Three Kingdoms History: Cao Zhen

Served Wei. Adopted into Cao family. Managed affairs after Cao Pi’s death.

Officer Details

Wade-Giles: Ts‘ao Chên (Tzŭ-tan)
Simplified Chinese: 曹真 (子丹)
Pronunciation: Cao² Zhen¹ (Zi³dan¹)
Cantonese (Yale): Chou Jan (Ji-daan)
Cantonese (Jyutpin): Cou Zan (Zi-daan)

Birthplace: Qiao County, Pei Prefecture
(Presently Bo Zhou city in An Hui Province)

Name Notes: Cao Zhen’s original family name was Qin. He was adopted into the Cao clan.

Rank and Titles

Marquis of Lingshou Ting; General of Zhong Jian; General Who Suppresses the West; Marquis of Dong Xiang; Great General of the First Army; Great General of the Central Army; Marquis of Shaoling; Grand Minister of War; Marquis of Yuan (posthumous)

Family and Relationships

Cao Shuang, Cao Xi, Cao Xun (Sons)

Fact vs. Fiction

Differences Between Fact and Common Fiction

• Died from illness in Luoyang. Not from shame over having been defeated by Zhuge Liang.

Literary Appearances

Romance of the Three Kingdoms: 84-86, 91, 93-95, 97-99, 100, 101, 106, 107

Sanguozhi: Wei 9

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• Cao Zhen’s SGZ