Zheng Xuan (127–200 CE) was a preeminent Confucian classicist of the Eastern Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Kangcheng, and he was a native of Gaomi, Beihai Commandery (in present-day Gaomi, Shandong).
In 239 AD, Emperor Cao Rui of Wei, aged just 35 and childless, lay dying. He adopted Cao Fang, a seven-year-old boy, as his heir and summoned his most trusted ministers to his bedside. Pointing to the young prince, he addressed Grand Commandant Sima Yi: