Cao Xiu

Cao Xiu (died 228) was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. A distant nephew of Cao Cao, Cao Xiu was given special attention by the former, who once asserted him befitting the role of a commander. During Liu Bei's Hanzhong Campaign, Cao Xiu outwitted his two opponents, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao, who were far more well known than he was. Cao Xiu became a district commander during his late life and led various campaigns against Sun Quan's forces; despite defeating several enemy units, few of the campaigns were met with success. He died in 228 shortly after his disastrous final campaign against Eastern Wu.