Huangfu Song (died  April 195), courtesy name Yizhen, was a military general who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known for helping to suppress the Yellow Turban Rebellion and Liang Province Rebellion. He was one of three imperial commanders when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, along with Zhu Jun and Lu Zhi. He was known to be a modest and generous person. Lu Zhi was removed from command after the eunuch Zuo Feng (左豐) made false accusations against him; Lu Zhi had refused to bribe Zuo Feng. Huangfu Song, who took over command of the imperial troops from Lu Zhi, continued to use Lu as a strategist and reported his contributions to the imperial court. Thus, in the same year, Lu Zhi regained his post as Master of Writing (尚书).

Life
Huangfu Song was a nephew of Huangfu Gui (皇甫规), a military general, and Lady Huangfu. His father Huangfu Jie (Huangfu Gui's elder brother) was the Administrator of Yanmen Commandery. He was eventually nominated as a xiaolian and maocai. Chen Fan and Dou Wu, both important imperial officials, tried to nominate Huangfu Song as an official, but Huangfu rejected their nominations.

During the Yellow Turban rebellion, Huangfu was initially sent to defeat the Yellow Turban rebels in Yingchuan, along with Zhu Jun. After their success at Yingchuan, Huangfu and Zhu were sent to quell the rebels in Runan and Chen Commanderies, and were also successful. Later, Zhang Bao was defeated and killed by imperial forces led by Huangfu Song and Guo Dian (郭典) at Xiaquyang County (下曲陽縣; west of present-day Jinzhou, Hebei), while Zhang Liang also met his end at the hands of imperial forces led by Huangfu Song at Guangzong County (廣宗縣; southeast of present-day Guangzong County, Hebei).

After the quelling of the Yellow Turban rebellion, Emperor Ling changed the era name to Zhongping. Huangfu Song recommended that one year's worth of taxes from Ji province be used as assistance for refugees who had been displaced by the rebellion; Emperor Ling agreed. The people chanted, "China is in chaos; cities become rubble. Mothers cannot protect their children, while wives lose their husbands. It is because of Huangfu that we are able to live in peace."

In 188, Huangfu Song was sent to lift the siege of Chencang, together with Dong Zhuo; Chencang had been besieged by Wang Guo (王国). In the process, Dong had several tactical and strategic disagreements with Huangfu; after Huangfu managed to achieve victory despite Dong's disagreements (resulting in Wang Guo's death), Dong became resentful and fearful of Huangfu.

In 189, Dong Zhuo was made Governor of Bing Province, and was asked to hand troops under his command to Huangfu Song; Dong refused to comply. At the time, Huangfu Song's nephew Huangfu Li (皇甫郦) advised him, "The dynasty has lost its ability to govern and China is hanging by a thread. Only Your Excellency (Huangfu Song) and Dong Zhuo can bring stability to the realm. Now, there is bad blood between the two of you, with no possibility of co-existence. Dong Zhuo is resisting orders by refusing to hand over his troops. He is harbouring wickedness by delaying his advance and claiming that there is chaos in the capital. As he is brutal and heartless, his troops are not loyal to him. Your Excellency, as grand marshal, should attack Dong Zhuo. In this way, you can show your loyalty and righteousness, as well as remove a great threat to the state. This was what Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin did in the past." Huangfu Song replied, "Although it is a crime to disobey orders, it is also wrong to kill someone arbitrarily. Let us report this to the imperial court and let the court decide." After Huangfu's report reached Emperor Xian, the young emperor showed it to Dong Zhuo, increasing his resentment of Huangfu.

In 190, Dong Zhuo, now in control of the imperial court, intended to kill Huangfu Song, using the pretext of giving him a new appointment to summon him to Luoyang. As Huangfu was about to depart, Liang Yan (梁衍) advised him, "Now, the Han dynasty is weak and eunuchs had caused chaos in court. Although Dong Zhuo has killed them, he is not loyal to the state. He has pillaged the capital, and deposed and crowned emperors at will. Today, he has summoned Your Excellency. In the worst case scenario, Your Excellency will be in great peril. At the very least, Your Excellency will be trapped and humiliated. Now, Dong Zhuo is at Luoyang, while the emperor is in the west. Your Excellency should use 30,000 elite troops to welcome the emperor, while declaring your intent to attack Dong Zhuo. You should then spread this intent throughout the country, and recruit troops and officers. With the Yuans closing in from his east and Your Excellency closing in from his west, Dong Zhuo can be captured." Huangfu ignored Liang Yan's advice and continued his journey to Luoyang. During this time Dong Zhuo courted Huangfu Song's aunt, Lady Huangfu. He was delighted with her beauty and intelligence for working at Han court, so he forced her to marry him, Lady Huangfu refused and confronted him then Dong Zhuo had her executed. 

Huangfu Song's son Huangfu Jianshou was on good terms with Dong Zhuo. After knowing of Dong Zhuo's plans for his father, Jianshou hurried from Chang'an to Luoyang to meet Dong; Dong set a banquet to welcome him. Jianshou gave an emotional speech at the banquet, moving those present; even Dong Zhuo stood up, took Jianshou's hand and had Jianshou sit by his side.

Huangfu Song was made Grand Commandant September 192, but was relieved of the position February 193; he was replaced by Zhou Zhong (周忠), an uncle of Zhou Yu. He passed away due to illness as Li Jue and Guo Si began their civil war.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Huangfu Song was involved in Wang Yun's plot in getting rid of Dong Zhuo, and led the imperial forces to capture Dong Zhuo's family members and remnants in the capital.

Children and descendants
Huangfu Song was recorded to have at least 2 sons: Huangfu Jianshou and Huangfu Shuxian. Huangfu Shuxian is the paternal grandfather of Huangfu Mi. He also had a daughter who later became She Yuan's wife.

See also
 Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

Notes

References

 
 Fan, Ye (5th century). Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu).
 Luo, Guanzhong (14th century). Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi).

2nd-century births
195 deaths
Generals during the end of the Han dynasty
황보숭(, ?~195년)은 중국 후한 말의 무장으로, 자는 의진()이다.

생애

황건의 난 진압 
양주 안정군 조나현(朝那縣) 사람으로 도요장군(渡遼將軍) 황보규의 조카이다. 젊은 시절부터 문무를 겸비한 인물이 되기 위해 학문과 무예를 함께 익혔다. 처음에 효렴으로 추천되어 관직에 나아갔으나 부친상을 당하는 바람에 관직을 떠났다. 상을 치른 후 복귀해 의랑(議郎), 북지태수 등을 지냈다.

184년 장각이 황건의 난을 일으키자, 당고의 금으로 인해 쫓겨난 사람들을 등용하고 궁중에서 관리하는 말을 황건적 진압에 써야 한다고 하였다. 중상시(中常侍) 여강(呂強)도 황보숭과 의견을 같이했기에 영제는 황보숭을 좌중랑장(左中郎將)으로 삼고 노식·주준과 함께 황건적을 토벌하도록 했다.

황보숭은 주준과 함께 영천의 황건적을 공격하려 했다. 그러나 영천의 황건적을 이끌던 장수 파재는 주준의 군사를 물리치고 장사(長社)에 있던 황보숭의 진영을 포위하였다. 그러나 황보숭이 화공으로 황건적을 공격했으며, 장사성에서도 자신의 공격에 호응하게 하자 황건적은 혼란에 빠졌다. 이 날은 바람이 거세게 불은데다 전투 중에 조조가 도착하여 협공한 덕분에 대승을 거두었다. 이 공으로 황보숭은 도향후(都鄕侯)에 봉해졌다.

이후 양책(陽翟)으로 달아난 파재와 싸워 승리하고 서화(西華)를 되찾았다. 조정에서 황보숭으로 하여금 동군을 공격하게 하고 주준에게 완성(宛城)의 황건적을 공격하게 하여 이때부터 독자적으로 싸우게 되었다. 이후 8월에 창정(蒼亭)에서 황건적의 장수 복사(卜巳)를 사로잡았다.

한편 장각의 본진과 싸우던 노식은 연승을 거두었음에도 불구하고 좌풍(左豊)에게 뇌물을 주지 않아 벼슬에서 쫓겨났으며, 그 뒤를 이은 동탁은 별다른 전과를 거두지 못했다. 황보숭은 조정의 명령에 의해 동탁을 대신하여 장각의 본진을 상대하게 되었다.

10월에 황건적 진영을 야습하여 3만 명을 베고 장각의 동생인 장량을 죽였다. 승리 후 장각이 이미 죽었다는 걸 알고 시체의 목을 베어 낙양으로 보냈다. 황보숭은 계속 추격하여 11월에는 하곡양(下曲陽)에서 장보를 죽이고 대승을 거두었다. 이 공으로 기주목 겸 좌거기장군(左車騎將軍)이 되었으며, 괴리후(槐里侯)로 봉해지고 식읍 8천 호를 받았다. 그러나 황건적 토벌 중 장양의 뇌물 요구를 거절하고 조충이 법을 어긴 큰 집을 지은 것을 고발하는 상소를 올렸기 때문에, 185년 둘의 모함을 받아 좌거기장군 벼슬을 박탈당하고(음력 7월) 식읍 6천 호가 깎였다.

변장ㆍ한수의 난 진압 

양주(涼州)에서는 184년에 변장과 한수가 반란을 일으켰는데, 몇 해가 흐르도록 진압하지 못하고 있었다. 188년 11월 한수와 마등이 주군으로 추대한 왕국(王國)이 진창(陳倉)을 포위하자, 조정에서는 황보숭과 동탁에게 4만 군사를 주고 이들을 토벌하도록 했다.

이때 황보숭은 동탁과 의견이 맞지 않았다. 동탁은 처음 토벌 명령을 받았을 때 진창을 구원해야 한다고 했으나, 황보숭은 진창을 공격하다 힘이 빠진 적군을 치려 했다. 189년 2월에 왕국이 회군하려 할 때 황보숭이 이들을 공격하려 하자, 동탁은 궁지에 몰린 적을 치는 것이 옳지 않다며 반대했다. 결국 동탁을 후방에 남겨둔 채 반란군을 공격하여 만여 명을 베자, 동탁은 황보숭을 원망하여 둘의 사이가 벌어지게 되었다. 한편 한수는 패하고 돌아온 왕국을 죽였으며, 이후 반란군 사이에 분열이 일어나면서 반란군은 무너지게 되었다.

동탁 집권기 
동탁은 영제가 중앙 관직으로 불러들여도 가지 않았으며, 휘하 병력들을 황보숭에게 넘기라는 명령도 따르지 않았다. 이를 못마땅하게 여긴 황보숭의 조카 황보력(皇甫酈)은 동탁을 제거할 것을 제안했으나, 황보숭은 조정의 명령 없이 죽일 수 없다면서 조정에 보고만 했다. 조정에서는 동탁을 책망했으나, 동탁은 이 역시 무시하고 군사를 거느린 채 주둔하다가 하진이 십상시를 제거하기 위해 낙양으로 불러들이자 낙양으로 가서 무력으로 정권을 장악했다.

190년 동탁은 황보숭을 성문교위(城門校尉)로 임명한다는 구실로 조정으로 불러들여 죽이려 했다. 황보숭의 장사(長史)인 양연(梁衍)은 동탁을 공격할 것을 제안했으며, 경조윤 갑훈도 동탁을 토벌하자 했으나 모두 따르지 않고 낙양으로 갔다. 그러나 황보숭의 아들이고 동탁과의 사이가 친형제같았던 황보견수(皇甫堅壽)가 눈물로 호소한 것이 동탁의 마음을 움직여 그대로 조정에서 일하게 되었다.

동탁이 192년 왕윤과 여포에게 살해당한 후 거기장군과 태상 등을 지냈다. 그러나 왕윤을 죽이고 정권을 잡은 이각이 전횡을 일삼는 기간에 병이 들어 죽었다.

각주

가계

관련 인물 
 황보밀
 황보견수

생년 미상
195년 사망
2세기 중국 사람
후한의 태위
후한의 표기장군
동탁과 주변 인물
닝샤 출신
안정 황보씨