(Picture says three kingdoms, talking about heaven and earth, no. 145 text / impermanent FengTianyu)
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao blackmailed Tianzi to order the princes and unify Jiangbei, which stood out in the chaotic world and became the largest divided force at that time. Some people say that Cao Cao's achievement is because of his great talent; some people say that Cao Cao has this achievement because he has many strategists who strategize for him. It is true that his success was closely related to these factors, but he was able to achieve this achievement without the generals who fought for him on the battlefield, especially the generals under his command who were known as the Eight Tigers, namely Xiahou Huan, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, and Xiahou Shang. These eight people contributed greatly to the growth of Cao Cao's power and to the establishment and development of Cao Wei. As the saying goes, tiger fathers have no dogs, so what can their offspring do? How does it end? Have they become Cao Wei's new pillars? Next, let's take stock.
1. Xiahou Huan - his descendants are all enfeoffed as marquises
Xiahou Huan (夏侯惇), courtesy name Yuanrang, was known for his sexual prowess when he was young, and when he was only fourteen years old, he killed those who insulted his mentor. Later Cao Cao raised an army, and he was one of the earliest followers. From this point of view, some people may think that he can be brave and loyal, but he is a full-fledged man, but in fact, Xiahou Huan is a very learned person, and the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms records: "Although he was in the army, he personally welcomed the teacher and received his profession." This means that although he has been a horseman all his life, he is humble and studious, and often personally welcomes teachers to learn. Perhaps it is precisely because of this that he not only did not become a reckless man, but became a famous general who could stand alone - he guarded the rear for Cao Cao many times in his life, and was deeply relied upon by Cao Cao. Of his sons, the second son, Xiahou Shu, by virtue of his military exploits, was made a Marquis of Liehou and served as the general of Anxi, stationed in Chang'an, and became the son-in-law of the Cao family; the eldest son, Xiahou Chong, inherited his title. However, because his exploits were too outstanding, the Cao Wei royal family, and extraordinarily gracious, made his remaining seven sons, two of whom were made marquises. That is to say, although Xiahou Huan's children and grandchildren did not have any dazzling achievements, the ending was very good.
Second, Xiahou Yuan - the sons are very far apart
Xiahou Yuan, also spelled Miaocai, was Xiahou Huan's cousin. Before Cao Cao's uprising, he had a close relationship with Cao Cao, and had defended Cao Cao after cao cao had broken the law. Coupled with his excellent ability, the best at running thousands of miles, and once hubu guan right, so Cao Cao valued him very much and once let him guard Hanzhong. However, Xiahou Yuan was different from his cousin Xiahou Huan, who did not like to study, and was known as the "General of the White Land" in the army, and Cao Cao often persuaded him, and he did not care. As a result, during the Battle of Hanzhong, he was beheaded by the Shu general Huang Zhong. Among his sons, the eldest son Xiahou Heng married Cao Cao's niece and inherited the title of Xiahou Yuan; the third son Xiahou Wei died prematurely; the fourth son Xiahou Wei, the sixth son Xiahou Hui, and the seventh son Xiahou He all died in Cao Wei. His second son Xiahou Ba and fifth son Xiahou Rong were different from his brothers—Xiahou Ba, in his later years, in order to protect himself, abandoned Wei and surrendered to Shu, becoming the only traitor among Cao Cao's generals; Xiahou Rong had few wizards, and he followed his father to the battlefield early, and at the age of thirteen, he gave up the opportunity to escape and died in the line of duty, and they were also the two most contrasting among Xiahou Yuan's sons.
Third, Cao Ren - only the eldest son can get his hands on it
Cao Ren (曹仁), courtesy name Zixiao ,was Cao Cao's younger brother, that is, he was not only a general of Cao Wei's lineage, but also a member of Cao Wei's clan. This person can attack and defend, can be called the first general of Cao Wei, when Cao Cao was defeated at Chibi, he returned to the north, stayed behind, and resisted Zhou Yu for nearly a year, it was he. Cao Ren had three sons, namely the eldest son Cao Tai, the second son Cao Kai, and the third son Cao Fan. Although Cao Tai was inferior to Cao Ren, he also led an army to go out on a campaign, and by his own efforts, he was promoted to the rank of general of Zhendong, but his two younger brothers had no achievements, but relied on Cao Ren's Yuyin and were given the title of Marquis.
4. Cao Chun - The son marries Liu Bei's daughter
Cao Chun (曹淳), courtesy name Zihe, was Cao Ren's younger brother. When he was young, he had hills in his heart and managed the household in an orderly manner, and later followed Cao Cao and became the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Riding. During this period, he accompanied Cao Cao in attacking Nanpi, not only sacrificing plans to destroy the city, but also killing Yuan Tan; he also accompanied Cao Cao to pacify Wuhuan and captured Shan Yu Dun; he also participated in the Battle of Changshanpo, killing Liu Bei for abandoning his wife and son, not only capturing a large number of heavy weights, but also capturing Liu Bei's two daughters. The Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms records: "(Cao Chun) pursued Liu Bei from Jingzhou to Changsaka, received his second daughter's weight, and collected his scattered pawns. Because the ending of Liu Bei's two daughters is not recorded in the historical data, it is said that Cao Chun gave him to his son Cao Yan. In the historical data, there are also very few records about Cao Yan, only that this person was a leading general, and during Cao Xian's reign, he was given the title of Marquis of Pingle Township.
5. Cao Hong - son became a courtier of the Western Jin Dynasty
Cao Hong, also a brother of Cao Cao. Although he is also a famous general of a generation and has made great achievements in battle, the most impressive thing about him is his loyalty. When Cao Cao had just raised an army and participated in the battle against Dong Zhuo, because of the adventurous advance of the lone army, he was defeated by Xu Rong by Dong Zhuo's troops, not only was he injured, but the warhorse also lost the ability to take him to escape, at this time Cao Hong gave up his horse to him, and said: "There is no flood in the world, not without justice!" This sentence has been remembered and touched by many descendants, but his two sons have nothing to remember for posterity - his eldest son Cao Fu inherited his title, and the second son Cao Zhen was honored as a marquis by him.
6. Cao Xiu - The two sons were posthumously honored
Cao Xiu, courtesy name Wenlie, was a descendant of Cao Cao. When he was young, he hid his name and ran thousands of miles to join Cao Cao, not only known as the "Thousand Mile Foal" of the Cao family, but also regarded by Cao Cao as a parent, and the treatment was comparable to Cao Pi. During Cao Cao's time, he accompanied Cao Hong on his expeditions and saw through Zhang Fei's suspicious tactics, thus defeating Zhang Fei; when Cao Pi died, he was elected as a chancellor to assist the young emperor Cao Rui. Later, he sent an army to fight Wu, and returned with a big defeat, which triggered a poisonous sore on his back and died as a result. His eldest son Cao Zhao succeeded him to his title and served as a lieutenant of the Scattered Horse Changshi and Tun Riding School, but before Cao Rui's death, he was sent home and posthumously awarded the title of Wei General after his death. Another of Cao Xiu's sons, Cao Xiu, was created a Marquis of Liehou early, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of General of Wu, and was posthumously promoted to former general after his death.
7. Cao Zhen - Lao Tzu hero Dog Bear
Cao Zhen (曹真), courtesy name Zidan, was Cao Cao's adopted son. At first, Cao Cao regarded him as a parent and made him receive the same treatment as Cao Pi, and later he turned around and shot a fierce tiger, which was even more appreciated by Cao Cao, so he became one of the leaders of the tiger and leopard riding. His most outstanding battle record was that during Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition, he resisted twice and made meritorious contributions, and he expected Zhuge Liang to take the lead. At that time, people called it "Cao Zi Dan Jia Ren Also". However, his excellence was not passed on to his son. Speaking of his eldest son, it is estimated that most people will not be unfamiliar, that is, when he was an auxiliary chancellor, he caused chaos in the imperial program, and finally lost to the gaopingling change, and was cursed by Sima Yi to destroy the three tribes of Cao Shuang. The most hidden thing about him was not that he was defeated at the hands of Sima Yi, but that he obviously had a chance to turn the tables, but after hearing that Sima Yi would not harm his life, he chose to surrender, which shows that he was a genuine straw bag, and his five younger brothers, namely Cao Xi, Cao Xun, Cao Ze, Cao Yan, and Cao Hao, did not escape the poisonous hands of the Sima family. If there is a peerless Cao Zhen among the Cao Shuang brothers, his family may not have this misfortune, right?
VIII. Xiahou Shang – His son died at the hands of Sima Shi
Xiahou Shang, courtesy name Boren, was Xiahou Yuan's nephew. He was very capable and trusted by Cao Pi, and once married a woman of Cao Wei's family. However, this person is the seed of infatuation, and once snubbed his wife because he favored a concubine. At this time, Cao Pi, who was protecting the short, was no longer dry, and he sent someone to hang Xiahou Shang's concubine. However, what Cao Pi did not expect was that Xiahou Shang's love for the concubine was too deep, and soon after, he was depressed, and his young son Xiahou Xuan inherited his title. Xiahou Xuan's ability was relatively outstanding among the Red Second and Red Third Generations of the Cao Wei Sect, and he had served as a general of the Zhenxi Dynasty, and he was also the governor of the Yong and Liang military. However, he took the wrong side and followed Cao Shuang, so after Sima Yi monopolized power, he was transferred back to the court and held an idle post, and after Sima Yi's death, he was involved in the "rebellion" against the Sima family, and was eventually killed by Sima Shi. At this point, among the generals of Cao Wei's lineage, there were no more famous generals.
All the information in this article comes from books such as "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Notes on the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms", and the editor guarantees the authenticity of the content, without any innuendo or politics.