《宋史·列传·卷四十九》
曹利用当时正因汇报事情在朝廷，枢密院便推他为候选人。
利用适奏事行在，枢密院以利用应选，帝曰： 此重事也，毋轻用人。 明日，枢密使王继英又荐利用，遂授阁门祗候、崇仪副使，奉书诣契丹军。
Cao Liyong was reporting the affairs in the court at that time, so the Privy Council recommended him as a candidate.