Historical Record
Wu Zilan, in the late Han and Three Kingdoms period, rose to the rank of general. Together with Dong Cheng—the maternal uncle of Emperor Xian of Han and General of Chariots and Cavalry—the Colonel of the Changshui Garrison Zhong Ji, Wang Zifu, and others, he took part in a conspiracy against Cao Cao. The conspiracy arose because Dong Cheng received a secret edict hidden in Emperor Xian's girdle, intending to slay Cao Cao. Before Liu Bei had left Xu, he too was sounded out by Cao Cao, who said, "The heroes of the realm today are but yourself, my lord, and Cao"; hearing this, Liu Bei was so alarmed that he dropped the chopsticks in his hand. According to the Diary of Emperor Xian, in the course of the conspiracy Dong Cheng mentioned to Wang Zifu that the Colonel of the Changshui Garrison Zhong Ji and the Court Counselor Wu Shuo were his confidants who could share in the undertaking, thereby settling the plan. Although Wu Zilan's specific duties and details of his participation are little recorded in the historical sources, it is certain that, as a general, he was one of the important participants in this conspiracy. In the end, however, the conspiracy could not be carried out, and once it was exposed, Dong Cheng and the others were all put to death by Cao Cao.
In the Novel
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wu Zilan's image is given more concrete form and closely tied to the "Girdle Edict" affair. As one of Dong Cheng's fellow conspirators, he appears in the novel in Chapters 20, 21, and 23. The novel depicts Wu Zilan, introduced by Wang Zifu, meeting with Dong Cheng and the others and signing his name to the conspiracy document. Unlike the historical record, the novel adds many dramatic episodes—for example, while the conspiracy was underway, the Inspector of Xiliang, Ma Teng, suddenly came to call on Dong Cheng, who declined to see him, provoking Ma Teng's displeasure. Although this episode heightens the story's tension and conflict, it is not found in the historical sources. Wu Zilan's role in the novel is chiefly as a member of Dong Cheng's conspiratorial group, jointly driving forward the central "Girdle Edict" event, while his individual image and deeds are not deeply portrayed; he appears more as one figure among a group.
Key Relationships
* Cao Cao (dies_in): Wu Zilan, together with Dong Cheng and others, plotted to slay Cao Cao, and was ultimately put to death by Cao Cao when the matter leaked. In both history and the novel, Cao Cao is the key figure who brings about Wu Zilan's final fate.
* Dong Cheng (friend_of): Wu Zilan was an important companion in Dong Cheng's "Girdle Edict" conspiracy. In the historical sources, he took part in this action against Cao Cao together with Dong Cheng, Zhong Ji, Wang Zifu, and others. In the novel, Wu Zilan likewise, introduced by Wang Zifu, met with Dong Cheng and took part in the conspiracy.
* Liu Bei (novel only): In the novel, Liu Bei also took part in the Girdle Edict conspiracy, belonging to the same camp as Wu Zilan and the others in opposing Cao Cao. The historical sources, however, mention only that Liu Bei had already departed before the conspiracy was carried out, and do not clearly record any direct plotting between him and Dong Cheng's group.
Signature Scenes
* The Girdle Edict conspiracy (historical and novel): Wu Zilan's most signature scene is his participation in the Girdle Edict conspiracy of Emperor Xian of Han. In the historical sources, he is recorded as a conspirator, along with Dong Cheng, Zhong Ji, Wang Zifu, and others, as a general. In the novel, this scene is rendered concretely as a drinking gathering in the rear hall of Dong Cheng's residence, where Wu Zilan, introduced by Wang Zifu, met the others and signed his name to the conspiracy document. This was the most important event of his life and the beginning of his eventual tragic end.
* Ma Teng's visit to Dong Cheng (novel only): In Chapter 20 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, while Wu Zilan and the other conspirators were meeting at Dong Cheng's residence, the Inspector of Xiliang, Ma Teng, suddenly came to call. Dong Cheng feigned illness and would not see him, provoking Ma Teng's displeasure; this interlude added unexpectedness and tension to the conspiracy. Although this episode is not recorded in history, in the novel it becomes a distinctive background event to Wu Zilan's participation in the conspiracy.
Relationships
3 relationships
Friends1
Other1
Chapters2 回 ▸
- 史ch.32
- 演ch.20
Relationship timeline2 条 ▸
史 ch.32
- Cao Cao§8
dies_in
与董承同谋，事觉伏诛
演 ch.20
- Dong Cheng§22
friend_of
经王子服请来；署义状
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- I, Wu Zilan, was named among the plot devised by Dong Cheng, General of Chariots and Cavalry. At the time, Emperor Xian’