Background
Cao Jie was a daughter of the warlord Cao Cao, who by 196 had Emperor Xian under his control and issuing edicts in Emperor Xian's name to his own benefit in his campaign to reunite the empire, which had been held by regional warlords.
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Cao Cao
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Career
She was the second wife of Emperor Xian, the last Han emperor, and became known as the Duchess of Shanyang after her husband's abdication. She was a half-sister of Cao Pi, who ended the Han dynasty by forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate the throne in his favour and established the state of Cao Wei. Initially, their titles were Furen (夫人), and in 214 their titles were upgraded to Guiren (貴人).
In 214, Emperor Xian's first wife Empress Fu Shou was discovered to have advocated a conspiracy against Cao Cao in 200, and although 14 years had elapsed, Cao was still so angry at her that he forcibly had her deposed and executed. In 215, Cao Jie was named Empress to replace her. Later that year, he forced Emperor Xian to abdicate in favor of him, ending the Han Dynasty.
It is said by traditional historians that when Cao Pi sent messengers to demand Empress Cao surrender her empress seal, she refused several times, but finally relented. Her husband died in 234, and she died 26 years later and was buried with him with honors due an empress, using Han ceremonies.
