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Cao Bin曹彬

Song CourtHistory × Fiction

Military governor of Tianping Army, commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition, later demoted after defeat.

DIRECT FIGURES
31
RELATION RECORDS
48
SOURCE WORKS
2

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Cao Bin, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

1 figure · 1 record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

19 figures · 25 records
15 more in the complete record
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

10 figures · 11 records
6 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 3 records

12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

Event · 975 CEConquest of Southern TangSong forces encircled Jinling, while Cao Bin bound his generals to spare its population before Li Yu surrendered. The campaign joins Northern Song unification to the cultural memory of a fallen ruler.

In history · History of Song

Military governor of Tianping Army, commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition, later demoted after defeat. Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Bureau of Military Affairs, commander-in-chief of the campaign against Jiangnan. Song general, led the army to conquer Southern Tang, later served as Commissioner of Military Affairs.

In fiction · Generals of the Yang Family

Song general, advocated advancing troops; great general, rewarded for archery. Marshal of the Song dynasty, served as commander-in-chief.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    History of Song

    49 profile notes
    38 relations42 verified quotations
    • Emperor Zhenzong of Songruler-subjectCao Bin
    • Cao Binappoint officialEmperor Zhenzong of Song
    • Emperor Taizu of SongappointCao Bin
    • Cao Binruler-subjectEmperor Taizu of Song
    Verified original text · 42
    1. 以镇海军节度使曹彬为枢密使

      ruler-subject · History of Song, 真宗本纪一

    2. 真宗即位,复检校太师、同平章事。

      appoint official · History of Song, 曹彬璨玮琮潘美李超传

    40 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. Literature / legend

    Generals of the Yang Family

    4 profile notes
    2 relations4 verified quotations
    • Emperor Taizong of Songgrant rewardCao Bin
    • Hu YanzanaidCao Bin
    Verified original text · 4
    1. 太宗深加抚劳,赐马、袍而退

      grant reward · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 14

    2. 以曹彬为幽州道行营前马步军水陆都部署

      appoint · Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 15

    2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

Cao Bin's general demeanor and front-line confrontation

  • Consulting the 'History of Song: Biography of Yang Ye', it is known that 'the various armies successively captured Yun, Ying, Huan, and Shuo prefectures, and the troops camped at Sanggan River; coinciding with Cao Bin's army's setback, all routes withdrew, and Mei and others returned to Dai prefecture.' In contrast, in 'Romance of the Yang Family Generals, Chapter 7', Cao Bin advances, saying: 'With the nation's elite troops and sharp weapons, cutting off Taiyuan's isolated fortress is like crushing dry weeds and snapping rotten wood; what doubt is there?' This places more emphasis on his performance in fictional battles.

Relationship network

32 figures · 150 links
Cao BinCao BinEmperor Zhenzong of SongEmperor Zhenzong of SongEmperor Taizu of SongEmperor Taizu of SongEmperor TaizongEmperor TaizongEmperor Taizong of SongEmperor Taizong of SongZhao PuZhao PuPan RenmeiPan RenmeiHu YanzanHu YanzanLi JilongLi JilongLi YuLi YuCount of FulingCount of FulingWang QuanbinCao WeiZhou ShizongCui YanjinFu QianShizongXiang MinzhongZhao ChangyanTian ZhongjinLi JixunGuo JinXu XuanWang ChaoTian QincuoWang XianTian MinMi XinJia HuangzhongSun QuanzhaoQuan ShixiongGuo Shouwen
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: History of Song, 上官正卢斌周审玉裴济李继宣张旦张煦张佶传; Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 7; History of Song, 世家五北汉刘氏刘继元(父:钧兄:继恩附:卫融赵文度李恽马峰郭无为)传; Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 14; History of Song, 世家传一; Generals of the Yang Family, ch. 15; History of Song, 世家传三; History of Song, 世家传二

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.