge A Stark Preparation Pang De has a coffin carried before his forces, declaring that either he will die or return with Guan Yu’s head. A Test of Resolve The gesture answers suspicion about his loyalty and turns the coming battle into a personal proof of commitment.

The Duel with Guan Yu The Duel with Guan Yu from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Two Warriors Acknowledge Each Other Combat and Injury Pang De fights Guan Yu at length and eventually wounds him with an arrow, but Yu Jin interrupts the…

The Duel with Guan Yu from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Two Warriors Acknowledge Each Other Combat and Injury Pang De fights Guan Yu at length and eventually wounds him with an arrow, but Yu Jin interrupts the…

Two Warriors Acknowledge Each Other Combat and Injury Pang De fights Guan Yu at length and eventually wounds him with an arrow, but Yu Jin interrupts the attack out of jealousy. A Fractured Command Yu Jin’s decision denies Pang De the chance to finish his task and reveals rivalry within the Wei leadership.

Flood and Capture Flood and Capture from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The River Changes the Battle The Seven Armies Drown Guan Yu releases floodwaters into Yu Jin’s low-lying camp.

Flood and Capture from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The River Changes the Battle The Seven Armies Drown Guan Yu releases floodwaters into Yu Jin’s low-lying camp.

The River Changes the Battle The Seven Armies Drown Guan Yu releases floodwaters into Yu Jin’s low-lying camp. Most of the Wei force is overwhelmed, and Pang De fights on with few men. A Refusal to Surrender Captured after his raft is overturned, Pang De refuses Guan Yu’s offer to join him and continues to curse his captor.

An Honorable Burial An Honorable Burial from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Respect Between Enemies Execution Refused to Break Him Pang De dies rather than surrender. Guan Yu is moved by the strength of his integrity.

An Honorable Burial from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Respect Between Enemies Execution Refused to Break Him Pang De dies rather than surrender. Guan Yu is moved by the strength of his integrity.

Respect Between Enemies Execution Refused to Break Him Pang De dies rather than surrender. Guan Yu is moved by the strength of his integrity. A Burial with Honor Although Pang De is an enemy, Guan Yu arranges an honorable burial. The choice demonstrates a respect between warriors that survives political conflict.

Before the campaign against Guan Yu

During the campaign at Fancheng

Before the flood at Fancheng

Late autumn AD 219

After Pang De’s execution