Empress Cao (Han dynasty)

Cao Jie () (died 2 July 260), formally known as Empress Xianmu, was an empress of the Eastern Han dynasty of China. She was the second wife of Emperor Xian, the last Han emperor, and became known as the Duchess of Shanyang after her husband's abdication. She was a half-sister of Cao Pi, who ended the Han dynasty by forcing Emperor Xian to abdicate the throne in his favour and established the state of Cao Wei, who by 196 had Emperor Xian under his control and issuing edicts in Emperor Xian's name to his own benefit in his campaign to reunite the empire, which had been held by regional warlords. In 213, Cao, who by that point had been created the Duke of Wei (later King of Wei), offered three daughters to be Emperor Xian's consorts – Cao Jie and her elder sister, Cao Xian (), and younger sister, Cao Hua (). Initially, their titles were ''Furen'' ( 夫人); in 214, their titles were upgraded to ''Guiren'' ( 貴人).

In late 214, Emperor Xian's first wife Empress Fu Shou was discovered to have advocated a conspiracy against Cao Cao in 200. Although 14 years had elapsed, Cao Cao was still so angry at her that he forcibly had her deposed and executed on 8 January 215. In 6 March 215,According to Liu Xie's biography in'' Book of the Later Han'', Lady Cao was made empress on the ''jiazi'' day of the 1st month of the 20th year of the ''Jianan'' era of his reign. This corresponds to 6 Mar 215 in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. 建安)二十年春正月甲子，立贵人曹氏为皇后''Houhanshu'', vol. 09 Cao Jie was named Empress to replace her.

As empress

Not much is known about Empress Cao's life as empress, but it was clear that by that point her husband was thoroughly powerless, as her father held all power. In 220, her father died, and her brother Cao Pi succeeded him as the King of Wei. Later that year, he forced Emperor Xian to abdicate in favour of him, ending the Han dynasty.

It is said by traditional historians that Empress Cao disagreed of Cao Pi's plan of deposing the Han dynasty to take the throne for himself. As Cao Pi sent messengers to demand Empress Cao surrender her empress's seal, she refused several times. Finally under increasing pressure, empress Cao relented, but she angrily threw the seal to the ground and said: "''The Heaven will not give you people any blessing !''"

As Duchess of Shanyang

After abdication, the former Emperor Xian was demoted to the Duke of Shanyang. Hence, the former empress Cao was given the title the Duchess of Shanyang.

It was said that when arriving at Shanyang and witness the poverty and misfortune of the war-torn region, the newly appointed Duke and Duchess decided to use their resources and wealth - including the medicine knowledge learnt in the imperial palace - to support and to cure the local people. They also wore only humble and coarse clothes when paying visits to the inhabitants. Thanks to the couple's efforts, Shanyang region finally became prosperous, and the local population paid luxurious tributes to the Duke and Duchess as a token of gratitude. Later, the Duke and Duchess of Shanyang was named as "Medicine family of Dragon and Phoenix" (龍鳳醫傢). Today, there is still a painting of "Emperor Xian practicing medicine to save the people" (汉献帝行医图).

Her husband died in 234. She died 26 years later and was buried with him with honours befitting an empress, using Han ceremonies.

In the novel ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms''

Cao Jie in the historical novel ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' was depicted quite close to her historical records. After the death of Empress Fu, Cao Jie was named Empress to replace her.

In Chapter 80, Empress Cao was angered when knowing that Cao Pi's subordinates demanded Emperor Xian to abdicate in favour of Cao Pi. Later as the armed Cao Hong and Cao Xiu rushed to the palace searching for Emperor Xian, an enraged Empress Cao shouted: ''"You dishonesty rebels ! My father ao Caoovershadowed the whole land, yet he never dared to aspire the sacred throne. But my brother who had just only succeeded him, set no bound to his ambition and would usurp the Throne. The Heaven will not give him any blessing !"''

Mao Zonggang in his comment praised the loyalty of the character empress Cao, considered her as a heroine similar to Empress Fu and Consort Dong.

See also

* Cao Wei family trees#Cao Cao's other wives and children
* Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

Notes

References

* Chen, Shou (3rd century). ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'' (''Sanguozhi'').
* Fan, Ye (5th century). ''Book of the Later Han'' (''Houhanshu'').
* Sima, Guang (1084). ''Zizhi Tongjian''.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Cao, Jie
Han dynasty empresses
Imperials during the end of the Han dynasty
Family of Cao Cao
Year of birth unknown
260 deaths
3rd-century Chinese women
3rd-century Chinese people