生平

为郡避祸

因当时东莱郡府与青州州府之间有争执，都向上级缴交奏章，但中央上级只会受理先到的奏章，所以奏章先上呈者有利。而当时拿著州府奏章的使者已经在前往洛阳的路上了，太史慈日夜兼程赶往洛阳门口，才开始求通上章。太史慈假意问州府使者问道：「你也是前来欲求通章的吗？」州府使者答道：「是的。」太史慈又问：「那你奏章在哪里？」州府使者答道：「在车上。」太史慈便说：「奏章题署之处确然无误吗？可否借我看一下。」州府使者并不知道太史慈乃是东莱人，便取出奏章给太史慈。谁知太史慈先已藏刀于怀，取过奏章，便提刀砍坏奏章。州府使者大惊高呼，叫道：「有人毁坏我的奏章！」太史慈便将州府使者带至车间，跟他说：「假使你没有取出州章给我，我也不能将其损坏，我们的吉凶祸福恐怕都会相等无免，不见得只有我独受此罪。与其坐而待毙，不如我们一同出城逃亡，至少可以保存性命，也不必受刑罚。」州府使者疑惑地问太史慈：「你为本郡而毁坏我的奏章，已经成功，怎么也要逃亡？」太史慈便答：「我初时受本郡所遣，只是负责来视察你们的奏章是否已经上缴通报而已。但我所做的事却太过激烈，以致损毁公章。如今即使见还，恐怕亦会因此见受谴责刑罚，因此希望一起逃去。」州府使者相信太史慈所言，乃于即日俱逃。但太史慈与州府使者出城后，却偷跑回城通传郡章，完成郡府的使命。州府知道后，便再派遣另一位使者前往洛阳通章，但有却以先得郡章的原因，不复查察此案，于是州府受其短。太史慈由是知名于世，但太史慈也被州府所仇视的人物，为免受到无妄之灾，于是举亲往北逃至辽东郡。至此太史慈的名气响遍青州。

助友脱难

初平二年（191年）当时北海郡太守孔融，推举邴原为有道，他以黄巾贼还方盛崛起，天下不宁而与同郡好友刘政一同避难到辽东。辽东太守公孙度对刘政有成见，欲将其杀之，遣部属抓之，未果，收监其家人，并下达通缉。刘政走投无路，跑到邴原家。邴原收留了他一个多月，恰逢太史慈经过，而将刘政托付于他。待他们走远，邴原前往劝说公孙度将刘政之家人放出来。

北海报恩

北海郡太守孔融听闻此事后十分称奇，对太史慈逐渐深感兴趣，于是多次派人照顾太史慈的母亲，并奉送赠礼作为致意。恰逢此时孔融为对付黄巾军，出兵屯于都昌，却被黄巾军贼领管亥所围困。太史慈从辽东返家，母亲对他说：「虽然你和孔北海未尝相见，但自从你出行后，孔北海对我赡恤殷勤，比起故人旧亲，有过之而无不及；他如今方为贼军所围困，你应该前往起身帮助孔北海。」于是太史慈留家三日后，便独自径往都昌而行。当时贼围尚未太密，于是太史慈乘夜伺隙，冲入城里见到孔融，更要求他出兵讨贼。孔融不肯听其意见，只想一心等待外援。但外援未到，而贼军包围日渐逼近。孔融乃欲告急于邻近的平原令、平原相刘备，可惜城中无人愿意突出重围，太史慈便自告奋勇请求作为使者出城。孔融便说：「现今贼军围困甚密，众人皆说难以突围，你虽有壮志，但这始终是太艰难的事了？」太史慈答道：「昔日大人倾意照料家母，家母感戴大人恩遇，方才让我来相助大人之急；这是因为我应有可取之处，此来必能有益于大人。如今众人说不可突围，如果我也说不可，这样岂是大人所以爱顾之情谊和家母所以遣我之本意呢？如今情势危急，希望大人不要怀疑我。」孔融这才同意其事。

太史慈严装饱食，天明之后，太史慈便携带箭袋，摄弓上马，引著两个随从，自随身后，各拿著一座箭靶，开门直出城门。包围在城外的贼众皆十分惊骇，兵马互出防备。但太史慈只引马来至城壕边，立好箭靶，出城练习射靶，练习射靶完毕，便入门回城。明晨也是如此，包围在城外贼军有人站起戒备，也有人躺卧不顾，于是太史慈再立好箭靶，习射完毕，再入门回城。明晨亦是日复一日，城外包围的贼众人，觉得太史慈每日出城射箭，逐渐习以为常，再也没有站起戒备，于是太史慈见贼军戒备松懈，整顿盔甲策马挥鞭突出重围扬长而去。待贼军查觉知道时，太史慈已经突出重围，回顾拿取弓箭射杀数人，皆应弦而倒，因此无人敢去追赶。

太史慈抵达平原郡，便向刘备游说：「我太史慈，乃是东莱郡乡下之人，我与北海孔融并无骨肉之亲，也并不是乡党之友，只是因为慕名同志而相知，我有替他分灾共患之情义。方今管亥暴乱，北海城被围困，城中孤立无援，情势危在旦夕。久闻刘使君向来素有仁义之名，更能救人于急难，因此北海孔融正盼望著使君您的贵助，更使我太史慈愿意冒刀刃之险，突破重围，从万死之中托言于使君，惟望使君存知此事。」刘备惊讶答道：「北海孔融也知道世间有我刘备吗！」即时派遣精兵三千人随太史慈返回都昌。贼军闻知援兵已到，都忙解围逃散而走。孔融得济无事，更加重视太史慈，说道：「你真是我的少友啊。」事情过后，太史慈回去见其母，其母也说：「我很高兴你有报答北海孔融啊！」

神亭单挑

兴平二年（195年），离开辽东后，本想见同为东莱郡的扬州刺史刘繇，于是来到曲阿，却见到平定江东的孙策军已至，部下劝告刘繇可以太史慈为大将军，刘繇说：「如果我重用太史慈，许劭不会取笑我吗？」当时太史慈不被重用，只负责担任前线军情侦察。当时他独自与一骑卒来到神亭，遇见孙策，孙策身边的十三从骑都是韩当、宋谦、黄盖之辈的虎将，太史慈却仍然鼓起勇气上前与之决斗，孙策与他单挑。孙策刺下太史慈的马，而揽得太史慈项上手戟，太史慈亦得孙策兜鍪。刚巧两家兵骑并各来赴，方才作罢。

信义笃烈

后来刘繇与太史慈不敌孙策，刘繇而逃入芜湖，躲藏于山中，称丹杨太守。当时孙策已平定宣城以东，惟泾水以西六县未服。太史慈则前往泾县，建立屯府，多数为山越所依附。

太史慈顽强抵抗之下，最后仍被孙策俘虏。孙策即时解开其困缚，捉其手说：「还记得在神亭认识你，如果你当时将我擒获，你将会如何处置我？」太史慈说：「不可知也。」孙策大笑曰： 「今日起，我当与你共闯天下。」孙策署太史慈门下督。孙策相当重视太史慈，决定收揽他。刘繇败走后，尚有馀众万多军卒未降，太史慈便受命前往安抚。左右皆说：「太史慈必北去而不还了。」孙策却深具信心地说：「子义他舍弃了我，还可以投奔谁呢？」更替其饯行送别至昌门，临行把著太史慈的手腕问：「何时能够回来？」太史慈答道：「不过六十日。」孙策问太史慈道：「孤闻知卿昔日为郡太守劫州章，义助于孔文举（孔融），请援于刘玄德（刘备），都是有烈义的行为，真是天下间的智士，但所托却未得其人。射钩斩袪，古人不嫌（管仲原是齐公子纠的属下，曾引弓射中公子小白〈齐桓公〉的钩带，然而小白日后仍以管仲为相；晋文公曾出走奔翟，晋献公遣寺人披追之，更斩下重耳的衣袖，然而重耳仍能容赦寺人披）。孤是卿的知己，卿千万别忧虑会不如意啊。」又说：「龙要高飞腾空，必先阶其尺木。」太史慈果然如期而返。孙策授予其兵权，拜折冲中郎将。孙策收复祖郎后，军还，祖郎与太史慈俱在前导军，军中众人皆以为荣。

贯手著棼

太史慈随孙策讨伐麻保贼时，有一敌将于城楼上揽著城上梁木，向孙策军大肆骂阵怒骂，太史慈便引弓往城楼上面射，一箭贯穿叫骂敌人的手，箭矢正中城楼短梁柱，将其固定梁柱上，孙策军中众将纷纷称赞，弓术如此精准，贯手著更成为千古佳话。

驻守建昌

后来数次作乱于艾县、西安县、攸县一带的刘表从子刘磐与麾下黄忠共守长沙郡攸县。孙策分海昏、建昌设左右六县，委任太史慈为建昌都尉，主治海昏，并督各将还击以骁勇著称的刘磐。太史慈成功镇服守地，令刘磐与黄忠绝迹江东，不再为祸作乱。甚至连曹操都曾因闻其名而与他通信，并于信件中夹著当归，示意要招揽太史慈，但太史慈都没有加以理会。

孙权统事后，因太史慈能制刘磐，便将管理南方的要务委托给他，时建安八年（203年）。

英雄辞世

建安十一年（206年）逝世，享年四十一岁。《吴书》曰：太史慈临亡叹息曰：「丈夫生世，当带七尺之剑，以升天子之阶。今所志未从，奈何而死乎！」权甚悼惜之。死后职务由程普接替。

死后下葬地有三种说法，真正葬地，至今仍谜。

一。传死后被孙权厚葬于北固山，而现镇江北固山太史慈墓也是唯一被官方以文物式保护的太史慈墓，

　　但亦有人指，极有可能只是其后人所立之衣冠冢。

　　葬于北固山最早史料出处为清代的《北固山志》，记载同治九年赵应圭等人立太史慈墓碑于北固山下。

　　而之所以会有葬于北固山一说，最早记载是出现小说三国演义，所以极有可以是清代后人有误而立之碑。

　　北固山一墓多次被毁，1966年被盗，无发现任何文物，现今是1985年重建、2013修缉后的墓碑。

二。按清县志记载所云，葬于今太史湾村，即浙江湖州。

　　此说法出自唐代《石柱记》的碑文，上面疑刻有乌程（古县名，今湖州）有吴丹阳太守芜湖侯太史慈之墓之意，

　　因此也在清代时被收入清县志。

　　但此说法的疑处在于太史慈被纳之爵位，东吴建立后才有芜湖侯，名徐盛，

　　故，太史慈卒于建安十一年，连孙策都仍未被封为长沙桓王，太史慈更没有可能被封侯。

三。葬于江西奉新。

　　最早记载于南宋时期地方志，后，清康熙年间于【江西通志】更有明确记载：【太史慈墓在奉新县南乡十都】，

　　当地亦有更多相关传说与地名，太史慈更于宋代被奉新人建感古庙，封为灵惠侯，后于清年间封为广佑灵惠神。

轶话

• 太史慈身长七尺七寸（184.8cm。吴一尺应为24cm，汉一尺为23.1cm，故太史慈身长七尺七寸应为184.8cm，184.8cm亦相等于汉尺八尺。）有美须髯，年少好学，猿臂善射，弦不虚发。其箭术相当了得，享誉当代，他在北海为孔融求援时，曾带弓箭冲突黄巾重围，当黄巾军队上前包围太史慈，他引弓射杀数人，箭无虚发，令黄巾贼不敢再追。投降孙策后，某次太史慈随孙策讨伐麻保贼时，有一敌将于城楼上揽著城上梁木，向孙策军大肆叫骂，太史慈便引弓一射，一箭贯穿敌人的手，直中楼中短梁，弓术如此精妙，此「贯手著棼」一事更成为千古佳话。太史慈毕生展现了多方面的才能，其智勇双全的表现，可谓一代名将。而他尽义守信的性格，更是为古今所称道，既能报恩于孔融，又能守诺于孙策，均可见其为人磊落。然而寿命不长，所以临终有「所志未从，奈何而死」的遗憾。

• 《全唐诗·卷七百六十七》中载孙元晏有一首写太史慈的诗：「圣德招贤远近知，曹公心计却成欺。陈韩昔日尝投楚，岂是当归召得伊。」

后人

• 太史享，太史慈之子。官至越骑校尉，仍曾任尚书、吴郡太守。

• 太史叔明，太史慈后世孙，与江东豪门吴兴沈氏结亲，南朝梁博学之士。

艺术形象

《三国演义》

《三国演义》中初登场为第十一回「刘皇叔北海救孔融，吕温侯濮阳破曹操」，后来表现与《三国志》中没有太大分别，但其死亡时间却往后调了数年。于群英会、赤壁之战中，太史慈也有登场，先在群英会上为周瑜担任监酒官，于赤壁战中则负责绕到曹军背后，断绝来自合肥的曹军援兵。后来太史慈更于合肥之战一役中大战魏将张辽，可惜其所献的「里应外合」之计被张辽悉破，张辽更将计就计，安排伏兵，袭击进入合肥城的太史慈，令太史慈身中数箭，回营后伤重身亡。书中更有一首五律诗句作赞：「矢志全忠孝，东莱太史慈。姓名昭远塞，弓马震雄师。北海酬恩日，神亭酣战时。临终言壮志，千古共嗟咨。」

影视形象

• 1994年电视剧《三国演义》：李洪涛、陈之辉饰演太史慈

• 1996年电视剧《关公》：张文进饰演太史慈

• 2009年电视剧《终极三国》：黄壮为饰演太史慈

• 2017年电视剧《终极三国2017》：李若焱饰演太史慈

漫画游戏

• 真三国无双系列 / 无双OROCHI系列（光荣公司开发，挂川裕彦配音）

• 《苍天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火凤燎原》（陈某）: 设定于刘备入主徐州时登场，随于孔融身旁，后孙策下江东时出现于刘繇军中，刘繇大败后在孙策大义之言下归降孙策，孙策攻打沙时力战黄忠，在赤壁之战篇中被伪装成荆州难民之张辽及邓艾为首的曹兵所袭击，和张辽交手并死于剑下。

• 《SD高达世界 三国创杰传》原型为Seed系列的决门高达突击装甲型。

评价

• 《三国志》载孔融曰：「卿（太史慈）吾之少友也。」

• 《三国志》载刘繇曰：「我若用子义，许子将不当笑我邪？」

• 陈寿《三国志》评曰：「太史慈信义笃烈，有古人之分。」

• 《三国志》引《吴历》：「（孙）策曰：『太史子义，青州名士，以信义为先，终不欺策。』」

• 《三国志》引《江表传》：「（孙）策曰：『太史子义虽气勇有胆烈，然非纵横之人。其心有士谟，志经道义，贵重然诺，一以意许知己，死亡不相负。』」

• 谢混《宋书·刘敬宣传》：「人之相知，岂可以一涂限，孔文举礼太史子义，夫岂有非之者邪！」

• 孙元晏：「圣德招贤远近知，曹公心计却成欺。陈韩昔日尝投楚，岂是当归召得伊。」

• 洪迈《容斋续笔》：「三国当汉、魏之际，英雄虎争，一时豪杰志义之士，礌礌落落，皆非后人所能冀，然太史慈者尤为可称。」

• 郝经：「慈笃于信义，以气相许穿彻，劲挺克复。其言亦田畴辈流也。终委身孙氏，受其驱防，以不能为王爪士咄唶自恨，衔愤以死，其志可哀已。」

• 罗贯中：「矢志全忠孝，东莱太史慈。姓名昭远塞，弓马震雄师。北海酬恩日，神亭酣战时。临终言壮志，千古共嗟咨。」

注释

Early career in Donglai Commandery

Taishi Ci was from Huang County (黄县), Donglai Commandery (东莱郡), which is in present-day Longkou, Shandong. As a youth, he was known for being studious. He served as a zoucaoshi (奏曹史; a minor official) in the local commandery office. Around 186, the commandery administration had a dispute with their superiors, the provincial administration of Qing Province. Both sides wrote to the imperial court in the capital Luoyang to complain about each other. At the time, since the imperial court often made decisions on a first-come, first-served basis, it meant that the court would tend to rule in favour of the party whose document it received first. Since the provincial administration had already sent a courier to deliver their complaint letter, the Administrator (太守) of Donglai Commandery began to feel anxious and started looking for someone to help him deliver his letter. Taishi Ci, then 20 years old, was chosen for the task.

When Taishi Ci finally reached Luoyang after travelling day and night, he saw the provincial administration's courier near the city gate. He approached him and asked, "Sir, are you delivering a document?" The courier replied, "Yes." Taishi Ci asked again, "Where is the document?" The courier replied, "In the carriage." Taishi Ci said, "Are you sure there is no mistake in the addressee's details on the document? Let me see it." The courier did not know that Taishi Ci was from Donglai Commandery so he showed him the letter. Taishi Ci took out a knife and destroyed the letter. The courier started shouting, "This man destroyed my document!" Taishi Ci pulled him into the carriage and said, "If you didn't show me the document, I wouldn't have been able to destroy it. Regardless of the consequences, neither of us can say he is not responsible for what happened. I suggest we remain silent and escape. By doing this, we can avoid punishment and keep our heads. Otherwise, both of us will be executed." The courier asked, "Your master sent you to destroy this document. Now that you have accomplished your mission, why do you still need to go on the run?" Taishi Ci replied, "He ordered me to only check whether the document has been delivered. However, I went too far and ended up destroying the document. If I go back, I am afraid that my master will blame me, so I suggest we escape together." The courier was persuaded by Taishi Ci so they fled from Luoyang together.

After leaving Luoyang, Taishi Ci secretly returned later and delivered the commandery administration's letter to the imperial court. When the provincial administration of Qing Province found out, they sent another letter to the central government again. However, as the second letter contained some discrepancies, the imperial court ruled against the provincial administration in the dispute. Taishi Ci became famous after this incident. However, out of fear that the provincial administration would take revenge against him, he fled from Donglai Commandery and took shelter in Liaodong.

Saving Kong Rong from the siege of Duchang

Kong Rong, the Chancellor (相) of Beihai State (北海国; around present-day Weifang, Shandong), heard about Taishi Ci and regarded him as an extraordinary talent. He sent his subordinates to visit Taishi Ci's mother on multiple occasions and passed her many gifts. In the late 180s or early 190s, when Beihai came under attack by Yellow Turban rebels, Kong Rong led his troops to a fortress at Duchang (都昌; in present-day Weifang, Shandong). The rebels, led by Guan Hai (管亥), besieged the Duchang fortress. After Taishi Ci returned from Liaodong, his mother told him, "You haven't met Kong Rong. He treated me very generously – almost like an old friend – while you were away. Now that he is in trouble, you should quickly go to help him." Three days later, Taishi Ci travelled alone on foot to Duchang.

At the time, the rebels had yet to completely surround Duchang, so Taishi Ci managed to sneak past the enemy at night and enter the fortress to meet Kong Rong. He asked Kong Rong to let him lead soldiers to fight their way out, but Kong refused and insisted on waiting for reinforcements. The rebels came closer day by day. Kong Rong wanted to seek help from Liu Bei, the Chancellor of Pingyuan State (平原国), but no one had any idea on how to break out of the siege. Taishi Ci volunteered to fight his way out and seek reinforcements from Liu Bei, but Kong Rong said, "The rebels have completely surrounded the fortress. Everyone thinks it is impossible to break out. It will be very difficult for you to break out no matter how courageous you are." Taishi Ci replied, "When I was away, you treated my mother very generously. She feels grateful, hence she told me to help you. She knew that I know what I am doing, and that I can help you. Now, everyone says it is impossible to break out. If I were to agree with them, I will not be able to repay your kindness. Why, then, did my mother send me here for? We are in a very desperate situation. I hope you won't hesitate any longer." Kong Rong agreed to let him break out of the siege.

Taishi Ci packed his equipment and had a full meal. At dawn, he brought his bow and a quiver of arrows with him, and rode out of the fortress. He was accompanied by two riders, each carrying a target stand for archery practice. When the rebels saw Taishi Ci coming out of the fortress, they immediately readied themselves for battle. To their surprise, Taishi Ci took the two stands, placed them in the ditch around the fortress, fired some arrows at them, and then returned to the fortress. The following day, he repeated the entire process. Some of the rebels stood up and prepared for battle upon seeing him, while others ignored him and remained relaxed. On the third day, when Taishi Ci came out again, the rebels thought that he was going to practise archery again, so they paid no attention to him. Taishi Ci then seized the opportunity to break out of the siege. By the time the rebels realised what was going on, Taishi Ci had already escaped and killed several rebels along the way. None of them dared to pursue him.

When Taishi Ci arrived at Pingyuan, he told Liu Bei, "I, (Taishi) Ci, am a commoner from Donglai. I am neither a relative nor an acquaintance of Kong Rong. But I have heard of him and we not only share similar beliefs, but also experienced difficult times together. Now, Guan Hai and the rebels have besieged Kong Rong; he is desperately in need of help. You are known for your kindness, righteousness, and willingness to help those in need. Kong Rong admires you and has placed his hopes in you, hence he sent me to fight my way out of the siege to seek help from you. Only you can save him." Liu Bei's facial expression turned serious and he said, "So Kong Rong knows that Liu Bei exists in this world!" He then sent 3,000 troops to follow Taishi Ci back to Duchang. When the rebels heard that reinforcements had arrived, they fled and the siege of Duchang was automatically lifted. Kong Rong regarded Taishi Ci even more highly after this event. He told Taishi Ci, "You are a young friend of mine." When Taishi Ci returned home and told his mother about it, she said, "I am very happy that you can repay Kong Rong's kindness in this way."

Coming to serve Sun Ce

Liu Yao, the Inspector (刺史) of Yang Province, was not only also from Donglai Commandery like Taishi Ci, but also an old acquaintance of Taishi Ci. Taishi Ci had not met Liu Yao since his return from Liaodong, so he crossed the Yangtze River and travelled to Qu'e County (曲阿县; present-day Danyang, Jiangsu) to find Liu Yao. Before he left, the warlord Sun Ce led his forces to attack Liu Yao's territories. Someone advised Liu Yao to appoint Taishi Ci as a general to lead his troops to counter Sun Ce, but Liu Yao said, "If I appoint Taishi Ci, Xu Zijiang will laugh at me." He then sent Taishi Ci on a reconnaissance mission to assess the strength of Sun Ce's forces.

Taishi Ci, accompanied by only a single horseman, encountered Sun Ce at Shen Village (神亭; somewhere in present-day Danyang, Jiangsu) during his mission. Sun Ce had 13 other men with him, including Han Dang, Song Qian and Huang Gai. Taishi Ci rode forth and engaged Sun Ce in battle. Sun Ce thrust his spear at Taishi Ci's horse and managed to grab the handheld ji that Taishi carried on his back. Taishi Ci, on the other hand, managed to get hold of Sun Ce's helmet. Their fight was broken up when their respective subordinates showed up.

After Liu Yao was defeated by Sun Ce subsequently in battle, Taishi Ci originally planned to accompany Liu Yao as he fled to Yuzhang Commandery (豫章郡; around present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi) for shelter. However, Taishi Ci went into hiding in the hills at Wuhu County (芜湖县; east of present-day Wuhu, Anhui) and declared himself the Administrator (太守) of Danyang Commandery (丹杨郡). By then, Sun Ce had conquered the territories east of Xuancheng County (宣城县; present-day Xuancheng, Anhui); only the six counties west of Jing County (泾县; north of present-day Jing County, Anhui) remained outside of Sun Ce's control. Taishi Ci headed to Jing County, where he established a base and managed to recruit the Shanyue people to join him. Sun Ce personally led his forces to attack Taishi Ci, defeated him in battle, and captured him. Later, he released Taishi Ci from his bonds, held his hand and asked, "Do you still remember our fight at Shen Village? What would you do if you captured me?" Taishi Ci replied, "I can't be certain about this." Sun Ce laughed and said, "I shall manage the present-day affairs of the state together with you from this moment onwards."

Sun Ce asked Taishi Ci, "In the past, you helped your commandery's administrator destroy a letter from the provincial administration, saved Wenju (Kong Rong) from danger, and successfully obtained reinforcements from Xuande (Liu Bei). These are all acts of heroism. You are one of the most intelligent people in this world, yet you haven't found someone who appreciates your talent. The ancients could forget about she gou zhan qu. I am someone who appreciates you. You don't need to worry that you will feel unhappy if you join me." Sun Ce also said, "If a dragon wishes to soar into the sky, it has to take off from a piece of wood."

Alternative account in the Wu Li

The Wu Li (吴历) provided a different account of how Taishi Ci came to serve Sun Ce. It mentioned that Taishi Ci was defeated and captured by Sun Ce after their fight at Shen Village. Sun Ce had heard of Taishi Ci before so he released Taishi Ci from his bonds and asked him for advice on his future conquests. Taishi Ci replied, "I am an officer of a defeated army. I am not qualified to speak on such matters." Sun Ce said, "In the past, Han Xin heeded advice from Guangwu. In the present, I seek advice from a man of righteousness. What are you talking about?" Taishi Ci replied, "My army has recently been defeated. The troops are scattered and low on morale. It may be difficult, but I still intend to gather and bring them together. I am afraid this is not what you wish to see." Sun Ce knelt down and said, "What I want is your sincerity. I hope you will return by midday tomorrow." When Sun Ce's subordinates raised doubts about Taishi Ci's loyalty, Sun Ce said, "Taishi Ziyi is a famous man from Qing Province. He is known for keeping his promises. I believe he will not deceive me." The following day, Sun Ce hosted a banquet and had a pole erected in the middle, so as to keep track of time by observing its shadow. By midday, when the shadow was shortest, Taishi Ci returned as promised. Sun Ce was overjoyed. He often consulted Taishi Ci on military affairs later on.

Pei Songzhi, who added the Wu Li account as an annotation to Taishi Ci's biography in the Sanguozhi, noted that the Wu Li account deviated significantly from what was recorded in Taishi Ci's Sanguozhi biography. He suspected that there was a mistake.

Persuading Liu Yaos followers to surrender to Sun Ce

After returning to his base in Wu Commandery (around present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu), Sun Ce commissioned Taishi Ci as a "General of the Household Who Breaks Waves" (折冲中郎将). Although Liu Yao had already died in Yuzhang Commandery (豫章郡; around present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi) in 195, there were still thousands of his former followers scattered around the area. Sun Ce sent Taishi Ci to persuade them to surrender.

Sun Ce told Taishi Ci, "In the past, when Liu Yao criticised me for helping Yuan Shu conquer Lujiang, he didn't have good intentions and his reasons were not convincing. Why? Yuan Shu had control over the thousands of troops which used to be under my father's command. I wanted to make great achievements, so I had no choice but to submit to Yuan Shu and ask him to give me control of my father's troops. Even then, he only gave me back about 1,000 men. When he ordered me to attack Lujiang, the circumstances I was in were so desperate that I had no choice but to obey him. Later on, he turned evil and wanted to commit treacherous acts. I tried to dissuade him but he wouldn't listen. That was when I decided to sever ties with him. My relationship with Yuan Shu is only up to this extent. Now that Liu Yao is dead, there is no chance for me to explain to him anymore. However, his son still lives in Yuzhang. I don't know how Hua Ziyu treats him, and whether Liu Yao's former followers have decided to serve Hua Ziyu. You are from the same commandery as Liu Yao, and you served under him before. I hope you can visit his son and convey my wishes to his followers. If they wish to join me, I will welcome them; if they don't, do treat them kindly. At the same time, you can assess how strong Hua Ziyu's defences are, and see if the peoples of Luling and Poyang are willing to join me. You can bring along as many men as you wish." Taishi Ci replied, "I have committed unpardonable acts. Yet, you treat me as generously as how Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin treated former enemies who surrendered to them. The ancients lived by a code of loyalty until death. I don't need too many men to accompany me. Just a dozen or so will be sufficient."

Sun Ce's aides cautioned him, "(Taishi) Ci will not come back if he leaves." However, Sun Ce said, "If Ziyi abandons me, who else can he turn to?" He personally saw Taishi Ci off, held his hand and asked, "When will you return?" Taishi Ci replied, "Not more than 60 days." He kept his word and returned within 60 days.

When Sun Ce sent Taishi Ci to persuade Liu Yao's followers to surrender, many of Sun Ce's aides felt that Taishi Ci could not be trusted. They believed that Taishi Ci would defect to either Hua Xin or Huang Zu. However, Sun Ce said, "All of you are wrong. I trust my judgment. Taishi Ci may be brave and headstrong, but he is not an impulsive person. He is a man of exemplary character and a man who keeps his word. I treat him like a close friend and will not betray him. All of you don't need to worry." Sun Ce's aides only trusted Taishi Ci after he kept his promise and returned from Yuzhang Commandery. When Taishi Ci met Sun Ce again, he said, "Hua Ziyu is a man of virtue, but not a talented leader. He has no grand plan; he only wants to preserve the status quo. Tong Zhi (僮芝) from Danyang lied that he has been appointed as the Administrator of Luling and has taken control of the commandery. The local clans in Poyang have formed their own ruling body and driven away the officials sent by Hua Ziyu to govern the area. Hua Ziyu is unable to control Luling and Poyang. Moreover, about 5,000 to 6,000 local clans in Haihun (海昏) have formed their own ruling body too and rejected control by the commandery administration. Hua Ziyu can do nothing about this." Sun Ce clapped his hands and laughed. Later on, he pacified Yuzhang Commandery and successfully induced Hua Xin to surrender to him.

Service under the Sun family

Liu Pan (刘磐), a nephew of Jing Province's governor Liu Biao, often led his troops to raid Sun Ce's territories in Ai County (艾县; west of present-day Xiushui County, Jiangxi), Xi'an County (西安县; present-day Putian District, Wuning County, Jiangxi) and the nearby counties. Sun Ce created a commandery composed of Haihun County (海昏县; present-day Xiangshan Town, Xinjian District, Nanchang, Jiangxi), Jianchang County (建昌县; present-day Fengxin County, Jiangxi) and six other counties, and appointed Taishi Ci as its Commandant (都尉), with the administrative centre at Haihun County. Taishi Ci led troops from these counties to drive back Liu Pan. Liu Pan stopped his raids after that.

Taishi Ci was famous for his archery skills. One notable incident, detailed in the Sanguozhi, was when he accompanied Sun Ce to attack rebels in Mabao (麻保). The rebel leader stood at the viewing platform above the gate, with his hand resting against a wooden pillar, and hurled verbal abuse at Sun Ce. Taishi Ci took aim and fired an arrow at him. The arrow pierced through both the pillar and the rebel's hand. Everyone was awed by Taishi Ci's skill. When the warlord Cao Cao heard about Taishi Ci, he wrote a letter to him and put it inside a box containing a few pieces of danggui.

Sun Ce died in 200 CE and was succeeded by his younger brother, Sun Quan. When Sun Quan came to power, he continued to put Taishi Ci in charge of security in the areas around Haihun County because he knew that Taishi Ci was capable of deterring Liu Pan.

Death

Taishi Ci died in 206 at the age of 41 (by East Asian age reckoning). Before his death, he sighed and said, "A man living in this world should aspire to carry a seven chi-long sword and rise to the position of a Son of Heaven. Now, I have yet to realise my ambition. How unfortunate that I am going to die soon!" Sun Quan deeply mourned Taishi Ci's death.

Family

Taishi Ci had a son, Taishi Xiang (太史享), whose courtesy name was "Yuanfu" (元复). Taishi Xiang served in Eastern Wu and held the appointments of Colonel of Yue Cavalry (越骑校尉), Imperial Secretary (尚书), and Administrator (太守) of Wu Commandery.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Taishi Ci's biography in the Sanguozhi, commented on Taishi Ci as follows: "Taishi Ci was loyal, righteous, trustworthy and upright. He possessed traits of ancient sages."

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Taishi Ci appears as a character in the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. His death was exaggerated for dramatic effect in Chapter 53 of the novel's version of the Battle of Hefei (208).

In popular culture

Taishi Ci is featured as a playable character in the video game series Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi by Koei.

Taishi Ci appears in the 2007 anime Kōtetsu Sangokushi, which is loosely based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as a general of the "barbaric" Go (Wu) faction. The character Taishiji Shigi of the anime series Ikki Tousen is also based roughly on Taishi Ci.

Taishi Ci is a playable character in Total War: Three Kingdoms, being a part of various factions depending on the campaign.