| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 曹彦, 曹彥, Cáo Yàn |
| Nickname | Sanqi Changshi (散骑常侍); Cao Zhen's younger son |
| Other name | Tào Ngạn |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Qiao County, Pei State (沛国谯县; Bái Quốc Tiêu huyện) |
| Died | 249 AD |
| Death Reason | Executed with entire household in Sima Yi's Gaoping Tombs purge (249 AD) |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Cao Wei (Cao Shuang faction) |
| Battles |
|
Biography & Historical Record
Cao Yan (曹彦, Tào Ngạn) was the younger son of Grand Commander Cao Zhen (曹真, Tào Chân) and brother of regent Cao Shuang (曹爽, Tào Sảng). He held the high court office of Regular Attendant of Scattered Cavalry (散骑常侍) and commanded garrison units in Luoyang as part of Cao Shuang’s inner faction. In the first month of 249 AD, Sima Yi (司马懿, Tư Mã Ý) executed the Incident at Gaoping Tombs (高平陵之变), arresting Cao Yan with Cao Shuang, Cao Xi (曹羲, Tào Hi), and Cao Xun (曹训, Tào Huấn), and destroying their households.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 107 (Sima Yi Raises Troops in Luoyang; Cao Shuang Surrenders at Gaoping Tombs): While Cao Shuang accompanies Emperor Cao Fang to the Ming tombs, Sima Yi seals Luoyang and arrests the Cao Zhen sons’ faction. Cao Yan belongs to the inner cabinet officers swept up in the purge — executed with his brothers when Cao Shuang’s surrender fails to save the clan.
Cao Yan (曹彦) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Luoyang court service
Sanqi Changshi under brother Cao Shuang’s regency.
Gaoping purge
Arrested and executed with Cao Shuang faction by Sima Yi.
Key Relationships
Family
- Father Cao Zhen (曹真, Tào Chân): Wei Grand Commander (deceased before the coup).
- Brother Cao Shuang (曹爽, Tào Sảng): regent destroyed in 249.
- Brothers Cao Xi (曹羲, Tào Hi) and Cao Xun (曹训, Tào Huấn): co-executed in the same purge.
Friends
- Cao Shuang’s Luoyang inner circle — He Yan (何晏), Deng Yang (邓飏), and other autocratic faction officers.
Enemies
- Sima Yi (司马懿, Tư Mã Ý): orchestrator of the Gaoping Tombs coup that destroyed Cao Yan’s house.
Other
- Emperor Cao Fang (曹芳, Tào Phương): nominal sovereign during the 249 crisis.
- Luoyang garrison units Cao Yan commanded — swept up when Sima Yi sealed the capital.
In Novel
Chapter 107
- Cao Yan (曹彦, Tào Ngạn): Member of Cao Shuang (曹爽, Tào Sảng)'s faction arrested when Sima Yi (司马懿, Tư Mã Ý) seizes Luoyang; executed with the clan after Cao Shuang's surrender at Gaoping Tombs.
In History
Summary
- Cao Yan (曹彦, Tào Ngạn), son of Cao Zhen, brother of Cao Shuang; Sanqi Changshi; executed 249 AD in Gaoping Tombs Incident.
Year: 249 AD
- Sima Yi coup while Cao Shuang at Ming tombs; Cao Yan arrested and executed with household.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi, Wei 9 — Cao Shuang and Sima Yi biographies.
- Jin Shu, Sima Yi — Gaoping Tombs purge rosters.
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