Career
He was the younger brother of Cao Ren, a better known general who also served under Cao Cao. Cao Chun was a younger brother of Cao Ren. Being well-learned himself, Cao Chun also befriended scholars, who flocked to him.
At seventeen, Cao Chun entered the Han imperial court in Luoyang as the Attendant at the Yellow Gates (黄门侍郎, a spokesman for the emperor).
During the siege of Nanpi against Yuan Tan in early 205, Cao Chun commanded the elite mounted force – the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. In the initial stage of the confrontation, Cao Cao"s troops suffered significant losses to skirmishes by the enemy but eventually prevailed.
Cao Chun"s men took the head of Yuan Tan. In the subsequent northern expedition against the Wuhuan tribe, Cao Chun"s force again excelled in battle.
The riders captured Tadun, chief of the Wuhuan, in the Battle of White Wolf Mountain.
Foreign his credits, Cao Chun was enfeoffed as Tinghou of Gaoling (高陵亭侯) with stipends from 300 households. In 208, Cao Chun accompanied Cao Cao south on the campaign to take the Jingzhou. At Xiangyang, Cao Chun and his men was sent ahead to pursue the retreating force of Liu Bei.
Cao Chun pressed on south to secure the strategic city of Jiangling, which had a cache of armaments and a sizeable river fleet.
He then returned to his hometown, where he died in 210. According to the Book of Wei, Cao Cao favored Cao Chun so much that he refused to appoint anyone to succeed the commandership of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.
In 220, Cao Cao"s successor Cao Pi conferred Cao Chun the posthumous title of Marquis Wei (威侯), literally meaning the awe-inspiring marquis. Cao Chun"s son Cao Yan (曹演) also served in the military and was eventually promoted to Lingjun General (领军将军) and Marquis of Pingle (平乐乡侯).
Grandfather: Cao Bao (曹褒), served as Administrator of Yingchuan Father: Cao Chi (曹熾), served as a Palace Attendant and Changshui Colonel, posthumously granted title of Marquis of Chenmu.
Siblings: Cao Ren, older brother, served Cao Cao Children: Cao Yan (曹演), appointed General Who Leads the Army, granted title of Marquis of Pingle in 255 Grandchildren: Cao Liang (曹亮), son of Cao Yan.
