Cao Hong

Cao Hong (died 232),courtesy name Zilian, was a military general of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms era. He started his career in the late Eastern Han Dynasty under the warlord Cao Cao, who was also his cousin.

Early life and career

Cao Hong's uncle Cao Ding, held a high position in the late Han Dynasty imperial court, and because of this connection, Cao Hong was given command of Qichun County (蘄春県) at a young age. In 190, Chen Wen (陳温), the governor of Yang Province (揚州) pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, who had just raised an army of his own to join the coalition against Dong Zhuo. Cao Hong was a close friend of Chen Wen, and together they joined Cao Cao. He became a general in Cao Cao's army along with Cao Ren, his cousin. After Dong moved the capital to Chang'an, Cao Cao set out to attack Chenggao without much assistance, because most of the other generals in the coalition found nothing but a burnt-down Luoyang from their initial successes, and were hesitant to engage Dong further. Cao Cao's forces were intercepted in Xingyang, and were greatly defeated. Xu Rong, a general of Dong Zhuo's army, had injured Cao Cao and killed his horse. At the time Cao Hong asked Cao Cao to take his horse, but the latter once wanted to relinquish his ambition and refused, Cao Hong then strongly rebuked his cousin and said: "The world can do without me, but can't without you!" Hence, Cao Cao got on Cao Hong's horse, and the latter protected Cao Cao on foot, and returned to their base safely.