Cao Xiu | |
|---|---|
| 曹休 | |
| Grand Marshal (大司馬) | |
| In office January or February 227 – 228 | |
| Monarch | Cao Rui |
| Governor of Yang Province (揚州牧) | |
| In office 223 – January or February 227 | |
| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| Senior General Who Attacks the East (征東大將軍) | |
| In office 222–223 | |
| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍) | |
| In office 221–222 | |
| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| Inspector of Yang Province (揚州刺史) | |
| In office 221–222 | |
| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| General Who Guards the South (鎮南將軍) | |
| In office 220–221 | |
| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| General Who Leads the Army (領軍將軍) | |
| In office 220 | |
| Monarch | Cao Pi |
| Commandant of the Central Army (中領軍) | |
| In office 219–220 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Cao Cao |
| Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉) | |
| In office 217–219 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Cao Cao |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 29 September 228?[1][a] |
| Resting place | Mengjin County, Henan |
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Children |
|
| Occupation | Military general |
| Courtesy name | Wenlie (文烈) |
| Posthumous name | Marquis Zhuang (壯侯) |
| Peerage | Marquis of Changping (長平侯) |
Cao Xiu (died 29 September 228?[a]), courtesy name Wenlie, was a Chinese military general of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. A distant younger relative of the warlord Cao Cao, Cao Xiu started his career in the late Eastern Han dynasty as a military officer under Cao Cao. In the early stages of the Hanzhong Campaign of 217–219, he outwitted Zhang Fei and defeated his subordinate officer Wu Lan (吳蘭). Later in his career, he became a provincial-level military commander and fought in various battles against Wei's rival state, Eastern Wu. He died in 228 shortly after the Wei defeat at the Battle of Shiting.[1]
Early life[edit]
Cao Xiu was a distant younger relative of Cao Cao. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in the late Eastern Han dynasty, the Cao clan left their ancestral home in Qiao County (譙縣; present-day Bozhou, Anhui) and went in different directions throughout the Han Empire to avoid getting caught up in the chaos.[4]
When Cao Xiu was around 10 years old, his father died and he only had one person to help him arrange for his father to be properly buried. Cao Xiu and his mother crossed the Yangtze to southern China and settled down in Wu Commandery (around present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu).[5] Cao Xiu's grandfather, Cao Chang (曹嘗), had previously served as the Administrator of Wu Commandery. One day, after seeing a portrait of his grandfather in the Administrator's office, Cao Xiu became so overwhelmed by emotions that he knelt down and cried. Everyone present at the scene felt touched when they saw him crying.[6]
Service under Cao Cao[edit]
In 190, Cao Cao was raising an army to join the Guandong Coalition against the warlord Dong Zhuo, who controlled the Han central government and held Emperor Xian hostage. When Cao Xiu heard about it, he adopted a fake identity and travelled via Jing Province to Cao Cao's base in Chenliu Commandery (陳留郡; around present-day Kaifeng, Henan). Cao Cao was pleased to see him and he remarked, "This is the thousand-li horse of my clan."[7]
Cao Cao treated Cao Xiu like a son and even allowed him to live with his own son, Cao Pi. Cao Xiu fought on Cao Cao's side in the various battles against rival warlords throughout the late Eastern Han dynasty. He was also one of the commanders of the elite "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry" (虎豹騎) unit in Cao Cao's army.[8]
Hanzhong Campaign[edit]
In 217, Cao Cao's rival Liu Bei launched a campaign to seize control of Hanzhong Commandery, which was guarded by Cao Cao's general Xiahou Yuan.[9] When Liu Bei sent Wu Lan (吳蘭), one of his officers, to lead troops to garrison at Xiabian County (下辯縣; northwest of present-day Cheng County, Gansu), Cao Cao ordered his cousin Cao Hong to lead an army to attack the enemy. Cao Xiu was commissioned as a Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉) to serve as an adviser to Cao Hong. Before they left, Cao Cao told Cao Xiu, "You may be an adviser, but you're actually the commander." When Cao Hong received the order, he delegated his command to Cao Xiu.[10]
Liu Bei later sent his generals Ma Chao and Zhang Fei to lead troops to Gushan (固山)[9] and station there in an attempt to cut off Cao Hong's retreat route. When Cao Hong and his subordinates were unsure about what Ma Chao and Zhang Fei were trying to do, Cao Xiu pointed out that it was a ruse because the enemy would do so in secret if they really wanted to cut off the retreat route, instead of making it so obvious. He then suggested to Cao Hong to attack Wu Lan at Xiabian County before he could link up with Ma Chao and Zhang Fei, and said that Ma Chao and Zhang Fei would retreat once they learn of Wu Lan's defeat. Cao Hong heeded his suggestion and defeated Wu Lan at Xiabian County. As Cao Xiu foresaw, Ma Chao and Zhang Fei pulled back their troops from Gushan after hearing of Wu Lan's defeat.[11]
In 219, after a prolonged war against Liu Bei, Cao Cao eventually lost Hanzhong Commandery so he ordered his troops to retreat and return to Chang'an. Later, he appointed Cao Xiu as Commandant of the Central Army (中領軍).[9][12]
Service under Cao Pi[edit]
Following Cao Cao's death in March 220, his son Cao Pi succeeded him as the (vassal) King of Wei (魏王) and Imperial Chancellor (丞相) of the Eastern Han dynasty.[13] Cao Pi appointed Cao Xiu as General Who Leads the Army (領軍將軍) and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Dongyang Village (東陽亭侯) in recognition of his past achievements.[14] When Xiahou Dun died in June 220, Cao Pi ordered Cao Xiu to replace Xiahou Dun as the supervisor of all military operations, promoted him to General Who Guards the South (鎮南將軍) and granted him acting imperial authority. He held Cao Xiu's hands while personally seeing him off.[15]
At the time, Cao Pi's rival Sun Quan had sent his forces to garrison at Liyang County (歷陽縣; present-day He County, Anhui) in preparation for an attack on Cao Pi's territories. When Cao Xiu reached his assigned position at Zhaoling County (召陵縣; east of present-day Luohe, Henan), he led his troops to attack Liyang County and succeeded in driving Sun Quan's forces away. Later, he sent his troops to cross the Yangtze and attack and burn down a few thousand enemy camps at Wuhu County (蕪湖縣; east of present-day Wuhu, Anhui).[16]
In late 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the state of Cao Wei with himself assuming the title of emperor.[13] After his coronation, he promoted Cao Xiu to General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍) and appointed him as the Inspector (刺史) of Yang Province. He also elevated Cao Xiu from the status of a village marquis to a district marquis under the title "Marquis of Anyang District" (安陽鄉侯).[17]
Death of Cao Xiu's mother[edit]
When Cao Xiu's mother died, Cao Pi issued an imperial decree to exempt Cao Xiu from the formalities and austere lifestyle of filial mourning, which was customary for officeholders when their parent(s) died. He excused Cao Xiu from wearing mourning garments and gave him permission to consume meat and alcohol. However, when Cao Xiu's health deteriorated due to grief and his desire to return home to Qiao County (譙縣; present-day Bozhou, Anhui) to hold a proper funeral for his mother, Cao Pi approved and sent Xue Qiao (薛喬) as his personal representative to offer his condolences to Cao Xiu and attend the funeral. Cao Xiu settled the funeral arrangements and had his mother properly buried within one day, after which he wanted to return to his post. Before Cao Xiu left, Cao Pi met him in person to comfort and console him. This incident showed how close Cao Pi was to Cao Xiu and how highly he regarded Cao Xiu.[18]
Battle of Dongkou[edit]
In October 222,[13] Cao Pi launched the first of a series of invasions against Eastern Wu, the state founded by his rival, Sun Quan. He promoted Cao Xiu to Senior General Who Attacks the East (征東大將軍), granted him the yellow axe (a ceremonial axe given to newly appointed high-ranking generals), and ordered him, Zhang Liao and others to lead 20 armies to attack Dongkou (洞口; in present-day southern Jiangsu), where they dealt heavy losses to Wu forces led by Lü Fan before having to retreat. Cao Pi later promoted Cao Xiu to Governor of Yang Province.[19]
Service under Cao Rui[edit]
After Cao Pi died in June 226,[20] Cao Xiu continued serving under Cao Rui, Cao Pi's son and successor as the emperor of Wei. Following his coronation, Cao Rui elevated Cao Xiu from the status of a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Changping" (長平侯).[21]
When Wu forces led by Shen De (審悳) garrisoned at Wan (皖; present-day Qianshan County, Anhui), Cao Xiu led Wei forces to attack them and killed Shen De in battle. Two other Wu officers, Han Zong and Zhai Dan (翟丹), brought along their troops and surrendered to Cao Xiu. In recognition of Cao Xiu's achievements, Cao Rui increased the number of taxable households in Cao Xiu's marquisate by 400, bringing the total number to 2,500. Cao Rui also promoted Cao Xiu to Grand Marshal (大司馬) and ordered him to continue supervising military operations in Yang Province.[22]
Battle of Shi'ting[edit]
In 228,[23] as Cao Rui planned to launch an invasion on Wei's rival state Wu, he ordered Sima Yi to lead Wei forces from Jing Province and sail down the Han River to Xunyang County (尋陽縣; southwest of present-day Huangmei County, Hubei) and supervise the invasion. During this time, Cao Xiu fell for a ruse by a Wu military officer Zhou Fang, who pretended to defect to Wei in order to lure Wei forces into a trap. He led his troops deep into enemy territory and suffered a disastrous defeat when they fell into the trap. Cao Xiu managed to retreat to Shiting (石亭; or Shi Village, in present-day Qianshan County, Anhui), but his soldiers started panicking at night and many of them deserted and left behind their weapons, armour and equipment.[24]
Cao Xiu wrote a memorial to Cao Rui to apologise for his blunder and request to be punished. However, Cao Rui not only pardoned him, but also sent Yang Ji (楊曁) as an emissary to console him and continued to regard him as highly as before.[25]
Death[edit]
Cao Xiu died later in 228 from skin infections on his back resulting from the wounds he sustained during the Battle of Shi'ting. Cao Rui honoured with the posthumous title "Marquis Zhuang" (壯侯), which literally means "robust marquis".[26]
Descendants[edit]
Cao Xiu's son, Cao Zhao (曹肇), whose courtesy name was Changsi (長思),[27] inherited his father's peerage and marquisate as the Marquis of Changping (長平侯).[28] Cao Zhao, who was known for being talented and generous, served as a Regular Mounted Attendant (散騎常侍) and Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry (屯騎校尉) in the Cao Wei state. When Cao Rui became critically ill in 238, he wanted to appoint Cao Zhao and Cao Yu as the regents for Cao Fang, his adopted son and successor-to-be. However, later he changed his mind and ordered Cao Zhao to retire and go home. Cao Zhao died in the middle of the Zhengshi era (240–249) of Cao Fang's reign. He was posthumously awarded the appointment General of the Guards (衞將軍). His son, Cao Xing (曹興), succeeded him as the next Marquis of Changping.[29]
Cao Xiu had another son, Cao Cuan (曹纂), who was younger than Cao Zhao. Sometime between 220 and 226, Cao Pi removed 300 taxable households from Cao Xiu's marquisate and used them to create a new marquisate for Cao Cuan. Like his father and elder brother, Cao Cuan served in the Cao Wei state and held the position General Who Destroys Wu (殄吳將軍). After his death, he was posthumously awarded the appointment General of the Vanguard (前將軍).[30]
Cao Xiu had a great-grandson, Cao Shu (曹攄),[b] whose courtesy name was Yanyuan (顏遠) and was a grandson of Cao Zhao. Cao Shu was known for being virtuous, ambitious, knowledgeable and well-read since young. He served under the Jin dynasty (266–420) after the fall of the Cao Wei state in 265 and gained quite a reputation during his tenure as the Prefect of Luoyang. When Sima Jiong was regent for Emperor Hui, Cao Shu and Zuo Si served as his subordinates. Cao Shu later rose through the ranks from a Palace Gentleman (中郎) to the positions of Administrator of Xiangyang (襄陽太守) and Marshal Who Attacks the South (征南司馬). He was killed in battle in 308 while suppressing a rebellion.[31]
Discovery of Cao Xiu's tomb[edit]
In May 2010, archaeologists announced the discovery of Cao Xiu's tomb in Mengjin County, Henan. The tomb, 50 metres long and 21 metres 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, and the man was about 1.71 metres tall. A bronze seal, about the size of a coin and engraved with Cao Xiu's name, revealed the tomb owner's identity.[32]
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms[edit]
In the 14th-century 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 Tong's horse. Ling Tong fell from the horse's back and would have been killed by Yue Jin if Gan Ning had not intervened and saved him.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Cao Rui's biography in the Sanguozhi recorded that Cao Xiu died on the gengzi day of the 9th month of the 2nd year of the Taihe era of Cao Rui's reign.[2] However, no corresponding date exists in the Julian calendar because there was no gengzi day in the 9th month of that year. The nearest gengzi days were 29 September 228 (gengzi day of the 8th month of the 2nd year of Taihe) and 28 November 228 (gengzi day of the 10th month of the 2nd year of Taihe). Sun Quan's biography in the Sanguozhi also recorded that Lu Xun defeated Cao Xiu at Shi'ting in the 8th month of the 7th year of the Huangwu era of his reign.[3] This corresponds to 17 Sep to 15 Oct 228 in the Julian calendar. It was recorded that Cao Xiu died shortly after this defeat. By combining the two observations, Cao Xiu probably died on 29 Sep 228.
- ^ Cao Shu has a biography in Volume 90 of the Book of Jin.
References[edit]
- ^ a b de Crespigny (2007), p. 49.
- ^ ([太和二年九月]庚子，大司馬曹休薨。) Sanguozhi vol. 3.
- ^ ([黃武七年]秋八月，權至皖口，使將軍陸遜督諸將大破休於石亭。) Sanguozhi, vol. 47
- ^ (曹休字文烈，太祖族子也。天下亂，宗族各散去鄉里。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (休年十餘歲，喪父，獨與一客擔喪假葬，攜將老母，渡江至吳。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (魏書曰：休祖父嘗為吳郡太守。休於太守舍見壁上祖父畫像，下榻拜涕泣，同坐者皆嘉歎焉。) Wei Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (以太祖舉義兵，易姓名轉至荊州，閒行北歸，見太祖。太祖謂左右曰：「此吾家千里駒也。」) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (使與文帝同止，見待如子。常從征伐，使領虎豹騎宿衞。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ a b c Zizhi Tongjian vol. 68.
- ^ (劉備遣將吳蘭屯下辯，太祖遣曹洪征之，以休為騎都尉，參洪軍事。太祖謂休曰：「汝雖參軍，其實帥也。」洪聞此令，亦委事於休。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (備遣張飛屯固山，欲斷軍後。衆議狐疑，休曰：「賊實斷道者，當伏兵潛行。今乃先張聲勢，此其不能也。宜及其未集，促擊蘭，蘭破則飛自走矣。」洪從之，進兵擊蘭，大破之，飛果走。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (太祖拔漢中，諸軍還長安，拜休中領軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ a b c Zizhi Tongjian vol. 69.
- ^ (文帝即王位，為領軍將軍，錄前後功，封東陽亭侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (夏侯惇薨，以休為鎮南將軍，假節都督諸軍事，車駕臨送，上乃下輿執手而別。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (孫權遣將屯歷陽，休到，擊破之，又別遣兵渡江，燒賊蕪湖營數千家。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (遷征東將軍，領揚州刺史，進封安陽鄉侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (魏書曰：休喪母至孝。帝使侍中奪喪服，使飲酒食肉，休受詔而形體益憔悴。乞歸譙葬母，帝復遣越騎校尉薛喬奉詔節其憂哀，使歸家治喪，一宿便葬，葬訖詣行在所。帝見，親自寬慰之。其見愛重如此。) Wei Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (帝征孫權，以休為征東大將軍，假黃鉞，督張遼等及諸州郡二十餘軍，擊權大將呂範等於洞浦，破之。拜揚州牧。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian vol. 70.
- ^ (明帝即位，進封長平侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (吳將審悳屯皖，休擊破之，斬悳首，吳將韓綜、翟丹等前後率衆詣休降。增邑四百，并前二千五百戶，遷大司馬，都督揚州如故。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ Zizhi Tongjian vol. 71.
- ^ (太和二年，帝為二道征吳，遣司馬宣王從漢水下，督休諸軍向尋陽。賊將偽降，休深入，戰不利，退還宿石亭。軍夜驚，士卒亂，棄甲兵輜重甚多。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (休上書謝罪，帝遣屯騎校尉楊曁慰諭，禮賜益隆。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (休因此癰發背薨，謚曰壯侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (世語曰：肇字長思。) Shiyu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (子肇嗣。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (肇有當世才度，為散騎常侍、屯騎校尉。明帝寢疾，方與燕王宇等屬以後事。帝意尋變，詔肇以侯歸第。正始中薨。追贈衞將軍。子興嗣。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (初，文帝分休戶三百封肇弟纂為列侯，後為殄吳將軍，薨，追贈前將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ (張隱文士傳曰：肇孫攄，字顏遠，少厲志操，博學有才藻。仕晉，辟公府，歷洛陽令，有能名。大司馬齊王冏輔政，攄與齊人左思俱為記室督。從中郎出為襄陽太守、征南司馬。值天下亂，攄討賊向吳，戰敗死。) Zhang Yin's Wenshi Zhuan annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 9.
- ^ Li, Yajing (18 May 2010). "Three Kingdoms general Cao Xiu's tomb discovered; experts say it is difficult to use DNA to confirm authenticity of Cao Cao's tomb 三国名将曹休墓出土 专家称难用其DNA鉴定曹操墓". ScienceNet.cn (in Chinese). Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms 23-220 AD. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 9789004156050.
- Luo, Guanzhong (14th century). Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).
- Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.