Man Chong

Man Chong (died 242), style name Boning, was an official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.

Life
A native of Changyi, Shanyang (present-day Juye County, Shandong), Man Chong became a strategist under the warlord Cao Cao. In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Man Chong was an old friend of Xu Huang, and when Cao Cao battled with Yang Feng (whom Xu Huang served), he was sent to convince Xu to defect to Cao Cao's side. Later, Man Chong became governor of Runan, and helped Cao Ren defend Fancheng (present-day Fancheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei) against Guan Yu at the Battle of Fancheng in 219, acting as an advisor to Cao Ren.

Historically, Man Chong convinced Cao Ren to not withdraw by indicating that the flood was only temporary and would not last long. Man Chong also noted that Guan Yu's vanguard had already advanced to Jia (郏), yet his main force dared not follow, because he was afraid of being cut off from the behind and attacked from both sides. In 228, Man Chong participated in an unsuccessful three-way invasion on the state of Eastern Wu. Man Chong was also credited with the suggestion to build a new castle at a strategic location far away from the sea on Hefei, as to minimize the advantage of the Wu navy. Sun Quan invaded Hefei again in 233, but he was so hesitate to land that he just stayed on the boat for 20 days. When he did land, he was ambushed by Man Chong, and lost a few hundred men to him before getting back on boat and retreat. During 4th battle on Hefei of 234, Man Chong was responsible of the defense of the grand castle of Hefei (however, Man Chong was not physically there), though his suggestion to reinforce general Zhang Ying (who was commanding troops inside Hefei Castle) was rejected by Cao Rui, he managed to burn down the rams Wu forces assembled to seize the city. As a result, the Wu forces retreated before Cao Rui bought the main army to Hefei. During his later years, Man Chong was involved in the power struggle with Wang Ling, and eventually lost favour in court.

Appointments and titles held

 * Investigator (督郵) - performs checks on counties
 * Prefect of Gaoping (高平令)
 * Assistant Officer (從事) to Cao Cao
 * Official in the West Bureau (西曹屬)
 * Prefect of Xuchang (許昌令)
 * Administrator of Runan (汝南太守)
 * General Who Inspires Might (奮威將軍)
 * Secondary Marquis (關內侯)
 * Marquis of Anchang Village (安昌亭侯)
 * General Who Spreads Martial Might (揚武將軍)
 * General Who Pacifies Waves (伏波將軍)
 * Marquis of Nan District (南鄉侯)
 * General of the Vanguard (前將軍)
 * Marquis of Chang Estate (昌邑侯)
 * Inspector of Yu Province (豫州刺史)
 * General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍)
 * Grand Commandant (太尉)
 * Marquis Jing (景侯) - granted to Man Chong posthumously