Cai Mao
Encyclopedia
Cai Mao was a military general specializing in naval warfare during the late Han Dynasty
era of Chinese history
. He was from Xiangyang in Jing Province and originally served the warlord Liu Biao
before joining Cao Cao
's forces. He gained his status when his sister married Liu Biao.
Cai Mao initially suffered several defeats against the warlord Sun Jian
. Liu Biao's advisor Kuai Liang
insisted that Cai Mao be put to death for his failures, but Liu Biao refused.
When Liu Biao named his oldest son Liu Qi as his heir on his deathbed, Cai Mao and his nephew Zhang Yun
wrote a forged will choosing Liu Biao's second son Liu Cong, because Liu Cong was married to Cai Mao's niece. Cai Mao then sent Liu Qi back to Jiangxia
.
When Cao Cao marched on their territory with a huge army, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun surrendered and became Cao Cao's chief naval commanders against Sun Quan
.
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's forces suffered early defeats against Zhou Yu
's forces. Zhou forged letters from Cai and Zhang and had Jiang Gan
return them to Cao Cao. Cai and Zhang were then executed by Cao.
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
era of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He was from Xiangyang in Jing Province and originally served the warlord Liu Biao
Liu Biao
Liu Biao , style name Jingsheng , was a warlord and the governor of Jing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a member of the extended family of the Han Dynasty emperors...
before joining Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
's forces. He gained his status when his sister married Liu Biao.
Cai Mao initially suffered several defeats against the warlord Sun Jian
Sun Jian
Sun Jian was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He allied himself with Yuan Shu in 190 when warlords from eastern China formed a coalition to oust Dong Zhuo, a tyrannical warlord who held the puppet Emperor Xian in his power...
. Liu Biao's advisor Kuai Liang
Kuai Liang
Kuai Liang, style name Zirou , was an advisor to the warlord Liu Biao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a native of Zhonglu, Nan Commandery...
insisted that Cai Mao be put to death for his failures, but Liu Biao refused.
When Liu Biao named his oldest son Liu Qi as his heir on his deathbed, Cai Mao and his nephew Zhang Yun
Zhang Yun
Zhang Yun was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Biao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was Cai Mao's maternal nephew and specialized in naval warfare like his uncle...
wrote a forged will choosing Liu Biao's second son Liu Cong, because Liu Cong was married to Cai Mao's niece. Cai Mao then sent Liu Qi back to Jiangxia
Yunmeng County
Yunmeng County is a county in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China administered by Xiaogan City.-History:...
.
When Cao Cao marched on their territory with a huge army, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun surrendered and became Cao Cao's chief naval commanders against Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
.
In fiction
In Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun's forces suffered early defeats against Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
's forces. Zhou forged letters from Cai and Zhang and had Jiang Gan
Jiang Gan
Jiang Gan was an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.The annotations to Records of Three Kingdoms from the Jiangbiao Zhuan described Jiang Gan as a good-looking man whose debating skills were unmatched in the Jiangnan and Huai River region...
return them to Cao Cao. Cai and Zhang were then executed by Cao.
Appointments and titles held
- Assistant Officer of the Household (從事中郎)
- Major (司馬)
- Colonel of Chang River Regiment (長水校尉)
- Marquis of Hanyang (漢陽亭侯)