Cao Mao was a grandson of Cao Pi, the first emperor of Wei.
17 Facts About Cao Mao
1.
2.
Cao Mao was killed in an abortive coup d'etat against Sima Zhao.
3.
Cao Mao was a son of Cao Lin, the Prince of Donghai, a son of Cao Pi.
4.
In 244, at the age of three, in accordance with Wei's regulations that the sons of princes were to be instated as dukes, Cao Mao was enfeoffed as the "Duke of Gaogui District".
5.
Sima Shi was forced to agree with her to let Cao Mao be the emperor.
6.
When Cao Mao was summoned to the capital, he acted in accordance with the ceremonies due a duke rather than putting on imperial pretensions immediately until he was enthroned.
7.
Cao Mao issued an imperial edict for Sima Shi's successor, Sima Zhao, to remain at Xuchang using the excuse that the situation at Shouchun was still not completely peaceful.
8.
Cao Mao recalled Sima Zhao's assistant, Fu Gu, to return to the capital with the troops.
9.
In doing so, Cao Mao was hoping that he could reduce Sima Zhao's suspicions against him while winning support from these people.
10.
Cao Mao often held meetings with them to discuss literature.
11.
In 259, Cao Mao received reports of sightings of yellow dragons in two wells.
12.
Cao Mao commented that it was actually a sign of divine disfavour and wrote a poem titled Ode to the Hidden Dragon :.
14.
Cao Mao gathered his associates Wang Shen, Wang Jing and Wang Ye, and announced his plan for a last effort against Sima Zhao to regain his power.
15.
Personally armed with a sword, Cao Mao led his personal guard to go from the palace to attack Sima Zhao.
16.
Sima Zhao forced Empress Dowager Guo to publish an order accusing Cao Mao of plotting to attack her and posthumously strip Cao Mao of rank, in order to present the attack as primarily aimed against the empress dowager rather than himself.
17.
However, Sima Zhao refused so Cao Mao was not buried with honours befitting a prince.