Life

Cao Lin's father was Cao Pi, the first emperor of Wei. His mother, whose maiden family name was Qiu (仇), was a concubine of Cao Pi holding the rank of zhaoyi (昭儀; translated "Lady of Bright Deportment"). He was enfeoffed as the Prince of Hedong (河東王) in 222 during the reign of his father. In 225, his title was changed to "Prince of Guantao" (館陶王).

In 227, after Cao Pi's death, Cao Lin's half-brother Cao Rui succeeded their father and became the second emperor of Wei. Cao Rui treated Cao Lin in an exceptionally generous manner in accordance with their father's final wishes. Cao Lin was known for being prone to domestic violence; he abused and killed servants and concubines alike. In 232, his title was changed again to "Prince of Donghai" (東海王). He died on 5 February 251 during the reign of Cao Fang, the third emperor of Wei. He was honoured with the posthumous title "Prince Ding" (定王).

Cao Lin had two sons: Cao Qi (曹啟) and Cao Mao (曹髦). The elder one, Cao Qi, inherited his princedom and became the next Prince of Donghai. Over the reigns of the subsequent Wei emperors, the number of taxable households in the Donghai princedom increased until it reached 6,200. Cao Lin's younger son, Cao Mao, initially held the title "Duke of Gaogui District" (高貴鄉公). In 254, following Cao Fang's death, Empress Dowager Guo selected Cao Mao to be the fourth emperor of Wei. In accordance with imperial customs, Cao Mao was adopted as a posthumous son of Cao Rui so that his succession would be considered legitimate.

Family

Sons:

• Cao Qi, Prince Donghai (東海王 曹啟)

• Cao Mao, Emperor (皇帝 曹髦; 241–260)

Ancestry

生平

黃初三年三月甲戌（222年4月8日）被封為河東王。黃初六年（225年）改封館陶王。太和六年（232年），再改封東海王。

曹霖性情暴躁，經常殘害後宮的侍女和婢女。嘉平二年十二月十五日甲辰（251年1月24日），曹霖去世，謚曰定，其子曹啟繼承王位。景初、正元、景元年間，東海國被增加封邑，最終達到六千二百戶。

家庭

• 嗣高祖父：（追尊）高皇帝曹騰

母

仇昭儀，曹丕的妾室，封為昭儀。

子

• 東海王曹啟

• 曹魏 第四任皇帝 高貴鄉公曹髦