程球 / Cheng Qiu

程球 / Cheng Qiu enters through Hanji 937 as the zhi zhong trusted by 耿鄙 during the Liangzhou campaign against 韩遂. The source presents him as corrupt, accepting bribes and enriching himself enough that literati and common people already resent him before the army moves.

Cheng Qiu’s role is diagnostic rather than heroic. Geng Bi’s trust in him makes the campaign politically weak inside its own rear, and when the force reaches 狄道, mutineers kill Cheng Qiu before killing Geng Bi. His death is the immediate spark inside 边郡军政崩盘.

Connections

• 耿鄙 - superior who trusts Cheng Qiu despite resentment.
• 傅燮 - adviser whose warning is ignored before the collapse.
• 狄道 and 汉阳郡 - mutiny and siege geography.
• 边郡军政崩盘 and 民心型政治安全 - concepts explaining why corruption weakens command before battle.