Cao Cao

Cao Cao
Dynasty Warriors 9 artwork
Character Information
Force(s):	Han Wei
Age:	36
Height:	175 cm (5'9")
Weapon Type:	Jian
Significant Battle(s):	Yellow Turban Rebellion Ten Eunuch's Rebellion Sishui Gate Hulao Gate Yan Province Kuangting Xu Province Puyang Dingtao Wan Castle Xiapi Shouchun Guandu Siege of Ye Mt. Bailang Changban Chibi Huarong Trail Tong Gate Ruxukou Yangping Gate Hanzhong
Playable Debut:	Dynasty Warriors
Historical Information
Real name:	Cáo Cāo
Chinese name:	曹操
Style name:	Mèngdé
Chinese name:	孟德
Born:	July 18, 155
Died:	March 15, 220
Posthumously known as Emperor Wu (武皇帝). Former name was "Jili" (吉利).
Warriors Orochi Info
Force:	Wei
Stage:	Yamazaki (WO1) Initially available (WO2) Fan Castle (WO3)
Character Type:	Speed (WO1~2) Technique (WO3~4)
Personal Item:	Journal of Cao Cao
Sacred Treasure:	Lævateinn

Cao Cao (onyomi: Sō Sō) was the Chancellor of the Han Dynasty who laid the foundations for the future Kingdom of Wei. A clean-cut, tall, and crafty individual, Cao Cao excelled in war and politics. He was loved and feared for his perceptiveness and swift retaliations, as well as his very close relationship with many of his retainers. Chen Shou commented that he was a leader who possessed a unique mindset and was a timeless hero.

However, Cao Cao was widely criticized for monopolizing the Emperor's authority, which ultimately contributed to his failure to unify the country following his defeat at the Battle of Chibi. This made him a controversial figure in his time. His rivals and enemies often labeled him as a treacherous individual with intentions to eventually usurp the throne. Nevertheless, he never became Emperor during his lifetime.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms famously villainizes him to be a hot-blooded, sly, yet occasionally dumbfounded schemer who sometimes survived his hardships on luck alone, said to be from the heavens themselves being right beside him. His legitimate successor is Cao Pi, born from his consort Bianshi. Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong are his well-known cousins.

His Dynasty Warriors incarnation ranked in seventeenth place in Gamecity's Dynasty Warriors 7 character popularity poll and is twenty-sixth in the Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends popularity poll. In Famitsu's character survey, he is the number one character fans would want as their boss. The latest poll for the eighth installment puts him in fifteenth. The character poll for overseas fans puts him in third place for the Wei division and fourteenth in the semi-final round.

His character's height in Kessen II is 180 cm (5'11"). In recorded history, he was 155 cm (5'1").

Role in Games

"Well fought, you who would be Emperor."

~~Nu Wa; Warriors Orochi 2

Dynasty Warriors

Cao Cao is a leader who dedicates himself to his ambitions. Beginning his career as a Han retainer during the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he quickly builds a name for himself as a capable commander. When Dong Zhuo seizes power over the Han and the Emperor, Cao Cao nominates childhood friend Yuan Shao as the leader of a coalition of warlords seeking to oppose him. After Dong Zhuo's death, Cao Cao quickly grows in power, attracting a myriad of capable generals and brilliant advisors while bolstering his army with remnants of the Yellow Turbans. He launches a devastating punitive campaign against Xu Province and Tao Qian as revenge for the death of his father, building a reputation as a cunning, ruthless and cruel figure. He succeeds in subduing Zhang Xiu at Wan Castle and defeating Lu Bu at Xiapi, consolidating his position by taking Emperor Xian into his custody. Using the Emperor as a puppet, he wields Han authority as Prime Minister to legitimize his expansion and stand opposed to a powerful Yuan Shao, who has united Hebei and looks poised to conquer the whole land. They face one another at Guandu, where Cao Cao ultimately wins a decisive victory before defeating Yuan Shao's disunited heirs and conquering Hebei.

As the largest force of power in the land, he then targets Liu Bei, who has fled from Cao Cao and taken refuge in Jing Province under Liu Biao. Despite the latter passing and his successor surrendering Jing, Liu Bei refuses to give in and flees alongside a massive following of loyal citizenry. Cao Cao chases them to Changban, where Liu Bei and his people barely escape his grasp. Cao Cao then finishes building a massive naval fleet to conquer the southern territories of Wu and ultimately unite the land. Despite his superior numbers; however, his naval fleet suffers a decisive defeat at Chibi to the combined forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei. Cao Cao himself barely escapes with his life due to the mercy of Guan Yu, Liu Bei's sworn-brother and Cao Cao's former guest-general. Cao Cao ultimately must abandon his plans for the South and recuperate his immense losses.

Despite the immense defeat, Cao Cao is able to rebound from the loss and consolidate control over his territory and the Han court. After discovering a possible plot against his life, he lures Western warlord Ma Teng to the capital and executes him along with his kin. His order leads to the rebellion of Ma Teng's son Ma Chao, who unites with Han Sui and other Guanzhong warlords to oppose Cao Cao. Cao Cao manipulates his old relationship with Han Sui to sow distrust and win a massive victory at Tong Gate, conquering the Northwest. Cao Cao then forces Hanzhong warlord Zhang Lu to surrender, with his new territory now bordering the once middling Liu Bei, who now controls the lands of Shu. In the East, his forces resist Sun Quan's massive invasion force at Hefei, winning an unlikely victory. Things fare less well against Liu Bei in the West however, as Liu Bei wins at the Battle of Mt. Dingjun, conquering Hanzhong and causing the death of Cao Cao's trusted general and friend Xiahou Yuan. This massive blow is paid back in kind at the Battle of Fan Castle, where Cao Cao secretly allies with Wu to repel Shu's invasion, cede Southern Jing to Wu and ultimately kill Guan Yu. In most games, Cao Cao dies of illness at this time, coinciding with his historical death at the dawn of the Three Kingdoms. His son Cao Pi will takeover as leader of Wei and immediately depose the Emperor, formally ending the Han and establishing the Kingdom of Wei as it's first Emperor. In some games, Cao Cao will live on to witness the Battles of Wuzhang Plains and Hefei Castle, with some hypothetical scenarios seeing the Wei lord finally unite the land.

His Legend Mode in Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends details his escape from Chi Bi. With the army already faltering from the Allied Force's fire attack, Cao Cao runs for his life to escape Shu's generals. Cutting his way past Liu Bei and Sun Quan's generals, he faces Guan Yu guarding the exit. Mentioning the kindness he previously treated the general, Guan Yu turns his back on his duty and repays the debt that he owes Cao Cao.

Described as a scholar during peace and a villain during chaos, Cao Cao is a talented leader in Dynasty Warriors 5. Knowing that a better land lies beyond the chaos, he joins the efforts to defeat the early insurgents of the age. Zuo Ci magically appears near Cao Cao and repeatedly asks the warlord his vision for the land. Cao Cao does not grant him an answer, yet he is offended when the elderly sage compares him to the rogues he stands against. After assisting Liu Bei's request to slay Lu Bu at Xia Pi, he sets his sights on the nearest enemy to him. Knowing that Yuan Shao only believes in his family pride and neglects the good console of his advisors, Cao Cao believes his former friend to be threat to the land. For these reasons, he slays Yuan Shao at Guan Du.

He then attacks Liu Bei, but his forces lose horribly at Chi Bi. Narrowly escaping with their lives, he rebuilds his forces and, to avenge his humiliation from Chi Bi, he claims victory at He Fei. Wu withdraws and Liu Bei passes away. In honor of the only man who he deemed to be the land's hero, Cao Cao decides to conquer Shu at Wu Zhang Plains. Zuo Ci, impressed with Cao Cao's longevity, remarks that he will slay him for the good of the land. Cao Cao prevails in the conflict and Sun Quan dies at He Fei Castle. Though the land's wars are at an end, Cao Cao continues to fight in order to fashion a land worthy of his image.

He has two Legend Modes in the Xtreme Legends expansion. One he shares with Xiahou Dun, Dian Wei, and Xu Zhu. To further his ambitions, Cao Cao leads an expedition to rescue the emperor from remnants of Dong Zhuo's army. With the young highness escorted to safety, Cao Cao designates himself as the emperor's new protector. He shares his second Legend Mode with Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren and Zhang He as they band together against the Five Bushel Sect. Cao Cao has two goals he wants met in this battle. On one hand, he thinks the sect's teachings are preposterous and doesn't want a sham religion to proclaim to help the people. He also wants Yang Ping Gate subjugated as it impedes their march against Liu Bei in Han Zhong.

Cao Cao's ending scene in Dynasty Warriors: Online shows him and his officers overseeing their town above the castle walls. Comparing his ambition to that of an endless wave, the warlord is satisfied with the player's loyalty as he vows to continue his conquests.

Dynasty Warriors 6 has Cao Cao start as a member of the Allied Forces. Although he is interested to end Dong Zhuo, his primary goal in the battle is to judge the other regional lords. He is the only one present who sets his eyes on the future and designates himself the land's hero as a result. To secure his lands, Cao Cao puts aside his fond memories of Yuan Shao and claims victory at Guan Du. After winning victory against Liu Bei and Sun Quan at Chi Bi, the emperor congratulates his efforts and offers the throne to Cao Cao. The conqueror refuses, stating that he only wants to dedicate his efforts to creating the new future that he sees for the land. To do so, he is willing to sacrifice his body and soul for this vision. He then leads another march and claims Mt. Ding Jun from the newly appointed king of Han Zhong, Liu Bei. Although he knows that Liu Bei is weakened, he remains weary of the former's ability to gain the people's trust and leaves Han Zhong in charge of his son.

With his forces keeping an eye on Liu Bei, Cao Cao decides to deal with Wu to bring a quicker end to the land's strife. Cao Ren struggles at Shi Ting and Cao Cao decides to personally reinforce his relative. Wu eventually falls in the wars and all that remains is Liu Bei. Deeming his final foe a worthy opponent, he wins the battle, and the new land he envisions is created. He decides to leave the fate of the land to the people. Cao Pi presumably assumes position as the new emperor and his generals protect the land's peace. Left with no other ambitions, Cao Cao removes himself from the capital and declares that he now walks the path of the heavens.

In Dynasty Warriors 7, Cao Cao begins his usual role of suppressing the Yellow Turbans Rebellion with his cousins. He desires to create a new world in which one's effort, not status, nourishes the land. Ignoring Yuan Shao's demands to eliminate the Ten Eunuchs as the Han Dynasty falls into decay, Cao Cao suspects Dong Zhuo to be the greater threat and is invited to Luoyang Castle. Using the opportunity to observe the tyrant for himself, Cao Cao refuses to help Dong Zhuo and stages a dramatic escape. He then joins Yuan Shao's coalition to rout Dong Zhuo. The lop-sided balance of power ends with the warlords disputing and Cao Cao low on men. Therefore, he decides to subjugate the remnant Yellow Turbans in Yan Province for himself, gaining Dian Wei and Xu Zhu in his command after compelling them with his resolve. Tao Qian aims to eliminate him at Xu Province, but Cao Cao's forces are too strong to topple.

His influence in the center is undeniable, which is instrumental for his right to house the emperor at Xuchang. Choosing to first deal with Zhang Xiu, he invades the area surrounding Wan Castle. Due to Jia Xu's plot to feign a harmless surrender, Cao Cao and company are unknowingly trapped in an ambush at the castle. Cao Cao barely escapes the attack at the unfortunate cost of Dian Wei's life. Reuniting with his forces outside the castle, they lead a counteroffensive to drive Zhang Xiu into submission. Cao Cao personally corners Jia Xu and, though Xiahou Dun protests, decides to spare the man responsible for Dian Wei's death. While he compliments his new strategist's talents, he grimly warns Jia Xu to never double cross him. Soon after, Cao Cao and Liu Bei deal with Lu Bu at Xiapi.

After he orders Liu Bei to deal with Yuan Shu, Cao Cao learns the emperor had plotted an assassination for his life. He therefore confronts the emperor in person to learn the frightened man's intentions. Learning that the emperor is afraid of being killed by him, Cao Cao affirms his denial of the claim. A land without an emperor would cause the people to riot and render his ambitions meaningless. With the emperor left as his puppet to power, Cao Cao leads his army to conquer his former ally, Liu Bei, establishing Xu Province as his own. Uniting the north by defeating Yuan Shao, the common folk who fear Cao Cao follow Liu Bei's leadership. Demolishing Liu Bei's position in Jing Province, he orders that Liu Bei and the peasants be eliminated at Changban. He reasons that they have made their choice against his vision and are not worth of mercy.

He continues to pursue Liu Bei south and his navy suffers a deafening defeat at Chibi. Although heavily surrounded, Cao Cao escapes to safety. He inwardly feels unease by the losses he experienced and his uncertainties leak through at times, despite his will to suppress them for his ambition. After driving back Ma Chao's army, he seeks to take Hanzhong as his own and orders the majority of his army westward. Upon Xiahou Yuan's death, however, Cao Cao makes the hard choice of avoiding revenge and orders the withdraw from Mt. Dingjun. He does so in order to decimate Guan Yu's position in Jing Province, a man whose prowess stayed with Cao Cao as an impressive yet dangerous threat. With Guan Yu's death at Fan Castle, Cao Cao fortifies a strong future for Wei. Six months later, an ailing Cao Cao drops the pretense of living solely for his ambition. He speaks his honest thanks to Xiahou Dun, looks forward to reuniting with Dian Wei, and apologizes to Xiahou Yuan before he dies in bed.

Cao Cao's first Legendary Battle has him taking down Dong Zhuo before he can retreat to Xinyang. He fights through several officers blocking his path, including Lu Bu. In his second Legendary Battle, Cao Cao fights both Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shao to protect the emperor.

Dynasty Warriors Next has Cao Cao first appear as reinforcements near the end of the Yellow Turban Rebellion. His story begins in the second chapter as a part of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition, seeking to gauge the threat of his future competition. After cutting down Dong Zhuo at Chang'an and assisting Yuan Shu's fall, he conquers the north and confronts Yuan Shao. He has Jia Xu soften the enemy assault before personally joining the front lines at Guandu. His general activities from the previous title are repeated up to Chibi.

His fate is decided by the scenario the player has chosen. Shu's final chapter has him mortally wounded by Liu Bei's army at Xuchang. Sun Quan spares him for his irreplaceable intelligence in Wu's scenario, and he swallows his pride to accept the offer. He and Liu Bei survive under Sun Quan's leadership. Lu Bu's chapter has him unite with the other warlords to eliminate Lu Bu and fail, perishing during his second attempt. Wei's scenario has him attack Shu after Guan Yu's death, Wu's retreat from Hefei, and Sima Yi's strategies to weaken Shu take effect. He claims Chengdu as his own and personally defeats Sun Quan in honor of those who died for his cause. Despite achieving his unification, he ponders a future beyond his conquests. His soliloquy expresses his belief for every person to use their talents to find their purpose in life.

In the eighth installment, Cao Cao is first seen after his failed attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Despite this setback, he manages to escape from Lu Bu and Dong Zhuo's generals with help from his cousins, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan with a mysterious dancer's help. He soon joins Yuan Shao's coalition to claim victory over Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao quickly abandons the alliance in search of talented followers and opportunities for conquest, first pacifying the remnants of the Yellow Turbans. Within a few months time, he protects the emperor's carriage and his forces provide him shelter. Cao Cao becomes the emperor's protector through his act, well aware of his lord's disdain for him. His major conquests from the seventh title occur again for the historical narrative, except Cao Cao leads a secondary campaign to dispatch the remaining members of Yuan family and he personally captures Xu Shu at Xinye. Cao Cao passes away off screen shortly after Fan Castle.

The hypothetical route has Dian Wei survive Wan Castle, Guo Jia recover from his illness, and Xu Shu join Cao Cao willingly to allow Cao Cao to foil the fire attack at Chibi. Shortly after his victory, he continues his march through Wu and obliterates the Sun Family. While Cao Cao was preoccupied by Sun Quan, Liu Bei conquers the western side of the country, and the two compete for supremacy. Their struggle ends at Baidi Castle. Cao Cao retires and lets his son lead in government affairs, leaving Xuchang with his cousins for other horizons.

In Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, Cao Cao is one of the main antagonists in Lu Bu's story. The Hero of Chaos first appears at Hulao Gate to cut down Dong Zhuo personally after his strategist Chen Gong tests the might of Lu Bu for himself. He appears again later on at Puyang, surprised by the assault and is forced to retreat. After regrouping his men, Cao Cao follows Guo Jia's advice and attacks the undermanned garrison of Dingtao. In the historical route, he wins the previous conflict and regains control of Yan Province. When tensions flare between Lu Bu and Liu Bei, his sends Xiahou Dun along with his other top officers to Xiaopei to assist the latter. In a short amount of time, his men corner the "beast" at Xiapi. With a combination of fire and water attacks on the castle, he captures Lu Bu along with Chen Gong and Zhang Liao while deciding to ignore Lu Bu's daughter and lets her escape. Cao Cao decides to ask them their thoughts on strength to determine their fate and executes his former officer, hire Zhang Liao, and cuts down Lu Bu himself. Noting his wildness to the end he says farewell to "the beast of the chaos".

In the hypothetical route, he loses at Dingtao facing Liu Bei and Yuan Shao's intervention on behalf of Diaochan. Cao Cao is forced to abandon Yan Province altogether and attacks Liu Bei at Xu Province to restore his power base. After losing once more, he is forced to work together with the other warlords by sending reinforcements to his old friend at Guandu, and gather whats left of his army to defend Chang'an with Yuan Shao, Sun Ce, Liu Bei, and the remnants of Dong Zhuo's army. As Lu Bu and his men approach the north-east corner, the Hero of Chaos will try to stop him, only to fall in battle with the other defenders.

Cao Cao is playable in two of Wei's Xtreme Legend stages. In the first one, he works with Dian Wei and Guo Jia to rescue Xiahou Yuan's regiment as well as drive back Zhuge Liang from Hanzhong in "Mt. Dingjun Rescue Mission". In the second one, he appears with Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin defeat Guan Yu and his allies in "Pacification Of Jing Province". After the battle, the Shu and Wu get seriously weakened; allowing Cao Cao to end the chaos and celebrates with his men. Noticing Yu Jin by himself, he goes over to tell him that its okay to relax every now or then. Cao Cao praises the veteran for being at his side for so long.

During Wu's expanded storyline, Cao Cao will appear at Shouchun, fresh from his victory at Guandu being attacked by Sun Jian. During the battle, he will abandon his castle to charge at the allied main camp. He later appears at Runan opposing Yuan Shu's advance. At Lujiang, he is victorious at Chibi, and attempts to pursue the scattered Sun forces. He also appears to reinforce Liu Cong at Xiangyang. In Shu's storyline, Cao Cao reprises his role at the altered Changban, and is present in his final confrontation with Liu Bei at the Wuzhang Plains.

In Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed, Cao Cao first appears in Luoyang surrounded by enemy troops due to his failed attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Though aided by Liu Bei's party, he still ends up becoming a recurring antagonist starting in the Xuzhou campaign.

The first Wei-focused scenario has Cao Cao suffering heavy losses from Dong Zhuo's forces while taking an arrow injury during his escape. He is only saved thanks the efforts of Cao Hong and the player. Disgusted by the Alliance's indulgent celebrations, he decides to take matters into his own hands by recruiting more troops from Yangzhou and eradicating bandits to earn the trust of the people. His campaign against Yuan Shao is repeated, though he takes considerable efforts to oust Liu Bei from Xiapi with great haste to prevent any distractions.

Cao Cao's bond story starts off with him being given a promising assessment from Xu Shao. Having become a savvy administrator and heroic warlord in his own right, he also sees promise in Cao Pi whose growing skills he praises through poetry. But despite the many achievements he accomplished, his one regret is not recruiting the doomed Guan Yu to his side.

In Dynasty Warriors 9, Cao Cao begins humbly as a minor official called to fight the Yellow Turbans. Sensing further chaos from the fighting, Cao Cao witnesses the dilapidation of the imperial court at Dong Zhuo's hands and attempts to assassinate him. When the attempt fails thanks to Lu Bu coming to his adopted father's aid, he simply joins Yuan Shao's call-to-arms against Dong Zhuo. Returning to his home village to recruit an army, Cao Cao is surprised by the arrival of Cao Xiu, who had travelled several miles to join his uncle's army.

Though they are victorious, Luoyang was in flames, the emperor was in Chang'an, the Imperial Seal lost, and Dong Zhuo already dead at Lu Bu's hands. With nothing left to do, Cao Cao and the rest of the warlords left for their respective domains. Gaining the services of multiple strategists, Cao Cao attacks Tao Qian to take Xu Province in revenge for his father's murder by one of Tao Qian's subordinates. Though he slays the governor, Lu Bu's attack on Yan Province spells the end for the campaign, and Cao Cao turns around to take back his lost cities.

Beginning his claim for the central plains, Cao Cao decides to rescue Emperor Xian from the remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces and warding off other would-be caretakers in Chang'an. When the emperor declares Xuchang as the new capital, Cao Cao allies himself with other warlords to eliminate Lu Bu and Yuan Shu to prepare for the upcoming showdown against Yuan Shao at Guandu. Due to having the emperor under his grasp and a more massive army, Zhang Xiu submits to Cao Cao and invites the warlord to his domain at Wan Castle. As soon as the warlord arrives, it is revealed to be an ambush by Zhang Xiu's forces, but Dian Wei's sudden intrusion allows Cao Cao to escape with his life. Once Zhang Xiu is defeated, Zhang Xiu's strategist, Jia Xu, is allowed to join Cao Cao's forces at the cost of Dian Wei succumbing to his injuries.

Pushing on, Cao Cao prevails over Lu Bu at Xiapi and eliminates Yuan Shu at Shouchun in order to pave the way to his confrontation with Yuan Shao. Although outnumbered, the superior quality of Cao Cao's army allows them to prevail over the disadvantage, and Cao Cao becomes the undisputed power of the north. Turning his attention south, Cao Cao proceeds to attack Liu Bei and clashes with him at both Bowanpo and Xinye before Liu Bei flees to Sun Quan of Wu. Content to face the alliance, Cao Cao prepares a fleet and heads south to fight his foes at Wulin.

With his southern campaign failing at Chibi after his naval forces are wiped out by the alliance's fire attack, Cao Cao has his troops abandon Nanjun to Guan Yu in order to create a rift between their enemies. In the meantime, Emperor Xian dubs Cao Cao the Duke of Wei and grants him ten provinces to form the Wei Kingdom, including the Xu and Qing Provinces. To aggravate secret dissidents, Cao Cao then declares himself King of Wei, and Ma Teng of Liang Province launches a rebellion against the warlord at Xuchang. Cao Cao, however, is assisted by his nephew Cao Xiu and stops the rebellion, killing Ma Teng in the process.

Moving west to defeat the remaining resistance under Ma Chao at Tong Gate, Cao Cao secures Liang Province and takes Hanzhong from Zhang Lu. Negotiating with Sun Quan in private at Ruxukou to cease his alliance with Liu Bei and ally with Cao Cao to eliminate Guan Yu from Jing Province so Wu can lay claim to it as originally desired after Chibi, Cao Cao intentionally gives up Hanzhong to Liu Bei in order to make Guan Yu leave Jing. True to his plan, Guan Yu is killed thanks to the sudden betrayal by Wu when the God of War attempts to capture Fan Castle to secure a clear path from Jing Province to Xuchang and the Central Plains, and per their agreement, Cao Cao allows Sun Quan to claim Jing Province, fulfilling the terms of their alliance.

Preparing orders that the men are not to mobilize in the case Liu Bei would attack Wu in revenge for the loss of Guan Yu and Jing Province, Cao Cao agrees to Xiahou Dun's request to rest, though he only promises to do so after writing one more set of orders. Shortly after, Cao Cao quietly passes away, but his final orders are issued: That the men and officials not leave their posts and that he not be mourned traditionally and publicly. While many of the remaining officers respect Cao Cao's wish, Xiahou Dun, in a surprising act of defiance, orders his men to pay respects while asking for his cousin's forgiveness.

Warriors Orochi

In Orochi's scenario, Cao Cao leads one of the main forces who initially opposed the snake demon. At Yi Ling, his army does well until they're bombarded by cannon fire, something that the men of Wei have never seen before. Quick to overcome the shock, he counters with a fire attack. Despite his efforts, he is defeated and wounded to the point of a coma. Dian Wei carries him off to safety and hides from the public eye. Since many reports said that he died, Cao Pi becomes Wei's ruler in his absence.

In Warriors Orochi, he triumphantly returns to reinforce his son's army at Yamazaki in Wei's story mode. Though he is reinstated as Wei's ruler, he lets Cao Pi be the commander in their final attack against Orochi.

Cao Cao resumes his role as Wei's leader in Warriors Orochi 2, joined by the Mystic, Nu Wa. The latter decides to test Cao Cao's might and keeps quiet about the otherworldly events, including the Sun Wukong-led enemy army at Si Province. After defeating Lu Bu at Si Shui Gate, Cao Cao, who had seen through Nu Wa's charade, demands an explanation, and she reveals that Da Ji was planning to resurrect Orochi, prompting the Hero of Chaos to look to merge his forces with other factions.

As the war progresses, Nu Wa finds herself surprised how Cao Cao is able to turn any against-the-odds battle into a gain and opportunity. She fears if ever he would stray from the correct path, furthered by the straightforward words of Da Ji, who herself was scared that Nu Wa would not be able to stop Cao Cao.

After the battle at Tong Gate, he formally establishes and alliance with Nobunaga and the pair launch a joint attack on Orochi X at Guandu. After reinforcements from both Wu and Shu arrive, Cao Cao's army finally slays the Serpent King. While Yuan Shao hosts a banquet for their success, Cao Cao remains with Nobunaga and Nuwa, and he sarcastically asks the mystic if she is still concerned if the world would be in danger.

Cao Cao shares his dream mode with the other Three Kingdoms rulers as they challenge the Three Unifiers of Japan at Osaka Castle. He also appears in another dream stage alongside Guan Yu and Mitsuhide to test their respective offsprings in battle.

After Orochi's second defeat, Cao Cao wanted to unify the land under his country's name in the original timeline of Warriors Orochi 3. He once fought against Nobunaga for control but, during their power struggle, their forces were scattered and obliterated by Hydra and the serpent army. When the coalition return to Da Ji's past, Cao Cao's forces blocks their advance to Chengdu with a staunch defense at Fan Castle. Cao Cao and company oppose them on the assumption that they are obediently following Da Ji.

Although Ma Chao desires to avenge his slain clan when Cao Cao is defeated, the general spares him for the sake of saving the dimensional world's future. Convinced by the act of mercy, Cao Cao repays them by joining their cause. He later leads their army to reinforce Liu Bei and Ieyasu at Chengdu.

Still a major warlord after the Hydra's defeat in Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate, Cao Cao personally leads Wei in order to continue furthering the pressure against former Orochi associates. He fends off against Ma Chao at Tetorigawa, while the latter is being misled by a duplicate of Nagamasa. Seeing a new development of events, Cao Cao leads his forces to Mt. Niutou where Pang Tong is being attacked by demons. To his surprise, Pang Tong directs the Shu reinforcements sent to rescue him against the Wei forces. When it's revealed that Pang Tong was also a fake, Cao Cao agrees to provide his forces to help stop Tamamo. After Kyūbi's final defeat and being returned to their world, he listens to Cao Pi and Guo Jia's comments on their latest "dream".

Cao Cao arrived late into the parallel world at Warriors Orochi 4, being transported alongside Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan and Xun Yu. Not long after their arrival do they find themselves wedged inside a battle between Ares's army and Lu Bu's. Fortunately, reinforcements from Liu Bei arrive, and two are able to repel both armies. As a result, Cao Cao takes his forces to join the Coalition.

Hoping to figure out his son's reasons for aiding Ares, Cao Cao, along Mitsunari and the rest of Toyotomi armies attacks his son at his castle. Breaking the defenders by his sudden arrival, Cao Cao receives his son's hidden letter, revealing the key to destroying the barriers protecting Zeus.

He also leaves on a journey with Xun Yu to investigate the appearance of a large man with white hair, and a handsome, gentle man. Luring Guo Jia out with Oichi and a jar of wine, Cao Cao defeats Pang De's men and welcomes his strategist back to his side.

He also participate in final battle against Odin, with Liu Bei, Hideyoshi, Shingen, Zeus' army and bracelet wielders in order to destroy Yggdrasil.

During one of the DLC scenarios, Cao Cao and Motonari learn of Yoshitsune splitting from Odin's army to duel Kiyomori, and assist the warrior in his quest. He also appears in a mock battle between the heroes of the Three Kingdoms against the heroes of the Warring States, leading the chinese forces at Ōsaka alongside Zhuge Liang. After his forces are defeated, Kiyomori appears to try and attack the exhausted japanese forces, but Cao Cao leads his allies to return and rescue the other Coalition members.

In the final side story of Ultimate, Cao Cao is among the warlords called by Gaia for a farewell battle against the Gods before the humans return to their own worlds.

Dynasty Tactics

Dynasty Tactics begins his story with him defeating the forces of Li Jue. At one point, he may subjugate Lu Bu into servitude under a warning. In one of the game's scenarios for Wei, Cao Cao begins to feel ill while at war with Sun Quan and Liu Bei. Even if he wins that war, Cao Cao will eventually die of illness, leaving his son Cao Pi to succeed where he failed.

In one of his story routes in Dynasty Tactics 2, Cao Cao spots Sun Shang Xiang fighting on the battlefield. He is amused by her abilities and desires to have her in his army. During a later stand off with Liu Bei, she proudly stands by her husband and declares her loyalty to him. Cao Cao is startled to learn of her relation with his rival but continues his conquest to end Shu. If he wins, he spares the fleeing Liu Bei and Sun Shang Xiang, stating that he's content with being the land's ruler.

Kessen

Cao Cao is one of the protagonists in Kessen II. He is a feared conqueror who wants to conquer the land and eventually travel west to Rome. He is chosen by heaven to rule and befriends Liu Bei in an attempt to one day overthrow him. After hearing his fortune from the prophet, Himiko, he betrays Liu Bei and kidnaps Diao Chan. He often demands for her to reveal the location of the Imperial Seal. At first, he's cruel but he softens once he spends more time with her. She begins to remind him of his mother, who was separated from him when he was a child.

Later in the game, his uncle, Cao Bu, reveals that he's actually Liu Bei's older brother. His mother gave birth to Liu Bei sometime after she disappeared from Cao Cao's life. He becomes torn by the news as he previously thought he had nothing to live for. Before his last battle with his rival, Cao Cao decides to create a peaceful land. In Shu's ending, he dies due to wounds sustained in battle. In Wei's ending, he becomes the new leader of the land. In gratitude for her support, he sets Diao Chan free and begins to appreciate his steadfast adviser, Xun Yu.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, Cao Cao is depicted as the most potent character of the era in overall statistics. His stats all fall in the 90's save for his War stat which is in the low 70's while his Leadership ranks among the highest in the game, being second to Sima Yi by a single point in recent titles while otherwise being the highest in older titles. He has a high aptitude with infantry, cavalry and archer units in most games, making him an excellent commander on the battlefield. His naval capabilities are fairly low in comparison though. His skill in the eleventh game grants a 100% success chance of battle ploys when used against officers with lower intelligence than him, making it quite easy to disable enemy units and allowing allied units to deal with them swiftly. Cao Cao also is often the character possessing the most equipment/specialties on hand with his two swords, the Sword of Heaven and the Sword of Light appearing as items that significantly increase strength while his two steeds, Shadow Runner and Gray Lightning are also featured with both decreasing the likelihood it's owner will be captured in battle.

Cao Cao serves He Jin in the Yellow Turban Rebellion scenario and leads his own force in subsequent scenarios. Some games have him serve Dong Zhuo in the second scenario, only for him to carry out the assassination plot and failing in it, causing him to flee and create his own force. Cao Cao is usually the easiest ruler to play as, especially in the later scenarios where he controls a very large territory in addition to his pool of talented officers.

The fourteenth instalment in the series gives Cao Cao the unique character trait, Wicked which increases the statistics of all allied units in proximity of Cao Cao rendering any army led by him to be a dangerous threat even when disadvantaged. Cao Cao's unique battle tactic, Strength of Wei further increases the statistics of nearby allied units while reducing the stats of nearby enemy units.

Character Information

Shin Sangoku Musou 15th Anniversary artwork.

Personality

Cao Cao is seen as a cunning yet feared man. Relentless in his desire to end the land's chaos, he will use any means to achieve his plans, even if it makes him an enemy to the other kingdoms or to the Han Empire. However, he also has a fierce temper and will often scold his men's incompetence if the battle goes badly for him. In newer installments, Cao Cao is able to show more self restraint in terms of his emotions, being able to still act normally and rationally even when close aides such as Dian Wei or Xiahou Yuan die. In his eyes, as the lord of men, he must act to achieve his dreams lest his men simply die for no reason. Said newer installments also show Cao Cao to be much more just in his actions and more serious about ruling the land for the sake of stability, justice and order while almost being as emotional towards the well-being of some of his retainers as he was historically.

Caring little about status or olden traditions, he judges men solely based on their achievements and skill. Belying his bad reputation, he treasures his retainers and will treat them with generosity. He's particularly close to Xiahou Dun, as they seem to instinctively understand one another. Cao Cao also treats Dian Wei as a bodyguard and trusted right hand. Guo Jia acts as Cao Cao's most trusted tactical adviser and the two are implied to share drinks frequently. Many of his retainers admire his integrity and swear to never abandon him in ode to Cao Cao being very close to several of his subjects. He respects his son and is confident that Cao Pi will one day be his able successor. In some dialogue, he is also fond of the various arts such as poetry and military tactics, akin to his historical counterpart.

Humorously, Cao Cao as a nod to the novel has a bit of a desire for married women, as his desire for the Two Qiaos is a small running gag within the series, and his advances often make both women and their spouses squeamish; his son's playable incarnation also has not stopped Cao Cao's desire for his son's wife, and Cao Cao still makes advances in later installments. Despite knowing Guan Yu's loyalties, Cao Cao shows no restraint in inviting the general to join together, and soldiers from both Shu and Wei often report of how highly Cao Cao thought and treated Guan Yu during his temporary stay.

Despite being an enemy in Liu Bei and Sun Quan's eyes, he shows notable respect for both them in any final moments between them in Dynasty Warriors 8. He often deems Liu Bei to be his biggest rival and threat alike. He also shares a similar dynamic with Nobunaga Oda in the Warriors Orochi series. In the third installment, he respects Ieyasu's style of leadership as well as acknowledging how they could still be companions even with the major differences in their ruling style. In the fourth installment, he is impressed by Motonari's studious nature and passion for history and wishes to have the man act as the world's historian. He also expresses genuine happiness to be working alongside Chen Gong even after the strategist's desertion.

His personality in Kessen II is similar to, yet slightly different from his Dynasty Warriors counterpart. He's depicted as a ruthless tyrant with "a heart of ice". Harshly changed by war and forced to suppress his emotions, he's arrogant in his rightful rule with the Mandate of Heaven. However, he privately mourns losing his mother from a young age and truly wishes to make a world of peace. Meeting Diao Chan and learning his relation with his rival helps him overcome his warmongering bravado.

Character Symbolism

In the Japanese version of Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires, Cao Cao is given the nickname of "The Majestic Premier" while the English version changes it to "The Hero of Chaos". As a dominant ruler in Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires, he along with Sima Yi and Dong Zhuo call their five greatest warriors the "Five Great Generals".

The swords famed to have been wielded by Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms appear in both Dynasty Warriors and Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The one he had by his side, the "Beside Heaven Sword", acts as his third and Standard weapons in Dynasty Warriors, with a variation of it being his fourth. Treasured by Cao Cao, its name implies the ability to "cut through" the heavens and it could slice through solid rocks with ease (and coincidentally ties into Cao Cao's luck pulling through for him several times in the novel).

Its counterpart is literally translated as the "Azure Band Sword", with the "Sword of Light" being one of its number of monikers, along with the name used for Dynasty Warriors version, the "Azure Crimson Sword" which was likely either a translation error or in ode to its crimson contrast (commonly used in Japanese media involving the said sword). Cao Cao wields the blade himself using its aforementioned crimson naming in the games as his Strength weapon, as well as a variation of it as his original fifth weapon. He left this sword in Xiahou En's care. When he heard Zhao Yun had ran off with it, Cao Cao immediately wanted the valorous warrior to be captured and brought to his side.

His Skill weapon, the Seven Star Sword, is a long sword of legend said to be engraved with the mythical Big Dipper constellation. Just as how the constellation is said to protect highest power of the universe, the sword is fabled to do the same for the land. It has the power to mystically guard a nation's prosperity and ward off any enemies. The particular star set in the center of the formation is associated as a fierce commander's star, which implies the sword additionally has the power to guarantee victory from any battle. Romance of the Three Kingdoms had Cao Cao tried to use the sword's reputation to assassinate Dong Zhuo, but the sword's glow eventually gave him away.

Cao Cao's personal item in the Asian ports of Warriors Orochi is the "New Book of Mengde". In order to educate his followers in the novel, Cao Cao authored the book for them while taking inspiration from the Art of War. While the intentions seemed righteous, the narrative twists it to instead be just another pompous act of Cao Cao's authority. Its existence caused him to look foolish in an incident when Zhang Song, who was angered by Cao Cao's rejection, instantly recited the book's contents on the spot. Upset by his own writings being used against him, Cao Cao ordered for Zhang Song to suffer one hundred whippings and for his work to be incinerated. The book in the novel is said to be roughly based on Cao Cao's actual notes on the Art of War, a compilation which is commonly titled Emperor of Wei's Annotation of Art of War. The main difference between the two books is that the historical text is actually praised and still being used today.

His personal item in Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate is a direct reference to his exploits at Qing Province, where he responded to Bao Xin's call for aid against the Yellow Turbans in the province. Although Bao Xin was killed, the Yellow Turbans would all surrender to Cao Cao. As a result of this massive addition to his army, Cao Cao reformed the former Yellow Turbans into the Qingzhou Corps.

Voice Actors

• Yukimasa Kishino - Dynasty Warriors series, Warriors Orochi series, Dynasty Tactics 2, Sangokushi Koumeiden (Japanese)
• Robert Belgrade - Dynasty Warriors 2 (English)
• Lee Jeong-gu - Dynasty Warriors 2 (Korean)
• Li Yingli - Dynasty Warriors 3 (Chinese)
• Kim Hwanjin - Dynasty Warriors 3 (Korean)
• John Snyder - Dynasty Warriors 4 (English-uncredited)
• Jeong Seung-uk - Dynasty Warriors 4~5, Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed (Korean)
• Douglas Rye - Dynasty Warriors 5~8, Warriors Orochi 1~2 (English-uncredited)
• Spencer Howard - Dynasty Warriors 9 (English)
• Zhen Zhang - Dynasty Warriors 9 (Chinese)
• Yohei Azakami - Dynasty Warriors: Origins (Japanese)
• Brent Mukai - Dynasty Warriors: Origins (English)
• Kazumasa Fukagawa - Dynasty Warriors Live Action Film (Japanese)
• Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung - Dynasty Warriors Live Action Film (Cantonese)
• Kirk Thornton - Kessen II (English-uncredited)
• Makio Inoue - Kessen II (Japanese)
• Junko Noda - Kessen II; as a child (Japanese)
• Banjō Ginga - Dynasty Tactics, Romance of the Three Kingdoms drama CD series (Japanese)
• David Lodge - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (English-uncredited)
• Jeong Jae-heon - Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao (Korean)
• Yukitoshi Hori - Sangokushi 12 (Japanese)
• Tomokazu Seki - Sangokushi Legion (Japanese)
• Kazuhiko Inoue - Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII, Sangokushi Strategy, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty (Japanese)
• Shigeru Chiba - Shin Sangokushi (Japanese)
• Kenjiro Tsuda - Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV (Japanese)
• Isshin Matsuo - Sangokushi Heroes (Japanese)
• Yuki Kaji - Youkai Sangokushi (Japanese)
• Kenyu Horiuchi - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)
• Ben Hiura - Sangokushi Three Kingdoms TV series
• Kohsuke Toriumi - Juuzaengi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~ 1~2

Live-Action Performers

• Masashi Taniguchi - Butai Shin Sangoku Musou, Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Kanto no Tatakai, Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Sekiheki no Tatakai
• Kazuki Namioka - Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Keishū Soudatsusen IF
• Wang Kai - Dynasty Warriors Live Action Film

Quotes

See also: Cao Cao/Quotes

• "A smaller force defeating a much larger army... That is the beauty of strategy."
• "No matter how many bodies you throw in my path, you cannot stop the might of Wei!"
• "I will not give you the Emperor’s seat, but you can have this one."

• "Strategy... and might! Now there is no way that we can fail. Liu Bei... you will soon bow before me. And all those that follow you shall do the same!"

~~Dynasty Warriors 4

• "Scum!"

"My lord! Please withdraw"

"No! And close the gates! Now! If this is my destiny, so be it!"

~~Cao Cao and a Wei soldier making a last stand; Dynasty Warriors 4

• "Dong Zhuo lies ahead. Cao Cao, you would do well to commit his image firmly in your mind. If you too stray from the path of righteousness, then you shall suffer the same ugly defeat."

"How dare you compare one such as me to that wretched pig?! My ambitions are not for personal gain! Wait, and you shall see!"

~~Zuo Ci and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors 5

• "Cao Cao! I have come for your head!"

"Hmph... So you've crawled out of your hole in Xi Liang to face me. Try and take this head if you dare, but it will not come cheaply."

~~Ma Chao and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors 5: Empires

• "Together we must open a path to a new world! We must let none stand in our way!"

"What can you do with compassion? Liu Bei, you do not have what it would take to change the world."

"Cao Cao! People can grow without the change you propose. It is that growth that will change the land!"

"Can you not see? It is that which invites chaos! Mine is the only way!"

~~Liu Bei and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors 6

• "My lord, I hear you have taken up writing books lately."

"You're well informed, as usual. I have been organizing the teachings of Sun Tzu."

"That sounds... interesting. But couldn't you just leave that to one of your subordinates?"

"The teachings of Sun Tzu are too important. By my hand, they shall become immortal!"

~~Jia Xu and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors 7

• "Cao Cao, what is it with you? I'm going to make sure you never bother me again!"

"I am simply doing my duty of ridding the world of evil."

~~Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends

• "Shu has been destroyed. Father, your rivalry with Liu Bei has finally come to an end."

"Yes... The ideals he lived by brought hope to many people. However, his followers need to accept that those ideals were unattainable and would never bring peace to the land. I plan to change the very land itself. I will ensure this sort of unrest never happens again. I will lead the people down a new path, created by reason and truth..."

~~Cao Pi and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors Next

• "Cao Cao, I did not expect you to come yourself. No matter! I shall be the one to slay you anyways!"

"Do you really think you can stop me, you miserable little whelp? Underestimate my might at your own peril!"

~~Sun Quan and Cao Cao; Dynasty Warriors 8

• "Orochi 'n me are good pals now, so don't expect to face him until you've dealt with me first. And I promise not to make this easy for you! Ha ha!"

"Ha! You look like an interesting individual."

"And you sound like a guy who knows how to enjoy a fight. Pleased to meet ya!"

~~Keiji and Cao Cao; Warriors Orochi

• "So, this is the Conqueror who would dare to test the might of Lord Orochi?"

"Test? You dare relegate the ruler of Wei to something so trivial as that?"

~~Kiyomori and Cao Cao; Warriors Orochi 2

• "Having fought alongside you, Master Cao Cao, something has started to become clear to me. I see you, walking alone along the steep and harsh path of conquest, carrying an almighty burden on your back."

"Everyone has their burdens, and their own solitary journey. Which is why they sometimes wish to share their path with others."

~~Ieyasu and Cao Cao; Warriors Orochi 3

• "Ah! Ah! You are Cao Cao, the conqueror himself! I'm amazed to be able to actually meet you! A hero who's name decorates so many books of history. This is such an honor!"

"I see. The records of our time have been passed to future generations, just like the histories I myself have read. That seems to make sense. So tell me, Motonari Mōri. The histories are always written by the victors. Who was it, then, who left the records of my time for you to read?"

"Ah, of course. For you, Master Cao Cao, I speak of events that are yet to come to pass. My apologies. I did not give this sufficient thought."

"Heh. So that's where you draw the line. Very well. In all honesty, it was uncouth of me to ask."

"There's one thing I can tell you, however. All of this is very different from the history that I know. In other words, no one knows what happens next."

"I see. Then someone will have to scribe it. The records of our victory."

"Ah! You're right! When that time comes, I hope you will allow me to hold the pen."

~~Motonari and Cao Cao; Warriors Orochi 4

• "Hahaha! You don't have what it takes to handle the Master of Mayhem."

~~Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI

• "Xiahou Ba, sometimes a general must choose to act like a coward in the field. You can't defeat tens of thousands by making a mad dash into oblivion."

~~Cao Cao reprimanding Xiahou Ba; Kessen II

Gameplay

See also: Cao Cao/Movesets

Dynasty Warriors 9

『真・三國無双８』曹操アクション動画

Keys:

Flow Attack •

Reactive Attack •

Musou •

Jump/Mount

Cao Cao is affiliated with the general's sword in this title. When equipped with it, Cao Cao can perform the following unique attacks listed below.

Unique Attacks

Unique Flow Attack Finisher: Enemy Airborne + : As Cao Cao hacks his opponents in mid-air, he finishes the assault by causing numerous ice shards to rain down on the ground in front of him.

Unique Trigger Attack: R1 + : Unleashes two spinning slashes with the first one done clockwise and the second performed counterclockwise. Stuns and freezes foes at the same time. Based on the the sixth charge attack utilized by the general's sword moveset in Dynasty Warriors 8.

Special Technique: R1 + : Pelts enemies in front of Cao Cao with numerous ice shards that have freezing capabilities. This move is derived from his first EX attack in previous installments.

Musou Attack: : Delivers a series of diagonal spin swipes done in alternating order while moving at a brisk pace. Cao Cao ends his frontal assault by unleashing a wide frigid slash that produces several ice crystals popping in and out in front of him, freezing foes caught by them. This attack incorporates aspects of Cao Cao's old Musou attack from past games and his Conquest Musou from the more recent installments.

Aerial Musou Attack: : Sends several large ice shards downward from the air, freezing enemies below or causing them to collapse. Based on Cao Cao's Arctic Storm Musou attack from previous titles.

Horse Maneuvers

Summon Horse: L2: Summon horse to the battlefield. Holding L2 as the horse approaches will allow the character to automatically mount them.

Auto-Run: Riding Mode + L2: Automatically runs towards a specified destination. If a destination has not been set, the horse will instead run towards the location of the player's currently selected mission.

Sprint: Riding Mode + Direction + R1: Causes horse to run at a faster pace. Doing so depletes their stamina each time.

Jump: Riding Mode + Direction + R2: Causes horse to jump high while running.

Horse Fast Attack: Riding Mode + : Performs a fast and seamless attack while mounted. The attack itself varies depending on what type of weapon is equipped and whether the enemy is grounded or airborne.

Horse Trigger Attack: Riding Mode + : Performs an attack that sends enemies flying into the air. May vary depending on what type of weapon is equipped.

Horse Musou Attack: Riding Mode + : Causes horse to sprint by consuming Musou instead of stamina.

Dismount Horse: Riding Mode + : Dismounts from horse and resumes default fighting stance.

Bow Maneuvers

Shooting Mode: 🡻: Pulls out bow and assumes archery stance. Can be cancelled by tapping 🡻 again.

Switch Arrows: 🡸 or 🡺: Switches between different types of arrows.

Bow Attack: Shooting Mode + : Fires current arrow at a target. Can lock on targets by tapping R3.

Lower Bow: Shooting Mode + : Lowers bow while squatting down.

Weapons

See also: Cao Cao/Weapons

Dynasty Warriors 8

Cao Cao now uses the general's sword as his default weapon in this title.

Dynasty Warriors 9

Cao Cao still uses the general's sword and shares his weapon set with Xu Shu in this title. His preferred rare weapon is the Blade of Light.

Historical Information

"Lord, your clear-thinking is superior to Yuan Shao. Your daring is superior to Yuan Shao. Your ways of employing men is superior to Yuan Shao. Your decisiveness is superior to Yuan Shao."

―Jia Xu at the Battle of Guandu.

Mask of Cao Cao from Anshun, Guizhou.

Early life

Cao Cao's grandfather, Cao Teng, was a powerful eunuch, and Cao Teng's adopted son, Cao Song, was Cao Cao's father. Cao Teng's ancestor was said to be Cao Shen, the second prime minister of the Western Han Dynasty. Cao Teng was said to be a benevolent eunuch who often recommended talented officials and would not frame officials who opposed him. There are fewer records of Cao Song, but he paid 100 million coins to buy the position of Grand Marshal during the period of Emperor Ling's official sales, which was considered a scandal.

He was a handful growing up as he was very cunning and mischievous. He had a passion for hunting and the arts as a child and his childhood friend was Yuan Shao (whom who he would later become enemies with). His style made him unpopular, but a few people praised him for his talent. The most famous of these was Qiao Xuan, an official known for his strong character and strict law enforcement. He taught Cao Cao to improve his reputation by seeking out the critic Xu Shao, and may have influenced Cao Cao's subsequent style. There are two contradictory records of Xu Shao's evaluation of Cao Cao. One says that he was wise in peacetime and evil in wartime, while the other says the exact opposite.

Cao Cao's courtesy name "Mengde" suggests that he was Cao Song's eldest son (Meng refers to the eldest son). His mother was probably a concubine, considering the few details he wrote about his childhood. As Cao Cao himself described in the poem, Cao Cao believed he was a victim of child neglect and that his father had failed in his educational responsibilities.

Rise to Power

Fighting corruption in the Han Dynasty

"The monkey put on a hat and a belt, and despite his low intelligence, he wanted to plan big things."

―Cao Cao's poem Xielu Xing comments on the anti-eunuch coup planned by He Jin.

When Cao Cao turned 20, he was immediately selected as a filial and honest official due to his father's power. Cao Cao was given a post in now days would equivalent to the police force in the capital Luoyang, and did not discriminate as to punishments. According to Wu records, Cao Cao executed the uncle of the grand eunuch Jian Shuo with a club for violating the curfew, this troubled the ministers enough that they "promoted" him to get him out that post. Cao Cao supported radical anti-eunuch "partisan" activities. Even as the grandson of a major eunuch, he once made suggestions to Emperor Ling and defended Dou Wu and Chen Fan, who were partisan leaders killed for opposing the eunuchs.

During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Cao Cao participated in suppressing it as a military officer. After the war, he became prime minister of a vassal state and eradicated local corruption, but once again fell foul of the eunuchs and resigned. When Ma Teng and Han Sui rebelled in Liang Province, Emperor Ling reinstated Cao Cao as an military officer. Due to Emperor Ling's death, Cao Cao was unable to participate in the planned military campaign. Anti-eunuch factions staged a coup and eliminated the eunuchs, but they were betrayed by their ally, Dong Zhuo.

Some anti-eunuch nobles, including Cao Cao, fled, and Dong Zhuo seized power. Cao Cao was wanted throughout the country, arrested at least once, and pursued by pro-Dong Zhuo officials. Cao Zhen, who later became his adopted son, became an orphan during this pursuit. Some accounts suggest that he mistakenly murdered the family of his acquaintance, Lü Boshe, in a panic. Historian Sun Sheng arranged the following line for Cao Cao in his historical novel: "I would rather betray others than let others betray me." This line was further exaggerated to the national level in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition

"When you destroyed idolatry in Jinan State, your approach was consistent with that of Zhonghuang Taiyi. It seemed that you once embraced the truth, but now you have been deceived."

―Yellow Turban's letter to Cao Cao urging him to surrender.

Cao Cao eventually sought refuge with Zhang Miao, the prefect of Chenliu, where Cao Cao allegedly launched the first uprising against Dong Zhuo and joined the coalition forces against Dong Zhuo led by Yuan Shao. Dong Zhuo destroyed the capital, Luoyang, and retreated to Chang'an, where he murdered Shao Emperor to undermine the allied forces. Cao Cao launched a pursuit, but was decisively defeated, effectively depriving him of influence within the coalition.

Cao Cao turned to his friends in Yang Province (commonly known as Jiangdong), Chen Wen, the governor of Yang Province, and Zhou Xin, the prefect of Danyang. They provided Cao Cao with an army of several thousand men, but as Cao Cao tried to return to the front lines, the soldiers mutinied, and only 500 men remained loyal to him.

The coalition soon disintegrated and engaged in mutual violence. Cao Cao also murdered the prefect of Henei Wang Kuang in retaliation for Wang Kuang's killing of Huwu Ban, an official who had been coerced by Dong Zhuo to seek peace. After Yan Province Governor Liu Dai was killed by the Yellow Turban who rebelled again, Cao Cao was welcomed as the new governor to suppress the rebellion. Cao Cao was nearly killed in his first battle, but he launched a fierce offensive and eventually forced the rebels to surrender. He selected the rebel fine fighters and organized them into the "Qing Province Army", which were drawn from the area where the rebels had risen.

Civil War of the Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition

"Bones were exposed in the wild, and crowing of a rooster could not be heard for a thousand miles. Only one out of a hundred peasants could survive. The thought of this was heartbreaking."

―Cao Cao's poem Haoli Xing evaluates event.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the two major factions of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition, began to clash. Cao Cao, an ally of Yuan Shao, assisted Yuan Shao in defeating Tao Qian, the governor of Xu Province, an ally of Yuan Shu. The resulting battle was said to have left enough corpses to block a river.

Yuan Shu obtained Jin Shang, the "official governor of Yan Province," from Emperor Xian (Li Jue), with the intention of expelling Cao Cao, who had "illegally" claimed the title (In fact, except for those who were originally appointed by Dong Zhuo or those who were already in this position, all the positions of the coalition army were "recommended" to the court by the leader of the alliance, Yuan Shao. Naturally, the court controlled by Dong Zhuo could not handle such applications). Cao Cao, in turn, completely defeated Yuan Shu, forcing him to abandon his territory in the Central Plains and flee south.

In revenge for his previous defeat, Tao Qian murdered Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, and his family. (Wu Kingdom records claim that Tao Qian had sent soldiers to protect Cao Song, but they killed him without authorization to seize his property.) Cao Cao then attacked Tao Qian again. Tao Qian defended the city and refused to fight, so Cao Cao retaliated by massacring the local civilians.

The fall and recovery of Yan Province

"Mengzhuo is our good friend. You should tolerate him unconditionally. The country is still not pacified, why should we harm each other?"

―Cao Cao responds to Yuan Shao's request to execute Zhang Miao.

Dong Zhuo was killed by his own subordinate, Lü Bu. However, Lü Bu was subsequently expelled from Chang'an by Li Jue and wandered through the Guandong region, serving Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, but was again expelled for offending them. With Cao Cao devoting all his forces to fighting Tao Qian, Chen Gong and Zhang Miao betrayed him and, along with Lü Bu, nearly seized all of Yan Province. The reasons for the rebellion may have been Yuan Shao's hatred for Zhang Miao, who feared Cao Cao's eventual submission to him; Cao Cao's execution of a prominent figure named Bian Rang; and Chen Gong's possible pro-Yuan Shu stance.

Although Cao Cao believed his tactics outperformed Lü Bu's, his troops' lack of discipline led to their defeat at Puyang. A locust plague forced them to interrupt the battle.

Yuan Shao demanded that Cao Cao withdraw and accept his protection, offering hostages to formalize his vassalage. Cao Cao refused, but he may have received some reinforcements from Yuan Shao. Lü Bu's forces were gradually eroded by Cao Cao, and he was eventually forced to flee to Xu Province, where Liu Bei inherited power from Tao Qian.

After defeating Lü Bu, Cao Cao conquered Yu Province. Most of the leading nobles originated from this region, which had been ravaged by the previous war between Dong Zhuo and Sun Jian and was currently occupied by some Yellow Turban rebels loyal to Yuan Shu. Xu County, the seat of Yu Province, later became the "temporary capital."

Restoring the majesty of the Han Dynasty

"Cao Cao should have died countless times, but I was the one who saved him. Now he dares to forget my kindness and hold the emperor hostage to order me!"

―After Yuan Shao received the appointment from Cao Cao.

Yuan Shao once inquired whether they should allow their ally, Liu Yu, the governor of You Province, or even Yuan Shao himself, to become emperor. Yuan Shao claimed that Emperor Xian was an illegitimate son without the bloodline of Emperor Ling. Yuan Shao even forged a jade seal to show off to Cao Cao. Cao Cao claimed that he condemned this action and declared his loyalty to Emperor Xian.

Emperor Xian fled Chang'an to Luoyang due to Dong Zhuo's successor, Li Jue, constantly undermining his authority. Emperor Xian's guards split into factions, fighting among themselves, and ministers perished from lack of supplies. Cao Cao joined forces with Dong Cheng, a faction within Emperor Xian's guards, and brought Emperor Xian from Luoyang to the relative safety of Xu County (latter called Xuchang), under his own rule. Cao Cao restored the court etiquette and bureaucracy that had been abandoned by Dong Zhuo and Li Jue, which earned him widespread support.

After gaining control of the imperial court, Cao Cao appointed himself and Yuan Shao to the same official rank (Grand General and Grand Marshal). Yuan Shao, believing Cao Cao to be his servant, felt it was a disgrace to accept Cao Cao's appointment and refused the offer. Cao Cao then demoted himself to Minister of Works and promoted Yuan Shao to Grand General to appease him.

Campaigns

Battle of Wan

After Cao Cao nominally assumed the Han army, he targeted Zhang Xiu, one of Dong Zhuo's remnants. Zhang Xiu immediately surrendered, but Cao Cao acted arrogantly, taking Zhang Xiu's aunt as a concubine and rewarding Zhang Xiu's bodyguard, Huche'er, with gold. This angered Zhang Xiu, who decided to assassinate Cao Cao. Cao Cao escaped, but his eldest son Cao Ang, nephew Cao Anmin, and bodyguard Dian Wei were all killed. Cao Cao launched several more expeditions against Zhang Xiu, but Zhang Xiu's support from Liu Biao prevented these attacks from succeeding. Yuan Shao personally wrote to Cao Cao, humiliating him for his failures. Cao Cao, enraged, revealed his intention to eliminate Yuan Shao to his advisors.

Fight against Zhong Dynasty

Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor and launched an attack on Cao Cao (perhaps believing Zhang Xiu had already killed him). However, upon learning of Cao Cao's arrival, Yuan Shu abandoned the battle, resulting in a crushing defeat. Yuan Shu attempted to ally with Lü Bu, but Cao Cao, aided by Chen Deng, broke the alliance between Lü Bu and Yuan Shu.

Yuan Shu attempted to ally with Lü Bu, but Lü Bu's subordinate Chen Gui persuaded Lü Bu to arrest Yuan Shu's envoy and hand him over to Cao Cao. Thus, Lü Bu began a nominal reconciliation with Cao Cao. Sun Ce also betrayed Yuan Shu at this time, so Cao Cao, in the name of the emperor, ordered Lü Bu, Sun Ce, and Chen Gui's relative Chen Yu to attack Yuan Shu. This had little effect; Sun Ce and Chen Yu (and Yan Baihu) fought each other, and ultimately Sun Ce absorbed Chen Yu's forces.

Yuan Shu mobilized a large army to eliminate Lü Bu. Lü Bu, however, used Chen Gui's strategy to bribe Yuan Shu's retainers Yang Feng and Han Xian, causing them to mutini. Lü Bu and his new allies then plundered Yuan Shu's territory before retreating. Subsequently, Chen Gui's son, Chen Deng, was sent by Lü Bu to the capital to thank Cao Cao for his rewards. Chen Deng was actually persuading Cao Cao to eliminate Lü Bu, and Cao Cao appointed Chen Deng to Guangling as an inside agent against Lü Bu.

Battle of Xiapi

"If the defenders were weaker and the attackers were stronger, they wouldn't need so many troops. For example, Cao Cao could have besieged Xiapi and captured Lü Bu with twice the number of troops."

―Cao Cao's Commentary on Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Lü Bu had previously taken advantage of the stalemate between Liu Bei and Yuan Shu to seize control of Xu Province, and instead ordered Liu Bei to garrison Xiaopei to defend the western part of Xu Province for him. Liu Bei recruited a large army, but Lü Bu, sensing a threat, defeated Liu Bei, who then defected to Cao Cao. Cao Cao's advisor Cheng Yu, believing Liu Bei's prestige and ambition were immense, urged Cao Cao to execute him, but Cao Cao refused.

Cao Cao reinforced Liu Bei's forces and sent him back to fight Lü Bu. Liu Bei plundered Lü Bu's caravans, but Lü Bu decisively defeated Liu Bei and his reinforcements, led by Xiahou Dun. Historical records claim that Lü Bu re-aligned with Yuan Shu during this period.

At this, Cao Cao drove an army to Xiapi and besieged Lü Bu's forces, diverting the nearby river to flood the city. After Lü Bu was captured by his own men, the warrior attempted to sweet talk Cao Cao into letting him join his army, claiming that together, they could easily conquer all of China. Cao Cao, always on the lookout for powerful recruits, almost accepted Lü Bu's offer, but Liu Bei reminded Cao Cao that Lü Bu had betrayed and murdered his several previous masters, so Cao Cao had Lü Bu executed as a precaution.

Liu Bei's Betrayal

Cao Cao believed Liu Bei had become his trusted confidant, even discussing with him how to fight against Yuan Shao (all of which Liu Bei later leaked to Yuan Shao). Upon learning that Yuan Shu was desperate and attempting to present the imperial seal to Yuan Shao, Cao Cao dispatched Liu Bei to attack Yuan Shu. After Liu Bei expelled Yuan Shu, he immediately raised an army against Cao Cao in Xuzhou. Cao Cao then discovered that Liu Bei's accomplices were Dong Cheng, who had orchestrated a plot to assassinate Cao Cao. These conspirators were subsequently executed by Cao Cao. Even after learning that Yuan Shao had gathered troops to attack him, Cao Cao immediately went to Xu Province to suppress Liu Bei's rebellion, forcing Liu Bei to surrender to Yuan Shao alone.

Battle of Guandu

"The weak cannot defeat the strong."

―Cao Cao's Commentary on Sun Tzu's Art of War.

Yuan Shao assembled an army, claiming to have 100,000 men, to attack Cao Cao, while Cao Cao's forces numbered "less than 10,000, with 20 to 30 percent wounded" (likely an exaggeration). Cao Cao sought reinforcements through various means, including accepting the surrender of Zhang Xiu, the assassin of his son, and securing support and horses from the Liang Province rebels Ma Teng and Han Sui. Remnants of Liu Yu's army also joined Cao Cao's side. Cao Cao also instigated Zhang Xian to launch a rebellion in southern Jing Province to prevent Liu Biao from assisting Yuan Shao.

Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao's generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou in two skirmishes. However, when the formal battle began, Cao Cao's forces were outnumbered by Yuan Shao. Cao Cao's supplies were also in jeopardy. He wrote to Xun Yu to inquire whether he should retreat to Capital Xu. Xun Yu urged him to fight to the death to secure a chance of victory.

Yuan Shao's advisor Xu You, defected to Cao Cao out of resentment. Xu You claimed that Yuan Shao stored most of his supplies at Wuchao, and that destroying them would cause Yuan Shao's army to collapse. Cao Cao, convinced by this dubious proposal, launched a desperate surprise attack. Even though Yuan Shao sent light cavalry to stop him, Cao Cao persisted, eventually capturing and burning the Wuchao supply camp. Yuan Shao also dispatched Zhang He and Gao Lan to attack Cao Cao's main camp, but upon learning that Guo Tu intended to blame them for the defeat, they abandoned the battle and surrendered to Cao Cao. Yuan Shao fled the battlefield with a small number of his followers, while the majority of his troops were captured by Cao Cao. Cao Cao executed the "feigned surrender" enemy troops and, in a memorial to the emperor, claimed to have annihilated 70,000 enemy troops.

Downfall of Yuan clan

"During the reign of Emperor Huan, a yellow star was seen between Chu and Song. Yin Kui of Liaodong, who was skilled in astronomy, said that fifty years from now, an immortal would arise between Liang and Pei, and his might would be unstoppable. Fifty years later, Founder of Wei defeated Yuan Shao and became invincible in the world."

―Chen Shou's Summary Based on a Prophecy.

After Yuan Shao's death, his forces split between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang. They initially resisted Cao Cao together, but after Cao Cao abandoned his attack and feigned an attack on Liu Biao, the Yuan brothers began fighting each other. With Yuan Tan nearly annihilated, he sought Cao Cao's assistance. After a difficult siege, Cao Cao conquered Ye City, the seat of Yuan clan rule. He then eliminated Yuan Tan, who had planned to recruit Yuan Shang's remnants, claiming he had broken an alliance. Yuan Shang fled to You Province to seek refuge with his brother Yuan Xi, but local generals rebelled and expelled them, forcing Yuan Shang to flee again, seeking help from their allies, the Wuhuan tribes. Cao Cao launched a grueling pursuit, killing the Wuhuan chieftain Tadun at White Wolf Mountain and bringing the Wuhuan tribe under his rule. During his retreat, Cao Cao ran out of supplies and was forced to kill his horses, drink their blood, and burrow several meters deep into the ground to obtain groundwater. Yuan Shang again managed to escape and sought refuge with the Liaodong warlord Gongsun Kang. Cao Cao abandoned his pursuit, and Gongsun Kang executed Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi, seeking reconciliation with Cao Cao.

Conflict with the Three Kingdoms

Consolidation of Power

"The king is wise and enlightened, and his ministers and lieutenants are all loyal and good."

―Cao Cao's poem Dui Jiu Ge describes his envisioned utopia.

Before the campaign against Liu Cong, Cao Cao modified the bureaucratic system so that Emperor Xian could appoint him as prime minister, a position second only to the emperor in power in the early Han Dynasty. His deputy in office, the Imperial Censor Xi Lu, prosecuted Kong Rong for blasphemy against Confucianism and had him executed. Kong Rong was considered Cao Cao's main opponent in the court.

In 212, Emperor Xian granted Cao Cao the same ceremonial privileges as Xiao He. Advisor Dong Zhao proposed Cao Cao's promotion to Duke, a move strongly opposed by Cao Cao's chief advisor, Xun Yu. Xun Yu died of "anxiety" during the campaign against Sun Quan, a death some interpret as suicide. In 213, Cao Cao was appointed Duke of Wei.

In 214, Cao Cao discovered that Empress Fu had participated in Dong Cheng's conspiracy. Despite Emperor Xian's pleas for mercy, Cao Cao executed Fu clan. He presented his three daughters to Emperor Xian, one of whom, Cao Jie, became the new empress.

In 216, Cao Cao was appointed Prince (or King) of Wei. This was believed to be a status that only the royal family of the Han Dynasty could possess.

Clash of Heirs

"To Ziwen: You are all marquises, only Zihuan is not, and was appointed as the General of the Palace Gentlemen of the Five Offices, so he is obviously the crown prince."

―Cao Cao's letter to Cao Zhang.

Cao Cao faced a similar dilemma in choosing his successor as Yuan Shao and Liu Biao. His favorite heirs, Cao Ang and Cao Chong, were both deceased. Cao Pi initially served directly as Cao Cao's deputy, but was not granted marquisate and lived a more difficult life than his brothers, as heir apparent.

However, Cao Cao gradually shifted his focus to Cao Zhi, which led to the execution of his advisor Cui Yan for defying him and the unjust arrest of another advisor, Mao Jie. It wasn't until Cao Zhi, drunkenly, forced officials to open the Sima Gate (literally: Gate of Military Officials) of the palace, a gate accessible only to the emperor. This led to Cao Pi being explicitly designated as the crown prince in 217.

Even after Cao Pi was made crown prince, Cao Cao still made some ambiguous moves. To resist the attack of Guan Yu, Cao Cao once planned to let Cao Zhi lead the army (this seemed to be a deliberate attempt to let Cao Zhi gain military merit). However, Cao Pi, feeling panic, took advantage of his brother's alcohol addiction and got Cao Zhi drunk, making him unable to obey orders. Before Cao Cao's death, he summoned Cao Zhang for unknown reasons, which led Cao Zhang to try to seize the seal that symbolized the power of the Prince of Wei. These events sparked Cao Pi's paranoid hatred for his brothers, despite their previously good relationship.

Battle of Red Cliff

"I have trained 800,000 marines and plan to go hunting in Wu with you, General."

―Cao Cao's Threatening Letter to Sun Quan.

In 208, Cao Cao assembled an army of 100,000, forcing Liu Biao's successor, Liu Cong, to surrender. Cao Cao then dispatched Cao Chun, who pursued Liu Bei for a day and a night, and defeated him at Changban, forcing him to surrender to Sun Quan. Cao Cao sent an arrogant letter threatening Sun Quan with surrender, but Sun Quan ultimately decided to recruit Liu Bei to resist Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao's lack of knowledge of naval warfare and his northern troops' inability to resist southern pathogens hindered the campaign. Sun Quan's general Zhou Yu managed to burn Cao Cao's warships, forcing him to retreat through the swampy Huarong Pass, suffering heavy losses. Sun Quan and Liu Bei seized control of much of Jing Province.

Conquest of Liang Province

"I lead the war, not the bandits."

―Cao Cao's Declaration to His Subordinates.

In 211, Cao Cao assembled his forces near Liang Province, purportedly intending to attack Zhang Lu, a Taoist theocratic rebel in Hanzhong. 10 Liang Province warlords, led by Han Sui and Ma Chao, rebelled against the Han Dynasty. Cao Cao, using smeared letters, led the warlords to believe Han Sui and Cao Cao had reached a secret agreement, disrupting their coordination and ultimately defeating them in a decisive battle.

After Ma Chao's defeat, he defected to Zhang Lu and continued to attack Liang Province. Emperor Xian executed Ma Chao's father, Ma Teng, and his clan. Only Ma Chao and Ma Dai remained of the Ma clan. Xiahou Yuan wiped out the Qiang tribes supporting Han Sui. Han Sui was ultimately killed by his own men.

In 215, Cao Cao attacked Zhang Lu but was unable to penetrate his defenses at Yangping Pass. However, a combination of coincidences led Zhang Lu's army to mistakenly believe they had been defeated, allowing Cao Cao to capture Yangping Pass. Zhang Lu believed that Liu Bei had betrayed him and surrendered to Cao Cao.

Fight against Sun Quan

"I can't feel at peace unless you die."

―Sun Quan's letter to Cao Cao requesting peace.

Cao Cao likely lost the marines he had secured from Liu Biao's remnants during the defeat at Jing Province. He commissioned Zang Ba and Sun Guan to recruit new marines for him, and repeatedly mobilized large forces to attack Sun Quan at Ruxukou. He even commissioned Chen Lin to compose a manifesto cursing Sun Quan, just as Chen Lin had previously cursed Cao Cao on behalf of Yuan Shao.

However, Sun Quan withstood these attacks (without Liu Bei's support). Sun Quan also attempted to attack Hefei, but was repelled by Zhang Liao. In 217, Cao Cao accepted Sun Quan's offer of compromise and acquiesced to his separatist rule.

Fight against Liu Bei

"You bastard who sells shoes, you're letting an adopted son deal with me, your father? Wait till I call my son with the yellow beard to deal with you."

―Cao Cao at the Battle of Hanzhong.

When Cao Cao captured Hanzhong, some of his advisors urged him to continue his attack on Liu Bei, who had recently replaced Liu Zhang. Frustrated by the rugged terrain, Cao Cao decided not to pursue further attacks. Some records claim that at this time, Shu was in a state of panic, Liu Bei was carrying out executions every day, and Cao Cao missed his best opportunity to eliminate his old enemy. However, considering that Cao Cao died shortly afterwards, it is possible that his health had deteriorated to the point where he could not normally participate in the war.

In 217, Liu Bei launched an attack on Hanzhong, and in 219, he killed Xiahou Yuan and captured Hanzhong. Cao Cao personally attempted to recapture Hanzhong. Liu Bei was stationed in a dangerous mountain range, which Cao Cao could not conquer, so he rescued the trapped generals such as Zhang He, and then relocated the nearby civilians to reduce the losses caused by the loss of Hanzhong.

Battle of Fancheng

In 219, Liu Bei proclaimed himself Prince of Hanzhong and launched a large-scale attack on Cao Cao's territory. Guan Yu led a large force in Jing Province to attack the Wei strongholds of Xiangyang and Fancheng, while Liu Feng and Meng Da attacked Fangling and Shangyong. Cao Cao dispatched his favored general Yu Jin to rescue Cao Ren in Fancheng, but Yu Jin was caught in a flood and easily defeated by Guan Yu's marines. Numerous rebels began to rally behind Liu Bei, and Cao Cao even considered moving Emperor Xian to Luoyang. Coup attempts occurred in Capital Xu and Ye City, Wei's two main administrative centers, but were suppressed.

Due to Liu Bei's long-standing abuse of alliances and Guan Yu's direct humiliation of Sun Quan, Sun Quan ultimately decided to assist Cao Cao in defeating Liu Bei. Following the advice of his adviser Dong Zhao, Cao Cao deliberately informed Guan Yu of Sun Quan's betrayal of Liu Bei, but Guan Yu remained unmoved. Cao Cao even wanted to go into battle himself, but was ultimately stopped by his adviser Huan Jie. Cao Cao's reinforcements, led by Xu Huang, repelled Guan Yu, who retreated to find their strongholds captured by Sun Quan's general, Lü Meng. Guan Yu was eventually captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces.

Death

"I sighed constantly, missing my saintly father. It is said that kind people live long, so why wasn't my father blessed with this?"

―Cao Pi's poem Duan Ge Xing.

Historically, Cao Cao died in 220 from a severe stroke (thought to be a tumor due to his odd behavior and shaking). In his will, he specified his recent medication, how his property would be distributed among his concubines, and how his funeral would be swiftly arranged, with his tomb to be simply buried near the ancestral hall of Ximen Bao (an official who had severely criticized human sacrifice).

Because he had not designated his crown prince Cao Pi as successor in his written documents, and before his death, he issued an unidentified order summoning Cao Zhang, Cao Zhang attempted to seize his seal and become King of Wei. Jia Kui sternly stopped Cao Zhang. After others arrived, Cao Zhang sought Cao Zhi's help. Cao Zhi refused. Cao Pi then succeeded Cao Cao as King of Wei. Within a year, three edicts were issued in the name of Emperor Xian, demanding the abdication of the throne to Cao Pi. Cao Pi ultimately accepted and became Emperor of the Wei Empire, conferring the title of Duke of Shanyang on the abdicated Liu Xie.

Liu Bei sent an envoy to seek reconciliation with Cao Pi, but Cao Pi refused and ordered the envoy's execution. After learning that Cao Pi had proclaimed himself emperor, Liu Bei declared that Emperor Xian had been killed by Cao Pi and also proclaimed himself emperor of Han.

He governed the State of Wei but wasn't a ruler of a empire, but was named a emperor as such posthumously.

Personal Info

The Records of the Three Kingdoms states that Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, "could not identify his origins." A more common theory is, records from the Wu Kingdom emphasize that Cao Song was from the Xiahou clan. This may makes Cao Cao related to Xiahou clan and two of his most trusted generals, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan. Since Cao Teng was the fourth son in his family (his courtesy name "Jixing" suggests he had at least three older brothers), it is strange that he did not adopt a child from these relatives, but instead sought another clan. If Cao Cao's lineage was indeed from the Xiahou clan, then intermarriage between Cao clan and Xiahou clan would likely be considered non-bloodline incest under Confucian ethics (a similar case is Chen Jiao, who married a woman named Liu, but his surname before adoption was Liu, which caused him to be criticized by others), which may be interpreted as a reason for avoiding this narrative.

Cao Cao's childhood name was "A Man"(阿瞒), meaning "squinty eyes" (sometimes mistakenly interpreted as "little liar"). This was offensive to the adult Cao, and the people of Wu even produced a propaganda book "The Biography of Cao with Squinty Eyes" to insult his physical characteristics. At one time, Cao Cao's given name was "Jili"(吉利) (literally, auspicious), as having a two-character name was considered lowly during the Eastern Han Dynasty. At an unknown time, his given name was changed to the more aristocratic "Cao" (literally, moral conduct).

Wei Shi Chunqiu states that Cao Cao was short in stature but had an outstanding temperament. The political allegory "Shishuo Xinyu" claims that Cao Cao, feeling inferior to his appearance, sent the handsome Cui Yan to impersonate the King of Wei, while he himself disguised himself as a guard. However, this may actually be a satire on Cao Cao's relationship with Emperor Xian.

Cao Cao had a strong sexual appetite, with 15 known consorts. He also learned from the alternative medicine practitioner Zuo Ci how to use sexual intercourse to (allegedly) improve his health. The novel's description of the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Wan fosters the stereotype that Cao Cao enjoyed taking wives from others, but historical records do not record Cao Cao taking wives from others.

Cao Cao's most famous policy was the policy of "appointing officials based on their merit." He repeatedly issued orders that officials should not be disqualified based on their moral character, stating that "in peacetime, morality is valued, while in emergencies, merit and ability are required." He once promoted Yang Pei, sentenced to forced labor, from prison to the position of magistrate of Yecheng County to suppress the illegal activities of nobles and meritorious officials. However, he was also criticized for appointing individuals with actual moral flaws, such as Ding Fei, a corrupt embezzler who had been demoted to a commoner, to a new position, claiming that "a dog that enjoys stealing food is also adept at catching mice (and can recover losses)."

Cao Cao advocated frugality. In his poem Du Guan Shan, he mentions the legendary sage kings Yao and Shun, stating that Shun's use of luxury goods was a sign of moral decline, and praising "luxury as a great evil, and simplicity as a common virtue." His bedding was patched and reused after damage, without any decoration. When he had a headache, he would use cold water to relieve it. Initially, he used silver basins because copper basins smelled bad, but later, believing it would hinder the promotion of frugality, he switched to wooden basins. He also promoted a simple burial system, advocating against leaving luxury items in tombs and significantly reducing the amount of construction work required for tombs.

Legacy

Cao Cao was initially officially viewed as a quasi-philosopher-king, compared to other great emperors like Liu Bang, Liu Che, and Liu Xiu. However, with the collapse of the Western Jin Dynasty, his image gradually declined. This was partly because the truth about his deeds could not be obscured by his descendants, as was the case with other emperors, and partly because the decline of China's "legitimate" dynasties led people to sympathize with the "weaker" Shu Han, a dynasty with "legitimate legitimacy". Eastern Jin historian Xi Zaochi initially proposed Shu Han, rather than Cao Wei, as the "legitimate" dynasty, likely in response to the Jin Dynasty's complete loss of control over the Central Plains.

During the Southern Dynasties, Cao Cao's image became increasingly contested. For example, Pei Songzhi, who supplemented the annotations to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, included controversial material about Cao Cao's actions, even though he still believed in his greatness. Fan Ye, author of the Book of the Later Han, a later Eastern Han historical work than the Records of the Three Kingdoms, characterized both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao as traitors.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, the writer Su Shi recorded an incident he heard: a group of street ruffians gathered by the roadside to listen to storytelling. These people lamented Liu Bei's defeat and rejoiced at Cao Cao's loss. This incident is often interpreted as the common people liking Liu Bei, even though the original text can be interpreted in the opposite direction (deliberately emphasizing the ruffians' bad character).

After the Mongol Khanate conquered China, remade history books portrayed Cao Cao as a traitor. The early prototype of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Yuan Dynasty's Sanguozhi Pinghua[Tale of the Three Kingdoms], already described Cao Cao as an evil person. However, the book also set that Cao Cao was the reincarnation of Han Xin, a meritorious official who was framed and executed by Liu Bang, the founder of the Han Dynasty. The heavenly mandate that he destroy the Han Dynasty to avenge his previous life. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was published in the subsequent Ming Dynasty. Cao Cao became part of the Chinese equivalent of the western phrase "Speak of the Devil" ("Speak of Cao Cao, and thus Cao Cao appears").

In modern times, Chinese scholars have suggested that Cao Cao's achievements and virtues should be re-examined. Some revisionist views also appear to deviate from the facts.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Cao Cao from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Accomplished Beginnings

"In peace you are an able subject, in chaos you are a crafty hero."

―An apprehending of Cao Cao by Xu Shao.

Cao Cao, in his youthful years, loved the thrill of hunting, as well as the arts of song and dance. His father, Xiahou Song, was a descendant of the Xiahou bloodline, but was adopted by the Eunuch Cao Teng, and thus, Xiahou Song became Cao Song. Cao Cao was said to be extremely clever, as well as scheming and wild. His uncle, enraged at his nephew's constant antics, complained to Cao Song, who reprimanded his son. The next time Cao Cao saw his uncle, he pretended to be in a fit. The uncle, terrified, reported what happened to Cao Song, who rushed to his son only to find him calmly normal. Cao Song asked Cao Cao what was wrong and he responded, "Nothing of the sort ever happened. My uncle accuses me of everything because I have lost favor with him." Cao Song believed his son, and from then on ignored his brother's claims, leaving Cao Cao to do as he pleased, and grew up uncontrolled.

Around this time, a man by the name of Qiao Xuan said to Cao Cao, "The empire is near ruin only by a man capable of dominating the age. You could be the one." Throughout his youthful years, Cao Cao received much more praise. Another man, He Yu, said, "The house of Han is going to fall. Yet I feel certain this is the man to steady the realm." Cao Cao sought a reading from Xu Shao in Runan, who was known for his insight into one's human character. "What manner of man am I?" he asked Xu Shao, who refused to answer. The fortune teller eventually said, "In peace you are an able subject, in chaos you are a crafty hero."

The Han in Peril and the Seven-Star Sword

When Zhang Jue and his followers rose to cause what is known as the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Cao Cao had already been promoted to the rank of Cavalry Commander, and led five thousand mounted soldiers to the district of Yingchuan for the imperial Han. There he encountered a fleeing troop of Yellow Turbans headed by two of the three rebel leaders, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, who were also Zhang Jue's brothers. Cao Cao's troop killed thousands in the ensuing battle, while also taking horses, banners, gongs, and other military apparel. The two rebel leaders escaped, splitting up, with Cao Cao joining with the main imperial force and pursuing Zhang Liang. With seven consecutive victories against Zhang Liang, the Rebellion crumbled with its leaders dying off.

Cao Cao later helped in defeating the corrupt Ten Eunuchs. Though he was called "inferior" by the Regent-Marshal He Jin, he voluntarily helped in guarding He Jin before his death.

With Emperor Xian without close advisers, Dong Zhuo took the position as one and essentially took over the imperial court. Yuan Shao called for the minister Wang Yun to come up with a plan to assassinate the self-proclaimed Prime Minister Dong Zhuo, and under the guise of a birthday, Wang Yun gathered all of the other officials into his home. He and the others began weeping at the thought of Dong Zhuo's tyranny, but Cao Cao mocked them, asking, "This courtful of nobles can weep 'till morning and round to the next evening, too. But can you weep Dong Zhuo to death?"

He later volunteered to assassinate Dong Zhuo, as Cao Cao was close and trusted enough by him. He was given the Seven-Star Sword, a jeweled dagger, and the next day, Cao Cao arrived at the prime minister's private quarters, went behind Dong Zhuo's back, and prepared to stab him. However, Dong Zhuo quickly turned around and asked what Cao Cao was doing, as he could see the weapon from the metal reflectors on his person. Cao Cao saw Lü Bu, the powerful adoptive son of Dong Zhuo, and, shakily dropping to his knees, proposed the weapon as a gift to distract Dong Zhuo. The prime minister accepted the gift, and Cao Cao fled.

Escape from Dong Zhuo

"I would rather betray the world than have the world betray me!"

―Cao Cao's signature quote.

Because he was found out, Cao Cao was named as a wanted fugitive. He was passing Zhongmou county for his home district when he was arrested by the guards at the gates and taken for questioning. When questioned, Cao Cao said his surname was Huangfu and was a traveling merchant, however, the magistrate recognized him and after folling with him for some while said, "I knew you as Cao Cao when I was in Luoyang seeking office. Why are you concealing your identity? You are under arrest. Tomorrow I will deliver you to the capital for the reward." The guards were sent away by the official, and that night, he took Cao Cao and questioned where was Cao Cao going. Cao Cao responded by saying he'd go back to his village and rally the other lords for a unified military action against Dong Zhuo. Afterwards, the magistrate personally removed Cao Cao's bonds, and introduced himself as Chen Gong. Together and armed with a sword each, they set out for the village.

After three days worth of traveling, they stopped at a location called Chengao, and came to the home of Cao Cao's father's oath brother, Lu Boshe. After conversing of the recent events and welcoming Chen Gong for saving the Cao clan's lives, Lu Boshe went out and said he was going to get wine. After sitting awhile, Cao Cao overheard knives being sharpened, and someone shout "Let's tie 'em up an' kill'm." Cao Cao and Chen Gong both went into the farmhouse where they heard the mumbling, slaughtered everyone in the house, but almost immediately saw a trussed pig for slaughtering. The two fled the scene, and later encountered the wine-carrying Lu Boshe back on the road, while the uncle tried stopping Cao Cao, earnestly saying he was supposed to have his family slaughter a pig for dining. Cao Cao and his companion rode on, but the former rode back and called out to Lu Boshe before cutting him down. Chen Gong, astounded, said, "What had happened at the farm was a mistake ― But why this?"

Cao Cao reasoned with speculation that Lu Boshe after finding out about the killings would have a mob after the murderers, but was met with: "But you murdered him knowing he was innocent ― a great wrong." Cao Cao said, "I would rather betray the world than have the world betray me!"

The next day, Cao Cao realized Chen Gong had left after thinking him inhumane, and went out to his home, relaying the recent events to his father and suggested him to have the family property sold to recruit troops. Instead, a wealthy local by the name of Wei Hong, was convinced by Cao Cao's ambition to donate his funds to the cause of raising an army. Cao Cao forged an imperial decree and had it sent to various areas, recruited some volunteers and raised a white flag bearing the words "Loyalty and Honor." Support came pouring in, and one day, two men named Yue Jin and Li Dian came to offer their service. They were assigned as headquarters guards. Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong, all of whom were Cao Cao's relatives from different sides of the family, also came, bringing a total of one thousand men each. Clothing, banners, grain, and armor later came in from Wei Hong and other benefactors.

The Allied Forces

Yuan Shao arrived later with an army of thirty thousand to form an alliance with Cao Cao, and soon seventeen other lords came and camped outside of the area. Cao Cao recommended Yuan Shao as leader of the Allied Forces, considering his family's importance in the Han court from the previous four generations.

When Dong Zhuo's forces were retreating from Tiger Trap Pass and Luoyang, Cao Cao asked the other lords why weren't they pursuing the confused army of the enemy, but they all agreed it would be better to rest the troops. Cao Cao, disagreeing, led his own force of ten thousand to pursue Dong Zhuo. After being beat back, Cao Cao's army was ambushed by a command led by Xu Rong. Cao Cao rode blindly, running into Xu Rong, who then hit Cao Cao in the upper arm with an arrow. He quickly fled, but was again ambushed by a pair of soldiers who cut down his horse and seized him. Cao Hong rode out, slayed the two soldiers, and the two escaped. Dawn came, and, yet again, Xu Rong appeared to kill Cao Cao. Just in time, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan appeared with several dozen horsemen scattered Xu Rong, who himself was killed by Xiahou Dun.

His whole force reunited, Cao Cao came back to Luoyang, where the allied forces were headquartered, and was met with a banquet in hopes of cheering him up. Despaired, Cao Cao explained his plan of having the lords occupy and protect each of the surrounding regions, letting their power be known to the land, gain the support of commoners, and eventually defeat Dong Zhuo. He then made clear how the anti-Dong Zhuo armies lost the confidence of the commoners, and his own shame. Cao Cao left his allies, as did Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei.

Dong Zhuo was later betrayed and killed by his own adopted son Lu Bu, and the two remnants of his force, Li Jue and Guo Si seized control of the court and the emperor.

Building His Forces

Cao Cao was recommended by Zhu Jun to put down a Yellow Turban rebellion in Qingzhou. As such, he was sent with Bao Xin, another governor, to put the uprising down. Bao Xin was later killed in his own charge, and Cao Cao soon merged the troops left from Bao Xin with his own. Wherever he went, rebels swore alleigance to him and were merged with his force. In only one hundred days, Cao Cao had the surrender of over three hundred thousand troops, and one million noncombatants. His fame spread through the land, and he was promoted to General who Guards the East.

Xun Yu, and his nephew, Xun You were later summoned into Cao Cao's service. They recommended Cheng Yu, who recommended Guo Jia, who recommended Liu Ye, who in turn recommended Man Chong and Lu Qian into service. Mao Jie was also advised to be accepted. A warrior by the name of Yu Jin entered Cao Cao's service with several hundred troops, and Xiahou Dun had a colossal man by the name of Dian Wei come into the army.

Tragedy

"Cao Cao in all his vaunted cunning,

Slew his hosts and kept on running.

Now that his whole clan's been slain,

The scales of Heaven are level again.

―A poet describing the event.

Cao Cao wished to reunite with his family, so his father and entire clan loaded up and traveled to Cao Cao. They passed through Xu province, whose imperial inspector was Tao Qian, a warm man who had always wished to be associated with Cao Cao. He treated the passing Cao clan with the utmost hospitality, and even held a two-day banquet for them.

Tao Qian personally escorted them out of the area and had one of his generals, Zhang Kai, accompany them for safety along with five hundred men. However, during a stormy travel, Zhang Kai and his followers discussed slaying the Cao clan and stealing their goods to become rich. They did so, and burned down the temple they were staying at. Some messengers were able to escape and made their way to Cao Cao to report what had happened.

Cao Cao fell to the ground, crying, and gnashed his teeth together, swearing revenge against Tao Qian, whom Cao Cao believed allowed his family to die. He ordered a full-scale invasion of Xu province, leaving only thirty thousand of his men to guard his territory. His armies slaughtered all of the inhabitants of the province wherever they went. He rejected the pleadings for ceasefire by Chen Gong, who had sought to bring peace, and Liu Bei.

Word soon came that Lu Bu was attacking Cao Cao's territory of Puyang, so Cao Cao withdrew his forces.

Cao Cao would later found the empire that would become the Wei dynasty, with his successor Cao Pi abdicating the emperor after Cao Cao's death.

Gallery

Gallery

Warriors series Romance of the Three Kingdoms Miscellaneous Dynasty Warriors concept Dynasty Warriors render Alternate outfit Dynasty Warriors 2 concept Dynasty Warriors 2 render Dynasty Warriors 3 concept Rough concept Dynasty Warriors 3 render Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends alternate outfit Dynasty Warriors 4 artworks Rough concept Dynasty Warriors 4 render Alternate outfit Alternate outfit 2 Alternate outfit 3 Alternate outfit 4 Dynasty Warriors 5 artwork Rough concept Dynasty Warriors 5 render Alternate outfit Dynasty Warriors DS beta artwork Dynasty Warriors DS artwork Dynasty Warriors 6 artwork Rough concept Rough concept 2 Dynasty Warriors 6 render Alternate outfit Dynasty Warriors 6: Empires alternate outfit Alternate outfit 2 Super-deformed visual Fury form concept in Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Rough concept Fury form render Alternate outfit Alternate outfit 2 Alternate fury form Alternate fury form 2 Alternate fury form 3 Dynasty Warriors 7 artwork Rough concept Dynasty Warriors 7 render Alternate outfit Original downloadable costume Second original downloadable costume Super-deformed visual Road to Dragons collaboration portrait Dynasty Warriors: Overlords special costume Super-deformed render Dynasty Warriors 8 artwork Rough concept Dynasty Warriors 8 render Dynasty Warriors downloadable costume Original downloadable costume Shin Sangoku Musou Blast reincarnated card Sangokushi Royale crossover NPC portrait Dynasty Warriors: Unleashed fire element render Wood element render Light element render Dark element render Alternate costume recolor Alternate costume recolor 2 Alternate costume recolor 3 Butai Shin Sangoku Musou theater production photo Dynasty Warriors live action movie production photo Production photo 2 Production photo 3 Production photo 4 Production photo 5 Production photo 6 Production photo 7 Dynasty Warriors 9 rough concept Dynasty Warriors 9 render Dynasty Warriors 9 civilian appearance Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue collaboration costume Shin Sangoku Musou Apuri portrait with Xiahou Dun Alternate portrait with Cai Wenji Alternate portrait with Cao Pi, Cao Xiu, and Cao Ren Mystic outfit Abyss outfit Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Kanto no Tatakai theater production photo Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Sekiheki no Tatakai theater production photo Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Sekiheki no Tatakai IF theater production photo Butai Shin Sangoku Musou Keishū Soudatsusen IF theater production photo Warriors Orochi alternate outfit Romance of the Three Kingdoms portrait Super Sangokushi portrait Sangokushi Returns portrait Sangokushi Returns PC version portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms II portrait Sangokushi II remake portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms III portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms III PC version portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms V portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms VII portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII portrait Romance of The Three Kingdoms IX beta portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms X portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI portraits Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI render Romance of the Three Kingdoms XII portrait Sangokushi Spirits collaboration portrait Super-deformed portrait Sangokushi 12 comic collaboration portrait Sangokushi 12 Taisenban portrait Alternate portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIII battle portraits High rank battle portraits Initial battle portraits Civilian portraits High rank civilian portraits Initial civilian portraits Sangokushi DVD & Data File another portrait Sangokushi drama collaboration portrait Watercolor portrait Ningyougeki Sangokushi collaboration portrait Sangokushi Taisen collaboration portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV portrait 100man-nin no Sangokushi portrait Sangokushi Spirits collaboration portrait for 100man-nin no Sangokushi Sangokushi Royale crossover in 100man-nin no Sangokushi Special Thirtieth year anniversary portrait Young portrait Sangoku Idol Festa portrait Youkai Sangokushi Kunitori Wars collaboration portrait Collaboration portrait with Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV Alternate portrait Sangokushi Legion portrait UR portrait New Romance of the Three Kingdoms artwork New Romance of the Three Kingdoms model Revamped model Alternate outfit Sangokushi Heroes portrait Alternate portrait Sangokushi Hadou portrait Sangokushi Hadou alternate portrait Mitsuteru Yokoyama's Sangokushi collaboration portrait Alternate portrait Sangokushi Senryaku-ban render Sangokushi Internet portrait Sangokushi Battlefield portrait Sangokushi Online render Pachislot Sangokushi render CR Sangokushi ~Eiyuu Shuuketsu~ render Sangokushi Kōmei Den manga appearance Sangokushi Sousou Den manga appearance Clad in full armor Koei Manga Pack appearance Sangokushi trading card artwork Alternate card artwork Alternate card artwork 2 Alternate card artwork 3 Alternate card artwork 4 Alternate card artwork 5 Fuyunyan Cao Cao in Youkai Sangokushi Darknyan Cao Cao Dekanyan Cao Cao Youkai Sangokushi Kunitori Wars artwork Special portrait Cherry blossoms portrait White Day portrait Halloween Fuyunyan Cao Cao Grand Chancellor Fuyunyan Cao Cao Fuyunyan Ace Cao Cao Fuyunyan S Cao Cao Emperor Fuyunyan Cao Cao Dark Master Cao Cao Mist Shadow Cao Cao Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty render Concept art Kessen II concept Kessen II render Sangokushi Kōmei Den portrait Sangokushi Kōmei Den animation cel Sangokushi Sousou Den young artwork Middle age artwork Sangokushi Sousou Den portrait Aged portrait Sangokushi Sousou Den sprite Aged sprite Sangokushi Sousou Den battle sprite Battle sprite 2 Battle sprite 3 Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao portrait Aged portrait Alternate skin portrait Young portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao sprite Aged sprite Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao battle sprite Battle sprite 2 Alternate skin battle sprite Young Cao Cao battle sprite Shin Sangokushi Sousouden portrait Shin Sangokushi Sousouden character model Dynasty Tactics render Golf Taikai portrait Sangokushi Rumble Cao Cao in Nobunaga no Yabou 201X Sousounyan in Samurai Cats Houshin Engi Regulus portrait Fantasia Sango WEB portrait Rumble Burst portrait Alternate portrait Chinese version portrait Chinese version alternate portrait Chinese version alternate portrait 2 Sangokushi Baseball portrait Alternate portrait Alternate portrait 2 Sangoku Senki WEB portrait Koihime Musou collaboration portrait in Sengoku Bushouki MURAMASA Browser Sangokushi portrait Alternate portrait Alternate portrait 2 Alternate portrait 3 Alternate portrait 4 Alternate portrait 5 Alternate portrait 6 Alternate portrait 7 Alternate portrait 8 Alternate portrait 9 Paired portrait with Guan Yu Paired portrait with Guo Si Paired portrait with Lady Bian Paired portrait with Lu Bu Paired portrait with Sima Yi Paired portrait with Xun Yu Paired portrait with Yuan Shao Paired portrait with Dian Wei and Xu Chu Paired portrait with Zhang Xiu Paired portrait with Zhou Yu Hexa Wars portrait Alternate portrait Chinese version portrait Chinese version alternate portrait Juuzaengi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~ portrait Juuzaengi ~Engetsu Sangokuden~ 2 portrait Bakushō Sangokushi Biographical Dictionary appearance Sangokushi-teki Shinjutsu artwork Rekishi Paradise Gaiden Dai Sangokushi Club appearance My Beloved Guan Yu chapter appearance JoshoCop chapter appearance Ultimate Choice chapter appearance Counsel gag comic appearance Too Obvious-Minded chapter appearance Sangokushi Poll Results section appearance Perky gag comic appearance Lord Cao Cao's Game Paradise Talk section appearance Sangokushi Kaitai Shinsho appearance Alternate appearance Comic Sangokushi True Episode appearance Campaign Against Dong Zhuo chapter appearance Trio the Pinch gag comic appearance Historical section appearance Decisive Battle at Xiapi chapter appearance Guan Yu and Zhang Liao chapter appearance Conte Wu Soup Wu Practice gag comic appearance Zhao Yun's Flight from Changban chapter appearance The Rise of Ma Chao chapter appearance Number of Fluctuations gag comic appearance Comic Sangokushi True Episode Gaiden appearance Like Lord, Like Tiger chapter appearance Fork in the Road chapter appearance Maruwakari! Sangokushi appearance Chapter 2 appearance Chapter 6 appearance Mōtoku in Neko Sangokushi Nyaa

Trivia

• His nickname is "Cow Cow" for having his name spelled as written regardless of how it's supposed to be pronounced as tsao tsao in the early games. This correctly pronounced name is the first English dub since Dynasty Warriors 6 to do the same -other than Romance of the Three Kingdoms- was the Warriors Orochi series.
• Cao Cao in his Dynasty Warriors 7 design appeared as a boss character during a collaboration quest in Road to Dragons.

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