Cao Wei

Life

He was the son of Cao Bin and entered official service through hereditary privilege. He first held the posts of 西頭供奉官 and 閤門祗候. During Li Jiqian's rebellion, Cao Bin recommended him for command. At nineteen, he was appointed tongzhi of Weizhou. His discipline was strict, and he conducted himself like a veteran commander.

Under Emperor Zhenzong, he successively served as governor of Weizhou, commander of Zhenrong Army, and governor of Qinzhou, while also holding frontier-pacification authority over Jing, Yuan, Yi, Wei, and Zhenrong. His jurisdiction is also described as Jingyuan and Huanqing. He rose successively to 宣徽北院使 and 鎮國軍節度觀察留後, and eventually became 簽書樞密院事.

After refusing to align himself with Chancellor Ding Wei, he was accused of belonging to Kou Zhun's faction and demoted to the governorship of Laizhou. After Ding Wei's fall, he was restored to office, appointed observer of Huazhou, and made governor of Qingzhou. He ended his career as 彰武軍節度使, a title also rendered 昭武軍節度使. He was posthumously granted the name Wumu.

Family

Cao Bin was his father. He married in succession daughters of Pan Mei and Shen Jizong, and his brothers included Cao Cong, Cao Can, Cao Qi, Cao Xuan, and Cao Xun. His family included his eldest son Cao Xi, his third son Cao Yu, his son-in-law Wang Deji, and his grandson Cao Feng.

Military and learning

He was resolute, brave, and resourceful, fond of reading, well versed in the Three Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn, and particularly learned in the Zuo Commentary. He repeatedly defeated the Xiqiang and commanded troops for nearly forty years without a defeat.