CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Dong Zhao董昭
Cao Cao's strategist, who suggested moving the capital to Xuchang and urged Cao Cao to accept the title of Duke of Wei.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 7
- RELATION RECORDS
- 8
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Dong Zhao, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
3 figures · 4 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Cao Cao→Dong Zhaorespect
Yuan ShaoisDong Zhao’s ruler
Dong Zhao—Su Zecolleague
02CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
3 figures · 3 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Dong Zhao→Liu Beiadvise defense
Xun Yu→Dong Zhaooppose
Read the original source
彧以为太祖本兴义兵以匡朝寧国，秉忠贞之诚，守退让之实；君子爱人以德，不宜如此。
Dong Zhao→Yang Fengurge surrender
03THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
1 figure · 1 record＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Wu Zhi→Dong Zhaodialogue
7 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
He was a colleague of Su Ze, and once when he rested his head on Su Ze's lap, Su Ze pushed him off. He served as Minister over the Masses of Wei and died in the fifth month of the fourth year of Qinglong. He advised Cao Cao to make Xu capital.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Dong Zhao was Cao Cao's strategist and suggested moving the capital to Xuchang. Later, he urged Cao Cao to accept the title of Duke of Wei and the Nine Bestowments, claiming his achievements were unparalleled. When Cao Cao besieged Fancheng, Dong Zhao devised a plan to shoot a letter into the city to shake the morale of Guan Yu's troops.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend3 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
2 relations3 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ respect →Dong Zhao
- Dong Zhao→ strategist →Cao Cao
Verified original text · 3
操执昭手而笑曰
respect · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 14
操与众谋士商议。主簿董昭曰：
ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 76
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
- Official history6 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
7 relations6 verified quotations- Dong Zhao→ strategist →Cao Cao
- Dong Zhao→ advise defense →Liu Bei
- Yuan Shao→ ruler-subject →Dong Zhao
- Xun Yu→ oppose →Dong Zhao
Verified original text · 6
备勇而志大
advise defense · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传
袁绍以为参军事。
ruler-subject · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传
4 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Dong Zhao's contributions to Cao Cao
In Chapter 14 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he analyzes the enemy situation for Cao Cao: "Dong Zhao said: 'These are Yang Feng, a former general of Li Jue, and Han Xian, a leader of the White Wave bandits. Because you, my lord, have come here, they are leading troops to seek refuge in Daliang.'" The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Annals of Emperor Wu, highly praises his strategic advice: "Luoyang was in ruins; Dong Zhao and others advised the太祖 (Cao Cao) to make Xu (Xuchang) the capital."
Relationship network
- respect← Cao Cao → Dong ZhaolitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 14Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 76
Original text (2)
操执昭手而笑曰
操与众谋士商议。主簿董昭曰：
Original relation: ruler-subject · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 76
- strategistDong Zhao → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 61
Original text (1)
长史董昭进曰……自古以来，人臣未有如丞相之功者
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
彧以为太祖本兴义兵以匡朝寧国，秉忠贞之诚，守退让之实；君子爱人以德，不宜如此。
Original text (1)
袁、曹虽为一家，势不久群
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
质自以不为本郡所饶，谓司徒董昭曰