Cao Zhang
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| Names | |
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| Simplified Chinese: | 曹彰 |
| Traditional Chinese: | 曹彰 |
| Pinyin: | Cáo Zhāng |
| Wade-Giles: | Ts'ao Chang |
| Zi: | Ziwen (子文) |
Cao Zhang (? – 223) was the son of the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. He was also a general under his father, having led his troops to splendid victories against Wuhuan tribe incursions on the northern frontier.
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Life
The second of Cao Cao's four sons by Emperess Bian, Cao Zhang was said to excel in archery and armed combat in his youth. Though Cao Cao criticised his lack of academic learning, Cao Zhang had always aspired to pursue a career in the military.
When the Wuhuan tribe rebelled on the northern frontier in 218, Cao Zhang, holding the field rank of General of the Resolute Cavalry (骁骑将军), led a force of mixed infantry and cavalry to suppress the revolt.
Outnumbered by the enemy, Cao Zhang took up a passive stance and defended the vital passes and routes. The rebels could not gain an advantage and dissipated. Cao Zhang then led his force out in pursuit, displaying great valor in the ensuing battles. The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms says several arrows were embedded in his armor by the end of a half-day long battle.
The Xianbei tribe leader Kebineng (轲比能) had led a ten-thousand strong calvary force to observe the ongoing war. Having seen the splendid victories Cao Zhang scored, Kebineng submitted to him. Unrest on the northern frontier was then finally quelled.
Cao Zhang then hurried west to take part in the Hanzhong campaign against Liu Bei. Upon reaching Chang'an, however, he found the war had already been lost. Cao Cao then promoted his son to General of the Elite Cavalry (越骑将军) and left him to defend Chang'an against further advances of Liu Bei.
Shortly after returning to Luoyang in 220, Cao Cao fell ill. He died as Cao Zhang was en route to see him. The successor Cao Pi then sent all his brothers, including Cao Zhang, back to their individual fiefdoms, for fear that they might contest his position. In 222, Cao Zhang was enfeoffed as King of Rencheng (任城王).
In the following year, Cao Zhang died due to sickness whilst attending court at the capital. He received the posthumous appellation of Wei (威), literally meaning awe-inspiring.
Cao Zhang in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel by Luo Guanzhong, was a romanticization of the events that occurred before and during the Three Kingdoms period. The author probably exaggerated the tension between Cao Zhang and his elder brother Cao Pi just after their father Cao Cao's death.
Cao Pi, the eldest surviving son of Cao Cao and the rightful heir, succeeded his late father. However, news came that Cao Zhang, leading a hundred-thousand strong army from Chang'an, was approaching the capital. Cao Pi was gripped by fear that his brother would contest the heirship with the military power he held.
Jia Kui (贾逵), a counsellor to Cao Pi, then volunteered to persuade Cao Zhang to desist. Going out of the city, Jia Kui met with Cao Zhang. The latter was then asked if he came as a mourner or a rival claimant to the heirship. "I come as a mourner with no ulterior motive," replied Cao Zhang.
"That being so, why bring in your soldiers?" Jia Kui said, whereupon Cao Zhang ordered his troops to wait outside the city while he entered alone. When the brothers met, they embraced and wept. Cao Zhang then passed the command of his force to Cao Pi and returned to his own fiefdom. Thus Cao Pi's position was more or less secured.
The Cao clan
Direct descendant
- Cao Kai (曹楷)
Immediate family
- Cao Cao (father)
- Cao Pi (elder brother)
- Cao Zhi (younger brother)
- Cao Xiong (younger brother)
- Cao Ang (elder half brother)
- Cao Chong (younger half brother)
For a complete list of Cao Zhang's brothers, see Cao Cao.
Extended family
See Cao Cao