Zang Ba

Zang Ba (rōmaji: Zō Ha) joins the suppression of the Yellow Turbans as vassal to Tao Qian. He later fights around the country under Lu Bu. In the war against Cao Cao, he allies with brigands to resist torment Cao Cao. After the fall of Lu Bu, he joins Cao Cao. Zang Ba has two sons, Zang Ai, and Zang Shun.

Role in Games
Zang Ba is usually seen in the ranks of Lu Bu's forces in Dynasty Warriors, fighting against Cao Cao and Liu Bei at Xiapi. He also appears as a subordinate of Tao Qian in Xu Province, some games even have him serve Dong Zhuo at Hulao Gate. Save for the Empires games, he is not seen serving Cao Cao in any battles.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zang Ba is a decent military general who is skilled with cavalry tactics.

Voice Actors

 * S. Scott Bullock - Dynasty Warriors 4 (English)

Historical Information
Zang Ba was born in Taishan Commandery. His father Zang Jie was a prison warden, but was displeased when the Grand Administrator abused the laws by putting locals to death. Zang Jie began to disobey orders and was thrown into prison. Zang Ba, 18 at that time, rallied 20-30 men and went to rescue his father. Although 100 men escorted Zang Jie, they did not dare to attack Zang Ba, thus allowing him to free his father.

After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Zang Ba joined the governor of Xu Province, Tao Qian, along with his subordinates Sun Guan, Yin Li, Wu Dun and Chang Xi. They fought the Yellow Turban remnants in Xu and defeated them, but they did not return to Tao Qian and declared independence instead. Later, when Lu Bu took control of Xu, Zang Ba and his men would attack Lu Bu's ally Xiao Jian in Langye and pillage city. They became known as the Taishan Bandits and Lu Bu sent his general Gao Shun to destroy them. Zang Ba and his men repelled Gao Shun, but fearing the threat of Yuan Shu in Huainan, Zang Ba agreed to form an alliance with Lu Bu and together they repelled Yuan Shu's attack on Xu.

Lu Bu eventually faced the combined forces of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, the former governor of Xu, at Xiapi and was defeated. Cao Cao started a manhunt on Zang Ba, but upon his capture, he asked Zang Ba to join him and gave him autonomy over Xu and Qing provinces. During the Battle of Guandu, Zang Ba led his elite troops against Yuan Tan in Qing Province, effectively harrassing the Yuan army's eastern flank and allowing Cao Cao to concentrate his troops on Yuan Shao's main forces. After Yuan Tan was killed at Nanpi, Zang Ba personally went to congratulate Cao Cao and asked his family to be moved to Ye, ending his own autonomy. Zang Ba afterwards put down many rebellions in his region, including one of his former ally Chang Xi and Yellow Turban remnants. For this he was made governor of Xu Province, his former subordinate Sun Guan became governor of Qing Province. Although Cao Cao put Xiahou Yuan in charge of military supplies in Xu and Qing, Zang Ba retained control of his Qing Province troops. He later accompanied Zhang Liao in quelling Chen Lan's rebellion and attacked Wu's forces at Ruxu. In this battle, Sun Guan was fataly injured. Zang Ba rode out and rescued him, but Sun Guan nontheless died in Wei's camp. Heavy rainfall and Sun Quan's approaching navy made Zhang Liao suggest a retreat, but Zang Ba told him that Cao Cao wouldn't abandon them. The next day, Cao Cao sent orders to officially retreat and the two generals returned. Zhang Liao told Cao Cao about the incident, who was impressed by Zang Ba. Zang Ba later accompanied Xiahou Dun to resist Sun Quan's invasion and played a minor role at Hefei.

When Cao Cao died, Zang Ba refused to take command from his successor Cao Pi, but Cao Pi still promoted him after creating the Kingdom of Wei. However, Cao Pi also put Cao Xiu in charge of the eastern Wei region, making Zang Ba a subordinate to him. Zang Ba nontheless accompanied Cao Xiu on the campaign against Wu and defeated Lu Fan at Dongkou. Zang Ba was called back to the capital Luoyang to take up a post as Mayor of the Capitol, but Zang Ba refused to leave his troops and complained to Cao Xiu. Cao Xiu reported the complaints to Cao Pi, who then plotted to strip Zang Ba off his command. When Cao Pi started his great offensive on Wu, he personally went east to face Sun Quan. Zang Ba greeted him upon his arrival and Cao Pi stripped him off his military command, forcing him to take up the post at the capital. Still, Zang Ba was often consulted by Cao Pi in military affairs and highly respected. When Cao Rui succeeded Cao Pi, Zang Ba enjoyed a tax revenue of 3,500 households, which was much higher than that of the generals who were responsible for the eastern Wei borders, such as Cao Xiu and previously Zhang Liao. After Zang Ba's death, he was named Majestic Marquis was succeeded by his son Zang Ai.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In chapter 48 of the novel during the Battle of Chibi, many generals fear an attack on the rear by Ma Teng and Han Sui. Xu Shu proposes to go to San Pass and defend it from any potential invaders. Cao Cao agrees and sends Xu Shu and Zang Ba to San Pass. This was part of Pang Tong's scheme to ensure Xu Shu's safety.