Cao Shuang
Encyclopedia
Cao Shuang style name
Zhaobo (昭伯), 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
. He initially held great power in Cao Wei as the Grand Commander but later, he lost his power to Sima Yi
and was executed on charges of treason.
grew ill, he resolved to pass the throne to Cao Fang. He initially wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu (曹宇), to serve as the lead regent, along with Xiahou Xian (夏侯獻), Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao (曹肇), and Qin Lang (秦朗). However, his trusted officials Liu Fang (劉放) and Sun Zi (孫資) were unfriendly with Xiahou Xian and Cao Zhao and were apprehensive about their becoming regents, and managed to persuade him to make Cao Shuang (with whom they were friendly) and Sima Yi (who was then with his troops at Ji (汲縣, in modern Xinxiang, Henan) regents instead. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao, and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency. As a result, Cao Shuang rose to power. However, Cao Shuang was clearly inadequate for the important job assigned to him. When Cao Rui
asked him if could do it, Cao Shuang was so nervous that he could not even say a word to answer and finally, it was Sima Yi answered for him, promising Cao Rui that they would do their best and Cao Rui would have nothing to worry about.
Despite his inability, Cao Shuang and his brothers, Cao Xi
and Cao Xun
wielded great power in Cao Wei, and he was often at conflict with Sima Yi
, who had greater influence and support. In 243, Sima Yi's position further strengthened by another successful deployment: Zhuge Ke
of Eastern Wu
was constantly sending agents to Shouchun to prepare an invasion, so Sima Yi
led Cao Wei
forces to Shu county (舒县) of Lujiang Shire (庐江郡), near the border. Hearing the news, Sun Quan
immediately ordered Zhuge Ke
to withdraw to Chaisang County (柴桑县) Yuzhang Shire (豫章郡). Sima Yi's popularity and influence instantly multiplied as he was cheered as being able to scare away the enemy numbering over a hundred thousand without a fight and thus secured the border and saved the city from certain attack. Alarmed, Cao Shuang used his greater authority than Sima Yi, to persuade the emperor, Cao Fang
, as a reward, to promote Sima Yi to the rank of Grand Tutor (太傅), which actually meant that Sima was in an honorary position and was left without any real authority in military affairs.
Cao Shuang was desperate for a victory to boost his own fame, and he selected Shu Han
as his target. Leading an army numbering more than sixty thousand, Cao Shuang invaded Shu Han in March, 244. However, two months later, he was soundly defeated by Wang Ping
and Fei Yi
in the Battle of Xingshi
, and was barely able to escape back to Guanzhong
with his own life. The most devastating result, however, was that Cao Shuang lost more than one hundred and twenty thousand troops, or fifteen percent of the total armed troops of Cao Wei's eight hundred thousand army, a serious blow that could not be recovered. Furthermore, most of the lost troops were the crack units of Cao Wei. Cao Shuang's popularity and influence was dropped to a new low as his military defeat, while in the same time, Sima Yi
's popularity and influence further increased for his opposition to the campaign from the start. To fool Cao Shuang into letting down his guard, Sima Yi stopped any political activities in May 247 and later retired, and he would go further to pretend to be ill and senile. In the winter of 248, Cao Shuang's protege Li Sheng was named as the administrator of Jingzhou
, and before he left for his position, Cao Shuang sent Li Sheng to check on Sima Yi. Cao Shuang and his followers overjoyed when Li reported that Sima Yi was indeed ill and dying, that he could not even hear clearly what he said.
Cao Shuang sensed that Sima Yi no longer posed a threat to him and drew his attention away from Sima. On January 6, 249, Cao Shuang and his brothers left the capital city to accompany the child emperor Cao Fang
to pay respect to Cao Rui
at his resting place at Gaoping Tomb (高平陵), and they continued to stay out on a hunting expedition. Sima Yi and his sons launched a coup d'état
and seized control of the capital city by first closing all the city gates. Sima then assigned his proteges to take over the positions held by Cao Shuang's brothers after taking the armory: Excellency over the Masses (司徒) Gao Rou
replaced Cao Shuang, and Imperial Herdsman (太仆) Wang Guan (王观) replaced Cao Xi
to command the imperial bodyguards. Sima Yi went to see the Empress Dowager, requesting her to give an order to arrest Cao Shuang and his brothers on charges of treason.
Huan Fan
, an advisor of Cao Shuang, escaped with the seal signifying the power of Grand Commander and brought it to Cao Shuang. Cao Shuang was in a dilemma, unsure whether to surrender his power or not. Cao Shuang's family and loved ones were in Sima Yi's control, and Sima Yi promised that Cao Shuang would not be harmed, as Sima was only after Cao's power. Eventually, Cao Shuang agreed to surrender and give up his power. On January 10, 249, Cao Shuang returned to Luoyang
, the capital of Cao Wei and his fate was sealed. Once having gained power, Sima Yi had Cao Shuang and his brothers arrested on charges of treason, then had them executed. Sima Yi refused to take the position of Imperial Chancellor awarded to him, and remained as Grand Tutor (太傅).
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Zhaobo (昭伯), was a military general, politician and regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of 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 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 was the son of Cao Zhen
Cao 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...
. He initially held great power in Cao Wei as the Grand Commander but later, he lost his power to 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...
and was executed on charges of treason.
Biography
Around the new year of 239, when 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...
grew ill, he resolved to pass the throne to Cao Fang. He initially wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu (曹宇), to serve as the lead regent, along with Xiahou Xian (夏侯獻), Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao (曹肇), and Qin Lang (秦朗). However, his trusted officials Liu Fang (劉放) and Sun Zi (孫資) were unfriendly with Xiahou Xian and Cao Zhao and were apprehensive about their becoming regents, and managed to persuade him to make Cao Shuang (with whom they were friendly) and Sima Yi (who was then with his troops at Ji (汲縣, in modern Xinxiang, Henan) regents instead. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao, and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency. As a result, Cao Shuang rose to power. However, Cao Shuang was clearly inadequate for the important job assigned to him. When 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...
asked him if could do it, Cao Shuang was so nervous that he could not even say a word to answer and finally, it was Sima Yi answered for him, promising Cao Rui that they would do their best and Cao Rui would have nothing to worry about.
Despite his inability, Cao Shuang and his brothers, Cao Xi
Cao Xi
Cao Xi was the second son of Cao Zhen, an officer who served the Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Ancient China. Cao Xi was also the younger brother of Cao Shuang....
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...
wielded great power in Cao Wei, and he was often at conflict with 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...
, who had greater influence and support. In 243, Sima Yi's position further strengthened by another successful deployment: 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...
of 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...
was constantly sending agents to Shouchun to prepare an invasion, so 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...
led 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...
forces to Shu county (舒县) of Lujiang Shire (庐江郡), near the border. Hearing the news, 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....
immediately ordered 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...
to withdraw to Chaisang County (柴桑县) Yuzhang Shire (豫章郡). Sima Yi's popularity and influence instantly multiplied as he was cheered as being able to scare away the enemy numbering over a hundred thousand without a fight and thus secured the border and saved the city from certain attack. Alarmed, Cao Shuang used his greater authority than Sima Yi, to persuade the emperor, Cao Fang
Cao Fang
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 after he was deposed by the regent Sima Shi...
, as a reward, to promote Sima Yi to the rank of Grand Tutor (太傅), which actually meant that Sima was in an honorary position and was left without any real authority in military affairs.
Cao Shuang was desperate for a victory to boost his own fame, and he selected 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...
as his target. Leading an army numbering more than sixty thousand, Cao Shuang invaded Shu Han in March, 244. However, two months later, he was soundly defeated by Wang Ping
Wang Ping
Wang Ping , style name Zijun , was a Cao Wei officer who later defected to Liu Bei, and served as a general under Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Service under Cao Cao:...
and Fei Yi
Fei Yi
Fei Yi, style name Wenwei , was an official of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He succeeded Jiang Wan as regent of Shu Han, and avoided major expedition against rival state, Cao Wei...
in the Battle of Xingshi
Battle of Xingshi
The Battle of Xingshi was a failed invasion on the state of Shu Han by its rival Cao Wei in 244 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, and was barely able to escape back to Guanzhong
Guanzhong
Guanzhong , or Guanzhong Plain, is a historical region of China corresponding to the lower valley of the Wei River. It is called Guanzhong or 'within the passes' to distinguish it from 'Guandong' or 'east of the pass', that is, the North China Plain. The North China Plain is bordered on the west by...
with his own life. The most devastating result, however, was that Cao Shuang lost more than one hundred and twenty thousand troops, or fifteen percent of the total armed troops of Cao Wei's eight hundred thousand army, a serious blow that could not be recovered. Furthermore, most of the lost troops were the crack units of Cao Wei. Cao Shuang's popularity and influence was dropped to a new low as his military defeat, while in the same time, 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...
's popularity and influence further increased for his opposition to the campaign from the start. To fool Cao Shuang into letting down his guard, Sima Yi stopped any political activities in May 247 and later retired, and he would go further to pretend to be ill and senile. In the winter of 248, Cao Shuang's protege Li Sheng was named as the administrator of Jingzhou
Jingzhou
Jingzhou is a prefecture-level city in Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. The city is located on the banks of the Yangtze River.Its population is 5,691,707 at the 2010 census whom 1,154,086 in the built up area made of 3 urban districts.-Geography:Jingzhou occupies an area of...
, and before he left for his position, Cao Shuang sent Li Sheng to check on Sima Yi. Cao Shuang and his followers overjoyed when Li reported that Sima Yi was indeed ill and dying, that he could not even hear clearly what he said.
Cao Shuang sensed that Sima Yi no longer posed a threat to him and drew his attention away from Sima. On January 6, 249, Cao Shuang and his brothers left the capital city to accompany the child emperor Cao Fang
Cao Fang
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 after he was deposed by the regent Sima Shi...
to pay respect to 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 his resting place at Gaoping Tomb (高平陵), and they continued to stay out on a hunting expedition. Sima Yi and his sons launched a coup d'état
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...
and seized control of the capital city by first closing all the city gates. Sima then assigned his proteges to take over the positions held by Cao Shuang's brothers after taking the armory: Excellency over the Masses (司徒) Gao Rou
Gao Rou
Gao Rou , style name Wenhui , was a minister of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was a younger cousin of Gao Gan. Gao Rou was known as the Minister of Interior...
replaced Cao Shuang, and Imperial Herdsman (太仆) Wang Guan (王观) replaced Cao Xi
Cao Xi
Cao Xi was the second son of Cao Zhen, an officer who served the Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Ancient China. Cao Xi was also the younger brother of Cao Shuang....
to command the imperial bodyguards. Sima Yi went to see the Empress Dowager, requesting her to give an order to arrest Cao Shuang and his brothers on charges of treason.
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...
, an advisor of Cao Shuang, escaped with the seal signifying the power of Grand Commander and brought it to Cao Shuang. Cao Shuang was in a dilemma, unsure whether to surrender his power or not. Cao Shuang's family and loved ones were in Sima Yi's control, and Sima Yi promised that Cao Shuang would not be harmed, as Sima was only after Cao's power. Eventually, Cao Shuang agreed to surrender and give up his power. On January 10, 249, Cao Shuang returned to 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...
, the capital of Cao Wei and his fate was sealed. Once having gained power, Sima Yi had Cao Shuang and his brothers arrested on charges of treason, then had them executed. Sima Yi refused to take the position of Imperial Chancellor awarded to him, and remained as Grand Tutor (太傅).
Appointments and titles held
- Gentleman of Scattered Cavalry (散騎侍郎)
- Colonel of the City Gates (城門校尉)
- Attendant of Scattered Cavalry (散騎常侍)
- General of the Military Guards (武衛將軍)
- Marquis of Shaoling (邵陵侯) - inherited by Cao Shuang from his father Cao Zhen
- General-in-Chief (大將軍)
- Imperial Secretary (錄尚書事)
- Palace Attendant (侍中)
- Marquis of Wu'an (武安侯)