In the vast ocean of Chinese literature, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is undoubtedly a majestic mountain. The characters in it are like bright stars, and Cao Cao is one of the most dazzling stars.
He is known as "the able minister who governs the world and the hero of the troubled times", and such an evaluation undoubtedly shows his important position in history. Cao Cao's background is not prominent, but his talent and wisdom are like a sharp sword, cutting through the darkness of history.
He knows heroes and values heroes, and he has a unique vision that can see through the essence of people at a glance. Because of this, he gathered groups of capable people and cadres around him, and they fought side by side for a common goal and created a new world.
His harmony with the ministers is also a reflection of his charisma. His tolerance and generosity made many people willing to follow him and serve him. However, no one is perfect, and there are some flaws in his merits.
He had a jealous and suspicious side, which made him such a famous name in history. It can be glimpsed from the change in his attitude towards Yang Xiu.
In the records of historical books, after Yang Xiu's death, Cao Cao once asked Yang Xiu's father Yang Biao in a playful tone: "Why have you lost so much weight?" The emotions contained in this sentence may be out of mockery of Yang Biao, or out of sympathy for him, but we have no way of knowing. However, Yang Biao's response has become a good story that has been passed down through the ages.
Brilliant
In the eyes of most people, Yang Xiu may be just an unknown soldier who serves Cao Cao. But in reality, this perception is wrong. Yang Xiu is not from an ordinary background, his family Hongnong Yang has a long history and is powerful in the world.
Since Yang Zhen in the early years of the Eastern Han Dynasty, his ancestors have always been in high positions and have far-reaching influence. Yang Zhen was the Taiwei of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and for three consecutive generations, the Yang clan was all official to the Taiwei, and he was prominent. This magnificent history is recorded in the Book of the Later Han Dynasty: "From the earthquake to Biao, the fourth Taiwei." ”
As a member of this brilliant family, Yang Xiu naturally got more opportunities and a bigger stage. He grew up under the strict education of his family, was well read by the scriptures, and was erudite and talented.
His wisdom and talent made him stand out in Cao Cao's mansion. Although many still see him as a small soldier, he was in fact Cao Cao's indispensable brainchild.
Yang Xiu showed extraordinary intelligence from an early age, he was not satisfied with the status quo, and continued to be eager to learn, this intelligent and studious quality was extremely rare at the time, making him the best of the children of the family. When he was young, Yang Xiu's talent was recognized by everyone.
He was elected as filial piety and officially entered the officialdom. Later, he was given a more important position, serving as Cao Cao's chief secretary in the Prime Minister's Mansion. The role of the master bookkeeper was crucial in the busy political affairs of the ancient empire. Although he is not a high-ranking official, he is the actual operator of state power.
Whenever Cao Cao wielded his sword on the battlefield to command, Yang Xiu silently handled political affairs in the imperial court, using his ingenuity to solve difficult problems, and using his decisions and actions to ensure that political affairs ran correctly. His performance can always be praised and appreciated by Cao Cao, and gradually occupies an important position in Cao Cao's heart.
However, Yang Xiu's ingenuity has also become his Achilles' heel. His lack of political wisdom eventually led to his suspicion and misunderstanding by Cao Cao.
Invite death
When Cao Cao's power reached its peak, the choice of an heir became a problem that could not be ignored. He has many sons, but the one who wins his heart the most is Cao Chong, a witty and talented teenager. However, fate ruthlessly took away Cao Chong's young life, and after Cao Chong's early death, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi became the main heirs.
In this fierce competition for the heir, Yang Xiu chose to help Cao Zhi, and gave him advice many times to help him pass the various tests set by Cao Cao. However, there is no such thing as an impermeable wall. Cao Cao eventually discovered Yang Xiu's intervention. As a generation of overlords, he naturally cannot tolerate the intervention of outsiders.
In his opinion, testing his son was a family matter, and Yang Xiu's intervention was undoubtedly a provocation to him. Cao Cao was furious and wanted to severely punish Yang Xiu in order to maintain his authority and dignity. However, considering the high status and influence of Yang Xiu's family, Cao Cao only decided to deprive Yang Xiu of his fortune for one year, without giving him substantial punishment.
At this point, ordinary people can detect the killing intent in Cao Cao's heart. However, Yang Xiu Congming I was extremely blind at this moment, he mistakenly thought that Cao Cao's punishment was an affirmation of his talent, and even more confidently intervened in military and political affairs, and conveyed orders without authorization. This undoubtedly touched Cao Cao's bottom line.
When Cao Cao learned of Yang Xiu's actions, he was furious. He quickly ordered Yang Xiu to be arrested and executed. Although Yang Xiu was given death, after all, he was born in a prestigious family. His father, Yang Biao, is the patriarch of the Yang family and enjoys high prestige. Therefore, in order to find out Yang Biao's views on Yang Xiu's death, Cao Cao decided to invite Yang Biao to a banquet.
At the banquet, Cao Cao stared sharply at Yang Biao, who was described as haggard, and asked with pretended concern: "Why haven't you seen Yang Gong lose so much weight for a few days?" Yang Biao was like a mirror in his heart, knowing that Cao Cao was suspicious by nature, and this question was actually a test for him.
He knew that once the answer was slightly wrong, not only would his own life be in danger. The Yang family is one hundred and ten people, facing a huge crisis, and the century-old foundation of the Yang family may be ruined. Yang Biao took a deep breath and said sadly: "I am ashamed of the foresight of the sun, and I still cherish the love of the old cow licking the calf." ”
The approximate meaning of this sentence is: he deeply misses his deceased son, and the remorse in his heart is pouring into his heart like a tide. He often thinks that if he had had enough insight to detect and correct his son's mistakes earlier, maybe the outcome would have been different. However, his love for his son remained the same, as deep as that of an old calf.
Jin Ri was a minister during the period of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, he had two sons, but was killed by Jin Ri himself for misconduct.
Thousands of years later, the words "old cow licking calves" were widely spread, and evolved into a father's protection and love for his children. Yang Biao skillfully uses this allusion to criticize his son's actions and express his sadness as a father. His words were sharp and calm, touching the listeners.
Cao Cao felt the deep meaning in Yang Biao's words and felt sympathy. He knew Yang Biao's wisdom and skill, and understood that Yang Biao had preserved the Hongnong Yang family in this way.
Yang Biao and Yang Xiu, one calm and wise, the other rash and impulsive, the two have a great contrast in personality and behavior. This historical story has been passed down to this day, teaching us to be patient and wise in all circumstances, and not to act lightly.