Background
Сао Сао (AD 155 - 220), courtesy name Mengde, was born in Qiao County of Peiguo (today's Bozhou, Anhui Province). His father was the adopted son of a powerful palace eunuch, and Cao Cao had a privileged childhood and youth.
Statue of Cao Cao
politian military leader litterateur and poet of the late eastern han dynasty
Сао Сао (AD 155 - 220), courtesy name Mengde, was born in Qiao County of Peiguo (today's Bozhou, Anhui Province). His father was the adopted son of a powerful palace eunuch, and Cao Cao had a privileged childhood and youth.
Cao Cao first made his mark during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. He was later appointed one of the eight heads of the imperial army, and participated in the alliance against Dong Zhuo. After Dong Zhuo died, Cao Cao's power grew even stronger. He fought in several short-term and regional-scale wars. He defeated Lu Bu and Yuan Shu, and accepted Zhang Xiu's surrender. In AD 200, Cao Cao, with a smaller force, defeated Yuan Shao of Hebei in the Battle of Guandu (northeast of today's Zhongmu County, Henan).
In AD 201, Cao Cao's troops defeated Yuan Shao's army again in the Battle of Cangting (northeast of today's Guan County in Henan). In AD 207, Cao Cao completely wiped out Yuan Shao's remaining power in his campaign against Wuhuan, thus securing his northern frontier and unifying the Central Plains.
In AD 208, Cao Cao became the Imperial Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty. His army turned south, aiming to eliminate his southern rival, Liu Biao, in Jingzhou. Cao Cao suffered a defeat in fighting against the allied forces of Liu Bei and Sun Quan at the Red Cliffs. In AD 211, however Cao Cao scored a decisive victory over the coalition led by Ma Chao and took control of the Guanzhong region, laying the foundation for the Wei Kingdom.
In AD 212, he again defeated Zhang Lu of Hanzhong. In the following year, Emperor Xian of Han granted Cao Cao the title "King of Wei", and constructed the Bronze Peacock Terrace as his palace. Cao Cao enjoyed great authority and autonomy. He was allowed to seek audience with the emperor without being called upon, and to carry a sword to the imperial court.
As a politician, Cao Cao paid great attention to the development of an agricultural economy. To boost productivity and food supplies for the army, Cao Cao set up the army farming system and constructed canals. In dealing with human resources, Cao Cao suppressed the power of the local gentry and strengthened central control by recruiting talented people to expand the power of his own circle. Under his rule, politics in the Yellow River region were somewhat transparent, and the economy gradually prospered. Class oppression was reduced slightly and social customs changed for the better.