Cao Fang
Encyclopedia
Cao Fang formally known as Duke Li of Shaoling, was the third emperor of the state of Cao Wei
during the Three Kingdoms
period of Chinese history
. He retained the title Prince of Qi (齊王) after he was deposed by the regent Sima Shi
. He was an adopted son of Cao Wei's second ruler Cao Rui
.
After the Cao Wei state ended in 265, Cao Fang was granted the title of "Duke of Shaoling County (邵陵縣公) by Emperor Wu
of the Jin Dynasty. When he died in 274, he was granted the posthumous name
of "Duke Li of Shaoling".
. He was adopted by Cao Wei
's second emperor Cao Rui
at a young age. He was instated as Prince of Qi in 235.
Around 239, when Cao Rui became ill, he resolved to pass the throne to Cao Fang. Initially, he wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu (曹宇), who would serve as a regent along with Xiahou Xian (夏侯獻), Cao Shuang
, Cao Zhao (曹肇), and Qin Lang (秦朗). However, Cao Rui's trusted officials Liu Fang (劉放) and Sun Zi (孫資) were not on good terms with Xiahou Xian and Cao Zhao, and were apprehensive about them becoming regents. Eventually, Cao Rui was persuaded to appoint Cao Shuang and Sima Yi
. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency.
Half a month later, when Cao Rui was on his deathbed, Sima Yi arrived at Luoyang
. Cao Rui held onto Sima's hand and summoned Cao Fang and Cao Xun
(another adopted son of Cao Rui) to his bedside. He pointed out Cao Fang and told the boy to hug Sima, as he would hug his father. Cao Rui then instated Cao Fang as crown prince
and died on the same day.
initially; then Sima Yi
after he seized power from Cao Shuang during the Incident at Gaoping Tombs
. After Sima Yi's death, Cao Fang attempted to take back state power from Sima Yi's son, Sima Shi
, but was not successful and was eventually deposed by Sima Shi.
's attack in 241, but he had no real authority on governance.
In 243, Cao Fang married Empress Zhen
, a granddaughter of his grandmother Lady Zhen's brother Zhen Yan (甄儼).
In 244, Cao Shuang led an attack on Shu Han
's border city of Hanzhong
, without careful planning, hoping that he would gain a reputation in the military. The battles were inconclusive and Cao was forced to withdraw with great losses when their food supplies ran out. Despite this failure, Cao continued to hold on to state power firmly. In 247, Sima Yi retired from government service, claiming that he was ill.
In 249, Sima launched a coup to seize power from Cao Shuang. While Cao Fang and Cao Shuang left the capital Luoyang
to visit Cao Rui's tomb, Sima rallied a group of anti-Cao Shuang officials and closed all gates of Luoyang. He sent an edict to Cao Fang in the name of Empress Dowager Guo
, accusing Cao Shuang of dominating and corrupting the government, and demanding that Cao Shuang and his brothers be removed from power. Cao Shuang eventually decided to surrender his authority, against the advice of Huan Fan
. Sima promised Cao Shuang that he could still retain his titles. However, not long later, Sima had Cao Shuang and his family and associates executed on charges of treason. By then, Sima Yi was in complete control of the government.
, but Sima declined. During Sima's regency, he eliminated inefficiency and corruption that characterized Cao Shuang's time, and many honest officials were promoted on Sima's recommendation.
In 249, Wang Ling, the general in charge of the southeastern city of Shouchun (present-day Shou County
, Lu'an
, Anhui
), plotted a rebellion against Sima Yi, in association with Cao Biao (曹彪), the Prince of Chu. In 251, when Wang was ready to carry out his plan, his subordinates Huang Hua (黃華) and Yang Hong (楊弘) betrayed him to Sima. Sima led an army to Shouchun before Wang could take action, and promised to pardon Wang for rebelling. Wang surrendered and was forced to commit suicide together with Cao Biao later. Wang's clan and followers were also slaughtered. Sima Yi died later that year and was succeeded by his son Sima Shi
as regent, who continued wielding state power.
, whose founding emperor Sun Quan
had recently died, and the current ruler Sun Liang
was under Zhuge Ke
's regency. Although Sima was defeated, he maintained himself well by publicly admitting his faults and promoting the generals who advised him against the campaign. In 253, Sima defeated Zhuge Ke in a major battle and established a reputation in the military.
In 254, Sima made a violent move to consolidate power at the expense of Cao Fang. Cao Fang had endeared himself to the minister Li Feng, and Sima suspected that they were plotting against him. Sima summoned and interrogated Li, who refused to disclose his conversations with the emperor. Sima beat Li to death with a sword handle and accused Li and his associates Xiahou Xuan
and Zhang Ji (張緝) of treason, and had them and their clans exterminated. Cao Fang was forced to depose Empress Zhang
(Zhang Ji's daughter) and replace her with Empress Wang
.
Cao Fang was angry with Sima Shi about the deaths of Li Feng and Zhang Ji. Later in 254, his supporters proposed a plan for him to seize power from Sima Shi: when Sima Shi's brother Sima Zhao
arrived at the palace for an official visit before heading to Chang'an
, Cao Fang would kill Sima Zhao and take control of his troops, and use those troops to attack Sima Shi. Cao Fang was apprehensive and hesitated in implementing the plan. Sima Shi heard about the plot and removed Cao Fang from the throne. Cao's life was spared and he was demoted to his previous title of Prince of Qi.
, Henan
). When Sima Zhao's son Sima Yan
usurped the throne of Cao Wei in 265 and established the Jin Dynasty, Cao Fang and other Cao Wei princes were demoted to the status of dukes. He died in 274 and was posthumously granted the title of "Duke Li of Shaoling", with a funeral befitting that of a duke instead of an emperor. He did not have any known descendants.
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 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 retained the title Prince of Qi (齊王) after he was deposed by the regent Sima Shi
Sima Shi
Sima Shi , style name Ziyuan , was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang's regent Cao Shuang, allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he...
. He was an adopted son of Cao Wei's second ruler Cao Rui
Cao 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...
.
After the Cao Wei state ended in 265, Cao Fang was granted the title of "Duke of Shaoling County (邵陵縣公) by Emperor Wu
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
of the Jin Dynasty. When he died in 274, he was granted the posthumous name
Posthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
of "Duke Li of Shaoling".
Background
Cao Fang was a son of Cao Kai (曹楷), the Prince of Rencheng, who was a son of Cao ZhangCao Zhang
Cao Zhang was the third son of the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. Cao Zhang was said to have wrestled and killed wild animals with his bare hands...
. He was adopted by 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...
's second emperor Cao Rui
Cao 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...
at a young age. He was instated as Prince of Qi in 235.
Around 239, when Cao Rui became ill, he resolved to pass the throne to Cao Fang. Initially, he wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu (曹宇), who would serve as a regent along with Xiahou Xian (夏侯獻), Cao Shuang
Cao Shuang
Cao Shuang , style name Zhaobo , was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cao Zhen...
, Cao Zhao (曹肇), and Qin Lang (秦朗). However, Cao Rui's trusted officials Liu Fang (劉放) and Sun Zi (孫資) were not on good terms with Xiahou Xian and Cao Zhao, and were apprehensive about them becoming regents. Eventually, Cao Rui was persuaded to appoint Cao Shuang and Sima Yi
Sima Yi
Sima Yi was a general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions...
. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency.
Half a month later, when Cao Rui was on his deathbed, Sima Yi arrived at Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
. Cao Rui held onto Sima's hand and summoned Cao Fang and Cao Xun
Cao Xun
Cao Xun was an adopted son of Cao Rui, an emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It is not known who his birth parents were, because Cao Rui deliberately kept their identities secrets, although it was likely that he was adopted from within the imperial...
(another adopted son of Cao Rui) to his bedside. He pointed out Cao Fang and told the boy to hug Sima, as he would hug his father. Cao Rui then instated Cao Fang as crown prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
and died on the same day.
Reign
Although Cao Fang ruled for the longest period of time of all the rulers of Cao Wei, he was not in control of state power at any time during his reign. During his reign, the political scene was dominated by regents - Cao ShuangCao Shuang
Cao Shuang , style name Zhaobo , was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cao Zhen...
initially; then Sima Yi
Sima Yi
Sima Yi was a general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is perhaps best known for defending Wei from Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions...
after he seized power from Cao Shuang during the Incident at Gaoping Tombs
Incident at Gaoping Tombs
The Incident at Gaoping Tombs in 249 was a coup d'etat that occurred in the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The parties involved were Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. Sima Yi seized power during the coup and had Cao Shuang killed...
. After Sima Yi's death, Cao Fang attempted to take back state power from Sima Yi's son, Sima Shi
Sima Shi
Sima Shi , style name Ziyuan , was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang's regent Cao Shuang, allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he...
, but was not successful and was eventually deposed by Sima Shi.
Under Cao Shuang's regency
Cao Shuang and Sima Yi initially shared state power when they ruled as regents, but over time, Cao gradually stripped off Sima's power. He requested for Sima to be promoted to higher appointments and granted honorific titles, but the holder of these appointments and titles do not wield any power. After that, Cao Shuang made all important decisions and stopped consulting Sima. Many of Cao's associates, such as Deng Yang (鄧颺), Li Sheng (李勝), He Yan (何晏), and Ding Mi (丁謐), were appointed as high-ranking officials. Those not associated with Cao were excluded from holding positions in the imperial court. Sima was granted military authority, including command in defending Cao Wei from Eastern WuEastern 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...
's attack in 241, but he had no real authority on governance.
In 243, Cao Fang married Empress Zhen
Empress Zhen (Cao Fang)
Empress Zhen , personal name unknown, formally known as Empress Huai , was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, a granddaughter of his grandmother Lady Zhen's brother Zhen Yan (甄儼).
In 244, Cao Shuang led an attack on Shu Han
Shu 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...
's border city of Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, without careful planning, hoping that he would gain a reputation in the military. The battles were inconclusive and Cao was forced to withdraw with great losses when their food supplies ran out. Despite this failure, Cao continued to hold on to state power firmly. In 247, Sima Yi retired from government service, claiming that he was ill.
In 249, Sima launched a coup to seize power from Cao Shuang. While Cao Fang and Cao Shuang left the capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
to visit Cao Rui's tomb, Sima rallied a group of anti-Cao Shuang officials and closed all gates of Luoyang. He sent an edict to Cao Fang in the name of Empress Dowager Guo
Empress Guo (Ming)
Empress Guo , personal name unknown, formally known as Empress Mingyuan , was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was married to Cao Rui , the second emperor of Cao Wei; she was his third wife and second empress...
, accusing Cao Shuang of dominating and corrupting the government, and demanding that Cao Shuang and his brothers be removed from power. Cao Shuang eventually decided to surrender his authority, against the advice of Huan Fan
Huan Fan
Huan Fan , style name Yuanze , was a minister of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Huan Fan became very close to that of Cao Shuang and later earned the nickname "Font of Wisdom". At one time Huan Fan counseled Cao Shuang to fight onward rather than to...
. Sima promised Cao Shuang that he could still retain his titles. However, not long later, Sima had Cao Shuang and his family and associates executed on charges of treason. By then, Sima Yi was in complete control of the government.
Under Sima Yi's regency
After Sima Yi took over as regent, he carefully but inexorably eliminated his political opponents. Cao Fang, under coercion by Sima's supporters, offered Sima the nine bestowmentsNine bestowments
The nine bestowments were awards given by Chinese emperors to extraordinary officials, ostensibly to reward them for their accomplishments. The nine bestowments were awards given by Chinese emperors to extraordinary officials, ostensibly to reward them for their accomplishments. The nine...
, but Sima declined. During Sima's regency, he eliminated inefficiency and corruption that characterized Cao Shuang's time, and many honest officials were promoted on Sima's recommendation.
In 249, Wang Ling, the general in charge of the southeastern city of Shouchun (present-day Shou County
Shou County
Shou County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, under the jurisdiction of Lu'an City. It has population is 1,280,000 and its area is 2986 square kilometers...
, Lu'an
Lu'an
Lu'an , is a prefecture-level city in western Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, with a population of 5,612,590 inhabitants at 2010 census. Its built up area is home to 1,482,729 inhabitants spread out on 2 urban districts...
, 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...
), plotted a rebellion against Sima Yi, in association with Cao Biao (曹彪), the Prince of Chu. In 251, when Wang was ready to carry out his plan, his subordinates Huang Hua (黃華) and Yang Hong (楊弘) betrayed him to Sima. Sima led an army to Shouchun before Wang could take action, and promised to pardon Wang for rebelling. Wang surrendered and was forced to commit suicide together with Cao Biao later. Wang's clan and followers were also slaughtered. Sima Yi died later that year and was succeeded by his son Sima Shi
Sima Shi
Sima Shi , style name Ziyuan , was a military general and regent of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In 249, he assisted his father Sima Yi in overthrowing the emperor Cao Fang's regent Cao Shuang, allowing the Sima family to become paramount authority in the state, and he...
as regent, who continued wielding state power.
Deposal by Sima Shi
In 252, Sima Shi led a campaign against Eastern WuEastern 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...
, whose founding emperor 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....
had recently died, and the current ruler Sun Liang
Sun Liang
Sun Liang was the second emperor of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the founding emperor Sun Quan's youngest son and heir...
was under Zhuge Ke
Zhuge Ke
Zhuge Ke , style name Yuanxun , was a military general and regent of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was the son of Zhuge Jin and nephew of Zhuge Liang. He succeeded Lu Xun after the latter's death...
's regency. Although Sima was defeated, he maintained himself well by publicly admitting his faults and promoting the generals who advised him against the campaign. In 253, Sima defeated Zhuge Ke in a major battle and established a reputation in the military.
In 254, Sima made a violent move to consolidate power at the expense of Cao Fang. Cao Fang had endeared himself to the minister Li Feng, and Sima suspected that they were plotting against him. Sima summoned and interrogated Li, who refused to disclose his conversations with the emperor. Sima beat Li to death with a sword handle and accused Li and his associates Xiahou Xuan
Xiahou Xuan
Xiahou Xuan , style name Taichu , was a minister of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Xiahou Shang. Xiahou Xuan's mother was Cao Shuang's aunt , and thus he was close to Cao Shuang's faction. Despite this, he survived the overthrow and execution of Cao...
and Zhang Ji (張緝) of treason, and had them and their clans exterminated. Cao Fang was forced to depose Empress Zhang
Empress Zhang (Cao Fang)
Empress Zhang, personal name unknown, was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was the second wife of Cao Fang, the third ruler of Cao Wei....
(Zhang Ji's daughter) and replace her with Empress Wang
Empress Wang (Cao Fang)
Empress Wang, personal name unknown, was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was the third wife of Cao Fang, the third ruler of Cao Wei....
.
Cao Fang was angry with Sima Shi about the deaths of Li Feng and Zhang Ji. Later in 254, his supporters proposed a plan for him to seize power from Sima Shi: when Sima Shi's brother Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao
Sima Zhao was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
arrived at the palace for an official visit before heading to Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
, Cao Fang would kill Sima Zhao and take control of his troops, and use those troops to attack Sima Shi. Cao Fang was apprehensive and hesitated in implementing the plan. Sima Shi heard about the plot and removed Cao Fang from the throne. Cao's life was spared and he was demoted to his previous title of Prince of Qi.
Later life and death
After his deposal, Cao Fang was moved to a palace in Henei (present-day JiaozuoJiaozuo
Jiaozuo is a prefecture-level city in northern Henan province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yellow River, it borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the south, Xinxiang to the east, Jiyuan to the west, Luoyang to the southwest, and the province of Shanxi...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). When Sima Zhao's son Sima Yan
Emperor Wu of Jìn
Emperor Wu of Jin, , personal name Sima Yan , style name Anshi , was the grandson of Sima Yi and son of Sima Zhao. He became the first emperor of the Jin Dynasty after forcing Cao Huan, last ruler of the state of Cao Wei, to abdicate to him. He reigned from 265 to 290, and after conquering the...
usurped the throne of Cao Wei in 265 and established the Jin Dynasty, Cao Fang and other Cao Wei princes were demoted to the status of dukes. He died in 274 and was posthumously granted the title of "Duke Li of Shaoling", with a funeral befitting that of a duke instead of an emperor. He did not have any known descendants.
Family
- Father: Cao Kai (曹楷), Prince of Rencheng, son of Cao ZhangCao ZhangCao Zhang was the third son of the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. Cao Zhang was said to have wrestled and killed wild animals with his bare hands...
- Adoptive father: Cao RuiCao RuiCao 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...
- Spouses:
- Empress WangEmpress Wang (Cao Fang)Empress Wang, personal name unknown, was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was the third wife of Cao Fang, the third ruler of Cao Wei....
- Empress ZhenEmpress Zhen (Cao Fang)Empress Zhen , personal name unknown, formally known as Empress Huai , was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
- Empress ZhangEmpress Zhang (Cao Fang)Empress Zhang, personal name unknown, was an empress of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. She was the second wife of Cao Fang, the third ruler of Cao Wei....
- Lady Zhang (張美人)
- Yuwan (禺婉)
- Empress Wang
Titles held
- Emperor Shao of Wei (魏少帝)
- Emperor Fei of Wei (魏廢帝)
- The following two titles were granted to Cao Fang posthumously
- Prince Ai of Qi (齊哀王)
- Duke Li of Shaoling (邵陵厲公)