Cao Xiu
Encyclopedia
Cao Xiu was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. He served the state of Cao Wei
during the Three Kingdoms
period. A distant nephew of Cao Cao, Cao Xiu was given special attention by the former, who once asserted him befitting the role of a commander. During Liu Bei
's Hanzhong Campaign
, Cao Xiu outwitted his two opponents, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao
, who were far more well known than he was. Cao Xiu became a district commander during his late life and led various campaigns against Sun Quan
's forces; despite defeating several enemy units, few of the campaigns were met with success. He died in 228 shortly after his disastrous final campaign against Eastern Wu
.
, Cao Xiu lost his father before he turned twenty, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion
broke out. Bringing along his old mother, Cao Xiu moved south across the Yangtze River
away from the rebel-infested north.
When Cao Cao
was raising an army to join the coalition against Dong Zhuo
in 190, Cao Xiu heeded the call. Cao Cao was pleased to see his distant nephew, whom he described as the thousand-li horse of his clan. He also had Cao Xiu reside with his future successor, Cao Pi
, and treated Cao Xiu like his own son. Henceforth Cao Xiu followed Cao Cao on many military campaigns.
during Cao Cao's reign, notably against Zhang Fei and Ma Chao
. When Cao Hong was threatened by Zhang Fei that his retreat route would be cut off, Cao Xiu saw though the ruse and stated that if Zhang Fei indeed wanted to block their retreat route, he would do so secretly instead of showing his intention so obviously. He then suggested Cao Hong that they should strike the enemy upfront when Zhang Fei and Ma Chao were still dwelling on the fantasy that their tactic would work out. Zhang Fei and Ma Chao retreated back to Han Zhong after being defeated by Cao Hong, and Wu Lan (吳蘭) fled to the Di tribute, and was killed by its ruler. Cao Xiu was later made Commander of the Imperial Guard.
After Cao Cao's death in 220, Cao Xiu enjoyed a close relationship with Cao Pi, who had assumed the throne as the first emperor of the Kingdom of Wei. Cao Xiu was made General who Guards the South (鎮南將軍) and sent to the southern frontier to defend against Sun Quan
's forces. Personally seeing Cao Xiu off, Cao Pi dismounted from his carriage and held his trusted general's hands, reluctant to part.
In 222, Cao Pi personally led an offensive against Sun Quan. Cao Xiu was appointed Great General who Conquers the East (征東大將軍). He supervised over twenty armies (An army or Jun was a military unit. Every 12,500 soldiers were counted as one Jun) from various regions and defeated Sun Quan's force under Lü Fan
at Dongpu (洞浦, in the vicinity of present day Wuhu, Anhui
). Despite his victory over Lü, who was able to regroup his forces, Cao Xiu was defeated by Wu reinforcements sent by Xu Sheng
and Quan Cong
.
. He was promoted to Great Defender-in-Chief (大司馬) but remained in command of the defense of Yangzhou (揚州).
In 228, Cao Rui launched yet another offensive against Sun Quan (The Battle of Shiting
). Cao Xiu led a force towards Xunyang (尋陽). Believing the words of an enemy general, Zhou Fang
, who pretended to surrender, he led his army deep into unfriendly territory and suffered a disastrous defeat, which amounted to tens of thousands of casualties. Submitting a memorial, Cao Xiu pled guilty for his misjudgment. Cao Rui, however, not only forgave him but treated him with even more respect thereafter.
Cao Xiu died shortly after the Battle of Shiting
from skin infections on his back resulting from wounds incurred in the battle. He was given the posthumous title of Marquis Zhuang (壯侯), literally meaning “robust marquis”.
, Luoyang, Henan Province. The tomb, 50 meters long and 21 meters wide, held chinaware, copperware, liquor cups, and jars as well as some human bones. Tests suggested that these bones belonged to a 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman. A bronze seal, about the size of a coin and engraved with Cao Xiu's name revealed the tomb owner's identity.
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, on one occasion when Yue Jin
was losing to the enemy general Ling Tong
in a duel, Cao Xiu fired an arrow which hit Ling's steed. Ling fell from the horse and would have been killed by Yue if Gan Ning
had not intervened and saved him.
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
period of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He served the state of Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period. A distant nephew of Cao Cao, Cao Xiu was given special attention by the former, who once asserted him befitting the role of a commander. During Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
's Hanzhong Campaign
Hanzhong Campaign
The Hanzhong Campaign was a military campaign launched by the warlord Liu Bei to seize control of the commandery of Hanzhong from his rival Cao Cao. The campaign took place between 217 and 219 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, Cao Xiu outwitted his two opponents, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao
Ma Chao
Ma Chao was the oldest son of Ma Teng and a military general during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he received the nickname "Ma Chao the Splendid" due to his elaborate armour and grand skill...
, who were far more well known than he was. Cao Xiu became a district commander during his late life and led various campaigns against Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
's forces; despite defeating several enemy units, few of the campaigns were met with success. He died in 228 shortly after his disastrous final campaign against Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
.
Early life
According to the Records of Three KingdomsRecords of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms , is regarded as the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history covering the years 184-280 CE. Written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century, the work combines the smaller histories of the rival states of Cao Wei , Shu Han and...
, Cao Xiu lost his father before he turned twenty, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion
Yellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, also translated as Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt that broke out in 184 AD in China during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty...
broke out. Bringing along his old mother, Cao Xiu moved south across the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
away from the rebel-infested north.
When Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
was raising an army to join the coalition against Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo
Dong Zhuo was a politician and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He seized control of the capital city Luoyang in 189 when it was in a state of turmoil following the death of Emperor Ling and a clash between the eunuch faction and some court officials led by...
in 190, Cao Xiu heeded the call. Cao Cao was pleased to see his distant nephew, whom he described as the thousand-li horse of his clan. He also had Cao Xiu reside with his future successor, Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
, and treated Cao Xiu like his own son. Henceforth Cao Xiu followed Cao Cao on many military campaigns.
Service under Cao Cao and Cao Pi
Cao Xiu participated mainly in campaigns against Shu HanShu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
during Cao Cao's reign, notably against Zhang Fei and Ma Chao
Ma Chao
Ma Chao was the oldest son of Ma Teng and a military general during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he received the nickname "Ma Chao the Splendid" due to his elaborate armour and grand skill...
. When Cao Hong was threatened by Zhang Fei that his retreat route would be cut off, Cao Xiu saw though the ruse and stated that if Zhang Fei indeed wanted to block their retreat route, he would do so secretly instead of showing his intention so obviously. He then suggested Cao Hong that they should strike the enemy upfront when Zhang Fei and Ma Chao were still dwelling on the fantasy that their tactic would work out. Zhang Fei and Ma Chao retreated back to Han Zhong after being defeated by Cao Hong, and Wu Lan (吳蘭) fled to the Di tribute, and was killed by its ruler. Cao Xiu was later made Commander of the Imperial Guard.
After Cao Cao's death in 220, Cao Xiu enjoyed a close relationship with Cao Pi, who had assumed the throne as the first emperor of the Kingdom of Wei. Cao Xiu was made General who Guards the South (鎮南將軍) and sent to the southern frontier to defend against Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
's forces. Personally seeing Cao Xiu off, Cao Pi dismounted from his carriage and held his trusted general's hands, reluctant to part.
In 222, Cao Pi personally led an offensive against Sun Quan. Cao Xiu was appointed Great General who Conquers the East (征東大將軍). He supervised over twenty armies (An army or Jun was a military unit. Every 12,500 soldiers were counted as one Jun) from various regions and defeated Sun Quan's force under Lü Fan
Lü Fan
Lü Fan , style name Ziheng , was an official of the state of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
at Dongpu (洞浦, in the vicinity of present day Wuhu, Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
). Despite his victory over Lü, who was able to regroup his forces, Cao Xiu was defeated by Wu reinforcements sent by Xu Sheng
Xu Sheng
Xu Sheng , style name Wenxiang , was a military general of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He fought in at least 5 wars for the southern regime during his lifetime...
and Quan Cong
Quan Cong
Quan Cong , style name Zihuang , was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He married Sun Quan's oldest daughter Sun Luban. During the subjugation of the Shanyue, Quan achieved great success. Quan afterwards marched with Lu Xun to attack the Cao Wei...
.
Defeat and death
Following Cao Pi's death in 227, Cao Xiu continued to serve under the second Wei emperor Cao RuiCao Rui
Cao Rui , formally known as Emperor Ming of Wei, was the second emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was a son of Cao Wei's first emperor Cao Pi according to Liu Song dynasty historian, Pei Songzhi, but was a son of Yuan Xi according to modern...
. He was promoted to Great Defender-in-Chief (大司馬) but remained in command of the defense of Yangzhou (揚州).
In 228, Cao Rui launched yet another offensive against Sun Quan (The Battle of Shiting
Battle of Shiting
The Battle of Shiting was fought between the contending states of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu in 228 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle concluded with victory of Wu over Wei.-The battle:...
). Cao Xiu led a force towards Xunyang (尋陽). Believing the words of an enemy general, Zhou Fang
Zhou Fang (Three Kingdoms)
Zhou Fang, style name Ziyu , was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. In 228, he was a main figure in a confrontation between Eastern Wu and Cao Wei, when he pretended to surrender to Cao Wei to induce the enemy general Cao Xiu into a trap, and...
, who pretended to surrender, he led his army deep into unfriendly territory and suffered a disastrous defeat, which amounted to tens of thousands of casualties. Submitting a memorial, Cao Xiu pled guilty for his misjudgment. Cao Rui, however, not only forgave him but treated him with even more respect thereafter.
Cao Xiu died shortly after the Battle of Shiting
Battle of Shiting
The Battle of Shiting was fought between the contending states of Cao Wei and Eastern Wu in 228 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle concluded with victory of Wu over Wei.-The battle:...
from skin infections on his back resulting from wounds incurred in the battle. He was given the posthumous title of Marquis Zhuang (壯侯), literally meaning “robust marquis”.
Tomb
In May 2010 archaeologists announced the discovery of Cao Xiu's tomb in Mengjin CountyMengjin County
Mengjin County is a district of Luoyang, Henan, China.-History:Mengjin began its life as an ancient ferry crossing for the Yellow River. According to legend, King Wu of Zhou crossed the Yellow River at this location, after forming an alliance with the other nobles...
, Luoyang, Henan Province. The tomb, 50 meters long and 21 meters wide, held chinaware, copperware, liquor cups, and jars as well as some human bones. Tests suggested that these bones belonged to a 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman. A bronze seal, about the size of a coin and engraved with Cao Xiu's name revealed the tomb owner's identity.
In fiction
In Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, on one occasion when Yue Jin
Yue Jin
Yue Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty of China. He was noted as much for his short stature as for his valor and ferocity on the battlefield...
was losing to the enemy general Ling Tong
Ling Tong
Ling Tong was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He started his service to the Sun family since his childhood, and throughout his entire life, he had been contributing to the foundation and solidification of Eastern Wu...
in a duel, Cao Xiu fired an arrow which hit Ling's steed. Ling fell from the horse and would have been killed by Yue if Gan Ning
Gan Ning
Gan Ning was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was born in Linjiang, Ba Commandery .-Early life as a pirate:...
had not intervened and saved him.
Family
- Grandfather: Cao Ding (曹鼎), served as Chancellor of Hejian, Administrator of Wu Commandery, and Imperial Secretary
- Children:
- Cao Cuan (曹篡), oldest son
- Cao Zhao (曹肇), second son
Appointments and titles held
- Guard of Tiger and Leopard Cavalry (虎豹騎宿衛)
- Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉)
- Central Commander of the Army (中領軍)
- General Who Commands the Army (領軍將軍)
- Marquis of Dongyang (東陽亭侯)
- General Who Guards the South (鎮南將軍)
- General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍)
- Inspector of Yang Province (揚州刺史)
- Marquis of Anyang (安陽鄉侯)
- Senior General Who Attacks the East (征東大將軍)
- Governor of Yang Province (揚州牧)
- Marquis of Changping (長平侯)
- Grand Marshal (大司馬)
- Marquis Zhuang (壯侯) - granted to Cao Xiu posthumously