Cao Zhang

Cao Zhang , ( Chinese  曹彰 , Pinyin Cáo Zhāng , W.-G. Ts'ao Chang ; Zì 子 文 , Ziwén , Tzu-wen ; * 189 in China, † 223 in China) was a son of the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period . He was also a general under his father and had led his army to brilliant victories over the Wuhuan tribe.

Life

Cao Zhang was the fourth son of Cao Cao with Princess Bian . Already in his youth he excelled in archery and in armed combat. Although Cao Cao criticized his lack of interest in academic studies, Cao Zhang could not imagine a career other than a military one.

He married a daughter of Sun Ben , a general of the southern warlord Sun Quan , with whom Cao Cao sought understanding before the Battle of Chibi (208). She bore him the sons Cao Kai, Cao Wen and Cao Ti.

When the Wuhuan tribes rose on the northern border of the Wei Empire in 218 , Cao Zhang, as General of the Resolute Cavalry, led an army of infantry and cavalry against them. But because the rebels were outnumbered, Cao Zhang withdrew on the defensive and defended all important passes and routes. Because the rebels were stuck, they gave up and withdrew. Cao Zhang, although wounded, led her persecution. The Xianbei leader Kebineng mustered a 10,000-strong army, which consisted mainly of horsemen, to follow the developments. When he saw Cao Zhang's glorious victory, he submitted to him. That put an end to the troubled times on the northern border.

Cao Zhang then hurried west to take part in the Hanzhong campaign against Liu Bei . When he got to Chang'an , he found that the war was already lost. Cao Cao promoted him to general of the elite cavalry and left him in Chang'an to defend it against further attacks on the part of Liu Beis.

Shortly after Cao Cao returned to Luoyang in 220 , he fell ill. Cao Cao died while Cao Zhang was still on his way to see him. His successor Cao Pi sent all of his brothers, including Cao Zhang, back to their previous posts because he feared that they would argue over his position. In 222 he made Cao Zhang king of Rencheng . The following year, Cao Zhang fell ill while going to the imperial court in the capital. He died soon afterwards and was posthumously given the title of General Wei (= encouraging).

Cao Zhang's grandson Cao Fang , a son of Cao Kai, was later adopted by Emperor Cao Rui and succeeded him to the throne in 239.

Web links

• Family Trees Cao and Xiahou (English)

Note: This article places the family name before the person's first name. This is the usual order in Chinese. Cao is the family name here, Zhang is the first name.