Cao Cao (155-15 March 220 CE); courtesy name Mengde; was one of the most important warlords during the Tree Kingdoms period. The penultimate Chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty; Cao rose to great power in the last years of the dynasty. When the Eastern Han dynasty fell; Cao Cao was able to secure the largest and most prosperous cities of the central plains of northern China; uniting under his rule.

During the Three Kingdoms period; he laid the foundations for what would become the state of Cao Wei; posthumously honoured with the title of 'Emperor Wu of Wei'. Though he had been very successful as the Han chancellor; his handling of the Han emperor Liu Xie was harshly criticised by many; and led to a long-running civil war; with opposition flocking to the banners of rival warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan. Cao was unable to quell the civil war; and he died in 220 CE before he could unite China under his rule.

While Cao Cao was praised as a brilliant ruler and tactical genius who respectfully treated those beneath him like they were family; later historical accounts and fictional literature such as 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' portray him as a cruel and merciless tyrant.