Romance of the Three Kingdoms Cao Cao

Cao Cao, courtesy name Mengde, was a prominent Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who played a pivotal role during the turbulent final years of the Han dynasty (c. 184–220). Rising to power amidst widespread chaos, he gained effective control over the Han central government and laid the groundwork for the state of Cao Wei (220–265). His son and successor, Cao Pi, formally ended the Eastern Han dynasty and initiated the Three Kingdoms period (220–280).

Renowned for his military prowess, Cao Cao commanded vast armies—reportedly numbering up to a million soldiers at their peak—and demonstrated exceptional strategic and tactical acumen. While he is celebrated as a brilliant leader and a master of statecraft, Confucian historians and popular folklore often depict him as the quintessential cunning and ruthless villain, embodying boldness and pragmatism that sometimes crossed into infamy. Despite his controversial legacy, Cao Cao remains one of the most compelling figures in Chinese history.