Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Chong are all familiar to everyone, especially Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, all of whom are leading figures in Jian'an literature, and we have learned their poems from an early age, such as Cao Zhi's seven-step poem. At the same time, they were also the political stars of the Three Kingdoms at the end of the Han Dynasty, which deeply influenced the direction of state power.
Among the three, Cao Chong was a prodigy of a generation, and the allusions to his title have been passed down to this day, and if he had not died early, I am afraid that he would have been Cao Cao's successor.
Between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, there was fierce friction during the Jian'an period, that is, competing for the position of prince of the State of Wei. As we all know, the final result ended with Cao Pi's victory, and Cao Zhi faded out of the political arena ever since.
So, why did Cao Zhi lose? What is the specific beginning and end of the political struggle between them? Let me reveal the secret for you.
Cao Cao, a tyrant of a generation, who began in the turmoil at the end of the Han Dynasty, like many scholars at that time, deeply felt that the corruption of the country led to war and chaos, and hated the glitz and hypocrisy of society. Therefore, the new regime established by Cao Cao tried to clean up the shortcomings of the times, and he was extremely pragmatic in selecting and appointing officials, and he attached great importance to talent and virtue.
Therefore, Cao Cao naturally hoped that his successors would have excellent talents and virtues to better lead the country to unify the world and end the chaotic world.
Among Cao Cao's sons, at first Cao Cao greatly admired Cao Chong. Although Cao Chong was still young, he was very clever and witty. It is said that when you are five or six years old, your mind is like an adult. Cao Chong's allusion to the elephant is well known to everyone, and it can be described as a talent.
Not only that, Cao Chong is also very benevolent. During Cao Cao's time, society was extremely unstable, so extremely harsh punishments were used to deter the people. The young Cao Chong repeatedly stopped Cao Cao from carrying out unfair punishment through eloquence, and won Cao Cao's recognition and favor.
Cao Chong's talent was superb, and Cao Cao repeatedly expressed to his courtiers the idea of passing on the great cause to Cao Chong. However, Cao Chong died of illness at the age of thirteen. Cao Pi comforted Cao Cao, and Cao Cao said, "This is my misfortune, but it is a great blessing for all the children." Judging from this sentence, the impact of Cao Chong's death can be seen.
After Cao Chong's death, another son of Cao Cao emerged, and he was Cao Zhi. Cao Zhi was not only good at literature, but also showed great achievement in political theory. It can be said that he is another wizard. Cao Zhi was praised by all kinds of big cattle people at that time, and was also deeply loved by Cao Cao.
So Cao Cao opened the political green light for Cao Zhi, who was made a marquis at a young age and had an official institution that obeyed his orders. Later, Cao Zhi continued to win over other scholars, so he ran his own faction and pointed to the position of prince.
The eldest son, Cao Pi, due to his age advantage and also has extraordinary talents, so Cao Cao also gave him a political green light. Therefore, Cao Pi was active on the political stage as a general and deputy chancellor of the five senses, and also managed a group of supporters.
Because the two are extraordinary talents and have the legitimacy to inherit Cao Cao's mantle, the contradictions and frictions between the two are naturally unavoidable.
As a result, the group of officials gradually divided into two parties, one group supporting Cao Pi represented by Cui Yan and others, and the other supporting Cao Zhi with Ding Yi, Yang Jun and others as representatives.
In the long struggle, Cao Zhi gradually gained the advantage. The fierce Cao Zhi faction first killed Cui Yan and Mao Jiu, and then dismissed Xu Yi from office.
The limelight is no different. Cao Cao also gradually became aware of Cao Zhi, believing that Cao Zhi was the most important of the children. Cao Zhi was almost about to sit on the throne of the crown prince.
However, Cao Zhi made a huge and serious mistake - trespassing on Sima Men. Sima Gate is the grand palace gate of the imperial palace. The vast majority of ministers were not allowed to enter and leave the palace at will, and they needed to be notified according to the rules and obtained permission, and Cao Cao's son was no exception.
At that time, it was the critical period of cao's generation of han, and Cao Cao attached great importance to the construction of the family image, and tried to create a scene of heavenly destiny and the people of the world to replace the Great Han. However, at this time, the son was arrogant and lawless, and fiercely smoked a mouth of the family, which made Cao Cao very embarrassed.
Coupled with Cao Zhi's usual behavior, this began to disappoint Cao Cao. Therefore, Cao Zhi lost Cao Cao's favor because of the lack of virtue. After all, Cao Cao not only valued talent, but also valued morality.
Therefore, Cao Zhi has been harshly banned since then, and it is no longer possible to meddle in politics. Among Cao Cao's sons, in addition to Cao Zhi, it is natural to count Cao Pi as the highest, and Cao Pi has always maintained a good moral image, so Cao Cao finally had to choose Cao Pi to inherit himself.