In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Cao had a strategist known for his profound knowledge, shrewdness and ability, but too arrogant to show off his knowledge, and he was Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Yang Xiu is a native of Huayin County, Shaanxi Province, and there are many stories related to him in history, the most famous of which are the stories of "chicken ribs" and "yellow silk young women, nephews and mortars".
During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao sent troops to Hanzhong to attack Liu Bei, but was intercepted by Ma Chao and trapped at the mouth of the Xiegu Valley. Cao Cao felt that the long-term stalemate would not benefit him and wanted to collect troops to return to the dynasty, but he also felt that this was very faceless and would be laughed at by shu soldiers. When he was hesitating in his heart, the chef brought a bowl of chicken soup in, and Cao Cao saw the chicken ribs in the bowl and felt nostalgic. At this time, the general Xiahou Huan entered the account and asked for the night slogan, and Cao Cao casually replied: "Chicken ribs! Chicken! Xiahou Huan passed on the slogan to the officials.
After Yang Xiu, the master of the march, heard this, he asked the accompanying sergeant to pack his bags and prepare for his return. Someone reported Yang Xiu's actions to Xiahou Huan, and Xiahou Chun was surprised to hear this, so he went to consult Yang Xiu: "Why do you want to pack your bags?" ”
Yang Xiu said, "Judging from tonight's order, the King of Wei will soon retire. Chicken ribs, tasteless to eat, it is a pity to abandon it. Now, the advance of the army can not be victorious, the retreat will be laughed at, but there is no benefit here, it is better to go back early. So pack your bags first, so as not to panic when you leave. ”
After hearing these words, Xiahou Huan sighed and said, "Sir, I really understand the heart of King Wei!" So he ordered the generals to pack their bags, and the next day, Cao Cao did indeed return to the dynasty. This is the story of "chicken ribs", and Yang Xiu's meticulous thoughts and insight are truly amazing.
Cao Cao
If the story of "chicken ribs" can only illustrate Yang Xiu's ability to connect and imagine, then the story of "Yellow Silk Young Woman, Nephew Usu" is a manifestation of his superb learning.
Cao Cao and Yang Xiu rode past the "Cao E Monument", and saw that the back of the stele was engraved with the words "Yellow Silk Young Woman, Nephew Usu", and did not know what it meant, So Cao Cao asked Yang Xiu: "Do you know what this means?" ”
Yang Xiu smiled and nodded, but Cao Cao hurriedly stopped him: "Don't say it first, let me think about it." After walking out of the thirty-mile road, Cao Cao said, "I've thought about it, let's talk about it." ”
Yang Xiu replied: "Yellow silk, colored and silky, color and silk together is 'absolute'; and young women, that is, maidens, should be 'wonderful'; nephews, the sons of daughters, children together, is for 'good'; 齑臼 is the meaning of suffering, that is, the word 'word'." So these eight words are meant to say that the inscription is 'wonderful words'. After hearing this, Cao Cao exclaimed, "Your talent is indeed much higher than mine." ”
It was such a talented and resourceful courtier, but in the end he could not do what Cao Cao did as he pleased, and even in the end because Cao Zhi plotted to fight for the throne failed, he was snubbed by Cao Cao, and finally could only choose to leave Cao Cao and run elsewhere, and finally let Cao Cao kill and behead him.
Cao Zhi
It can only be said that Yang Xiu's talent is probably still limited, and he doesn't know what Cao Cao said, "It is better to call me to bear the world, and not to let the people of the world bear me." How could such a Cao Cao give him to his opponent?
It is better to make a chicken rib in Cao Cao's mouth in a down-to-earth manner!