| “ | Your Excellency, I volunteer to lead 3,000 troops to go take Guan Yu's head and present it to you! | „ |
| ~ Cai Yang to Cao Cao. |
Cai Yang is one of Cao Cao's generals and a minor antagonist from the the 14th-Century classic Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and it's multiple adaptations. He was a supporting antagonist during the initial stages of the Battle of Guandu and Guan Yu's time serving under Cao Cao.
Biography[]
Cai Yang was a general serving under the warlord Cao Cao. In 200 AD, shortly after Cao Cao defeated Liu Bei and conquered Xuzhou, Liu Bei's sworn brother Guan Yu, who was defending the city of Xiapi was forced to temporarily surrender to Cao Cao and serve under him under some conditions. Cao Cao favored Guan Yu a lot and gave him many presents one of them even being Lu Bu's famous horse Red Hare, which infuriated Cai Yang and some other generals who felt that Guan Yu didn't deserve this as he just surrendered while they had served him for years and got no such rewards. Cai Yang also felt that Guan Yu didn't appreciate Cao Cao's kindness and was still loyal to Liu Bei. However, both Cao Cao and one of his top generals Zhang Liao, who was a friend of Guan Yu didn't let Cai Yang or anyone to bother him. Later, Guan Yu slew Yuan Shao's top two generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou which made Cai Yang respect him a bit more.
When Guan Yu learned of Liu Bei's whereabouts, he tried to reach Cao Cao but he was told that he was busy. Guan Yu had no choice and left without reporting. When Cao Cao learned this he became very upset. Cai Yang was infuriated and asked his lord permission to go after Guan Yu and kill him. Cao Cao stopped him and told him that he is no match for him. Cao Cao then personally followed Guan Yu in order to bid farewell to him. Guan Yu traveled through the five passes but as he left without taking the documents needed he had to slay six of Cao Cao's generals. One of them was Cai Yang's nephew Qing Qi. Later, Guan Yu met his younger sworn brother Zhang Fei, who after learned of his surrender to Cao Cao, thought him as a traitor. At the same time Cai Yang, who despised Guan Yu and wanted to fight him for some time, attacked with his men in order to avenge the death of his nephew, infuriating Zhang Fei even more. Guan Yu told him that he'll kill Cai Yang in order to prove he is still loyal to Liu Bei. Cai Yang charged at Guan Yu but was easily killed.
Other Media[]
TV Shows[]
Cai Yang appeared as a minor antagonist in the 2010 TV series Three Kingdoms, serving as a supporting antagonist in Episodes 24-26. He was portrayed by Hu Zi. He also served as minor antagonist in the 1992 Yokoyama Mitsuteru Sangokushi anime-series and the 2016 TV seroes God of War, Zhao Yun, portrayed by Luo Aixin.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
Enemies[]
Trivia[]
- In real history, Cai Yang wasn't slain by Guan Yu, but was killed a few months later during the Battle of Runan.
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 Villains
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Wei Empire Wu Empire Shu Empire Jin Empire Other Villains Lu Bu's Army Nanman Tribe Yellow Turbans Yuan Shao's Army Zhong Dynasty Others | ||