Cao Rui
Cao Rui ( Chinese 曹叡 / 曹睿 , Pinyin Cáo Ruì , W.-G. Ts'ao Jui ; Zì 元 仲 , Yuánzhòng , Yüan-chung ; * 205 ; † 239 ) was the 2nd ruler of the Wei dynasty and the Successor to Cao Pi .
When Cao Rui was born, his grandfather Cao Cao was the ruler of the central plane and a contender for omnipotence in the former Han Empire. His father Cao Pi was Cao Cao's second eldest son. He became a contender for the legacy of the great general because his older brother Cao Ang was killed in action. During an ambush, Zhang Xius left his horse to his father so that he could escape. He himself fell in this attack.
His mother, Zhen Luo, was previously the wife of Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Xi . But when Cao Cao completely conquered the central plain in 204, she came under his control and Cao Pi forced her to marry. Since Cao Rui was born eight months after the wedding, it was rumored that he might be Yuan Xi's son. Cao Pi’s concubine Guo Nüwang used these rumors to cause trouble between Cao Pi and Zhen Luo. Therefore, after the last Han emperor was expelled, Zhen Luo was not allowed to go to the Wei capital, Luoyang , and committed suicide in 221.
Cao Rui did not become Crown Prince in 222, but only Prince Regent of Pingyuan. It was not until shortly before his father's death in 226 that he was made crown prince and at the age of 21 he became ruler of the Wei.
The three regents Cao Zhen , Chen Chun and Sima Yi , whom his father had appointed him, made Cao Rui provincial governors. This enabled him to continue to take their advice while they did not pose a real threat to his power.
Soon after the accession to the throne, the Shu Han attacked under Zhuge Liang in an alliance with Wu. Therefore, in 227, Cao Rui launched five campaigns against the weaker Shu Han. Through his successes, especially with Chang'an, Cao Rui was able to fend off Zhuge Liang and, if not peace, at least establish a long rest with Shu. The fighting with Wu, on the other hand, lasted throughout his reign and was always eventful. Overall, Cao Rui v. a. preserve his kingdom through his victories 228 and 234. However, he never succeeded in penetrating the heartland of Wu. Cao Rui's greatest military success was the conquest of Liaodong in 237. a. Sima Yi owed it.
During the peacetime, Cao Rui focused on building impressive palaces; he also gathered a considerable number of concubines around him. In the spring of 239 he finally decided on his seven-year-old son Cao Fang , who - supported by Sima Yi - became his successor.
Web links
- Family Trees Cao and Xiahou (English)
| predecessor | Office | successor |
|---|---|---|
| Cao Pi |
Emperor of China (North) 226–239 |
Cao Fang |
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Cao, Rui |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Emperor of the Wei Dynasty |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 205 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | China |
| DATE OF DEATH | 239 |
| Place of death | China |