Preface
Cao Cao, as a generation of traitors during the Three Kingdoms period, his political wisdom is often breathtaking. However, some of his actions are often puzzling, such as knowing that "blackmailing the Son of Heaven to make the princes" invalid, why did he still resort to such methods?
Perhaps, Cao Cao did this not simply to achieve his own political goals, but more likely out of a far-sighted consideration. He may understand that politics is not only a simple struggle for power, but also a psychological warfare and a battle of public opinion.
By "coercing the Son of Heaven to order the princes", Cao Cao may have tried to create a momentum, a kind of prestige, in the political arena in order to show his strength and unifying power both internally and externally. What kind of political wisdom is behind this kind of behavior? Let us talk about it in detail today.
1. The establishment of the Yingchuan base camp
In the spring of the first year of Jian'an, Cao Cao defeated Yuan He, the prime minister of Chen, appointed by Yuan Shu, and entered Chen County. This is undoubtedly a major breakthrough for Cao Cao in politics. Previously, Cao Cao had been trapped in Yanzhou, struggling to make a difference. But now, he has finally opened the road to Luoyang, laying the foundation for his further political development.
Cao Cao knew very well that in order to gain a foothold in these turbulent times, military force alone was not enough. He needs to build a more solid and lasting political foundation. So, he set his sights on Yingchuan.
Yingchuan is a large county with a developed economy and a large population, and Cao Cao has a strong political influence here, which is undoubtedly an ideal choice. As a result, Cao Cao set Xu County in Yingchuan County as his new base camp, and took his wife and children from Juancheng.
This move was a major political layout for Cao Cao. By making Xu County his home base, Cao Cao could not only gain greater control over the region, but also bind himself to the interests of the Yingchuan scholars and strengthen their loyalty.
At the same time, Cao Cao also began to work on cleaning up dissidents. In September of the first year of Jian'an, he dismissed Situ Chun Yujia, Taiwei Yang Biao, Sikong Zhang Xi and others, and killed Yilang Hou Qi, Shangshu Feng Shuo, and Shizhong Taichong. This is to further consolidate his political position.
Second, the strategy of "serving the Son of Heaven to order not to obey".
Just as Cao Cao was cementing his position in Yingchuan, an even more significant decision was in the works. In May of the first year of Jian'an, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty added Cao Cao as the general of Jiande, and in June, he was promoted to the general of Zhendong and was given the title of Marquis of Feiting.
This is a kind of recognition and trust in Cao Cao. Therefore, Cao Cao put forward the strategy of "serving the Son of Heaven to order not to obey". This strategy was undoubtedly a major political adventure for Cao Cao. After all, in these turbulent times, no one can truly control the fate of the Son of Heaven.
Cao Cao's subordinates also raised many objections: the eastern part of the country was not peaceful, the rogue was everywhere, and the emperor was too energy-consuming, money-consuming; Moreover, now the emperor's generals Han Xian and Yang Feng are all Yellow Turban remnants, and they hijack the imperial court, and it is difficult to welcome the Son of Heaven to him safely and unharmed.
However, Cao Cao saw the great value of this strategy. As a man from a family of eunuchs, Cao Cao has always lacked sufficient political status and influence. Through the strategy of "Fengtianzi", he can obtain a more solid political foundation, so as to better realize his political ambitions.
So, with the support of Xun Yu and Cheng Yu, Cao Cao decided to implement this strategy. He sent Cao Hong to lead his army west to meet the Son of Heaven, but was blocked by the Wei general Dong Cheng in the Xingyang Chenggao area. This setback did not dampen Cao Cao's determination.
He realized that in order to successfully implement the "Fengtianzi" strategy, it was necessary to achieve a certain balance with the various forces within the imperial court. As a result, he began to negotiate with Dong Cheng and provided military rations to Yang Feng, Han Xian and others to maintain a good relationship.
3. The relocation of the capital of Xudu
Just as Cao Cao was maneuvering with various forces within the imperial court, a more critical decision was brewing - moving the capital to Xu County. Cao Cao knew very well that in order to truly control the Son of Heaven, it was far from enough to rely on the game within the imperial court. He needed a more solid political foundation, and Xu County met that need.
Xu County is located in the eastern part of Yingchuan County, with abundant people and few wars, and Cao Cao has established his base camp here, which is undoubtedly an ideal choice. More importantly, setting up the capital of the Han Dynasty in Yingchuan could firmly bind the interests of Cao Cao and the Yingchuan scholars and strengthen their loyalty.
However, this decision was not without its challenges. Yang Feng and Han Xian were obviously not going to give up control of Emperor Xian easily, and they were bound to thwart Cao Cao's plans. So, Cao Cao found Dong Zhao, a councillor beside Emperor Xian of Han, and asked him for advice.
Dong Zhao proposed an ingenious plan: Cao Cao could temporarily move the imperial court south to Luyang on the grounds of food supply difficulties, and wait until the emperor drove out of Luoyang, and then suddenly reroute to the east to reach Xu County. In this way, Yang Feng and Han Xian will inevitably be caught off guard, and great things can be achieved.
Cao Cao was overjoyed and immediately put it into action. On August 27 of the first year of Jian'an, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty officially moved the capital to Xu County, which was the capital of Xu. This move was undoubtedly a major success of Cao Cao's political adventure.
Fourth, clean up dissidents and consolidate their position
With the support of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao's political status was also greatly improved. He first took away all the official positions of Han Xian, and then worshiped Emperor Han Xian as a general and made him the Marquis of Wuping.
At the same time, Cao Cao also began to reward Emperor Xian of Han in large quantities in order to gain more of his trust. According to historical records, Cao Cao paid tribute to the Han Dynasty and presented the emperor's imperial objects as many as 14 times in his life, and each time there were no less than 30 kinds. This is undoubtedly Cao Cao's political wisdom of "giving to gain".
However, Cao Cao was not satisfied. He began to further purge dissidents and consolidate his position. In September of the first year of Jian'an, he dismissed Situ Chun Yujia, Taiwei Yang Biao, Sikong Zhang Xi and others, and killed Yilang Hou Qi, Shangshu Feng Shuo, and Shizhong Taichong.
This series of measures is aimed at further consolidating his political position. Cao Cao knew very well that in order to truly control the world, it was not enough to rely on a good relationship with Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty. He needs to purge those who might threaten his position in order to secure his rule.
At the same time, Cao Cao also began to expand abroad. In October of the first year of Jian'an, he personally set out on an expedition and attacked Liang County, the base camp of Yang Feng and Han Xianam. Yang Feng and Han Xian were defeated, so they had to flee south to Yangzhou and defect to Yuan Shu. Cao Cao's first general, Xu Huang, also took the opportunity to break away from Yang Feng and defected to Cao Cao.
This series of measures was undoubtedly a major success of Cao Cao's political adventure. Not only did he consolidate his position within the imperial court, but he also succeeded in expanding his sphere of influence, laying the foundation for the eventual unification of the world.
epilogue
Cao Cao's life can be described as a magnificent history of political adventure. From an obscure magistrate to finally becoming the de facto controller of the Han family, his life trajectory is undoubtedly remarkable. This is a story worth learning and pondering.
In this rapidly changing era, we need to learn to be like Cao Cao, to have both lofty ideals and decisive action. Only in this way can we become true political giants in these turbulent times.