Preface
Is a brick built on the ground destined to become part of a high-rise building, or will it eventually become a mess of rocks? When Cao Shuang stood at the pinnacle of power, did he ever expect that he would usher in such a tragic end?
What was the reason for his total loss? Was it because of bad luck? Or was he too underestimated? Or, as many people say, he was just a mediocre and incompetent kid?
Is Cao Shuang's defeat a fate or a humiliation? And how did Sima Yi, the old minister who suddenly rose up, step by step, finally overthrow this seemingly hot minister in one fell swoop, thus opening the prelude to Sima's usurpation of the throne?
Be proud of your ambitions, and sharpen your steel
Cao Shuang, a native of Peiguo County, Yuzhou, is the eldest son of Cao Zhen, a famous general of Cao Wei, who was born intelligent and loves literature and music. Perhaps it is precisely because he was born in a famous family that he is a little arrogant in his personality. But when Cao Zhen died, Cao Shuang was only in his early 20s, and he was still young and frivolous.
After Cao Zhen's death, Cao Shuang inherited the title of Marquis of Shaoling, and thought that he would live comfortably in this life. However, the heavens did not seem to want him to stop there, and the change of fortune set him on the road of no return to the top of power.
In 239, Emperor Cao Rong of Wei Ming fell seriously ill, and when he was dying, he chose Cao Fang, the 8-year-old king of Qi, as the crown prince. Cao Rong was worried about ruining the ancestral industry, so he ordered the clan and important ministers to jointly assist the government. originally wanted Cao Shuang to be one of the roles of power checks and balances, but he didn't want other clan ministers to start fighting for power, which caused Cao Liang to be furious.
The fierce anger ignited Cao Rong's hope. He changed the edict to only let Cao Shuang and Sima Yi, who was already in his sixtieth year, jointly assist the government, and issued an order for the intimacy of the Son of Heaven, hoping that the two could support each other and jointly help the young master.
For a while, Cao Shuang, who was still mourning for his father, was suddenly pushed to the center of power. Although it is said that he is fighting against Sima Yi, Sima Yi is already in his twilight years, and Cao Shuang can't help but have some small expectations in his heart - maybe he will be able to monopolize power in a few years, won't he do whatever he wants?
However, the good times did not last long, and Cao Rong soon drove west. Leaving 8-year-old Cao Fang on the throne as emperor, Cao Shuang and Sima Yi were regent of the court. One stone stirs up a thousand waves, and the mountains and rivers meet the heroes.
became a proud son and stepped on the wrong court etiquette
Cao Shuang was originally an extravagant, and after the death of his father, he was burdened with heavy responsibilities, and he was even more indulgent and arrogant. Not only did he live a luxurious life, but he also bought people's hearts, wantonly promoted his henchmen, and also accepted several talented people from Cao Rong as concubines.
Seeing that he was so lawless, the ministers of the DPRK and China were also a little unbearable. Among them, Jiang Ji, the etheric lieutenant, understood best, so he admonished and reprimanded him, and his words were fierce. Cao Shuang was domineering, and Jiang Ji was furious as soon as he came up, and immediately dismissed him from his official position.
This is a blatant violation of the imperial court system, which arouses the indignation of the ministers. Even Sima Yi had to call his illness abnormal and go back to his home to recuperate. Cao Shuang, who was in power, got carried away, looked at Sima Yi, who was sick and decadent, and finally couldn't hold back the joy in his heart - presumably the old man won't live for a few years, and then the court will really have the final say!
Although he has won the game, Cao Shuang's ambition is far more than that. He used his henchman He Yan to enter the palace to monitor the Qing Emperor, and also united with the eunuch Zhang Dang, intending to separate the emperor and the queen mother.
The powerful minister with infinite scenery has decided not to be an auxiliary minister step by step, and what he thinks in his heart is that one day he can let Cao Fangchan give up to himself, and then he can rightfully take charge of Cao Wei!
The heart is surging, in vain trying to make contributions to Shu
However, when Cao Shuang was plotting so badly, he ushered in the first failure of his life. Perhaps seeing that there was no opposition from the government and the opposition, or because he wanted to establish military merits and consolidate his power, in 244, Cao Shuang, who was less than 30 years old, made a rash decision to send troops to conquer the isolated Shu Han.
The move aroused strong opposition from Sima Yi. As an old minister, he knew that starting a war at this time would inevitably startle the snake. Moreover, Xishu is mountainous, and it has always been a hard bone in the military. But Cao Shuang didn't listen, and still insisted on sending troops.
Be prepared for danger in times of peace, and eventually retire from the army
When the soldiers arrived in the Shu realm, Cao Shuang knew that the battlefield was not as simple as he thought. The mountains are high and the roads are far away, and the transportation of military rations is not continuous. And the Shu Han army had long been prepared and occupied favorable terrain.
Seeing that the army was in a bitter battle, Cao Shuang had no intention of fighting. Under the persuasion of his subordinates, he had to announce the withdrawal of his troops gloomily. This battle not only failed to establish Cao Shuang's prestige, but made those who were already dissatisfied with him even more contemptible. Cao Shuang also understood that he had been defeated and returned to his hometown. So after returning to the court, he was determined to make no mistakes again, and to silence those who opposed him completely.
So, Cao Shuang took more extreme measures. not only completely expelled Sima Yi, but also removed all the courtiers who dared to admonish him. He wanted to fill in the opposition in everything, but he didn't know that this had planted a hidden danger in everyone's hearts.
The arrogant soldiers will be defeated, and it is difficult for scholars to be in power
The pinnacle of power is perhaps the most confusing part of the world. When you have a sense of control, you are more likely to be blindly arrogant. Cao Shuang was bent on suppressing the voices that opposed him, but he didn't realize that the wave had unconsciously accumulated momentum, and it was brewing at the moment when it erupted not far away. Until the moment when Sima Yi personally led his troops into the arsenal - it was too late.
When Cao Shuang was still intoxicated with pleasure, Empress Dowager Guo had already launched a coup d'état with Sima Yi. Cao Shuang was caught off guard by a decree announcing his deposition, and he fled to his father's old tomb, Gaoping Mausoleum, before he even had time to take the young emperor with him.
Sima Yi got the verdict of the Empress Dowager Guo, and a hint of revenge could not help but rise in his heart. For many years, he swallowed his anger, and even had to lower himself to please the arrogant kid in front of him. Now, I can finally stand on the high ground and look down on each other.
"The ministers are willing to donate this old body and return Your Majesty to Qingming!" In order to make this operation appear justified, Jiang Ji and other old ministers even presented a beautiful name called "Kuang Fu Sheji". In the recital, he criticized Cao Shuang for usurping the throne and tried to exaggerate the threat of an imminent coup d'état. Sima Yi looked at the piece proudly, his eyes full of cunning and fierceness. And at this moment, what he was thinking about was actually not recovering the world.
He understood that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rid of the chaos by the hands of the emperor, and after he succeeded, he would be able to control the power of the court and let the gentle and cowardly Cao Fang become a puppet in his hands. Even, perhaps one day, the Sima family will be able to replace the old Cao family and establish their own dynasty as emperor......
The conspiracy succeeded, and public opinion gradually settled
Cao Shuang has always been famous, and his appearance of rushing away when he heard the news made the ministers firmly believe that he must rebel. Sima Yi pushed the boat down the river and immediately arranged for people to spread rumors that Cao Shuang was plotting to seize the throne.
A lie repeated a thousand times becomes true. Soon, all kinds of criticism about Cao Shuang were rumored to be ironclad evidence. Even if some old ministers were somewhat suspicious, they had no choice but not to comment on Sima Yi's behavior. How dare the cowardly Son of Heaven go against the decision of the resolute minister?
Cao Shuang retreated to Gaopingling, bent on calling on soldiers and horses to crusade against the enemy in the name of the emperor. The cronies also thought about it and gave all kinds of ways to retreat, as long as they fled with the emperor, there was still a lot to be done.
However, the will of heaven is difficult to disobey, and no amount of loyal advice can make Cao Shuang change his mind. In the face of the emperor he personally supported, he still felt lucky - maybe he would be able to survive by giving up his power and honestly admitting his mistakes. After all, no one would really be ruthless to the Son of Heaven's clan, would they?
I don't want to be on issues related to life and death, he still maintains the frivolity and naivety in his bones. It is precisely the hesitation at this moment that makes the tragedy that resounded in the future inevitable for the government and the opposition.
Sure enough, the scheming Sima Yi quickly rebelled against Cao Shuang's henchmen. One confession after another proved the "ironclad evidence" of Cao Shuang's rebellion, and finally made the Son of Heaven make up his mind.
entered the capital with pride, but had no choice but to give way to the adulterous appearance
When Cao Shuang stepped into Luoyang again, he was greeted not by servants and beautiful women, but by prisons and chains. In the legend of the Tang Dynasty Shuanglong, Li Yuan said a sentence before releasing Wang Shichong: "If you disarm and return to the field, I will not harm you!" However, this oath of tolerance was not fulfilled on Cao Shuang's body after all.
Facing his nephew, Emperor Wei finally relented and ordered Cao Shuang's family to be killed. Perhaps, as later history books say, imperial power is such a butcher's knife with blood on it. Forced by the situation, the Son of Heaven will eventually give up his own relatives and let them become victims of the usurpation plot.
epilogue
With a tragic scream, the bloody case came to an end. Cao Shuang died with regret at the age of 30. His proud clan bloodline and prominent status did not bring him even a glimmer of life after all.
Perhaps from the day he decided to embark on the path to power, the shadow of doom was already looming. After all, the careerist will not escape the fate of the black sheep, even if he has not had time to really use his means. Young and vigorous, he has not yet realized that in this power game without gunpowder, no one can be left alone.
For a time, only Sima Yi was left above the court. He wiped out the last rival for power, and he was finally able to assume the posture of a master alone. It's just that he realizes that he is also stepping on the road of no return, and in the end, he will not escape the fate of destruction?