Cao Yan was a figure of Cao Wei. Wikidata gives his Chinese label as Cao Yan, in the traditional form of the character yan, and records his death in 249 and his occupation as political figure. The Chinese Wikipedia article is titled Cao Yan in the simplified form. The two are the same name, so the title stays as it is.[1][2]
Family and office
The Chinese Wikipedia article says he was from Qiao county in the commandery of Qiao, a son of Cao Zhen and a younger brother of Cao Shuang. After Emperor Cao Fang came to the throne, Cao Shuang took the regency as general-in-chief and appointed Cao Yan as an attendant at court, with the right to go in and out of the palace.[2]
The coup at the Gaoping tombs
In the tenth year of Zhengshi (249), Cao Yan went with Cao Shuang and others when Cao Fang visited the Gaoping tombs. Sima Yi took the chance to launch a coup and seized control of Luoyang, and Cao Yan was dismissed. Soon afterwards he was beheaded on a charge of treason, and his three clans were exterminated.[2]