Zhang Kai

Zhang Kai (onyomi: Chou Kai) a former Yellow Turban who later decided to join Tao Qian forces to avoid death. Zhang Kai was responsible for the death of Cao Song, Cao Cao's father. As a result of his misdeed, Cao Cao initiated an especially violent invasion of Xu Province to avenge his father. By this point however, Zhang Kai had already escaped to the south of the Huai River and was not subject to the invasion.

Role in Games
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, Zhang Kai is quite notorious as a character that serves as more a liability should he be recruited to the player's force. While his war stat falls in the mid 60's, all of his other stats are insufferably low with all but leadership falling within single digits likely in reference to the destruction he bought to Xu Province for his selfish actions. He can be found in the ranks of the Yellow Turbans initially and will later go on to serve Tao Qian before becoming a free officer that is found in either Xiapi or Shouchun long after Tao Qian's death.

His character traits in the fourteenth title are both negative as public order within any region he is present on will reduce each turn (Bandit) As a deployed unit however, he will not automatically retreat when his commands are fulfilled (Ambitious) and the stipend he demands when employed is higher than average (Greedy)

Historical Information
When Zhang Kai submitted to Tao Qian he was appointed Commandant of Langye and he was given responsibility for escorting Cao Song to Yan province. On the way, he and his men assassinated Cao Song and his family and took their riches. and then fled south of the Huai River. After that there's no further information about him.

However, a man by the name of Zhang Kaiyang is mentioned as an officer under Yuan Shu in 197. Chen State remained independent of all other warlords, under the direction of its Prince Liu Chong and Chancellor Luo Jun. Yuan Shu asked them to join him, but they turned him down. Zhang Kaiyang was sent as an ambassador and was welcomed by Luo Jun during a banquet. Zhang Kaiyang killed them both Luo Jun and Prince Liu Chong and Yuan Shu absorbed State Chen (although he was thrown out by Cao Cao a few weeks later) Dr. Rafe de Crespigny speculates that Zhang Kaiyang and Zhang Kai are the same - that Zhang Kai joined Yuan Shu when he fled Xu Province.