曹咎 / Cao Jiu
曹咎 / Cao Jiu enters the wiki through Hanji 162-3 as the 项羽-side figure left to hold 成皋 while Xiang Yu turns east against 彭越. The episode explains the appointment through trust and older service: Cao Jiu had helped 项梁 when Xiang Liang was imprisoned under Qin authority, and he remained close to the Xiang camp.
The same source says Cao Jiu later helped communicate with 章邯 after the 巨鹿之战, contributing to Zhang Han’s surrender branch and receiving the title Haichun Hou plus a senior military post. In Hanji 162-3, however, his significance is narrower: Xiang Yu trusts him enough to leave him at Chenggao with instructions not to respond to Liu Bang’s provocations.
Hanji 163 records the failed test. After several days of Han insults, Cao Jiu opens Chenggao’s east gate and crosses 汜水 to fight; Liu Bang’s side attacks while Chu is mid-crossing, causing a rout. Cao Jiu and 司马欣 die by suicide, and Chu loses both 成皋 and 敖仓, making him a clean example of 因怒兴师.