Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Cao Bing (曹炳, Tào Bính) was an imperial prince and noble of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. Hailing from Qiao County in Pei Commandery, he was the son and successor of Cao Xiong (曹熊) (Prince Huai of Xiao), grandson of the dynastic founder Cao Cao and Grand Empress Dowager Lady Bian, and nephew of Emperor Wen (Cao Pi).
Following the premature death of his father Cao Xiong in 220 AD, Cao Bing inherited the hereditary title of Marquis of Huaiyang (淮阳侯). In 221 AD, upon the establishment of the Wei dynasty, Cao Pi raised Cao Bing’s father posthumously to Prince of Xiao, confirming Cao Bing as the rightful heir to the principality.
During the reign of Emperor Ming (Cao Rui), in the sixth year of Taihe (232 AD), Cao Bing was formally elevated to the rank of Prince of Xiao (萧王) to maintain the ancestral sacrifices of Cao Xiong’s lineage. Cao Bing governed his princely domain with propriety until his decease in 234 AD, when he was granted the posthumous title of Prince Ai of Xiao (萧哀王).
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 68 (Heirs of the House of Cao): While the drums of war sounded along the frontiers of Shu and Wu, the grandsons of Cao Cao maintained the ancestral temples of the clan in Qiao, preserving the lineage of fallen princes in regal splendor.
Cao Bing — Historical & Literary Timeline
221 AD
Inheritance of Marquisate
Succeeds to the peerage of Marquis of Huaiyang following the early death of his father.
234 AD
Prince Ai of Xiao
Elevated to Prince of Xiao (萧王) by Emperor Ming; passes away in 234 AD and is granted the posthumous title Prince Ai.
Key Relationships
Family
- Cao Xiong (曹熊, Tào Hùng) — Father; Prince Huai of Xiao and son of Cao Cao.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — Grandfather; King of Wei and foundational hegemon of the Three Kingdoms era.
- Lady Bian (卞氏, Biện Thị) — Grandmother; Grand Empress Dowager of Cao Wei.
- Cao Pi (曹丕, Tào Phi) — Uncle; Emperor Wen of Wei.
- Cao Zhang (曹彰, Tào Chương) — Uncle; celebrated martial general and Prince of Rencheng.
- Cao Zhi (曹植, Tào Thực) — Uncle; famed poet and Prince of Chensi.
- Cao Ang (曹昂, Tào Ngang) — Eldest uncle; hero of the Battle of Wancheng.
Friends / Allies
- Cao Rui (曹叡, Tào Duệ) — Cousin; Emperor Ming of Wei, who elevated Cao Bing to full princehood.
- Imperial Princes of Wei — Descendants of Cao Cao who populated the royal principalities of the Central Plains.
Enemies / Rivals
- Rival Kingdoms of Shu and Wu — Hostile southern dynasties contesting Wei’s imperial legitimacy.
Other
- People of Xiao Principality — Subjects who lived peacefully under the protection of Prince Ai’s estate.
In Novel
Chapter 68 (Princes of the royal blood)
- Cao Bing (曹炳, Tào Bính): Born into the imperial royal house, Cao Bing carried the ancestral seals of Xiao, honoring the memory of his father with quiet filial dignity.
Chapter 105 (Continuity of the Cao house)
- Cao Bing (曹炳, Tào Bính): In the royal city of Xiao, Prince Cao Bing offered wine before the ancestral tablets of Cao Cao, maintaining the sacred rites of the dynasty.
In History
Summary
- Cao Bing (曹炳, c. 215–234 AD) was an imperial prince of Cao Wei, Prince Ai of Xiao (萧哀王), son of Cao Xiong and grandson of Cao Cao.
Year: 232–234 AD
- Elevated to Prince of Xiao in 232 AD by Emperor Ming Cao Rui; died in 234 AD and received the posthumous title Prince Ai.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi, Vol. 20 (Biographies of the Princes of King Wu): Records Cao Xiong’s biography, noting that his son Cao Bing succeeded him, was created Prince of Xiao in the 6th year of Taihe (232 AD), and passed away in the 2nd year of Qinglong (234 AD) as Prince Ai.