Cao Zhang曹彰

History vs. fiction

In official history, he bravely defeated the Wuhuan and died suddenly in Luoyang; in fiction, he kills Wu Lan in battle and is rumored to be poisoned by Cao Pi.

• based on factExpedition against the Wuhuan and sudden death in the capital

  The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Cao Zhang records his bravery and skill in battle, his great victory over the Wuhuan, and his sudden death from illness in Luoyang in the fourth year of Huangchu: "Zhang pursued them, personally engaging in combat, shooting at the Hu cavalry, and those who fell to his bowstring toppled one after another." It also records "attacked, greatly defeated them, beheading and capturing thousands" and states "in the fourth year, he came to the capital and died of illness in his residence" (Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biographies of Rencheng, Chen, and Xiao Kings). Novels and folk legends add the dramatic scenes of stabbing Wu Lan to death and being poisoned by Cao Pi.