Is “The novel writes that Ma Teng and Huang Kui secretly plotted to assassinate Cao Cao and were killed. In the official history, he had plotted to kill Li Jue.” true?

novel invention

In Chapter 57 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is written that Ma Teng and Huang Kui secretly plotted to assassinate Cao Cao, but the plot failed and they were captured: "Ma Teng cursed without ceasing, and together with his son Ma Xiu and Huang Kui, they were put to death." In the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biographies of Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, and Liu Biao, the plot Ma Teng participated in was against Li Jue: "Attendant-in-ordinary Ma Yu, Remonstrant Grandee Zhong Shao, and Left General of the Household Liu Fan and others plotted, wanting to have Ma Teng attack Chang'an, with themselves as internal responders, in order to kill Li Jue and others. Ma Teng led troops to Changping Guan, but Ma Yu and others' plot leaked, and they fled to Huaili. Guo Si attacked Ma Teng, Ma Teng was defeated and fled back to Liangzhou." Thus it can be seen that the novel transplanted the story, rewriting it as a loyal minister opposing Cao Cao.

Ma Teng

The plot to assassinate Cao Cao is fictional

Sources cited above. Compiled with AI assistance and checked against those sources; for cultural reference.Data & method →

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