The Seven-Star Sword (七星刀 Qīxīng Dāo) appears in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the episode in which Cao Cao attempts to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Wang Yun gives Cao Cao the blade; Cao Cao enters Dong Zhuo’s chamber and is about to strike when Dong Zhuo wakes (or a mirror betrays the motion). Cao Cao immediately presents the sword as a gift he has brought for Dong Zhuo, then leaves and flees the capital. The incident illustrates Cao Cao’s quick wits and willingness to take risks.
History and sources
The historical Records of the Three Kingdoms do not attribute an assassination attempt by Cao Cao to a borrowed sword. Dong Zhuo was killed in 192 by Lü Bu at the instigation of Wang Yun. The Seven-Star Sword is a Romance device that gives Cao Cao a central role in the anti-Dong Zhuo plot and explains his flight from the capital.