Cao Zhi (Yungong)
| Cao Zhi 曹志 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Chen (陳王) | |||||||||
| Tenure | 27 December 232[a] - ？ | ||||||||
| Prince of Jibei (济北王) | |||||||||
| Tenure | ? – 9 February 266 | ||||||||
| Duke of Juancheng (鄄城公)[2] | |||||||||
| Tenure | 9 February 266 – 288 | ||||||||
| Born | Unknown[b] | ||||||||
| Died | 288[3] Luoyang, Henan | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| House | House of Cao | ||||||||
| Father | Cao Zhi | ||||||||
Cao Zhi (Chinese: 曹志; died 288[4]), courtesy name Yungong (允恭),[5] posthumously known as Duke Ding of Juancheng (鄄城定公), was a son of Cao Zhi, Prince Si of Chen, and his unnamed concubine, and a grandson of Cao Cao. Besides his heritage, Cao Zhi was best known for his friendship with Sima Yan (Emperor Wu of Jin), and his support of Sima You remaining in the capital to help in the administration of the empire, against Yan's wishes.
Background and life under Cao Wei
[edit]Cao Zhi was born in an unknown year to Cao Zijian and his unnamed concubine. At a young age, Zhi was studious and well known for his literary talents; he was also skilled in riding and archery. His father made him heir and praised him, "This shall be the protector of our clan."[6] At some point, the Wei court granted Zhi the title of Duke of Mu Village (穆乡公), and his brother Cao Miao (曹苗) Duke of Gaoyang Village (高阳乡公); Cao Zijian wrote a memorial to thank the imperial court for the grants.[7]
When Cao Zijian died in December 232, Cao Zhi inherited his peerage as Prince of Chen; he was later appointed Prince of Jibei. During the Jingchu era (237–239) of Cao Rui's reign, Cao Zijian was posthumously rehabilitated, and his literary works were allowed to be compiled and stored. Cao Zhi's fiefdom was also expanded by 990 households.[8]
Despite his father's hopes, historical records did not indicate Cao Zhi's involvement in protecting the Cao clan from the Sima clan after the death of Cao Rui, the last Cao Wei ruler who wielded real power, in January 239. In February 249, Sima Yi became sole regent of the state of Cao Wei after he overthrew Cao Shuang in a coup. After Yi's death in September 251, his sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao also became regents of Cao Wei.
In June 260, after Sima Zhao's regicide of Cao Mao, Zhao's son Sima Yan was ordered to receive the new emperor Cao Huang at Yecheng.[9] Cao Zhi went to visit Sima Yan at night; the two's conversations lasted until the next morning, and Sima Yan was deeply impressed by Cao Zhi.[10]
Less than six years after their meeting, on 4 February 266,[11] Sima Yan forced Cao Huan (Cao Huang after changing his name) to abdicate.[c] Five days later,[12] Cao Huan was appointed Prince of Chenliu, while the former princes of Cao Wei were demoted to marquesses.
During Emperor Wu's reign
[edit]As Duke of Juancheng, Cao Zhi held several positions, including stints as administrator at Leping, Zhangwu and Zhao Commandery.[13]
Cao Zhi was once asked by Sima Yan if the treatise "Liu Dai Lun" (六代论) was authored by his father. Zhi replied that the bibliography of his father's works should be consulted. When the treatise was not listed in the bibliography, Sima Yan asked about the author's identity; Zhi replied that the actual author was his clan elder Cao Jiong (曹冏), who attributed the treatise to Zijian due to the latter's fame. Sima Yan then declared the authorship matter closed.[14]
In February or March 283, Sima Yan ordered the court to discuss about ordering his brother Sima You Prince of Qi to leave the capital Luoyang for his fiefdom. Many officials, including Cao Zhi, opposed the motion. In particular, probably due to his father's rejection by Cao Rui, Cao Zhi was vehement in his opposition. When Sima Yan read Cao Zhi's memorial, he exclaimed in anger, "If even Cao Zhi could not understand my intentions, what more the others from across the four seas?" He then ordered the officials who had voiced their opposition to be put on trial. However, for Cao Zhi, he was merely relieved of his posts and sent back to his residence.[15]
Soon after being sent back to his residence, Cao Zhi's mother died. In his mourning and grief, Cao Zhi became ill and unpredictable in his emotions. After his death in 288, there were discussions about giving him an unflattering posthumous name. An official named Cui Bao (崔褒), citing the story of Wei Ke (魏颗),[d] opposed the motion. Eventually, Cao Zhi's posthumous name became "Ding".[16]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Cao Rui's biography in the Sanguozhi recorded that Cao Zhi (Zijian) died on the gengyin day of the 11th month of the 6th year of the Taihe era of Cao Rui's reign.[1] This date corresponds to 27 December 232 in the Julian calendar.
- ^ Cao Zhi's father was born in 192.
- ^ Sima Yan would crown himself emperor and found the Jin dynasty (266-420) on 8 February 266.
- ^ According to the Zuo Zhuan, Wei Ke's father once informed Ke that after his death, his concubine was to be allowed to remarry. However, during a later illness, Wei Ke's father changed his mind and ordered the concubine to be sacrificed after his death. After the death of Wei Ke's father, Ke allowed the concubine to remarry, on the grounds that his father was of unsound mind when he made the second request.
References
[edit]- ^ ([太和六年十一月]庚寅，陳思王植薨。) Sanguozhi vol. 3.
- ^ (《志别传》曰：志字允恭，...及受禅，改封鄄城公。...) Zhi Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.19. Cao Zhi's biography in Jin Shu recorded his peerage as Duke of Juancheng County (鄄城县公).
- ^ Jin Shu, vol.50
- ^ (《志别传》曰：志字允恭，...太康九年卒，谥曰定公。) Zhi Biezhuan annotation in Sanguozhi, vol.19
- ^ (曹志，字允恭，谯国谯人，魏陈思王植之孽子也。) Jin Shu, vol.50
- ^ (少好学，以才行称，夷简有大度，兼善骑射。植曰：“此保家主也。”立以为嗣。) Jin Shu, vol.50.
- ^ Cao Zijian Ji, vol.08
- ^ (子志嗣，徙封济北王。景初中诏曰：‘陈思王昔虽有过失，既克己慎行，以补前阙，且自少至终，篇籍不离于手，诚难能也。其收黄初中诸奏植罪状，公卿已下议尚书、秘书、中书三府、大鸿胪者皆削除之。撰录植前后所著赋颂诗铭杂论凡百馀篇，副藏内外。’志累增邑，并前九百九十户。) Sanguozhi, vol.19. Cao Zhi was a contemporary of Chen Shou, compiler of the Sanguozhi.
- ^ (使中护军司马炎迎燕王宇之子常道乡公璜于邺，以为明帝嗣。炎，昭之子也。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.77
- ^ (武帝为抚军将军，迎陈留王于邺，志夜谒见，帝与语，自暮达旦，甚奇之。) Jin Shu, vol.50.
- ^ ([泰始元年]十二月，壬戌，魏帝禅位於晋；...) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.79
- ^ ([泰始元年十二月]丁卯，奉魏帝为陈留王，即宫於邺；优崇之礼，皆仿魏初故事。魏氏诸王皆降为候。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.79
- ^ (诏曰：“昔在前世，....，朕甚嘉之。其以志为乐平太守。”志在郡上书，以为宜尊儒重道，请为博士置吏卒。迁章武、赵郡太守。) Jin Shu, vol.50
- ^ (帝尝阅《六代论》，问志曰：“是卿先王所作邪？”志对曰：“先王有手所作目录，请归寻按。”还奏曰：“按录无此。”帝曰：“谁作？”志曰：“以臣所闻，是臣族父冏所作。以先王文高名著，欲令书传于后，是以假托。”帝曰：“古来亦多有是。”顾谓公卿曰：“父子证明，足以为审。自今已后，可无复疑。”) Jin Shu, vol.50
- ^ ([太康四年正月]帝命太常议崇锡齐王之物。....事过太常郑默、博士祭酒曹志，志怆然叹曰：“安有如此之才，如此之亲，不得树本助化，而远出海隅！晋室之隆，其殆矣乎！”乃奏议曰：“古之夹辅王室，同姓则周公、异姓则太公，皆身居朝廷，五世反葬。及其衰也，虽有五霸代兴，岂与周、召之治同日而论哉！自羲皇以来，岂一姓所能独有！当推至公之心，与天下共其利害，乃能享国久长。是以秦、魏欲独擅其权而才得没身，周、汉能分其利而亲疏为用，此前事之明验也。志以为当如博士等议。”帝览之，大怒曰：“曹志尚不明吾心，况四海乎！”且谓：“博士不答所问而答所不问，横造异论。”下有司策免郑默。於是尚书朱整、褚等奏：“志等侵官离局，迷惘朝廷，崇饰晋言，假托无讳，请收志等付廷尉科罪。”诏免志官，以公还第；其餘皆付廷尉科罪。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.81. The month corresponds to 14 Feb to 15 Mar 283 in the Julian calendar.
- ^ (顷之，志复为散骑常侍。遭母忧，居丧过礼，因此笃病，喜怒失常。[太康]九年卒，太常奏以恶谥。崔褒叹曰：“魏颗不从乱，以病为乱故也。今谥曹志而谥其病，岂谓其病不为乱乎！”于是谥为定。) Jin Shu, vol.50
Further reading
[edit]- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).
- Fang, Xuanling (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu)
- Sima, Guang (1084). Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance (Zizhi Tongjian).