, was from She County, Anhui Province and a political figure of the Qing Dynasty.
Biography
In the 25th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign (1760), he ranked first in the second division of the imperial examination as a Jinshi (translators). He was appointed as a Shujishi and then promoted to Compiler. He served in the Maogin Hall and later was appointed to various positions, including Academician and Reader in the Hanlin Academy, and was ordered to serve in the Southern Study. He was further promoted to Censor of the Zongshi Temple.
In the 42nd year of Qianlong's reign (1877), he observed mourning for his father. After completing the mourning period, he returned to Beijing and served as Deputy Left Censor, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, Ministry of War, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Revenue, concurrently managing the Shuntian Prefecture. He was appointed Chief Editor of the Siku Quanshu. He was commissioned to investigate cases in Weixian County and Beijing, conducting trials with fairness. Emperor Qianlong praised him by saying, "Wenzhi et al. do not indulge in concealment; they are just and act as true ministers." He eventually reached the position of Minister of Revenue. During his term as Inspector of Education in Nanchang, Jiangxi, he expanded the provincial academy.
Emperor Qianlong frequently visited the Cao family in Yangzhou during his southern tours and trusted them deeply. In the 52nd year of Qianlong's reign (1787), due to his elderly mother, he requested to retire and was granted the title of Grand Tutor. He died with the posthumous name Wenmin.
Works
He authored Shigu Yanzhai Wenchao (20 volumes), Shichao (32 volumes), Zhilu Ji (8 volumes), and Shigu Yanzhais Shi Tie (2 volumes).
Family
His father, Cao Jingchen, was a major salt merchant in Yangzhou.
His son, Cao Zhenyong, served during the reigns of Emperors Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang.
Further Reading
Bibliography
• Li Dou, , Volume 10, Part I: Hongqiao Lu Shang.
References
• 曹文埴 (Chinese)
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Cao Wenzhi (1735–1798), courtesy name Jinwei, style name Zhuxu, was from She County, Anhui Province and a political figure of the Qing Dynasty.