Early life

Cao Xiu was a distant younger relative of Cao Cao. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in the late Eastern Han dynasty, the Cao clan left their ancestral home in Qiao County (譙縣; present-day Bozhou, Anhui) and went in different directions throughout the Han Empire to avoid getting caught up in the chaos.

When Cao Xiu was around 10 years old, his father died and he only had one person to help him arrange for his father to be properly buried. Cao Xiu and his mother crossed the Yangtze to southern China and settled down in Wu Commandery (around present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). Cao Xiu's grandfather, Cao Chang (曹嘗), had previously served as the Administrator of Wu Commandery. One day, after seeing a portrait of his grandfather in the Administrator's office, Cao Xiu became so overwhelmed by emotions that he knelt down and cried. Everyone present at the scene felt touched when they saw him crying.

Service under Cao Cao

In 190, Cao Cao was raising an army to join the Guandong Coalition against the warlord Dong Zhuo, who controlled the Han central government and held Emperor Xian hostage. When Cao Xiu heard about it, he adopted a fake identity and travelled via Jing Province to Cao Cao's base in Chenliu Commandery (陳留郡; around present-day Kaifeng, Henan). Cao Cao was pleased to see him and he remarked, "This is the thousand-li horse of my clan."

Cao Cao treated Cao Xiu like a son and even allowed him to live with his own son, Cao Pi. Cao Xiu fought on Cao Cao's side in the various battles against rival warlords throughout the late Eastern Han dynasty. He was also one of the commanders of the elite "Tiger and Leopard Cavalry" (虎豹騎) unit in Cao Cao's army.

Hanzhong Campaign

In 217, Cao Cao's rival Liu Bei launched a campaign to seize control of Hanzhong Commandery, which was guarded by Cao Cao's general Xiahou Yuan. When Liu Bei sent Wu Lan (吳蘭), one of his officers, to lead troops to garrison at Xiabian County (下辯縣; northwest of present-day Cheng County, Gansu), Cao Cao ordered his cousin Cao Hong to lead an army to attack the enemy. Cao Xiu was commissioned as a Cavalry Commandant (騎都尉) to serve as an adviser to Cao Hong. Before they left, Cao Cao told Cao Xiu, "You may be an adviser, but you're actually the commander." When Cao Hong received the order, he delegated his command to Cao Xiu.

Liu Bei later sent his generals Ma Chao and Zhang Fei to lead troops to Gushan (固山) and station there in an attempt to cut off Cao Hong's retreat route. When Cao Hong and his subordinates were unsure about what Ma Chao and Zhang Fei were trying to do, Cao Xiu pointed out that it was a ruse because the enemy would do so in secret if they really wanted to cut off the retreat route, instead of making it so obvious. He then suggested to Cao Hong to attack Wu Lan at Xiabian County before he could link up with Ma Chao and Zhang Fei, and said that Ma Chao and Zhang Fei would retreat once they learn of Wu Lan's defeat. Cao Hong heeded his suggestion and defeated Wu Lan at Xiabian County. As Cao Xiu foresaw, Ma Chao and Zhang Fei pulled back their troops from Gushan after hearing of Wu Lan's defeat.

In 219, after a prolonged war against Liu Bei, Cao Cao eventually decided to give up defending Hanzhong Commandery so he ordered his troops to withdraw and return to Chang'an. Later, he appointed Cao Xiu as Commandant of the Central Army (中領軍).

Service under Cao Pi

Following Cao Cao's death in March 220, his son Cao Pi succeeded him as the (vassal) King of Wei (魏王) and Imperial Chancellor (丞相) of the Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Pi appointed Cao Xiu as General Who Leads the Army (領軍將軍) and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Dongyang Village (東陽亭侯) in recognition of his past achievements. When Xiahou Dun died in June 220, Cao Pi ordered Cao Xiu to replace Xiahou Dun as the supervisor of all military operations, promoted him to General Who Guards the South (鎮南將軍) and granted him acting imperial authority. He held Cao Xiu's hands while personally seeing him off.

At the time, Cao Pi's rival Sun Quan had sent his forces to garrison at Liyang County (歷陽縣; present-day He County, Anhui) in preparation for an attack on Cao Pi's territories. When Cao Xiu reached his assigned position at Zhaoling County (召陵縣; east of present-day Luohe, Henan), he led his troops to attack Liyang County and succeeded in driving Sun Quan's forces away. Later, he sent his troops to cross the Yangtze and attack and burn down a few thousand enemy camps at Wuhu County (蕪湖縣; east of present-day Wuhu, Anhui).

In late 220, Cao Pi usurped the throne from Emperor Xian, ended the Eastern Han dynasty, and established the state of Cao Wei with himself as the new emperor. After his coronation, he promoted Cao Xiu to General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍) and appointed him as the Inspector (刺史) of Yang Province. He also elevated Cao Xiu from the status of a village marquis to a district marquis under the title "Marquis of Anyang District" (安陽鄉侯).

Death of Cao Xius mother

When Cao Xiu's mother died, Cao Pi issued an imperial decree to exempt Cao Xiu from the formalities and austere lifestyle of filial mourning, which was customary for officeholders when their parent(s) died. He excused Cao Xiu from wearing mourning garments and gave him permission to consume meat and alcohol. However, when Cao Xiu's health deteriorated due to grief and his desire to return home to Qiao County (譙縣; present-day Bozhou, Anhui) to hold a proper funeral for his mother, Cao Pi approved and sent Xue Qiao (薛喬) as his personal representative to offer his condolences to Cao Xiu and attend the funeral. Cao Xiu settled the funeral arrangements and had his mother properly buried within one day, after which he wanted to return to his post. Before Cao Xiu left, Cao Pi met him in person to comfort and console him. This incident showed how close Cao Pi was to Cao Xiu and how highly he regarded Cao Xiu.

Battle of Dongkou

In October 222, Cao Pi launched the first of a series of invasions against Eastern Wu, the state founded by his rival, Sun Quan. He promoted Cao Xiu to Senior General Who Attacks the East (征東大將軍), granted him the yellow axe (a ceremonial axe given to newly appointed high-ranking generals), and ordered him, Zhang Liao and others to lead 20 armies to attack Dongkou (洞口; in present-day southern Jiangsu), where they defeated Wu forces led by Lü Fan. Cao Pi later promoted Cao Xiu to Governor of Yang Province.

Service under Cao Rui

After Cao Pi died in June 226, Cao Xiu continued serving under Cao Rui, Cao Pi's son and successor as the emperor of Wei. Following his coronation, Cao Rui elevated Cao Xiu from the status of a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Changping" (長平侯).

When Wu forces led by Shen De (審悳) garrisoned at Wan (皖; present-day Qianshan County, Anhui), Cao Xiu led Wei forces to attack them and killed Shen De in battle. Two other Wu officers, Han Zong and Zhai Dan (翟丹), brought along their troops and surrendered to Cao Xiu. In recognition of Cao Xiu's achievements, Cao Rui increased the number of taxable households in Cao Xiu's marquisate by 400, bringing the total number to 2,500. Cao Rui also promoted Cao Xiu to Grand Marshal (大司馬) and ordered him to continue supervising military operations in Yang Province.

Battle of Shiting

In 228, as Cao Rui planned to launch an invasion on Wei's rival state Wu, he ordered Sima Yi to lead Wei forces from Jing Province and sail down the Han River to Xunyang County (尋陽縣; southwest of present-day Huangmei County, Hubei) and supervise the invasion. During this time, Cao Xiu fell for a ruse by a Wu military officer Zhou Fang, who pretended to defect to Wei in order to lure Wei forces into a trap. He led his troops deep into enemy territory and suffered a disastrous defeat when they fell into the trap. Cao Xiu managed to retreat to Shiting (石亭; or Shi Village, in present-day Qianshan County, Anhui), but his soldiers started panicking at night and many of them deserted and left behind their weapons, armour and equipment.

Cao Xiu wrote a memorial to Cao Rui to apologise for his blunder and request to be punished. However, Cao Rui not only pardoned him, but also sent Yang Ji (楊曁) as an emissary to console him and continued to regard him as highly as before.

Death

Cao Xiu died later in 228 from skin infections on his back resulting from the wounds he sustained during the Battle of Shiting. Cao Rui honoured with the posthumous title "Marquis Zhuang" (壯侯), which literally means "robust marquis".

Descendants

Cao Xiu's son, Cao Zhao (曹肇), whose courtesy name was Changsi (長思), inherited his father's peerage and marquisate as the Marquis of Changping (長平侯). Cao Zhao, who was known for being talented and generous, served as a Regular Mounted Attendant (散騎常侍) and Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry (屯騎校尉) in the Cao Wei state. When Cao Rui became critically ill in 238, he wanted to appoint Cao Zhao and Cao Yu as the regents for Cao Fang, his adopted son and successor-to-be. However, later he changed his mind and ordered Cao Zhao to retire and go home. Cao Zhao died in the middle of the Zhengshi era (240–249) of Cao Fang's reign. He was posthumously awarded the appointment General of the Guards (衞將軍). His son, Cao Xing (曹興), succeeded him as the next Marquis of Changping.

Cao Xiu had another son, Cao Cuan (曹纂), who was younger than Cao Zhao. Sometime between 220 and 226, Cao Pi removed 300 taxable households from Cao Xiu's marquisate and used them to create a new marquisate for Cao Cuan. Like his father and elder brother, Cao Cuan served in the Cao Wei state and held the position General Who Destroys Wu (殄吳將軍). After his death, he was posthumously awarded the appointment General of the Vanguard (前將軍).

Cao Xiu had a great-grandson, Cao Shu (曹攄), whose courtesy name was Yanyuan (顏遠) and was a grandson of Cao Zhao. Cao Shu was known for being virtuous, ambitious, knowledgeable and well-read since young. He served under the Jin dynasty (266–420) after the fall of the Cao Wei state in 265 and gained quite a reputation during his tenure as the Prefect of Luoyang. When Sima Jiong was regent for Emperor Hui, Cao Shu and Zuo Si served as his subordinates. Cao Shu later rose through the ranks from a Palace Gentleman (中郎) to the positions of Administrator of Xiangyang (襄陽太守) and Marshal Who Attacks the South (征南司馬). He was killed in battle in 308 while suppressing a rebellion.

Discovery of Cao Xius tomb

In May 2010, archaeologists announced the discovery of Cao Xiu's tomb in Mengjin County, Henan. The tomb, 50 metres long and 21 metres wide, held chinaware, copperware, liquor cups and jars as well as some human bones. Tests suggested that these bones belonged to a 50-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman, and the man was about 1.71 metres tall. A bronze seal, about the size of a coin and engraved with Cao Xiu's name, revealed the tomb owner's identity.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, on one occasion when Yue Jin was losing to the enemy general Ling Tong in a duel, Cao Xiu fired an arrow which hit Ling Tong's horse. Ling Tong fell from the horse's back and would have been killed by Yue Jin if Gan Ning had not intervened and saved him.

生平

千里良駒

曹休是曹操的族子，漢末天下大亂，宗族各散回鄉。曹休十餘歲便喪父，唯有自己和一戶人家暫時把其父安葬，帶著母親到吳郡（治今江蘇省蘇州市）。據魏書記載，曹休祖父曾是吳郡太守，曹休與太守屋舍每見壁上祖父的畫像，在此下住流涕拜祖父，同住的人都讚許也感到憂傷。

189年，曹操舉義兵，曹休易名北還至中原拜見曹操。曹操對左右說：「此吾家千里駒也。」讓他與曹丕待在一起，如子對待一樣。經常追隨曹操征伐，使領虎豹騎宿衛。

盤臨制敵

219年，劉備派遣蜀將吳蘭到下辯屯守，曹操派曹洪討伐，以曹休為騎都尉，為曹洪參軍。曹操對曹休說：「你雖然是參軍，其實是將帥。」曹洪聽聞此令，並把重任都交給曹休負責。劉備知道曹軍進攻下辯，派張飛到固山屯兵，欲切斷曹軍後路。曹軍眾將議論猶豫，曹休說：「若賊是斷我軍後路，應該伏兵潛行。如今乃先虛張聲勢，這說明是敵人的計策。現在在他們還沒有集結的情況下，立即攻打吳蘭，吳蘭被攻下，張飛自然撤退。」曹洪應可隨即攻破吳蘭，張飛果然逃跑。曹操打算征討漢中，但難以攻下，還軍長安，拜曹休為中領軍。

220年，曹丕稱帝，命曹休為領軍將軍，計算前後之功，封為東陽亭侯。夏侯惇死後，以曹休為鎮南將軍，假節都督各軍軍事，接替夏侯惇屯汝南郡抵禦孫權。曹丕車駕親臨送別，還下了車子與曹休執手拜別。孫權派吳將屯歷陽，曹休到任後把其破之，又派兵渡江火燒蕪湖營數千家。遷為征東將軍，領揚州刺史，進封安陽鄉侯。

洞口之戰

222年，曹丕親自征討，封曹休為征東大將軍，假黃鉞，督張遼、臧霸、賈逵各州郡二十餘軍出發攻打洞浦，而大將軍曹真進攻江陵，曹仁進攻濡須口，分三路進攻孫權。曹休上表：「末將的精銳可以虎步渡江，因為奪取敵人補給，必然克制敵人的進攻；如果臣有不測，不須掛念。」曹丕不允許，孫權派呂範、徐盛、全琮迎擊。暴風此時吹斷了呂範的船纜，把呂範部隊吹到曹休營前，曹休趁機斬殺吳軍，大敗呂範。曹休派臧霸率軍追殺東吳援軍，攻下徐陵，殺數千吳軍。吳將全琮、徐盛率軍以少數兵反擊，打破魏軍優勢，斬殺魏將尹盧，殺獲數百魏軍。臧霸被徐盛和全琮的反擊而撤退，除了曹休取得初勝利，曹仁軍敗北，曹真軍暫時沒有勝果；最後曹丕惟有撤兵，拜曹休為揚州牧。

226年，曹丕駕崩，曹休、陳群、曹真、司馬懿四人為託孤遺詔輔政，魏明帝曹叡即位後，曹休進封長平侯。吳將審德在此時屯皖城，曹休領兵斬殺了審德，收降韓綜、翟丹等，增邑四百，二千五百戶，遷為大司馬。

石亭之戰

228年，曹叡二路攻吳，司馬懿下漢水，曹休率軍到尋陽。吳臣周魴詐降，曹休聽信深入，作戰不利，退還石亭。被吳將陸遜擊敗，損失數萬。軍隊夜晚驚怕，士兵混亂，棄甲物資甚多，最後賈逵救援才得以脫險。此戰過失，曹休上書謝罪，曹叡派楊暨安撫，賜禮隆重。不久發背疽而死。謚壯侯。

逸聞

• 魏書：曹休因為母親去世而守孝。曹丕命令侍中奪去他的喪服，命令他飲酒吃肉，但曹休受詔後身體反而日益憔悴。希望回到譙縣以安葬其母，曹丕派遣越騎校尉薛喬持詔書宣慰曹休，並讓曹休歸鄉辦理喪事。曹休一個晚上就辦完喪事，並在事情完結後迅速回到自己的工作崗位。曹丕見到這個情形，便親身慰問，可見曹丕如此愛重。

與賈逵的關係

• 石亭之戰時，曹休雖然得到賈逵的救援才得以撤退，但仍埋怨賈逵行軍太遲。所以以主帥身份要求作為豫州刺史的賈逵到戰場去撿回失落的使節杖。賈逵認為沒有過失，所以對曹休說：「我是為國家擔任豫州刺史的人，絕對不會去做撿取遭棄的使節杖的工作。」于是引軍歸還。接著與曹休互相表奏，朝廷雖然知道賈逵行事無誤，但也為了保全曹休的宗室身份的面子，所以二人都沒有受到責難處罰。

• 曹休在石亭之戰前本就看不起賈逵，後來更打算以敗戰之罪懲處賈逵，但賈逵始終沒有多言，時人在此事上較為認同賈逵。

藝術形象

三國演義

第五十六回 曹操大宴銅雀臺 孔明三氣周公瑾

曹操大宴銅雀臺，讓麾下武將誰用弓箭射中紅心，可得到紅錦戰袍。為此用各自的箭術比武，曹休、文聘、曹洪、張郃、夏侯淵、徐晃（按照出場順序排名）等人比試，曹休首先出場，休飛馬往來，奔馳三次，扣上箭，拽滿弓，一箭射去，正中紅心。金鼓齊鳴，眾皆喝冞。曹操於臺上望見大喜，曰：「此吾家千里駒也！」

第六十八回 甘寧百騎劫魏營 左慈擲盃戲曹操

濡須口之戰，曹休放暗箭射中凌統的馬，把凌統弄倒在馬下，後面的故事與歷史大致相同。

漫畫形象

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）:

遊戲形象

• 真·三國無雙8 （光榮特庫摩，佐藤拓也配音）

影視形象

• 1994年電視劇《三國演義》：郝忠謙

• 1994年電視劇《楊麗花歌仔戲洛神》：陳財明

• 2012年電影《銅雀臺》：彭敬慈

• 2013年電視劇《新洛神》：黃朋

• 2017年電視劇《軍師聯盟》：杜星奇

評價

• 陳壽：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。（《三國志·魏書》）

• 曹操：此吾家千里駒也。（《三國志·魏書》）

• 朱桓：休本以親戚見任，非智勇名將也。今戰必敗，敗必走，走當由夾石、挂車，此兩道皆險阨，若以萬兵柴路，則彼眾可盡，而休可生虜，臣請將所部以斷之。若蒙天威，得以休自效，便可乘勝長驅，進取壽春，割有淮南，以規許、洛，此萬世一時，不可失也。（《三國志·吳書·朱桓傳》）

• 滿寵：曹休雖明果而希用兵。（《三國志·魏書》）

• 曹植：於穆公侯，魏之宗室。明德繼踵，奕世純粹。闡弘泛愛，仁以接物。藝以為華，體茲亮實。年沒弱冠，志在雄英。高揖名師，發言有章。東夏翕然，稱曰龍光。貧而無怨，恐以為難。嗟我公侯，屢空是安。不耽世祿，親悅為歡。好彼蓬樞，甘此瓢簞。味道忘憂，逾憲超顏。矯矯公侯，不撓其厄。呵叱三軍，躬奮雄戟。足蹴白刃，手接飛鏑。終弭淮南，保我疆場。

子嗣

• 曹肇，曹休長子，字長思，襲爵長平侯，曹魏散騎常侍、屯騎校尉，死于正始年間，追贈衛將軍。

• 曹纂，曹休少子，字德思，魏文帝分曹休食邑三百戶封曹纂為列侯，曹魏殄吳將軍，追贈前將軍。

後裔

• 曾孫曹攄

• 曾孫曹識

• 玄孫曹毗，《晉書·文苑傳》有傳。

• 九世孫曹世表。

墓地

2010年5月17日，在河南洛陽孟津縣送莊鄉卅里鋪村東南發現曹休墓。遺骨經鑑定，曹休病故時身高約171公分(171/23.1=約漢代7尺4寸)，體格健康粗壯，年齡約在五十到六十歲。曹休墓多次被盜，甚至連墓地的漢磚都被盜掘了，剩下的文物極少，所幸墓主的一枚銅印還在，由銅印上清晰的曹休二字確認墓主身份。