Diao Chan

See also: Chan

Diao Chan (Chinese simplified: 貂蝉; Chinese traditional: 貂蟬, Pinyin: Diāochán) is a fictitious character of the Histoire of the Three Kingdoms (or Sanguo Yanyi, 三國演義) of Luo Guanzhong. This Chinese novel, which takes as a starting point facts and real characters by the end by the Dynastie Han (its decline starts approximately into 175 of our era and ends into 220) and by the period by the Three Kingdoms (220-265 a. J. - C.), was written at the 14th century. Diao Chan is a dancer and besides a musician whose talent has equal only its beauty, it forms part of the Four beauties of ancient China. She would be the adopted girl of Wang Yun, a Minister for the court of the Empereur Xiandi (dynasty of Han Orientaux). Wang Yun which cannot more support the tyrannical policy of car-proclaimed Prime Minister Dong Zhuo, who holds the reality of the capacity, develops a stratagem for envenimer the relations between Dong Zhuo and its more dangerous general Lu Drunk, so that this last kills the despot. Its plan consists in proposing Diao Chan (which does not have whereas 16 years) in cohabitation with Drunk Lu then with Dong Zhuo.

He speaks about it in Diao Chan, which feeling indebted towards his/her adoptive father accepts. Thus after having proposed Diao Chan in cohabitation with the two protagonists, and to have let Dong Zhuo take it with him, Wang Yun makes accept Drunk Lu that the tyrant was with the current which the young girl was already promised to the general. Lu Drunk felt betrayed but does not react immediately. As from this moment, all is between the hands of charming and crafty one young girl. She plays subtly with the emotions of the two men, thus creating a major hatred between them. Finally, after Wang Yun, feeling it ripe to pass to the act, suggested to him, Lu Drunk keep silent Dong Zhuo into 191. After the death of Dong Zhuo, Diao Chan becomes the official Drunk Lu concubine, and Wang Yun takes control of the imperial court, but for a short moment. Little time after indeed, Li Jue and Guo If (two former officers of Dong Zhuo) eliminates Wang Yun and puts Drunk Lu in exhile. Diao Chan follows it in this escape. After the capture and the execution of the general by CAD CAD (which drove out Li Jue and Guo Si palate of the Emperor) in 198, nothing is specified on what it occurs of Diao Chan.

Even if this character is fictitious, it would seem that it is inspired by a historical young girl. One knows nothing it neither his name, nor even if it had any bond with Wang Yun. It is known just that it would have contributed (voluntarily or not) to envenimer the relationship between Drunk Lu and Dong Zhuo.

Koei used this character for some of his plays taking as a starting point this novel, by making warlike sometimes, although it never was on the battle field.

Sources

Sanguo Yanyi (History of the Three Kingdoms)

Additional details

Internal bonds

History of the Three kingdoms
Dynasty Han

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