Cao Cao



"Better I betray the world than have the world betray me!"

- Cao Cao's most famous quote, after escaping an 'assassination attempt'.

Cao Cao is a major antagonist in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He is an evil commander of the Wei empire, who seeks to become an emperor of China.

History
Cao Cao was born in Qiao (present-day Bozhou, Anhui). His political career began when he broke the Yellow Turban Rebellion which threatened the power of the Han Dynasty at the end of the dynasty's reign. After successfully breaking the rebellion, he was given a position and then took the opportunity to take control of the Qingzhou Prefecture. He then strengthened his position by persuading the former Yellow Turban rebel member to join his personal army.

In 196, he received and provided protection to Emperor Xian of Han who at the time was threatened. But then instead replaced Emperor Xian and took this opportunity to defeat some warlords around the Xuchang region which was the center of his power.

In battle of Guandu, His greatest victory is to conquer Yuan Shao, who at that time was the biggest warlord in northern China. After the conquest, he was officially appointed as prime minister and managed to unite northern China.

After gaining a position as prime minister, Cao Cao then composed the power to conquer southern China, which was ruled by Liu Bei and Sun Quan. The Chibi War is a war between Cao Cao and Liu Bei and Sun Quan. However Cao Cao received a defeat in the famous war in the history of China.

After Cao Cao's death, his son Cao Pi later described himself as emperor of Wei and set up Cao Wei country. Later, Cao Cao was then posthumously titled "Grand Ancestor Emperor Wu of Wei".

Other media
Cao Cao appears in the Dynasty Warriors game series, where he can't be considered a villain, since in Wei's point of view, he is a hero. In the Warriors Orochi game series he also appears commanding resistance forces against Demon Armies.

Trivia

 * He is similar with Claude Frollo from the novel version of The Hunchback of Norte Dame.