Black Han

Biodata

Background / History

Military Service and Family

Black Han had served as a garrison soldier for eight years when he met Wang Yang, including five years alongside Ding Jiu at A Qu Garrison. His family belonged to the hereditary soldier register and lived under camp supervision in Eighth Camp Village. He hoped that serving a powerful aristocrat might secure his removal from the military rolls, and later hoped for the same opportunity for A-Wu 7 11 13 21 22.

His daughter was born on the fifth day of the fifth month, making her a “Double Fifth child” whom the villagers considered unlucky. Her mother insisted on drowning her; Black Han refused, struck his wife during their quarrel, and subsequently divorced her. With neighbors unwilling to help, seven-year-old A-Wu managed their household alone during his absences at the barracks 13 14.

About a year before the debt confrontation, Zhang A-Nü returned and persuaded him to reconcile. She claimed that she wanted to borrow money to invest in a cloth shop, but took the money and left. With an accomplice’s help, she switched the documents so that A-Wu became collateral on the loan Black Han guaranteed. He later learned that Zhang A-Nü had married a wax merchant named Liu and moved to Jiankang 15.

Serving Wang Yang

Black Han initially treated Wang Yang as a young nobleman, bringing him a stone seat and water, helping him dress, and answering questions about military service and the Yongming era. When Clerk Wang challenged the title of Wang Yang’s supposed uncle, Black Han supported Wang Yang’s revised account, helping preserve his false identity 7 9.

He obtained permission to accompany Wang Yang to Jiangling, both to cultivate the connection and to visit A-Wu. When Wang Yang later tried to drive his attendants away by asking for money and lodging, Black Han instead offered all thirty-three copper coins he owned and invited him home 11 13.

Third Master Du’s Debt

Third Master Du arrived that night to collect the loan or take A-Wu. Black Han begged for time, offered his home and possessions, and physically shielded his daughter when Du’s men tried to seize her. Village Head Zhang abandoned them after Du ordered him away 15 16.

Wang Yang intervened using his claimed aristocratic lineage. At his command, Black Han drew his saber and advanced on a henchman who had insulted Wang Yang’s mother. He was relieved when A-Wu’s intervention gave Wang Yang a way to spare the man: Black Han feared that an execution for killing would leave his daughter without a protector 16 17.

The debt had reached 13,200 coins, with interest accruing at ten percent per month. Wang Yang promised payment within three days and signed as an additional guarantor. Afterward, Black Han admitted that inviting him home had partly been an attempt to frighten Du into delaying collection or pursuing Zhang A-Nü instead. He offered to bear the consequences and urged Wang Yang to leave, but Wang Yang chose to raise the money while Black Han continued caring for A-Wu 17 18.

Raising Money in Jingzhou

Black Han borrowed five hundred coins from Ding Jiu and exchanged A-Wu’s hairpin for two hundred coins to help fund Wang Yang’s clothing. He accompanied Wang Yang into Jingzhou City, guarded him during the confrontation with Xie Xinghan’s servants, and escaped with him and Le Pang when the encounter turned hostile. He then collected the two thousand coins Le Pang had promised to lend 22 23 26 27 28.

To complete Wang Yang’s aristocratic outfit, Black Han pledged his military saber for a Folded-Corner Scarf and Azure Cloud Skirt. Disposing of the weapon exposed him to a capital charge, but he considered the risk worthwhile after seeing Wang Yang’s ability to obtain money. Wang Yang subsequently permitted him to stop using self-abasing language when they were alone 29.

At the Commandery Academy, Black Han defended Wang Yang’s standing and witnessed his successful answers to a scholar’s challenges. Later, he followed Wang Yang’s prompt by claiming that their tailor bill was three thousand coins, supporting another loan from Liu Zhao 30 36.

Repayment

Before the agreed deadline, Du returned and had his men restrain Black Han and A-Wu. Wang Yang arrived with repayment money, and Yu Yuling’s intervention helped force Du to accept all 13,200 coins and surrender the contract 38 39.

With the debt settled, Black Han planned to return to camp the following day. Wang Yang directed him to redeem his saber, repay Ding Jiu with interest, and retain part of the remaining money. These were instructions rather than a confirmed redemption of the weapon 40.

Appearance

• Dark complexion: His face is repeatedly described as dark 7 11 27.
• Strong and physically fit: He carries a large, flat-topped stone for Wang Yang and is the least exhausted of the three men fleeing Xie Xinghan’s servants 7 27.

Personality

Black Han is deferential toward authority and eager to secure aristocratic patronage. He flatters Squad Leader Xue, repeatedly calls himself a “lowly” or “humble” man, and initially refuses food from Wang Yang until it is framed as a nobleman’s reward. His concern with status also leads him to demand that A-Wu apologize to the village head despite her account of being provoked 11 19.

His devotion to A-Wu overrides his ambitions. He tells Wang Yang that protecting her matters more than becoming a squad leader, delights in her resourcefulness, and saves food to take home to her. Their private exchanges include teasing, laughter, and playful wrestling 14 15 16 36.

He is neither wholly naïve nor free of calculation. He deliberately brings Wang Yang home as protection against Du, persuades Ding Jiu by presenting a loan as a wager on noble patronage, and improvises an answer that helps Wang Yang borrow money. Once confronted about his manipulation, however, he admits his motives and offers to shoulder the danger himself 18 22 36.

Abilities & Skills

Military Experience

• Wields both a spear and a saber 7 16.
• Breaks free of two men restraining him to shield A-Wu 16.
• Recognizes the agility of Xie Xinghan’s guards and doubts that he could defeat even one in single combat 26.
• Doubles back after the escape to check for pursuers 27.

Attendant and Household Work

• Helps Wang Yang dress and prepares washing supplies, including salt water suited to his preferences 9 19.
• Provides meals, bedding, and lodging despite his household’s poverty 13 14 19.
• Expertly massages Squad Leader Xue’s shoulders 11.

Local Knowledge and Discretion

• Identifies the Yongming era for Wang Yang 7.
• Explains soldier-household restrictions and provides estimates of cloth and housing costs 13 21.
• Reports rising prices and a rumored, suppressed ambush on the Cao Gong Grove outpost 29.
• Refuses to discuss Wang Yang’s affairs with Le Pang without permission, reinforcing the appearance of a disciplined aristocratic household 27.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Spear — Carried during his early service to Wang Yang 7.
• Ring-Pommel Saber — Made by the Jingzhou Weapons Bureau during the Prince of Yuzhang’s governorship, from the celebrated “Yuzhang Arms” production. Black Han pledges it as security for clothing accessories and promises redemption within three days 29.
• Thirty-three copper coins — His entire stated savings when he offers Wang Yang money and shelter 13.

Relationships

• A-Wu — His only daughter and foremost concern; he protects her despite the Double Fifth taboo and hopes to free her from hereditary military obligations 14 16 21.
• Wang Yang — Initially a hoped-for noble patron, later a trusted benefactor who saves A-Wu and settles the family debt 11 18 39.
• Zhang A-Nü — Former wife whose deception leaves him guaranteeing a loan with A-Wu as collateral 15.
• Ding Jiu — Fellow soldier of five years, addressed as “A-Jiu”; lends him five hundred coins to assist Wang Yang 22.
• Squad Leader Xue — His military superior, who recognizes his hopes of leaving the military register through aristocratic connections 11.
• Third Master Du — Creditor and owner of Vast Source Pawnshop; repeatedly threatens to seize A-Wu over the guaranteed loan 15 38 39.
• Village Head Zhang — Local authority whom Black Han treats deferentially; A-Wu accuses him of extracting unpaid work from her father 15 19.
• Yu Yuling — Assists Wang Yang in resolving the debt confrontation; Black Han and A-Wu join Wang Yang in thanking him 39 40.

Notable Quotes

“I don't want to be a squad leader. Keeping A-Wu safe is all I ask!” 16

“Leave Jingzhou as soon as day breaks, young master. I'm the first guarantor. This will fall on me.” 18