The biography of Cao Cao: early years his origin, youth and the beginning of the career (155-187 a.d.)

The article presents the first part of the comprehensive biography of Later Han warlord Cao Cao, based on his biography in «Sanguo zhi» chronicle by Chen Shou and Pei Songzhi and history texts of «Hou Han shu» by Fan Ye and «Zizhi tongjian» by Sima Guang. Cao Cao was born in 155 A.D. in a family of a prominent courtier, who in his childhood was adopted by a royal favorite eunuch Cao Teng and inherited his stepfather’s title and wealth. The most significant controversy in Cao Cao’s history is the genealogy of his father Cao Song. It has been discussed many times and still researchers haven’t come to any decisive conclusion about Cao Cao father’s origins. According to some allusions, left by Chen Shou and Fan Ye, Cao Song was an offspring of Xiahou clan, but this statement makes Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun, his trusted general, close relatives, and the fact, that Cao Cao have consented to the marriage of his daughter and Xiahou Dun means that from the ancient Chinese point of view he has committed an incest. These allusions could be made by medieval Chinese historians in an attempt to destroy Cao Cao’s reputation through his lineage, and must be confirmed yet. Chinese archeologists are convinced by the evidence, provided from Cao family cemetery in Boxian county that Cao and Xiahou clans were connected and that Cao Song might be an offspring of Xiahou family. Cao Cao’s youth and early career are filled with anecdotes and stories from unreliable sources, which are still more popular than the real history because of their showiness. These apocryphal stories picture a cunning, distrustful scion of a eunuch. Cao Cao’s official biography creates a portrait of a resourceful and intellectual young man full of ambitions, eager to zealously perform his duty in accordance with Han laws and regulations. At the same time, his ardor was rarely supported or understood by his superiors, his colleagues or subordinates. During the first thirteen years of his career in 174-187 A.D. Cao Cao had rarely occupied the same position for more than two or three years in the capital and at least twice had to resign after a year of civil service in province. Although most of the sources do praise some of Cao Cao’s achievements, those achievements that are too good are made simpler or even omitted. However, the story about killing a eunuch relative for breaking the curfew is always exaggerated and trusted, which leads to a supposition, that it was essential for Chinese texts to portrait the ruthless nature of Cao Cao. The first victories of Cao Cao and his successes in administering devastated territories of Later Han after the Yellow Turbans rebellion are usually omitted in chronicles. Biography of Cao Cao and historical texts that are connected with his era leave us with a different person from an old-fashioned «villain Cao Cao».