Here is the exhaustive biography, ancestral background, historical records, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms narrative for Cao Bao (曹豹) (died 196 AD), incorporating all detailed accounts of his elite military standing in Xu Province, his conflict with Zhang Fei over alcohol, his conspiracy with Lu Bu to seize Xiapi, and his fatal clash with Zhang Fei.
Contents
Ancestry, Family Background & Early Life
Cao Bao (曹豹) was a prominent military general in Xu Province (Xuzhou) during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Specific details regarding his ancestral origins, parents, or male descendants are unrecorded in official history. He belonged to an influential local military clan in Xu Province.
Cao Bao had at least one notable daughter, Lady Cao (Cao Shi), who married the famous warrior Lu Bu (呂布) as a secondary wife / concubine during Lu Bu’s alliance with Liu Bei, forming a key familial bond between Cao Bao and Lu Bu.
Service Under Tao Qian & Defense of Xu Province (193–194 AD)
In the early 190s AD, Cao Bao served as a senior General (Jiangjun) under Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province. In 193–194 AD, when Cao Cao launched a devastating invasion of Xu Province to avenge the murder of his father Cao Song, Cao Bao served as Tao Qian’s primary military commander alongside Peng Dan.
During the campaign, Cao Bao led Tao Qian’s troops to confront Cao Cao’s army at Tanxian (Tancheng). In open battle against Cao Cao’s formidable force led by Xiahou Dun, Cao Bao’s army was outmaneuvered and defeated. Following Tao Qian’s death in 194 AD, Cao Bao supported Liu Bei in assuming leadership over Xu Province, retaining his high military position as Chancellor of Xiapi / Senior Commandant.
Conflict with Zhang Fei & Loss of Xiapi (196 AD)
In 196 AD, when Liu Bei led his main army south to Xuyi and Huaiyin to resist an invasion by Yuan Shu, he left his sworn brother Zhang Fei in charge of guarding the provincial capital at Xiapi, assisted by Cao Bao.
1. The Banquet Incident: Zhang Fei hosted a grand banquet for all civil and military officers in Xiapi. Known for his fierce temper and heavy drinking, Zhang Fei ordered every official to drink wine to excess. When the cup reached Cao Bao, Cao Bao declined, explaining: “I have never consumed alcohol due to a religious vow/prohibition, and I ask for your leniency.”
2. The Flogging: Enraged by Cao Bao’s refusal, Zhang Fei roared: “A military officer who does not drink disobeys orders!” When Cao Bao pleaded for mercy, mentioning his son-in-law Lu Bu, Zhang Fei became even more furious, shouting: “I was already inclined to spare you, but mentioning Lu Bu makes me want to beat you even more!” Zhang Fei ordered his guards to drag Cao Bao out and strike him with fifty heavy lashes.
Conspiracy with Lu Bu & Tragic Death (196 AD)
Deeply humiliated and harboring intense hatred for Zhang Fei, Cao Bao returned to his private quarters and dispatched a secret messenger to his son-in-law Lu Bu, who was then stationed at nearby Xiaopei:
“Zhang Fei is heavily intoxicated and incapable of command; he has beaten me without cause. You should lead an army tonight to launch a surprise attack on Xiapi. I will open the city gates from within to assist you, and the province will be yours!”
Upon receiving Cao Bao’s letter, Lu Bu immediately mobilized 5,000 elite cavalry and launched a swift night raid on Xiapi. True to his word, Cao Bao instructed his loyal guards to open the city gates. Lu Bu’s cavalry stormed into the city, catching the garrison completely off guard.
Zhang Fei, still half-intoxicated, was unable to organize an effective defense or don his full armor. Escorted by his personal guard of eighteen horsemen, Zhang Fei fought his way out through the western gates to escape. As Zhang Fei fled, Cao Bao led a division of troops in pursuit, eager to avenge his beating. Seeing Cao Bao pursuing him, Zhang Fei turned his horse in a rage, galloped straight at Cao Bao, and thrust his Eight-Foot Serpent Lance (*Zhangba Shemao*) through Cao Bao’s back, impaling him and knocking him dead into the moat. Despite Cao Bao’s death, Lu Bu successfully captured Xiapi, seizing Liu Bei’s family and establishing control over Xu Province.
Cao Bao (曹豹) — Historical & Literary Timeline
193–194 AD — Senior General under Tao Qian
Defending Xu Province Against Cao Cao
Serves as Tao Qian’s chief general. Commands troops at Tanxian to resist Cao Cao’s invasion. Following Tao Qian’s death, supports Liu Bei’s governance of Xu Province.
196 AD — Clash with Zhang Fei
Flogged for Refusing Wine at Xiapi Banquet
Guards Xiapi alongside Zhang Fei while Liu Bei campaigns against Yuan Shu. Refuses to drink alcohol at Zhang Fei’s banquet and invokes his son-in-law Lu Bu’s name, prompting Zhang Fei to order him flogged with fifty lashes.
196 AD — Conspiracy with Lu Bu & Death
Opening Xiapi’s Gates to Lu Bu & Slain by Zhang Fei
Sends a secret letter inviting Lu Bu to capture Xiapi. Opens the city gates at night for Lu Bu’s cavalry. Pursues the fleeing Zhang Fei, but is speared through the back and killed by Zhang Fei’s Serpent Lance.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Narrative
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Bao is featured as a senior military commander of Xu Province whose personal feud with Zhang Fei triggers a major geopolitical shift, delivering Xu Province into the hands of Lu Bu.
In Chapters 10 and 11, Cao Bao serves under Governor Tao Qian during Cao Cao’s punitive invasion of Xu Province. Cao Bao leads troops to battle Cao Cao’s vanguard general Xiahou Dun at Tanxian, but is forced to retreat into the city after a fierce engagement. Following Tao Qian’s passing, Cao Bao continues serving Liu Bei as Chancellor of Xiapi.
In Chapter 14, when Liu Bei leads an expedition against Yuan Shu at Xuyi, he leaves Zhang Fei to guard Xiapi. Zhang Fei vows not to drink wine, but after a few days breaks his vow and hosts a mandatory drinking banquet for all officers. When Cao Bao refuses his cup, explaining that he has sworn a religious prohibition against alcohol, Zhang Fei insists. Cao Bao pleads for mercy, saying: “For the sake of my son-in-law Lu Bu, please forgive me!” Hearing Lu Bu’s name infuriates Zhang Fei, who shouts: “You try to intimidate me with Lu Bu? I will beat you all the more!” Zhang Fei orders fifty heavy lashes inflicted on Cao Bao despite protests from fellow officers.
Deeply humiliated, Cao Bao sends a urgent secret letter to Lu Bu at Xiaopei, advising him that Zhang Fei is drunk and proposing a night raid on Xiapi with Cao Bao opening the gates. Lu Bu immediately marches with his cavalry. At midnight, Cao Bao opens the gates, allowing Lu Bu’s forces to storm the city. Woken from his drunken stupor, Zhang Fei flees with only eighteen horsemen, leaving Liu Bei’s family behind. Spotting Zhang Fei retreating, Cao Bao rides out to cut him off, shouting insults. Enraged, Zhang Fei turns his horse, charges straight through Cao Bao’s guards, and pierces Cao Bao through the back with his Serpent Lance, killing him instantly and dropping his corpse into the moat. Though Cao Bao perishes, his betrayal successfully transfers Xu Province to Lu Bu’s control.
Key Relationships
Family
- Lady Cao (曹氏, Tào Thị): Daughter. Concubine of Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố) in the novel.
Friends
- Tao Qian (陶谦, Đào Khiêm): Governor of Xu Province whom Cao Bao served as a loyal military commander.
- Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố): Son-in-law in the novel; allied with Cao Bao to seize Xiapi city from Zhang Fei in 196 AD.
Enemies
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi): Shu commander. Flogged Cao Bao while drunk in Xiapi; later pursued and killed Cao Bao when the city fell to Lü Bu’s coup in 196 AD.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): Warlord who invaded Xu Province in 193–194 AD, battling Cao Bao and Tao Qian’s forces.
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 10
- Cao Bao (曹豹, Tào Báo): A senior military general under Tao Qian (陶谦, Đào Khiêm) in Xuzhou who marched out alongside Tao Qian to confront the invading army of Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) and dueled Xiahou Dun (夏侯惇, Hạ Hầu Đôn) before a sudden dust storm halted the battle.
Chapter 14
- Cao Bao (曹豹, Tào Báo): Left to assist Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) in guarding Xiapi, he was flogged by a drunken Zhang Fei for refusing to drink and appealing on behalf of his son-in-law Lü Bu (吕布, Lã Bố); in retaliation, Cao Bao secretly sent a message to Lü Bu inviting him to launch a nighttime raid to seize Xuzhou, but during the ensuing chaos, Cao Bao attempted to ambush Zhang Fei and was speared to death in the river.
In History
Year: 193 AD
- Cao Bao (曹豹, Tào Báo) served as an officer under Tao Qian (陶谦, Đào Khiêm) in Xu Province. During Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo)‘s campaign against Tao Qian, Cao Bao and Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) were positioned in eastern Tan County and fought against Cao Cao’s forces during the campaign.
Year: 194 AD
- Cao Bao (曹豹, Tào Báo) remained associated with the administration of Xu Province after Tao Qian’s death and the succession of Liu Bei. He was subsequently placed in charge of Xiapi as its Chancellor.
Year: 196 AD
- Cao Bao (曹豹, Tào Báo) was stationed at Xiapi while Liu Bei was away fighting Yuan Shu (袁术, Viên Thuật). The historical accounts differ in their description of the immediate conflict between Cao Bao and Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi). One account says Zhang Fei wanted to kill Cao Bao for an unspecified reason, causing Cao Bao to fortify his camp and seek help from Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố); another describes a quarrel between Zhang Fei and Cao Bao followed by Cao Bao’s death. In either case, Cao Bao’s death contributed to the collapse of Liu Bei’s control of Xiapi and Lü Bu’s seizure of the city.
Historical Status
- Cao Bao (曹豹, Tào Báo) was a real historical officer. The dramatic version in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, especially the portrayal of him as Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố)‘s father-in-law and the detailed quarrel over drinking with Zhang Fei, should not be treated as established historical fact.
Gallery
Tào Báo (chữ Hán: 曹豹, phiên âm Pinyin: Cáo Bào) là một tướng lĩnh dưới quyền Thứ sử Từ Châu Đào Khiêm (Tao Qian — 陶謙), sau đó phục vụ Lưu Bị (Liu Bei — 劉備) và Lữ Bố (Lu Bu — 呂布). Ông vừa là nhân vật có thật trong lịch sử, vừa xuất hiện nổi bật trong tiểu thuyết Tam Quốc Diễn Nghĩa (Three Kingdoms — 三國演義) của La Quán Trung.
1. Thông tin cá nhân & Gia đình
2. Cuộc đời & Sự nghiệp
Thời Đào Khiêm & Lưu Bị:
Xung đột với Trương Phi (Zhang Fei — 張飛) & Kết cục:
Năm 196, Lưu Bị đem quân đi đánh Viên Thuật (Yuan Shu — 袁術) ở Vu Thai (Yutai — 盱眙), giao cho Trương Phi giữ thành Hạ Bì (Xiapi — 下邳):
Cao Bao (onyomi: Sō Hyō) is an officer of Tao Qian who later went on to serve Liu Bei in 194. His quarrel with Zhang Fei resulted in Lu Bu‘s capture of Xiapi.
Historical Information
Record of Three Kingdoms notes that Cao Bao originally served Tao Qian. He fought against Cao Cao‘s invasion and lost against the invaders. Cao Bao joined Liu Bei after his lord’s death and was ordered to guard Xiapi as its Chancellor during the campaigns against Yuan Shu.
Yingxiong Ji has two opposing accounts for his activities at Xiapi. Liu Bei’s biography notes that Zhang Fei wanted to kill Cao Bao for unknown reasons, causing the other man to flee and fortify his camp. He soon colluded with Lu Bu into attacking the city. Lu Bu’s scroll instead describes a heated quarrel between Cao Bao and Zhang Fei led to the former’s death. The castle morale was in shambles and the castle defenders appealed to Lu Bu to drive Zhang Fei away. Then Lu Bu attacked and claimed Xiapi. There is no clear consensus for which account is correct but the end result for both is the same: Zhang Fei fled from Xiapi and Cao Bao disappears from historical records.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms establishes him as Lu Bu’s father-in-law, his daughter being the general’s second wife. He first clashed against Cao Cao’s forces at Xu Province. He and Xiahou Dun prepared to duel each other until a sudden hurricane drove them apart, leaving them too distracted to continue. After Tao Qian’s passing, his allegiance went to his lord’s successor, Liu Bei.
Cao Bao’s troubles began when he declined Zhang Fei’s offer to drink heavily with the other officers during a banquet. His constant refusals angered Zhang Fei immensely, provoking the drunkard into giving him a hundred lashes upon learning his family ties to Lu Bu. Although the guests were able to rescind half of the punishment, the damage was done; Cao Bao felt thoroughly humiliated and wanted revenge. He sent a letter to his son-in-law informing him of Liu Bei’s absence.
On that same night, Cao Bao and his men opened the city gates for Lu Bu’s army and surprised the drunken Zhang Fei. He pursued his tormentor until the Zhang Fei’s compromised state gave way to rage. Cao Bao suffered a back injury, lost his footing, and drowned in the castle moat.