Yi Zhongtian’s evaluation of Cao Cao

Cao Cao is a very complicated person.

He is cunning yet honest, tender yet vicious, tolerant yet vengeful.

If you only read one story about Cao Cao, and only look at one side of Cao Cao, the conclusion you will draw is that a blind man feels the elephant, which is not comprehensive.

In our opinion, Cao Cao may be a person with the most complex personality and the most diverse images in Chinese history.

He is a man who is both extremely smart and stupid, cunning and treacherous, yet frank and sincere, open-minded yet suspicious, magnanimous yet narrow-minded.

It can be said that it is the demeanor of a master, the face of a villain; the heroic spirit, the feelings of children; the temper of the king of hell, the heart of a bodhisattva.

He is such a person. He seems to have many faces on his body. This face appears for a while, and another face is shown to us for a while.

But please note one thing, no matter which face you have, it belongs to Cao Cao and will not be recognized as someone else’s.

Being able to unify such a complex character into one person is an amazing thing in itself.

What does it embody? It reflects Cao Cao's atmosphere.

What is atmosphere? The sea accepts all rivers, and it is great to be tolerant.

Cao Cao is just a tolerant person, a very large-capacity person, and all kinds of contradictory things are unified with him.

Cao Cao has been cunning since he was a child. Cao Cao's family background is not very good. The history books say that he was the prime minister after Cao Shen. This is nonsense. Why? Because Cao Cao's father was named Cao Song. Who was Cao Song? He is the adopted son of the eunuch Cao Teng. Eunuchs do not give birth to children. Cao Song is an adopted son rather than a biological son. So even if we find out that Cao Teng's ancestor is Cao Shen, the prime minister in the early Western Han Dynasty, what does he have to do with Cao Cao? Moreover, at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, we know that "eunuchs are the ones who cause chaos in the country." So the adopted son of a eunuch had no status in the upper class society at that time. People looked down on him and thought he was an evil breed. So Cao Cao's background was not good.

Of course, his family background is very good, because his adoptive grandfather and his father are both officials in the imperial court. The education Cao Cao received when he was a child was not good. Cao Cao later recalled his childhood in a poem, saying, "I have neither moved to another religion for three years, nor heard the language of the court." What is the "Three Migration Religions"? The Three-Year Religion is the familiar story of Mencius’ mother choosing neighbors. In order to provide a good educational environment for her son, Mencius’ mother moved three times, which is called the Three-Year Religion. Therefore, the education of Mencius’ mother is called the Three-Year Religion. Cao Cao This is something we don’t have in our family; what does “never heard of court language” mean? It tells the story of Confucius and his son Kong Li. It is said that one day Confucius was standing in the courtyard, and his son Kong Li "quickly walked across the courtyard." What is "quick"? "Qian" means walking quickly in small steps, which means walking quickly. As a respectful gesture, when walking in front of your superiors or elders, you should "move forward", lower your head, and walk quickly like this. This is called "move forward". Then Kong Li saw his father Confucius standing in the courtyard, so he lowered his head and "went forward". Confucius said, "Stop, have you studied poetry?" No. If you don’t learn poetry, how can you speak? If you don’t learn poetry, how can you speak? Yes, retreat and study poetry. Another day, Confucius was standing in the courtyard again, and Kong Li "crossed the courtyard" again. Confucius said, "Stop, have you learned the etiquette?" not yet. How can you stand up if you don't learn etiquette? How can you be a human being if you don't learn etiquette? Yes, retreat and learn etiquette. This story is called "Guo Ting Yu", also called "Ting Xun". The education of a father to his son was called "Ting Xun" in ancient times. Cao Cao said that our family did not have this problem. So the tutoring is not good.

Cao Cao had a bad background, a bad upbringing, and his performance as a child was not good.

What do you like? The flying eagle is a lackey, wandering around, not doing his job, doing nothing, and misbehaving with a group of dandies. His dandy friends include Yuan Shao and Zhang Miao, who are all high-ranking officials. Among these people, Cao Cao has the most bad ideas and clever ideas. Probably it was not a big deal at the time, so one of Cao Cao's uncles told his father that your son was really naughty and unruly, so he had to discipline him.

Cao Cao's father came to discipline him. Cao Cao had a problem with his uncle, so he came up with a crooked idea. One day when his uncle came over, Cao Cao immediately tilted his mouth and said, "What's wrong with you?" Had a stroke. The uncle was very nervous when he saw it, and immediately reported to his father that your son had a stroke. Please take a look. After Cao Cao's father came over, Cao Cao was very normal. He said you didn't have a stroke? Who said I had a stroke? Who said I didn’t have a stroke? Your uncle said, your uncle said you had a stroke. Dad, my uncle doesn’t like me. He gets annoyed when he sees me. He said I had a stroke. Dad, can you believe it? Cao Cao's father never believed in his uncle.

What’s even more outrageous? One day, these senior cadres were bored there and said that there was nothing interesting today. Indeed, there were not many interesting things at that time, unlike now where you can access the Internet. We are all bored. Is there anything fun? Cao Cao said, there is something interesting. Someone is getting married today, let's go and make a fuss. Yuan Shao and the others said, "What's the fuss about?" Steal the bride. Yuan Shao said yes, we will steal the bride. Then a group of people went to the wedding party's house. At night, when they were about to enter the bridal chamber, everyone was drinking wedding wine. Cao Cao shouted: There is a thief! All the guests ran out to catch the thief. Where was the thief? Cao Cao rushed into the bridal chamber, stole the bride out, and ran out. Yuan Shao was more stupid and dove into a bush. The bush caught his clothes and couldn't escape. Yuan Shao said to Cao Cao, please help me quickly, I can’t escape from this place! Cao Cao pointed his hand towards Yuan Shao again: Look, everyone, the thief is here! Yuan Shao was anxious when he heard that, so he jumped out with all his strength. So Cao Cao was a naughty and cunning guy since he was a child. Such a child is probably not lovable. Actually, in my opinion, this boy was a little naughty when he was a child. If a boy doesn't do naughty things when he is a child, he will be useless when he grows up, but everyone doesn't like him. It is said in the history books that it is "unexpected" by the world, and people at that time didn't realize it. He took it seriously.

＊Through Mr. Yi Zhongtian’s narration, we can see that when he was a child, Cao Cao had many clever ideas, was naughty, unlovable, and was not valued by others. However, in his youth, Cao Cao was looked upon differently by the highest military commander at the time, and he was also highly praised by another famous figure. This evaluation has been passed down through the ages. So, who is this famous figure? How did he evaluate Cao Cao?

But there was one person who valued Cao Cao very much. This person was Qiao Xuan, the Taiwei at that time. What kind of official was a Taiwei? Qiao Xuan, commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the highest military officer in the country, valued Cao Cao very much and said that Cao Cao was a rare talent. So Qiao Xuan went to Cao Cao and said, what we are encountering now will be a troubled world, and this troubled world must be "the one who destined the world." I think you are the one who will calm the world in the future. I, Qiao, am already old. I will give my wife and my descendants are entrusted to you. Cao Cao was only twenty years old at that time, so why did Qiao Xuan value Cao Cao so much? It's because although Cao Cao was naughty, unruly and misbehaving, he was not a playboy in the ordinary sense. First, he was extremely talented and could write well. He was a writer himself; second, he was good at martial arts. It is said that Cao Cao was discovered when he was assassinating Zhang Rang. He was armed with a halberd. While wielding the halberd, he stepped back and retreated completely. He is good at martial arts and good at reading. This is very important. He loves reading, especially military books. According to historical records, Cao Cao loved reading throughout his life, and he would not let go of books even when he was marching and fighting. Then such a versatile person, who is also very cunning, is the person who can bring peace to the world in troubled times.

Moreover, Qiao Xuan not only appreciated him, but also introduced him to meet Xu Shao. Who was Xu Shao? Xu Shao was a famous connoisseur at that time. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, there was a trend to conduct character appreciation, or character criticism. If a person wants to become a character, stand out, or enter the upper class, he must have a famous character connoisseur write an appraisal for him, so that he can gain social recognition. recognition. Xu Shao was a famous connoisseur. On the first day of each month, he would make a comment on the figures at that time, just like we hold press conferences now, on the first day of every month, so it was called Yuedan Commentary.

Qiao Xuan told Cao Cao, if Cao Cao wants to enter the upper class and stand out, you must get Xu Shao's praise. Then Cao Cao decided to go to Xu Shao, but Xu Shao refused to express his opinion. Now we don’t know why Xu Shao refused to express his opinion. Maybe he looked down on Cao Cao, or he felt that Cao Cao was a hard person to talk about, or maybe there was something else. Anyway, I don’t know what the reason was, and Xu Shao refused to talk about it whether he was alive or dead. But we still don’t know what method Cao Cao used. There is no record of this, but I guess Cao Cao used some unfair means to force Xu Shao to express his opinion. Xu Shao was forced to say a famous saying, He said that you are "a capable official in governing the world and a traitor in troubled times."

So what was Cao Cao's reaction after hearing this sentence? In other words, did Cao Cao deny the comment of traitor? The record in the official history is like this, "Taizu laughed", that is, when Cao Cao heard Xu Shao say that you are "a capable minister in governing the world and a traitor in troubled times," Cao Cao laughed, hahahahaha... This sentence came to "Three Kingdoms" There were changes made in "The Romance", what was changed to, "Cao was overjoyed when he heard about it". One is laughing and the other is overjoyed. There is a huge difference in one word. What does it show? It shows the superficiality of the novel. The novel "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is intended to belittle Cao Cao. In order to belittle Cao Cao, he did not hesitate to Laughter turned into joy. "Great joy" gives people the feeling that Cao Cao seemed to have determined to be a traitor since he was a child. When he heard that I could be a traitor, he was very happy! This is not true, and it is illogical. You said that there is no one who has determined to be a thief since he was a child. I have determined to be a robber since I was a child. I have determined to be a thief from a young age. It is impossible, that traitor. They are forced out. A traitor will encounter troubled times. In troubled times, he cannot be a capable minister, so he has no choice but to become a traitor. So changing it to Daxi is very superficial.

Let’s take a look at Xu Shao’s words, “The capable ministers who rule the world are the traitors in troubled times.” What does it mean? There are two explanations: one is that if you, Cao Cao, are in troubled times, then you can become a capable minister; if you are in troubled times, then you are a traitor. That is to say, whether Cao Cao is a capable minister or a traitor depends on what it depends on. It depends on objective conditions. It depends on what era you are in. The second explanation is that if Cao Cao governs the world, then you are a capable minister; if you disrupt the world, then you are a traitor. Whether to become a capable minister or a traitor depends on Cao Cao's subjective desire, so his words have two possibilities and two interpretations, and it is even possible that Xu Shao meant both.

Then there are three possibilities for Cao Cao's laughter. The first possibility is, how can I be a capable minister in governing the world and a traitor in troubled times? It’s so ridiculous, haha, it’s so ridiculous, laugh out loud. The second type is, oh, if I am in a state of governance, I will be a capable minister, and in troubled times, I will be a traitor. To become a capable minister is "just what I want." Hey, at a discount, becoming a traitor is not bad, hahahahahaha. The third type is, oh, if I want to be a capable minister, I can be a capable minister. If I want to be a traitor, I can be a traitor. If I want to govern the world, I will be a capable minister. If I want to disrupt the world, I will be a traitor. Anyway, I can do anything, haha Haha, this is great. So it is entirely possible that Cao Cao laughed for these three reasons, but in our opinion, Cao Cao may have laughed for the latter two reasons, because Cao Cao must do a career, this is for sure, I am determined If I want to make a career, I want to live in this world with great vigor. I will benefit one party when I am in troubled times, and I will dominate one party in troubled times. Anyway, I cannot live my life in an ordinary way. This is me, Cao Cao, these words have reached my heart, hahahaha——. As for what title to give me, whether it is the title of a capable minister or the title of a traitor, it doesn't matter. This indifferent spirit is a kind of atmosphere, a kind of heroic spirit that is arrogant in the world and proud of the world. So we say that although Cao Cao is called a traitor, and although many people pay attention to his traitor, I think the more essential thing is that he is a hero. Cao Cao has shown this kind of heroism throughout his life, going his own way and being proud of the world. Cao Cao liked to laugh very much. If we read history, we will find that many books mention the word laugh when Cao Cao encountered something.

This was due to Cao Cao's character and the fashion at the time. Mr. Lu Xun had a saying about the fashion at that time, which was called "Shang Tongtuo", which meant that everyone was very cheerful, and Cao Cao's son Cao Pi was also like this. Cao Pi had a good friend named Wang Can, who was also a famous writer and one of the seven sons of Jian'an. After Wang Can passed away, Cao Pi was already the successor. Although he could not be called the crown prince, he was already the successor and had a very high status. A handsome general with good features, he took a group of friends from the literary world, who were members of the Writers' Association of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles at that time, to see Wang Can off and hold a memorial service. Of course it was Cao Pi who came out to deliver the eulogy. How could Cao Pi deliver the eulogy? Cao Pi said let's not talk clichés, official talk, or nonsense. Wang Can liked to hear donkey brays during his lifetime, so each of us should imitate a donkey bray. As a result, a donkey brayed in front of Wang Can's tomb, and the memorial service was concluded. Very cute.

The most endearing thing about Cao Cao is that he tells the truth. You may want to say, wasn't Cao Cao a traitor? Wasn't he a treacherous person? Could he tell the truth? Yes, Cao Cao also told lies. He wanted to carry out political struggles, military struggles, and get involved in official circles. It was impossible without telling any lies, but Cao Cao would tell the truth as long as he had the opportunity. He has a famous article called "The Order of the County's Self-Ming Dynasty", also known as "The Order of the Chronicle". This can be regarded as Cao Cao's political program. It has no official language at all and is very practical.

Cao Cao said at the beginning that I actually don’t have any ambitions, because I know that I have a bad background. Of course, he did not say that I was the son of the eunuch’s adopted son. He said that I knew that I was not. Those kind of very noble and well-known people, so my biggest ideal is to be a county governor, "good at political education", and govern this place well, so that everyone knows that although I, Cao Cao, have a poor background, I have great work ability. There are still some. Later, the country encountered turmoil. I felt that a man should serve the country and make contributions. I went out to lead troops to fight. At this time, my requirements were not high. What did I want to be? I want to be a general who conquered the west. After I die, I can write a line on my tombstone, "The tomb of Cao Hou, the former general who conquered the west." Oh, I will be satisfied. But later Dong Zhuo caused chaos and the princes rose up. At this time, I had to go out to defend the country and the emperor. Even at this time, I don't want to lead more troops, so every time I win a battle and my troops increase, I want to disarm. Why? Because the greater my strength, the more enemies I have. People will come to attack me, and I can't protect myself, so every time I win, I disarm. What does this mean? It means that my ambition is limited, but I never thought that I would make such a big noise now! So now that my ambition is bigger, what do I want to be? I want to be Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin, because now the world is in chaos and the princes are divided. I just want to dominate, not the emperor. I am now the prime minister of the Han Dynasty. As a noble minister, I have reached the extreme. I am satisfied. No extravagant expectations. But I have to sit in this position.

He said a famous saying below. He said, "If there is no one in the country, I don't know how many people will be called emperors and how many people will be called kings." It's not me, Cao Cao, who controls this place. What about Sun Quan? Liu Bei, those people in the Seven Sevens and Eights have not called themselves emperors long ago, just because I, Cao, are here to control them! I am not just telling you these words, I often tell my wife and children. I even told my wife and my concubines that you must remarry after I die. Why? In order to spread my ambition. But now some people say that I, Cao Cao, should retire after my achievements, that I should spend my remaining years in peace in the princely state I created, and that I should hand over my position and power. Sorry, no, I will not resign my position and I will not hand over my power. Why? Now that I hold military power, I have this authority that can be echoed by hundreds of people. Once I hand over this military power, won't you harm me? You must all rise up to harm me, then my wife and children will not be safe, and the emperor will not be safe, so I will never hand over power. As for some of the land granted to me by the emperor, that is not needed. Why do I need so much land? I'll let this go.

What if I can't continue acting? I had to step down. Therefore, the best way to deal with those who always speak official language, clichés, and lies is to tell the truth straight away. Just like that kid yelling "The emperor has no clothes". At this time, those who have always told lies will find that they are not wearing any clothes. You can imagine how embarrassed and helpless they are. ?

Cao Cao said this not entirely out of a struggle strategy, but also because he naturally loved to tell the truth. Therefore, he spoke naturally, fluently, and magnificently. Even though there are lies behind these truths, there are also false intentions behind the truth, and there are even hidden things behind them, they are hidden naturally and without revealing the truth. Cao Cao is indeed very down to earth. He doesn't pay attention to food, clothing, or housing. As long as he has a full stomach, good nutrition, comfortable clothes and a quilt to keep him warm, that's all. His only "luxury items" are probably singing and dancing artists and his wife. But even though Cao Cao was lustful, he was really nice and did not use "difficulties in having heirs" as an excuse. He is also very practical in recruiting talents, saying that no matter who he is, whether in court or in the opposition, elegant or secular, as long as he has the ability to govern the country and use troops, even if he has a bad reputation, ridiculous behavior, or even "unkindness" "Unfilial", it doesn't matter, anyway, it is a good cat if it can catch mice. ?

It is this reality that adds a lot of loveliness to the cunning Cao Cao. When he was conquering Ma Chao and Han Sui in the west, he met with Han Sui on the battlefield. When Han Sui's soldiers heard that Cao Cao had appeared in person, they all stretched their necks to see him. Cao Cao then said loudly: Do you want to see Cao Cao? Let me tell you, I am a human being just like you. I don’t have four eyes and two mouths, but I just have a little more wisdom! This is very true, very cute, and very free and easy. ?

In daily life, Cao Cao is indeed a very free and easy-going person. He often wears clothes made of thin silk, with a leather pouch hanging on his waist to carry handkerchiefs and other odds and ends. Sometimes he also wears a silk hat when meeting guests. When talking to others, there is no scruple. You can say whatever you want and say whatever you want. Speaking of happiness, he bent over with a smile and buried his head among the cups and plates on the table, making his hat covered with soup and water. He likes to joke and often jokes about serious things. During the organizational reform in the 17th year of Jian'an, some people called for the abolition and merging of Tocao, which was intended to exclude Tocao Rong Maojie, who worked impartially and did not show favoritism. Cao Cao's answer was very humorous: the sun rises in the east, the moon rises in the east, east and west, east and west first, why should Dong Cao be divided and merged? Another example is that Yan Xing took refuge with Han Sui, but his father was a hostage in the hands of Cao Cao. Cao Cao then wrote to Yan Xing, saying: Your Majesty is safe and sound now. However, prison is not a place to support the elderly, and besides, the country cannot always support other people’s fathers!