Early life

Cao Ren was a younger second cousin of Cao Cao. His grandfather Cao Bao (曹襃) and father Cao Chi (曹炽) 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 (别部司马) under Cao Cao but he was actually an acting Sharp Edge Colonel (厉锋校尉).

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 (吕由) 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 (刘何) at Gouyang (勾阳) 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 (许; present-day Xuchang, Henan) in 196. Cao Ren was appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Guangyang Commandery (广阳郡) 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 (议郎).

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 (氵隐疆; 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 (韩猛) southwest. Cao Ren responded to the threat by defeating Han Meng at Jiluo Hill (鸡洛山; 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 (史涣) 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 (壶关; 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 (征南将军) 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 (长史), Chen Jiao (陈矫), 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 (安西将军) and commanded the defence at Tong Pass (潼关; present-day Tongguan County, Weinan, Shaanxi) before Cao Cao reached the frontline.

When Su Bo (苏伯) and Tian Yin (田银) rebelled in 212, Cao Ren was appointed acting General of Valiant Cavalry (骁骑将军) 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 (征南将军) 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 (车骑将军) and was placed in charge of military affairs in Jing, Yang and Yi provinces. He also received the title "Marquis of Chen" (陈侯) 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 (陈邵) 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 (高迁) 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 (大将军). Later, Cao Pi ordered Cao Ren to move to Linying (临颍) and promoted him to Grand Marshal (大司马). Cao Ren was placed in charge of the armies along the Wu River (乌江) and he garrisoned at Hefei. In 222, Cao Ren led several tens of thousands men to assail Sun Quan's garrison at Ruxu (濡须; 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 (颍川郡) in the Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Ren's father Cao Chi (曹炽) also served as a Palace Attendant (侍中) and Changshui Colonel (长水校尉) in the Eastern Han dynasty, and was posthumously awarded the title "Marquis Mu of Chen" (陈穆侯) 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 (镇东将军) 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 (曹范) 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

讨战群雄

东汉末年，天下大乱，曹仁暗自结集上千青年，游于淮河、泗水之间，后带队跟随曹操，任别部司马，行厉锋校尉。曹操进攻袁术，曹仁屡有斩获。193年，曹操为报父仇，东征徐州，曹仁负责骑兵，任为前锋，并另率军攻打陶谦将领吕由，攻克。后还师与大军会合于彭城，大破陶谦军，再转攻费、华、即墨、开阳，陶谦派将领解救各县，曹仁再率骑兵击破解救军。

194年，吕布偷袭兖州，曹操回师解救，派曹仁率军攻句阳，城破并掳获吕布将领刘何。后来在平黄巾馀贼、迎天子都许都有战功，拜曹仁为广阳太守，但曹操对他器重有嘉，不派他到广阳赴任，而以议郎督骑留于曹操身边。之后，曹操征张绣，曹仁另屯兵别县，掳获男女三千多人。曹操兵败，张绣军追杀，曹操军士气低落，曹仁率兵解救，士气甚高，令曹操回复信心，大败张绣。

文武并亮

200年，曹操、袁绍相持于官渡，日子久了，袁绍另派刘备到曹操后方举兵，令曹操腹背受敌，许城以南，吏民皆不安，曹操非常担忧，曹仁进言：「南方以大军方有目前急，其势不能相救，刘备以强兵临之，其背叛固宜也。备新将绍兵，未能得其用，击之可破也。」曹操认为可行，派曹仁率骑兵攻打刘备，刘备大败逃走，并进一步平定多个县城而还。后袁绍遣将领韩猛(一作韩荀)抄西道攻曹操，曹仁拦截韩猛于鸡洛山，成功将他打败，袁绍再不敢分兵而出。再与史涣断了袁军粮道，火烧粮谷。

平定河北后，曹操乘胜围壶关。曹操下令：「城拔，皆坑之。」但围城多月也攻不下；曹仁对曹操进言：「围城必示之活门，所以开其生路也。如今公告必死，士卒定会死守。且城固而粮多，攻击则士卒伤亡，守之则引日久；今顿兵坚城之下，以攻必死之虏，非良计也。」曹操实行其计，城中果然投降，于是曹仁以前后功绩进封为都亭侯。

突入复还

208年，跟随曹操南下，曹仁任为征南将军。赤壁之战败北后，屯兵于江陵，抵挡吴将周瑜。周瑜率三万人来攻，前锋五千已至，曹仁上城楼观望，募集五百人，并派部曲牛金挑战。但敌军人数众多，牛金被围，长史陈矫在城楼上望见牛金军被围，左右皆惊惧。曹仁大怒，叫左右取马亲自解救，陈矫等认为：「贼众盛，不可当也。假使弃数百人何苦，而将军以身赴之！」曹仁不理，被甲上马，带领数十壮骑出城，冲入敌围，牛金得救，后再杀入敌围，解救其馀的被围人马，死者只有数人，敌军乃退。曹仁归还，陈矫叹服：「将军真天人也！」三军佩服其勇武，曹操也赞赏他，转封他为安平亭侯。后周瑜亲自渡江来攻，为流矢所伤，伤势严重，引军还阵。曹仁闻知周瑜伤得不能起来，亲自督军到周瑜阵前，周瑜乃起身行到军营激厉士气，曹仁见状便撤退。经过差不多一年的时间，曹军死伤甚多，南郡终被攻克。

拒敌平叛

211年，曹操讨伐叛军马超，任曹仁行安西将军，率领诸将拒马超军于潼关，与后来的曹操大破马超。后苏伯、田银叛变，任曹仁行骁骑将军，统率七军讨伐叛军，攻克。彼再转回征南将军，假节，屯兵樊城，镇守荆州。侯音在宛叛变，曹仁率军大败侯音，并将其斩首，还屯樊城，拜为征南将军。

据守樊城

219年，关羽北伐至樊城，汉水暴涨，于禁援军被大水淹没，樊城也受连累。曹仁惟有以数千人守城，在城中没有淹没的地方安上木板，关羽乘船围城，粮食就尽，救兵又不至，樊城外内断绝，曹军士气低落，曹仁本有意退兵，满宠便以樊城之重要性劝谏曹仁死守、等待援军，曹仁激厉将士，要以必死之心迎战，众人重新振作。后徐晃救兵到来，水亦稍降，曹仁与徐晃前后防御关羽，关羽最后退走。

咸有效劳

曹丕即位魏王，拜曹仁为车骑将军，统率荆、扬、益州 军事，进封陈侯，增邑二千，并前总数三千五百户，后还屯宛城。当初曹仁被关羽围攻溃围而出后，孙权即派将领陈邵占据襄阳，曹仁奉旨讨伐，与徐晃大败陈邵，入主襄阳，派将军高迁等徙汉水之南的未开化之民到汉水之北，曹丕遣使拜曹仁为大将军，又于黄初二年十一月己卯日（221年12月14日）下诏要曹仁移屯临颍，迁为大司马，后督军占据乌江，再屯于合肥，可惜被吴将朱桓所击败。黄初四年三月丁未日（223年5月6日）曹仁逝世，时年五十六岁，谥为忠侯。

特徵

曹仁年少时不太检点，后为长官，开始整奉法令，置科于左右，以为从事。精通各种武艺，擅长射箭、骑马，尤善「弋猎」。

家庭

祖父

• 曹褒，为颍川太守。

父亲

• 曹炽，任侍中、长水校尉。后因曹仁之功，追谥为陈穆侯，置守冢十家。

堂兄

• 曹操

姐夫

宋奇（2世纪－178年），妻子曹氏是曹仁的姐姐，宋奇是孝灵宋皇后之兄。

弟

• 曹纯，曹仁同母弟，曹魏将领。

子

• 曹泰，曹仁子，嗣侯，官至镇东将军，假节，转封甯陵侯。

• 曹楷，封为列侯。

• 曹范，封为列侯。

孙

• 曹初，曹泰之子。

评价

• 陈寿《三国志》评曰：「夏侯、曹氏，世为婚姻，故敦、渊、仁、洪、休、尚、真等并以亲旧肺腑，贵重于时，左右勋业，咸有效劳。」「仁少时不修行检，及长为将，严整奉法令，常置科于左右，案以从事。」

• 陈矫：「将军真天人也！」

• 朱桓：「凡两军交对，胜负在将，不在众寡。诸君闻曹仁用兵行师，孰与桓邪？今仁既非智勇，加其士卒甚怯，又千里步涉，人马罢困，桓与诸军，共据高城，南临大江，北背山陵，以逸待劳，为主制客，此百战百胜之势也。虽曹丕自来，尚不足忧，况仁等邪！」

• 钟繇：「征南将军运田单之奇，厉愤怒之众，与徐晃同势，并力扑讨。表里俱进，应期克捷，馘灭凶逆。」

• 曹丕：「为将奉法，不当如征南邪！」

• 曹植：「文武并亮，权智时发。奢不过制，俭不损礼。入毗皇家，帝之股肱。出作侯伯，实抚东夏者，曹大司马也。」

• 傅玄《傅子》：「曹大司马之勇，（孟）贲、（夏）育弗加也。张辽其次焉。」

• 褚亮：「金坛奇正，得之于怀抱，玉钤攻取，无劳于积习，祭遵儒术，未足方其雅歌，曹仁智勇，才可用其胜。」

• 李商隐：「任重前驰，众才一旅，许伯则摩垒而旋，曹仁亦逢沟不渡。举无遗算，仕匪遭时，何兹皓首，不识丹墀。剑折而空留玉匣，马死而犹挂金羁。」

• 郝经：「心为气城，兵为城城，心固则气固，兵固则城固。静密专安，内外如一，无隙无瑕，以主待客，虽画地守之可也。况于城乎！又必兵械备具，薪粮足馀。进有郭围，退有停障。远有救援，迩有间侯。啬力多暇，明慎罚赏，申饬教戒，禁绝讹妄。血视肉薄，示之必死。曹仁之守樊，郝昭之守陈仓，张特之守新城，皆是也。」

• 《书钞》：「文武并亮，权智时发。奢不过制，俭不损礼。入毗皇家，帝之股肱。出作侯伯，实抚东夏者，曹大司马也。」

民间艺术

文学形象

在小说《三国演义》中，曹仁于曹操起兵时与曹洪一同前来投奔，并随曹操一同参与讨董战役。后从征袁术、吕布、张绣，参加官渡之战，多立功勋。曹操平定北方后决意南征，曹仁率军先攻刘备，并列八门金锁阵以敌刘备，但阵法却被徐庶所破，因而败绩；樊城亦被刘备所取，曹仁败回。夏侯敦在博望坡失利后，曹操亲率大军南下，曹仁为前锋先至新野，此时刘备已将新野军民迁出，曹仁率众入城，中了诸葛亮的火计，急奔出城，又在白河中遭到水攻，其军大败。此后曹操于赤壁遭受火攻大败，曹仁引军自荆州前来接应。赤壁之战结束，周瑜乘胜进取荆州，与镇守南郡的曹仁大战，曹仁用曹操遗计诈败引周瑜入城，随命放箭，周瑜中箭败退 。然此后反中东吴军士诈降之计，被周瑜杀败。后曹仁随曹操西征马超、韩遂，平定汉中，并南下抵挡孙权的进攻，此后负责镇守襄阳。汉中之战后关羽进取襄阳、樊城，曹仁死守樊城，后于战中命令弓弩手放箭，射中关羽右臂。后曹操遣徐晃来援，终解樊城之围 。曹丕称帝后封曹仁为大司马。夷陵之战后，曹仁奉曹丕之命进军濡须口，却被守将朱桓杀败，回到洛阳，不久后病逝。

影视形象

• 1992年电视剧《关公》：杨军饰演曹仁

• 1994年电视剧《三国演义》：分别由邰祖辉、许德山饰演曹仁

• 1996年电视剧《三国英雄传之关公》：张顺兴饰演曹仁

• 1999年电视剧《曹操》：王耀辉饰演曹仁

• 2004年电视剧《武圣关公》：李君峰饰演曹仁

• 2010年电视剧《三国》：洋光饰演曹仁

• 2013年电视剧《曹操》：孙学正饰演曹仁

• 2017年电视剧《大军师司马懿之军师联盟》：常晋饰演曹仁

• 2021年电影《真·三国无双》：王梓轩饰演曹仁

动漫作品

• 《苍天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火凤燎原》（陈某）

• 《横山光辉三国志》（横山光辉）

电玩游戏

• 真三国无双系列 / 无双OROCHI系列（光荣公司开发，江川央生配音）

• 吞食天地II 赤壁之战（卡普空开发）

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