In ancient times, there were three ways to transmit imperial power, one was to fight by force, and the other was to succeed the father and the son, both of which treated imperial power as property. However, the world is just and opposes the transmission of the state as property. The third is Zen Concession, which completes the change of dynasty through the selection of talents and the ability to hand over imperial power to recognized sages and the peaceful transfer of power.
Zen Rang previously existed only in the classics, Yao, Shun, Yu Chan Rang. Whether it exists from today's perspective can be doubted. The true Zen renunciation that is accurately documented should have occurred in the year 220.
From 196 to 219 AD, the Jian'an era of the Han XianDi took twenty-four years. In the first month of the twenty-fifth year, a major event occurred in the Han Dynasty, the death of the powerful minister Cao Cao, which meant that the stable structure to ensure the unity of the country no longer existed. Emperor Xian of Han was calm and intelligent, good at grasping the situation, but he also had weaknesses, did not have his own team, did not go to the battlefield, and Cao Cao's death meant that Emperor Xian of Han wanted to support the country, which became very difficult.
At this time, there was another person who was more critical and difficult than Emperor Xian of Han, and he was Cao Cao's son Cao Pi. In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, as soon as Cao Cao died, Cao Pi actively plotted to usurp the throne and enjoy the career of his father Cao Cao. But in real history, after Cao Cao's death, Cao Pi entered the most critical moment.
There are at least three aspects that show Cao Pi's crisis: First, there is a split within the Cao clique. Cao Cao designated Cao Pi as his heir, and Cao Cao died in Luoyang, while Cao Pi was in Yecheng. Cao Zhang rushed to Luoyang first and demanded the seal of the King of Wei. Cao Zhang may have wanted to get into the throne. The contradiction between the Cao brothers was exposed, which was an extremely dangerous signal.
Second, there has been a mutiny in the army. There was a commotion among the Forces of Yecheng, and the army of Luoyang openly resisted the order and mutinied with it, which made Cao Pi anxious.
Third, there was panic between officials and the people. When the conflict between the top levels of the state spread among the people, it is easy for the people to feel that the situation has been turbulent. Cao Pi first felt the existence of the crisis, and the people around him actively plotted to let him quickly inherit the throne and put an end to Cao Zhang's ambitions.
Cao Pi completed the procedure within a day and succeeded the King of Wei. Emperor Xian of Han only came afterwards to posthumously recognize Cao Pi as the "King of Wei". No matter how powerful Cao Cao was, there were very few things he did not do according to the rules, and the procedures that should be taken must be in place. Cao Pi claimed the throne without permission, and he could see his fearful heart.
At this time, there was a commotion among the Qingzhou soldiers, and Cao Pi quickly took measures to appease him. Several events occurred in succession, making Cao Pi realize the tension of the situation, and he could not compare with Cao Cao in terms of personal ability or prestige. When his brother died, he wanted to compete for the throne, indicating that Cao Pi could not even conquer his younger brother. This shows that Cao Pi's weight is not enough, and everyone is not optimistic about him.
Then, if Cao Pi wants to survive this difficulty, he can only turn to things outside his ability to increase his own weight, in essence, to improve his political status. After Emperor Xian of Han learned about it, his attitude was unexpected, and he very happily relinquished the throne, handed over the imperial authority, and let Cao Pi stabilize the situation in the country.
Why did Emperor Xian of Han do this? There is not much existing material, so it can only be analyzed from the perspective of personality and historical situation. The mutiny of the Qingzhou soldiers, the panic of the people, and the improper handling will not only lead to the division of the Cao clique, but also lead to the disintegration of the north again because of the division of the Cao clique. If this is the case, the pace of national reunification will be blocked again.
History proves that this transfer of power has indeed brought the situation under control. It should be emphasized that this time it was not the incompetence of Emperor Xian of Han, but the preservation of the overall situation by sacrificing himself.
Therefore, Cao Pi was very grateful to Emperor Xian of Han, and he gave Emperor Han three important courtesies: one was to pursue the Zhengshuo of the Han Dynasty in the territory; the second was to sacrifice the heavens with the etiquette of the Son of Heaven; and the third was that Emperor Xian of Han was not a subject. After the death of Emperor Xian of Han, he was still buried according to the specifications of the Heavenly Son.
In fact, the Eastern Han Dynasty was already terminally ill during the time of emperor Ling of Han, and emperor Xiandi of Han extended the power of the eastern han dynasty, and these thirty-two years were not easy. After Cao Cao's death, to avoid history turning back, Emperor Xian of Han gave up the throne, which is a great virtue, which can be said to be worthy of Cangsheng.