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Cao Zhang (Chinese: 曹彰) is a minor character in the 14th-century Chinese classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by the late Luo Guanzhong, and its multiple adaptations. He is Cao Cao's fourth son.

History[]

Cao Zhang distinguished himself in his youth in archery and in armed duel. Although Cao Cao criticized his lack of interest in academic studies, Cao Zhang could imagine no other career than a military one. He married a daughter of Sun Ben, a general of Wu warlord Sun Quan, with whom Cao Cao sought understanding before the Battle of Chibi. She gave birth to his sons Cao Kai, Cao Wen and Cao Ti.

When the Wuhuan tribes rose to the northern border of the Wei kingdom, Cao Zhang led an army of infantry and cavalry against them as General of the Determined Cavalry. But because the rebels outnumbered, Cao Zhang retreated into defensive and defended all major passes and routes. Because the rebels stopped coming, they gave up and retreated. Cao Zhang, although wounded, led the persecution. Xianbei tribe leader Kebineng surveyed a 10,000-strong army consisting primarily of riders to follow developments. Seeing Cao Zhang's glorious victory, he submitted to him. Thus, the troubled times on the northern border were over.

Cao Zhang rushed west to join Liu Bei in the Hanzhong campaign. When he reached Chang'an, he realized that the war was already lost. Cao Cao nevertheless promoted him to the general of the elite cavalry and left him in Chang'an to defend it against further attacks by Liu Bei's forces.

When Cao Cao returned to Luoyang, Cao Zhang was still on his way, but Cao Cao died of illness. His successor, Cao Pi, sent all his brothers, including Cao Zhang, back to their previous posts, fearing that they would be fighting over his position. He appointed Cao Zhang to King of Rencheng. The following year, Cao Zhang fell ill when he wanted to go to the imperial court in the capital. He died soon after and received posthumously title "Prince Wei".

Cao Zhang's grandson Cao Fang, a son of Cao Kai, was later adopted by Emperor Cao Rui and succeeded him on the throne.

Trivia[]

  • He became famous for victories against the Wuhuan tribes, but deemed an unworthy heir due to his disinterest in studies. There are several rumors surrounding his death, the most famous tale though, involved him being poisoned by Cao Pi.

Navigation[]

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Cao Wei
Xiahou Dun | Dian Wei | Xu Chu | Xiahou Yuan | Lady Zhen | Cao Ren | Cao Pi | Pang De | Cai Wenji | Guo Jia | Li Dian | Yue Jin | Yu Jin | Xun Yu | Xun You | Man Chong | Cao Xiu | Cao Zhi | Cao Zhang | Cao Zhen | Cao Ang | Cao Anmin | Ren Jun | Cao Jie | Cao Hong | Cao Rui | Cao Chun | Cao Fang | Han Hao | Meng Da | Tian Yu | Wen Ping | Xin Pi | Xu Zhi | Xiahou Mao | Xiahou Shang | Xiahou Hui | Chen Tai | Zhuge Xu | Empress Guo | Empress Dowager Bian | Cheng Yin | Chen Lin | Wang Su | Wang Ling | Zang Ba | Yue Lin

Eastern Wu
Zhou Yu | Lu Xun | Taishi Ci | Lady Sun | Sun Jian | Sun Quan | Lu Meng | Gan Ning | Sun Ce | Huang Gai | Two Qiaos | Zhou Tai | Ling Tong | Ding Feng | Bu Lianshi | Han Dang | Lu Su | Zhu Ran | Cheng Pu | Xu Sheng | Dong Xi | Sun Yi | Su Fei | Sun Kuang | Sun Luban | Sun Luyu | Zhu Huan | Pan Zhang | Jiang Qin | Hu Zong | Kan Ze | Chen Wu | Zhuge Ke | Zhuge Jin | Pan Jun | Lu Mao | Sun Liang | Sun Xiu | Sun Hao | Zhou Fang | Lu Dai | Lu Fan | Lu Jun | Lu Kang | Lu Yi | Lou Xuan | Bu Zhi | Bu Xie | Lady Wu | Wu Guotai | Empress Zhu | Taishi Xiang | Yan Jun | Zhu Yi | Quan Cong | Zhu Zhi

Shu Han
Zhao Yun | Guan Yu | Zhang Fei | Zhuge Liang | Liu Bei | Ma Chao | Huang Zhong | Jiang Wei | Wei Yan | Pang Tong | Lady Huang | Guan Ping | Empress Zhang | Guan Suo | Liu Shan | Ma Dai | Bao Sanniang | Xu Shu | Lady Guan | Guan Xing | Zhang Bao | Fa Zheng | Lady Xiahou | Zhou Cang | Deng Zhi | Wang Ping | Zhuge Zhan | Feng Xi | Huo Jun | Huo Yi | Liu Ba | Jian Yong | Fei Yi | Liao Hua | Jiang Wan | Ma Su | Ma Liang | Fan Qiang | Zhang Da | Liu Du | Liu Feng | Lady Fan | Shamoke | Zhao Fan | Mi Zhu | Mi Fang | Yang Xi | Zhang Nan | Zhao Lei | Zhao Tong | Zhao Guang | Dong Yun | Dong Jue | Huang Quan | Li Feng | Li Yan | Liu Yan | Lady Gan | Lady Mi | Sun Qian | Zhang Da | Jiang Shu | Xu Jing | Fu Shiren

Jin Dynasty
Sima Shi | Sima Zhao | Wang Yuanji | Deng Ai | Xiahou Ba | Guo Huai | Zhuge Dan | Zhong Hui | Wen Yang | Xin Xianying | Zhang Chunhua | Chen Shou | Sima Yan | Sima You | Sima Ai | Cao Huan | Wen Qin

Han Dynasty
Diao Chan | Zuo Ci | Lady Lu | He Jin | Gongsun Zan | Gongsun Fan | Gongsun Yue | Huangfu Song | Chen Gui | Tian Kai | Guan Jing | Kong Rong | Liu Biao | Liu Qi | Cao Bao | Lady Yan | Bao Long | Chen Ying | Zhao Hong | Xu Rong | Ze Rong | Ou Xing | Wang Yun | Gongsun Du | Cai Yong | Ma Tie | Ma Xiu | Han Fu | Han Sui | Han De | Emperor Xian | Emperor Ling | Yuan Yao | Huang Shao | Huang Chengyan | Jiao Chu | Fu Shou | Ma Teng | Consort Tang | Zhang Lu | Liu Zhang | Liu Yao | Tao Qian | Guan Ding | Zhang Song | Lady Yang | Ma Yunlu | Liu Cong | Qiao Xuan | Pan Feng | Yu She | Yan Baihu

Exclusive Characters
Lei Bin | Lixia | Luo Pingan | Jingshu | Gongsun Baoyue | Li Quan | Li Feiyan | Xiahou Qingyi | Sun Ruan'er | Liu Shen | Liu Qing'er

Good Organizations
Five Bushel Sect | Five Tiger Generals | Forces in Xiliang | Gongsun Zan's Army | Liu Biao's Army | Liu Zhang's Army | Tao Qian's Army

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