Facial Painting of Heroes in Three Kingdoms Period
Cao Cao
Cao Cao (155-220AD) was a statesman, strategist and litterateur in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). He was originally surnamed Xiahou, nicknamed Mengde, and his pet name was Aman. He was the first child of a landlord family in the county of Qiao (譙 present day Bozhou, Anhui). His father, Cao Song, was the foster son of Cao Teng, the Regular Attendant of the emperor. That’s why his surname had been changed. Thanks to this relationship, Cao Cao got the opportunity to know many children from official families. Yuan Shao, Cao Cao’s future rival, was a friend of his in childhood. He was about 170cm height, with narrow eyes and a long beard. As a young man, he was prolific in hunting and music, while he was also talented, resourceful and could adapt quickly to changing conditions. At that time, there was a man living in Runan named Xu Shao, who was famous for his ability to identify hidden talents of others. He said Cao Cao was “a capable minister in peaceful times and an unscrupulous hero in chaotic ones.”
Xiahou Yuan
Xiahou Yuan (? – 219AD), also known as Miaocai, was a famous military general of Cao Cao. He was a cousin of Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao. He was brave and strong. When Cao Cao committed a crime in his hometown when he was young, Xiahou Yuan took the blame. He was eventually acquitted through efforts by Cao Cao. He was particularly loyal to his friends. During a famine, he gave up his own son in order to feed the daughter of his deceased brother. Since Cao Cao started raising an army, Xiahou Yuan had followed him. He helped Cao Cao to subjugate Lei Xu of Lujiang and attack Mao Chao and Han Sui in Tongguan. Because of his outstanding military exploits, he was given the title “Marquis Bochang,” and “General Zhengxi.” In his 22nd year of Jian’an, Xiahou Yuan was killed by General Huang Zhong when Liu Bei assailed Hanzhong.
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