Cao Cao

曹操 (魏武帝)

["Warlord", "Chancellor of Han", "Poet", "Founder of Wei"]

Born c. 155 CE

Qiao County (Bozhou), Eastern Han Dynasty

Passed Away Mar 15, 0220 Luoyang, Eastern Han Dynasty

Lifespan 65 years old

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Notice / Correction

"I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me."

Archival Overview

Brilliant Chinese warlord, statesman, and poet who laid the foundations of the Kingdom of Wei, famed for his military genius in the Three Kingdoms era and victory at the Battle of Guandu.

Biographical Record

Cao Cao (155–220 CE) rose during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, securing control of the imperial capital and Emperor Xian of Han under the strategy 'holding the Emperor to command the feudal lords.' In 200 CE, at the Battle of Guandu, he routed Yuan Shao's vastly superior army through a daring night raid on their grain depot at Wuchao.

Unifying northern China, Cao Cao governed meritocratically, recruiting officers regardless of aristocratic birth. Despite his defeat by Liu Bei and Sun Quan at the naval Battle of Red Cliffs in 208 CE, his state of Cao Wei remained the dominant power of the Three Kingdoms. He was also one of classical China's greatest poets.

Key Life Milestones

0200

Battle of Guandu

Decisively routed Yuan Shao's larger army at Wuchao, unifying northern China under his rule.

0208

Battle of Red Cliffs (Chibi)

Commanded the massive northern expedition against southern allied forces along the Yangtze River.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Gaoling Mausoleum (Cao Cao Tomb)
Anyang (Henan), China

                         GPS: 36.2417, 114.2833                    

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