Not Zhang Liao or Xu Huang! The Strongest 6 Great Surrendered Generals in the Three Kingdoms are 'Him': Almost Killed Cao Cao, Still Heavily Used After Surrender

In the Three Kingdoms era, defeat was not the end for heroes; sometimes, switching allegiances could be a turning point. According to a report by Sohu, generals like Jiang Wei, who reluctantly left Wei to join Shu, Zhang He, who switched from Yuan to Cao, and later Zhang Liao and Xu Huang, who shone brightly, found broader stages after changing sides and became key figures in history. Among many surrendered generals, Zhang Xiu had the most unbelievable experience. He launched a night raid in Yuancheng, nearly killing Cao Cao and causing the deaths of Cao Cao's son Cao Ang and his favorite general Dian Wei. Surprisingly, a few years later, Zhang Xiu, following the advice of strategist Jia Xu, surrendered to Cao Cao again. Instead of facing retribution, he was treated generously and heavily used, creating the most unbelievable comeback story in Three Kingdoms history. The 6th Strongest Surrendered General: Jiang Wei Jiang Wei, a general from Tianshui in Wei, was initially highly regarded but faced a dramatic turn in 228 AD when Zhuge Liang launched the first northern expedition. Amid the chaotic battlefield, he was wrongly suspected by his colleagues and even locked out of the city gate. With no other options, he chose to surrender to Shu Han. This reluctant defection, caused by misunderstanding, unexpectedly opened up a brilliant second half of his life. Zhuge Liang highly appreciated Jiang Wei's calmness and incredible talent, nurturing him and passing on his lifetime of learning and military strategies. He saw Jiang Wei as Shu Han's rising star. After Zhuge Liang's death at Changban, Jiang Wei took up the unfinished banner of the northern expedition, leading multiple campaigns northward and engaging in decades-long battles of wit and bravery with Wei's top generals Deng Ai, Guo Huai, and Chen Tai. Despite Shu Han's declining power in its later years, Jiang Wei steadfastly defended the front lines, making the powerful Wei regime hesitate to act. He became an indispensable anchor for Shu Han in its later period. The 5th Strongest Surrendered General: Zhang He Zhang He, once listed among Yuan Shao's 'Four Pillars of Hebei' alongside Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Gao Lan, was a key figure in the Yuan campaign to unify the north. However, during the decisive Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao's stubbornness and repeated rejection of crucial advice, coupled with his suspicion of the loyal Zhang He, led Zhang He to see that staying would mean certain death. He and Gao Lan decided to defect to Cao Cao. This decisive choice was met with Cao Cao's enthusiastic response. Cao Cao not only welcomed Zhang He personally without suspicion but also praised his joining as 'Han Xin's surrender to Han,' showing him the highest honor. This turning point became a catalyst in Zhang He's military career. After joining Cao, he fought in various battles across the north, Liangzhou, and Hanzhong, achieving remarkable feats. In the later Three Kingdoms period, facing Zhuge Liang's powerful northern expeditions, he precisely struck Ma Su in the crucial Battle of Jieting, shattering Shu's offensive plans and forcing Zhuge to retreat. From an unappreciated officer in Hebei to a pillar of the Cao Wei camp, Zhang He's brilliant military record over half his life proved a truth: wise birds choose the right tree, and finding a wise ruler is key to achieving greatness. The 4th Strongest Surrendered General: Wen Qin After Liu Biao, the ruler of Jingzhou, passed away, his successor Liu Cong chose to surrender to Cao Cao's advancing army. Wen Qin, a key military figure in Jingzhou, was also incorporated into Cao's camp. Unlike other surrendered generals who were eager to curry favor with the powerful, Wen Qin felt deeply ashamed for failing to protect Jingzhou's territory. When he first met Cao Cao, he was so ashamed that he couldn't lift his head. Surprisingly, Cao Cao praised his sense of guilt, seeing it as a manifestation of his loyalty and sense of duty. He immediately appointed Wen Qin to defend the most dangerous area of Jiangxia. Jiangxia was located at the forefront of conflicts between Cao Wei and Eastern Wu, making it highly prone to clashes. Wen Qin defended this area for most of his life. The most famous battle was in 226 AD when Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, personally led 50,000 elite troops to besiege Shiyang. Facing a vastly superior enemy, Wen Qin displayed extraordinary calmness, leading a small force to defend the city for over twenty days. When the Wu army, unable to break through, decided to retreat due to low morale, Wen Qin seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack, dealing a heavy blow to the enemy. This battle not only forced Sun Quan to retreat but also proved Wen Qin's strength, making him the most reliable shield on Cao Wei's southern frontier. The 3rd Strongest Surrendered General: Zhang Liao Zhang Liao's early life was filled with twists and turns. He served under Ding Yuan, Dong Zhuo, and Lü Bu before finally surrendering to Cao Cao after Lü Bu's defeat in Puxi. It was under Cao Cao that Zhang Liao found the ultimate stage to make his name in history. In Cao's camp, Zhang Liao's sharp tactical vision and exceptional courage were quickly put to use. What truly established his reputation as a godly general was the shocking Battle of Hefei in the 20th year of Jian'an. At that time, Sun Quan personally led 100,000 elite troops to Hefei. The defending forces were at a severe disadvantage in numbers. While most generals advocated passive defense and waiting for reinforcements, Zhang Liao showed unparalleled courage. He organized a daring squad of only 800 men and launched a surprise counterattack at dawn, striking like a steel blade at Sun Quan's command center. This ambush threw the Wu army into chaos, and Sun Quan was even forced to retreat to a high mound, narrowly avoiding capture. The morale of the Wu army collapsed. After this battle, whenever the Wu camp mentioned Zhang Liao, they felt fear, even leaving behind the legendary tale of 'Zhang Liao's cry.' He also became one of the top generals in Three Kingdoms history through this battle of few against many. The 2nd Strongest Surrendered General: Xu Huang Xu Huang initially served under the warlord Yang Feng. After Yang Feng's defeat, he surrendered to Cao Cao. Cao Cao highly valued this steady-tempered general, and Xu Huang did not disappoint. With his calm leadership, he achieved remarkable feats in the Battle of Guandu, the pacification of Guanzhong, and the struggle for Hanzhong, gradually rising to become a core general in the Cao Wei camp. The pinnacle of his military career was the decisive Battle of Fancheng. At that time, the Shu general Guan Yu, taking advantage of the autumn rains, launched the 'Flooding of Seven Armies,' shocking the Central Plains. Fancheng, defended by Cao Ren, was in dire straits, and the situation even forced Cao Cao to consider moving the capital to avoid the threat. At this critical moment, Xu Huang was entrusted with the mission to reinforce the front lines. Facing the formidable Guan Yu, he did not engage in reckless combat but adopted a strategy of feigning strength and striking from the east, gradually weakening Shu's defensive formations. In the decisive battle, he completely routed the enemy forces, successfully lifting the siege of Fancheng. This textbook-level rescue battle not only completely reversed Cao Wei's passive situation but also dashed Guan Yu's northern expedition plans. After the war, when Cao Cao was rewarding the army, he sincerely praised Xu Huang's strict and well-organized command and skillful use of troops, comparing him to the Western Han general 'Zhou Yafu,' highlighting his irreplaceable position in the Cao Wei group. The Strongest Surrendered General: Zhang Xiu In the second year of Jian'an (197 AD), Zhang Xiu, who was besieged in Yuancheng, surrendered to Cao Cao's advancing army. This was supposed to be a peaceful transfer of power, but it turned sour when Cao Cao forcibly took Zhang Xiu's aunt, Zhou. This great humiliation enraged Zhang Xiu, who, with the secret planning of strategist Jia Xu, launched a fierce night attack on the unsuspecting Cao camp. This mutiny caught Cao Cao off guard. In the chaos, the bodyguard Dian Wei single-handedly held off the enemy but eventually died from exhaustion. Cao Cao's eldest son Cao Ang and nephew Cao Anmin also died in the battle. Cao Cao himself would have died if not for his son sacrificing his horse. This battle was undoubtedly the most humiliating and heartbreaking defeat of his life. Surprisingly, a few years before the Battle of Guandu, facing the precarious situation between Cao and Yuan, Jia Xu once again showed remarkable foresight, persuading Zhang Xiu to voluntarily surrender to his sworn enemy Cao Cao. Cao Cao also showed extraordinary political magnanimity, deciding to completely put aside the grudge of his son's death, not only not holding it against Zhang Xiu but also enfeoffing him as the breaking barbarian general and宣威侯, giving him a generous fief of two thousand households. From a sworn enemy who almost killed Cao Cao to suddenly becoming a core minister of Cao Wei, Zhang Xiu's dramatic life trajectory was undoubtedly the most dramatic scene in the Three Kingdoms.