Early life

Cao Ren was a younger second cousin of Cao Cao. His grandfather Cao Bao (曹襃) and father Cao Chi (曹熾) served in the government of the Eastern Han dynasty. He had a younger full brother, Cao Chun. As their father died when they were still young, Cao Ren and Cao Chun lived with another family. They inherited their family fortune when they became older. They were known for being wealthy and having hundreds of servants and retainers.

As a youth, Cao Ren was fond of horse-riding, archery and hunting. When chaos broke out in China towards the end of the Han dynasty, Cao Ren rallied a militia of over 1,000 men and they wandered around the region near the Huai and Si rivers. Cao Ren and his followers eventually joined Cao Cao around 190 when the latter was raising an army to join the campaign against Dong Zhuo. Cao Ren held the rank of a Major of Separate Command (別部司馬) under Cao Cao but he was actually an acting Sharp Edge Colonel (厲鋒校尉).

Campaigns in central China

Throughout the 190s, Cao Ren followed Cao Cao on various campaigns against rival warlords in central China. He made great contributions in the campaign against Yuan Shu between 197 and 199. When Cao Cao invaded Xu Province from 193–194 to attack the provincial governor Tao Qian, Cao Ren was in charge of the cavalry and he led the vanguard. He defeated Tao Qian's general Lü You (呂由) and led his force to rendezvous with Cao Cao's main army at Pengcheng (彭城; present-day Xuzhou, Jiangsu), where they scored a major victory over Tao Qian's forces. Cao Ren and his cavalry later defeated Tao Qian's subordinates in various battles at the counties in Xu Province. During the conflict between Cao Cao and Lü Bu, Cao Ren attacked Lü Bu's subordinate Liu He (劉何) at Gouyang (勾陽) and captured the enemy commander alive.

After Cao Cao had defeated the Yellow Turban rebels, he received Emperor Xian (who had escaped from the clutches of Li Jue and Guo Si) and set up the new capital at Xu (許; present-day Xuchang, Henan) in 196. Cao Ren was appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Guangyang Commandery (廣陽郡) for his achievements. However, Cao Ren never exercised governorship over his jurisdiction because Cao Cao appreciated his military skills and kept him by his side in Xu. Cao Ren was still in charge of the cavalry even though he held the position of a civil official as a Consultant (議郎).

The following year, Cao Ren followed Cao Cao on a campaign against the warlord Zhang Xiu, and was authorised to lead a separate force to raid the counties around Zhang Xiu's base in Wan (宛; or Wancheng, present-day Wancheng District, Nanyang, Henan) and he captured over 3,000 civilians. Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao initially, but rebelled later and launched a surprise attack, which led to the Battle of Wancheng. Cao Cao was defeated and he retreated after his forces succeeded in repelling further attacks by Zhang Xiu. However, as they were withdrawing, Zhang Xiu attacked again and Cao Cao's men were unable to drive the enemy away. The morale of Cao Cao's army started falling but Cao Ren helped to raise the soldiers' spirits by encouraging and inspiring them. Cao Cao was very impressed with Cao Ren, and he managed to defeat Zhang Xiu later in a counterattack.

Campaign against Yuan Shao

In 200, when the forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in a stalemate at the Battle of Guandu, Yuan sent Liu Bei with an army to support the rebellions against Cao Cao in Yinjiang (氵隱疆; southwest of present-day Xuchang, Henan), roughly 8.3 km south of the capital. Cao Cao became worried about such developments in the territories under his control, so he sent Cao Ren to suppress the uprisings. Cao Ren observed that the rebels dared to create trouble because they had Liu Bei's support, but the men under Liu were newly recruited and inexperienced, so it was not difficult to defeat them. Cao Ren targeted the rebel chief Liu Pi and killed him in battle, and subsequently defeated Liu Bei as well. Yuan Shao attempted to cut off Cao Cao's route to the west by sending Han Meng (韓猛) southwest. Cao Ren responded to the threat by defeating Han Meng at Jiluo Hill (雞洛山; located 50 li northeast of present-day Xinmi, Henan). Yuan Shao became afraid and did not dare to send out his troops. Cao Ren and Shi Huan (史渙) later led a force to attack a convoy transporting supplies to Yuan Shao's camp and destroyed the food supplies.

After Cao Cao's victory at Guandu, Cao Ren continued to join Cao Cao in his campaigns against Yuan Shao's heirs in the early 3rd century. During one battle near Hu Pass (壺關; present-day Huguan County, Shanxi), Cao Cao gave orders that all the enemy troops would be buried alive after the city fell. However, after several days of siege, Cao Cao's forces were unable to capture the city. Cao Ren then told Cao Cao, "When we besiege a city, we must leave the defenders with a final option of surrendering. Now, as you've already said that the defenders would be slaughtered after the city is taken, all of them would definitely put up fierce resistance. Besides, the city's fortifications are strong and the defenders have much supplies, so our forces would suffer heavy casualties if we attack, and we will be held up here if we switch to a defensive stance. It's not a wise choice to besiege a city whose defenders are willing to fight to the death." Cao Cao heeded Cao Ren's advice, and the enemy surrendered later. After the campaign, Cao Ren received the title of a "Marquis of a Chief Village" (都亭侯) for his contributions.

Battle of Jiangling, and campaigns in northwest China

In 208, after losing to Sun Quan and Liu Bei at the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao retreated north and left Cao Ren and Xu Huang to defend the strategic Jiangling Commandery (江陵郡; in present-day Jingzhou, Hubei) from the advances of Sun Quan's forces, which were led by Zhou Yu. Cao Ren was serving as acting General Who Attacks the South (征南將軍) then. Zhou Yu despatched a several thousand-strong vanguard to challenge Cao Cao's forces at Jiangling. Cao Ren was aware that his army's morale was low, since they were recently defeated at Red Cliffs, so he ordered his subordinate Niu Jin to lead 300 volunteer soldiers into battle, in the hope that they would display bravery and boost his men's morale. Niu Jin and his men were heavily outnumbered and surrounded by the enemy. Cao Ren's Chief Clerk (長史), Chen Jiao (陳矯), turned pale when he saw the situation from the top of the city walls. However, unlike what everyone thought, Niu Jin managed to create havoc around the Wu's army with just 100 men left by then. Cao Ren experienced a surge of fury and courage after watching how Niu Jin with so little men could make the entire Wu army three times the strength get so tired battling just 300 of his own men, so he ordered every troop in the city to be prepared to go into battle. Chen Jiao and the others attempted to dissuade him from braving danger, but Cao Ren ignored them and every soldiers in his command was ordered to charged into the enemy formation. Cao Ren successfully rescued Niu Jin and his surviving men and even turned back to save his remaining soldiers who were still trapped in the enemy formation. Sun Quan's forces retreated. When Cao Ren returned, his subordinates exclaimed, "General, you're truly a man from Heaven!" The troops were awed by Cao Ren's bravery, and Cao Cao was very impressed when he heard about this incident. Cao Ren's marquis title was changed to "Marquis of Anping Village" (安平亭侯).

Around 211, Cao Ren participated in Cao Cao's campaigns against a coalition of northwestern warlords led by Ma Chao and Han Sui, which led to the Battle of Tong Pass. Cao Ren held the appointment of acting General Who Stabilises the West (安西將軍) and commanded the defence at Tong Pass (潼關; present-day Tongguan County, Weinan, Shaanxi) before Cao Cao reached the frontline.

When Su Bo (蘇伯) and Tian Yin (田銀) rebelled in 212, Cao Ren was appointed acting General of Valiant Cavalry (驍騎將軍) and he led seven armies to attack the rebels and defeated them.

Battle of Fancheng

Cao Ren was reappointed acting General Who Attacks the South (征南將軍) was ordered to garrison at Fan (樊; also called Fancheng, in present-day Fancheng District, Xiangfan, Hubei) and oversee Cao Cao's forces in Jing Province. After suppressing a rebellion by Hou Yin (侯音) in Wan (宛; present-day Wancheng District, Nanyang, Henan) between late 218 and early 219, Cao Ren was officially commissioned as General Who Attacks the South and he continued to garrison at Fan.

In the autumn of 219, Liu Bei's general Guan Yu, who was in charge of Liu's territories in southern Jing Province, led an army north to attack Fan. Cao Cao sent the general Yu Jin to lead seven armies to resist Guan Yu, but the armies were destroyed in a flood when the Han River overflowed due to heavy rains. Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu while his subordinate Pang De refused and was executed by Guan. Cao Ren was left with a few thousand troops to defend Fan. Guan Yu and his forces sailed towards Fan on boats and besieged the fortress. By then, Cao Ren and his troops had been completely isolated inside Fan as they had lost contact with outside, while their supplies were running out and there were no reinforcements in sight. Cao Ren encouraged his men to fight to the death and they were very inspired by his words. By the time reinforcements led by Xu Huang arrived, the water level had subsided slightly. While Xu Huang was attacking Guan Yu, Cao Ren seized the opportunity to counterattack and break the siege. Guan Yu failed to conquer Fan so he retreated.

Service under Cao Pi

Although Cao Ren behaved brashly and had no regard for laws when he was young, after he joined the military when he grew up, he started following rules and regulations strictly and he went by the book in everything he did. Once, when Cao Cao's son Cao Zhang was on away on a campaign against the Wuhuan, his brother Cao Pi wrote to him, "Shouldn't you follow rules and regulations in the same way Cao Ren does?"

Cao Cao died in 220 and was succeeded by Cao Pi. Later that year, Cao Pi forced Emperor Xian to abdicate the throne to him, ended the Han dynasty, and established the state of Cao Wei. Cao Ren was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍) and was placed in charge of military affairs in Jing, Yang and Yi provinces. He also received the title "Marquis of Chen" (陳侯) and was given 2,000 more taxable households in his marquisate, making it a total of 3,500 households.

Cao Ren moved to Wan (宛; present-day Wancheng District, Nanyang, Henan) in northern Jing Province and garrisoned there. Later, when Sun Quan sent Chen Shao (陳邵) to attack Xiangyang, Cao Pi ordered Cao Ren to lead an army to Xiangyang to resist Sun Quan's forces. Cao Ren and Xu Huang defeated Chen Shao and their forces entered Xiangyang. Cao Ren had the general Gao Qian (高遷) oversee the relocation of civilians from the southern bank of the Han River to the north. Cao Pi appointed Cao Ren as General-in-Chief (大將軍). Later, Cao Pi ordered Cao Ren to move to Linying (臨潁) and promoted him to Grand Marshal (大司馬). Cao Ren was placed in charge of the armies along the Wu River (烏江) and he garrisoned at Hefei. In 222, Cao Ren led several tens of thousands men to assail Sun Quan's garrison at Ruxu (濡須; north of present-day Wuwei County, Anhui), where the defending general, Zhu Huan, had only 5,000 troops remaining inside the city walls. However, Cao Ren was deemed only as an inferior commander by Zhu Huan and his colleagues, so the defenders put up a staunch defence. Even though Cao Ren had a complete numerical advantage, the battle concluded with Zhu Huan as the victor – Cao Ren lost not only over 1,000 men, but also two of his subordinates, Chang Diao (常雕) and Wang Shuang.

Death

Cao Ren died on 6 May 223 at the age of 56 (by East Asian age reckoning). He was posthumously granted the title "Marquis Zhong" (忠侯), which literally means "loyal marquis". He was best remembered for his bravery and courage, which placed him above Zhang Liao among all of Cao Cao's generals.

Family

Cao Ren's grandfather Cao Bao (曹褒) served as the Administrator (太守) of Yingchuan Commandery (潁川郡) in the Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Ren's father Cao Chi (曹熾) also served as a Palace Attendant (侍中) and Changshui Colonel (長水校尉) in the Eastern Han dynasty, and was posthumously awarded the title "Marquis Mu of Chen" (陳穆侯) by Cao Pi. Cao Ren's younger brother Cao Chun was also a general under Cao Cao.

Cao Ren's titles were inherited by his son Cao Tai (曹泰), who served as General Who Guards the East (鎮東將軍) and later had his marquis title changed to "Marquis of Ningling" (寗陵侯). Cao Tai was succeeded by his son Cao Chu (曹初). Cao Ren's other sons (Cao Tai's younger brothers) Cao Kai (曹楷) and Cao Fan (曹範) also received marquis titles.

In popular culture

Cao Ren is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series.

In the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering there is a card named "Cao Ren, Wei Commander" in the Portal Three Kingdoms set.

生平

討戰群雄

東漢末年，天下大亂，曹仁暗自結集上千青年，遊於淮河、泗水之間，後帶隊跟隨曹操，任別部司馬，行厲鋒校尉。曹操進攻袁術，曹仁屢有斬獲。193年，曹操為報父仇，東征徐州，曹仁負責騎兵，任為前鋒，並另率軍攻打陶謙將領呂由，攻克。後還師與大軍會合於彭城，大破陶謙軍，再轉攻費、華、即墨、開陽，陶謙派將領解救各縣，曹仁再率騎兵擊破解救軍。

194年，呂布偷襲兗州，曹操回師解救，派曹仁率軍攻句陽，城破並擄獲呂布將領劉何。後來在平黃巾餘賊、迎天子都許都有戰功，拜曹仁為廣陽太守，但曹操對他器重有嘉，不派他到廣陽赴任，而以議郎督騎留於曹操身邊。之後，曹操征張繡，曹仁另屯兵別縣，擄獲男女三千多人。曹操兵敗，張繡軍追殺，曹操軍士氣低落，曹仁率兵解救，士氣甚高，令曹操回復信心，大敗張繡。

文武並亮

200年，曹操、袁紹相持於官渡，日子久了，袁紹另派劉備到曹操後方舉兵，令曹操腹背受敵，許城以南，吏民皆不安，曹操非常擔憂，曹仁進言：「南方以大軍方有目前急，其勢不能相救，劉備以強兵臨之，其背叛固宜也。備新將紹兵，未能得其用，擊之可破也。」曹操認為可行，派曹仁率騎兵攻打劉備，劉備大敗逃走，並進一步平定多個縣城而還。後袁紹遣將領韓猛(一作韓荀)抄西道攻曹操，曹仁攔截韓猛於雞洛山，成功將他打敗，袁紹再不敢分兵而出。再與史渙斷了袁軍糧道，火燒糧谷。

平定河北後，曹操乘勝圍壺關。曹操下令：「城拔，皆坑之。」但圍城多月也攻不下；曹仁對曹操進言：「圍城必示之活門，所以開其生路也。如今公告必死，士卒定會死守。且城固而糧多，攻擊則士卒傷亡，守之則引日久；今頓兵堅城之下，以攻必死之虜，非良計也。」曹操實行其計，城中果然投降，於是曹仁以前後功績進封為都亭侯。

突入復還

208年，跟隨曹操南下，曹仁任為征南將軍。赤壁之戰敗北後，屯兵於江陵，抵擋吳將周瑜。周瑜率三萬人來攻，前鋒五千已至，曹仁上城樓觀望，募集五百人，並派部曲牛金挑戰。但敵軍人數眾多，牛金被圍，長史陳矯在城樓上望見牛金軍被圍，左右皆驚懼。曹仁大怒，叫左右取馬親自解救，陳矯等認為：「賊眾盛，不可當也。假使棄數百人何苦，而將軍以身赴之！」曹仁不理，被甲上馬，帶領數十壯騎出城，衝入敵圍，牛金得救，後再殺入敵圍，解救其餘的被圍人馬，死者只有數人，敵軍乃退。曹仁歸還，陳矯嘆服：「將軍真天人也！」三軍佩服其勇武，曹操也讚賞他，轉封他為安平亭侯。後周瑜親自渡江來攻，為流矢所傷，傷勢嚴重，引軍還陣。曹仁聞知周瑜傷得不能起來，親自督軍到周瑜陣前，周瑜乃起身行到軍營激厲士氣，曹仁見狀便撤退。經過差不多一年的時間，曹軍死傷甚多，南郡終被攻克。

拒敵平叛

211年，曹操討伐叛軍馬超，任曹仁行安西將軍，率領諸將拒馬超軍於潼關，與後來的曹操大破馬超。後蘇伯、田銀叛變，任曹仁行驍騎將軍，統率七軍討伐叛軍，攻克。彼再轉回征南將軍，假節，屯兵樊城，鎮守荊州。侯音在宛叛變，曹仁率軍大敗侯音，並將其斬首，還屯樊城，拜為征南將軍。

據守樊城

219年，關羽北伐至樊城，漢水暴漲，于禁援軍被大水淹沒，樊城也受連累。曹仁惟有以數千人守城，在城中沒有淹沒的地方安上木板，關羽乘船圍城，糧食就盡，救兵又不至，樊城外內斷絕，曹軍士氣低落，曹仁本有意退兵，滿寵便以樊城之重要性勸諫曹仁死守、等待援軍，曹仁激厲將士，要以必死之心迎戰，眾人重新振作。後徐晃救兵到來，水亦稍降，曹仁與徐晃前後防禦關羽，關羽最後退走。

咸有效勞

曹丕即位魏王，拜曹仁為車騎將軍，統率荊、揚、益州 軍事，進封陳侯，增邑二千，並前總數三千五百戶，後還屯宛城。當初曹仁被關羽圍攻潰圍而出後，孫權即派將領陳邵佔據襄陽，曹仁奉旨討伐，與徐晃大敗陳邵，入主襄陽，派將軍高遷等徙漢水之南的未開化之民到漢水之北，曹丕遣使拜曹仁為大將軍，又於黃初二年十一月己卯日（221年12月14日）下詔要曹仁移屯臨潁，遷為大司馬，後督軍佔據烏江，再屯於合肥，可惜被吳將朱桓所擊敗。黃初四年三月丁未日（223年5月6日）曹仁逝世，時年五十六歲，謚為忠侯。

特徵

曹仁年少時不太檢點，後為長官，開始整奉法令，置科於左右，以為從事。精通各種武藝，擅長射箭、騎馬，尤善「弋獵」。

家庭

祖父

• 曹褒，為潁川太守。

父親

• 曹熾，任侍中、長水校尉。後因曹仁之功，追謚為陳穆侯，置守塚十家。

堂兄

• 曹操

姐夫

宋奇（2世紀－178年），妻子曹氏是曹仁的姐姐，宋奇是孝靈宋皇后之兄。

弟

• 曹純，曹仁同母弟，曹魏將領。

子

• 曹泰，曹仁子，嗣侯，官至鎮東將軍，假節，轉封甯陵侯。

• 曹楷，封為列侯。

• 曹范，封為列侯。

孫

• 曹初，曹泰之子。

評價

• 陳壽《三國志》評曰：「夏侯、曹氏，世為婚姻，故惇、淵、仁、洪、休、尚、真等並以親舊肺腑，貴重于時，左右勳業，咸有效勞。」「仁少時不修行檢，及長為將，嚴整奉法令，常置科於左右，案以從事。」

• 陳矯：「將軍真天人也！」

• 朱桓：「凡兩軍交對，勝負在將，不在眾寡。諸君聞曹仁用兵行師，孰與桓邪？今仁既非智勇，加其士卒甚怯，又千里步涉，人馬罷困，桓與諸軍，共據高城，南臨大江，北背山陵，以逸待勞，為主制客，此百戰百勝之勢也。雖曹丕自來，尚不足憂，況仁等邪！」

• 鐘繇：「征南將軍運田單之奇，厲憤怒之眾，與徐晃同勢，並力撲討。表里俱進，應期克捷，馘滅凶逆。」

• 曹丕：「為將奉法，不當如征南邪！」

• 曹植：「文武並亮，權智時發。奢不過制，儉不損禮。入毗皇家，帝之股肱。出作侯伯，實撫東夏者，曹大司馬也。」

• 傅玄《傅子》：「曹大司馬之勇，（孟）賁、（夏）育弗加也。張遼其次焉。」

• 褚亮：「金壇奇正，得之於懷抱，玉鈐攻取，無勞於積習，祭遵儒術，未足方其雅歌，曹仁智勇，才可用其勝。」

• 李商隱：「任重前馳，眾才一旅，許伯則摩壘而旋，曹仁亦逢溝不渡。舉無遺算，仕匪遭時，何茲皓首，不識丹墀。劍折而空留玉匣，馬死而猶挂金羈。」

• 郝經：「心為氣城，兵為城城，心固則氣固，兵固則城固。靜密專安，內外如一，無隙無瑕，以主待客，雖畫地守之可也。況于城乎！又必兵械備具，薪糧足餘。進有郭圍，退有停障。遠有救援，邇有間侯。嗇力多暇，明慎罰賞，申飭教戒，禁絕訛妄。血視肉薄，示之必死。曹仁之守樊，郝昭之守陳倉，張特之守新城，皆是也。」

• 《書鈔》：「文武並亮，權智時發。奢不過制，儉不損禮。入毗皇家，帝之股肱。出作侯伯，實撫東夏者，曹大司馬也。」

民間藝術

文學形象

在小說《三國演義》中，曹仁于曹操起兵時與曹洪一同前來投奔，並隨曹操一同參與討董戰役。後從征袁術、呂布、張繡，參加官渡之戰，多立功勳。曹操平定北方後決意南征，曹仁率軍先攻劉備，並列八門金鎖陣以敵劉備，但陣法卻被徐庶所破，因而敗績；樊城亦被劉備所取，曹仁敗回。夏侯惇在博望坡失利後，曹操親率大軍南下，曹仁為前鋒先至新野，此時劉備已將新野軍民遷出，曹仁率眾入城，中了諸葛亮的火計，急奔出城，又在白河中遭到水攻，其軍大敗。此後曹操于赤壁遭受火攻大敗，曹仁引軍自荊州前來接應。赤壁之戰結束，周瑜乘勝進取荊州，與鎮守南郡的曹仁大戰，曹仁用曹操遺計詐敗引周瑜入城，隨命放箭，周瑜中箭敗退 。然此後反中東吳軍士詐降之計，被周瑜殺敗。後曹仁隨曹操西征馬超、韓遂，平定漢中，並南下抵擋孫權的進攻，此後負責鎮守襄陽。漢中之戰後關羽進取襄陽、樊城，曹仁死守樊城，後于戰中命令弓弩手放箭，射中關羽右臂。後曹操遣徐晃來援，終解樊城之圍 。曹丕稱帝後封曹仁為大司馬。夷陵之戰後，曹仁奉曹丕之命進軍濡須口，卻被守將朱桓殺敗，回到洛陽，不久後病逝。

影視形象

• 1992年電視劇《關公》：楊軍飾演曹仁

• 1994年電視劇《三國演義》：分別由邰祖輝、許德山飾演曹仁

• 1996年電視劇《三國英雄傳之關公》：張順興飾演曹仁

• 1999年電視劇《曹操》：王耀輝飾演曹仁

• 2004年電視劇《武聖關公》：李君峰飾演曹仁

• 2010年電視劇《三國》：洋光飾演曹仁

• 2013年電視劇《曹操》：孫學正飾演曹仁

• 2017年電視劇《大軍師司馬懿之軍師聯盟》：常晉飾演曹仁

• 2021年電影《真·三國無雙》：王梓軒飾演曹仁

動漫作品

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）

• 《橫山光輝三國志》（橫山光輝）

電玩遊戲

• 真三國無雙系列 / 無雙OROCHI系列（光榮公司開發，江川央生配音）

• 吞食天地II 赤壁之戰（卡普空開發）

注釋