Biography
Early life
Cao Chong was born in 196 CE, the first year of Jian’an, in Qiao County, Pei State (present-day Bozhou, Anhui).
He was the son of Cao Cao and Lady Huan.
Cao Chong was known for being gentle, kind, and understanding.
Child prodigy
Cao Chong was intelligent from a young age.
When he was five or six years old, his intelligence and understanding were already like those of an adult.
Weighing the elephant
Sun Quan once sent Cao Cao an elephant as a gift.
Cao Cao wanted to know the elephant’s weight and asked all his subordinates, but none could think of a way to weigh it because there was no scale large enough.
Cao Chong came up with a method: put the elephant on a large boat and mark where the water reached the side of the boat.
Then remove the elephant and load stones onto the boat until the water reached the same mark.
Then weigh the stones in batches and add up their total weight.
This total weight would equal the elephant’s weight.
Cao Cao was very happy and followed his method to weigh the elephant.
Saving the warehouse official
At that time, because Wei was frequently at war, strict laws and harsh punishments were used to control the people.
Once, Cao Cao’s saddle was bitten by a mouse in the warehouse.
The officials guarding the warehouse believed they would certainly be executed and discussed going to confess, filled with fear.
When Cao Chong learned of this, he told them to wait a few days.
Cao Chong took a knife and pierced his own clothes, making them look like they had been bitten by a mouse.
Then he pretended to be distressed and showed a worried expression on his face.
He told Cao Cao: “Common people believe that if clothes are bitten by a mouse, it is unlucky for the owner. Now my clothes have also been bitten, so I am worried.”
Cao Cao said: “That is nonsense. What is there to worry about?”
Soon after, Cao Cao heard about the saddle being bitten and laughed and said: “My son’s silk clothes are right beside him and were bitten by a mouse. How much more so a saddle hanging on a pillar?”
He therefore did not pursue anyone.
Many people who had committed crimes and should have been executed according to the law were all saved through Cao Chong’s explanations and received lenient treatment.
Cao Cao told these things to his ministers, showing his intention to have Cao Chong succeed him.
Death
In 208 CE, the thirteenth year of Jian’an, Cao Chong became seriously ill and could not be cured.
He died at the age of only thirteen (by traditional Chinese reckoning).
Cao Cao was very sad.
Cao Pi comforted Cao Cao, and Cao Cao said: “This is my misfortune, but it is your great fortune.”
Cao Cao also regretted killing Hua Tuo because of this.
Cao Cao wanted to arrange a posthumous marriage with the deceased daughter of Bing Yuan, Gentleman of the Secretariat, but Bing Yuan refused on the grounds that “marrying the dead is not proper.”
Later, he arranged a posthumous marriage with the deceased daughter of the Zhen family.
He posthumously granted Cao Chong the seal and ribbon of Cavalry Commandant.
In 221 CE, the second year of Huangchu, Cao Pi posthumously granted Cao Chong the title Marquis Deng’ai.
In the same year, in the eighth month, on the day Bingwu, he was additionally granted the title Duke Deng’ai.
Later, in 231 CE, the fifth year of Taihe, Cao Rui granted him the title King Deng’ai.
Cao Ju’s son Cao Cong was adopted to continue Cao Chong’s line.
Personality
Cao Chong was known for being gentle, kind, understanding, and intelligent.
He was also known for his compassion and his ability to see through problems and find solutions.
He often helped people who were wrongly accused or who had made mistakes.
Military achievements
None
Cao Chong did not participate in any military campaigns due to his young age.
Relationships
With Cao Cao
Cao Chong had a close relationship with Cao Cao, who greatly loved him and considered making him his successor.
Cao Cao was devastated by Cao Chong’s death and regretted killing Hua Tuo, believing that Hua Tuo could have saved Cao Chong.
With Cao Pi
Cao Pi had a complex relationship with Cao Chong.
When Cao Chong died, Cao Pi comforted Cao Cao, and Cao Cao said: “This is my misfortune, but it is your great fortune.”
This suggests that Cao Pi may have been relieved that Cao Chong would not be his rival for succession.
Later, Cao Pi said: “If Cangshi were still alive, I would not have the realm.”
With Zhou Buyi
Cao Chong was friends with Zhou Buyi, a child prodigy from Jing Province.
Cao Cao also loved both of them.
After Cao Chong died, Cao Cao often thought of Cao Chong when he saw Zhou Buyi and became very afraid.
He wanted to kill Zhou Buyi, but Cao Pi interceded for him.
Cao Cao said: “This person is not someone you can control.”
He therefore sent someone to assassinate Zhou Buyi, who died at the age of only seventeen.
Anecdotes
Weighing the elephant
The story of Cao Chong weighing the elephant is one of the most famous stories about child prodigies in Chinese history.
It demonstrates Cao Chong’s intelligence and his ability to solve problems creatively.
The method he used—using water displacement to measure weight—is a basic principle of physics.
Saving the warehouse official
The story of Cao Chong saving the warehouse official shows his compassion and his ability to help others.
By pretending that his own clothes were bitten by a mouse, he was able to save the warehouse official from execution.
The pheasant and the mirror
A pheasant was sent to Cao Cao from the south.
Cao Cao wanted to make it dance but could not find a way.
Cao Chong ordered a large mirror to be placed in front of the pheasant.
When the pheasant saw the large mirror, it began to dance, not knowing when to stop, and finally danced itself to death.
This shows Cao Chong’s understanding of animal behaviour and his ability to solve problems.
Achievements
- Famous for weighing an elephant using water displacement
- Saved many people from execution through his explanations
- Demonstrated exceptional intelligence from a young age
- Showed compassion and understanding beyond his years
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Cao Chong’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, where he is grouped with other sons of Cao Cao.
The biography records his intelligence and his early death.
The weighing the elephant controversy
Some scholars have questioned whether the story of Cao Chong weighing the elephant actually happened.
Some believe it may have originated from Indian Buddhist texts, while others argue that it is historically accurate.
Modern research suggests that elephants could have been present in the Wu region during the Three Kingdoms period, making the story plausible.
Birth and death dates
There is some controversy about Cao Chong’s exact birth and death dates.
Most scholars follow the Records of the Three Kingdoms, which states that he died in 208 CE at age 13.
However, some sources suggest he may have been born in 195 CE and died in 207 CE.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Chen Shou wrote: “When he was young, he was intelligent and precocious. When he was five or six years old, his intelligence and understanding were already like those of an adult.”
The Wei Shu records: “Cao Chong, whenever he saw someone about to be executed, would investigate and see the injustice in their case and subtly reason about it. For diligent officials who had committed crimes by mistake, he often spoke to the Grand Ancestor (Cao Cao), saying they should be pardoned. His ability to distinguish and his benevolence were born with his nature. His appearance and bearing were beautiful and different from others. Therefore, he was especially favoured.”
Later historians
Cao Pi said: “Alas, Deng’ai Marquis Chong! Previously, Heaven concentrated beauty in your person and gave you intelligent and wise talent, which you achieved in your weak years. You should have enjoyed great fortune forever and achieved your end. How is it that you did not receive blessings and died young?”
Cao Pi also said after becoming emperor: “If Cangshi were still alive, I would not have the realm.”
Cao Zhi wrote: “Alas, my virtuous younger brother! You were pure and good. You were born with a rich and beautiful nature and received Heaven’s light. You were both wise and benevolent, gentle yet able to be strong. Your virtue’s appearance began to manifest righteousness. You should have met with a share of fortune and had it last forever. How is it that Heaven cut down this outstanding hero?”
Legacy
Cao Chong is remembered as one of the most famous child prodigies in Chinese history.
His story of weighing the elephant has been told for generations and is still used to teach children about problem-solving and creativity.
His early death is often cited as one of Cao Cao’s greatest regrets, and many historians believe that if Cao Chong had lived, the history of the Three Kingdoms might have been different.
His story represents both brilliance and tragedy—a child prodigy who showed great promise but died before he could fulfill it.
Timeline
- 196 CE: Born in Qiao County, Pei State; son of Cao Cao and Lady Huan
- c. 201-202 CE: Weighed the elephant (age 5-6)
- c. 200-208 CE: Saved warehouse official and many others from execution
- 208 CE: Died of illness age 13 (by traditional reckoning); Cao Cao greatly grieved
- 221 CE: Posthumously granted title Marquis Deng’ai and Duke Deng’ai by Cao Pi
- 231 CE: Posthumously granted title King Deng’ai by Cao Rui
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 20, Biography of the Martial and Civil Princes.
- Pei Songzhi. Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms.