Cao Fang
| Cao Fang | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Cao Wei | |
| Born | 232 |
| Died | 274 (aged 41–42) |
| Predecessor | Cao Rui |
| Successor | Cao Mao |
| Names | |
| Traditional Chinese | 曹芳 |
| Simplified Chinese | 曹芳 |
| Pinyin | Cáo Fāng |
| Wade–Giles | Ts'ao Fang |
| Courtesy name | Lanqing (traditional Chinese: 蘭卿; simplified Chinese: 兰卿; pinyin: Lánqīng; Wade–Giles: Lan-ching) |
| Posthumous name | none |
Cao Fang (232–274), courtesy name Lanqing, was the third emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He was an adopted son of Cao Rui, the second ruler of Wei. Cao Fang ruled from 239 to 254 as a nominal emperor before he was deposed by the regent Sima Shi, after which he became known as the "Prince of Qi". After the fall of Wei in 265, Cao Fang was conferred the title of "Duke of Shaoling" by Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty. When he died in 274, he was granted the posthumous name "Li", so his full posthumous title became "Duke Li of Shaoling".
Cao Fang was a son of Cao Kai (曹楷), the Prince of Rencheng, a son of Cao Zhang. He was adopted by Wei's second emperor Cao Rui at a young age. He was instated as the Prince of Qi in 235.
Around 239, when Cao Rui became ill, he resolved to pass the throne to Cao Fang. Initially, he wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu (曹宇), who would serve as a regent along with Xiahou Xian (夏侯獻), Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao (曹肇), and Qin Lang (秦朗). However, Cao Rui's trusted officials Liu Fang (劉放) and Sun Zi (孫資) were not on good terms with Xiahou Xian and Cao Zhao, and were apprehensive about them becoming regents. Eventually, Cao Rui was persuaded to appoint Cao Shuang and Sima Yi. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency.
Half a month later, when Cao Rui was on his deathbed, Sima Yi arrived at Luoyang. Cao Rui held onto Sima's hand and summoned Cao Fang and Cao Xun (another adopted son of Cao Rui) to his bedside. He pointed out Cao Fang and told the boy to hug Sima, as he would hug his father. Cao Rui then instated Cao Fang as crown prince and died on the same day.
Although Cao Fang ruled for the longest period of time of all the rulers of Cao Wei, he was not in control of state power at any time during his reign. During his reign, the political scene was dominated by regents - Cao Shuang initially; then Sima Yi after he seized power from Cao Shuang during the Incident at Gaoping Tombs. After Sima Yi's death, Cao Fang attempted to take back state power from Sima Yi's son, Sima Shi, but was not successful and was eventually deposed by Sima Shi.
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