Cao Ren
Encyclopedia
Cao Ren was a military general serving 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...

 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...

 and 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 played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty. He was also credited with the establishment 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...

, and was assigned as the Grand Commander when 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...

 ascended the throne.

Early life and career

Born in the county of Qiao (谯, present day Bozhou
Bozhou
Bozhou is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Anhui province, People's Republic of China. It borders Huaibei to the northeast, Bengbu to the southeast, Huainan to the south, Fuyang to the southwest, and the province of Henan to the north.-Administration:...

, 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...

), Cao Ren was a younger cousin of Cao Cao. His grandfather and father had both held civil and military posts for Eastern Han. Cao Ren was fond of hunting on horseback and archery, and behaved unlawfully in his youth. During 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...

, he gathered more than a thousand young men under his flag and wandered the area between Huai River
Huai River
The Huai River is a major river in China. The Huai River is located about mid-way between the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the two largest rivers in China, and like them runs from west to east...

 and Si River
Si River
The Si River is a watercourse located in Shandong Province, China. It rises in the southern foothills of the Mengshan Mountains then flows through Sishui County, and the cities of Qufu and Yanzhou before emptying into Lake Nanyang...

 (泗水).

In 190, Cao Cao started 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...

, the tyrannical warlord who was holding the emperor hostage in the imperial capital of 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 Ren and his followers then joined Cao Cao. Throughout the early 190s he accompanied Cao Cao on various campaigns around northern China, against Dong Zhuo, 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...

, Tao Qian
Tao Qian (Three Kingdoms)
Tao Qian was a warlord and the governor of Xu Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Early life and career:...

 (陶谦) and Lü Bu
Lü 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"...

. Although many hardships were experienced, Cao Cao largely defeated most of his enemies in central China, and Cao Ren had shown his talent during these early campaigns, often leading a separate command to accomplish his tasks. He was particularly credited most in the campaign against Tao, which he led the vanguard in battles to slaughter anyone on his way.

Middle career

In 196, after Cao Cao was entrusted with the custody of Emperor Xian in Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....

, he gave Cao Ren the position of Grand Administrator of Guangyang (广阳太守). However, Cao Ren never exercised governorship over his jurisdiction because he was retained in Xuchang as Cao Cao had better use of his military skills. Next year, Cao Ren followed Cao Cao to attack 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...

, and was authorized to lead a separate command to raid the counties around, where he hijacked and enslaved several thousand residents. Zhang feigned surrender upon Cao Cao's arrival outside Wan
Wan
Wan may refer to:Gaming/Computers*Common acronym WANPeople*Wan , a Chinese surname*Wan is a common name for the people that originate from the states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, in Malaysia...

, and attacked his camp one night. Caught unprepared, Cao Cao lost many troops and several trusted subjects, including his bodyguard Dian Wei
Dian Wei
Dian Wei was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Famed for his enormous strength, Dian Wei excelled in wielding dual halberds, each of which was said to weigh 40 jin...

, his own eldest son Cao Ang
Cao Ang
Cao Ang was the eldest son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao. He was killed during the Battle of Wancheng after giving up his horse to his father during their escape.-Biography:Cao Ang was born to Cao Cao and Lady Liu...

, and beloved nephew Cao An'man. Zhang Xiu then pursued Cao Cao as the latter retreated north. When the morale was low, Cao Ren inspired the soldiers and encouraged them to fight, and the Cao forces eventually repelled Zhang in a counterattack.

During 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...

 in 200, 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...

 sent 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...

 with an army to support the rebellions against Cao Cao in Yinjiang (氵隱 疆; southwest of modern Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....

), roughly 8.3 km south of the capital. Cao Cao became concerned about such developments being on his doorstep, so he sent Cao Ren to quell the uprising. Cao Ren observed that Liu Bei could not have too much control over his new men given by Yuan Shao, and targeted the rebel leader Liu Pi and had him killed in battle; Liu Bei was subsequently defeated. Yuan then tried to cut off Cao Cao from the west by sending Han Meng (韓猛) southwest. Cao Ren again responded to the threat by defeating Han at Mount Jiluo (雞洛山; 50 li northeast of Mi county, Henan). He then led a cavalry with Shi Huan (史渙) to harass Yuan's line of supply as a countermove.

Effort to defend Jiangling

In 208, after he lost the Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...

 to the southern 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....

, Cao Cao retreated north, leaving Cao Ren and Xu Huang
Xu Huang
Xu Huang was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He served the state of Cao Wei, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao Pi, during the Three Kingdoms period...

 to defend the strategic city of Jiangling against the advance of 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...

 troops. The enemy commander Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...

 dispatched a several thousand-strong vanguard force to challenge them under the city wall. Realizing the morale was low after the heavy loss at Red Cliff, Cao Ren sent his aide Niu Jin
Niu Jin
Niu Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period.-Biography:...

 (牛金) with 300 volunteers into battle, in hope they would display bravery and boost the morale, however, Niu was soon surrounded, whereupon Cao Ren rode out with dozens of horsemen and successfully rescued his subordinate. Upon his return, Cao Ren's subjects exclaimed, "General, you are truly a man from Heaven!" He then sent a strong cavalry force to besiege Sun Quan's general, 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:...

 at Yiling. The subsequent development of the battle was much to his disappointment: Zhou led most of the main force to Gan's rescue and destroyed his cavalry; while Cao Ren himself, along with Xu Huang, were not able to take Zhou's weakened maincamp guarded by 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...

. After a year of intense fighting, the loss on Cao Cao's side had accumulated to an unbearable level, and Cao Ren was ordered to retreat.

Cao Ren then joined Cao Cao's campaign on pacifying Liang Province, and was appointed as the Commander to oversee the defense of Tong Pass before Cao Cao's arrival at the battlefield. After the subjugation of some local uprisings, Cao Ren was given the staff of authority and held the position of General who Conquers the South (征南将军) and garrisoned at Fan (樊), a city on the shores of the Han River
Han River (Hanshui)
The Han River is a left tributary of the Yangtze River with a length of 1532 km. Historically it was referred to as Hànshuǐ and the name is still occasionally used today....

 that is vital to the defense of Luoyang from the direction of Jing Province.

Effort to defend Fan

In 219, Liu Bei's most trusted general Guan Yu
Guan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...

 came in force to take Fan. Cao Ren was able to remain his line of defense with the help from Yu Jin
Yu Jin
Yu Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He joined Cao in the early years of the civil wars that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty...

 and Pang De
Pang De
Pang De was a military general during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served different warlords during his life-span, including the Han Dynasty imperial court under Emperor Ling; the Liang Province forces led by Han Sui and Ma Teng; the Hanzhong warlord, Zhang Lu; and the...

 at the onset of the siege. However, heavy rain in summer caused the Han River to flood, as a consequence, the entirety of Yu's ground force was captured by Guan's navy. In addition to that, most of the food stock was destroyed by the flood, and the remaining was depleting fast. Since Xu Huang refused to lead the reinforcement to the scene right away, Cao Ren once thought about giving up Fan fortress, but his strategist, Man Chong
Man Chong
Man Chong , style name Boning , was an official of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...

 reminded him that the water level would go down sooner or later and that Sun Quan would attack Guan's rear any time; thus, Cao Ren told his men that he was willing to defend the city with his own life, and everyone was touched, and agreed to hold out until Xu made his move. By the time the flood subsided, Xu had already defeated Guan Yu. Most generals requested pursuit, but Man told Cao Ren to abort further pursuit to let Guan retreat and battle with Sun Quan, and Cao Ren agreed to Man's strategy.

Late life and career

After 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...

 succeeded Cao Cao, he made Cao Ren Grand General, and later promoted him to the Minister of War (大司马) to oversee the numerous armies along 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...

. Cao Ren established his headquarter in Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...

, and launched an all-out offensive against Sun Quan's general at Ruxukou during the three-pronged attack coordinated by Cao Pi. However, the defender of Ruxukou, Zhu Huan
Zhu Huan
Zhu Huan was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. Although joining the southern warlord, Sun Quan, early on, Zhu Huan was not assigned important tasks until Sun had solidified his influence after the Battle of Jiangling in 209. Henceforth, Zhu Huan was...

, decisively defeated Cao Ren with a much smaller force.

Cao Ren died in 223 and was posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis Zhong, literally meaning the loyal marquis. Indeed this was largely how he was remembered – a steadfastly loyal commander who obeyed and enforced laws and commands strictly.

Family

  • Grandfather: Cao Bao (曹褒), served as Administrator of Yingchuan

  • Father: Cao Chi (曹熾), served as Palace Attendant and Colonel of Changshui, posthumously granted title of Marquis of Chenmu.

  • Siblings:
    • Cao Chun
      Cao Chun
      Cao Chun was a cavalry general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He commanded the elite mounted force – the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry – in several campaigns against Yuan Tan, Tadun and Liu Bei.-Biography:Cao Chun was a younger...

      , younger brother, served Cao Cao

  • Children:
    • Cao Tai (曹泰), oldest son, appointed General Who Suppresses the East, granted title of Marquis of Ningling
    • Cao Kai (曹楷), second son, granted a marquis title
    • Cao Fan (曹范), third son, granted a marquis title

  • Grandchildren:
    • Cao Chu (曹初), son of Cao Tai

Appointments and titles held

  • Senior Major (別部司馬)
  • Colonel of Sharp Edge (厲鋒校尉)
  • Administrator of Guangyang (廣陽太守)
  • Marquis of Du (都亭侯)
  • General Who Attacks the South (征南將軍)
  • Marquis of Anping (安平亭侯)
  • General Who Pacifies the West (安西將軍)
  • General of Agile Cavalry (驍騎將軍)
  • General of Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍)
  • Marquis of Chen (陳侯)
  • General-in-Chief (大將軍)
  • Grand Marshal (大司馬)
  • Marquis Zhong (忠侯) - granted to Cao Ren posthumously

Modern references

Cao Ren is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors
Dynasty Warriors
is a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...

and Warriors Orochi
Warriors Orochi
, is a PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 hack and slash video game developed by Koei and Omega Force. It is a crossover of two of Koei's popular video game series, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors...

video game series.
In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering
Magic: The Gathering , also known as Magic, is the first collectible trading card game created by mathematics professor Richard Garfield and introduced in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast. Magic continues to thrive, with approximately twelve million players as of 2011...

there is a card named "Cao Ren, Wei Commander" in the Portal Three Kingdoms
Portal Three Kingdoms
Portal Three Kingdoms is the third Magic: The Gathering expansion of the Portal block, and the third starter level set. Like the other expansions in the Portal block, Portal: Three Kingdoms is designed for beginners to Magic. The setting is heavily based on the Chinese historical novel Romance of...

set.
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