Cao Ang 曹昂 was a noble during the Late Han dynasty. He was the eldest son of Cao Cao, and would sacrifice his life for him after Zhang Xiu ambushed them.
Biography[]
Cao Ang was born to Lady Liu as the eldest of Cao Cao's sons. He had a full sister, the Princess of Qinghe, and a full brother, Cao Shuo.[1] However, Lady Liu died young, so Cao Cao's main wife, Lady Ding, raised Cao Ang as if he were her own son.[2] He was nominated as Filial and Incorrupt. In the 1st lunar month of the 2nd year of the Jian'an era, Cao Cao was tricked by Zhang Xiu at Wan in an ambush. His steed, Absolute Shadow, was hit in the legs and cheek, rendering it incapable of running. Cao Ang saw this and knowing he himself could not ride horses well, gave his own horse to Cao Cao in order for him to escape. Cao Ang died, probably from the barrage of arrows.[3][4]
Legacy[]
After Cao Ang's death, an outraged Lady Ding left Cao Cao. When Cao Cao was seriously ill and bed-ridden, he allegedly sighed and said, "I have always followed my intentions, and my heart never felt troubled. But supposing that I died and became a spirit, if Zixiu asks, 'Where is my mother,' what would I reply with?"[2] After Cao Pi succeeded Cao Cao and became Emperor shortly after, he was recorded saying, "My Filial and Incorrupt elder brother would certainly have his share of land if he was still here."[5] Around 202, Cao Pi would later posthumously promote Cao Ang to the rank of Duke of Feng, and in 203, had the Duke of Fan; Cao Jun’s son, Wan, adopted into Cao Ang’s line, as Cao Ang had no sons, and enfeoffed him as a duke. Around 205, Cao Ang was later posthumously promoted to Prince of Feng.[3]
Family[]
Cao Ang had no sons of his own. Cao Wan was adopted into his line.[3]
- Adopted son: Cao Wan
Notes[]
Fact vs. Fiction[]
References[]
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Wei princes 『劉夫人生豐愍王昂、相殤王鑠，』
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 《魏略》『太祖始有丁夫人，又劉夫人生子脩及清河長公主。劉早終，丁養子脩。子脩亡於穰，丁常言：「將我兒殺之，都不復念！」遂哭泣無節。…後太祖病困，自慮不起，歎曰：「我前後行意，於心未曾有所負也。假令死而有靈，子脩若問『我母所在』，我將何辭以荅！」』
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 SGZ: Biography of Wei princes 『豐愍王昂字子脩。弱冠舉孝廉。隨太祖南征，為張繡所害。無子。黃初二年追封，謚曰豐悼公。三年，以樊安公均子琬奉昂後，封中都公。其年徙封長子公。五年，追加昂號曰豐悼王。太和三年改昂謚曰愍王。嘉平六年，以琬襲昂爵為豐王。正元、景元中，累增邑，并前二千七百戶。琬薨，謚曰恭王。子廉嗣。』
- ↑ SGZ: Biography of Cao Cao 『二年春正月，公到宛。張繡降，旣而悔之，復反。公與戰，軍敗，為流矢所中，長子昂、弟子安民遇害。（《魏書》曰：公所乘馬名絕影，為流矢所中，傷頰及足，并中公右臂。《世語》曰：昂不能騎，進馬於公，公故免，而昂遇害。）』
- ↑ 《魏略》 『文帝常言：「家兄孝廉，自其分也。若使倉舒在，我亦無天下。」』
Sources[]
- Chen Shou 陳壽 (233–297). Sanguo zhi 三國志 “Records of the Three Kingdoms”, with official commentary compiled by Pei Songzhi 裴松之 (372-451).