Cao Zhang was born in 189, and looks elegant. Cao Zhang is the third son of Cao Cao and Bian Shi (later named empress) (followed by Cao Ang and Cao Pi). Cao Zhang likes riding and shooting since he was a child, and his arm strength is amazing. Brave Cao Zhang had the experience of fighting wild animals with his bare hands. Cao Cao once reprimanded Cao Zhang for this: You don't like reading sage books, but you like riding and fencing. Even if it succeeds, it can only deal with one person. Why do you attach so much importance to riding and shooting? Then Cao Caopa sent someone to urge Cao Zhang to study ancient books such as Shangshu.
Cao Zhang, who doesn't want to be in private, often tells people around him: once he holds the post of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, he can command 100,000 troops to gallop through the desert and make achievements, which is better than a weak scholar? Once, Cao Cao asked his sons about their ambitions. When Cao Cao asked Cao Zhang, Cao Zhang replied: I would like to be a general. Cao Cao asked Cao Zhang again: What's the use of being a general? Cao Zhang calmly replied: Armed with sharp weapons and wearing heavy armor, in the face of danger, you must take the lead. After hearing what Cao Zhang said, Cao Cao laughed. Because Cao Zhang's beard and hair are yellow, Cao Cao began to call Cao Zhang a yellow beard.
It can be said that Cao Zhang is the bravest expert of Cao Shi's family. In 2 16 AD, Cao Zhang was named as the marquis of Yanling by Cao Cao. In 2 18 AD, Wu Huan had no ministers and rebelled. Cao Cao named Cao Zhang as the northern corps commander, and went with the army to fight Wu Huan, who had no minister. Cao Zhang took the lead and was invincible. Cao Zhang, with many arrows in his body, chased Wu Huan to a crushing defeat. Without a minister, he pushed Dai Jun, 200 miles away. At that time, Kirby, the leader of Xianbei nationality, led tens of thousands of tribes to see who was strong and who was weak. When Bi Ke saw that Cao Zhang was invincible on the battlefield, he voluntarily surrendered to Cao Cao and pacified the northern part of Wei. Cao Cao, who was informed of the situation after the war, greatly praised Cao Zhang, saying, "The great victory of this war is due to Huang Xuer's great achievements." .
Shortly after Cao Cao arrived in Luoyang in AD 220, his illness worsened. Then Cao Caopa sent someone to call Cao Zhang to Luoyang to see him for the last time and arrange the funeral. Unfortunately, before Cao Zhang arrived in Luoyang, Cao Cao died of illness first, and then Xelloss succeeded to the throne. When Cao Zhang led the army to Luoyang City, Cao Pi sent Sima Yi to lobby Cao Zhang. In the end, Cao Pi issued a decree: Because of Cao Zhang's meritorious service in pacifying the northern part of the country, he issued a special decree to increase 5,000 grain cities in Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhang named Cao Pi Wang Wei. In 22 1 year, xelloss named Cao Zhang as the Lord protector, and the following year xelloss named Cao Zhang as the king of Rencheng. From this perspective, Cao Pi, who inherited Cao Cao's inheritance, should be kind to Cao Zhang, right? Actually, no.
In 223 AD, Cao Zhang was ordered by Cao Pi to enter the DPRK, during which Cao Zhang, who was physically strong, suddenly fell ill. Soon after, Cao Zhang died suddenly in the mansion at the age of 35. After Cao Zhang's death, Cao Pi called his brother Wang Wei. Shi Shuo Xin Yu wrote: The cause of Cao Zhang's sudden death was poisoned by poisoned wine (or dates) given by Cao Pi when he entered Korea. At that time, the Queen Mother Bian had been informed in advance that Xelloss would poison Cao Zhang. It's a pity that Cao Zhang was poisoned by xelloss before the Queen Mother Bian could stop him.
There was a well-known scene at that time. First, Empress Bian cursed Cao Pi for being impolite, and then she begged Cao Pi: You killed my son Cao Zhang, and you want to save my other son Dong 'e (Cao Zhi). Xelloss was worried that Queen Bian would make a big deal of things, so he didn't kill Cao Zhi, but put Cao Zhi under house arrest for a long time. The statement in Shi Shuo Xin Yu that Cao Pi poisoned Cao Zhang and Wei and Jin Dynasties is different from that in Shi Shuo Xin Yu written by Wu people of the Three Kingdoms, but some supplements are made. The book says: After Cao Zhang's letter arrived in Luoyang, he didn't see Cao Pi. So Cao Zhang asked the emissary: Where did the seal come from? Who sealed the decree? At that time, the messenger replied to Cao Zhang: Duke Wei suspected that you were unfaithful and called you to the court, but he didn't see you. Finally, the angry Cao Zhang died of depression.
Xelloss wantonly raise Cao Zhang, in fact, is to get rid of Cao Zhang. When Cao Zhang was relieved of the military power, Xelloss ordered someone to poison Cao Zhang. Compared with Cao Zhi, Cao Zhang's ending is undoubtedly more tragic. At least Cao Zhi was still alive at that time and was not poisoned by his brother. It can also be said that the Queen Mother Bian saved Cao Zhi's life with Cao Zhang's death.