Cao Pi, the inaugural emperor of Cao Wei during China's Three Kingdoms era, kicked off his reign with a power play that would set the tone for the chaos to come: strong-arming Emperor Xian into abdicating.

Raised by the infamous warlord Cao Cao, this chip off the old block kept the family business of warfare booming, waging relentless campaigns against Shu Han and Eastern Wu. Not all bad, Cao Pi did implement Chen Qun's nine-rank system, turning his government into a talent magnet. That being said, he didn't hesitate to clip the wings of princes faster than you can say ""power consolidation.""

With a million-strong army at his beck and call, Cao Pi carved his niche in Chinese history as a master manipulator and unscrupulous villain.