In Chapter 23 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Imperial Physician Ji Ping conspired with Dong Cheng and others to poison Cao Cao. When the plot was discovered, Ji Ping was captured and tortured, but he remained unyielding and ultimately committed suicide by crashing against the steps. He is celebrated as an embodiment of “loyalty and righteousness,” becoming a hero in the hearts of the people.
The Historical Ji Ping’s Rebellion
Historically, Ji Ping did indeed participate in a military rebellion to overthrow Cao Cao. His core identity remains the same—an imperial physician in the late Eastern Han Dynasty who took part in anti-Cao Cao activities and was eventually executed by Cao Cao after the plot was exposed. However, the details differ from those in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Ji Ping’s Portrayal in the Novel
In the fifth year of the Jian’an period (200 AD), Ji Ping joined Dong Cheng’s anti-Cao Cao conspiracy, which was inspired by Emperor Xian’s “Girdle Edict.” He planned to poison Cao Cao while treating his illness, but the plot was exposed after Dong Cheng’s servant, Qin Qingtong, reported it to Cao Cao. Ji Ping was captured, subjected to severe torture, and ultimately died by crashing against the steps.
The Historical Account of Ji Ping’s Revolt
In the twenty-third year of the Jian’an period (218AD), Ji Ping, along with Geng Ji, Wei Huang, and his sons Ji Miao and Ji Mu, launched a revolt in Xuchang against Cao Cao. They led over a thousand servants in a surprise attack on the camp of Wang Bi but were defeated and killed. Their families were exterminated to the third degree. This rebellion is also mentioned in Chapter 69 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Contrasting Motivations and Actions
Historically, Ji Ping’s rebellion against Cao Cao was primarily driven by political opposition to Cao Cao’s ambition of “holding the emperor hostage to command the nobles.” In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, however, his actions are imbued with a stronger sense of loyalty and righteousness. He is depicted as being inspired by Dong Cheng’s “Girdle Edict” and proactively proposing to poison Cao Cao, with his motivation leaning more toward loyalty to the Han Dynasty.
Divergent Narratives of the Conspiracy
Historically, Ji Ping’s anti-Cao Cao plan involved collaborating with his sons Ji Miao and Ji Mu, as well as Jin Yi, to launch a military uprising, which ultimately ended in defeat and their deaths. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the narrative fabricates the plot of “Ji Ping’s poisoning attempt being discovered by Cao Cao,” adding dramatic elements such as interrogation under torture and Ji Ping’s suicide by crashing against the steps, highlighting his unyielding and fierce spirit.
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