Cao Mao

Cao Mao ( 217–260s) was an imperial prince of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Life Cao Mao was a son of Cao Cao, a warlord who rose to prominence towards the end of the Han dynasty and laid the foundation for the Cao Wei state. His mother was Consort Zhao (趙姬), a concubine of Cao Cao. He was enfeoffed as the "Marquis of Wansui Village" (萬歲亭侯) in 217 by Emperor Xian, the figurehead emperor of the Han dynasty. In the following year, his title was changed to "Marquis of Pingyu" (平輿侯). In his younger days, Cao Mao was never in his father's favour because he was known for being cruel and arrogant. In 220, following Cao Cao's death, Cao Mao's half-brother Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Han dynasty, and established the Cao Wei state with himself as the new emperor. Unlike all his other brothers, Cao Mao was not enfeoffed as a prince by Cao Pi. Instead, he was enfeoffed as the "Duke of Chengshi" (乘氏公). His title was changed to "Duke of Zhongqiu" (中丘公) in 226. In 227, Cao Pi's son and successor, Cao Rui, changed Cao Mao's title to "Duke of Liaocheng" (聊城公). Later that year, Cao Rui issued an imperial edict declaring that the Grand Empress Dowager once said that even though Cao Mao's poor conduct made him unworthy of being a prince, he could still become a prince if he expressed remorse for his past actions and behaved well. As Cao Mao probably improved his behaviour over the years, Cao Rui decided to promote Cao Mao from a duke to a prince under the title "Prince of Liaocheng" (聊城王). In 232, Cao Rui changed Cao Mao's title to "Prince of Quyang" (曲陽王).