| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 陈造, 陳造, Chén Zào |
| Nickname | Van Leader of Cao Zhen (曹真前部督) |
| Other name | Trần Tạo |
| INFORMATION | |
| Died | 228 |
| Death Reason | Slain by Ma Dai during Wei pursuit of Shu forces (novel) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Cao Wei |
| Battles |
|
Biography & Historical Record
Chen Zao (陈造, Trần Tạo) is a fictional Wei general in Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He has no counterpart in Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms. The novel casts him as vanguard commander under Cao Zhen (曹真) during the Wei pursuit of Shu forces retreating from the first Northern Campaign (228 AD).
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 95 (Kongming Sits in the Hall of Stars; Sima Yi Enters the Interlaced Valleys) follows Zhuge Liang’s withdrawal after the stalemate at Wuzhang Plains and related operations. Cao Zhen leads Wei troops in pursuit of a victorious Shu detachment under Zhang Bao (张苞) and Guan Xing (关兴) from Wugong Hills. When Cao Zhen suddenly encounters a strong Shu force led by Ma Dai (马岱) and Jiang Wei (姜维) — hills and valleys seemingly swarming with enemies — alarm spreads through the Wei ranks. Chen Zao, serving as Van Leader, is slain by Ma Dai in the clash; Wei soldiers panic and flee in disorder while Shu troops press night and day toward Hanzhong.
Chen Zao (陈造) — Historical & Literary Timeline
First Northern Campaign (historical backdrop)
Zhuge Liang’s first major offensive against Wei; after initial Shu gains, supply and command problems forced eventual withdrawal — the campaign frame for Chapter 95.
Slain by Ma Dai at the ambush
As Cao Zhen’s vanguard, Chen Zao is killed by Ma Dai when Wei pursuit columns run into Jiang Wei and Ma Dai’s concealed Shu forces, triggering a rout.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Chen Zao on Kongming’s Archives.
Key Relationships
Family
- No family recorded.
Friends
- Cao Zhen (曹真, Tào Chân): Wei Grand Commander whose army Chen Zao leads as vanguard during the pursuit of retreating Shu forces.
Enemies
- Ma Dai (马岱, Mã Đãi): Shu general who kills Chen Zao in combat during the ambush.
- Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy): Shu commander present with Ma Dai when Wei forces are trapped in the valleys.
- Zhang Bao (张苞, Trương Bao) and Guan Xing (关兴, Quan Hưng): Shu officers whose detachment Cao Zhen had been pursuing before the ambush.
Other
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Shu Chancellor directing the broader Northern Campaign withdrawal that frames this rear-guard action.
In Novel
Chapter 95
- Chen Zao (陈造, Trần Tạo): Van Leader under Cao Zhen; slain by Ma Dai when Wei pursuit troops run into Shu forces under Ma Dai and Jiang Wei, causing panic and rout as Shu columns withdraw toward Hanzhong.
In History
Summary
- Chen Zao (陈造, Trần Tạo) is a novelist's invention with no entry in Sanguozhi or Pei Songzhi's annotations. His role dramatizes a Wei reverse during the Shu withdrawal of 228 AD.
Year: 228 AD
- Zhuge Liang's first Northern Campaign: Shu took Wugong and other positions before logistical strain and Wei counter-moves ended the offensive — the historical setting behind Chapter 95.
Historical Record
- Classified as fictional in the Romance appendix and modern ROTK character lists (Chapter 95).
- Cao Zhen and Ma Dai are historical; the specific vanguard death of Chen Zao is not attested.
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