Man Chong 滿寵

Biography
Born in Shanyang.

Life Under Cao Cao
Cao Cao appointed Man Chong as Prefect of Xu city.

In 196 A.D., some retainers of Cao Hong had repeatedly violated the law, so naturally Man Chong had them arrested and punished. Cao Hong wrote to Man Chong, threatening him if he should not release Hong's retainers, but Man Chong ignored him. So Cao Hong went to Cao Cao and asked he pardon Hong's retainers. When Cao Cao summoned Man Chong, Man Chong knew that Cao Cao would ask him to release his prisoners. To prevent such an event, Man Chong immediately executed the prisoners. When Cao Cao heard, he was pleased and said: "Here is real attention to duty?"

In 197 A.D., Cao Cao was in conflict with Yuan Shu, among others, when Yuan Shu declared himself Emperor. The former Grand Commandant Yang Biao was related to Yuan Shu by marriage, and Cao Cao didn't like the idea of having a potential spy around. To get rid of Yang Biao, Cao Cao falsely slandered him, stating he was planning to supplant the Emperor. Cao Cao advised the court that Yang Biao be arrested for treason. Cao Cao then ordered Man Chong investigate Yang Biao.

The Court Architect Kong Rong and Prefect of the Masters of Writing Xun Yu both believed in his innocence, so they asked Man Chong to be gentle with his interrogation. However, Man Chong ignored them, he interrogated Yang Biao in full accordance with the law (he used flogging, or some form of torture, to get him to talk). After several days, Man Chong said to Cao Cao: "Yang Biao has been examined and makes no change in his statement. This man is known within all the four seas. If you punish him without good evidence of his guilt, you will certainly lose many people's affections. In my humble opinion, you should reconsider the matter." And so Cao Cao pardoned Yang Biao and he was released later that day.

In 219 A.D., Shu-Han General of the Front Guan Yu attacked Fan Castle following a major flood which causing the utter destruction of the Wei army. At the time, Grand Administrator of Runan Man Chong had come to Fan to offer support to General Who Subdues the South Cao Ren. Fan was partially flooded and the troops nervous, some even suggested to Cao Ren that they flee before Guan Yu could encircle the castle. Man Chong said: "The mountain waters came swiftly, and we can hope they will go down just as fast. I hear that Guan Yu has already sent a detachment towards Jia, and the whole area south of Xu city is disturbed. The reason Guan Yu does not go forward is because he is afraid our army may cut off his rear. Once we run away, we shall have lost everything south of the Yellow River. You must stay here." (Jia county was in Yingchuan commandery only 80 km west of Xu city) Cao Ren agreed with Man Chong's judgement, he quickly rallied the men of Fan and they held the castle until Wei reinforcements chased Guan Yu away.

Life Under Cao Rui
In 228 A.D., Zhou Fang feigned defection to Wei in order to lead Cao Xiu into a trap. Cao Xiu was duped and led his forces towards Huan to cooperate with Zhou Fang. Additionally, Emperor Cao Rui had Sima Yi advance to Jiangling and Jia Kui advance to Ruxu Fortress. Jia Kui had control of four armies, including command of General of the Van Man Chong's.

Early in 231 A.D., the Sovereign of Wu Sun Quan announced he was planning on attacking Hefei. Man Chong memorialised the Emperor asking for reinforcements from Yan and Yu province, which he received. Soon, the Wu forces arrived, but seeing how heavily defended the fortress was, they retreated. The Emperor commanded the troops be dismissed. However, Xu Xuan suspected the early retreat was a ruse and part of Wu's original plan and commanded the troops remain. After 10 days, the Wu troops did indeed return, but seeing the fortress still heavily defended, retreated.

In Nov. of the same year, another Wu officer, Sun Bu asked to surrender to Inspector of Yong Wang Ling. Unfortunately, Sun Bu said he had not the strength to make it Wei so he asked for an escort. Wang Ling asked Man Chong for troops, so that he may go get Sun Bu. However, Man Chong thought the surrender to be another deception so refused Wang Ling. Furthermore, Man Chong wrote to Sun Bu on Wang Ling's behalf asking him to make the first move, saying: "Knowing who is true and who false, you wish to avoid calamity and make yourself obedient, to leave behind the unruly and return to the Way. This is very commendable. Now we wish to welcome you; but I am of the opinion that if the troops are too few, they will not be sufficient to protect you, and if they are too many, the matter will inevitably be heard of far away. Therefore you may first think out some secret scheme to bring your true intentions to a successful realization; the details shall be executed in accordance with circumstances as they emerge."

Having been rebuffed by Man Chong, Wang Ling sought to remove Man Chong from his position. He memorialised the throne that Man Chong was decrepit, senile and too fond of wine, ergo unsuitable for such an important post. The Emperor was going to dismiss Man Chong, but Serving Within the Palace Guo Mu reproached him, saying that Man Chong had given 20 years of meritous service, before dismissing him it would be best to meet him in person, then decide whether he was fit for office.

As it so happened, Man Chong was summoned to court; but before he left he gave explicit instructions to his Chief Clerk, that should Wang Ling come asking for troops, he be given none. As expected, Wang Ling did come and demand troops but to no avail. Dejected, Wang Ling was only able to send a single general with a few hundred troops to receive Sun Bu. But as Man Chong had suspected, it was a trap. Sun Bu launched a night ambush killing half of Wang Ling's men. Meanwhile, Man Chong was meeting with the Emperor, Cao Rui found him strong and healthy so he sent him back to his post.

Fact vs. Fiction
Historically…