Cao Teng

Cao Teng (died c. late 150s), courtesy name Jixing, was a eunuch who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty of China. He served four Han emperors (Shun, Chong, Zhi, and Huan). Through his adopted son Cao Song, he was the grandfather of Cao Cao, who laid the foundations for the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. On 3 August 229, during the reign of Cao Cao's grandson Cao Rui, Cao Teng was posthumously honoured as "Emperor Gao of Wei" (魏ぎ高だか帝みかど), becoming the only eunuch in Chinese officialdom to have this honor.

Cao Teng
曹騰
Empress's Chamberlain (大長おおちょう秋あき)
In office c. 146 (c. 146)–? (?)
Monarch	Emperor Huan of Han
Central Regular Attendant (中ちゅう常つね侍さむらい)
In office 126 (126)–146 (146)
Monarch	Emperor Shun of Han
Personal details
Born	Unknown Bozhou, Anhui
Died	c. late 150s
Spouse	Lady Wu
Children	Cao Song (adopted son)
Occupation	Eunuch, official
Courtesy name	Jixing (季き興きょう)
Peerage	Marquis of Fei Village (費ひ亭ちん侯こう)
Posthumous name Emperor Gao of Wei (魏ぎ高だか帝みかど)

In this Chinese name, the family name is Cao.

Life

Cao Teng served as an Attendant at the Yellow Gates (小しょう黃門こうもん) in the Han imperial court during the reign of Emperor An. In 120, when Emperor Shun was still a prince, Empress Dowager Deng appointed Cao Teng to serve the prince because Cao Teng was honest, modest and prudent. Cao Teng gained the trust of Emperor Shun and became his personal friend. In 126, after Emperor Shun ascended the throne, Cao Teng was promoted to Central Regular Attendant (中ちゅう常つね侍さむらい), the highest possible rank for a court eunuch.

After Emperor Shun died, his infant son died after just one year on the throne. The general Liang Ji installed the seven-year-old Liu Zuan (劉りゅう纘) on the throne, overruling the popularity of another candidate, Liu Suan (劉りゅう蒜ひる). Despite his young age, Liu Zuan showed signs of resentment towards Liang Ji's domineering influence, and was soon poisoned by the general. The imperial court was once again divided in deciding the successor. One group, led by Li Gu, wanted to install Liu Suan on the throne, while Liang Ji led another faction which supported the young Liu Zhi (劉りゅう志こころざし). Cao Teng took Liang Ji's side and urged him to defy his critics, and soon the majority backed down.

After Liu Zhi, or Emperor Huan as he came to be known, ascended the throne, Cao Teng was rewarded with enfeoffment as the Marquis of Fei Village (費ひ亭ちん侯こう) for his participation in the succession debate. He was later promoted to Empress's Chamberlain (大長おおちょう秋あき) and was placed in charge of the household of Empress Liang Nüying. He also served as Coachman of the Changle Palace (長樂ながら宮みや太ふとし僕ぼく) of Empress Dowager Liang Na.

Cao Teng stayed in the court for 30 years, having served four emperors, and was said to have never made big mistakes. The people he promoted were all very famous throughout the empire, such as Yu Fang (虞おそれ放ひ), Bian Shao (邊あたり韶) and Zhao Dian (趙ちょう典のり). Cao Teng was a broad-minded person. Once, a provincial governor Zhong Hao (種たね暠) found evidence that Cao Teng had received bribes and tried, unsuccessfully, to impeach Cao Teng. Despite this, Cao Teng often recommended Zhong Hao to higher positions. Cao Teng was remembered by his contemporaries for his personality and integrity. After Cao Teng died in the late 150s, his foster son Cao Song inherited his marquis title.

Family

Main article: Cao Wei family trees § Cao Song

See also

• Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

References

• de Crespigny, Rafe (2007). A biographical dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms (23–220 AD). Leiden: Brill. p. 48. ISBN 978-90-04-15605-0.
• de Crespigny, Rafe (2010). Imperial warlord: a biography of Cao Cao 155-220 AD. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-18522-7.
• Fan Ye (5th century). Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu), Volume 78.