Yu Quan

Yu Quan (onyomi: U Sen) is an officer of Wu who served during Sun Liang's reign. His only known campaign was when Wu sent soldiers to support Zhuge Dan's Rebellion at Shouchun, under the command of Zhu Yi. His valor and willingness to die for the cause is highly praised in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Role in Games
Yu Quan first appears in Dynasty Warriors 7 at the Battle of Dongxing. He arrives as part of the Wu reinforcements launching a raid on the base camp Sima Zhao defends. In Zhuge Dan's Rebellion, he is among the last Wu reinforcements, making a last ditch effort to save Zhuge Dan's forces deteriorating position by rushing the Wei camp and dies in battle. Dynasty Warriors 8 has him appear at the East Gates Battle, where he closes the gates to the Eastern Garrison, requiring him to be defeated to continue forward. In the Xtreme Legends add on, Yu Quan also appears at New Hefei Castle, Jianye (leading an archer ambush), and Zhuge Dan's Secret plan as a part of Shouchun's proper castle defense.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms series Yu Quan appears late in the games. He tends to possess weak administration skills, but fairly high war skills. In the fourteenth title, his stats are INT 40, POL 38, LDR 65, WAR 76, CHR 68. He as the skills One Heart and Indomitable, which keep his unit fighting even when isolated and out of supplies. Yu Quan is best served on the frontlines of battle, bearing the blunt of attacks that would demoralize other officers.

Quotes

 * "I cannot just abandon Lord Zhuge Dan. If death is to be my fate, then so be it!"

Historical Information
In 254, the minister of Wu, Sun Chen, sent 30,000 men to aid Zhuge Dan in his rebellion against Wei. Yu Quan was among those chosen to participate in the expedition and moved with the main forces, securing themselves at Anfeng. When Wei pushed back Zhuge Dan and Zhu Yi, the Wu vanguard, Yi joined Quan and the other Wu commanders at Anfeng to discuss their situation and how to improve it. Yu Quan proposed entering Shouchun, the city that Zhuge Dan took shelter and was now trapped in, from the southern gate to increase its defenses for a possible pincer attack. Wei had left that gate lightly watched as a means to allow Shouchun deserters to easily flee. Zhu Yi agreed to the plan and and Yu Quan led the effort into the besieged city.

Unfortunately, there were many defections to follow within the camp of Zhuge Dan and the Wu officers supporting him in the city. It grew so bad that the northern gate was eventually thrown open to admit Sima Zhao and his army. Recognizing the losing battle, Yu Quan rushed to the western gate in an attempt to secure a safe escape for Dan and the other officers. However, these actions were too little, too late, as Zhuge Dan was already slain and all hope lost. Wang Ji called for Yu Quan to surrender, but he famously replied, "No man of honor, having failed in his task, surrenders to his foe."

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

 * Many were they who yielded at Shouchun,
 * Bowing their heads in the dust before Sima Zhao.
 * Wu had produced its heroes,
 * Yet none were faithful to the death like Yu Quan.
 * ― A poem praising Yu Quan for his valor in the face of death

Yu Quan only appears in chapters 111 and 112 of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, centered around Zhuge Dan's rebellion. In Chapter 111, he's appointed the rear guard of the Wu forces sent to aid Zhuge Dan. Chapter 112, events play out similar to history, with a greater focus on the drama between officers. Yu Quan's valor is compared to Zhuge Dan's cowardice, as Yu Quan fights on while Zhuge Dan attempts to flee. When Wang Ji offers Quan the chance to surrender, he replies, "Where is the principle for yielding when I have my orders to rescue the city and so far have not succeeded?" and "The happiest death a man can die is on the battlefield!"