Of course before that, I'm compelled to stir up some shit due to some funny vote spamming spat.
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| Yes, let's reset the entire order of priorities because this typing lobo here is gonna get barracked for good. |
“吾乃汝南陈叔至也！汝等犬辈速来送死！”
[征西忠克...猛将之烈。
──赞陈叔至
叔至名到，汝南人也。自豫州随先主，名位常亚赵云，俱以忠勇称。建兴初，官至永安都督、征西将军，封亭侯。]
《三国志/卷45；蜀书十五：邓张宗杨传》
Trans:
[He Who Conquers the West is loyal and steadfast...Foremost of the bravest.
~in praise of Chen Shuzhi
Shuzhi, named Dao. A native of Runan. Following the First Lord (Liu Bei) from the Yu Province, his status for a long period, was second only to Zhao Yun while being famed for his loyalty and valour. During the first year of Jianxing, his rank reached unto the Grand Supervisor of Yongan and the General Who Conquers the West with the title of Marquis bestowed to him as well.]
(Records of the Three Kingdoms/Forty Fith Scroll; Book of Shu Chapter Fifteen: Accounts of Deng, Zhang, Zong, Yang)
My take: Okay, guys. Let's just face it. [1] Nothing much was known about Chen Dao, hence one post is enough to kill off the issue. [2] Firstly, it's apparent that Chen Dao was a veteran along the same mention of Zhao Yun, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
In fact, I suspect the only reason why Luo Guan Zhong didn't put him in was down to a sore lack in historical proof in terms of deeds rather than existence. Yet, to be labeled as Zhao Yun's second means he's truly badass.
Albeit an unsung badass. [3]
Or an underrated badass. [4]
Alternatively, we can call him That Unknown Badass. [5]
And of course to Liu Bei, he's That Badass Bodyguard.
Am I joking here? Well, it might seem that way, but trust me when I say it's not. Check this out, guys:
In fact, I suspect the only reason why Luo Guan Zhong didn't put him in was down to a sore lack in historical proof in terms of deeds rather than existence. Yet, to be labeled as Zhao Yun's second means he's truly badass.
Albeit an unsung badass. [3]
Or an underrated badass. [4]
Alternatively, we can call him That Unknown Badass. [5]
And of course to Liu Bei, he's That Badass Bodyguard.
Am I joking here? Well, it might seem that way, but trust me when I say it's not. Check this out, guys:
[兄嫌白帝兵非精练，到所督则先主帐下白毦，西方上兵也。嫌其少也，当复部分江州兵以广益之。]
《与兄瑾书》
Trans:
[My brother dearest deemed the soldiers at Bai Di were not strong, yet those under (Chen)Dao's supervision were the elite White Cloaks under the First Lord's camp, superior warriors from the West. Yet due to small numbers, you must allocate a portion of the Jiangzhou soldiers as reinforcements.]
(Letters to Dearest Brother Zhuge Jin)
Note: This letter was most likely intended for Li Yan (李严) when he took over the forces at Jiangzhou. Back then, Li Yan was taking over Zhao Yun's military duties at Jiangzhou due to Zhuge Liang's decision to mobilize him and Deng Zhi to the Hanzhong area. [6]
My take: Via what was being said here, it's apparent that Chen Dao was defending the fortress of Baidi, which was actually part Yongan. Yongan was used to be known as Yufu (鱼复) back during Liu Zhang's days as the ruler of the Yi Province.
Indeed it was the first checkpoint for Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun during the Battle of the Yi Province when they arrived from the Jing Province. Ever since Guan Yu lost the plot [7], Liu Bei's portion of the area was taken over by Sun Quan. Since then, it's only truly like Zhuge Liang to be wary of any backstabbing coming from Sun Wu. [8]
Indeed it was the first checkpoint for Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun during the Battle of the Yi Province when they arrived from the Jing Province. Ever since Guan Yu lost the plot [7], Liu Bei's portion of the area was taken over by Sun Quan. Since then, it's only truly like Zhuge Liang to be wary of any backstabbing coming from Sun Wu. [8]
At the same time, it was speculated on where the White Cloaks hailed from. Generally, there have been three theories:
1. The term West is taken within the context of the Liang Province (凉州). The area was towards the western side of central China. Back during his shit stirring days, Ma Chao was based in that area with Han Sui (韩遂) as the other major power preparing to give Cao Cao a lot of shit. After his final failure at Mount Qi (祁山) [9], his followers could be seen as soldiers from the West.
2. West in another context means the area of the Yi Province itself due to its geographical location. At the same time, it's worthy to note that there's a great deal of minority tribes flourishing there. [10] Simply put, it could be conjectured that these foreign mofos [11] are the White Cloaks.
3. The final option for the unknown answer is the fact that the Governor of Xu Province (徐州牧) Tao Qian (陶谦) gave Liu Bei a 4K worth of manpower. And from the area of Danyang (丹扬) no less. Back then, Danyang was the land of all blokes badassery. If I can draw a parallel from the modern era, I can virtually associate these mofos with the Israeli military. An elite system built upon cold hard steel. [12] Given that Liu Bei was being made the Envoy of Yu Province (豫州刺史), it's a no-brainer that Chen Dao actually joined his lord far earlier than Zhao Yun. [13]
Proof:
[谦以丹杨兵四千益先主...谦表先主为豫州刺史...]
《三国志：先主传》
My take: It sure takes donkey years to nurture an elite force of men. [14] The White Cloaks were nowhere different. Given Liu Bei's life as a drifter [15], it's very likely that there was not much infrastructure to develop any notable army of mass destruction until his days at the Jing Province. [16] In fact, Liu Bei's years as the boss of Yi Province had never lasted beyond a decade's span. [17]
Simply put, my best guess will be the Law of Military Darwinism [18].
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| My only reason for putting this up: I too lazy to go Google image search. |
Additional info:
...留[护军]陈到驻永安...
《三国志：李严传》
Analysis: The key word is that one in brackets. Back then, that was Chen Dao's current status by the time Zhuge Liang's holy orders hit home. The term 护军 means Army Protector literally. The general scope of power lies in supervision of the army and manpower allocation within the frontline troops.
Interestingly enough, the main army actually consists of four sub-armies. Namely the Front Army (前军), Rear Army(后军), Left Army (左军) and Right Army (右军). Plus the Middle Army (中军) where the chief commander would be situated.
Interestingly enough, the main army actually consists of four sub-armies. Namely the Front Army (前军), Rear Army(后军), Left Army (左军) and Right Army (右军). Plus the Middle Army (中军) where the chief commander would be situated.
Note: The part on manpower allocation was something I've gleaned via the internet quite some time back. Simply put, there's nothing much of an info on how the military hierarchy worked in terms of portfolios and what you've seen here is mere speculations/conjecture/analysis. Amazingly enough, a brief glance on the Three Kingdoms era alone would indicate that one must have a keen strategic mind to fulfill such a role. Apart from Zhou Yu, Zhao Yun and this Chen Dao, the rest were actually strategists, not strictly men of war. Yes, Zhou Yu was a military man first and foremost. Surprising, huh? But then again, no one actually ended up calling Lu Meng a moron as well. Bloody Sun Quan really got a lot of intelligent blokes at his disposal. >.<
And lastly because I feel like it:
The Battle of Dangyang Changban (长坂坡之战)
The Battle of Red Cliff (赤壁之战)
The Battle of Yi Province (益州之战)
These are the major battles Liu Bei had gone through before his Decade of Glory (give or take nine to ten years to be exact; i.e. AD 215 to AD 223). Back then, he didn't have that much of a shit luck with enough manpower for a proper Cabinet. Apparently, attempts to create a political balance might had shafted some fellas really hard although talks of Zhao Yun being one of them is a certified bullshit debunked. [19] Not too sure about Chen Dao though because no one can and will give an accurate date on when he received the Army Protector title. Interestingly enough:
汉中之战
猇亭之战
These are the two battles in which Chen Dao might have major chances to shine. If so, then he definitely had grabbed them with both hands due to him being Liu Bei's Badass Bodyguard. The fact that the Battle of Xiaoting is more famously known as the Battle of Yiling (夷陵之战) only served to GAR-ify this unknown badass.
[1]: Wow, did I spam too much of that phrase?
[2]: Despite whatever Snake will want to say, this is not mocking S3 Tan. After all, I didn't spam anything here.
[3]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Boateng
[4]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juninho_Paulista
[5]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinobi
[6]: Future events unfolding later would be snowballed into the War of Jieting (马谡丢街亭). Or perhaps better known as Zhang He Says Hi (张颌来问安).
[7]: Together with his head. Literally.
[8]: Truthfully started off as Lu Su mara Guan Yu (鲁肃骂人，关羽举白旗). 人家耍赖, 没法子。。。.
[9]: Or better known as kannachi by Wang Yi (王异踹人，无人可挡).
[10]: Which basically means apartheid was not an option nor the answer as well.
[11]: No intent of e-xenophobia here.
[12]: No intent of e-vitriol here.
[13]: Apart from the fact that Zhao Yun knew Liu Bei quite earlier.
[14]: If you think I'm laughing at the Gov here, you've most likely failed your maths. What's the answer for 2+2?
[15]: Or better known A Series of Unfortunate Events. Not this one though.
[16]: First half was a 3-0 score due to Liu Biao (刘表) being a moron in his own right. Full time ended up 7-0 because Sun Quan became the new face of opposition by then.
[17]: Isn't it sad, Liu Bei?
[18]: You all don't have to bother Googling for this term. I made that up myself anyway.
[19]: Someone must have been guilty of burning the books.
So is there anything more to fill in? I guess I might as well round things off with this:
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