Fei Guan

Fei Guan (? – ?) was a military officer of Shu Han who was active from the late Eastern Han to the Three Kingdoms period. His courtesy name was Binbai (賓伯), and he was a native of Mengxian County (鄳縣), Jiangxia Commandery, Jing Province.

Career

He was a relative of Liu Zhang, Governor of Yi Province. Liu Zhang's mother was Fei Guan's paternal great-aunt, and Fei Guan married Liu Zhang's daughter, making him Liu Zhang's son-in-law and the paternal uncle of Fei Yi.

In 213, he fought against Liu Bei together with Li Yan at Mianzhu Pass, and surrendered along with Li Yan. After Liu Bei pacified Yi Province, Fei Guan was appointed Deputy General, and later served as Administrator of Ba Commandery and Governor of Jiangzhou.

In 223, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting and was additionally granted the title General Zhenwei (振威將軍).¹

He died young at the age of 37.

According to the Jihan Fuchen Zan (《季漢輔臣贊》), his biography was lost and no formal biography could be compiled, but he was said to have been talented and admirable in both civil and military affairs. While in office, he performed his duties well, was dignified and eloquent, and was often mentioned. It is said that although he pursued the accumulation of wealth, he gave generously, and his benevolence, righteousness, and merit were exceptional.

He was also skilled at making friends. Li Yan, who was proud and did not associate with people of his own age or rank, was about twenty-odd years older than Fei Guan, yet Fei Guan interacted with him intimately, as if they were peers.

Fei Guan in Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Fei Guan is depicted as the brother-in-law of Liu Zhang. After Luocheng fell, he was ordered by Liu Zhang to lead 30,000 men together with Li Yan to defend Mianzhu Pass. When Li Yan fell into danger after being trapped by Zhuge Liang's strategem at Mianzhu Pass, Fei Guan surrendered to the Shu army. He then surrendered to Liu Bei's forces when Li Yan was sent as an envoy to persuade him.