Royals › Monarch / Emperor
Cao Mao
Fourth Cao Wei emperor, enthroned at thirteen by Sima Shi, who led his palace servants against Sima Zhao in 260 and was stabbed to death by Cheng Ji
In a side chamber of a palace, a yellow ceremonial robe embroidered with a dragon hangs on a wooden stand, its hem worked with waves and rocks, before a carved folding screen, while a black lacquer chest sits on a low table by a lattice window and no person is in view.
Also known as Zi Yanshi
- Roles
- Monarch / Emperor
Cao Mao, courtesy name Yanshi, was a grandson of Cao Pi and son of Cao Lin, Prince of Donghai, and was made Duke of Gaogui District in 244. When Sima Shi deposed Cao Fang in 254, he put the thirteen-year-old Cao Mao on the throne; the reign titles were Zhengyuan and then Ganlu. The Sima brothers crushed the risings of Guanqiu Jian and Zhuge Dan, while the young emperor went to the Imperial Academy to debate the Changes, the Documents and the Rites with its scholars. In the fifth month of 260, unwilling to remain a puppet, he told Wang Shen, Wang Jing and Wang Ye that "Sima Zhao's intentions are known to every passer-by" and led several hundred guards and servants out against him. Wang Shen and Wang Ye ran ahead to warn Sima Zhao, Jia Chong met the emperor with troops, and the officer Cheng Ji ran him through with a spear. He received no posthumous name and is known as the Duke of Gaogui District.
Life and times
Dates 241 CE–260 CE