Cao Xi

Historical Record

Cao Xi, whose courtesy name is unknown, was the younger brother of the Cao Wei power-holder Cao Shuang. During Cao Shuang's administration, Cao Xi was appointed Central Commander of the Army, in charge of the imperial guards. Together with Cao Shuang's other brothers, such as General of the Martial Guard Cao Xun and Cavalier Attendant and Lecturer Cao Yan, he enjoyed the highest power and favor, free to come and go within the palace, his honor and favor unmatched for the time. ^c:2338

During Cao Shuang's monopoly of power, he gave important posts to such men of vain ostentation as He Yan, Deng Yang, Li Sheng, Ding Mi, and Bi Gui. These men had once been dismissed because Emperor Ming detested their ostentation, but after Cao Shuang took power they were reinstated and became his confidants. Deng Yang and the others once urged Cao Shuang to attack Shu to establish his prestige, and Cao Shuang followed their advice. In the fifth year of Zhengshi (244), Cao Shuang led an army of sixty or seventy thousand west to Chang'an and attacked Shu via the Luo Valley. However, this campaign caused great difficulties in transport across Guanzhong and the Di and Qiang regions, leading to the mass death of oxen, horses, mules, and donkeys, and the people suffered greatly. When the army had advanced several hundred li, the Shu forces held fast to the heights, and the Wei army could hardly press forward. Cao Shuang's military advisor Yang Wei analyzed the situation for him and advised withdrawing as quickly as possible, otherwise defeat was certain. But Deng Yang and Yang Wei argued before Cao Shuang, with Yang Wei even bluntly saying that Deng Yang and Li Sheng would ruin the affairs of the state and ought to be beheaded. Cao Shuang was displeased by this, yet in the end still withdrew his army. In this campaign against Shu, the Wei army suffered heavy losses—nearly all the oxen and horses used for transport died, the Qiang and Hu were full of resentment, and the region west of the passes was thereby exhausted. ^c:2338

During Cao Shuang's monopoly of power, an important power struggle once occurred. Cao Shuang once submitted a memorial to the emperor recommending Sima Yi for the posts of Grand Tutor and Grand Marshal, in order to display His Majesty's discernment in promoting the worthy and to spare himself from slander. This memorial was drafted on Cao Shuang's behalf by Cao Xi, and it elaborated in detail on Sima Yi's virtue, achievements, and seniority, holding that Sima Yi combined the three advantages of virtue, rank, and age, far surpassing Cao Shuang himself. The emperor finally adopted this recommendation and appointed Sima Yi Grand Tutor. This to some degree reflects the influence of the Cao Shuang family in the court politics of the time, as well as the complex mentality with which they tried, by certain means, to balance their relationship with Sima Yi. ^c:2338

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Xi's image basically matches the historical record: as Cao Shuang's younger brother, he likewise held high office, was appointed Central Commander of the Army, and together with Cao Xun, Cao Yan, and others commanded the imperial guards, enjoying the privilege of free movement within the palace. ^c:2339 The novel emphasizes the tyrannical monopoly of power and luxurious living of the Cao Shuang brothers—for example, Cao Shuang feasting and reveling day and night with He Yan and the others, his food, clothing, and lifestyle no different from the court's, even privately taking the late emperor's concubines and daughters of good families into his residence. ^c:2339

In the novel, Cao Xi is portrayed as a relatively clear-headed figure who repeatedly remonstrated with his brother Cao Shuang. For instance, when Cao Shuang indulged in hunting with He Yan and the others, Cao Xi remonstrated: "Brother, your authority is too great, yet you love to go out hunting; should someone scheme against you, regret would come too late." But Cao Shuang paid no heed, believing that since military power was in his own hands, there was nothing to worry about. ^c:12096 This, like the historical record of Cao Xi drafting Cao Shuang's memorial recommending Sima Yi as Grand Tutor, in a sense reflects Cao Xi's worry over the family's situation and his wariness of Sima Yi's power, although in the novel this wariness is expressed more directly and colloquially.

After Sima Yi launched the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs, the Cao Shuang brothers fell into a predicament. When the Wei ruler Cao Fang asked how to handle Sima Yi's action, Cao Shuang was at a loss, and at this point Cao Xi again played the role of the remonstrator. He said frankly: "Your humble brother also remonstrated with you, but you were stubborn and would not listen, bringing us to this day. Sima Yi is unmatched in cunning and deceit; even Kongming could not overcome him—how much less can we brothers? Better to bind ourselves and go to him, so as to escape death." ^c:12097 This dialogue highlights Cao Xi's clear understanding of Sima Yi's cunning, and his helplessness at Cao Shuang's obstinacy. After being placed under house arrest by Sima Yi, Cao Xi also suggested that Cao Shuang borrow grain from Sima Yi to test whether Sima Yi intended him harm; when Sima Yi sent the grain, Cao Shuang was overjoyed, believing that Sima Yi had no intention of harming him. ^c:12098 This episode further shows Cao Xi's thinking in a moment of crisis and Cao Shuang's blind optimism.

Key Relationships

* Cao Shuang (kin_of): Cao Xi was Cao Shuang's younger brother and one of the core members of Cao Shuang's power clique. In history, Cao Xi served as Central Commander of the Army and, together with Cao Shuang's other brothers, enjoyed the highest power. ^c:2338 In the novel, Cao Xi repeatedly remonstrated with Cao Shuang, trying to stop his excessive indulgence and monopoly of power, but Cao Shuang would often not listen. ^c:12096 This fraternal relationship forms the basis of Cao Xi's identity and fate in both history and the novel.
* Sima Yi: Sima Yi was the political rival of Cao Xi's family. In history, Cao Xi once drafted Cao Shuang's memorial recommending Sima Yi as Grand Tutor ^c:2338, reflecting the strategic considerations of the Cao Shuang clique in the power struggle. In the novel, Sima Yi is portrayed as an extremely cunning figure, and Cao Xi had a clear understanding of his cunning, once pointing out that "Sima Yi is unmatched in cunning and deceit; even Kongming could not overcome him" ^c:12097 (novel only). After the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs, Cao Xi suggested that Cao Shuang borrow grain from Sima Yi to probe his intentions ^c:12098 (novel only), reflecting Cao Xi's caution and probing in the face of a powerful opponent.
* He Yan, Deng Yang, Li Sheng, Ding Mi, Bi Gui: These were Cao Shuang's confidants. In history, they had once been dismissed by Emperor Ming for their vain ostentation and were later reinstated by Cao Shuang. ^c:2338 In the novel, they indulge in pleasure together with Cao Shuang and symbolize the corruption of Cao Shuang's monopoly of power. ^c:2339 Cao Xi once remonstrated with Cao Shuang not to indulge in hunting with these men ^c:12096 (novel only), showing that he was aware of their negative influence.

Signature Scenes

* Drafting his brother's memorial recommending Sima Yi as Grand Tutor: The historical record states that Cao Xi once drafted, on behalf of his brother Cao Shuang, a memorial recommending Sima Yi for the posts of Grand Tutor and Grand Marshal. This memorial elaborated in detail on Sima Yi's virtue, achievements, and seniority, and finally brought about Sima Yi's promotion. ^c:2338 This scene shows Cao Xi's involvement in political maneuvering, and the strategy the Cao Shuang clique adopted toward Sima Yi at a particular time.
* Remonstrating with Cao Shuang against going out to hunt: In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Xi remonstrated with Cao Shuang, who indulged in hunting, pointing out that his power was too great and his conduct too conspicuous and that he might be schemed against, but Cao Shuang paid no heed ^c:12096 (novel only). This scene highlights Cao Xi's clear-headedness and Cao Shuang's blindness, foreshadowing the later Incident at the Gaoping Tombs.
* Helplessness and advice after the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs: After Sima Yi launched the coup, the Cao Shuang brothers fell into a hopeless situation. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Xi expressed his helplessness at Cao Shuang's obstinacy and clearly recognized Sima Yi's cunning, even suggesting that Cao Shuang "had better bind himself and go to him, so as to escape death" ^c:12097 (novel only). Later, while under house arrest, Cao Xi again suggested that Cao Shuang borrow grain from Sima Yi to test his intentions ^c:12098 (novel only). These scenes concentrate Cao Xi's thinking and actions during the family crisis, though in the end he could not change the family's ruin.