Cao Cao died in Luoyang on January 23rd at the age of 66. According to Zi Zhi Tong Jian, the last dynasty of the Eastern Han Dynasty changed its last year number: "Yankang" a little earlier. But Cao Cao's health went from bad to worse. A week after Cao Cao's death, there was a solar eclipse in the Central Plains. According to the legend at that time, Cao Cao "built the Temple of the Beginning, cut down the Dragon Temple and shed blood" in Luoyang. Cao Cao thought it was "unknown" and immediately became ill. Before that, he had been suffering from migraine for many years.
according to Cao Cao's self-report, his life wish was originally to "seal the marquis as a general in the west", and then he inscribed the tomb saying "the tomb of Cao Hou, a general in the west, because of the Han Dynasty". Before his death, he was Wang Wei, who was before the princes, and he was the actual controller of the Han Dynasty.
His body was transported to Yecheng, north of the Yellow River. The location of the cemetery was chosen by Cao Cao himself. As the ruler of a farming society, he showed his respect for the land in his last words: "Those who are buried in ancient times must live in barren land." Therefore, I chose the western original of Dingximen Leopard Temple, my Shouling, to build a tomb foundation in the highlands, without sealing the soil or planting trees for the time being. In particular, it is not allowed to occupy the fertile land of the people and destroy the burial customs of production, remember! Remember! His last words were undoubtedly sincere, because even though he was the Queen of Wei, Cao Cao, who was in his sixties, was still dragging his migraine and ploughing.
after a historical interval of more than 1,8 years, we have been unable to restore the specific grand occasion of the funeral. The details recorded in the obituary of Cao Pi and Cao Zhi's brothers include: a high-rise mourning shed, neat and thin etiquette decorated with Yu Bao's wandering car (funeral car). The highest officials of the empire took a vast funeral procession with funeral festivals, elegies, advocacy, buildings, people, qu Gai, and mediators (warriors with weapons and ceremonial ceremonies). Even Liu Xie, the 4-year-old Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, the supreme leader of the imperial reputation, came from Xuchang.
according to the records, all this happened "3 miles west of Ye", which is now the boundary of Anyang County, Henan Province. The newly discovered "Cao Cao's Tomb" is estimated to be 28 miles away from Guyecheng. Is this the place where the grand funeral took place 18 years ago?
It is certain that the young Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty cried in front of Cao Cao's coffin. The fall of this huge shadow made the puppet in the shadow more afraid. Of course, perhaps Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty really shed tears because he was grateful for Cao Cao's contribution to this declining dynasty. In his defense summary statement for his life's political life, "Let the county know what it is", Cao Cao said in a tone of arrogance, "Let the country be alone, and I don't know how many people will be king, and how many people will be king"-this is indeed a fact.
But now the old man who protected himself and held himself hostage has died suddenly. Behind Liu Xie, followed by the new Wang Wei xelloss, who is 6 years younger than him, and his brothers. Cao Pi is the reaper of Liu Xie's throne. All this happened only nine months after Cao Cao's death.
Cao Pi is a person who is not good at controlling his feelings. When he learned that he was made Prince Wei, he couldn't help laughing at Xin Pi's neck on the spot, and Xin Pi's daughter Xin Xianying judged that Wei regime was bound to be short-lived. After hearing the news of his father's death, Cao Pi burst into tears again, unable to help himself, so he was once again rejected by Sima Fu, a middle-aged son: How can he be like an ordinary people?
The time of burial is determined by divination. Among the funeral officials, there should be Liang Yu, the envoy of the State of Wu. Before Cao Cao's death, it was Wu and Wei that never had a honeymoon. Because of Guan Yu's death, Cao Sun was forced to form a short-term alliance. One month before Cao Cao's death, he went to the Han Emperor to recommend Sun Quan as a general in title of generals in ancient times, awarded Fu Jie, led Jingzhou as a shepherd, and made him the Hou of Nanchang. Sun Quan reciprocated with a letter to Cao Cao, and advised him to comply with his destiny and become emperor. At that time, Cao Cao smiled and showed Sun Quan's letter to Chen Qun and others, saying that this boy wanted to roast me on the fire. What is the "fire" that Cao Cao fears in his heart? In the view of Sima Guang in later generations, Cao Cao, who is in power over the world, certainly has the heart of disloyalty, but what he fears is inner "enlightenment". Cao Cao said, "If God wants me to be emperor, I'd better be Zhou Wenwang."
is there an emperor's dream in Cao Cao's heart? We can't be sure about this, but what is certain is that the actual controllers of this dynasty prefer to take "Qi Huan" or "Jin Wen" as their own situation. He said, "Qi Huan and Jin Wen, who are so famous today, can still serve Zhou Shi with their vast military potential. The Analects of Confucius says that' three points in the world have two, to serve Yin, Zhou Zhide can be described as the ultimate virtue', and the husband can make big things small. "
In Zi Zhi Tong Jian, Sima Guang commented that although politics was dirty in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the custom of loyalty and filial piety still existed. Why is the so-called "enlightenment" so powerful that it actually makes the strongman Cao Cao retreat? Let's look back at the growth of Cao Cao.
managing the world: don't be greedy for fame and do real harm
Cao Cao, a teenager, worked with Yuan Shao as a gangster for a while, but most of them were just pranks. Cao Cao was born in a prominent family. His father and nominal grandfather were both important officials of the imperial court, and his political voice was very good. He and Yuan Shao, the "four generations and three publics", both belonged to the "children of the courtyard". He was valued by celebrities at that time since he was a child, and both Qiu Qiaoxuan and Xu Shao, a celebrity, spoke highly of him. Qiao Xuan even said: "I am old, I would like to take my wife as my trust!" " Obviously, it is a hope for him to save the world.
this muddled time should pass quickly. At the age of 14, Xia Houdun, who was similar to Cao Cao, killed people who insulted his teacher. Cao Cao accused his cousin of recklessness. Xiahou is depressed, and his brother, who is usually more reckless than himself, can't accuse himself of recklessness.
Cao Cao later became an official, not afraid of strongmen, and became the uncle of Jian Shuo, the eunuch who broke the law in stick to kill, which is a widely told historical story.
The history books don't record how Cao Cao improved his literary accomplishment when he was a teenager, but as a military attache, his literary talent was well-known for a while, and he had his own place in the literary history of China. This may be attributed to that strange era. Mark Horrillo, the Roman emperor at the same time as Cao Cao, was also the "philosopher emperor" who wrote Meditation at once, who was the main expositor of Stoic philosophy.
Cao Cao, a young man, is full of literati temperament. He wrote many times to speak for the eunuchs' sworn enemies, Dou Wu and Chen Fan. When the eunuchs were in power, it was possible to lose their heads. Cao Cao recalled in his later "Let the county know its own story" that "to be a county magistrate, to be good at politics and religion, and to establish a reputation" should be Cao Cao's ideal when he was young.
Like Mark Horrillo, Cao Cao faced a declining empire. He was soon completely disappointed in the politicians. "Go back to my hometown at four o'clock, build a fine house in Qiaodong fifty miles, want to study in autumn and summer, shoot in winter and spring, seek the land below, and want to cover up with mud and water, which will never make guests come and go." Cao Cao quickly resigned from public office and shut himself up at home.
Cao Cao came back because of the Yellow Scarf Uprising in 184 AD. After Dong Zhuo came to power, Cao Cao showed his political cleanliness. Rejected the xiaoqi captain recommended by Dong Zhuo, changed his name and surname, and fled back to his hometown.
At that time, Xia Houdun, his best friend, had saved a group of people in his hometown of Chenliu. Later, Cao Cao still took part in the battle between the 18-route princes and Dong Zhuo in the image of a "hot-blooded youth". Cao Cao, who is in his thirties, is one of the few impassioned allies composed of a group of political veterans and speculators:
"Today's soldiers act with righteousness, hold doubts but don't advance, lose the hope of the world, and steal it as a shame for all kings!"
But no one paid attention to Cao Cao's indignation, including those who later accused him of being a Han thief. Cao Cao attacked the west with his own troops, but was defeated by Dong Zhuo. If it weren't for Cao Hong, he almost lost his life. On the way to defeat and escape, the soldiers mutinied. "Mao killed dozens of people with his sword, and the rest were invincible, so he got the camp."
The history books did not explain the "political hardships" after Cao Cao's defeat. But his "warm-blooded youth" magnanimous history ends here. After that, what he presented was the treacherous and cold image of a professional politician.
Death: I want to spread the word to others.
Cao Cao had a premonition that death was coming, in June of the 23rd year of Jian 'an (218). He put forward several principles of his mausoleum: he must live in barren land; Because the height is the foundation, it is not sealed or trees; Those who are listed as meritorious ministers should accompany Shouling.
in the following more than a year, Cao Cao was exhausted and ill, and went to the west to levy Liu Bei, but he returned in vain. This was the last battle he personally participated in. Just as the battle of Guandu established his inheritance and Battle of Red Cliffs established the territory of the Three Kingdoms, the final battle of Hanzhong determined the western border between Cao and Liu.
The year before Cao Cao's death, that is, the twenty-four years of Jian 'an, was a year of frequent war failures in the history of Wei. Coss was besieged and Xia Houyuan was killed, so it was impossible to save Coss from drowning. Fortunately, Xu Huang's clearance of Coss gave this year's war a bright tail. Cao Cao dragged his sick body seven miles out of the city to meet Xu Huang who returned victorious.
During the busy year, Cao Cao sealed Queen Bian. Four months before her death, she was given a formal birthright. Queen Bian was born a prostitute, and Cao Cao took her as a concubine when she was 25 years old. Mrs. Bian has been taking care of Cao Cao's family affairs since the original Ding Furen left angrily. Mrs. Bian even opened a kindergarten-like raising team, in which Cao Pi Cao Zhi brothers, Cao Zhen and other younger generations of Cao Shi, including the youngest son of He Yan and other ministers, were all raised by Mrs. Bian. Cao Cao once told Mrs. Bian that all the children in the team should be treated equally.
At the last moment of his life, Cao Cao, who killed countless people, showed his tender side. He once nagged when he was dying: "I have thought about it for a long time, and there are few people who are sorry." But if I die and meet Zitou (Cao Ang) in the underworld, if he asks me,' Where is my mother?' What will I say to answer! "
Cao Cao's first wife, Ding Furen, had no children, and another Mrs. Liu of Cao Cao died after giving birth to Cao Ang and Qinghe princess royal. Cao Ang was raised by Mrs. Ding, and the mother and son had deep feelings. Cao Cao called Zhang Xiu's aunt to sleep in Wancheng, which angered Zhang Xiu. Cao Ang died in the mutiny to protect Cao Cao. Mrs. Ding was so sad and angry that she cried all day and said, "Kill my son and never read again!" " Then I ran back to my parents' house.
After a few days, Cao Cao missed Ding Furen, so he took the initiative to look for him at his father-in-law's house. Ding Furen was weaving, ignoring Cao Cao. Cao Cao went straight behind Mrs. Ding, patted Ding on the shoulder and said softly, "Come back with me by car!" Ding Furen didn't look back or talk to Cao Cao. Cao Cao stayed with him carefully for a long time, but still saw that his wife ignored him and withdrew. When I got to the door, I still couldn't bear it. I cried again, "Are you sure you don't want to go back?" Ding Furen still ignored him, so Cao Cao had to say, "What a trick! "Disappointed.
Cao Cao's dying warmth is also reflected in his mourning for his youngest son, Cao Gan. Cao Gan was only five years old when Cao died. So Cao Cao gave a special order to Cao Pi: "This son lost his mother at the age of three and his father at the age of five, so as to make you tired." Because of this legacy, Cao Pi later treated Cao Gan like a "eldest brother like a father".
But this tenderness is accompanied by cruel political strangulation. After the establishment of Cao Pi's political status, in order to weaken Cao Zhi's influence, Cao Cao first sought opportunities to remove Yang Xiu, Cao Zhi's confidant, and then took a series of symbolic measures to hit Cao Zhi. Cao Zhi's wife died because she wore gorgeous clothes to Tongquetai.
Behind him: a peerless hero, cruel and deceitful
The last reputation that Cao Cao enjoyed was the simple burial he advocated. In his dying Legacy, he challenged the ancient funeral ceremony on the grounds that "the world is not yet stable and there is no respect for the past".
"After my death, I will keep my big clothes as long as I can, so don't leave them behind. When a hundred officials are in the temple, they will raise their voices for fifteen times, and they will be relieved after burial; Those who send soldiers to the chariot are not allowed to leave the chariot department; There is a division, and each rate is the position. He was buried on the west hill of Yezhi, which is close to the Ximen Bao Temple and has no treasures. "
Don't throw away your clothes before your death. Put them in four boxes in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and tell them, "Nothing is allowed to be given away.".
Cao Cao was thrifty all his life, not gorgeous, which is seen in history books. "Wei Shu" said that Cao Cao's harem rarely wore gorgeous and splendid clothes, and the shoes were all in one color. If the curtain screen was broken, it would be repaired and continued to be used. His frugality before his death and his simple burial after his death should be in the same vein.
Yan Kejun, a Qing dynasty man, once incorporated Cao Cao's admonitions to his wives and concubines' children into the Inner Ring Order, urging them to dress simply again and again. He even said that the gorgeous shoes I brought back from Jingzhou (when I conquered Liu Biao) have been distributed to you, and you can wear them. Never learn to make them. The Inner Ring Order was mostly written by Cao Cao in his later years, so it was regarded as his will together with the Legacy Order.
In the Legacy, Cao Cao made no mention of the great cause of the world, but arranged some trivial matters. For example, maidservants and geisha are usually hardworking. After I die, let them live in Tongquetai, and don't mistreat them. Divide the remaining incense and don't use it for sacrifice, so as not to waste it. The women in each room are idle, so they can learn to knit shoes and sell them. This even provoked the dislike of later generations such as Su Dongpo. But many years later, these details have made modern people feel cordial.
But from the perspective of economics, it is hard to say that Cao Cao's frugality as a politician has nothing to do with the depression of people's livelihood caused by the war in the Three Kingdoms. In the era of starvation, military expenditure is the first. Mark Horrillo, the contemporary Roman emperor of Cao Cao, even sold the jewels in his crown in order to collect military expenses.
But if we think of Zhuge Liang's legacy of several acres of mulberry fields for future generations, we will find that this is a kind of tolerance that politicians had in the face of wealth at that time.
when people look back, they will find that the image of Cao Cao has been blurred and distorted by 1,8 years, so that it is impossible to distinguish it clearly. In middle school history textbooks, Cao Cao is called "strategist, politician and writer", but what kind of person is he after these big titles? "Wei Shu" emphasized his military talents, saying that he "used his division in marching, and he was more dependent on the laws of Sun and Wu, but because of the strange things, he won the battle with the enemy and changed like a god", and he also "prepared hundreds of words"; When Pei Songzhi commented on the reflection, he highlighted Cao Cao's versatility, saying that he was "talented and unique" and could "shoot birds and bow beasts with his hands". He once shot sixty-three pheasants in a hunting; At the same time, "I don't give up my books, I talk about martial arts in the daytime, I think about classics at night, I have to pay for climbing, and I have to create new poems and be orchestral." The Biography of Cao Zang depicts the image of Cao Cao's daily life for us: "Mao is a man who is easy to lose weight, has good music, advocates Excellence, and often reaches the evening." When he told a joke with his guests, he was so happy that he bumped his head and his headscarf was stained with soup. Cao Cao, who is easy-going and happy, has a very dangerous side at the same time. If any of his subordinates plan to beat him, he will be jealous and kill him for an excuse. An old enemy kneels in front of him and asks for forgiveness, but Cao Cao says, "Kneeling can solve the evil!" Then kill it. Pei Songzhi summed it up in four words when he commented on the History of the Three Kingdoms: "cruel abuse becomes cheating".
Compared with other aspects in image and personality, "cruel and deceitful" has become the main understanding of Cao Cao in later generations. No matter how versatile Cao Cao is, how diligent and easy-going, and how he describes himself as "Qi Huan" and "Jin Wen", his image has been solidified on the face of a villain with the spread of folk literary works such as The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
this is undoubtedly what Cao Cao is most afraid of.