The Qinggang Sword (青釭剑 qīnggāng jiàn) was Cao Cao’s prized weapon, one of the two finest swords of the Han dynasty. At the Battle of Changban, Zhao Yun captured this sword along with the Red Hare horse. The blade was renowned for its ability to cut through armour as if it were cloth.
Historical context
The Three Kingdoms period saw extensive use of various weapons and artifacts, each carrying both practical military value and symbolic significance. Weapons were often named and became associated with their famous wielders, passing into legend through the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
References
- Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
- Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)