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In the vast history of the Three Kingdoms, the White Horse Yisong is like a shooting star, having experienced only a brief period of brilliance. The White Horse Yisong was established by Zan to combat the Xiongnu, and during the period of fighting against the Xiongnu, it reached its most glorious phase. The White Horse Yisong is a typical light cavalry unit, possessing strong mobility and range advantages. It is evident that Zan was able to rely on this light cavalry unit to maintain a long-standing dominance beyond the Great Wall, causing even the valiant and skilled light cavalry "aristocracy" of the Xiongnu to flee at the mere mention of them. It is clear that the White Horse Yisong rightfully deserves the title of the foremost light cavalry of the Three Kingdoms era.

According to the records in "Records of the Three Kingdoms," Cao Cao had an elite cavalry unit known as the "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry," named for their exceptional combat prowess, fighting with the ferocity of tigers and leopards. Although historical records are scarce, "Records of the Three Kingdoms" only mentions them in the "Chronicles of Emperor Wu" and the "Biographies of the Various Xiahou and Cao." There is a basis for calling them Cao Cao's elite troops. According to the annotations by Pei Songzhi in "Records of the Three Kingdoms," the "Book of Wei" states: "Chun commanded the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, all of whom were the finest in the land, sometimes supplemented by captains of a hundred men." This indicates that the members of this unit were selected from the best of the best; to exaggerate slightly, a person who could serve as a commander in an ordinary army would merely be a common soldier in the "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry." One can imagine that their combat strength was among the top in the armies of the Three Kingdoms.

Tiger and Leopard Cavalry

According to the "Book of the Later Han", the highest command authority of Cao Cao's army was called the "Bafu". The army was divided into three parts: the Central Army (for the sake of convenience, not the Kuomintang), the Local Army, and the Tuntian Army. The Local Army served as the garrison for the provinces and commanderies, while the Tuntian Army was responsible for border defense. The Central Army was further divided into internal and external forces; the external forces were stationed outside but directly commanded by Cao Cao. The Central Army was referred to as the Wuwei Camp, which served as the imperial guard for the capital and the palace, and was a direct unit under Cao Cao's command, typically numbering around 100,000. The elite unit within the Central Army was the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, which was the most core elite force. Part of this unit was tasked with protecting Cao Cao and the Bafu, while another part was stationed at the palace year-round. The commanders were often relatives of Cao Cao, known as the General of the Leading Army. Cao Ren and Cao Chun both served as commanders of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. For instance, the "Book of Wei, Volume Nine, Biography of the Summer Hou and Cao" states that Cao Chun "initially served as a discussion officer assisting the Minister of Works in military affairs, overseeing the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry during the siege of Nanpi." There is ample other documentation confirming the existence of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, which was undoubtedly Cao Cao's strongest military force.

The leaders of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry have traditionally been generals from the Cao family, such as Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, and Cao Zhen. It is well known that Cao Cao placed great trust in the Cao family generals, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry has always been commanded by them, highlighting its significance. The "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wei" states: "The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry under Chun's command consists of the finest warriors in the world, sometimes supplemented by captains of a hundred men." This illustrates their elite status. Regarding the leaders of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, according to "Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 9: Biographies of the Xiahou and Cao Families," there are eight notable figures, also referred to as the Eight Tigers of Cavalry. The "Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wei" states: "The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry under Chun's command consists of the finest warriors in the world, sometimes supplemented by captains of a hundred men." This illustrates their elite status. Regarding the leaders of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, according to "Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 9: Biographies of the Xiahou and Cao Families," there are eight notable figures, also referred to as the Eight Tigers of Cavalry, namely Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, and Xiahou Shang

Historical records indicate that the Xiongnu were greatly fearful of Zan's White Horse Cavalry: "Whenever Zan engaged in battle with the enemy, he would ride a white horse, never missing his targets, and frequently achieving victories. The enemy would warn each other, saying: 'We must avoid the white horse.'" The brilliance was soon followed by a downfall... In the Battle of the Boundary Bridge, Zan's White Horse Cavalry encountered its nemesis—the 800 elite troops led by Ju Yi. The situation of the battle is similarly recorded in historical texts: "Seeing that his troops were few, Zan sent his cavalry to charge. The righteous soldiers remained motionless under their shields, and before they had approached within several dozen paces, they all rose simultaneously, raising dust and shouting, charging straight ahead. The strong crossbows rained down, and those struck were sure to fall. In the heat of battle, Zan's appointed governor of Jizhou, Yan Gang, and over a thousand of his men were killed. Zan's army was defeated, and both infantry and cavalry fled, never to return to camp." The White Horse Cavalry was annihilated, and the primary culprit was undoubtedly Zan. In that battle, Zan made several serious mistakes. The defeat of Zan's army, with infantry and cavalry fleeing, never to return to camp, resulted in the annihilation of the White Horse Cavalry, with Zan being the main culprit. In that battle, Zan committed several serious errors: 1. Seeing the enemy's troops were few, he assumed they were weak and underestimated their combat capability. 2. He failed to adapt his tactics, rigidly forming a line and charging forward. 3. He foolishly used light cavalry to directly attack crossbowmen (the 800 elite troops were crossbowmen).

Zan, riding a white horse, frequently engaged in battles against the enemy, who referred to him as the 'General of the White Horse.' Therefore, he selected an elite force of 3,000, all mounted on white horses, and named them 'The White Horse Yisong,' serving as his personal guard. Zan often accompanied dozens of skilled archers, all riding white horses, to serve as his left and right wings, collectively calling themselves 'The White Horse Yisong.' The Wuhuan people communicated among themselves to avoid the White Horse's Chief Clerk. These two passages describe the White Horse Yisong under Zan's command. Historical records first mention the White Horse Yisong in the year 181, suggesting that its formation likely occurred between 179 and 180. Originally, the term White Horse Yisong referred to those skilled archers who followed Zan. Later, during his battles against the Xiongnu, Zan deeply recognized the importance of a unit of elite cavalry. Thus, he formed a light cavalry unit based on those skilled archers. Due to Zan's fondness for white horses, the entire unit consisted of white warhorses, and to express their loyalty, they all shouted: 'Wherever righteousness leads, life and death shall follow! Heaven can bear witness, the white horse shall serve as proof!' Hence, they were named the White Horse Yisong.

During the early Tang period, a large number of cavalry were a crucial guarantee for military victories. In the mid-period, the infantry's use of the mo dao (a type of polearm) in wall-like advance tactics created a glorious military history during the prosperous Tang era and also established the myth of the mo dao. From the reign of Emperor Wu De to the Tian Bao era, the Tang dynasty achieved victories in its founding wars and against nomadic tribes skilled in cavalry and archery, and the use of the offensive weapon mo dao by the infantry can be considered one of the main reasons for these successes. The emergence and promotion of the mo dao was not an isolated phenomenon; it was related to the internal policies of the Tang dynasty and the overall changes in the military situation. It can also be said that the history of the use and promotion of the mo dao is an aspect of the Tang dynasty's founding and its foreign wars, as well as its military achievements. The participation of mo dao troops played a decisive role in every verifiable battle case, and as a distinct combat force within the battle order, the mo dao troops made significant contributions to the Tang army's campaigns during the mid-Tang period. The mo dao was a key weapon that allowed the Han people to overcome their disadvantages of having fewer and less skilled horses in warfare against the nomadic tribes adept in cavalry, thereby leveraging the advantages of infantry. The mo dao was a luxurious military equipment, and its importance in the army, along with the high costs of its production, led the Tang government to strictly prohibit private possession and burial with the dead to ensure military needs.

A new round of development has begun, marked by the emergence of a large number of new-style spears, long knives, axes, and crossbows, which have armed the Song army. The magnificent polearm has become a luxurious war apparatus. The primary focus of warfare during the Song Dynasty was also against the northern nomadic tribes. To counter the cavalry of Liao and Jin, spears and axes began to serve as the main weapons of the army. The extensive use of axes is corroborated by the "Wujing Zongyao" and Song stone carvings. The production and usage techniques of axes are simpler than those of polearms and are equally effective against cavalry. The Yue family army utilized the "Mazhadao," "Zhuodao," and "Changke Axe" to decisively defeat the Jin army's "Lianhuanma." Effective and inexpensive weapons have always been crucial in military equipment. The luxurious polearm gradually withdrew from the battlefield and disappeared completely, marking a regret in the history of Chinese cold weapons. The use of polearms was prohibited in burial practices during the Tang Dynasty, resulting in very few existing examples. Development and evolution have varied with the rise and fall of national strength. The luxurious polearm gradually withdrew from the battlefield and disappeared completely, marking a regret in the history of Chinese cold weapons. The use of polearms was prohibited in burial practices during the Tang Dynasty, resulting in very few existing examples. Development and evolution have varied with the rise and fall of national strength.

The term "White Horse Yisong" originally referred to the skilled archers who followed Zan. Later, during his battles against the Xiongnu, Zan deeply recognized the importance of a unit of elite cavalry. Therefore, he formed a light cavalry unit based on those skilled archers. Due to Zan's great fondness for white horses, the entire unit was composed of white warhorses. To express their loyalty, the soldiers all shouted: "Wherever righteousness leads, life and death shall follow! Heaven is our witness, the white horse is our proof!" Thus, it was named—White Horse Yisong

Let us now examine the battle achievements of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Firstly, in the ninth year of Jian'an (AD 204), they killed Yuan Tan in the Battle of Nanpi; next, in the twelfth year of Jian'an (AD 207), during the northern expedition against the Wuhuan, they beheaded the Wuhuan chieftain Tadu on the battlefield; in the thirteenth year of Jian'an (AD 208), they defeated Liu Bei in the Battle of Changban; in the sixteenth year of Jian'an (AD 211), they achieved a great victory over the Guanhe-Tu-Shu Western Legion led by Ma Chao; and in the twenty-third year of Jian'an (AD 218), they defeated Wu Lan at Xiabian. In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (AD 208), they defeated Liu Bei in the Battle of Changban; in the sixteenth year of Jian'an (AD 211), they achieved a great victory over the Guanhe-Tu-Shu Western Legion led by Ma Chao; and in the twenty-third year of Jian'an (AD 218), they defeated Wu Lan at Xiabian

Cao Cao rose from humble beginnings, and although he was essentially the leader of the Cao family army, he had to operate under the banner of the Han dynasty. His system of personal troops was established once when he took office as the Chancellor of Han in the fourth year of Jian'an, and it was reestablished again when he was promoted to King of Wei in the twenty-first year of Jian'an. Although the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry first appeared in literature during the Battle of Nanpi in the tenth year of Jian'an, it can be estimated that their formation was also related to Cao Cao's establishment of the position of General-in-Chief (Zhonglingjun) as a personal guard officer in the fourth year of Jian'an. However, shortly after Cao Cao became Chancellor in the fourth year of Jian'an, he faced the Battle of Guandu, and with his own safety at stake, he likely had no time to perfect the system of personal guards. Therefore, the establishment of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry is estimated to have occurred after the Battle of Guandu. At this time, Cao Cao's power was formidable, and his influence was rapidly expanding, making the establishment of a personal cavalry a logical step. The organization of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry likely took place in the five years following the Battle of Guandu until Cao Cao's campaign against Nanpi, possibly being established two to three years after the battle. During this period, Cao Cao personally led the troops, and after selecting Cao Chun as the commander, he must have spent considerable time in direct command. After Cao Chun's death, Cao Cao also took direct command for a period. However, it is certain that Cao Cao's direct cavalry was not established at this time. In the Battle of Baima, Cao Cao personally commanded a cavalry charge, leading fewer than six hundred riders (which may be an exaggeration, but not excessively so) to decisively defeat thousands of Yuan Shao's cavalry and slay their cavalry commander. Although there were elements of strategy involved, this demonstrates his great confidence in the capabilities of his cavalry.

The White Horse Brigade

Regarding Cao Cao's most elite unit, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, it is almost not mentioned in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"; however, it is recorded in "Records of the Three Kingdoms".