Cao Lin (died 5 February 251) was an imperial prince of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was a son of Cao Pi, the first Wei emperor, and the biological father of Cao Mao, the fourth Wei emperor.
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").(文皇帝九男： ... 仇昭儀生東海定王霖， ...) Sanguozhi vol. 20. He was enfeoffed as the Prince of Hedong (河東王) on 8 April 222jia'xu day of the 3rd month of the 3rd year of the Huang'chu era, per Cao Pi's biography (vol.02) in Sanguozhi during his father's reign. In 225, his title was changed to "Prince of Guantao" (館陶王).(東海定王霖，黃初三年立為河東王。六年，改封館陶縣。) Sanguozhi vol. 20.
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).(明帝即位，以先帝遺意，愛寵霖異於諸國。而霖性麤暴，閨門之內，婢妾之間，多所殘害。太和六年，改封東海。嘉平元年薨。) Sanguozhi vol. 20.
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.(子啟嗣。景初、正元、景元中，累增邑，并前六千二百戶。高貴鄉公髦，霖之子也，入繼大宗。) Sanguozhi vol. 20.
Family Sons: Cao Qi, Prince Donghai () Cao Mao, Emperor (; 241–260)
Ancestry
See also Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms Cao Wei family trees
Notes
References
Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi). Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).