Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 654: Honor and Righteousness
In Huaicheng Mansion, when Cao Cao heard that the Youzhou Army had appeared at the Black Mountain Pass, he put down the Taigong Six Tao that he was looking at.

Tai Gong Liu Tao, written by Jiang Ziya, was classified as the art of Huang Lao in the Later Han Dynasty.

Also classified as the art of Huang Lao is the plain calligraphy written by Zhang Liang, a great hero of the Han Dynasty.

This is also a classic that the Cao family, who have been studying the art of Huang and Lao for generations, must study. It is also the basis for Cao Cao to be influenced by Tao strategy since he was a child and become a master of the art of war.

As for why this kind of strategy and military strategy that obviously belongs to state governance and military affairs is attributed to the art of Huang Lao, on the one hand, it may be derived from the legend of Jiang Ziya cultivating immortals. On the other hand, there may not be a big family who uses this to cover up some purpose relationship.

This is also the reason why when Zhang Jiao raised his army, he had a considerable level of strategy and military skills. Every alchemist who studied the art of Huang Lao had read these books at one time or another.

Therefore, the Yellow Turban Uprising, like Liu Xiu's Red Eyebrow Army, was not a peasant uprising in the strict sense. There were many shadows of gentry in it. Real peasants did not even know the words, let alone the art of war.

People at that time, from the aristocratic families to the common people, were not so respectful of the imperial power, but regarded it as something that everyone had a chance to fight for. They used the excuse of studying Huang Lao's skills to think that these should be very important. Sensitive content should be studied in a dignified manner.

Different from the inherent concepts of later generations, the Huang-Lao Technique of the Han Dynasty is actually the same practical art of managing the world as Confucianism. It is not a fantasy. Even in terms of practicality, the Taoist Huang-Lao Technique has been developing forward. of.

In this regard, the Cao family is different from the Yuan family who have studied Meng's Yi for generations. The Yuan family pays more attention to debates and status, that is, to build momentum for the legitimacy of their actions.

Of course, this does not mean that what the Yuan family studies is fake and empty, but it is another very important direction.

The legitimacy of the gentry when they revolted.

Although this thing seems to be just lip service, since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, everyone in the world has been doing this. It is called etiquette. Because China pays attention to it, it is a righteous name.

It was Confucius' Confucianism that promoted the name of etiquette.

Contrary to what many people think, Confucius proposed Confucianism with "benevolence" as its core, but his so-called benevolence is very different from the Mohist non-aggression.

His approach is very simple, which is to gain power through being an official and practice his theory of governing the country through power. In the process, he discovers problems and better improves his theory of benevolence, and finally achieves the goal of using Zhou Rites to govern the country and educate people's hearts. ultimate purpose.

This theory seems very simple, but it accurately captures two key points in national affairs such as state governance and military diplomacy.

One is power, and the other is the great righteousness based on Zhou Rites.

To put it simply, someone who not only has the power to beat you, but also has the reputation to beat you with confidence and leave you speechless.

Confucius's most famous act was that in the tenth year of Duke Dinggong of Lu (500 BC), Qi and Lu met in Jiagu for an alliance. Confucius served as the "prime minister" for this meeting. This "prime minister" was not the prime minister, but the prime minister. The master of ceremonies at the alliance meeting.

According to the records of the Confucius family in historical records, the cause of this alliance lies with Confucius.

Because Li Ji, the official of Qi State, said to Qi Jinggong: "The state of Lu has appointed Confucius. This development momentum is very dangerous for the state of Qi." So Qi Jinggong sent an envoy to inform the state of Lu that a friendly meeting would be held in Jiagu.

The so-called alliance is a confrontation between the strength and psychology of the two countries. The first to cause trouble was Qi.

Qi officials invited music from all directions, and the dancers sent were Yi Di barbarians holding sharp swords. They shouted wildly and made Lu people, including Lu Dinggong, fearful.

At this time, Confucius appeared on the stage. He "rushed forward, climbed up the steps, and was not the same." Confucius was very tall, nearly two meters according to later generations, so he did not stand at the highest point. Of course, it was because of etiquette, but it was also enough. Deterred.

Confucius opened his mouth and said: "We have a good meeting, why are the Yi and Di happy in this! Please order me, sir!"

What he said was based on the Zhou rites. The officials of Qi State could not cope with it and they were worthy of being pushed down by the Yi and Di barbarians. However, they did not give up and replaced them with dwarfs. This time Confucius spoke again.

"Anyone who deceives the nobles by encamping as a common man shall be punished! Please give me orders!"

This time the basis was still Zhou Rites, and the people of Qi couldn't do it right. Confucius was not polite this time, and directly told people to cut off the heads of these advocating dwarfs.

This completely shocked the people of Qi. They found that they could not deal with Confucius in terms of the legitimacy of his famous teacher!
After Qi Jinggong returned home, he said to his ministers: "The people of Lu who assist the king are the way of a gentleman; what you teach me is the way of the barbarians. Now I have offended the king of Lu. What should I do?"

The ministers had no choice but to respond: "If a gentleman has a fault, thank him for his pledge; if a villain has a fault, thank him for writing. If the king mourns for him, then thank him for his pledge." So Qi Jinggong returned the land that had been occupied by Lu.

In the eyes of later generations, this matter was very ridiculous, but in the Spring and Autumn Period, for the princes who valued etiquette and dignity very much, righteousness and honor were very important.

The reason why Confucius was feared was that by establishing Confucianism, he seized the power of interpretation of Zhou Rites, and used his power of interpretation to label what other princes did to Lu as unjust.

Combining national strength, righteousness on one hand, and strength on the other has become the key to striving for world hegemony. This is also the reason why Confucianism slowly flourished. Since its birth, Confucianism has been the art of emperors in governing the world.

Of course, this approach is very effective for the shameless Qi State, but the only way those princes who can't debate scriptures and want to reap benefits can think of is to lower themselves.

In the pre-Qin era, only the Emperor of Zhou could claim the title of king, and the Chu State was the first to arrogantly claim the title of king. When Zhou Tian sent people to question him, the response of the Chu State's army was, "I am a barbarian, and I do not deserve the posthumous title of China!" I just don’t respect Zhou etiquette, what can you do to me?

But soon the Chu State tasted the bad consequences. As a result of giving up the right to interpret scriptures, the Chu State was known as a land of barbarians for thousands of years and could not hold its head high in front of the people of the Central Plains.Even at the end of the Han Dynasty, the Jiangdong gentry were still looked down upon by the Central Plains gentry. They were ridiculed as mountain monkeys, which was the fate of the Chu State when they gave up their status.

Cao Cao retracted his thoughts, stood up and walked to the window, looking down at Huaicheng at night. The title of righteousness was too important. Even if he held the emperor hostage to order the princes, he still had the title of serving the emperor and ordering the princes.

Even if he used thunderous means in Huaicheng to frighten Liu Xie and his ministers, the most he could do was to accuse people around Liu Xie. Those close to him, such as Dong Guiren, did not kill him whenever he wanted, but wanted to Only when clear evidence is found can we take action.

Fortunately for the others, Liu Xie could not move at all, otherwise he would lose his status, be reviled by heaven and man, and the Cao family's hope of hegemony would also come to naught.

Therefore, Cao Cao could only use various means to coerce and shock Liu Xie and make him obedient.

Today Cao Cao has killed Zhang Miao brothers, and tomorrow it will be Kong Rong's turn.

Although it was very difficult step by step, Cao Cao had no choice but to continue walking.

But Cao Cao knew that he was not without flaws. He had one loophole, and that was Yuan Shu.

Although he and Yuan Shu colluded in private, this matter could be put on the table anyway. After all, Yuan Shu was a real transgressor, and he had the same potential as himself, who had the status of serving the emperor.

What if Yuan Shu publicizes this matter in the future... Cao Cao thought of this, and a hint of determination appeared on his face.

There is also Ma Teng and Han Sui, who is not a fuel-efficient lamp. Although Han Sui came to the city to express his goodwill, his ambition is not small. The two have occupied the Sili area of ​​​​Liangzhou for a long time, and they may be more troublesome than Yuan Shu in the future.

Cao Cao knew very well that although he seemed to have won a great victory, in fact there were hidden dangers everywhere, especially if he could not get back to Yanzhou in time, maybe his hometown would be raided!

And the person who pushed him to this point was Yuan's young boy in his 20s, the fierce tiger Yuan Xi!
Many of Cao Cao's previous strategies were so risky, not because of his original intention, but because the fierce tiger destroyed his original intention several times, forcing Cao Cao to change his strategic response in time. In fact, for a period of time, Cao Cao was extremely passive and was almost defeated. Forced into a desperate situation.

But now, with his rich experience, Cao Cao has slowly regained his disadvantage and regained his place in the world!
Cao Cao didn't know how many Youzhou troops came to the Black Mountain Pass, but he didn't want to be dragged here by the other side. If he stayed one more day, there would be one more variable.

The best way to deal with it is to take Liu Xie back to Yanzhou, leaving Ma Teng, Han Sui and Yuan Shu to contain each other, and at the same time trap the Youzhou army here so that it cannot immediately support Yecheng.

Thinking of this, Cao Cao's head ached. How could these three parties be used by him so easily? No one is stupid!

While he was thinking, Cao Ang came in and said that Xun Yu was here.

After Xun Yu came in, he bowed respectfully to Cao Cao three times, then bowed his head and knelt aside. Cao Cao noticed something strange and sighed to Xun Yu: "Wen Ruo, are you blaming me?"

After hearing this, Xun Yu raised his head slightly and said, "Yu originally took refuge in Jizhou and was treated as an honored guest by Yuan Benchu. Later, when he saw that he was trying to rebel against the Han Dynasty, he abandoned his official position and went to Duke Cao."

"When Cao Gong met Yu, he agreed that both of them would be Han ministers and help the Han Dynasty. Cao Gong welcomed the emperor twice, and Yu was also relieved."

"However, what Duke Cao has been doing in Huaicheng these days makes Yu feel doubtful. What does Duke Cao want to do?"

"Many ministers died violently, but Zhang Mengzhuo was fine. What did Kong Wenju do wrong?"

"In the hearts of the public, what is the Han Dynasty and even the Emperor?"

After hearing this, Cao Cao hurriedly walked to Xun Yu, knelt down and bowed in return: "Wen Ruo, it's me who didn't do a good job!"

"Now that all forces are watching, how can I save our lives if I can't use thunderous means?"

"But I can promise Wen Ruo that as long as I live for one day, I will definitely not betray Han Ting!"

"If you violate this life, you will be killed and your family will be wiped out!"

Xun Yu was moved when he heard this, and he bowed down and said, "It's Yu who has made a sudden move!"

"Yu will do his best to assist Duke Cao until he dies!"

The two held hands tightly together. Cao Cao had a conversation with Xun Yu and said, "I have a headache today. I'll see Wen Ruo tomorrow to discuss matters."

Cao Ang sent Xun Yu away and came back with a happy face. However, he heard Cao Cao call Dian Wei and said, "Now go to the prison and kill Kong Rong and arrange it to commit suicide."

Cao Ang watched Dian Wei leave in stunned silence. He turned around with a cold feeling and saw Cao Cao staring at him coldly.

"Cao's future depends on you."

(End of this chapter)