Cao Ang
Template:Infobox Three Kingdoms biography Template:Chinese name Cao Ang (ca. 177-197)[1] 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. Little was documented about his early life except that he was recommended as xiaolian¹ at nineteen.
In 197, Cao Ang followed his father on a campaign to take the province of Jingzhou (荆州, present day Hubei and Hunan). Zhang Xiu, a minor warlord who occupied Wancheng (宛城, present day Nanyang, Henan), surrendered to Cao Cao. Cao Cao then took the wife of Zhang Xiu's late uncle as a concubine, which made Zhang Xiu very displeased. When Cao Cao learnt of this, he secretly plotted to murder Zhang Xiu. However, the plan leaked out and Zhang Xiu took the initiative to attack Cao Cao's camp.
Caught by surprise, Cao Cao's troops were overwhelmed by the enemy. During the frantic retreat, Cao Cao's horse was badly wounded by stray arrows and could not carry him further. Cao Ang then offered his horse to Cao Cao, who managed to escape.
However, Cao Ang and his cousin Cao Anmin (曹安民) were killed by the enemy. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms he is shot to death by archers.
Cao Ang was not survived by any sons. Therefore Cao Pi, after he ascended the throne, decreed his brother Cao Jun's (曹均) son Cao Wan (曹琬) to succeed Cao Ang.
¹ During the Han Dynasty, entry to official posts was mostly based on recommendations. Each commandery was given an annual quota to recommend talented and morally upright youths, known as xiaolian, literally meaning filial and honest.
Family
- Father: Cao Cao
- Mother: Lady Liu (劉夫人), Lady Ding's servant, later became Cao Cao's concubine, died of illness at a young age
- Foster mother: Lady Ding (丁夫人), Cao Cao's first wife, raised Cao Ang. She fell out with Cao Cao after Cao Ang's death.
- Siblings:
- Cao Shuo (曹鑠), younger brother, died at a young age
- Princess Qinghe (清河長公主), younger sister, married to Xiahou Mao
- Descendants:
- Cao Wan (曹琬), son of Cao Ang's younger half-brother Cao Jun (曹均), continued Cao Ang's family line
- Cao Lian (曹廉), son of Cao Wan
Titles held
- All the following titles were granted to Cao Ang posthumously
- Duke Dao of Feng (豐悼公)
- Prince Dao of Feng (豐悼王)
- Prince Min (愍王)
See also
References
- ^ de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A biographical dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23–220 AD). Brill. p. 33. ISBN 978-90-04-15605-0.
- Chen Shou (2002). San Guo Zhi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80665-198-5.