Dian Wei (?-197) was a giant of a man who served as Cao Cao's personal bodyguard and was constantly by his side. After Zhang Xiu's attack on Wan Castle, he alone stood before the enemy troops, giving his life so that Cao Cao could escape.
Biography[]
Dain Wei was from Chenliu in Yan Province, living his early life as a bandit leader. He volunteered to fight for the Eastern Han at Hulao Gate in 191 AD, and later returned to his hills where he raided local passers-by. One day, he came across Xiahou Dun, who was hunting tigers, and he was beaten in a duel.
Xiahou Dun invited Dian Wei to come serve under Cao Cao, and he became his personal bodyguard. In 193, he distinguished himself during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and killed He Man and many other Yellow Turbans. He would later serve in Xu Province, the battles with Lu Bu, and the war with Yuan Shu.
However, he met his end in 197 when he blocked Zhang Xiu's troops off at Wan Castle, letting Cao Cao escape. Jia Xu and his archer unit shot Dian Wei full of arrows, and he eventually died after superhuman strength in resisting Zhang Xiu's men.
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