Cao Chong was recognized as an especially gifted and intelligent person from an early age. When he was about six years old his intelligence was thought to be equal to that of an adult.
One day, Sun Quan, who later ruled Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms, sent Cao Cao, the de facto ruler of the north, an elephant as a gift. When the elephant was shipped to the capital city of Xuchang, Cao Cao led military and civilian officials, as well as his young son Cao Chong, to see the animal.
Cao Cao had never seen an elephant before. The elephant was big and tall, its legs were as thick as the pillars of a hall, and people could walk under its belly.
Cao Cao said, “This is truly an immense elephant. But how much does it weigh? Does anyone know how we can weigh it?”
