Three Kingdoms History: Officer Names

Attacked Bu Chan of Xi Ling, traitor to Wu, who turned from the country in 272.

Cai Mao’s brother. Surrendered to Wu before Chibi, but executed by Zhou Yu.

Officer of Zhuge Ke, he defected to Wei with his entire company at Xincheng.

Killed by Zhou Yu’s plot while serving Cao Cao. Brother of Liu Biao’s wife.

Cai Yong’s daughter. Captured by the Xiongnu, but bought back by Cao Cao.

* Better known as the poetess Cai Wenji. An alternate style, Zhaoji (昭姬), is used in Lie Nu Hou Zhuan, while Wenji (文姬) is most commonly used (including in the Hou Han shu).

Advised Emperor Ling’s court. Hated the eunuchs. Died honoring Dong Zhuo.

* In some Wade-Giles translations of the novel Cai Yong is incorrectly listed as Ch’ai Yung.

Cai Mao’s cousin. Surrendered to Wu before Chibi, but was killed by Gan Ning.

Served Wei. Cao Cao’s first son. Died to save his father.

Served Wei. Cao Cao’s nephew. Died in the battle against Zhang Xiu.

* Called ‘Cao Amin’ for some reason in the online version of the novel.

Beaten and later slain by Zhang Fei, he was a reason Lü Bu attacked Xuzhou.

Such a good painter, his pictures seemed to come alive.

Founder of Wei. Built the foundation of what would become the Jin Dynasty.

* In Sanguozhi Chen Shou references him with the honorary title, Wu Di (武帝), or ‘Martial Emperor’. Cao Cao appears in other sources under this name. Cao Cao’s infant name was A-Man (阿瞞).

Cao Cao’s third son. Possessed and adult’s intelligence at age 5, but died ...

Cao Ren’s younger brother. Defeated by Zhou Yu in the southern cities.

Brother of Cao Cao. Killed by Zhang Kai with his father Cao Song.

Cao Rui’s crown prince. Became Emperor at age eight. Deposed by Sima Shi.

Served Wei. One of Cao Cao’s cousins and a vital element of his army.

Son of Cao Xu. Last Emperor of the Wei Dynasty. Abdicated to Sima Yan.

* Originally named Cao Huang (曹璜). An Emperor’s given name was ineffable. As such, it was stricken from use (sometimes changing city names and re-writing literature). Cao Huang changed his name to Huan to lessen the impact of this practice (learn more).

The Chief of the Ten Regular Attendants under Emperors Huan and Ling of Han.

First son of Cao Rui. Prince of Qinghe. Died the year he was born.

Grandson of Cao Pi. Was made Emperor after Cao Fang’s abdication by Sima Shi.

Second son of Cao Rui. Prince of Fanyang. Died young.

Cao Cao’s second son and successor. Deposed Emperor Xian. First Wei Emperor.

Cao Cao’s cousin. Served as Minister of War for Cao Cao.

Emperor Ming of Wei. Managed to demote Sima Yi. Wasted country resources.

Cao Rui’s daughter and fourth child. Died in infancy. SGZ: Empress Zhen, Yang Fu.

Regent of Cao Fang. Underestimated Sima Yi, was stripped of power, and executed.

Served Wei. The Prince of Xiang Shang. Died at a young age.

Adopted son of Cao Teng and father of Cao Cao. Also called Xiahou Song.

* Occasionally listed as, and once named, Xiahou Song (夏侯嵩). Pronunciation of Jugao as a style name cannot be added until we have Han Zi for this.

Adopted Cao Song (formerly Xiahou), father of Cao Cao, into the Cao family. Eunuch.

Younger brother of Cao Shuang. Executed by Sima Yi after he outsmarted Shuang.

Slain by Xiahou Dun in battle, who lost an eye to the archery of this man.

Fourth son of Cao Cao from second concubine Lady Bian.

A younger cousin of Cao Cao. Was defeated by Zhou Fang.

Cao Zhen’s third son. Younger brother of Cao Shuang. Executed by Sima Yi.

Third son of Cao Rui. Posthumously Prince Ai of Anping. Died the year after he was born.

Prefect of Wuling. Forged a decree to Sun Jian calling for Wang Rui’s execution.

General of Cao Ren. Killed by Pang De, who also took his horse.

Son of Cao Cao. Refused to be Regent to Cao Fang due to his modest nature.

Cao Cao’s second son. Fond of martial arts. Died not long after Cao Cao.

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

* Cao Zhen’s original family name was Qin. He was adopted into the Cao clan.

Cao Cao’s third son and originally favored as heir. Famous Poet.

Relative of Cao Zhen. Appointed as vanguard against Zhuge Liang. Killed by Wei Yan.

Tried to taunt Yuan Shang into a duel but got Lü Kuang instead and was soon killed.

Eunuch and favourite of Sun Hao, he was killed and eaten by palace officials.

Escort for the captured Wooden Horses but was killed by Wang Ping.

One of the Eight Paragons of Jiangxia. From Nanyang.

Led an attack on Ruxu but was ambushed and killed by Zhu Huan.

Advised Cao Pi to not lead the army against Su Bo and Tian Yin but to leave it to a vassal.

One of the Taishan Mountain Bandits. Persuaded to join Cao Cao by Zhang Liao.

Served Cao Cao. Provisional Protector/Imperial Inspector of Xuzhou.

Chen Wu’s son. Advised Sun Deng with Zhuge Ke, Zhang Xiu, and Gu Tan.

Served Liu Bei since he held Yizhou. Held office just under Zhao Yun.

Spied on Lü Bu with his father, Gui, for Cao Cao. Joined Liu Bei, then surrendered ...

Served Emperor Ling of Han as Imperial Guardian. Died opposing the eunuchs.

Friend of Li Tong, helped him kill Zhou Zhi. Killed by his in-law Chen He.

Talented advisor who served, and died with, Lü Bu. Helped Cao Cao in the novel.

Father of Chen Deng. Served Cao Cao and Liu Bei spying on Lü Bu, then under Cao.

Killed Chen Gong, the husband of his sister but was defeated by Li Tong.

Van leader with Xue Li under Liu Yao. Shot by Jiang Qin when ambushed by Sun Ce.

Served Shu. Chen Zhen’s son.

Served Yuan Shu guarding Shouchun, but died after his defeat there by Cao Cao.

Known as a righteous, happy yet calm person. Highly respected governor.

General of Sima Zhao. Participated in Sima Zhao’s campaign against Zhuge Dan.

Serves Yuan Shu, then later leaves to join the Mt. Songshan Bandits with Lei Bo.

* Chen Jian in To Esablish Peace

Served under Emperor Ling, then under Yuan Shao. A superior writer.

A key Wei officer in the suppression of Zhuge Dan. Brigadier General of Jin.

* Appears in some sources under the name Chen Xuan (陳鶱).

Served Cao Rui. Captain under Sima Yi in his campaign against Gongsun Yuan.

Served Wei. Imperial Censor under Cao Cao. Supreme Commander under Cao Pi.

* Sometimes his style is referenced incorrectly as ‘Zhangwen’.

Rode out aid the exhausted Zhang Hu but was shot in the face by Sun Jian.

* Also known as Chen Zuo.

Rumored father of Chen Shou. Traded for Xiahou Shang at Hanzhong. Executed.

Served Shu and later Jin. Author of the highly-respected Three Kingdoms history, Sanguozhi.

Began pillaging the people of Jiangxia. Zhang Fei killed him in one blow.

Defended Wei against Jiang Wei. Wept at Cao Mao’s death, and died soon after.

Served Han as High Minister. Advisor to Li Ying. Mocked in jest by young Kong Rong.

Served Sun Ce as Commandant. Surrounded at He Fei and fought to his death.

One of the Eight Paragons of Jiangxia. From Runan.

An officer of Yan Baihu. Defeated by Lü Fan.

Officer of Zhao Fan. Fought with Zhao Yun, but was later executed by the General.

* In Destiny of an Emperor 2 his name is incorrectly mistranslated as Chen Shu.

Tried to destroy Sun Ce by getting lords in the south to ally against him.

Officer of Yang Hu, advised against drinking wine sent by Lu Kang.

Vanguard of Cao Zhen’s army and is slain by Ma Dai.

Local official, was sent as emissary to Wu, swearing oath of alliance with Sun Quan.

Advisor to Sun Quan. Sent as diplomat, with Zhang Fei’s head, to Liu Bei at Yi Ling.

Served Han Sui as a strategist. Suggested hiding among the Qiang. Submitted to Cao Cao.

Son of Cheng Yu, who served Wei.

One of the Ten Regular Attendants. Killed by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao.

General noted for his courage under Lü Bu. In novel, killed by Yue Jin.

Son of Cheng Yu, who served Wei.

Served three generations of the Sun family. From Tuyin in Youbeiping.

* Incorrectly referred to as ‘Chen Pu’ once in some Brewitt-Taylor translations.

Served Wei. Son of Cheng Yu. Advised Xiahou Mao against Zhao Yun.

One of Han Sui’s Eight Knights. Attacked Chang’an with Ma Chao. Killed by ...

One of Han Sui’s Eight Knights. Died fighting Cao Cao at Wei Nan.

Served Wei as an advisor. From Dong’e in Dongjun.

* Cheng (程) Li (立) was his original name, he dreamed about the mount Tai Shan when he was young, holding the sun (日) with both hands. Hence Cao Cao changed his name to Yu (昱) [Cheng Yu]. As you can see the word of Yu is composed with the word ‘sun’ (日) and the word ‘stand’ Li (立), together they form the word of Yu (昱).

Served Yellow Scarves as a chieftain. Killed by Guan Yu.

Served Han as Minister of Ritual. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s troops.

Served Han as Changshui Commandant. Friend of Dong Cheng. Executed by Cao Cao.

Han Court Counsellor. Helped Ma Teng and Han Sui. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si.

Tribal chief, swore fealty to Cao Cao rather then help the Yuan sons.

* The characters of 烏桓 (wuhuan) are the same as those used for the Wuhuan tribe, thus ‘Chu of Wuhuan’ in many respected sources.

Served Yuan Shao. Mutilated by Cao Cao after failing Yuan Shao at Guan Du.

* James, I’ve no record that jien is pronounced “de” anywhere, and according to Lady Wu, it’s definately Jien3, hence I recorded Jien3.

Complained to Sun Quan that Lu Xun was unnecessarily disrupting the people. Later was ...

Commandant of the Capital Gates. Cui Yi’s brother. Killed by Li Jue and Guo Si’s ...

* Referenced incorrectly as ‘Sui Yi’ in Brewitt-Taylor’s translation and other sources.

Cui Yan’s younger cousin, discussed the scholars of Ji province with Chen Qun.

Scholar who served Yuan Shao then Cao Cao, who executed him for his opposition.

Served Han under Emperor Ling. Cui Lie’s brother.

* Referenced incorrectly as ‘Sui Lie’ in Brewitt-Taylor’s translation and other sources.

Served Guo Si. Killed by Xu Huang after taunting Yang Feng.

One of Zhuge Liang’s close childhood friends. Friend of Xu Shu as well. From Boling.