35 Facts About Cao Xiu

Cao Xiu, courtesy name Wenlie, was a Chinese military general of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Cao Xiu died in 228 shortly after the Wei defeat at the Battle of Shiting.

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.

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.

In 190, Cao Xiu Cao Xiu 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.

Cao Xiu fought on Cao Cao's side in the various battles against rival warlords throughout the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Cao Xiu was one of the commanders of the elite "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry" unit in Cao Cao's army.

Cao Xiu was commissioned as a Cavalry Commandant to serve as an adviser to Cao Hong.

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.

Cao Xiu 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 Xiu Hong heeded his suggestion and defeated Wu Lan at Xiabian County.

In 219, after a prolonged war against Liu Bei, Cao Xiu Cao Xiu eventually lost Hanzhong Commandery so he ordered his troops to retreat and return to Chang'an.

Cao Xiu held Cao Xiu's hands while personally seeing him off.

When Cao Xiu reached his assigned position at Zhaoling County, he led his troops to attack Liyang County and succeeded in driving Sun Quan's forces away.

In late 220, Cao Xiu Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the state of Cao Xiu Wei with himself assuming the title of emperor.

Cao Xiu elevated Cao Xiu from the status of a village marquis to a district marquis under the title "Marquis of Anyang District".

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 died.

Cao Xiu 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 to hold a proper funeral for his mother, Cao Pi approved and sent Xue Qiao 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.

Cao Xiu promoted Cao Xiu to Senior General Who Attacks the East, granted him the yellow axe, and ordered him, Zhang Liao and others to lead 20 armies to attack Dongkou, where they dealt heavy losses to Wu forces led by Lu Fan before having to retreat.

When Wu forces led by Shen De garrisoned at Wan, Cao Xiu led Wei forces to attack them and killed Shen De in battle.

In 228, as Cao Xiu 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 and supervise the invasion.

Cao Xiu 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, but his soldiers started panicking at night and many of them deserted and left behind their weapons, armour and equipment.

Cao Xiu wrote a memorial to Cao Rui to apologise for his blunder and request to be punished.

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 Xiu Rui honoured with the posthumous title "Marquis Zhuang", which literally means "robust marquis".

Cao Xiu Zhao died in the middle of the Zhengshi era of Cao Xiu Fang's reign.

Cao Xiu was posthumously awarded the appointment General of the Guards.

Cao Xiu had another son, Cao Cuan, who was younger than Cao Zhao.

Cao Xiu had a great-grandson, Cao Shu, whose courtesy name was Yanyuan and was a grandson of Cao Zhao.

Cao Xiu Shu was known for being virtuous, ambitious, knowledgeable and well-read since young.

Cao Xiu was killed in battle in 308 while suppressing a rebellion.