Records of the Three Kingdoms
Huang Zhong, courtesy name Hansheng, was from Nanyang. He served Liu Biao and was already an old officer under Han Xuan, governor of Changsha. After Liu Bei took southern Jing, Huang Zhong joined him. Chen Shou says he was often first onto a wall and first into a break, and that his courage crowned the army.
In the Hanzhong war of 219, Fa Zheng saw an opening in Xiahou Yuan’s position, and Huang Zhong killed Xiahou Yuan at Dingjun Mountain. When Liu Bei became king of Hanzhong he named Huang Zhong general of the rear, ranked with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Ma Chao. Guan Yu, hearing that Huang Zhong was set beside him, at first refused the seal. Fei Shi talked him round.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Shooting a willow at a hundred paces, and shooting the tassel from a helmet, are displays of archery in the novel. Dingjun is staged as a lure: Xiahou Yuan leaves camp, and the blade falls.
Guan Yu’s refusal to be ranked with him is also in the book, as a show of pride. The five tiger generals are the novel’s roster.
Reference: Wikipedia · Huang Zhong