Coming Back Soon
I'm refreshing my site. Please check back a little later.
Curious about the Ming-era general Cao Qin? Here’s a brief portrait.
Cao Qin (d. 1461) was a Ming dynasty general known for his failed coup in Beijing. Of mixed heritage and commanding many Mongol troops, he rose to high office but, fearing purges and ethnic tensions, launched a rebellion against the Tianshun Emperor. Defeated within a day, he took his own life and his family was executed. Though brief, the uprising exposed the fragile balance between power and loyalty, and revealed the Ming court’s deep mistrust of its generals—reminding us that those who command armies often struggle most to command their own fate.