In the long river of history, the Three Kingdoms period is undoubtedly the most exciting page. Resourcefulness and bravery, intrigue and loyalty, all these constituted the unique charm of that era. When it comes to Cao Cao, people often think of his bravery and wisdom, but beside him, there are also two highly influential strategists: Jia Xu and Cheng Yu. The resourcefulness of these two men was not only awe-inspiring, but it also made Cao Cao think twice many times. Why did Cao Cao use their strategy at a critical moment? Today, we will uncover the scenes.
On the stage of the Three Kingdoms, Jia Xu and Cheng Yu were rare strategists under Cao Cao. Their cunning is often a double-edged sword, which can lead to victory or panic.
First of all, let's talk about Jia Xu. This was a famous poisoner in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, known for his far-sighted strategy and ruthless execution. His reputation in history may not have been entirely positive, but it is undeniable that his resourcefulness solved many big problems for Cao Cao. Jia Xu's most well-known strategy may be the battle in Wancheng. On that occasion, he not only succeeded in persuading Zhang Xiu to surrender, but also reacted quickly after Zhang Xiu repented, resulting in the almost total annihilation of Cao Cao's army. In this melee, Cao Cao's eldest son Cao Ang, nephew and beloved general Dian Wei were all killed in Huangquan, and even Cao Cao's beloved horse was not spared. Jia Xu's plan directly caused Cao Cao to look at him with admiration, but at the same time, he was also trembling, for fear that he would one day fall into the calculation of this poisoner.
Let's take a look at Cheng Yu again. Although Cheng Yu was not as sensational as Jia Xu, his steadiness and foresight also brought Cao Cao many victories. For example, in the battle against Lu Bu and Zhang Xiu, Cheng Yu's strategy played a key role. Cheng Yu's military strategy and accurate grasp of the situation made him a very special position in Cao Cao's heart. However, Cheng Yu's tactics often need to be used at extraordinary moments, which also makes Cao Cao extremely cautious when using his wisdom.
The reason why Cao Cao did not easily use the wisdom of these two strategists was complex and profound. On the one hand, Jia Xu and Cheng Yu's strategies often involve great risks, and every use may be a choice between life and death. On the other hand, Cao Cao, as a highly ambitious and scheming monarch, also knew that relying too much on one advisor could lead to an imbalance of power and even threaten his dominance. Cao Cao was always cautious when using the wisdom of these two strategists, for fear that one careless mistake would bring irreparable consequences to himself.
From one side, this also reflects Cao Cao's extreme use and control of talents. He is able to flexibly mobilize all kinds of resources and talents according to the needs of the war situation and the political situation to achieve the best strategic results. The existence of Jia Xu and Cheng Yu is like two sharp swords in Cao Cao's hands, ready to be unsheathed at any time, but at the same time, they also need to be carefully mastered to ensure that they will not hurt themselves.
Jia Xu's ruthlessness and Cheng Yu's steadiness constitute the two poles in Cao Cao's strategy system. Cao Cao knew that the best role of these two strategists could only be brought out when they were most needed. It's not just a trust in their capabilities, it's a thoughtful consideration of the entire strategic layout. Cao Cao is like a master of the chess game, carefully arranging each piece, and no mistakes are allowed.
The irony of history is that although Cao Cao was virtually invincible in his time, his regime ultimately did not escape its fate. Strategists like Jia Xu and Cheng Yu assisted Cao Cao in many of his victories, but they also built a court full of intrigue and strategy, and this internal tension and constant power games may have ultimately contributed to Cao Wei's decline.
In this way, Cao Cao's caution is not unreasonable. In a game of thrones, every move can be a life-or-death move on the board. Jia Xu's ruthlessness and Cheng Yu's calmness are both important chess pieces used by Cao Cao to balance the court and stabilize the morale of the army. And Cao Cao, the dominant figure on the stage of the Three Kingdoms, may have long understood that his empire not only needs the courage of the battlefield, but also the wisdom and calmness of the court.
Through an in-depth discussion of the status and role of Jia Xu and Cheng Yu in Cao Cao's mind, it is not difficult for us to find that the complexity of history is far beyond our imagination. The reason why Cao Cao used the advice of these two strategists at critical moments was because he knew that only in the most critical moments would these extremely risky strategies be most effective. This extreme cautious and precise strategy for the use of talents is one of the important reasons why Cao Cao was able to gain a foothold in troubled times. For us, historical figures and events are not only distant, but also like a mirror, reflecting the complexity of human nature and the profundity of history.