Characters from Romance of the Three Kingdoms who are primarily associated with the kingdom of Wei.
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The Imperial family
Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Minister of Han. While young, a sage told him he was "a good subject in peaceful times; a crafty hero in a troubled land." This prediction was borne out: as the land became more and more divided, Cao amassed more and more power until even the Emperor was afraid of him.
- The Ace: Aside from being a warlord, Cao was noted to be an accomplished martial artist, and reportedly an archaeologist. Whether or not it is an informed ability has yet to be decided.
- Ambition Is Evil: His ambition is the reason he's portrayed as the antagonist of the story.
- Born Lucky: Fortune favours him like no other. The text even starts complaining about it.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Against Tao Qian, namely that while Tao Qian may or may not have had a role in the murder of Cao Cao's father, taking it out on the people of Xuzhou (Tao Qian's domain) is near certainly taking it too far.note Chen Gong ends up going to his camp and calling him out on this.
- Faking the Dead: Against Lu Bu.
- Historical Villain Upgrade: And how!
- Humiliation Conga: Happens a couple of times to him.
- It's All About Me: His infamous quote. "I'd rather betray the world than let the world betray me!"
- Let No Crisis Go to Waste: As a "crafty hero in a troubled land," he has a knack for exploiting chaotic situations to his advantage.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Played straight, but also famously averted after he accidentally kills his father's sworn brother after suspecting treason:Cao Cao: Better I betray the world than the world betray me.
- Regent for Life: Despite ascending as high in rank as Prince of Wei, he refuses to take the final step and overthrow the Emperor.
- Speak of the Devil: The Chinese version of the proverb is "Speak of Cao Cao and he shall appear".
- Warrior Poet: One of the greatest poets of his age.
- Wicked Cultured: Though he's portrayed as a villain, he's also a Warrior Poet.
Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Cao's eldest son and heir. He was the one who took the step of usurping the Imperial Mandate from the Han Emperor. Well known for his poetry.- Big, Screwed-Up Family: Pi and his brothers Zhi and Zhang squabbled over becoming Cao Cao's heir.
- Offered the Crown: Subversion. In order to maintain an air of propriety, Cao Pi insists that the Imperial title be offered to him, not once, but three times. The terrified Emperor does so.
- Warrior Poet: Much like his dad.
Lady Zhen
Lady Zhen
The widow of Yuan Shao's son, Cao Pi was taken by her beauty and made her his wife. Later, she would be replaced by Lady Guo, who intrigued against her. She was forced to commit suicide. Cao Rui
Cao Rui
Cao Pi's heir. He indulged in palaces and women after Zhuge Liang's death
- The Hedonist: Ordered the construction of numerous palaces in spite of officials' protests and bad omens. He also moved numerous statues from Chang'an which caused the death of many workers.
- Karmic Death: Became deathly ill after he was haunted by his dead wife.
- Like Father, Like Son: Just like Cao Pi, he ordered his wife to commit suicide after he found a new favorite
Cao Fang
Cao Fang
Cao Rui's heir (by adoption). Made Emperor at a very young age.
- A Child Shall Lead Them: Due to Cao Rui's death at a young age, Cao Fang became Emperor of Wei at the age of 8.
- Resigned in Disgrace: He arranged a conspiracy against Sima Shi and Sima Zhao, but it was discovered and he was forced to resign as Emperor.
Cao Mao
Cao Mao
Cao Pi's grandson. Was made the fourth Emperor of Wei after Cao Fang was disposed.
- Royals Who Actually Do Something: He refused to wait for Sima Zhao to force him to abdicate, and instead led an armed force against him. Unfortunately for him, he would quickly be slain.
- Warrior Poet: His poem about "The Dragon in the Well" would ultimately lead to his death.
Cao Huang
Cao Huang
Great-grandson of Cao Cao. Was made the fifth and final Emperor of Wei after Cao Mao's death.- Resigned in Disgrace: Sima Yan forces him to abdicate the throne, ending the Wei Dynasty and starting the Jin Dynasty.
The Five Elite Generals
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
The leader of the Five Generals of Wei. Originally served Lu Bu, but was spared at the request of Liu Bei and Guan Yu after Lu Bu's defeat and execution. After a devastating victory against Wu with an inferior force, he became used as a boogeyman by Wu mothers.- The Dreaded: His spectacular victory over the Wu Army during the Battle of Hefei made him a boogeyman in Wu, and it was said that the mere mention of his name would terrify crying Wu children into silence.
- Four-Star Badass: He's not the leader of the Five Generals of Wei for nothing.
- Friendly Enemy: Of Guan Yu.
- Please Spare Him, My Liege!: Despite his taunting of Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Guan Yu vouched for him, so he lived while Lu Bu died.
Xu Huang
Xu Huang
One of the Five Generals of Wei. Was instrumental in the campaign against Guan Yu in Jing.- Big Damn Heroes: His first appearance is saving the emperor from bandits.
- Friendly Enemy: Of Guan Yu.
- My Country, Right or Wrong: When Guan Yu attempts to turn him to the side of Shu, he states that his public obligations outweigh his private friendship with Guan.
- Worthy Opponent: Of Guan Yu.
Zhang He
Zhang He
One of the Five Generals of Wei. Formerly served under Yuan Shao before surrendering to Wei during the Battle of Guandu. Frequently served as Sima Yi's front-line commander, and was feared by Zhuge Liang.- Badass Bookworm: Off the battlefield, he promoted learning of the Five Classics.
- The Dragon: To Sima Yi.
Yu Jin
Yu Jin
One of the Five Generals of Wei. After a meritorious career, he was sent against Guan Yu, who captured him due to his obstinacy and jealousy of Pang De. He died of illness after being ridiculed by Cao Pi for being captured.- Badass in Distress: During Guan Yu's flood attack, he is trapped and surrenders. When Wu takes over Jing Province, he's set free to return to Wei, only to die when he's put in charge of guarding Cao Cao's tomb.
- Death by Despair: When he's put in charge of superintending Cao Cao's tomb, Cao Pi had an artist depict his cowardly surrender to Shu. Rage and despair drives him to death.
- Driven by Envy: He is envious of Pang De for having wounded Guan Yu, and abruptly signals for a retreat before Pang De can finish the job.
- Green-Eyed Monster: His jealousy of Pang De results in him putting himself and his seven armies into a compromising position just to keep Pang De from acting. Almost all of them are wiped out in Guan Yu's flood attack.
Yue Jin
Yue Jin
One of the Five Generals of Wei. Amongst other accomplishments, he was one of the three generals who held Hefei against Sun Quan's large army.- Defensive Feint Trap: His role in the Battle of Hefei.
Cao Cao's Bodyguards
Dian Wei
Dian Wei
Cao Cao's personal bodyguard. A man of great physical strength and loyalty to Cao Cao. He died holding a gate against Cao Cao's enemies.- Dual Wielding: He was strong enough to dual wield polearms.
- Grievous Harm with a Body: When his weapon broke during his last stand, he used fallen enemy soldiers as bludgeons.
- You Shall Not Pass!: Despite having no weapons, and later, despite being dead, his mere presence still caused soldiers to hesitate long enough for Cao Cao to escape.
Xu Zhu
Xu Zhu
Head of Cao Cao's personal bodyguard, the Tiger Guards. A man of great size, both girth and height, and strength, but known for being gentle and simple off the battlefield. Also known as "Crazy Tiger" or "Marquis Tiger".- Gentle Giant: Outside of battle, at least.
- Stout Strength: Once dragged two stampeding oxen backward by their tails.
Other Warriors
Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun
A general of Wei. One of Cao Cao's most loyal generals. Famous for eating his own eye after it was shot through with an arrow.- Eyepatch of Power: His left eye was hit by a stray arrow, so he famously devoured it in the midst of battle. He wore an eyepatch ever since then.
- Eye Scream: Takes an arrow right to the eye. Then pulls it out and eats it. Then kills the archer that shot it.
- Macho Masochism: Let us reiterate: he ripped out his eye, then ate it.
Xiahou Yuan
Xiahou Yuan
A general of Wei, and elder cousin of Dun. Was famous for his lightning-quick attack, but was easily provoked into attacking which led to his downfall. Li Dian
Li Dian
The third of the generals who held Hefei. Famously cautious, especially compared to many of the other generals mentioned here.- The Resenter: Towards Zhang Liao. However, he overcomes this for the Battle of Hefei.
- Sour Supporter: His cautiousness clashed with most of his compatriot's more direct style of combat. However, he was usually justified.
Pang De
Pang De
The former officer of Ma Chao and Zhang Lu. Marched against Guan Yu to prove his loyalty to Cao Cao, he was captured by Guan Yu owing to the jealousy of Yu Jin and then executed.- Death Seeker: He took a coffin with him to battle Guan Yu.
Strategists
Guo Jia
Guo Jia
Advisor to Cao Cao, responsible for many of his early victories. He would die of illness in his thirties while on a campaign, and Cao Cao would lament his absence at the Battle of Chi Bi.- My Death Is Just the Beginning: He leaves instructions in his will that end in the deaths in the final two sons of Yuan Shao.
- Professional Butt-Kisser: Famous for his description of Cao Cao's ten strengths compared to Yuan Shao's ten weaknesses. Unlike most examples of this trope, though, his genius means that his flattery is both accurate and useful, correctly predicting how the showdown between the two men will go.
- The Strategist: One of Cao Cao's best advisors, who tragically died young.
Xu Shu
Xu Shu
Advisor to Cao Cao. Originally served Liu Bei, but was intrigued against and came to Cao's court against his will. He promised to never make a plan for Cao.- Evil Chancellor: Towards Cao Cao.
- The Strategist: Albeit more during his tenure with Liu Bei.
Civil Officials
Xun Yu
Xun Yu
Advisor to Cao Cao. He was highly favoured, often acting as Cao Cao's steward when he was away on campaigns. However, he opposed Cao's ascent to dukeship, and was forced to commit suicide.- Driven to Suicide: When he has a falling out with Cao Cao over his desire to become Duke of Wei, Cao Cao sends him a present that has nothing in it. Xun Yu poisons himself to death as a response. Assumably, this is so Cao Cao doesn't execute him and his entire family.
- One-Steve Limit: Averted. He served along with his nephew Xun You. In certain romanizations, the only difference between their given names was an umlaut.
