Romance of the Three Kingdoms Xiahou Dun

Xiahou Dun was a prominent general and cousin of Cao Cao, as well as the brother of Xiahou Yuan. He first distinguished himself in AD 184 while serving under Cao Cao during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, participating as a sub-general in key battles at Xiapi Castle and Henan-Yin. His battlefield prowess earned him both experience and recognition.

In the late 190s, during a battle against Lü Bu, Xiahou Dun lost his left eye to a stray arrow, earning him the nickname "One-eyed Xiahou" among his troops. His enduring legacy as a fearless and resilient warrior was further immortalized in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The novel dramatizes his injury, depicting him pulling the arrow from his eye and consuming his eyeball, an act that symbolizes his unyielding determination and loyalty.