The Complete Biography of Cao Cao
Chapter 19 Self-improvement: Go against the current and fight bravely
Chapter 19 Self-improvement: Go against the current and fight bravely
Fighting the Yellow Turban with one effort kills two birds with one stone
No matter how reliable a friend is, it is not as reliable as yourself.If you don't work hard, just think about relying on others to start your own business, and dream of getting rich every day, the result will inevitably be disappointing.Even if you have achieved something, you will always be in crisis because you are controlled by others.
At the beginning of his career, Cao Cao also had the same problem.But when the Kwantung generals didn't listen to their own suggestions, and finally failed in the crusade against Dong Zhuo.Cao Cao deeply realized that in order to achieve a great cause, he must develop his own power and cannot rely on anyone.Only in this way can we grasp the situation, advance and retreat by ourselves, and we still have to play good cards by ourselves.
The rapidly developing situation created an opportunity for Cao Cao.When the Kwantung State Commandery raised troops against Dong Zhuo, and the two sides were stalemate in Xingyang and Hanoi, and had no time to take into account the resistance struggle of the hardworking people, the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army and the Hebei Heishan Army in the Qingzhou and Yizhou areas, which had already grown to a million people, went with them. The trend of starting a prairie fire developed.
The Black Mountain Army was a peasant army that revolted at the same time as the Yellow Turban Army. It was based in the Taihang Mountains at the junction of the three provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, and Henan.The leader was originally Zhang Niujiao. After Zhang Niujiao died in battle, Chu Yan succeeded him and changed his surname to Zhang. Because of his lightness, bravery and swiftness, he was called Feiyan in the army.Zhang Yan is very organized and can unite the people well and win the hearts of the people.It quickly developed to millions of people and became a force that cannot be underestimated.
In the autumn of the second year of Chuping (AD 191), hundreds of thousands of Black Mountain troops attacked Yecheng, the heart of Jizhou.Then he crossed the Yellow River south and attacked Dongjun, which is adjacent to Weijun. Wang Gong, the prefect of Dongjun, could not resist.At this time, the million yellow scarves in Qingzhou were intimidated by Zang Hong, the governor of Qingzhou appointed by Yuan Shao, and they were also moving to Hebei in two routes, and there was a tendency to join the Black Mountain Army.If the two armies join forces, or if the Black Mountain Army expands from Hebei to Henan, the balance of power in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River will change dramatically.Although the Kwantung generals were full of contradictions, they were unwilling to see this situation arise.Yuan Shao, the shepherd of Jizhou, was especially afraid that the reunion of the peasant army would threaten his rule in Jizhou.
When the time comes, will Cao Cao let it go?He quickly played a good card, which can not only suppress the Yellow Turban Army and win the favor of the court, but also take the opportunity to develop his own power for future development.Therefore, he drove his troops from Suanzao into Dongjun, and defeated the Bairao Department of the Black Mountain Army in Puyang, the capital of Dongjun, and won the first battle.Yuan Shao thought that Cao Cao sent troops to help him, the leader, and he was very happy with Cao Cao's actions.
He didn't see the hidden purpose of Cao Cao's move, so he appointed Cao Cao as the prefect of Dongjun, thinking that he could not only use Cao Cao to guard the southern gate of Jizhou, but also use Dongjun as a springboard to expand his power to the south of the Yellow River. , so that the three prefectures of Hebei, Qinghai, and Yanzhou are connected into one, so that the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River can be completely under their own control.
Naturally, Cao Cao would not be easily used by Yuan Shao. No matter what kind of wishful thinking Yuan Shao had, he had his own plans.Instead, Cao Cao seemed to be using Yuan Shao.
Given that Yuan Shao was powerful at the time, it was best to be able to live in peace with him. Therefore, Cao Cao could not disobey Yuan Shao's will casually. In addition, he had no place to stand, so Cao Cao went along with the flow and accepted Yuan Shao's appointment very willingly. The prefect of Dongjun.Cao Cao moved the administrative office of Dongjun from Puyang to Dongwuyang, and took the opportunity to recommend Bao Xin to be the chancellor of Jibei as his assistant.
In April of the third year of Chuping (AD 192), Qingzhou's million yellow turban army was blocked from attacking Hebei, so they turned to Yanzhou.After entering Yanzhou, first captured Rencheng, killed Zheng Sui, the chancellor of Rencheng, and then marched towards Dongping.Liu Dai, governor of Yanzhou, refused to listen to Bao Xin's advice, and led the main force of Yanzhou to intercept in a hurry, but was defeated by the Yellow Turban Army, and Liu Dai himself was killed in battle.
After Liu Dai died, Yanzhou had no owner.It was the Yellow Turban Army that provided Cao Cao with the opportunity to strengthen himself.At this time, Cao Cao was watching the changes in the situation, stepping up his military training in order to seek new progress.Chen Gong, a member of Cao Cao's subordinate Dongjun, saw Cao Cao's scheming, so he offered advice to Cao Cao, saying: "The state has no owner today, and the king's life is cut off. Please tell me that in the state (referring to the counties and states), the Ming government (referring to Cao Cao) will find it." Animal husbandry, funding to conquer the world, this is the industry of the overlord.”
Cao Cao was of course very happy when he saw Chen Gong saying that he had lost his mind.So Chen Gong said to Yanzhou Biejia (the deputy of the state herdsman) and Zhizhong (the assistant of the state herdsman): "Today, the world is divided and the state has no owner. Caodong County is a talented person who lives in the world. If we welcome Muzhou, we will give birth to the people." "Bao Xin, Prime Minister of Jinbei, valued Cao Cao in the first place, and he saw that Chen Gong also had the same intention, so he "went to Dongjun County to welcome the Taizu and lead Yanzhou Shepherd with the state official Wan Qian."
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the governor (later called Zhou Mu) was already the highest military and political officer in the local area. He held real power and was the actual controller of the local area.Therefore, after some hard work of his own, Cao Cao is finally not what he used to be. He no longer depends on others, and has become the master of the party in the true sense.
Any honor and things will not fall on you naturally. You only know that relying on others will eventually accomplish nothing, and relying on your own strength to fight is the only way out.
Two self-improvement people are strong, diligent in learning and never give up
The strategy of the ancient Chinese is a treasure house of wisdom of the Chinese nation.From ancient times to the present, there have been famous statesmen and military strategists, and their outstanding wisdom has been widely used in people's daily life until today.
Cao Cao is a mature military strategist. He admires the military wisdom of his predecessors very much. After studying it, he has learned a lot of useful knowledge from it, which makes him often take the lead in military duels.
Sharpening a knife does not cut firewood by mistake.As early as his youth, Cao Cao "read extensively and liked the art of war", and carefully read all kinds of military books that he could collect.Combining historical records, starting from the relationship between war and politics, economy, and diplomacy, he comprehensively studied the basic principles of strategy and tactics, the quality of officers and soldiers, army training, and the formulation of military orders, and carefully compared and analyzed many famous battle cases. , on the basis of absorbing the experience of the ancestors in using strategy, combined with his own personal experience, he wrote two volumes of "Continuation of Sun Tzu's Art of War", nine volumes of "Liue Yao of the Book of War", three volumes of "Explanation of Tai Gong's Conspiracy", etc., together with "Continuation of Art of War" "," Annotations to "Sun Tzu's Art of War" and some military orders, etc., were compiled into a volume and named "New Book".He also ordered people to transcribe the "New Book" and distribute it to every commander in the army, requiring them to read it by heart, memorize it, master it, and use it flexibly during the battle.
Cao Cao's greatest contribution to ancient military theory is to organize and annotate "Sun Tzu" written by Sun Wu. "Sun Tzu", also known as "Sun Tzu's Art of War", is an important and wonderful book in the history of Chinese military affairs, which has attracted great attention from people since its publication.According to the "Historical Records Biography of Sun Tzu Wuqi", Sun Wu saw the art of war in Helu, the king of Wu, and Helu said: "I have read all the thirteen chapters of the son." In the last period, the prosperity of Wu State made outstanding contributions.In the Warring States period, people generally attached great importance to "Sun Tzu", "those who hide the books of Sun Wu, have them at home."Until the Qin and Han Dynasties, soldiers used it, and books imitated it, and even many non-military books contained quotations from it.Some people even made a far-fetched conclusion and named his works that were not Sun Tzu's, causing great confusion.
Cao Cao felt that this kind of confusion was obviously detrimental to the dissemination, research and application of "Sun Tzu", and he was determined to correct it.
At this time, the warlords were divided into separate regimes and wars continued. Brainy soldiers were eager to find the magic formula for victory from the art of war. More and more people were sorting out and studying "Sun Tzu".However, to make remarkable achievements in this regard, there are very high requirements for the cultural literacy and military knowledge of the researchers.Obviously, Cao Cao, as a writer and military strategist, is most capable of undertaking this historical task.
Cao Cao wrote a preface when he commented on "Sun Tzu's Art of War", which roughly reads:
I heard that in ancient times, bows and arrows were used in wars as soon as they were invented. In "The Analects of Confucius Yan Yuan", Confucius said that the most important thing in governing a country is to store enough food and have a strong army. The eight aspects of government affairs listed in "Shangshu·Hong Fan" are in charge of the military. "Book of Changes" affirms: "The army fights for justice, and it is auspicious to fight for justice." "Book of Songs Daya Huangyi" says: When King Wen of Zhou learned that Mi State invaded Ruan State, he was furious, so he led his army to conquer Mi State.Xuanyuan Huangdi, Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou all saved society by means of war. "Sima Rangju Art of War" holds that whoever intentionally kills an innocent person can be killed.Those who rely on force will surely die, and those who only talk about benevolence and righteousness will destroy the country. This is the case with King Fuchai of Wu and King Xu Yan.When a sage uses force, he has to wait for the right time, and only when he has to use force does he dispatch troops.
I have read many military books and war histories, among which the art of war written by Sun Wu is extremely profound.Sun Wu was a native of Qi. He wrote thirteen chapters on the Art of War for King Helu of Wu. At first, he used them to train court ladies, and the effect was very good.Afterwards, he was appointed as a general, attacked the mighty state of Chu in the west, entered Yingdu, and deterred the states of Qi and Jin in the north.Sun Bin, a military strategist who was born more than a hundred years later, is a descendant of Sun Wu and wrote "Sun Bin's Art of War".
Sun Tzu's Art of War is very clear and thorough in discussing how to formulate battle plans carefully and take military actions prudently, and cannot be misinterpreted.However, people have not yet done a clear explanation of the book, and because of its large number of texts, the popular ones in the world have lost the purpose of the original book, so they have been specially deleted and annotated.
The knowledge involved in this passage can be said to be extensive. It can be seen from this that Cao Cao has read a lot and dabbled in a wide range.
Cao Cao believes that war is always accompanied by the development of human society.To save a society ravaged by war, it is necessary to eliminate war, which is to "stop war with war".It is precisely because Cao Cao's view of war focuses on exchanging war for peace, so he said: "The sage uses troops according to the times, and uses them as a last resort."
Sun Tzu mentioned: "Anger can be restored to joy, anger can be restored to joy, a subjugated country cannot be revived, and the dead cannot be resurrected." resurrection.Therefore, "Mingjun is cautious, good generals are vigilant, and this is the way to stabilize the country and the whole army." Mingjun and good generals will be cautious about war, which is the key to the security of the country and the army.The conduct of war should not be rashly decided on the basis of emotion.
Cao Cao also believes that since there is a situation of "using troops as a last resort", he will not relax his mind.Sun Wu said: The way to use troops is not to rely on them not to come, but to rely on what I have to wait for them; "Don't hope that the enemy will not attack, but rely on yourself to be ready at any time; don't hope that the enemy will not attack, but rely on your ability to make the enemy invulnerable. Cao Cao commented on this: "Don't imagine war If you don't get up, you will be careless. If the world is peaceful, you must see the crisis of war, and you must be fully prepared materially and spiritually. This is the idea of "heavy battle".
Many of Cao Cao's military theories were obtained from the military works of his predecessors.Sun Wu said: "As for the general, you should be quiet and orderly." Cao Cao commented on this: "In the matter of commanding troops and fighting, you must be calm and unfathomable, serious and just, and well-governed."
Cao Cao's careful study of predecessors' military theories not only enriched himself, absorbed the rich military experience of his predecessors, but also guided his military operations well.It had an important influence on his life as a soldier. It can be said that it was with the further study of this theory that Cao Cao, who later ruled the world and repeatedly defeated powerful enemies, was born.
Three Do Not Believe in the Mandate of Heaven
Cao Cao once said, "In the world, people are the most precious", which shows that he does not believe in the destiny and puts people first.Maybe people full of heroism don't believe in the destiny. Cao Cao is an atheist, a person who doesn't believe in the destiny and only cares about human affairs.
Although Cao Cao's achievements are somewhat lucky, even the success of God's will. For example, when Zhuge Liang crossed the Yellow River, he said that Cao Cao was "nearly dead in Tongguan", which means that Cao Cao almost died.Even so, Cao Cao did not believe in the destiny.He publicly declared that he "doesn't believe in the destiny of sex" in "Rangxian Self-clarification of the Annals".He believes that the sky is "yin and yang four seasons", and has no thoughts and wills of its own.His "Dong Fu Ge" mentioned:
Virtue is not lacking, and accidents are always difficult.When Zheng Kangcheng was drinking, he fell to the ground and died; Guo Jingtu died in Yuansang.
Zheng Xuan was a master of Confucian classics in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the eyes of ordinary people at that time, he was virtuous and beneficial to the world, and he had no "deficiencies".Guo Jingtu's life is unknown, but he is compared with Zheng Xuan, and it seems that he is also a person who "has no shortage of virtue".However, the "virtuous" Zheng Xuan collapsed while persuading him to drink at the banquet, and Guo Jingtu also died suddenly in the mulberry garden. Why is this?This poem by Cao Cao shows that the lifespan of a person has nothing to do with virtue, and good virtue cannot give you any protection. This fully expresses Cao Cao's point of view of "not believing in the destiny".
Cao Cao's "Autumn Hu Xing" also mentioned: "The two ceremonies are combined and sanctified, is the noble one alone?" This also means "in the world, people are the most precious".Cao Cao didn't believe in the destiny, so although he had the ambition to rule the world, he didn't regard himself as the emperor, and he didn't deliberately deify himself.On the contrary, there are many historical materials mentioning that he respected the facts, had the courage to criticize himself, and dispelled everyone's doubts.For example, when he was conquering Ma Chao and Han Sui in the west, Cao Cao and Han Sui met on the battlefield, and said to the enemy soldiers watching: "You all have to see what I look like, Cao Cao. In fact, I don't have four eyes and two mouths. I am a man." Normal people are just resourceful!"
In the 19th year of Jian'an (214 A.D.), Wu Qiuxing was appointed as the prefect of Anding. Before leaving, he asked Wu Qiuxing not to take the initiative to send people to the Qiang people.But Guan Qiuxing didn't follow through, and sure enough, something went wrong.Afterwards, Cao Cao said in conclusion: "I am just a little more intelligent than ordinary people, and I have experienced more things than others." But his wisdom was obtained bit by bit, which shows that Cao Cao is a pragmatic person. .
Cao Cao not only did not believe in the destiny, but also did not believe in God.For example, his "Good Deeds" feels sad and helpless for the world to be deceived by the gods. "Qiu Hu Xing" said: "Chisong and Wang Qiao also attained the Tao. They have never heard of it, and they can be tested by their longevity." Questions were raised about Chisong and Wang Qiao's saying that they became immortals, and they believed that they were not true. After reaching the Tao and becoming a fairy, maybe it's just that the life span is longer.Cao Cao recruited a large number of alchemists, and his purpose was not to obtain immortality from them, but to save them, or even just for a joke.This is confirmed from Cao Zhi's poems.
There are alchemists in the world, and my king (Cao Cao) has brought them all... The reason why we gathered them in the Wei State is that they are afraid of this person's disciples. .Do you want to see the gods in Yingzhou again, seek peace in the border sea, release gold and look after Yunyu, abandon Wenji and seek flying dragons!My own king, the prince and Yu brothers thought it was a joke, but they didn't believe it.
In addition, in the process of running the army, Cao Cao also hated the practice of pretending to be gods and ghosts, and severely cracked down on them.
When Cao Cao conquered Hanoi and Huojia, he learned from the captives that a man named Song Jinsheng, who claimed to be a god, told the defenders that there was no need to guard the antlers. He sent dogs to defend them. If not, he would hear the army's actions at night. The sound of clashing with weapons, and after dawn, you will see tiger footprints on the ground.Cao Cao felt that this would disturb the morale of the army, and immediately sent someone to capture and kill Song Jinsheng, which showed his decisive attitude towards pretending to be a ghost.Cao Cao also said in the note of "Sun Tzu Jiudi Pian": "Forbid the words of demons and evil spirits, and get rid of doubts." .” They all expressed the same attitude.
Cao Cao didn't believe in alchemy, but he respected Fang Shi's life-prolonging health preservation technique.
The time in life is limited, and Cao Cao is very aware of this. "Jing Lie" said: "When Jue was born, all the pottery objects of good fortune have their end." In "Shou": "Although the tortoise lives long, it still has its time; the snake rides the fog, and it ends up as dust." They all express the same meaning.
Cao Cao believes that although people cannot become gods and live forever, they can prolong their lifespan through self-care. Therefore, in "Guishi Shou": "The period of shrinkage is not only in the sky; the blessing of nourishing happiness can be obtained." Yongnian."
Cao Cao is a person who seeks truth from facts. The long-term political and military struggles have made him understand the truth that he must proceed from reality in order to get something.
China has always paid attention to etiquette and has a fine tradition of respecting wise men.Cao Cao has no objection to offering sacrifices to ancestors and building temples for virtuous ancestors.He said in the "Order of Appreciation": The Sima of the other ministry asked to set up the shrine of Duke Huan of Qi, so that Ruan Yu, the secretary, could discuss it.Compared with conservative and inflexible people, Cao Cao can be described as enlightened.For example, in the "Chunci Order", Cao Cao advocated reforming the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the ancestral temple: people think that the temple is to take off shoes, and he accepts the emperor's order, and he can wear shoes with a sword to go to the temple. People disobeyed the king's order, respected their fathers and ancestors but despised the king, so he dared not take off his shoes; he also went to the water basin to wash his hands when he was approaching the sacrifice. Water yourself, wash your hands, etc.It can be seen that he is not fundamentally opposed to worshiping and worshiping gods.
Cao Cao's disbelief in "Mandate of Heaven", in a sense, is a manifestation of his personality charm, and it is also the need of the situation.As a prime minister of the Han Dynasty, he also wanted to create a new generation. With this heart, of course he couldn't believe in the destiny.Because the most important meaning of the so-called "mandate of heaven" is "ordered by heaven".Therefore, as the saying goes, the first thing to face is the continuation of the Han Dynasty.
Others can talk about the abolition of Han and the prosperity of Wei, but Cao Cao cannot.Because in this way, his ambition to usurp the Han will be fully exposed, and the situation in the world will be extremely unfavorable to him.It can be seen that, in a sense, Cao Cao does not believe in the destiny, nor does he talk about the destiny, partly due to political considerations.Because "mandate of heaven" is closely connected with "political power", opponents have already guessed that Cao Cao "has the ambition to be humble" from Cao Cao's "nature does not believe in the mandate of heaven".His political opponents attacked him more or less for this reason.
In short, Cao Cao said that he "does not believe in the destiny of sex", and this principle runs through his life.Because if you don't talk about the destiny, you will have no constraints, and it will be more conducive to flex your muscles and gallop the world.This is the true embodiment of Cao Cao's far-sighted political vision as an outstanding politician.
Fourth, set an example by yourself and advocate frugality in everything
Cao Cao fought all his life and dominated the battlefield.Although the official came to the prime minister and was named the king of Wei, there was no one who disobeyed his authority inside and outside the court, which can be said to be successful.But he still has strict requirements on himself, and even affects the people around him.Perhaps this should be attributed to the fact that he started from a humble beginning and had no luxurious living habits since he was a child, so he has created a style of frugality in everything he does.
Cao Cao was frugal all his life, and he didn't pay much attention to food and clothing, and he asked his family to do the same.During the reign of Wei Ming Emperor Cao Rui, Shang Shuwei said in the above table: "At the time of Emperor Wu (Cao Cao), the harem could only eat meat, and the clothes did not need beautiful clothes." Cao Cao also said in "Internal Commandments": "My clothes The quilt has been used for ten years, and it can still be used as long as it is dismantled, washed and mended every year.” Cao Cao used quilts, mattresses and the like, as long as they were warm and comfortable, without any embroidery or other floral decorations.Most of the utensils he uses are practical and do not pursue luxury.The drapes and screens he used were only repaired after they were broken, and they were never easily replaced.
He also warned officials and family members in the "Internal Commandments":
Officials and common people made more embroidered clothes, and silk shoes were not allowed to be made of scarlet, purple, or golden.In the past, I gave silk shoes of various designs and colors to my family members in Jiangling, and made an agreement with them not to imitate them after wearing them.
The colors of vermilion, purple, and golden represent dignity, so Cao Cao ordered that they should not be used casually.It is allowed for family members to wear silk shoes of various designs and colors under special circumstances, but not usually.These details reflect Cao Cao's frugal spirit.
Not only that, Cao Cao's frugal style also affected his wife and future generations.When Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, Cao Cao's wife, Bian, still insisted on this habit, and strictly demanded that her in-laws also follow it, and warned them: "You should be frugal when you live, and you should not expect extravagant rewards. Outsiders may say that I Being too mean to you is actually my consistent view. I have served Emperor Wu for 50 to [-] years, and I have developed a thrifty habit, which cannot be changed casually."
In terms of using utensils, Cao Cao has always been nostalgic, "it is not good to decorate and strictly use utensils". "Yan ware" is a box, which is mainly used to hold daily necessities.Cao Cao made it clear that he didn't like brightly decorated boxes. Originally, he used a leather box made of a mixture of old and new leather, with yellow leather inlaid in the middle.Later, due to the chaos of war, this suitcase was also lost.So he changed to a square bamboo box, covered it with black leather on the outside, lined it with coarse cloth on the inside, and added lacquer at the same time. He thought it was very good.
Cao Cao also pays great attention to some trivial matters, for example, he is not allowed to burn incense at home.After pacifying Hebei, Cao Cao ordered that incense should not be used at home.Later, because the three daughters were married to Emperor Xian, and incense was required for them, an exception was made.After that, Cao Cao once again banned burning incense, even if it was put on the clothes or carried on the body.It is stipulated that if the house is not clean, maple resin and cymbidium can be burned.It can be seen that Cao Cao was very thoughtful in order to be frugal.
Cao Cao advocated frugality, starting with himself and his family.Some behaviors even make people feel too excessive and harsh, but it can also be seen that Cao Cao's determination to advocate frugality.His three daughters married Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, which was a big event at the time.But Cao Cao was deeply dissatisfied with the extravagant style of marriage, so when his daughter got married, the curtains were all black, and there were no more than ten maidservants in his entourage.
Cao Cao has never been greedy for money and fetishes, or accumulated private property.The property captured in victorious battles was used to reward meritorious soldiers to win people's hearts; most of the property contributed by various places was also rewarded to meritorious subordinates.He even took frugality as a condition for selecting officials, and as a criterion for measuring the quality of an official.As a result, the government and the public have formed a good atmosphere of frugality, frugality, and integrity.
Cao Cao then considered thrift as the foundation of the country.His "Duguan Mountain" said: "Shun's lacquer food utensils are surrounded by ten countries." It can be seen that he criticized luxury at a level that would lead to the subjugation of the country.It is precisely because of this awareness of being prepared for danger in times of peace that Cao Cao strongly opposes extravagant and luxurious waste, and sets an example to create an official atmosphere of integrity and integrity.
Cao Cao's restraint on the family was very strict, so that Empress Bian "every time I saw my relatives, I didn't pretend to show color. As the saying goes, 'You should be frugal when you live in a house, and you should not expect rewards, and you will lose your mind. The foreign house should be blamed for my being too thin. , I have my own constant degree. I am extravagant for Emperor Wu. If there are those who violate the law, I can add a second class to the crime, and don't expect money and mien loans'".The strictness of family education can be seen.
As a politician, a hero who dominates the world, a person who is not an emperor but is better than the emperor, he must have a very wide influence. He can personally practice and advocate thrift, which is a good way for the country's financial and material resources. Saving is also positive for social stability.Especially when the north was initially established, it played a very good leading role in purging the imperial court's luxurious style.This is undoubtedly another valuable feature of Cao Cao's personality charm.
Chronology of Cao Cao's life
[AD 155] Emperor Huan was 1 year old in the first year of Yongshou
Cao Cao was born in Qiao County, his father Cao Song.
[AD 159] Yanxi was 5 years old in the second year
The eunuchs murdered their relatives and general Liang Ji, and Emperor Huan named the five eunuchs Liehou.
[AD 161] Yanxi was 7 years old in the fourth year
The financial crisis of the imperial court reduced the salaries of all officials, borrowed half rent from princes, and sold officials below Guanneihou.
[AD 162] Yanxi was 8 years old in the fifth year
The people of Changsha, Lingling and Wuling revolted.
[AD 163] Yanxi was 9 years old in the sixth year
Guiyang Li Yan and others revolted.
[AD 165] Yanxi was 11 years old in the eighth year
Jingzhou soldier Zhu Gai and Guiyang Hulan revolted.
[AD 166] Yanxi was 12 years old in the ninth year
More than 200 people, including Sili Xiaowei Li Ying, were falsely accused of party members by eunuchs, and all were imprisoned.The first "party ban disaster" began.
[AD 167] 13 years old in the first year of Yongkang
In June, all the party members returned to the fields and were imprisoned for life.
In December, Emperor Huan died, Empress Dowager Dou came to court, and Liu Hong became emperor.
[AD 168] Emperor Ling was 14 years old in the first year of Jianning
In the first month, General Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan came to power.
In September, Chen Fan and Dou Wu tried to kill the eunuchs, but they were killed by eunuchs Cao Jie, Wang Fu and others.
[AD 169] 15 years old in the second year of Jianning
In October, the eunuch Cao Jie and others tried to govern Li Ying and others, and the second "disaster of party imprisonment" began.
More than 100 party members died, and 700 people were killed, relocated, abolished, and banned by false accusations.
[AD 171] Jianning was 17 years old in the fourth year
In the first month, the world is amnesty, but the party members are not pardoned.
[AD 172] Xiping was 18 years old in the first year
In July, the eunuchs arrested Duan Jiong, the school captain of Sili, and more than 1000 Tai students.
[AD 174] Xiping was 20 years old in the third year
Cao Cao was promoted as Xiaolian, appointed Luoyang Beiwei, then changed to Dunqiu Ling, and was later recruited as Yilang.
[AD 184] 30 years old in the first year of Zhongping
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty made Cao Cao the captain of cavalry, and suppressed the Yellow Turban Uprising in the area of Yingchuan (now Yu County, Henan).
He was promoted to Prime Minister of Jinan because of his military merits, and served for three years. He punished corrupt officials and banned prostitution.
[AD 187] 33 years old in the fourth year of Zhongping
Cao Cao offended the dignitaries and was demoted to be the prefect of Dongjun, so he resigned because of illness.
Wang Fen, governor of Jizhou, Xu You of Nanyang, Zhou Jing of Peiguo and others planned to abolish Emperor Ling and invited Cao Cao to fight against Emperor Han, but Cao Cao refused.failed.
[AD 188] 34 years old in the fifth year of Zhongping
Cao Cao was appointed as the captain of the Xiyuan Dianjun who defended Luoyang, the capital.
[AD 189] 35 years old in the sixth year of Zhongping
Dong Zhuo entered the court to take full power, and declared Cao Cao to be the school captain of Xiaoqi. Cao Cao refused Dong Zhuo's wooing, changed his name and left the pass, was arrested halfway, and was later released. He went to Chenliu to recruit volunteers and prepared to attack Dong Zhuo.
In December, Cao Cao raised troops in Jiwu County (now southeast of Sui County), with 5000 soldiers.
[AD 190] 36 years old in the first year of Chuping
In the first month, Yuan Shu, Han Fu, Kong Ni, Liu Dai, Wang Kuang, Yuan Shao, Zhang Miao, Qiao Mao, Yuan Yi, and Bao Xin responded to the call and simultaneously raised troops to attack Dong Zhuo.
In February, Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and moved the capital to Chang'an.The allied forces of the princes waited and watched, but Cao Cao fought alone and was defeated by Dong Zhuo's general Xu Rong. Cao Cao was wounded by an arrow and fought hard to escape.
After the coalition forces of the princes fell apart, Cao Cao refused Yuan Shao to win him over and began to develop his forces independently.
[AD 191] 37 years old in the second year of Chuping
Cao Cao led troops to Dongjun, and defeated the black mountain bandit Bairao in Puyang (now southwest of Puyang, Henan). Yuan Shao tabled Cao Cao as the prefect of Dongjun, and ruled Dongwuyang.
[AD 192] 38 years old in the third year of Chuping
In the spring, Cao Cao wiped out the Heishan bandits and the Yufuluo tribe of the Xiongnu.
Bao Xin and others went to Dongjun to meet Cao Cao and led Yanzhou Mu. Cao Cao attacked the Yellow Turban in the east of Shouzhang (now southwest of Dongping County, Shandong Province).
In winter, Cao Cao received the Yellow Turban Army and surrendered more than [-] soldiers, known as Qingzhou soldiers.
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were at odds. Gongsun Zan assisted Yuan Shu and ordered Liu Bei to station Gaotang, Shanjing stationed in Pingyuan, and Tao Qian stationed in Fagan. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao joined forces to attack the three army horses and won a complete victory.
[AD 193] 39 years old in the fourth year of Chuping
In the spring, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu repeatedly, and Yuan Shu was defeated and fled to Huaibei. In the summer, Cao Cao returned to Dingtao.
In autumn, Cao Cao's army conquered Tao Qian and captured more than ten cities in a row. Tao Qian defended the city and dared not go out to fight.
[AD 194] 40 years old in the first year of Xingping
In the spring, Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was killed by Tao Qian, and Cao Cao wanted to avenge the killing of his father.
In the summer, Cao Jun attacked Xuzhou, slaughtered tens of thousands of people, and attacked Xiangben (now Lianshui County, Jiangsu Province).
Lu Bu, Zhang Miao, Chen Gong and others attacked Cao Cao. Cao's army turned around and fought against Lu Bu. They were defeated by Lu Bu's cavalry and Cao Cao was burned.
Cao Jun and Lu Bu's army faced each other for more than a hundred days, and Lu Bu's army ran out of food and retreated.
In September, Cao Cao returned to Juancheng.
In October, when Cao Cao's army arrived at Dong'e (now Dong'e Town, Pingyin County), there were frequent locust plagues and a severe shortage of military supplies.
[AD 195] 41 years old in the second year of Xingping
In spring, Cao Jun attacked Dingtao.
In the summer, Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu's army by ambush, and Lu Bu took refuge with Liu Bei.
In August, Cao Cao's army besieged Yongqiu (now Qi County, Henan).
In October, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty worshiped Cao Cao as the shepherd of Yanzhou.
In the twelfth month, Yongqiu was captured, Zhang Chao committed suicide, and Cao Cao exiled Zhang Miao and his clan.Later, Zhang Miao was also killed, Yanzhou was pacified, and Cao Jun attacked Chendi (Huaiyang and other places) in the east.
[AD 196] 42 years old in the first year of Jian'an
In the spring moon, Cao Cao's army captured Wuping.
Cao Cao sent Cao Hongxi to welcome Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, but failed due to military chaos.
In February, Cao Cao marched to defeat Runan, Yingchuan Yellow Turban Army He Yi, Liu Pi, Huang Jun, Baoman, etc. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty worshiped Cao Cao as General Jiande.
In June, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty pretended to be Cao Cao's Yue Yue, and recorded the affairs of the Minister.
In September, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty granted Cao Cao the title of General and Marquis of Wuping.
Cao Cao forced Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to move his capital to Xu (now Xuchang, Henan), and began to coerce the emperor to order the princes to take over the military and political power of the court.
In October, Cao Cao attacked Yang Feng.
Cao Cao made the general and Yuan Shao, and made himself Sikong, the general who drove and rode.
Start farming.
Liu Bei's army was defeated by Lu Bu, and Cao Cao accepted Liu Bei.
[AD 197] 43 years old in the second year of Jian'an
In the first month, Cao Cao attacked Wancheng, Zhang Xiu surrendered, and later repented and attacked Cao Jun. Cao Jun was defeated.
Cao Cao led his troops back to Wuyin (now northwest of Biyang, Henan), defeated Zhang Xiujun, and returned to Xudu.
When Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, Cao Cao sent troops to fight Yuan Shu's army and won a big battle; later, he was attacked by Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu's army.
In November, Cao Cao personally marched south to Wancheng, defeated Liu Biao's army, and captured Huyang and Wuyin.
[AD 198] Jian'an three years, 44 years old
In the first month, when Cao Cao returned to the army, he first set up the military division to sacrifice wine. (middle, front, left, right military division, etc.)
In March, Cao Cao's army besieged Zhangxiu in Rang (now Deng County, Henan).
In May, Liu Biao sent troops to panic, and Cao's army was attacked one after another. So in the middle of the night, they dug dangerous tunnels, passed the baggage, and set up surprise troops to smash Zhang Liu's coalition forces.
Lu Bu's general Gao Shun defeated Liu Bei, and in September, Cao Cao personally conquered Lu Bu.
In October, Cao Jun slaughtered Pengcheng (now Xuzhou) and besieged Xiapi (now East Xuzhou).
Cao Cao used the strategy of Xun You and Guo Jia to irrigate the city with water from Jusi and Yi. After more than a month, the city of Xiapi was destroyed. Cao Cao executed Lu Bu, Chen Gong and others, and surrendered Zang Ba and other generals.
[AD 199] 45 years old in the fourth year of Jian'an
In April, Cao Cao marched into Linhe (now Linhe County, Inner Mongolia), and defeated Suigu and others.
In August, Cao Cao marched into Liyang (now Jun County, Henan).
In September, Cao Cao returned to Xudu and divided his troops to defend Guandu.
In November, Zhang Xiu surrendered and was named Liehou.
In December, Cao Cao sent troops to cross the border.
Liu Xun, the prefect of Lujiang, led the crowd to surrender and was named Liehou.
Liu Bei conspired with Dong Cheng and others to betray Cao Cao, Cao Jun Liu Dai and Wang Zhong's troops attacked Liu Bei and failed.
[AD 200] 46 years old in the fifth year of Jian'an
In the first month, Dong Cheng and others plotted against Cao Cao, but were executed after their failure.
Cao Jun conquered Liu Bei and won. Liu Bei defected to Yuan Shao. Cao Cao surrendered Guan Yu, captured Liu Bei's family, and returned to Guandu.
In February, Yuan Shao sent Guo Tu, Chunyu Qiong, Yan Liang and others to attack Liu Yanyu Baima, the prefect of Dongjun, and Yuan Shao led his troops to Liyang.
In April, Cao Jun rescued Liu Yan from the north, followed Xun You's strategy, defeated Yuan Shao's army at Baima, beheaded Yan Liang, and broke the siege of Baima.
Yuan Shao's army crossed the river to pursue Cao's army. Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao's army in the south of Yanjin with a strategy of luring the enemy with heavy supplies, beheaded Wen Chou, and returned to Guandu. Yuan Shao's army entered Baoyangwu, and Guan Yu returned to Liu Bei's camp.
In August, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's allied battalions confronted each other for dozens of miles. Yuan Shao's army entered Linguandu and built earth mountain tunnels, and Cao Cao also made earth mountain tunnels to respond.
Sun Ce took advantage of the turbulent battle situation at Guandu, intending to attack Xudu by surprise, but was killed by assassins before sending troops.
Cao Cao used Xun You's strategy to send Xu Huang and Shi Huan to burn down Yuan Shao's grain convoy.
In October, Yuan Shao sent carts to transport grain, and sent Chunyu Qiong and other five generals to escort more than [-] soldiers, and stayed forty miles north of Yuan Shao's camp.
Xu You, Yuan Shao's adviser, defected to Cao Cao and offered to cook food.Cao Cao led 5000 men on foot and cavalry to attack Chunyu Qiong's troops at night. All the soldiers fought to the death, defeated Yuan Shao's army, and killed Chunyu Qiong and other generals.
Yuan Shao sent Zhang Yun and Gao Lan to attack Cao Cao's camp. Zhang and Gao Er generals heard that Chunyu Qiong's troops had been defeated and surrendered to Cao Cao.
[AD 201] Jian'an six years, 47 years old
In May, Yuan Shao died of illness.
In September, Cao Cao attacked the remnants of Yuan Shao's two sons. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were repeatedly defeated and could not hold out.
[AD 203] Jian'an Eighth Year, 49 years old
In March, Cao Jun defeated Yuan Tan and Yuan Shangjun.
In April, Cao Cao marched into Ye (now Linzhang County, Hebei).
In May, Cao Jun returned to Xudu and stayed in Jiaxin to garrison Liyang.
In August, Cao Cao attacked Liu Biao.Yuan Shao's two sons fought each other, and Yuan Tan lost, so he took refuge in Cao Cao.
In October, Cao's army marched north again, and Yuan Shang's army was defeated.
[AD 204] Jian'an ninth year, 50 years old
In February, Cao Jun attacked Yecheng.
In May, Cao Cao flooded the city with Zhangshui, and most of the people in the city starved to death.
In July, Cao Jun defeated Yuan Shang's reinforcements.
In August, the city of Ye was destroyed, and Cao Cao beheaded Shen Pei, mourned Yuan Shao, and treated Yuan Shao's family kindly.
In September, Cao Cao was exempted from taxes in Hebei for one year, and Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty made Cao Cao the shepherd of Jizhou.
In December, Cao Cao marched into Nanpi to rectify the local situation.
[AD 205] Jian'an ten years, 51 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao's army defeated Yuan Tan, Yuan Tan died in battle, and Cao Cao pacified Jizhou.
In April, the Black Mountain bandit Zhang Yan led more than [-] soldiers to surrender to Cao Cao and was named Liehou.
In August, Cao Cao conquered Karasuma.
[AD 206] Jian'an 11th year, 52 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao's army besieged Huguan to attack Gao Gan, Yuan Shao's nephew. Gao Gan was defeated and killed.
In August, Cao Cao's army conquered the pirate management and inheritance department and won.
[AD 207] Jian'an 12th year, 53 years old
Cao Cao followed Guo Jia's plan and marched north to Karasuma, the three counties.
Cao Jun was blocked by the Bohai Sea, so he led his army out of Lulongsai (the area from Xifengkou to Lengkou, Hebei today) and marched into Liucheng (southwest of Chaoyang, Liaoning today).
In August, after ascending Bailang Mountain, Cao Cao's army won a great victory in the battle of Wuhuan, killing King Tadun of Wuhuan, and more than 20 troops of Hu and Han surrendered.
In September, Gongsun Kang killed Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi, and Cao Cao unified the north.
[AD 208] Jian'an 13th year, 54 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao returned to Yecheng and built Xuanwu Pool to practice the water army.
In June, Cao Cao was made prime minister.
In July, Cao Cao marched south against Liu Biao.
In the eighth month, Liu Biao died of illness, and his youngest son, Liu Cong, succeeded him. He lived in Xiangyang, and Liu Bei lived in Fancheng.
In September, Cao Cao's army reached Xinye, Liu Cong surrendered, Liu Bei fled to Xiakou, and Cao Cao marched into Jiangling.
In December, during the Battle of Chibi, Cao Cao's army was not familiar with water warfare, and the plague was prevalent. They were defeated by Sun Quan and Liu Bei's coalition forces in Chibi, and were forced to retreat.
[AD 209] Jian'an 14 years and 55 years old
Cao Cao ruled the water army, consolidated his own power, stabilized the political situation in the north, and set up Yangzhou prefectures and county magistrates, and opened Shaopi to garrison fields.
[AD 210] Jian'an 15th year, 56 years old
In winter, Cao operated Tongque Terrace.
[AD 211] Jian'an 16th year, 57 years old
In the first month, Shang Yao and others in Taiyuan rebelled, and Cao Cao sent Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang to encircle and break it.
In March, Cao Cao sent Zhong Yao to attack Zhang Lu.
Ma Chao and Han Sui raised a large army to rebel.Cao Cao sent Cao Ren to attack, Ma Chao and others settled in Tongguan, Cao Cao ordered to guard it strictly.
In July, Cao Cao marched west to meet Ma Chao's army, and sent Xu Huang, Zhu Ling and others to cross Pugujin at night, and took Hexi as his camp.
Cao Cao crossed from Tongguan to the north, Ma Chao intercepted Cao Jun, and Cao Cao was rescued by the school lieutenant Ding Fei by baiting the enemy.
Cao Cao's army rejected Weikou, set up more suspicious soldiers, secretly used boats to carry troops into Wei, built a pontoon bridge, and divided his troops into camp in Weinan in the middle of the night. Ma Chao robbed the camp at night and was broken by Cao Cao's ambush.
Ma Chao and others lived in Weinan and asked Cao Cao for peace, but Cao Cao refused.
In September, Cao Cao marched across the Wei River, separated Ma Chao and Han Sui, defeated the Kansai Army, and Ma Chao lost to Liangzhou.
In October, Cao Cao marched north to Yang Qiu, besieged Anding, and Yang Qiu surrendered.
[AD 212] Jian'an 17th year, 58 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao returned to Yecheng.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered Cao Cao to worship without being famous, to enter the court without tending to, and to walk on the sword in the palace, imitating the story of Xiao He in the early Han Dynasty.
In October, Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan again.
[AD 213] Jian'an 18th year, 59 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao marched into Ruxukou, broke through Sun Quan's camp in Jiangxi, and captured Sun Quan's commander, Gong Sunyang.
The fourteen prefectures of China were merged and changed to Kyushu.
In May, Cao Cao was named Duke Wei.
In July, Cao Cao began to build Wei Sheji Ancestral Temple.
In September, Cao operated Jinhutai to dig a canal to divert Zhang water into Baigou to dredge the river.
In October, Cao Cao divided Wei County into east and west, and set up a captain.
In November, Cao Cao set up Shangshu, Shizhong and Liuqing for the first time.
[AD 214] Jian'an 19th year, 60 years old
In the first month, Xia Houyuan fought Ma Chao and Han Sui, and Cao Jun won.
In March, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty entrusted Duke Wei with the throne of the princes and kings, and instead granted him the golden seal, the red fur coat, and the Yuanyou crown.
In July, Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan again.
Xia Houyuan pacified Liangzhou.
In November, Empress Fu of the Han Dynasty was deposed by Cao Cao and executed.
[AD 215] Jian'an 20th year, 61 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao's daughter was made queen by Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.
In March, Cao Cao marched west to Zhang Lu.
In the fifth month, Cao's army wiped out Dou Mao's army, king of Di.
In July, Cao's troops went to Yangping, attacked Yangping Pass at night, defeated Zhang Weijun, Zhang Lu fled to Bazhong, Cao Cao's army entered Nanzheng, and recovered Ba and Han.
In August, Sun Quan besieged Hefei, and Zhang Liao and Li Dian defeated Sun Quan's army.
In November, Zhang Lu surrendered and was named Liehou.
[AD 216] Jian'an 21th year, 62 years old
In March, Cao Cao personally plowed the fields.
In May, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty entered Cao Cao as the king of Wei.
In October, Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan again.
[AD 217] Jian'an 22th year, 63 years old
In February, Cao Cao marched into Tunjiangxi Haoxi.Sun Quan built a city at Ruxukou and refused to defend it. Cao Jun forced the attack, and Sun Quan retreated.
In March, Cao Cao led his army back north.
In April, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered Cao Cao to set up the banner of the Son of Heaven, and to call police vehicles (cars and roads for the emperor to travel) when entering and leaving.
In May, Cao Cao built the Pan Palace.
In October, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered the king of Wei to adorn his official hat with twelfth pins, ride in a golden root chariot, drive six horses, and equip a five o'clock auxiliary chariot, and make Cao Pi the crown prince of Wei.
[AD 218] Jian'an 23th year, 64 years old
In the first month, Ling Jiben, the Imperial Physician of the Han Dynasty, rebelled against Shaofu Geng Ji, Si Zhi Wei Huang and others, and was defeated and killed.
In March, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao were defeated by Cao Hong's army and retreated to Hanzhong. Wu Lan, a general of Shu Han, was killed.
In April, Daijun and Shanggu Karasuma Wuchendi rebelled and were quickly suppressed by Cao Jun.
In the seventh month, Cao Cao ruled the army and marched west to Liu Bei.
In September, Cao Cao's troops arrived in Chang'an.
In October, Hou Yin, the guard of Wancheng, and others rebelled.
[AD 219] Jian'an 24th year, 65 years old
In the first month, Cao Ren's tribe slaughtered Wancheng and beheaded Hou Yin.
Xia Houyuan and Liu Bei fought in Yangping and were killed by Liu Bei's army.
In March, Cao Cao's army came out of Xiegu from Chang'an and pressed on Hanzhong, but Liu Bei refused to defend it.
In May, Cao Cao led his troops back to Chang'an.
In July, Cao Cao made his wife Bian his queen.
In August, the Han River rose sharply, and Yu Jin was defeated by Guan Yu. Guan Yu besieged Cao Ren, and Cao Cao sent Xu Huang to relieve the siege.
In October, Cao Cao marched south from Luoyang to Guan Yu. Before the army arrived, Xu Huang had already defeated Guan Yu's army, and Cao Ren's troops were able to relieve the siege.
[AD 220] Jian'an 25th year, 66 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao returned to Luoyang, Sun Quan attacked and killed Guan Yu, and presented Guan Yu's head to Cao Cao.
On the 23rd of the first lunar month, Cao Cao died in Luoyang at the age of 66. He was posthumously named Emperor Wu.
On February 21, Cao Cao was buried in Gaoling.
(End of this chapter)
Fighting the Yellow Turban with one effort kills two birds with one stone
No matter how reliable a friend is, it is not as reliable as yourself.If you don't work hard, just think about relying on others to start your own business, and dream of getting rich every day, the result will inevitably be disappointing.Even if you have achieved something, you will always be in crisis because you are controlled by others.
At the beginning of his career, Cao Cao also had the same problem.But when the Kwantung generals didn't listen to their own suggestions, and finally failed in the crusade against Dong Zhuo.Cao Cao deeply realized that in order to achieve a great cause, he must develop his own power and cannot rely on anyone.Only in this way can we grasp the situation, advance and retreat by ourselves, and we still have to play good cards by ourselves.
The rapidly developing situation created an opportunity for Cao Cao.When the Kwantung State Commandery raised troops against Dong Zhuo, and the two sides were stalemate in Xingyang and Hanoi, and had no time to take into account the resistance struggle of the hardworking people, the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army and the Hebei Heishan Army in the Qingzhou and Yizhou areas, which had already grown to a million people, went with them. The trend of starting a prairie fire developed.
The Black Mountain Army was a peasant army that revolted at the same time as the Yellow Turban Army. It was based in the Taihang Mountains at the junction of the three provinces of Hebei, Shanxi, and Henan.The leader was originally Zhang Niujiao. After Zhang Niujiao died in battle, Chu Yan succeeded him and changed his surname to Zhang. Because of his lightness, bravery and swiftness, he was called Feiyan in the army.Zhang Yan is very organized and can unite the people well and win the hearts of the people.It quickly developed to millions of people and became a force that cannot be underestimated.
In the autumn of the second year of Chuping (AD 191), hundreds of thousands of Black Mountain troops attacked Yecheng, the heart of Jizhou.Then he crossed the Yellow River south and attacked Dongjun, which is adjacent to Weijun. Wang Gong, the prefect of Dongjun, could not resist.At this time, the million yellow scarves in Qingzhou were intimidated by Zang Hong, the governor of Qingzhou appointed by Yuan Shao, and they were also moving to Hebei in two routes, and there was a tendency to join the Black Mountain Army.If the two armies join forces, or if the Black Mountain Army expands from Hebei to Henan, the balance of power in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River will change dramatically.Although the Kwantung generals were full of contradictions, they were unwilling to see this situation arise.Yuan Shao, the shepherd of Jizhou, was especially afraid that the reunion of the peasant army would threaten his rule in Jizhou.
When the time comes, will Cao Cao let it go?He quickly played a good card, which can not only suppress the Yellow Turban Army and win the favor of the court, but also take the opportunity to develop his own power for future development.Therefore, he drove his troops from Suanzao into Dongjun, and defeated the Bairao Department of the Black Mountain Army in Puyang, the capital of Dongjun, and won the first battle.Yuan Shao thought that Cao Cao sent troops to help him, the leader, and he was very happy with Cao Cao's actions.
He didn't see the hidden purpose of Cao Cao's move, so he appointed Cao Cao as the prefect of Dongjun, thinking that he could not only use Cao Cao to guard the southern gate of Jizhou, but also use Dongjun as a springboard to expand his power to the south of the Yellow River. , so that the three prefectures of Hebei, Qinghai, and Yanzhou are connected into one, so that the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River can be completely under their own control.
Naturally, Cao Cao would not be easily used by Yuan Shao. No matter what kind of wishful thinking Yuan Shao had, he had his own plans.Instead, Cao Cao seemed to be using Yuan Shao.
Given that Yuan Shao was powerful at the time, it was best to be able to live in peace with him. Therefore, Cao Cao could not disobey Yuan Shao's will casually. In addition, he had no place to stand, so Cao Cao went along with the flow and accepted Yuan Shao's appointment very willingly. The prefect of Dongjun.Cao Cao moved the administrative office of Dongjun from Puyang to Dongwuyang, and took the opportunity to recommend Bao Xin to be the chancellor of Jibei as his assistant.
In April of the third year of Chuping (AD 192), Qingzhou's million yellow turban army was blocked from attacking Hebei, so they turned to Yanzhou.After entering Yanzhou, first captured Rencheng, killed Zheng Sui, the chancellor of Rencheng, and then marched towards Dongping.Liu Dai, governor of Yanzhou, refused to listen to Bao Xin's advice, and led the main force of Yanzhou to intercept in a hurry, but was defeated by the Yellow Turban Army, and Liu Dai himself was killed in battle.
After Liu Dai died, Yanzhou had no owner.It was the Yellow Turban Army that provided Cao Cao with the opportunity to strengthen himself.At this time, Cao Cao was watching the changes in the situation, stepping up his military training in order to seek new progress.Chen Gong, a member of Cao Cao's subordinate Dongjun, saw Cao Cao's scheming, so he offered advice to Cao Cao, saying: "The state has no owner today, and the king's life is cut off. Please tell me that in the state (referring to the counties and states), the Ming government (referring to Cao Cao) will find it." Animal husbandry, funding to conquer the world, this is the industry of the overlord.”
Cao Cao was of course very happy when he saw Chen Gong saying that he had lost his mind.So Chen Gong said to Yanzhou Biejia (the deputy of the state herdsman) and Zhizhong (the assistant of the state herdsman): "Today, the world is divided and the state has no owner. Caodong County is a talented person who lives in the world. If we welcome Muzhou, we will give birth to the people." "Bao Xin, Prime Minister of Jinbei, valued Cao Cao in the first place, and he saw that Chen Gong also had the same intention, so he "went to Dongjun County to welcome the Taizu and lead Yanzhou Shepherd with the state official Wan Qian."
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the governor (later called Zhou Mu) was already the highest military and political officer in the local area. He held real power and was the actual controller of the local area.Therefore, after some hard work of his own, Cao Cao is finally not what he used to be. He no longer depends on others, and has become the master of the party in the true sense.
Any honor and things will not fall on you naturally. You only know that relying on others will eventually accomplish nothing, and relying on your own strength to fight is the only way out.
Two self-improvement people are strong, diligent in learning and never give up
The strategy of the ancient Chinese is a treasure house of wisdom of the Chinese nation.From ancient times to the present, there have been famous statesmen and military strategists, and their outstanding wisdom has been widely used in people's daily life until today.
Cao Cao is a mature military strategist. He admires the military wisdom of his predecessors very much. After studying it, he has learned a lot of useful knowledge from it, which makes him often take the lead in military duels.
Sharpening a knife does not cut firewood by mistake.As early as his youth, Cao Cao "read extensively and liked the art of war", and carefully read all kinds of military books that he could collect.Combining historical records, starting from the relationship between war and politics, economy, and diplomacy, he comprehensively studied the basic principles of strategy and tactics, the quality of officers and soldiers, army training, and the formulation of military orders, and carefully compared and analyzed many famous battle cases. , on the basis of absorbing the experience of the ancestors in using strategy, combined with his own personal experience, he wrote two volumes of "Continuation of Sun Tzu's Art of War", nine volumes of "Liue Yao of the Book of War", three volumes of "Explanation of Tai Gong's Conspiracy", etc., together with "Continuation of Art of War" "," Annotations to "Sun Tzu's Art of War" and some military orders, etc., were compiled into a volume and named "New Book".He also ordered people to transcribe the "New Book" and distribute it to every commander in the army, requiring them to read it by heart, memorize it, master it, and use it flexibly during the battle.
Cao Cao's greatest contribution to ancient military theory is to organize and annotate "Sun Tzu" written by Sun Wu. "Sun Tzu", also known as "Sun Tzu's Art of War", is an important and wonderful book in the history of Chinese military affairs, which has attracted great attention from people since its publication.According to the "Historical Records Biography of Sun Tzu Wuqi", Sun Wu saw the art of war in Helu, the king of Wu, and Helu said: "I have read all the thirteen chapters of the son." In the last period, the prosperity of Wu State made outstanding contributions.In the Warring States period, people generally attached great importance to "Sun Tzu", "those who hide the books of Sun Wu, have them at home."Until the Qin and Han Dynasties, soldiers used it, and books imitated it, and even many non-military books contained quotations from it.Some people even made a far-fetched conclusion and named his works that were not Sun Tzu's, causing great confusion.
Cao Cao felt that this kind of confusion was obviously detrimental to the dissemination, research and application of "Sun Tzu", and he was determined to correct it.
At this time, the warlords were divided into separate regimes and wars continued. Brainy soldiers were eager to find the magic formula for victory from the art of war. More and more people were sorting out and studying "Sun Tzu".However, to make remarkable achievements in this regard, there are very high requirements for the cultural literacy and military knowledge of the researchers.Obviously, Cao Cao, as a writer and military strategist, is most capable of undertaking this historical task.
Cao Cao wrote a preface when he commented on "Sun Tzu's Art of War", which roughly reads:
I heard that in ancient times, bows and arrows were used in wars as soon as they were invented. In "The Analects of Confucius Yan Yuan", Confucius said that the most important thing in governing a country is to store enough food and have a strong army. The eight aspects of government affairs listed in "Shangshu·Hong Fan" are in charge of the military. "Book of Changes" affirms: "The army fights for justice, and it is auspicious to fight for justice." "Book of Songs Daya Huangyi" says: When King Wen of Zhou learned that Mi State invaded Ruan State, he was furious, so he led his army to conquer Mi State.Xuanyuan Huangdi, Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou all saved society by means of war. "Sima Rangju Art of War" holds that whoever intentionally kills an innocent person can be killed.Those who rely on force will surely die, and those who only talk about benevolence and righteousness will destroy the country. This is the case with King Fuchai of Wu and King Xu Yan.When a sage uses force, he has to wait for the right time, and only when he has to use force does he dispatch troops.
I have read many military books and war histories, among which the art of war written by Sun Wu is extremely profound.Sun Wu was a native of Qi. He wrote thirteen chapters on the Art of War for King Helu of Wu. At first, he used them to train court ladies, and the effect was very good.Afterwards, he was appointed as a general, attacked the mighty state of Chu in the west, entered Yingdu, and deterred the states of Qi and Jin in the north.Sun Bin, a military strategist who was born more than a hundred years later, is a descendant of Sun Wu and wrote "Sun Bin's Art of War".
Sun Tzu's Art of War is very clear and thorough in discussing how to formulate battle plans carefully and take military actions prudently, and cannot be misinterpreted.However, people have not yet done a clear explanation of the book, and because of its large number of texts, the popular ones in the world have lost the purpose of the original book, so they have been specially deleted and annotated.
The knowledge involved in this passage can be said to be extensive. It can be seen from this that Cao Cao has read a lot and dabbled in a wide range.
Cao Cao believes that war is always accompanied by the development of human society.To save a society ravaged by war, it is necessary to eliminate war, which is to "stop war with war".It is precisely because Cao Cao's view of war focuses on exchanging war for peace, so he said: "The sage uses troops according to the times, and uses them as a last resort."
Sun Tzu mentioned: "Anger can be restored to joy, anger can be restored to joy, a subjugated country cannot be revived, and the dead cannot be resurrected." resurrection.Therefore, "Mingjun is cautious, good generals are vigilant, and this is the way to stabilize the country and the whole army." Mingjun and good generals will be cautious about war, which is the key to the security of the country and the army.The conduct of war should not be rashly decided on the basis of emotion.
Cao Cao also believes that since there is a situation of "using troops as a last resort", he will not relax his mind.Sun Wu said: The way to use troops is not to rely on them not to come, but to rely on what I have to wait for them; "Don't hope that the enemy will not attack, but rely on yourself to be ready at any time; don't hope that the enemy will not attack, but rely on your ability to make the enemy invulnerable. Cao Cao commented on this: "Don't imagine war If you don't get up, you will be careless. If the world is peaceful, you must see the crisis of war, and you must be fully prepared materially and spiritually. This is the idea of "heavy battle".
Many of Cao Cao's military theories were obtained from the military works of his predecessors.Sun Wu said: "As for the general, you should be quiet and orderly." Cao Cao commented on this: "In the matter of commanding troops and fighting, you must be calm and unfathomable, serious and just, and well-governed."
Cao Cao's careful study of predecessors' military theories not only enriched himself, absorbed the rich military experience of his predecessors, but also guided his military operations well.It had an important influence on his life as a soldier. It can be said that it was with the further study of this theory that Cao Cao, who later ruled the world and repeatedly defeated powerful enemies, was born.
Three Do Not Believe in the Mandate of Heaven
Cao Cao once said, "In the world, people are the most precious", which shows that he does not believe in the destiny and puts people first.Maybe people full of heroism don't believe in the destiny. Cao Cao is an atheist, a person who doesn't believe in the destiny and only cares about human affairs.
Although Cao Cao's achievements are somewhat lucky, even the success of God's will. For example, when Zhuge Liang crossed the Yellow River, he said that Cao Cao was "nearly dead in Tongguan", which means that Cao Cao almost died.Even so, Cao Cao did not believe in the destiny.He publicly declared that he "doesn't believe in the destiny of sex" in "Rangxian Self-clarification of the Annals".He believes that the sky is "yin and yang four seasons", and has no thoughts and wills of its own.His "Dong Fu Ge" mentioned:
Virtue is not lacking, and accidents are always difficult.When Zheng Kangcheng was drinking, he fell to the ground and died; Guo Jingtu died in Yuansang.
Zheng Xuan was a master of Confucian classics in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In the eyes of ordinary people at that time, he was virtuous and beneficial to the world, and he had no "deficiencies".Guo Jingtu's life is unknown, but he is compared with Zheng Xuan, and it seems that he is also a person who "has no shortage of virtue".However, the "virtuous" Zheng Xuan collapsed while persuading him to drink at the banquet, and Guo Jingtu also died suddenly in the mulberry garden. Why is this?This poem by Cao Cao shows that the lifespan of a person has nothing to do with virtue, and good virtue cannot give you any protection. This fully expresses Cao Cao's point of view of "not believing in the destiny".
Cao Cao's "Autumn Hu Xing" also mentioned: "The two ceremonies are combined and sanctified, is the noble one alone?" This also means "in the world, people are the most precious".Cao Cao didn't believe in the destiny, so although he had the ambition to rule the world, he didn't regard himself as the emperor, and he didn't deliberately deify himself.On the contrary, there are many historical materials mentioning that he respected the facts, had the courage to criticize himself, and dispelled everyone's doubts.For example, when he was conquering Ma Chao and Han Sui in the west, Cao Cao and Han Sui met on the battlefield, and said to the enemy soldiers watching: "You all have to see what I look like, Cao Cao. In fact, I don't have four eyes and two mouths. I am a man." Normal people are just resourceful!"
In the 19th year of Jian'an (214 A.D.), Wu Qiuxing was appointed as the prefect of Anding. Before leaving, he asked Wu Qiuxing not to take the initiative to send people to the Qiang people.But Guan Qiuxing didn't follow through, and sure enough, something went wrong.Afterwards, Cao Cao said in conclusion: "I am just a little more intelligent than ordinary people, and I have experienced more things than others." But his wisdom was obtained bit by bit, which shows that Cao Cao is a pragmatic person. .
Cao Cao not only did not believe in the destiny, but also did not believe in God.For example, his "Good Deeds" feels sad and helpless for the world to be deceived by the gods. "Qiu Hu Xing" said: "Chisong and Wang Qiao also attained the Tao. They have never heard of it, and they can be tested by their longevity." Questions were raised about Chisong and Wang Qiao's saying that they became immortals, and they believed that they were not true. After reaching the Tao and becoming a fairy, maybe it's just that the life span is longer.Cao Cao recruited a large number of alchemists, and his purpose was not to obtain immortality from them, but to save them, or even just for a joke.This is confirmed from Cao Zhi's poems.
There are alchemists in the world, and my king (Cao Cao) has brought them all... The reason why we gathered them in the Wei State is that they are afraid of this person's disciples. .Do you want to see the gods in Yingzhou again, seek peace in the border sea, release gold and look after Yunyu, abandon Wenji and seek flying dragons!My own king, the prince and Yu brothers thought it was a joke, but they didn't believe it.
In addition, in the process of running the army, Cao Cao also hated the practice of pretending to be gods and ghosts, and severely cracked down on them.
When Cao Cao conquered Hanoi and Huojia, he learned from the captives that a man named Song Jinsheng, who claimed to be a god, told the defenders that there was no need to guard the antlers. He sent dogs to defend them. If not, he would hear the army's actions at night. The sound of clashing with weapons, and after dawn, you will see tiger footprints on the ground.Cao Cao felt that this would disturb the morale of the army, and immediately sent someone to capture and kill Song Jinsheng, which showed his decisive attitude towards pretending to be a ghost.Cao Cao also said in the note of "Sun Tzu Jiudi Pian": "Forbid the words of demons and evil spirits, and get rid of doubts." .” They all expressed the same attitude.
Cao Cao didn't believe in alchemy, but he respected Fang Shi's life-prolonging health preservation technique.
The time in life is limited, and Cao Cao is very aware of this. "Jing Lie" said: "When Jue was born, all the pottery objects of good fortune have their end." In "Shou": "Although the tortoise lives long, it still has its time; the snake rides the fog, and it ends up as dust." They all express the same meaning.
Cao Cao believes that although people cannot become gods and live forever, they can prolong their lifespan through self-care. Therefore, in "Guishi Shou": "The period of shrinkage is not only in the sky; the blessing of nourishing happiness can be obtained." Yongnian."
Cao Cao is a person who seeks truth from facts. The long-term political and military struggles have made him understand the truth that he must proceed from reality in order to get something.
China has always paid attention to etiquette and has a fine tradition of respecting wise men.Cao Cao has no objection to offering sacrifices to ancestors and building temples for virtuous ancestors.He said in the "Order of Appreciation": The Sima of the other ministry asked to set up the shrine of Duke Huan of Qi, so that Ruan Yu, the secretary, could discuss it.Compared with conservative and inflexible people, Cao Cao can be described as enlightened.For example, in the "Chunci Order", Cao Cao advocated reforming the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the ancestral temple: people think that the temple is to take off shoes, and he accepts the emperor's order, and he can wear shoes with a sword to go to the temple. People disobeyed the king's order, respected their fathers and ancestors but despised the king, so he dared not take off his shoes; he also went to the water basin to wash his hands when he was approaching the sacrifice. Water yourself, wash your hands, etc.It can be seen that he is not fundamentally opposed to worshiping and worshiping gods.
Cao Cao's disbelief in "Mandate of Heaven", in a sense, is a manifestation of his personality charm, and it is also the need of the situation.As a prime minister of the Han Dynasty, he also wanted to create a new generation. With this heart, of course he couldn't believe in the destiny.Because the most important meaning of the so-called "mandate of heaven" is "ordered by heaven".Therefore, as the saying goes, the first thing to face is the continuation of the Han Dynasty.
Others can talk about the abolition of Han and the prosperity of Wei, but Cao Cao cannot.Because in this way, his ambition to usurp the Han will be fully exposed, and the situation in the world will be extremely unfavorable to him.It can be seen that, in a sense, Cao Cao does not believe in the destiny, nor does he talk about the destiny, partly due to political considerations.Because "mandate of heaven" is closely connected with "political power", opponents have already guessed that Cao Cao "has the ambition to be humble" from Cao Cao's "nature does not believe in the mandate of heaven".His political opponents attacked him more or less for this reason.
In short, Cao Cao said that he "does not believe in the destiny of sex", and this principle runs through his life.Because if you don't talk about the destiny, you will have no constraints, and it will be more conducive to flex your muscles and gallop the world.This is the true embodiment of Cao Cao's far-sighted political vision as an outstanding politician.
Fourth, set an example by yourself and advocate frugality in everything
Cao Cao fought all his life and dominated the battlefield.Although the official came to the prime minister and was named the king of Wei, there was no one who disobeyed his authority inside and outside the court, which can be said to be successful.But he still has strict requirements on himself, and even affects the people around him.Perhaps this should be attributed to the fact that he started from a humble beginning and had no luxurious living habits since he was a child, so he has created a style of frugality in everything he does.
Cao Cao was frugal all his life, and he didn't pay much attention to food and clothing, and he asked his family to do the same.During the reign of Wei Ming Emperor Cao Rui, Shang Shuwei said in the above table: "At the time of Emperor Wu (Cao Cao), the harem could only eat meat, and the clothes did not need beautiful clothes." Cao Cao also said in "Internal Commandments": "My clothes The quilt has been used for ten years, and it can still be used as long as it is dismantled, washed and mended every year.” Cao Cao used quilts, mattresses and the like, as long as they were warm and comfortable, without any embroidery or other floral decorations.Most of the utensils he uses are practical and do not pursue luxury.The drapes and screens he used were only repaired after they were broken, and they were never easily replaced.
He also warned officials and family members in the "Internal Commandments":
Officials and common people made more embroidered clothes, and silk shoes were not allowed to be made of scarlet, purple, or golden.In the past, I gave silk shoes of various designs and colors to my family members in Jiangling, and made an agreement with them not to imitate them after wearing them.
The colors of vermilion, purple, and golden represent dignity, so Cao Cao ordered that they should not be used casually.It is allowed for family members to wear silk shoes of various designs and colors under special circumstances, but not usually.These details reflect Cao Cao's frugal spirit.
Not only that, Cao Cao's frugal style also affected his wife and future generations.When Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, Cao Cao's wife, Bian, still insisted on this habit, and strictly demanded that her in-laws also follow it, and warned them: "You should be frugal when you live, and you should not expect extravagant rewards. Outsiders may say that I Being too mean to you is actually my consistent view. I have served Emperor Wu for 50 to [-] years, and I have developed a thrifty habit, which cannot be changed casually."
In terms of using utensils, Cao Cao has always been nostalgic, "it is not good to decorate and strictly use utensils". "Yan ware" is a box, which is mainly used to hold daily necessities.Cao Cao made it clear that he didn't like brightly decorated boxes. Originally, he used a leather box made of a mixture of old and new leather, with yellow leather inlaid in the middle.Later, due to the chaos of war, this suitcase was also lost.So he changed to a square bamboo box, covered it with black leather on the outside, lined it with coarse cloth on the inside, and added lacquer at the same time. He thought it was very good.
Cao Cao also pays great attention to some trivial matters, for example, he is not allowed to burn incense at home.After pacifying Hebei, Cao Cao ordered that incense should not be used at home.Later, because the three daughters were married to Emperor Xian, and incense was required for them, an exception was made.After that, Cao Cao once again banned burning incense, even if it was put on the clothes or carried on the body.It is stipulated that if the house is not clean, maple resin and cymbidium can be burned.It can be seen that Cao Cao was very thoughtful in order to be frugal.
Cao Cao advocated frugality, starting with himself and his family.Some behaviors even make people feel too excessive and harsh, but it can also be seen that Cao Cao's determination to advocate frugality.His three daughters married Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, which was a big event at the time.But Cao Cao was deeply dissatisfied with the extravagant style of marriage, so when his daughter got married, the curtains were all black, and there were no more than ten maidservants in his entourage.
Cao Cao has never been greedy for money and fetishes, or accumulated private property.The property captured in victorious battles was used to reward meritorious soldiers to win people's hearts; most of the property contributed by various places was also rewarded to meritorious subordinates.He even took frugality as a condition for selecting officials, and as a criterion for measuring the quality of an official.As a result, the government and the public have formed a good atmosphere of frugality, frugality, and integrity.
Cao Cao then considered thrift as the foundation of the country.His "Duguan Mountain" said: "Shun's lacquer food utensils are surrounded by ten countries." It can be seen that he criticized luxury at a level that would lead to the subjugation of the country.It is precisely because of this awareness of being prepared for danger in times of peace that Cao Cao strongly opposes extravagant and luxurious waste, and sets an example to create an official atmosphere of integrity and integrity.
Cao Cao's restraint on the family was very strict, so that Empress Bian "every time I saw my relatives, I didn't pretend to show color. As the saying goes, 'You should be frugal when you live in a house, and you should not expect rewards, and you will lose your mind. The foreign house should be blamed for my being too thin. , I have my own constant degree. I am extravagant for Emperor Wu. If there are those who violate the law, I can add a second class to the crime, and don't expect money and mien loans'".The strictness of family education can be seen.
As a politician, a hero who dominates the world, a person who is not an emperor but is better than the emperor, he must have a very wide influence. He can personally practice and advocate thrift, which is a good way for the country's financial and material resources. Saving is also positive for social stability.Especially when the north was initially established, it played a very good leading role in purging the imperial court's luxurious style.This is undoubtedly another valuable feature of Cao Cao's personality charm.
Chronology of Cao Cao's life
[AD 155] Emperor Huan was 1 year old in the first year of Yongshou
Cao Cao was born in Qiao County, his father Cao Song.
[AD 159] Yanxi was 5 years old in the second year
The eunuchs murdered their relatives and general Liang Ji, and Emperor Huan named the five eunuchs Liehou.
[AD 161] Yanxi was 7 years old in the fourth year
The financial crisis of the imperial court reduced the salaries of all officials, borrowed half rent from princes, and sold officials below Guanneihou.
[AD 162] Yanxi was 8 years old in the fifth year
The people of Changsha, Lingling and Wuling revolted.
[AD 163] Yanxi was 9 years old in the sixth year
Guiyang Li Yan and others revolted.
[AD 165] Yanxi was 11 years old in the eighth year
Jingzhou soldier Zhu Gai and Guiyang Hulan revolted.
[AD 166] Yanxi was 12 years old in the ninth year
More than 200 people, including Sili Xiaowei Li Ying, were falsely accused of party members by eunuchs, and all were imprisoned.The first "party ban disaster" began.
[AD 167] 13 years old in the first year of Yongkang
In June, all the party members returned to the fields and were imprisoned for life.
In December, Emperor Huan died, Empress Dowager Dou came to court, and Liu Hong became emperor.
[AD 168] Emperor Ling was 14 years old in the first year of Jianning
In the first month, General Dou Wu and Grand Tutor Chen Fan came to power.
In September, Chen Fan and Dou Wu tried to kill the eunuchs, but they were killed by eunuchs Cao Jie, Wang Fu and others.
[AD 169] 15 years old in the second year of Jianning
In October, the eunuch Cao Jie and others tried to govern Li Ying and others, and the second "disaster of party imprisonment" began.
More than 100 party members died, and 700 people were killed, relocated, abolished, and banned by false accusations.
[AD 171] Jianning was 17 years old in the fourth year
In the first month, the world is amnesty, but the party members are not pardoned.
[AD 172] Xiping was 18 years old in the first year
In July, the eunuchs arrested Duan Jiong, the school captain of Sili, and more than 1000 Tai students.
[AD 174] Xiping was 20 years old in the third year
Cao Cao was promoted as Xiaolian, appointed Luoyang Beiwei, then changed to Dunqiu Ling, and was later recruited as Yilang.
[AD 184] 30 years old in the first year of Zhongping
Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty made Cao Cao the captain of cavalry, and suppressed the Yellow Turban Uprising in the area of Yingchuan (now Yu County, Henan).
He was promoted to Prime Minister of Jinan because of his military merits, and served for three years. He punished corrupt officials and banned prostitution.
[AD 187] 33 years old in the fourth year of Zhongping
Cao Cao offended the dignitaries and was demoted to be the prefect of Dongjun, so he resigned because of illness.
Wang Fen, governor of Jizhou, Xu You of Nanyang, Zhou Jing of Peiguo and others planned to abolish Emperor Ling and invited Cao Cao to fight against Emperor Han, but Cao Cao refused.failed.
[AD 188] 34 years old in the fifth year of Zhongping
Cao Cao was appointed as the captain of the Xiyuan Dianjun who defended Luoyang, the capital.
[AD 189] 35 years old in the sixth year of Zhongping
Dong Zhuo entered the court to take full power, and declared Cao Cao to be the school captain of Xiaoqi. Cao Cao refused Dong Zhuo's wooing, changed his name and left the pass, was arrested halfway, and was later released. He went to Chenliu to recruit volunteers and prepared to attack Dong Zhuo.
In December, Cao Cao raised troops in Jiwu County (now southeast of Sui County), with 5000 soldiers.
[AD 190] 36 years old in the first year of Chuping
In the first month, Yuan Shu, Han Fu, Kong Ni, Liu Dai, Wang Kuang, Yuan Shao, Zhang Miao, Qiao Mao, Yuan Yi, and Bao Xin responded to the call and simultaneously raised troops to attack Dong Zhuo.
In February, Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and moved the capital to Chang'an.The allied forces of the princes waited and watched, but Cao Cao fought alone and was defeated by Dong Zhuo's general Xu Rong. Cao Cao was wounded by an arrow and fought hard to escape.
After the coalition forces of the princes fell apart, Cao Cao refused Yuan Shao to win him over and began to develop his forces independently.
[AD 191] 37 years old in the second year of Chuping
Cao Cao led troops to Dongjun, and defeated the black mountain bandit Bairao in Puyang (now southwest of Puyang, Henan). Yuan Shao tabled Cao Cao as the prefect of Dongjun, and ruled Dongwuyang.
[AD 192] 38 years old in the third year of Chuping
In the spring, Cao Cao wiped out the Heishan bandits and the Yufuluo tribe of the Xiongnu.
Bao Xin and others went to Dongjun to meet Cao Cao and led Yanzhou Mu. Cao Cao attacked the Yellow Turban in the east of Shouzhang (now southwest of Dongping County, Shandong Province).
In winter, Cao Cao received the Yellow Turban Army and surrendered more than [-] soldiers, known as Qingzhou soldiers.
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were at odds. Gongsun Zan assisted Yuan Shu and ordered Liu Bei to station Gaotang, Shanjing stationed in Pingyuan, and Tao Qian stationed in Fagan. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao joined forces to attack the three army horses and won a complete victory.
[AD 193] 39 years old in the fourth year of Chuping
In the spring, Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu repeatedly, and Yuan Shu was defeated and fled to Huaibei. In the summer, Cao Cao returned to Dingtao.
In autumn, Cao Cao's army conquered Tao Qian and captured more than ten cities in a row. Tao Qian defended the city and dared not go out to fight.
[AD 194] 40 years old in the first year of Xingping
In the spring, Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, was killed by Tao Qian, and Cao Cao wanted to avenge the killing of his father.
In the summer, Cao Jun attacked Xuzhou, slaughtered tens of thousands of people, and attacked Xiangben (now Lianshui County, Jiangsu Province).
Lu Bu, Zhang Miao, Chen Gong and others attacked Cao Cao. Cao's army turned around and fought against Lu Bu. They were defeated by Lu Bu's cavalry and Cao Cao was burned.
Cao Jun and Lu Bu's army faced each other for more than a hundred days, and Lu Bu's army ran out of food and retreated.
In September, Cao Cao returned to Juancheng.
In October, when Cao Cao's army arrived at Dong'e (now Dong'e Town, Pingyin County), there were frequent locust plagues and a severe shortage of military supplies.
[AD 195] 41 years old in the second year of Xingping
In spring, Cao Jun attacked Dingtao.
In the summer, Cao Cao defeated Lu Bu's army by ambush, and Lu Bu took refuge with Liu Bei.
In August, Cao Cao's army besieged Yongqiu (now Qi County, Henan).
In October, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty worshiped Cao Cao as the shepherd of Yanzhou.
In the twelfth month, Yongqiu was captured, Zhang Chao committed suicide, and Cao Cao exiled Zhang Miao and his clan.Later, Zhang Miao was also killed, Yanzhou was pacified, and Cao Jun attacked Chendi (Huaiyang and other places) in the east.
[AD 196] 42 years old in the first year of Jian'an
In the spring moon, Cao Cao's army captured Wuping.
Cao Cao sent Cao Hongxi to welcome Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, but failed due to military chaos.
In February, Cao Cao marched to defeat Runan, Yingchuan Yellow Turban Army He Yi, Liu Pi, Huang Jun, Baoman, etc. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty worshiped Cao Cao as General Jiande.
In June, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty pretended to be Cao Cao's Yue Yue, and recorded the affairs of the Minister.
In September, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty granted Cao Cao the title of General and Marquis of Wuping.
Cao Cao forced Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to move his capital to Xu (now Xuchang, Henan), and began to coerce the emperor to order the princes to take over the military and political power of the court.
In October, Cao Cao attacked Yang Feng.
Cao Cao made the general and Yuan Shao, and made himself Sikong, the general who drove and rode.
Start farming.
Liu Bei's army was defeated by Lu Bu, and Cao Cao accepted Liu Bei.
[AD 197] 43 years old in the second year of Jian'an
In the first month, Cao Cao attacked Wancheng, Zhang Xiu surrendered, and later repented and attacked Cao Jun. Cao Jun was defeated.
Cao Cao led his troops back to Wuyin (now northwest of Biyang, Henan), defeated Zhang Xiujun, and returned to Xudu.
When Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, Cao Cao sent troops to fight Yuan Shu's army and won a big battle; later, he was attacked by Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu's army.
In November, Cao Cao personally marched south to Wancheng, defeated Liu Biao's army, and captured Huyang and Wuyin.
[AD 198] Jian'an three years, 44 years old
In the first month, when Cao Cao returned to the army, he first set up the military division to sacrifice wine. (middle, front, left, right military division, etc.)
In March, Cao Cao's army besieged Zhangxiu in Rang (now Deng County, Henan).
In May, Liu Biao sent troops to panic, and Cao's army was attacked one after another. So in the middle of the night, they dug dangerous tunnels, passed the baggage, and set up surprise troops to smash Zhang Liu's coalition forces.
Lu Bu's general Gao Shun defeated Liu Bei, and in September, Cao Cao personally conquered Lu Bu.
In October, Cao Jun slaughtered Pengcheng (now Xuzhou) and besieged Xiapi (now East Xuzhou).
Cao Cao used the strategy of Xun You and Guo Jia to irrigate the city with water from Jusi and Yi. After more than a month, the city of Xiapi was destroyed. Cao Cao executed Lu Bu, Chen Gong and others, and surrendered Zang Ba and other generals.
[AD 199] 45 years old in the fourth year of Jian'an
In April, Cao Cao marched into Linhe (now Linhe County, Inner Mongolia), and defeated Suigu and others.
In August, Cao Cao marched into Liyang (now Jun County, Henan).
In September, Cao Cao returned to Xudu and divided his troops to defend Guandu.
In November, Zhang Xiu surrendered and was named Liehou.
In December, Cao Cao sent troops to cross the border.
Liu Xun, the prefect of Lujiang, led the crowd to surrender and was named Liehou.
Liu Bei conspired with Dong Cheng and others to betray Cao Cao, Cao Jun Liu Dai and Wang Zhong's troops attacked Liu Bei and failed.
[AD 200] 46 years old in the fifth year of Jian'an
In the first month, Dong Cheng and others plotted against Cao Cao, but were executed after their failure.
Cao Jun conquered Liu Bei and won. Liu Bei defected to Yuan Shao. Cao Cao surrendered Guan Yu, captured Liu Bei's family, and returned to Guandu.
In February, Yuan Shao sent Guo Tu, Chunyu Qiong, Yan Liang and others to attack Liu Yanyu Baima, the prefect of Dongjun, and Yuan Shao led his troops to Liyang.
In April, Cao Jun rescued Liu Yan from the north, followed Xun You's strategy, defeated Yuan Shao's army at Baima, beheaded Yan Liang, and broke the siege of Baima.
Yuan Shao's army crossed the river to pursue Cao's army. Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao's army in the south of Yanjin with a strategy of luring the enemy with heavy supplies, beheaded Wen Chou, and returned to Guandu. Yuan Shao's army entered Baoyangwu, and Guan Yu returned to Liu Bei's camp.
In August, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's allied battalions confronted each other for dozens of miles. Yuan Shao's army entered Linguandu and built earth mountain tunnels, and Cao Cao also made earth mountain tunnels to respond.
Sun Ce took advantage of the turbulent battle situation at Guandu, intending to attack Xudu by surprise, but was killed by assassins before sending troops.
Cao Cao used Xun You's strategy to send Xu Huang and Shi Huan to burn down Yuan Shao's grain convoy.
In October, Yuan Shao sent carts to transport grain, and sent Chunyu Qiong and other five generals to escort more than [-] soldiers, and stayed forty miles north of Yuan Shao's camp.
Xu You, Yuan Shao's adviser, defected to Cao Cao and offered to cook food.Cao Cao led 5000 men on foot and cavalry to attack Chunyu Qiong's troops at night. All the soldiers fought to the death, defeated Yuan Shao's army, and killed Chunyu Qiong and other generals.
Yuan Shao sent Zhang Yun and Gao Lan to attack Cao Cao's camp. Zhang and Gao Er generals heard that Chunyu Qiong's troops had been defeated and surrendered to Cao Cao.
[AD 201] Jian'an six years, 47 years old
In May, Yuan Shao died of illness.
In September, Cao Cao attacked the remnants of Yuan Shao's two sons. Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were repeatedly defeated and could not hold out.
[AD 203] Jian'an Eighth Year, 49 years old
In March, Cao Jun defeated Yuan Tan and Yuan Shangjun.
In April, Cao Cao marched into Ye (now Linzhang County, Hebei).
In May, Cao Jun returned to Xudu and stayed in Jiaxin to garrison Liyang.
In August, Cao Cao attacked Liu Biao.Yuan Shao's two sons fought each other, and Yuan Tan lost, so he took refuge in Cao Cao.
In October, Cao's army marched north again, and Yuan Shang's army was defeated.
[AD 204] Jian'an ninth year, 50 years old
In February, Cao Jun attacked Yecheng.
In May, Cao Cao flooded the city with Zhangshui, and most of the people in the city starved to death.
In July, Cao Jun defeated Yuan Shang's reinforcements.
In August, the city of Ye was destroyed, and Cao Cao beheaded Shen Pei, mourned Yuan Shao, and treated Yuan Shao's family kindly.
In September, Cao Cao was exempted from taxes in Hebei for one year, and Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty made Cao Cao the shepherd of Jizhou.
In December, Cao Cao marched into Nanpi to rectify the local situation.
[AD 205] Jian'an ten years, 51 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao's army defeated Yuan Tan, Yuan Tan died in battle, and Cao Cao pacified Jizhou.
In April, the Black Mountain bandit Zhang Yan led more than [-] soldiers to surrender to Cao Cao and was named Liehou.
In August, Cao Cao conquered Karasuma.
[AD 206] Jian'an 11th year, 52 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao's army besieged Huguan to attack Gao Gan, Yuan Shao's nephew. Gao Gan was defeated and killed.
In August, Cao Cao's army conquered the pirate management and inheritance department and won.
[AD 207] Jian'an 12th year, 53 years old
Cao Cao followed Guo Jia's plan and marched north to Karasuma, the three counties.
Cao Jun was blocked by the Bohai Sea, so he led his army out of Lulongsai (the area from Xifengkou to Lengkou, Hebei today) and marched into Liucheng (southwest of Chaoyang, Liaoning today).
In August, after ascending Bailang Mountain, Cao Cao's army won a great victory in the battle of Wuhuan, killing King Tadun of Wuhuan, and more than 20 troops of Hu and Han surrendered.
In September, Gongsun Kang killed Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi, and Cao Cao unified the north.
[AD 208] Jian'an 13th year, 54 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao returned to Yecheng and built Xuanwu Pool to practice the water army.
In June, Cao Cao was made prime minister.
In July, Cao Cao marched south against Liu Biao.
In the eighth month, Liu Biao died of illness, and his youngest son, Liu Cong, succeeded him. He lived in Xiangyang, and Liu Bei lived in Fancheng.
In September, Cao Cao's army reached Xinye, Liu Cong surrendered, Liu Bei fled to Xiakou, and Cao Cao marched into Jiangling.
In December, during the Battle of Chibi, Cao Cao's army was not familiar with water warfare, and the plague was prevalent. They were defeated by Sun Quan and Liu Bei's coalition forces in Chibi, and were forced to retreat.
[AD 209] Jian'an 14 years and 55 years old
Cao Cao ruled the water army, consolidated his own power, stabilized the political situation in the north, and set up Yangzhou prefectures and county magistrates, and opened Shaopi to garrison fields.
[AD 210] Jian'an 15th year, 56 years old
In winter, Cao operated Tongque Terrace.
[AD 211] Jian'an 16th year, 57 years old
In the first month, Shang Yao and others in Taiyuan rebelled, and Cao Cao sent Xia Houyuan and Xu Huang to encircle and break it.
In March, Cao Cao sent Zhong Yao to attack Zhang Lu.
Ma Chao and Han Sui raised a large army to rebel.Cao Cao sent Cao Ren to attack, Ma Chao and others settled in Tongguan, Cao Cao ordered to guard it strictly.
In July, Cao Cao marched west to meet Ma Chao's army, and sent Xu Huang, Zhu Ling and others to cross Pugujin at night, and took Hexi as his camp.
Cao Cao crossed from Tongguan to the north, Ma Chao intercepted Cao Jun, and Cao Cao was rescued by the school lieutenant Ding Fei by baiting the enemy.
Cao Cao's army rejected Weikou, set up more suspicious soldiers, secretly used boats to carry troops into Wei, built a pontoon bridge, and divided his troops into camp in Weinan in the middle of the night. Ma Chao robbed the camp at night and was broken by Cao Cao's ambush.
Ma Chao and others lived in Weinan and asked Cao Cao for peace, but Cao Cao refused.
In September, Cao Cao marched across the Wei River, separated Ma Chao and Han Sui, defeated the Kansai Army, and Ma Chao lost to Liangzhou.
In October, Cao Cao marched north to Yang Qiu, besieged Anding, and Yang Qiu surrendered.
[AD 212] Jian'an 17th year, 58 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao returned to Yecheng.Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered Cao Cao to worship without being famous, to enter the court without tending to, and to walk on the sword in the palace, imitating the story of Xiao He in the early Han Dynasty.
In October, Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan again.
[AD 213] Jian'an 18th year, 59 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao marched into Ruxukou, broke through Sun Quan's camp in Jiangxi, and captured Sun Quan's commander, Gong Sunyang.
The fourteen prefectures of China were merged and changed to Kyushu.
In May, Cao Cao was named Duke Wei.
In July, Cao Cao began to build Wei Sheji Ancestral Temple.
In September, Cao operated Jinhutai to dig a canal to divert Zhang water into Baigou to dredge the river.
In October, Cao Cao divided Wei County into east and west, and set up a captain.
In November, Cao Cao set up Shangshu, Shizhong and Liuqing for the first time.
[AD 214] Jian'an 19th year, 60 years old
In the first month, Xia Houyuan fought Ma Chao and Han Sui, and Cao Jun won.
In March, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty entrusted Duke Wei with the throne of the princes and kings, and instead granted him the golden seal, the red fur coat, and the Yuanyou crown.
In July, Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan again.
Xia Houyuan pacified Liangzhou.
In November, Empress Fu of the Han Dynasty was deposed by Cao Cao and executed.
[AD 215] Jian'an 20th year, 61 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao's daughter was made queen by Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty.
In March, Cao Cao marched west to Zhang Lu.
In the fifth month, Cao's army wiped out Dou Mao's army, king of Di.
In July, Cao's troops went to Yangping, attacked Yangping Pass at night, defeated Zhang Weijun, Zhang Lu fled to Bazhong, Cao Cao's army entered Nanzheng, and recovered Ba and Han.
In August, Sun Quan besieged Hefei, and Zhang Liao and Li Dian defeated Sun Quan's army.
In November, Zhang Lu surrendered and was named Liehou.
[AD 216] Jian'an 21th year, 62 years old
In March, Cao Cao personally plowed the fields.
In May, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty entered Cao Cao as the king of Wei.
In October, Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan again.
[AD 217] Jian'an 22th year, 63 years old
In February, Cao Cao marched into Tunjiangxi Haoxi.Sun Quan built a city at Ruxukou and refused to defend it. Cao Jun forced the attack, and Sun Quan retreated.
In March, Cao Cao led his army back north.
In April, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered Cao Cao to set up the banner of the Son of Heaven, and to call police vehicles (cars and roads for the emperor to travel) when entering and leaving.
In May, Cao Cao built the Pan Palace.
In October, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered the king of Wei to adorn his official hat with twelfth pins, ride in a golden root chariot, drive six horses, and equip a five o'clock auxiliary chariot, and make Cao Pi the crown prince of Wei.
[AD 218] Jian'an 23th year, 64 years old
In the first month, Ling Jiben, the Imperial Physician of the Han Dynasty, rebelled against Shaofu Geng Ji, Si Zhi Wei Huang and others, and was defeated and killed.
In March, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao were defeated by Cao Hong's army and retreated to Hanzhong. Wu Lan, a general of Shu Han, was killed.
In April, Daijun and Shanggu Karasuma Wuchendi rebelled and were quickly suppressed by Cao Jun.
In the seventh month, Cao Cao ruled the army and marched west to Liu Bei.
In September, Cao Cao's troops arrived in Chang'an.
In October, Hou Yin, the guard of Wancheng, and others rebelled.
[AD 219] Jian'an 24th year, 65 years old
In the first month, Cao Ren's tribe slaughtered Wancheng and beheaded Hou Yin.
Xia Houyuan and Liu Bei fought in Yangping and were killed by Liu Bei's army.
In March, Cao Cao's army came out of Xiegu from Chang'an and pressed on Hanzhong, but Liu Bei refused to defend it.
In May, Cao Cao led his troops back to Chang'an.
In July, Cao Cao made his wife Bian his queen.
In August, the Han River rose sharply, and Yu Jin was defeated by Guan Yu. Guan Yu besieged Cao Ren, and Cao Cao sent Xu Huang to relieve the siege.
In October, Cao Cao marched south from Luoyang to Guan Yu. Before the army arrived, Xu Huang had already defeated Guan Yu's army, and Cao Ren's troops were able to relieve the siege.
[AD 220] Jian'an 25th year, 66 years old
In the first month, Cao Cao returned to Luoyang, Sun Quan attacked and killed Guan Yu, and presented Guan Yu's head to Cao Cao.
On the 23rd of the first lunar month, Cao Cao died in Luoyang at the age of 66. He was posthumously named Emperor Wu.
On February 21, Cao Cao was buried in Gaoling.
(End of this chapter)
You'll Also Like
-
The Strongest Curse Master: Start by refining the Seven Arrows Book
Chapter 338 15 hours ago -
Douluo's self has a soul beast clone
Chapter 393 17 hours ago -
The Comprehensive Evolution of American Comics
Chapter 910 19 hours ago -
Doomsday: Gain experience by hunting
Chapter 366 22 hours ago -
You said you would make games by yourself, but how did you become the richest man by doing nothing?
Chapter 647 22 hours ago -
Under the Red Dragon
Chapter 374 1 days ago -
Master Craftsman of the Pokemon World
Chapter 165 1 days ago -
Wrongly practicing evil skills, imitating the laws of nature
Chapter 306 1 days ago -
Demon Cultivator: Heaven and earth are the cauldron, and all living beings are the medicine
Chapter 90 1 days ago -
Dragon's Origin
Chapter 1570 1 days ago