272 Beijing Opera Performers - Dian Wei - Number 42

Dian Wei

Beijing Opera - "Battle of Wancheng"

Dian Wei with a yellow flowered three-tile face plays a part in the list-opera "Battle of Wancheng," adapted from an episode in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." Dian Wei was a formidable warrior serving under Cao Cao. He used a pair of halberds (the halberd consists of an axe blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft. It always has a hook or thorn on the back side of the axe blade for grappling mounted combatants), with which he vanquished all who opposed him. He played a decisive role in the Battle of Wancheng, forcing Zhang Xiu the defender of Wancheng city to surrender to Cao Cao. One day his enemies stole his halberds, then raided his camp at night and killed him.