Cao Zhang is a son of Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, nicknamed the Yellow-Bearded Boy. Unlike brothers drawn to scholarship or court politics, he prefers archery, horsemanship, and command. He tells his father that a general should wear armor, face danger first, reward reliably, and enforce discipline.
When the Wuhuan of Dai Commandery rebel, Cao Cao gives him fifty thousand troops. Cao Zhang leads from the front, advances to Sanggan, and pacifies the northern region. He then hurries to aid his father at Hanzhong, defeats Liu Feng in three bouts, and kills Wu Lan with his halberd before Cao’s army withdraws. Cao Cao praises his son’s northern achievement when the two meet. His yellow beard, martial ambition, northern victory, and direct battlefield strength distinguish him within Cao Cao’s family.