Cao Xing

史载（Historical Record）

Concerning Cao Xing, there is no clear record in the official Records of the Three Kingdoms or in other historical materials. Therefore his life, deeds, and specific role in history cannot be verified. In the true scroll of history, Cao Xing is as if a blank, leaving behind no ink for later generations to trace.

演中（In the Novel）

In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Xing is cast as one of Lü Bu's generals, his image shown chiefly through two key engagements. He first appears when Cao Cao attacked Xu Province. When Cao Cao fell into a trap and was surrounded within the city of Xu Province by Zhang Liao, Zang Ba, Gao Shun, Hou Cheng, and others, Cao Xing appeared together with Hao Meng to intercept Cao Cao at the north gate, throwing Cao Cao into a tight encirclement and grave peril ^c:2152.

Cao Xing's best-known episode in the Romance occurs in the Battle of Puyang between Lü Bu and Cao Cao. In this battle, Xiahou Dun fought Gao Shun, and Gao Shun, no match for him, fled. As Xiahou Dun gave relentless chase, Cao Xing, lying in wait within the array, shot a hidden arrow that struck Xiahou Dun in the left eye. Xiahou Dun, in furious rage, pulled out the arrow—and with it the eyeball—then swallowed it, crying out, "The essence of my father and the blood of my mother cannot be cast away!" Then Xiahou Dun leveled his spear and charged straight at Cao Xing; caught off guard, Cao Xing was run through the face by Xiahou Dun's spear and died on the spot ^c:2153. This episode greatly heightens Xiahou Dun's valor and Cao Xing's treacherousness, and brings Cao Xing's role in the Romance to a close. The Romance's depiction of Cao Xing makes him a typical supporting character whose existence serves chiefly to set off the valor or tragic grandeur of the principal figures.

关键关系

* Cao Cao: In the Romance, Cao Xing stands in an adversarial relationship with Cao Cao. In the battle of Xu Province, Cao Xing, together with Hao Meng, intercepted Cao Cao at the north gate, attempting to trap him ^c:2152 (novel only).
* Xiahou Dun: Cao Xing and Xiahou Dun had a direct conflict. In the Battle of Puyang, Cao Xing shot a hidden arrow that wounded Xiahou Dun's left eye, leading to the famous episode of Xiahou Dun "pulling out the arrow and devouring his eye." In the end, Cao Xing was thereby slain by Xiahou Dun ^c:2153 (novel only).

标志性场景

Cao Xing's most signature scene in Romance of the Three Kingdoms is undoubtedly the moment in the Battle of Puyang when he shot a hidden arrow that wounded Xiahou Dun's left eye and was finally slain by Xiahou Dun in return. This scene not only displays Cao Xing's skill as an archer but also directly precipitates the immensely striking episode of Xiahou Dun "pulling out the arrow and devouring his eye." At that time, as Xiahou Dun pursued Gao Shun, Cao Xing "secretly fitted bow and arrow, took careful aim, and let fly an arrow that struck Xiahou Dun squarely in the left eye" ^c:2153. This arrow not only gravely wounded Xiahou Dun but also stirred his towering fury, prompting him to swallow his own eyeball. Then Xiahou Dun "again leveled his spear and spurred his horse, charging straight at Cao Xing. Caught off guard, Cao Xing was run through the face by a spear-thrust and died beneath his horse" ^c:2153. This scene tightly binds together Cao Xing's surprise attack, Xiahou Dun's wild fury and valor, and Cao Xing's final end, making it a memorable moment in the Romance (novel only).