To Cao Cao, 208 AD was a watershed for him! Not only because of the Battle of Chibi at the end of the year, but also because of this year, there was also a landmark event - Cao Cao deposed the Three Dukes, and the power monopolized and became the prime minister!
It is known that in the power structure of the late Han Dynasty, Taiwei, Situ, and Sikong were the three most powerful official positions, collectively known as the Three Dukes. Until then, Cao Cao had been serving as Sikong. This meant that even if Cao Cao was a cattleman, he could not bypass the separation of power between Taiwei and Situ, so this gave Emperor Xiandi of Han room to operate.
So how did Cao Cao depose the Three Dukes as chancellors in this year? In a nutshell, it is a clever operation of "two stones and three birds".
First: Why did Cao Cao pit Zhao Wen?
Zhao Wen was an official at that time! He was also a popular figure who said: "When the eldest husband is a male flying, can ann be a female?" "Is a hardcore Defender of the Han Chamber." He had been following this Han Xian emperor and did not hesitate to turn his face to Li Daoguo, so he was almost killed.
Therefore, Zhao Wen was actually an important fulcrum for Emperor Xian of Han and resisting Cao Cao's suppression. Unexpectedly, in 208 AD, Zhao Wen did something that is still confusing: he wrote to Emperor Xian of Han and recommended Cao Pi to come out!
This was originally something that Cao Cao could not ask for, but Cao Cao was furious and sent a letter to Emperor Xian of Han, impeaching Zhao Wen for "untruthful recommendations." This eventually led to Zhao Wen being deposed and soon dying that year.
Analysis: No matter from which angle this matter is said, it is too nonsensical. After all, this is only a small thing, and it should not bear such a big responsibility. The reason for this result is probably only because of one point: Zhao Wen recommended Cao Pi to come out, most likely because he conspired with Emperor Xian of Han, and a black operation that was unfavorable to Cao Cao was recognized by Cao Cao.
Of course, it is not excluded that Zhao Wen patted Cao Cao's ass, but did not shoot the point. Obviously, no matter which one, as Cao Cao's words, it can be regarded as a pit for Zhao Wen. As a result, not only did the official position of Situ become vacant, but also an important fulcrum of Emperor Xian of Han was removed.
Second: Why did Cao Cao kill Kong Rong?
Before Zhao Wen's dismissal was over, Cao Cao began the second wave of operations, this time directly at Kong Rong!
Previously, Kong Rong had been disobeying Cao Cao in various ways, and Cao Cao had always endured it. However, with Zhao Wen deposed, Cao Cao intervened, but chose a man named Xi Wei.
Xi Wei and Kong Rong originally belonged to the circle of Emperor Xian of Han. The two even fanned each other, and Xi Shu praised Kong Rong as: after Confucius, the contemporary sage. Kong Rong praised Xi Fiercely: Zheng Xuan's most powerful disciple, today's celebrity leader, Wen wu shuangquan!
When Emperor Xiandi of Han was screwed up, Emperor Xiandi of Han once asked Kong Rong, "How do you say that Xi Xiandi is worried about this person?" ”
Kong Rong said: "He is a big bull man, but he must not give real power. Xi Huan immediately counterattacked, "What's so awesome about your Kong Rong?" Look at when you were the Minister of the North Sea, you didn't do anything, and now you don't even have the territory! ”
Therefore, Xi Wei and Kong Rong developed from mutual powder to "mutual black", and Cao Cao keenly seized this opportunity, just after removing Zhao Wen from his official position, he immediately asked Emperor Xian of Han to arrange Xi Wei to the position of Imperial Master, responsible for supervising or impeaching officials.
This is simply to create an opportunity for Xi Tou to avenge. And Xi Huan also quickly committed several major crimes against Kong Rong, so Kong Rong was eventually killed!
Analysis: Xi Wei and Kong Rong were the other two fulcrums on which Emperor Xian of Han relied. However, Emperor Xian of Han could not balance the two, which led to serious infighting. Therefore, Cao Cao's dismissal of Zhao Wen's official post and the use of Xi Shu to kill Kong Rong were obviously an effect of "two stones and three birds"!
At once, the three most important fulcrums around Emperor Xiandi of Han were almost all removed! At this moment, although Xi was left with worries, he couldn't make any more waves.
Third: It was only after 6 years that I learned that Cao Cao was really clever
If Cao Cao pits Zhao Wen and kills Kong Rong, just to be a chancellor, at most he can only say that Cao Cao's belly is black. But Cao Cao's ultimate goal was obviously not this. Because 6 years later, another "pickpocketing Han Xiandi bottom pants" incident appeared. This is the Queen of Ambush.
At that time, Cao Cao appointed two people to do this, one was Hua Yun and the other was Xi Wei! At that time, Xi Huan was clearly the person in charge of this operation.
As a result, the history books only record that Hua Yun grabbed Empress Fu's hair from inside the wall and pulled it out, just passing in front of Emperor Xiandi of Han's eyes. At that time, after Emperor Xiandi of Han said to Empress Fu, "I don't know if I can survive myself," he said to Xi Wei again, "Duke Xi, there is evil in the world!" "Xi worries from beginning to end, does not say a word, does not do a thing!
Analysis: Why did Cao Cao assign Xi Wei to take charge of this? Obviously, it was to strike a final blow at Emperor Xiandi of Han and completely crush Emperor Xiandi of Han psychologically! Because, even the courtiers you rely on are so silent, how can you expect others? Recognize reality!
Fourth: general analysis
Therefore, the struggle between Cao Cao and Emperor Xian of Han has always been quite fierce. It was not that after Cao Cao received Emperor Xian of Han to Xu Du, he controlled the other side, and even once Emperor Xian of Han still had the advantage.
For example, once when Cao Cao went to see Emperor Xian of Han, he was put on Cao Cao's neck with a sword and axe by a samurai, and pressed all the way into the palace, at that time, Cao Cao was so frightened that he sweated, he didn't know what he said, and he never dared to go to the palace again.
If in 200 AD, Cao Cao killed Dong Cheng, Dong Guifei, etc., only before the Battle of Guandu, in order to ensure the stability of the rear, then this series of moves in 208 AD can be called a clever operation, completely destroying almost all the fulcrums of Emperor Xian of Han, until 6 years later, "ripping off his bottoms" and announcing the complete victory of Cao Wei's forces!