Cao Shuang
| Cao Shuang | |
|---|---|
| Regent of Cao Wei | |
| Born | (Unknown) |
| Died | 249 |
| Names | |
| Traditional Chinese | 曹爽 |
| Simplified Chinese | 曹爽 |
| Pinyin | Cáo Shuǎng |
| Wade–Giles | Ts'ao Shuang |
| Courtesy name | Zhaobo (Chinese: 昭伯; pinyin: Zhāobó; Wade–Giles: Chao-po) |
Cao Shuang (died 249), courtesy name Zhaobo, was a military general, politician and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the son of Cao Zhen. He initially held great power in Cao Wei as the Grand Commander but later, he lost his power to Sima Yi and was executed on charges of treason.
Around the new year of 239, when Emperor Cao Rui grew ill, Cao Rui resolved to pass the throne to Cao Fang. He initially wanted to entrust Cao Fang to his uncle Cao Yu (曹宇), to serve as the lead regent, along with Xiahou Xian (夏侯獻), Cao Shuang, Cao Zhao (曹肇), and Qin Lang (秦朗). However, his trusted officials Liu Fang (劉放) and Sun Zi (孫資) were unfriendly with Xiahou Xian and Cao Zhao and were apprehensive about their becoming regents, and managed to persuade him to make Cao Shuang (with whom they were friendly) and Sima Yi (who was then with his troops at Ji (汲縣, in modern Xinxiang, Henan) regents instead. Cao Yu, Cao Zhao, and Qin Lang were excluded from the regency. As a result, Cao Shuang rose to power. However, Cao Shuang was clearly inadequate for the important job assigned to him. When Cao Rui asked him if could do it, Cao Shuang was so nervous that he could not even say a word to answer and finally, it was Sima Yi answered for him, promising Cao Rui that they would do their best and Cao Rui would have nothing to worry about.
Despite his inability, Cao Shuang and his brothers, Cao Xi and Cao Xun wielded great power in Cao Wei, and he was often at conflict with Sima Yi, who had greater influence and support. In 243, Sima Yi's position further strengthened by another successful deployment: Zhuge Ke of Eastern Wu was constantly sending agents to Shouchun to prepare an invasion, so Sima Yi led Cao Wei forces to Shu county (舒县) of Lujiang commandery (庐江郡), near the border. Hearing the news, Sun Quan immediately ordered Zhuge Ke to withdraw to Chaisang County (柴桑县) Yuzhang commandery (豫章郡). Sima Yi's popularity and influence instantly multiplied as he was cheered as being able to scare away the enemy numbering over a hundred thousand without a fight and thus secured the border and saved the city from certain attack. Alarmed, Cao Shuang used his greater authority than Sima Yi, to persuade the emperor, Cao Fang, as a reward, to promote Sima Yi to the rank of Grand Tutor (太傅), which actually meant that Sima was in an honorary position and was left without any real authority in military affairs.
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