Cao Shi and Xiahou's family are both big families in Peiguo Qiaoxian County (Bozhou City, Anhui Province). However, since Cao Teng, Cao Shi's family has prospered, and has become a big official in the imperial court and counties. Because Cao Teng was deeply trusted by the general and Emperor Huan of Han Dynasty, his adopted son Cao Song was Qiu. Brother Cao is the satrap of Yingchuan, son Cao is the assistant of Chiguan and a captain of Changshui; Another cousin, Cao Ding, is an official and an official.

On the other hand, although the Xiahou family has a great career, after all, no one in their ancestors has been an official. He is only an indigenous landlord, not an official (officials have a separate household registration book).

In order to gain the development of power, Xiahou gradually moved closer to Cao Shi. Although Cao Shi made his fortune as a eunuch by Cao Teng, he had a good reputation among literati and was neither arrogant nor impetuous in his hometown. So, Xia Houdun began to move closer to Cao Shi, and Xia Houdun and Xia, two brothers (Xia is Xia Houdun's younger brother, but at least not the same grandfather), took a fancy to Cao Cao, who had a good reputation in the mouth of the literati.

At that time, Cao Cao resigned at home, and Xiahou Dun and Xia met Cao Cao. Cao Cao once broke the law, and Xia went to prison instead of Cao Cao. Cao Cao actively rescued Xia. Since then, the relationship between the two families has become closer and closer. Xia also married Cao Cao's sister-in-law, and they became brother-in-law. Cao Cao set out from Chen Liu, with Xia Houdun and Xia as pioneers. Cao Cao was General Fenwu, Xia Houdun was Sima, and Xia was Sima. Coss and Cao Hong, two cousins (Cao Cao, Coss and Cao Hong are cousins), are just other Sima.

Cao Cao also married his daughter to Xia Houdun's second son, Xiahou Mao, so that Cao Cao and Xia Houdun became children's in-laws, and their status was more secure.

Xia's eldest son, Xiahou Heng, married Cao Caotang's niece and Cao Shi's in-laws.

Xia Houdun and Xia were shouldered by Cao Cao, not only because of their in-laws and fellow villagers' relationship (in ancient times, fellow villagers' relationship was regarded as a very important interpersonal relationship and was highly valued by people. By the way, Dian Wei and Chu Xu are both fellow villagers of Cao Cao, but they also have considerable political or military talents.

Cao Cao's original surname was Xiahou. The Prime Minister of Han Dynasty named Xia Houdun as a general, and he was the same clan as Xia and Xia Houdun.