Cao Zhongda

Cao Zhongda (曹仲達) (882 –943 ), né Cao Hongda (曹弘達), was an official of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Wuyue, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of its second king Qian Yuanguan and third king Qian Hongzuo.

Background and service under Qian Liu Cao Hongda was born in 882, during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang. His father Cao Gui (曹圭) was a general under Qian Liu, who would eventually control the region (modern Zhejiang) that became the territory of Wuyue. Cao Hongda was born at Linping (臨平, in modern Hangzhou, Zhejiang). After he grew older, Cao Gui wanted to train him physically, so Cao Gui had him eat with servants and not be given warm clothing even when it was in the winter. Cao Gui also had him lift bricks daily. When Qian Yuanguan claimed the title of king in 937 (then as a vassal of Later Tang's successor state Later Jin), he commissioned Cao, along with Shen Song and Pi Guangye, chancellors. (It was probably at this time that he changed his name to Cao Zhongda, as the name change was said to be to observe naming taboo for Qian Yuanguan's heir apparent Qian Hongzun, and it was at the time that Qian Yuanguan claimed the king title that he made Qian Hongzun his heir apparent.) He was said to be kind and honest, often donating food to the needy (implicitly, referring probably to Buddhist monks). Qian Yuanguan honored him greatly and referred to him only as "the Chancellor" rather than by name. He died in 943.

Notes and references

Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms, vol. 86. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 277, 281, 282.