Early career in Donglai Commandery

Taishi Ci was from Huang County (黃縣), Donglai Commandery (東萊郡), which is in present-day Longkou, Shandong. As a youth, he was known for being studious. He served as a zoucaoshi (奏曹史; a minor official) in the local commandery office. Around 186, the commandery administration had a dispute with their superiors, the provincial administration of Qing Province. Both sides wrote to the imperial court in the capital Luoyang to complain about each other. At the time, since the imperial court often made decisions on a first-come, first-served basis, it meant that the court would tend to rule in favour of the party whose document it received first. Since the provincial administration had already sent a courier to deliver their complaint letter, the Administrator (太守) of Donglai Commandery began to feel anxious and started looking for someone to help him deliver his letter. Taishi Ci, then 20 years old, was chosen for the task.

When Taishi Ci finally reached Luoyang after travelling day and night, he saw the provincial administration's courier near the city gate. He approached him and asked, "Sir, are you delivering a document?" The courier replied, "Yes." Taishi Ci asked again, "Where is the document?" The courier replied, "In the carriage." Taishi Ci said, "Are you sure there is no mistake in the addressee's details on the document? Let me see it." The courier did not know that Taishi Ci was from Donglai Commandery so he showed him the letter. Taishi Ci took out a knife and destroyed the letter. The courier started shouting, "This man destroyed my document!" Taishi Ci pulled him into the carriage and said, "If you didn't show me the document, I wouldn't have been able to destroy it. Regardless of the consequences, neither of us can say he is not responsible for what happened. I suggest we remain silent and escape. By doing this, we can avoid punishment and keep our heads. Otherwise, both of us will be executed." The courier asked, "Your master sent you to destroy this document. Now that you have accomplished your mission, why do you still need to go on the run?" Taishi Ci replied, "He ordered me to only check whether the document has been delivered. However, I went too far and ended up destroying the document. If I go back, I am afraid that my master will blame me, so I suggest we escape together." The courier was persuaded by Taishi Ci so they fled from Luoyang together.

After leaving Luoyang, Taishi Ci secretly returned later and delivered the commandery administration's letter to the imperial court. When the provincial administration of Qing Province found out, they sent another letter to the central government again. However, as the second letter contained some discrepancies, the imperial court ruled against the provincial administration in the dispute. Taishi Ci became famous after this incident. However, out of fear that the provincial administration would take revenge against him, he fled from Donglai Commandery and took shelter in Liaodong.

Saving Kong Rong from the siege of Duchang

Kong Rong, the Chancellor (相) of Beihai State (北海國; around present-day Weifang, Shandong), heard about Taishi Ci and regarded him as an extraordinary talent. He sent his subordinates to visit Taishi Ci's mother on multiple occasions and passed her many gifts. In the late 180s or early 190s, when Beihai came under attack by Yellow Turban rebels, Kong Rong led his troops to a fortress at Duchang (都昌; in present-day Weifang, Shandong). The rebels, led by Guan Hai (管亥), besieged the Duchang fortress. After Taishi Ci returned from Liaodong, his mother told him, "You haven't met Kong Rong. He treated me very generously – almost like an old friend – while you were away. Now that he is in trouble, you should quickly go to help him." Three days later, Taishi Ci travelled alone on foot to Duchang.

At the time, the rebels had yet to completely surround Duchang, so Taishi Ci managed to sneak past the enemy at night and enter the fortress to meet Kong Rong. He asked Kong Rong to let him lead soldiers to fight their way out, but Kong refused and insisted on waiting for reinforcements. The rebels came closer day by day. Kong Rong wanted to seek help from Liu Bei, the Chancellor of Pingyuan State (平原國), but no one had any idea on how to break out of the siege. Taishi Ci volunteered to fight his way out and seek reinforcements from Liu Bei, but Kong Rong said, "The rebels have completely surrounded the fortress. Everyone thinks it is impossible to break out. It will be very difficult for you to break out no matter how courageous you are." Taishi Ci replied, "When I was away, you treated my mother very generously. She feels grateful, hence she told me to help you. She knew that I know what I am doing, and that I can help you. Now, everyone says it is impossible to break out. If I were to agree with them, I will not be able to repay your kindness. Why, then, did my mother send me here for? We are in a very desperate situation. I hope you won't hesitate any longer." Kong Rong agreed to let him break out of the siege.

Taishi Ci packed his equipment and had a full meal. At dawn, he brought his bow and a quiver of arrows with him, and rode out of the fortress. He was accompanied by two riders, each carrying a target stand for archery practice. When the rebels saw Taishi Ci coming out of the fortress, they immediately readied themselves for battle. To their surprise, Taishi Ci took the two stands, placed them in the ditch around the fortress, fired some arrows at them, and then returned to the fortress. The following day, he repeated the entire process. Some of the rebels stood up and prepared for battle upon seeing him, while others ignored him and remained relaxed. On the third day, when Taishi Ci came out again, the rebels thought that he was going to practise archery again, so they paid no attention to him. Taishi Ci then seized the opportunity to break out of the siege. By the time the rebels realised what was going on, Taishi Ci had already escaped and killed several rebels along the way. None of them dared to pursue him.

When Taishi Ci arrived at Pingyuan, he told Liu Bei, "I, (Taishi) Ci, am a commoner from Donglai. I am neither a relative nor an acquaintance of Kong Rong. But I have heard of him and we not only share similar beliefs, but also experienced difficult times together. Now, Guan Hai and the rebels have besieged Kong Rong; he is desperately in need of help. You are known for your kindness, righteousness, and willingness to help those in need. Kong Rong admires you and has placed his hopes in you, hence he sent me to fight my way out of the siege to seek help from you. Only you can save him." Liu Bei's facial expression turned serious and he said, "So Kong Rong knows that Liu Bei exists in this world!" He then sent 3,000 troops to follow Taishi Ci back to Duchang. When the rebels heard that reinforcements had arrived, they fled and the siege of Duchang was automatically lifted. Kong Rong regarded Taishi Ci even more highly after this event. He told Taishi Ci, "You are a young friend of mine." When Taishi Ci returned home and told his mother about it, she said, "I am very happy that you can repay Kong Rong's kindness in this way."

Coming to serve Sun Ce

Liu Yao, the Inspector (刺史) of Yang Province, was not only also from Donglai Commandery like Taishi Ci, but also an old acquaintance of Taishi Ci. Taishi Ci had not met Liu Yao since his return from Liaodong, so he crossed the Yangtze River and travelled to Qu'e County (曲阿縣; present-day Danyang, Jiangsu) to find Liu Yao. Before he left, the warlord Sun Ce led his forces to attack Liu Yao's territories. Someone advised Liu Yao to appoint Taishi Ci as a general to lead his troops to counter Sun Ce, but Liu Yao said, "If I appoint Taishi Ci, Xu Zijiang will laugh at me." He then sent Taishi Ci on a reconnaissance mission to assess the strength of Sun Ce's forces.

Taishi Ci, accompanied by only a single horseman, encountered Sun Ce at Shen Village (神亭; somewhere in present-day Danyang, Jiangsu) during his mission. Sun Ce had 13 other men with him, including Han Dang, Song Qian and Huang Gai. Taishi Ci rode forth and engaged Sun Ce in battle. Sun Ce thrust his spear at Taishi Ci's horse and managed to grab the handheld ji that Taishi carried on his back. Taishi Ci, on the other hand, managed to get hold of Sun Ce's helmet. Their fight was broken up when their respective subordinates showed up.

After Liu Yao was defeated by Sun Ce subsequently in battle, Taishi Ci originally planned to accompany Liu Yao as he fled to Yuzhang Commandery (豫章郡; around present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi) for shelter. However, Taishi Ci went into hiding in the hills at Wuhu County (蕪湖縣; east of present-day Wuhu, Anhui) and declared himself the Administrator (太守) of Danyang Commandery (丹楊郡). By then, Sun Ce had conquered the territories east of Xuancheng County (宣城縣; present-day Xuancheng, Anhui); only the six counties west of Jing County (涇縣; north of present-day Jing County, Anhui) remained outside of Sun Ce's control. Taishi Ci headed to Jing County, where he established a base and managed to recruit the Shanyue people to join him. Sun Ce personally led his forces to attack Taishi Ci, defeated him in battle, and captured him. Later, he released Taishi Ci from his bonds, held his hand and asked, "Do you still remember our fight at Shen Village? What would you do if you captured me?" Taishi Ci replied, "I can't be certain about this." Sun Ce laughed and said, "I shall manage the present-day affairs of the state together with you from this moment onwards."

Sun Ce asked Taishi Ci, "In the past, you helped your commandery's administrator destroy a letter from the provincial administration, saved Wenju (Kong Rong) from danger, and successfully obtained reinforcements from Xuande (Liu Bei). These are all acts of heroism. You are one of the most intelligent people in this world, yet you haven't found someone who appreciates your talent. The ancients could forget about she gou zhan qu. I am someone who appreciates you. You don't need to worry that you will feel unhappy if you join me." Sun Ce also said, "If a dragon wishes to soar into the sky, it has to take off from a piece of wood."

Alternative account in the Wu Li

The Wu Li (吳歷) provided a different account of how Taishi Ci came to serve Sun Ce. It mentioned that Taishi Ci was defeated and captured by Sun Ce after their fight at Shen Village. Sun Ce had heard of Taishi Ci before so he released Taishi Ci from his bonds and asked him for advice on his future conquests. Taishi Ci replied, "I am an officer of a defeated army. I am not qualified to speak on such matters." Sun Ce said, "In the past, Han Xin heeded advice from Guangwu. In the present, I seek advice from a man of righteousness. What are you talking about?" Taishi Ci replied, "My army has recently been defeated. The troops are scattered and low on morale. It may be difficult, but I still intend to gather and bring them together. I am afraid this is not what you wish to see." Sun Ce knelt down and said, "What I want is your sincerity. I hope you will return by midday tomorrow." When Sun Ce's subordinates raised doubts about Taishi Ci's loyalty, Sun Ce said, "Taishi Ziyi is a famous man from Qing Province. He is known for keeping his promises. I believe he will not deceive me." The following day, Sun Ce hosted a banquet and had a pole erected in the middle, so as to keep track of time by observing its shadow. By midday, when the shadow was shortest, Taishi Ci returned as promised. Sun Ce was overjoyed. He often consulted Taishi Ci on military affairs later on.

Pei Songzhi, who added the Wu Li account as an annotation to Taishi Ci's biography in the Sanguozhi, noted that the Wu Li account deviated significantly from what was recorded in Taishi Ci's Sanguozhi biography. He suspected that there was a mistake.

Persuading Liu Yaos followers to surrender to Sun Ce

After returning to his base in Wu Commandery (around present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu), Sun Ce commissioned Taishi Ci as a "General of the Household Who Breaks Waves" (折衝中郎將). Although Liu Yao had already died in Yuzhang Commandery (豫章郡; around present-day Nanchang, Jiangxi) in 195, there were still thousands of his former followers scattered around the area. Sun Ce sent Taishi Ci to persuade them to surrender.

Sun Ce told Taishi Ci, "In the past, when Liu Yao criticised me for helping Yuan Shu conquer Lujiang, he didn't have good intentions and his reasons were not convincing. Why? Yuan Shu had control over the thousands of troops which used to be under my father's command. I wanted to make great achievements, so I had no choice but to submit to Yuan Shu and ask him to give me control of my father's troops. Even then, he only gave me back about 1,000 men. When he ordered me to attack Lujiang, the circumstances I was in were so desperate that I had no choice but to obey him. Later on, he turned evil and wanted to commit treacherous acts. I tried to dissuade him but he wouldn't listen. That was when I decided to sever ties with him. My relationship with Yuan Shu is only up to this extent. Now that Liu Yao is dead, there is no chance for me to explain to him anymore. However, his son still lives in Yuzhang. I don't know how Hua Ziyu treats him, and whether Liu Yao's former followers have decided to serve Hua Ziyu. You are from the same commandery as Liu Yao, and you served under him before. I hope you can visit his son and convey my wishes to his followers. If they wish to join me, I will welcome them; if they don't, do treat them kindly. At the same time, you can assess how strong Hua Ziyu's defences are, and see if the peoples of Luling and Poyang are willing to join me. You can bring along as many men as you wish." Taishi Ci replied, "I have committed unpardonable acts. Yet, you treat me as generously as how Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin treated former enemies who surrendered to them. The ancients lived by a code of loyalty until death. I don't need too many men to accompany me. Just a dozen or so will be sufficient."

Sun Ce's aides cautioned him, "(Taishi) Ci will not come back if he leaves." However, Sun Ce said, "If Ziyi abandons me, who else can he turn to?" He personally saw Taishi Ci off, held his hand and asked, "When will you return?" Taishi Ci replied, "Not more than 60 days." He kept his word and returned within 60 days.

When Sun Ce sent Taishi Ci to persuade Liu Yao's followers to surrender, many of Sun Ce's aides felt that Taishi Ci could not be trusted. They believed that Taishi Ci would defect to either Hua Xin or Huang Zu. However, Sun Ce said, "All of you are wrong. I trust my judgment. Taishi Ci may be brave and headstrong, but he is not an impulsive person. He is a man of exemplary character and a man who keeps his word. I treat him like a close friend and will not betray him. All of you don't need to worry." Sun Ce's aides only trusted Taishi Ci after he kept his promise and returned from Yuzhang Commandery. When Taishi Ci met Sun Ce again, he said, "Hua Ziyu is a man of virtue, but not a talented leader. He has no grand plan; he only wants to preserve the status quo. Tong Zhi (僮芝) from Danyang lied that he has been appointed as the Administrator of Luling and has taken control of the commandery. The local clans in Poyang have formed their own ruling body and driven away the officials sent by Hua Ziyu to govern the area. Hua Ziyu is unable to control Luling and Poyang. Moreover, about 5,000 to 6,000 local clans in Haihun (海昏) have formed their own ruling body too and rejected control by the commandery administration. Hua Ziyu can do nothing about this." Sun Ce clapped his hands and laughed. Later on, he pacified Yuzhang Commandery and successfully induced Hua Xin to surrender to him.

Service under the Sun family

Liu Pan (劉磐), a nephew of Jing Province's governor Liu Biao, often led his troops to raid Sun Ce's territories in Ai County (艾縣; west of present-day Xiushui County, Jiangxi), Xi'an County (西安縣; present-day Putian District, Wuning County, Jiangxi) and the nearby counties. Sun Ce created a commandery composed of Haihun County (海昏縣; present-day Xiangshan Town, Xinjian District, Nanchang, Jiangxi), Jianchang County (建昌縣; present-day Fengxin County, Jiangxi) and six other counties, and appointed Taishi Ci as its Commandant (都尉), with the administrative centre at Haihun County. Taishi Ci led troops from these counties to drive back Liu Pan. Liu Pan stopped his raids after that.

Taishi Ci was famous for his archery skills. There was one notable incident when he accompanied Sun Ce to attack rebels in Mabao (麻保). The rebel leader stood at the viewing platform above the gate, with his hand resting against a wooden pillar, and hurled verbal abuse at Sun Ce. Taishi Ci took aim and fired an arrow at him. The arrow pierced through both the pillar and the rebel's hand. Everyone was awed by Taishi Ci's skill. When the warlord Cao Cao heard about Taishi Ci, he wrote a letter to him and put it inside a box containing a few pieces of danggui.

Sun Ce died in 200 CE and was succeeded by his younger brother, Sun Quan. When Sun Quan came to power, he continued to put Taishi Ci in charge of security in the areas around Haihun County because he knew that Taishi Ci was capable of deterring Liu Pan.

Death

Taishi Ci died in 206 at the age of 41 (by East Asian age reckoning). Before his death, he sighed and said, "A man living in this world should aspire to carry a seven chi-long sword and rise to the position of a Son of Heaven. Now, I have yet to realise my ambition. How unfortunate that I am going to die soon!" Sun Quan deeply mourned Taishi Ci's death.

Family

Taishi Ci had a son, Taishi Xiang (太史享), whose courtesy name was "Yuanfu" (元復). Taishi Xiang served in Eastern Wu and held the appointments of Colonel of Yue Cavalry (越騎校尉), Imperial Secretary (尚書), and Administrator (太守) of Wu Commandery.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Taishi Ci's biography in the Sanguozhi, commented on Taishi Ci as follows: "Taishi Ci was loyal, righteous, trustworthy and upright. He possessed traits of ancient sages."

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Taishi Ci appears as a character in the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. His death was exaggerated for dramatic effect in Chapter 53 of the novel. See Battle of Hefei (208)#In fiction for details.

In popular culture

Taishi Ci is featured as a playable character in the video game series Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi by Koei.

Taishi Ci appears in the 2007 anime Kōtetsu Sangokushi, which is loosely based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as a general of the "barbaric" Go (Wu) faction. The character Taishiji Shigi of the anime series Ikki Tousen is also based roughly on Taishi Ci.

生平

為郡避禍

因當時東萊郡府與青州州府之間有爭執，都向上級繳交奏章，但中央上級只會受理先到的奏章，所以奏章先上呈者有利。而當時拿著州府奏章的使者已經在前往洛陽的路上了，太史慈日夜兼程趕往洛陽門口，才開始求通上章。太史慈假意問州府使者問道：「你也是前來欲求通章的嗎？」州府使者答道：「是的。」太史慈又問：「那你奏章在哪裡？」州府使者答道：「在車上。」太史慈便說：「奏章題署之處確然無誤嗎？可否取來一視。」州府使者並不知道太史慈乃是東萊人，便取出奏章相與。誰知太史慈先已藏刀於懷，取過州章，便提刀截而毀之。州府使者大驚高呼，叫道：「有人毀壞我的奏章！」太史慈便將州府使者帶至車間，跟他說：「假使你沒有取出奏章給我，我也不能將其損壞，我們的吉凶禍福恐怕都會相等無免，不見得只有我獨受此罪。與其坐而待斃，不若我們一同出城逃亡，至少可以保存性命，也不必無謂受刑。」州府使者疑惑地問太史慈：「你為本郡而毀壞我的奏章，已經成功，怎麼也要逃亡？」太史慈便答：「我初時受本郡所遣，只是負責來視察你們的州章是否已經上通而已。但我所做的事卻太過激烈，以致損毀公章。如今即使見還，恐怕亦會因此見受譴責刑罰，因此希望一起逃去。」州府使者相信太史慈所言，乃於即日俱逃。但太史慈與州府使者出城後，卻偷跑回城通傳郡章，完成郡府的使命。州府知道後，便再派遣另一位使者前往洛陽通章，但有卻以先得郡章的原因，不復查察此案，於是州府受其短。太史慈由是知名於世，但太史慈也被州府所仇視的人物，為免受到無妄之災，於是舉親往北逃至遼東郡。至此太史慈的名氣響遍青州。

助友脫難

初平二年（191年）當時北海郡太守孔融，推舉邴原為有道，他以黃巾賊還方盛崛起，天下不寧而與同郡好友劉政一同避難到遼東。遼東太守公孫度對劉政有成見，欲將其殺之，遣部屬抓之，未果，收監其家人，並下達通緝。劉政走投無路，跑到邴原家。邴原收留了他一個多月，恰逢太史慈經過，而將劉政託付於他。待他們走遠，邴原前往勸說公孫度將劉政之家人放出來。

北海報恩

初平三年（192年）北海郡太守孔融聽聞此事後十分稱奇，對太史慈逐漸深感興趣，於是多次派人照顧太史慈的母親，並奉送贈禮作為致意。恰逢此時孔融為對付黃巾賊，出兵屯於都昌，卻被黃巾軍賊領管亥所圍困。太史慈從遼東返家，母親對他說：「雖然你和孔北海未嘗相見，但自從你出行後，孔北海對我贍卹殷勤，比起故人舊親，有過之而無不及；他如今方為賊軍所圍困，你應該前往起身幫助孔北海。」於是太史慈留家三日後，便獨自徑往都昌而行。當時賊圍尚未太密，於是太史慈乘夜伺隙，衝入城裏見到孔融，更要求他出兵討賊。孔融不肯聽其意見，只想一心等待外援。但外援未到，而賊軍包圍日漸逼近。孔融乃欲告急於平原令、平原相劉備，可惜城中無人願意突出重圍，太史慈便自告奮勇請求一行。孔融便說：「現今賊軍圍困甚密，眾人皆說難以突圍，你雖有壯志，但這始終是太艱難的事了？」太史慈答道：「昔日大人傾意照料家母，家母感戴大人恩遇，方才讓我來相助大人之急；這是因為我應有可取之處，此來必能有益於大人。如今眾人說不可突圍，如果我也說不可，這樣豈是大人所以愛顧之情誼和家母所以遣我之本意呢？如今情勢危急，希望大人不要懷疑我。」孔融這才同意其事。

太史慈嚴裝飽食，天明之後，太史慈便攜帶箭袋，攝弓上馬，引著兩個隨從，自隨身後，各拿著一座箭靶，開門直出城門。包圍在城外的賊眾皆十分驚駭，兵馬互出防備。但太史慈只引馬來至城壕邊，立好箭靶，出城練習射靶，練習射靶完畢，便入門回城。明晨也是如此，包圍在城外賊軍有人站起戒備，也有人躺臥不顧，於是太史慈再立好箭靶，習射完畢，再入門回城。明晨亦是如此復出，城外包圍的賊眾人，覺得太史慈每日出城射箭，逐漸習以為常，再也沒有站起戒備，於是太史慈見賊軍戒備鬆懈，整頓盔甲策馬揮鞭突出重圍揚長而去。待賊軍查覺知道時，太史慈已經突出重圍，回顧拿取弓箭射殺數人，皆應弦而倒，因此無人敢去追趕。

太史慈抵達平原郡，便向劉備遊說：「我太史慈，乃是東萊郡鄉下之人，我與北海孔融並無骨肉之親，也並不是鄉黨之友，只是因為慕名同志而相知，我有替他分災共患之情義。方今管亥暴亂，北海城被圍困，城中孤立無援，情勢危在旦夕。久聞劉使君向來素有仁義之名，更能救人於急難，因此北海孔融正盼望著使君您的貴助，更使我太史慈願意冒刀刃之險，突破重圍，從萬死之中託言於使君，惟望使君存知此事。」劉備驚訝答道：「北海孔融也知道世間有我劉備嗎！」即時派遣精兵三千人隨太史慈返回都昌。賊軍聞知援兵已到，都忙解圍逃散而走。孔融得濟無事，更加重視太史慈，說道：「你真是我的少友啊。」事情過後，太史慈回去見其母，其母也說：「我很高興你有報答北海孔融啊！」

酣鬥伯符

興平二年（195年），離開遼東後，本想見同為東萊郡的揚州刺史劉繇，於是來到曲阿，卻見到平定江東的孫策軍已至，部下勸告劉繇可以太史慈為大將軍，劉繇說：「如果我重用太史慈，許劭不會取笑我嗎？」其時太史慈不被重用，只負責擔任前線軍情偵察。當時他獨自與一騎卒來到神亭，遇到孫策，孫策那邊的十三從騎都是韓當、宋謙、黃蓋之輩，太史慈卻仍然上前決鬥，孫策與他單挑。孫策刺下太史慈的馬，而攬得太史慈項上手戟，太史慈亦得孫策兜鍪。剛巧兩家兵騎並各來赴，方才作罷。

信義篤烈

後來劉繇與太史慈不敵孫策，劉繇而逃入蕪湖，躲藏於山中，稱丹楊太守。當時孫策已平定宣城以東，惟涇水以西六縣未服。太史慈則前往涇縣，建立屯府，多數為山越所依附。

太史慈頑強抵抗之下，最後仍被孫策俘虜。孫策即時解開其困縛，捉其手說：「還記得在神亭認識你，如果你當時將我擒獲，你將會如何處置我？」太史慈說：「不可知也。」孫策大笑曰： 「今日起，我當與你共闖天下。」孫策署太史慈門下督。孫策相當重視太史慈，決定收攬他。劉繇敗走後，尚有餘眾萬多軍卒未降，太史慈便受命前往安撫。左右皆說：「太史慈必北去而不還了。」孫策卻深具信心地說：「子義他捨棄了我，還可以投奔誰呢？」更替其餞行送別至昌門，臨行把著太史慈的手腕問：「何時能夠回來？」太史慈答道：「不過六十日。」孫策問太史慈道：「孤聞知卿昔日為郡太守劫州章，義助於孔文舉（孔融），請援於劉玄德（劉備），都是有烈義的行為，真是天下間的智士，但所託卻未得其人。射鉤斬袪，古人不嫌（管仲原是齊公子糾的屬下，曾引弓射中公子小白〈齊桓公〉的鉤帶，然而小白日後仍以管仲為相；晉文公曾出走奔翟，晉獻公遣寺人披追之，更斬下重耳的衣袖，然而重耳仍能容赦寺人披）。孤是卿的知己，卿千萬別憂慮會不如意啊。」又說：「龍要高飛騰空，必先階其尺木。」太史慈果然如期而返。孫策授予其兵權，拜折衝中郎將。孫策收複祖郎後，軍還，祖郎與太史慈俱在前導軍，軍中眾人皆以為榮。

貫手著棼

太史慈隨孫策討伐麻保賊時，有一敵將於城樓上攬著城上樑木，向孫策軍大肆罵陣怒罵，太史慈便引弓往城樓上面射，一箭貫穿叫罵敵人的手，箭矢正中城樓短樑柱，將其固定樑柱上，孫策軍中眾將紛紛稱讚，弓術如此精準，貫手著棼更成為千古佳話。

駐守建昌

後來數次作亂於艾縣、西安縣、攸縣一帶的劉表從子劉磐與麾下黃忠共守長沙郡攸縣。孫策分海昏、建昌設左右六縣，委任太史慈為建昌都尉，主治海昏，並督各將還擊以驍勇著稱太史慈成功鎮服守地，令劉磐與黃忠絕跡江東，不再為禍作亂。甚至連曹操都曾因聞其名而與他通信，並於信件中夾著當歸，示意要招攬太史慈，但太史慈都沒有加以理會。

孫權統事後，因太史慈能制劉磐，便將管理南方的要務委託給他，時建安八年（203年）。

英雄辭世

建安十一年（206年）逝世，享年四十一歲。《吳書》曰：太史慈臨亡嘆息曰：「丈夫生世，當帶七尺之劍，以升天子之階。今所志未從，奈何而死乎！」權甚悼惜之。死後職務由程普接替。

死後下葬地有三種說法，真正葬地，至今仍謎。

一。傳死後被孫權厚葬於北固山，而現鎮江北固山太史慈墓也是唯一被官方以文物式保護的太史慈墓，

　　但亦有人指，極有可能只是其後人所立之衣冠塚。

　　葬於北固山最早史料出處為清代的《北固山志》，記載同治九年趙應珪等人立太史慈墓碑於北固山下。

　　而之所以會有葬於北固山一說，最早記載是出現小說三國演義，所以極有可以是清代後人有誤而立之碑。

　　北固山一墓多次被毀，1966年被盜，無發現任何文物，現今是1985年重建、2013修緝後的墓碑。

二。按清縣志記載所云，葬於今太史灣村，即浙江湖州。

　　此說法出自唐代《石柱記》的碑文，上面疑刻有烏程（古縣名，今湖州）有吳丹陽太守蕪湖侯太史慈之墓之意，

　　因此也在清代時被收入清縣志。

　　但此說法的疑處在於太史慈被納之爵位，東吳建立後才有蕪湖侯，名徐盛，

　　故，太史慈卒於建安十一年，連孫策都仍未被封為長沙桓王，太史慈更沒有可能被封侯。

三。葬於江西奉新。

　　最早記載於南宋時期地方志，後，清康熙年間於【江西通志】更有明確記載：【太史慈墓在奉新縣南鄉十都】，

　　當地亦有更多相關傳說與地名，太史慈更於宋代被奉新人建感古廟，封為靈惠侯，後於清年間封為廣佑靈惠神。

軼話

• 太史慈身長七尺七寸（184.8cm。吳一尺應為24cm，漢一尺為23.1cm，故太史慈身長七尺七寸應為184.8cm，184.8cm亦相等於漢尺八尺。）有美鬚髯，猿臂善射，弦不虛發。其箭術相當了得，享譽當代，他在北海為孔融求援時，曾帶弓箭衝突黃巾重圍，當黃巾軍隊上前包圍太史慈，他引弓射殺數人，箭無虛發，令黃巾賊不敢再追。投降孫策後，某次太史慈隨孫策討伐麻保賊時，有一敵將於城樓上攬著城上樑木，向孫策軍大肆叫罵，太史慈便引弓一射，一箭貫穿敵人的手，直中樓中短樑，弓術如此精妙，此「貫手著棼」一事更成為千古佳話。太史慈畢生展現了多方面的才能，其智勇雙全的表現，可謂一代名將。而他盡義守信的性格，更是為古今所稱道，既能報恩於孔融，又能守諾於孫策，均可見其為人磊落。然而壽命不長，所以臨終有「所志未從，奈何而死」的遺憾。

• 《全唐詩·卷七百六十七》中載孫元晏有一首寫太史慈的詩：「聖德招賢遠近知，曹公心計卻成欺。陳韓昔日嘗投楚，豈是當歸召得伊。」

後人

• 太史享，太史慈之子。官至越騎校尉，仍曾任尚書、吳郡太守。

• 太史叔明，太史慈後世孫，與江東豪門吳興沈氏結親，南朝梁博學之士。

太史慈的後代由北遷南定居於吳郡烏程，於現代，黃縣（今：山東龍口）一帶，亦有人仍複姓太史，但亦有改為史姓，主居住在今天的羊溝營、南棗市、戰家夼、南鄉城、王馬史家、東營史家、庵兒夼等村莊。有流傳羊溝營正是太史慈之故里。

太史姓宗祠

宗祠四言通用聯：【佐吳善射；識主聯姻。】

上聯典指三國時吳人太史慈，字子義，官郡奏曹史，因事避禍遼東，先後得孔融、孫策重視，後官建昌都尉。猿臂善射，弦不虛發。

下聯典指戰國時齊人太史敫之女，齊湣王被楚國人淖齒所殺，湣王之子法章變姓名逃到太史敫家為僕人。

太史敫之女看他舉止不同平常人，就私下裡常送些衣服食物周濟他。法章後來被立為國君，是為齊襄王，娶太史敫之女，並立為王后。

藝術形象

《三國演義》

《三國演義》中初登場為第十一回「劉皇叔北海救孔融，呂溫侯濮陽破曹操」，後來表現與《三國志》中沒有太大分別，但其死亡時間卻往後調了數年。於群英會、赤壁之戰中，太史慈也有登場，先在群英會上為周瑜擔任監酒官，於赤壁戰中則負責繞到曹軍背後，斷絕來自合肥的曹軍援兵。後來太史慈更於合肥之戰一役中大戰魏將張遼，可惜其所獻的「裡應外合」之計被張遼悉破，張遼更將計就計，安排伏兵，襲擊進入合肥城的太史慈，令太史慈身中數箭，回營後傷重身亡。書中更有一首五律詩句作贊：「矢志全忠孝，東萊太史慈。姓名昭遠塞，弓馬震雄師。北海酬恩日，神亭酣戰時。臨終言壯志，千古共嗟咨。」

影視形象

• 1994年電視劇《三國演義》：李洪濤、陳之輝飾演太史慈

• 1996年電視劇《三國英雄傳之關公》：張文進飾演太史慈

• 2009年電視劇《終極三國》：黃壯為飾演太史慈

• 2017年電視劇《終極三國2017》：李若焱飾演太史慈

漫畫遊戲

• 真三國無雙系列 / 無雙OROCHI系列（光榮公司開發，掛川裕彥配音）

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）: 設定於劉備入主徐州時登場，隨於孔融身旁，後孫策下江東時出現於劉繇軍中，劉繇大敗後在孫策大義之言下歸降孫策，孫策攻打沙㵪時力戰黃忠，在赤壁之戰篇中被偽裝成荊州難民之張遼及鄧艾為首的曹兵所襲擊，和張遼交手並死於劍下。

• 《SD高達世界 三國創傑傳》原型為Seed系列的決門高達突擊裝甲型。

評價

• 《三國志》載孔融曰：「卿（太史慈）吾之少友也。」

• 《三國志》載劉繇曰：「我若用子義，許子將不當笑我邪？」

• 陳壽《三國志》評曰：「太史慈信義篤烈，有古人之分。」

• 《三國志》引《吳歷》：「（孫）策曰：『太史子義，青州名士，以信義為先，終不欺策。』」

• 《三國志》引《江表傳》：「（孫）策曰：『太史子義雖氣勇有膽烈，然非縱橫之人。其心有士謨，志經道義，貴重然諾，一以意許知己，死亡不相負。』」

• 謝混《宋書·劉敬宣傳》：「人之相知，豈可以一塗限，孔文舉禮太史子義，夫豈有非之者邪！」

• 孫元晏：「聖德招賢遠近知，曹公心計卻成欺。陳韓昔日嘗投楚，豈是當歸召得伊。」

• 洪邁《容齋續筆》：「三國當漢、魏之際，英雄虎爭，一時豪傑志義之士，礌礌落落，皆非後人所能冀，然太史慈者尤為可稱。」

• 郝經：「慈篤于信義，以氣相許穿徹，勁挺克複。其言亦田疇輩流也。終委身孫氏，受其驅防，以不能為王爪士咄唶自恨，銜憤以死，其志可哀已。」

• 羅貫中：「矢志全忠孝，東萊太史慈。姓名昭遠塞，弓馬震雄師。北海酬恩日，神亭酣戰時。臨終言壯志，千古共嗟咨。」

註釋