Cao Mo

Cao Mo (曹沫) was a general from the State of Lu who lived in the 7th century BCE. He is known as one of China's earliest Assassins.

Biography

As a soldier, Cao Mo served Duke Zhuang of Lu with boldness and bravery, and it was for these qualities that he was promoted to be one of his generals. Three times he led Lu's forces in battle against the ascendant State of Qi, yet three times he was defeated. These setbacks caused Duke Zhuang to fear the might of Qi, and he sued for peace by ceding the territory of Suiyi (遂邑) as a consequence. Nonetheless, Cao Mo retained his rank of general.

While Lu diplomats were negotiating with Duke Huan of Qi at a place called Ke (柯), Cao Mo suddenly drew a dagger and took Duke Huan hostage atop an altar. None of the Qi guards and attendees dared to make a move. When asked what he wanted, Cao Mo replied, "Qi is strong while Lu is weak, and for a great nation to invade Lu [like a bully] is just outrageous. Should today's Lu City collapse, pressure would be exerted on Qi's borders. You must plan on it". Duke Huan thereupon vowed to return the territory Qi had annexed. Satisfied, Cao Mo threw down his dagger, came down from the altar, and returned to his spot among the other officials, stoic and expressionless as though nothing had happened. He continued to issue instructions to his men in the same manner as before.

Privately, Duke Huan was furious and desired to renege on his promise, but his chancellor Guan Zhong dissuaded him, cautioning, "You cannot. If you covet small gains for your own happiness, you would forsake the trust of the other feudal lords. Let us give it to him". In other words, Guan Zhong thought that even though his duke had given his promise under duress, the other rulers still expected him to follow through with it, and he could not afford the risk to his reputation from violating the terms. Duke Huan listened to his chancellor's advice and returned the territories taken from Lu. Thus, Cao Mo successfully recovered the exact lands that he had lost in his three battles.

Legacy

In 94 BCE, the historian Sima Qian wrote Record of the Grand Historian and included Cao Mo in a list alongside Zhuan Zhu, Yu Rang, Nie Zheng, and Jing Ke as being one of China's earliest assassins who were known to later generations of the Chinese Brotherhood as "the Five Great Assassins."

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Dynasty (mentioned only)