Why did Cao Cao kill Hua Tuo? The Book of the Later Han revealed the truth, and Cao Cao was right
During the Three Kingdoms period, Emperor Cao Cao of Wei Wu killed the medical saint Hua Tuo, which was quite controversial. Many people believe that Cao Cao's death in anger because of Hua Tuo's unwillingness to treat him is a hateful act of revenge. However, when we open the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, we will find that there is much more to this reason. History is not a one-sided statement, and we need to adopt a multi-angle and open vision in order to obtain a more objective judgment.
Hua Tuo was originally a Confucian scholar and knew the scriptures, and later became a generation of medical saints through diligent study and Xi, creating many medical miracles. However, he had a proud personality and despised the social environment of the time, believing that the status of doctors was too low and a shame, so he refused to treat doctors or the powerful. Cao Cao learned that Hua Tuo had strong medical skills and invited him to see a doctor many times, but Hua Tuo refused for various reasons. Cao Cao was furious and imprisoned Hua Tuo, intending to blackmail his medical skills. Hua Tuo did not comply, and also said many words of contempt for Cao Cao, and was finally executed by Cao Cao.
The Book of the Later Han Dynasty gives more details - it turns out that Hua Tuo is arrogant and arrogant, and he has many actions that violate medical ethics; He approached Cao Cao with bad intentions, pretending to diagnose and treat, but in fact he was perfunctory; After being imprisoned, he still went his own way, insulting Cao Cao with insults, and had no intention of repenting. In addition, Hua Tuo's medical skills were strong, and Cao Cao was worried that his skills would be passed on to the enemy, which would be unfavorable to him. According to this, the Book of the Later Han Dynasty said that Hua Tuo was "hard to find out about sexual evil, and he was ashamed to take medicine as a profession", and Cao Cao killed him out of consideration for the overall situation of the country, not simply revenge.
A closer look at Cao Cao's motives for killing Hua Tuo can be summarized as follows:
First, Hua Tuo refused Cao Cao's retention many times, which was tantamount to rebellion in Cao Cao's eyes. Cao Cao is determined to unify the world and needs the assistance of talents, Hua Tuo is talented and unwilling to serve, how can Cao Cao tolerate it.
Second, Hua Tuo deceived Cao Cao to visit his wife on the grounds that he was not cured, but in fact he refused to see a doctor. Cao Cao was known for his rigor and attached great importance to the righteous law, and did not allow anyone to be false and wrongful in front of him. Hua Tuo's perfunctory behavior aroused Cao Cao's suspicion, and it was reasonable for him to be imprisoned.
Third, after imprisoning Hua Tuo, Hua Tuo did not repent, but insulted Cao Cao in person. Cao Cao was the lord of the Wei State, how could he tolerate the blatant humiliation of the small people. Hua Tuo's actions are tantamount to adding fuel to the fire and bringing about a dead end.
Fourth, Hua Tuo's medical skills are high, and if he is obtained by the enemy, the consequences will be unimaginable. Cao Cao has a suspicious personality, guards against the slightest, and killing Hua Tuo can be said to be based on cautious and calculated national interests.
To sum up, the Book of the Later Han Dynasty justly commented on this matter: Hua Tuo had a rigid personality and violated medical ethics, and there was a reason for his death; Cao Cao's execution of Hua Tuo was not only a personal grudge, but also considered the national economy and people's livelihood.
Of course, we should also look at this history with an open mind:
First, Hua Tuo's medical skills are superb, and killing him is undoubtedly a loss. We should absorb the essence of its medical skills and carry them forward.
Second, Cao Cao's approach was also too strict, and he did not fully tap Hua Tuo's medical value, and he was put to death if he was not careful, and there was room for discussion.
Third, Cao Cao's efforts to override public opinion and establish the Wei State are indispensable. Although Hua Tuo is talented, he is not his talent after all.
Fourth, the treasure of Chinese medicine needs to be passed down from generation to generation. Hua Tuo's death also warns future generations that medical skills should not be arrogant.
From this point of view, Cao Cao's killing of Hua Tuo has its own specific historical conditions, and we should understand and judge it by focusing on the background of the times at that time, and we cannot simply use the value standards of modern people to negate the ancients, nor can we exaggerate its shortcomings. History is complex and multifaceted, and we need to savor it carefully in order to draw the essence from it and avoid rigidity.