Also known as Zihe, he was the younger brother of Cao Ren, Wei's great Minister of War, and commander of the Tiger Warriors.
In the tenth year of the Jian'an era (205 AD), he attacked Nanpi under military staff officer Sikong's identity. The frustrated Cao Cao faced difficulties and led his elite cavalry to behead Yuan Tan. In the 12th year of the Jian'an Era (207 AD), following the northern conquest of Wuwan, the commander of the Tiger Warriors captured the leader Ta Dun. Due to his past achievements, he was named Gaolinghou.
