Cao Hong
Encyclopedia
Cao Hong was a military general of Cao Wei
during the Three Kingdoms
era of Chinese history
. He started his career during the late Han Dynasty
under the warlord Cao Cao
, who was also his cousin.
imperial court, and because of this connection, Cao Hong was given command of Qichun County (蘄春県) at a young age. In 190, Chen Wen (陳温), the governor of Yang Province (揚州) pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, who had just raised an army of his own to join the coalition against Dong Zhuo. Cao Hong was a close friend of Chen Wen, and together they joined Cao Cao. He became a general in Cao Cao's army along with Cao Ren
, his cousin. After Dong moved the capital to Chang'an
, Cao Cao set out to attack Chenggao
without much assistance, because most of the other generals in the coalition found nothing but a burnt-down Luoyang
from their initial successes, and were hesitant to engage Dong further. Cao Cao's forces were intercepted in Xingyang
, and were greatly defeated. Xu Rong, a general of Dong Zhuo's army, had injured Cao Cao and killed his horse. At the time Cao Hong asked Cao Cao to take his horse, but the latter once wanted to relinquish his ambition and refused, Cao Hong then strongly rebuked his cousin and said: "The world can do without me, but can't without you!" Hence, Cao Cao got on Cao Hong's horse, and the latter protected Cao Cao on foot, and returned to their base safely.
, who seized most of Yan Province during his leave. Despite initial failure, Cao and Lu went into a stalemate when both sides went out of food. Cao Hong then collected grain from different commanderies to supply the troops. When Cao Cao finally succdeded in driving Lu out of the province, Cao Hong was tasked to pacify the counties loyal to Lu.
After Yan was retrieved, Cao Hong was ordered to convoy Emperor Xian; however, he was defeated by Dong Cheng
and a slave of Yuan Shu
. When Zhang Xiu
was welcomed by the people of Nanyang and Zhangling, Cao Hong led a separate command to attack him, but was dealt a major blow and was forced to retreat to Yip, where he was defeated and raided several times. Thus, he requested reinforcement from Cao Cao, who rendered him assistance on defeating Zhang's ally, Liu Biao
's subordinates around the area.
In the Battle of Guandu
, Cao Hong was responsible to act as the second in command. His greatest accomplishment during that battle (in 202) was defending Cao Cao's maincamp from the attack of Zhang He
and Gao Lan
when Cao Cao personally led 5,000 cavalry to burn down the supplies of Yuan Shao
's army at Wuchao.
From 208 to 218, Cao Hong followed Cao Cao in several ill-fated campaigns against the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
, and was reassigned to join the battle
for Hanzhong
against the western warlord, Liu Bei
, in 219, whereins Cao was able to enlist the forces of the Di
living in Yinping (陰平). Assisted by his tactician, Cao Xiu
, he defeated the invasion of Liu Bei
's generals Zhang Fei and Ma Chao
, and ordered the Di leader Jiang Duan (強端) to deal with the subordinate generals of Zhang and Ma, leading to the death of Wu Lan and Lei Tong
. For this accomplishment, he was given the title of Commandant General(都護将軍). However, he was too overjoyed with his success, which Cao Xiu should have the most credit, and held large-scaled celebrations in his camp while his comrade Xiahou Yuan
was desperately resisting Liu Bei in Nanzheng region. Once, Cao Hong ordered some prostitutes to dance on drums during a banquet, which he invited his officers to attend. During the gathering, his strategist, Yang Fu
, angrily came up to him and openly reprimanded his behavior. Cao Hong thus grudgingly called off his favourite show and apologized to Yang.
, another cousin of Cao Cao, for being overweight. For this behavior, he was admonished by Yang Fu
several times. Although Cao Hong's behavior bothered many in the Kingdom of Wei, Cao Cao compared him to Gaozu of Han
, noting that in love of women and riches, they were the same.
When Cao Cao died and was succeeded by his son, Cao Pi
, Cao Hong's position was put in danger. Years earlier, their relationship had been spoiled when Cao Pi requested a loan from him but was outright refused. When Cao Cao was no longer alive to save him, Cao Pi took the opportunity to have Cao Hong arrested for a crime committed by one of his house guests. Only with the intercession of Empress Dowager Bian
was his life spared, but all of Cao Hong's land, possessions, and titles were stripped. However, in 226, when Cao Pi died at the age of 41 and Cao Rui
succeeded him as Emperor of Wei, Cao Hong was given titles of nobility and generalship again and was treated well for the remainder of his days.
He was posthumously awarded the title of Marquis Gong (恭侯), literally meaning the humble marquis.
, an overly-romanticized account of the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Hong's role in the Battle of Tong Pass
against Ma Chao
is prominent. Cao Hong was instructed to guard Tong Pass for ten days at all costs, with strict orders from Cao Cao not to leave his fortifications. After being taunted by Ma Chao's troops for nine days, he gave in to his anger and led his troops out of the pass to do battle. He was soundly defeated, and on top of that the pass was taken by Ma Chao.
Cao Cao was greatly upset by this and ordered Cao Hong's execution but Cao Cao's advisors stopped him. However, very soon afterwards Cao Cao himself was defeated by Ma Chao, and was in danger of losing his life when Cao Hong came to his rescue and fought 100 passes with Ma Chao until losing strength and retreating. His life being saved, Cao Cao forgave Cao Hong's earlier defeat. There is no record of this incident in Records of Three Kingdoms
, the official history text of the period written by Shu general, Chen Shou
.
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...
era 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 started his career 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...
under the warlord 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...
, who was also his cousin.
Early career
Cao Hong's uncle Cao Ding, held a high position in the late Han DynastyHan 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...
imperial court, and because of this connection, Cao Hong was given command of Qichun County (蘄春県) at a young age. In 190, Chen Wen (陳温), the governor of Yang Province (揚州) pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, who had just raised an army of his own to join the coalition against Dong Zhuo. Cao Hong was a close friend of Chen Wen, and together they joined Cao Cao. He became a general in Cao Cao's army along with Cao Ren
Cao Ren
Cao Ren was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty...
, his cousin. After Dong moved the capital 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 Cao set out to attack Chenggao
Chenggao
Chenggao is an ancient city in present day Sishui, which is under the jurisdiction of Xingyang City in Henan Province, People's Republic of China.-References:*Romance of the Three Kingdoms/Chapter 4...
without much assistance, because most of the other generals in the coalition found nothing but a burnt-down 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...
from their initial successes, and were hesitant to engage Dong further. Cao Cao's forces were intercepted in Xingyang
Xingyang
Xingyang , is one of county-level cities of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. It is 15 kilometers in the west of Zhengzhou city and is the nearest city to Zhengzhou as well...
, and were greatly defeated. Xu Rong, a general of Dong Zhuo's army, had injured Cao Cao and killed his horse. At the time Cao Hong asked Cao Cao to take his horse, but the latter once wanted to relinquish his ambition and refused, Cao Hong then strongly rebuked his cousin and said: "The world can do without me, but can't without you!" Hence, Cao Cao got on Cao Hong's horse, and the latter protected Cao Cao on foot, and returned to their base safely.
Middle career
He later served as the vanguard when Cao Cao returned from his campaign against Xu Province to fight Lu BuLü Bu
Lü Bu was a military general and later a minor warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. According to the Records of Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was highly-skilled in horse-riding and archery, and was thus nicknamed "Flying General"...
, who seized most of Yan Province during his leave. Despite initial failure, Cao and Lu went into a stalemate when both sides went out of food. Cao Hong then collected grain from different commanderies to supply the troops. When Cao Cao finally succdeded in driving Lu out of the province, Cao Hong was tasked to pacify the counties loyal to Lu.
After Yan was retrieved, Cao Hong was ordered to convoy Emperor Xian; however, he was defeated by Dong Cheng
Dong Cheng
Dong Cheng was originally a subordinate general of Niu Fu during the late Han Dynasty, and later joined forces with the White Wave Bandits to protect the emperor from the hands of Li Jue and Guo Si. He was also Emperor Xian's father-in-law...
and a slave of Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He rose to prominence following the collapse of the imperial court in 189. He was said to be a younger cousin of the warlord Yuan Shao, but was actually Yuan Shao's younger half-brother...
. When Zhang Xiu
Zhang Xiu
Zhang Xiu was a minor warlord during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He eventually surrendered to Cao Cao in 200. Having contributed greatly to the decisive Battle of Guandu and subsequent campaigns against the heirs of Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu died en route Liucheng on a campaign to...
was welcomed by the people of Nanyang and Zhangling, Cao Hong led a separate command to attack him, but was dealt a major blow and was forced to retreat to Yip, where he was defeated and raided several times. Thus, he requested reinforcement from Cao Cao, who rendered him assistance on defeating Zhang's ally, Liu Biao
Liu Biao
Liu Biao , style name Jingsheng , was a warlord and the governor of Jing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a member of the extended family of the Han Dynasty emperors...
's subordinates around the area.
In the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
, Cao Hong was responsible to act as the second in command. His greatest accomplishment during that battle (in 202) was defending Cao Cao's maincamp from the attack of Zhang He
Zhang He
Zhang He was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period until his death....
and Gao Lan
Gao Lan
Gao Lan was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He fought in many battles and was respected as a brave man by Yuan. He defected to Cao Cao's side after Yuan's defeat in the Battle of Guandu.-Serving Yuan Shao:Cao Cao and Yuan...
when Cao Cao personally led 5,000 cavalry to burn down the supplies of Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
's army at Wuchao.
From 208 to 218, Cao Hong followed Cao Cao in several ill-fated campaigns against the eastern warlord, 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....
, and was reassigned to join the battle
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...
for 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...
against the western warlord, 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...
, in 219, whereins Cao was able to enlist the forces of the Di
Di (ethnic group)
The Di were an ethnic group in China from the 8th century BCE to approximately the middle of the 6th century CE. Note that the character Di is used to differentiate this group from the Beidi , a generic term for "northern barbarians". They lived in areas of the present-day provinces of Gansu,...
living in Yinping (陰平). Assisted by his tactician, Cao Xiu
Cao Xiu
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...
, he defeated the invasion of 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 generals 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...
, and ordered the Di leader Jiang Duan (強端) to deal with the subordinate generals of Zhang and Ma, leading to the death of Wu Lan and Lei Tong
Lei Tong
Lei Tong was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Zhang during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.At one time Lei Tong and Wu Yi both defended against Liu Bei's invasion of Yi Province, but ended up being surrounded and defeated...
. For this accomplishment, he was given the title of Commandant General(都護将軍). However, he was too overjoyed with his success, which Cao Xiu should have the most credit, and held large-scaled celebrations in his camp while his comrade Xiahou Yuan
Xiahou Yuan
Xiahou Yuan was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was killed in the Battle of Mount Dingjun against Liu Bei's general Huang Zhong in 219, and was given the posthumous title of Marquis Min , literally meaning "sympathetic...
was desperately resisting Liu Bei in Nanzheng region. Once, Cao Hong ordered some prostitutes to dance on drums during a banquet, which he invited his officers to attend. During the gathering, his strategist, Yang Fu
Yang Fu
Yang Fu was an official of Cao Wei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was credited with defeating the Liang Province warlord, Ma Chao, and forcing the latter to flee for shelter under the Hanzhong warlord, Zhang Lu...
, angrily came up to him and openly reprimanded his behavior. Cao Hong thus grudgingly called off his favourite show and apologized to Yang.
Friction with others
Cao Hong had a tendency to take advantage of his previous accomplishments in order to further himself and his own position. As well as bragging about what he had done, he also was known to maliciously tease Cao ZhenCao Zhen
Cao Zhen 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. He was also a distant nephew of Cao Cao, though the latter treated him like a son. Cao Zhen participated in many...
, another cousin of Cao Cao, for being overweight. For this behavior, he was admonished by Yang Fu
Yang Fu
Yang Fu was an official of Cao Wei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was credited with defeating the Liang Province warlord, Ma Chao, and forcing the latter to flee for shelter under the Hanzhong warlord, Zhang Lu...
several times. Although Cao Hong's behavior bothered many in the Kingdom of Wei, Cao Cao compared him to Gaozu of Han
Gaozu of Han
Emperor Gao , commonly known within China by his temple name Gaozu , personal name Liu Bang, was the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, ruling over China from 202 BC to 195 BC...
, noting that in love of women and riches, they were the same.
When Cao Cao died and was succeeded by his son, 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...
, Cao Hong's position was put in danger. Years earlier, their relationship had been spoiled when Cao Pi requested a loan from him but was outright refused. When Cao Cao was no longer alive to save him, Cao Pi took the opportunity to have Cao Hong arrested for a crime committed by one of his house guests. Only with the intercession of Empress Dowager Bian
Empress Dowager Bian
Empress Dowager Bian , personal name unknown, formally known as Empress Wuxuan , was an empress dowager of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
was his life spared, but all of Cao Hong's land, possessions, and titles were stripped. However, in 226, when Cao Pi died at the age of 41 and 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...
succeeded him as Emperor of Wei, Cao Hong was given titles of nobility and generalship again and was treated well for the remainder of his days.
He was posthumously awarded the title of Marquis Gong (恭侯), literally meaning the humble marquis.
In fiction
In Romance of the Three KingdomsRomance 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...
, an overly-romanticized account of the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Hong's role in the Battle of Tong Pass
Battle of Tong Pass (211)
The Battle of Tong Pass was fought between the warlord Cao Cao and a coalition of forces from Guanxi from March to September 211 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle was initiated by Cao Cao's western expansion, which triggered uprisings in Guanxi...
against 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...
is prominent. Cao Hong was instructed to guard Tong Pass for ten days at all costs, with strict orders from Cao Cao not to leave his fortifications. After being taunted by Ma Chao's troops for nine days, he gave in to his anger and led his troops out of the pass to do battle. He was soundly defeated, and on top of that the pass was taken by Ma Chao.
Cao Cao was greatly upset by this and ordered Cao Hong's execution but Cao Cao's advisors stopped him. However, very soon afterwards Cao Cao himself was defeated by Ma Chao, and was in danger of losing his life when Cao Hong came to his rescue and fought 100 passes with Ma Chao until losing strength and retreating. His life being saved, Cao Cao forgave Cao Hong's earlier defeat. There is no record of this incident in Records of Three Kingdoms
Records 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...
, the official history text of the period written by Shu general, Chen Shou
Chen Shou
Chen Shou was a historian during the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history. He is best known as the author of Records of Three Kingdoms, a historical account of the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period.-Biography:...
.
Family
- Uncles:
- Cao Ding (曹鼎), served as Chancellor of Hejian, Administrator of Wu Commandery, and Imperial Secretary
- Cao Yu (曹瑜), appointed General of the Guards, granted a marquis title
- Children:
- Cao Fu (曹馥), son, inherited Cao Hong's fief
- Cao Zhen (曹震), son, granted a marquis title
- Lady Xun-Cao (荀曹氏), daughter, married Xun YuXun YuXun Yu was a strategist and statesman who served as an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Early life:...
's son Xun Can (荀粲)
Appointments and titles held
- Soaring Eagle Colonel (鷹揚校尉)
- General of the Household Who Spreads Martial Might (揚武中郎將)
- Counsellor Remonstrant (諫議大夫)
- General of Sharp Edge (厲鋒將軍)
- Marquis of Guoming (國明亭侯)
- Protector General (都護將軍)
- General of the Guards (衛將軍)
- General of Agile Cavalry (驃騎將軍)
- Marquis of Yewang (野王侯)
- Marquis of Duyang (都陽侯)
- General of the Rear (後將軍)
- Marquis of Lecheng (樂城侯)
- Marquis Gong (恭侯) - granted to Cao Hong posthumously