In 2 18, Cao Cao personally gave an order-"the last order", which was one of his wills. He clearly pointed out: don't bury yourself in barren land after death, don't occupy fertile land, use the original height of the ground as the foundation, dig a real pit on the spot and bury it. It is best not to pile excess soil and plant trees on the mausoleum. He also said that if I died, I would be buried according to the clothes I was wearing at that time, and there was no need to go to great lengths to customize the shroud and mourning clothes. In terms of funerary objects, Cao Cao emphasized that valuables such as jade jewelry and bronzes should not be buried with them. According to relevant historical records, there was no extravagance and waste after Cao Cao's death, and the funeral was also very simple.
So why did Cao Cao advocate thin burial? Many people think that Cao Cao has a guilty conscience, because at the beginning of Cao Cao's reign, in order to raise enough military pay, he specially set up official positions such as "sending a corps commander" and "touching gold as a captain" to rob the tomb. Generally, after a total victory in one place, these professional grave robbers are responsible for digging graves everywhere and raising a lot of money. I believe readers and friends all know Cao Cao's views.
Therefore, many people think that Cao Cao advocates thin burial for fear that future generations will retaliate against him. But Cao Cao advocated thin burial, definitely not because of fear of revenge. Afraid of revenge, he adopted another strategy and used the measure of "seventy-two suspected graves". On the day of burial, all the gates of Yecheng were opened, and 72 coffins went out from all directions at the same time. As for where Cao Cao is buried, no one knows yet. Although many places are arguing that his hometown is the location of Cao Cao's tomb, they are not sure. But Cao Cao's tomb has not been discovered so far. It can be seen that Cao Cao's move is the real way to prevent retaliation. So why did Cao Cao advocate thin burial? The reason is really because Cao Cao wants everyone to be buried with him. He really represents the country and the people. When people talk about Cao Cao, they all think that Cao Cao is treacherous, selfish and unscrupulous. However, Cao Cao is really very open-minded and frugal in governing the country.
He is very strict with officials and his family. Cao Zhi's wife was very angry and forced her to commit suicide. At that time, as long as the curtains and screens of the imperial court were broken, Cao Cao never asked for new ones, but asked someone to repair them and continue to use them. When there was famine in the world, Cao Cao took the lead in wearing coarse clothes and forbidding leather. Officials are afraid of wearing fur hats in winter.
Cao Cao's thrift is strict with himself. He doesn't let his family use incense. In Cao Cao's time, many people used incense to get rid of the peculiar smell at home. This phenomenon is normal, but Cao Cao thinks it is a waste and refuses to use it. Cao Cao can only eat one meat dish at home, so it is normal for Cao Cao's family not to eat fish and meat.
More importantly, although Cao Cao has great power, he always thinks that "I don't have my own body and dare not be selfish", that is to say, my present body doesn't belong to me and I can't be too selfish. We must work hard for the country and the people.