Cao Shuang, courtesy name Zhaobo, was a Chinese military general and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
14 Facts About Cao Shuang
1.
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Cao Shuang was the eldest son of Cao Zhen, a prominent general of Cao Wei.
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Cao Shuang initially held great power in Cao Wei as General-in-Chief but later lost his power to Sima Yi in the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs and was executed on charges of treason.
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Around 239, when the Wei emperor Cao Rui became critically ill, he resolved to pass the throne to his adopted son, Cao Fang.
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Cao Shuang initially wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu, to serve as the lead regent, along with Xiahou Xian, Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang.
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However, his trusted officials Liu Fang and Sun Zi, who were unfriendly with Xiahou Xian and Cao Shuang Zhao, became apprehensive upon hearing that Cao Shuang Rui wanted to appoint them as regents.
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However, Cao Shuang was clearly inadequate for the important task assigned to him.
8.
Cao Shuang was often at odds with his co-regent Sima Yi, who had greater influence and support.
9.
Cao Shuang, feeling insecure over Sima Yi's triumph, managed to persuade the emperor Cao Fang to promote Sima Yi to the position of Grand Tutor.
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Cao Shuang was desperate for a victory to boost his own fame so he selected Shu Han, Wei's other rival state, as his target.
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Cao Shuang went on further to pretend to be ill and senile.
12.
Cao Shuang sensed that Sima Yi no longer posed a threat to him and started to lower his guard against the latter.
13.
Huan Fan, one of Cao Shuang's advisers, managed to escape from Luoyang with the official seal of General-in-Chief and bring it to Cao Shuang.
14.
However, after Sima Yi promised him that he and his family would not be harmed, Cao Shuang surrendered and relinquished his power to Sima Yi.