Among Cao Cao's 25 heirs, there were 4 candidates who could be recognized by him, namely Cao Ang, Cao Chong, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhi. Among them, Cao Ang was born to Lady Liu, the eldest son of Cao Cao, the so-called Li Concubine to the long is not to be virtuous, lizi to be noble is not to be long, under the inheritance system of the eldest son, Cao Ang does occupy a great advantage.
In addition, Cao Ang was raised by Lady Ding, who had more say in Cao Cao's side than other ladies. In addition, Cao Ang was older than Cao Pi and others, and had been following Cao Cao's side in the southern conquest of the northern war, accumulating a certain amount of political capital and military strength. Therefore, in the case of his own ability and cao cao's love, if there is no accident, Cao Ang's position is still very stable.
But unfortunately, in the Battle of Wancheng, because of Zhang Xiu's surrender and rebellion, Cao Ang gave up his mount to Cao Cao, walked to protect him from escaping, and finally died in Wancheng. After Cao Ang's death, Lady Ding severed ties with Cao Cao, and Cao Cao could only once again choose candidates from among the remaining heirs.
At this time, Cao Cao, born to Lady Huan, rushed into Cao Cao's eyes. Cao Chong was a child prodigy, and at the age of five or six, his intelligence was "like an adult". The most important thing is that Cao Chong is not only intelligent, but also benevolent and loving by nature. For Cao Chong, Cao Cao was very fond of him and had the intention of making him a prince.
Even Cao Pi later had to sigh, "If Cao Chong is still alive, there will be no position of my crown prince." At the age of thirteen, Cao Chong died tragically. As a result, the only people who could compete for the title of heir candidate were Cao Pi and Cao Zhi. Among them, Cao Zhi's initial advantage was even greater than That of Cao Pi.
Both Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were born to Lady Bian, and after Lady Bian became the head of the house, Cao Pi also became the eldest son. However, because Cao Cao hesitated for a long time on the establishment of the heir, it was inevitable that it would affect his subordinates and become a situation in which the two groups of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were formed to compete.
Most of Cao Cao's sons were baptized on the battlefield, and Cao Pi followed Cao Cao on his conquests of the north and south from the age of 10. During the Battle of Wancheng, the 10-year-old Cao Pi also went out with the army, and later after Zhang Xiu's rebellion, he also escaped by horse. During the Southern Expedition against Sun Quan, Cao Pi was also in the army, and when Xun Yu went to the labor army, he also talked with Cao Pi about archery techniques.
And Cao Zhi was not bad, at the age of 15, he and Cao Cao's Eastern Expedition to pirate Guan Cheng; at the age of 16, he invaded Liucheng in the north; and at the age of 17, he invaded Liu Biao in the south. It can be said that Cao Pi and Cao Zhi's experience in the battlefield is not low, and they also have a certain prestige in the army.
In literature, the brothers' literary attainments are also good, especially Cao Zhi, who wrote "Luoshen Fu", "White Horse Chapter", "Stage Fu", etc. are appreciated, and are called "Immortal Talents" by the world, with the reputation of "there is only one stone in the world, and Cao Zijian has the reputation of eight buckets". It is precisely because of Cao Zhi's literary brilliance that Cao Cao was greatly surprised.
In addition, because Cao Zhi's temperament is frank and natural, he does not pay attention to solemn appearance, carriage and horse costumes, and does not pursue gorgeous and rich, etc., which is also in line with Cao Cao's wishes. After all, Cao Cao is a person who advocates frugality, is not good at flamboyance, and leads by example. At this point, Cao Zhi won Cao Cao's heart.
Moreover, at that time, the people who assisted Cao Zhi were Yang Xiu, Ding Yi and others, among whom Yang Xiu was not only born from the "Hongnong Yang Clan" of the Fourth Dynasty and the Third Duke, he was also Cao Cao's master bookkeeper, and the news was particularly well-informed. At this point, Cao Zhi has an advantage over Cao Pi. Therefore, Cao Cao repeatedly wanted to establish Cao Zhi as his heir.
But unfortunately, Cao Zhi, who had an advantage in the early stage, finally lost to his brother Cao Pi, and there were three main reasons.
First, Cao Zhi's talent is too strong. Cao Zhi was very literate, and Cao Cao was also a literary scholar, and he really appreciated Cao Zhi's literary talent. However, governing the country, ruling subordinates, and poetry are different, and if there is no scheming and tough means, it will not be able to convince the public, especially those veteran generals who followed Cao Cao in the southern conquest of the northern war. It was precisely because of this that Cao Cao seemed hesitant.
Second, Cao Zhi is frank and natural, but often acts willfully, not paying attention to grooming and restraining himself. As a great talent, there is no problem in being frank and natural, and willful, after all, geniuses have their own personalities and ways of doing things. However, as the future monarch of Cao Wei, Cao Zhi could not act willfully and not pay attention to grooming and restraining himself. If Cao Zhi becomes the lord of Cao Wei and is still willful, then the subordinates will inevitably do the same.
Once, Cao Zhi was furious when he rode in a car and opened Sima Men without authorization, much to Cao Cao's infuriation, and even the bus order that was in charge of Sima Men at that time was executed. Sima Men is an important military place such as an important city gate and a military gate, and if you break through without military orders, you will certainly be punished.
Unlike Cao Zhi, Cao Pi used tactics while regulating his own words and deeds. Because of this, Cao Pi won the support of most people and recovered the disadvantages in the early stage.
Third, Cao Zhi drank without restraint. In 219, Cao Ren was besieged by Guan Yu, and after receiving the news of rescue, Cao Cao immediately sent Cao Zhi to lead troops to rescue Cao Ren. However, because he was drunk and drunk, Cao Zhi was not able to accept the order. It is precisely because of this incident that Cao Zhi not only lost Cao Cao's favor, but was no longer reused.
In the end, Cao Pi, while standardizing his words and deeds, with the assistance of Sima Yi, Wu Zhi and others, finally defeated Cao Zhi in the struggle for succession and was established as the son of the Prince of Wei; and Cao Zhi, under the strict prevention and restriction of Cao Pi and Cao Rui's father and son, not only did not improve, but finally died of illness in melancholy.