Cao Fang

Cao Fang (曹芳) (232 – 274), courtesy name Lanqing (蘭卿), was the third emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He reigned from 239 to 254.

Cao Fang was adopted as a grandson by Emperor Cao Rui, although his biological parentage is unknown. Upon Cao Rui's death in 239, the eight-year-old Cao Fang ascended the throne with Cao Shuang and Sima Yi appointed as regents. Power initially rested largely with Cao Shuang, who sidelined Sima Yi. However, Sima Yi launched a coup d'état in 249, known as the Incident at the Gaoping Tombs, seizing control and executing Cao Shuang and his associates.

Following the coup, Sima Yi effectively ruled Wei as a dictator, and later his sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao continued to exert similar control. In 254, Cao Fang was deposed by Sima Shi after plotting to remove the Sima clan from power. He was demoted to the title of Prince of Qi (齊王).

After the establishment of the Jin dynasty by Sima Yan (Sima Zhao's son) in 266, Cao Fang was given the title of Duke of Shaoling (邵陵公), which he held until his death in 274. He was the last surviving ruler of Cao Wei. His reign was marked by political instability and the gradual erosion of the Cao family's power, culminating in the Sima family usurping the throne to establish the Jin dynasty.