At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, a young general with a prominent background and ambition emerged, and he was Cao Cao. This cunning and wise man, with his military talent and strategic wisdom, wrote a magnificent legend in the troubled times.
In Cao Cao's youth, he was like an indulgent wild horse, unrestrained. Cao Cao saw the social turmoil and the decay of the elite class, and his heart had already ignited the ambition to change the troubled times. His youthful madness is a kind of independent spirit, which laid the groundwork for his future leadership path.
Rather let me bear the people of the world, and Hugh let the people of the world bear me. This is Cao Cao's declaration of his destiny and a true portrayal of his ambitions. He was not satisfied with passively watching the development of history, but actively participated in it, challenged the power, and ruled the world with strong means. This bold attitude made him stand out in troubled times and became one of the most striking figures of his time.
Cao Cao was not only a political strategist, but also an outstanding military strategist. His love for military affairs and his specialization in the ancient art of war laid a solid foundation for his future military career. After becoming the lieutenant of northern Luoyang, he regarded himself as a strict adherence to the law and discipline, and used the five-colored stick as a symbol of law and discipline to decisively punish violators. Among them, a powerful man acted in defiance of the ban, and Cao Cao did not hesitate to put him to death with a stick, immediately establishing his unchallengeable prestige in the army.
Cao Cao's attitude of sticking to military orders is not only reflected in the severe punishment of others, but also in the harsh criticism of himself. Once rested in the concubine's room, but because he missed the opportunity to discuss military affairs, he did not hesitate to kill the concubine. This kind of strict military discipline and strict requirements for himself made Cao Cao invincible in the war.
During the battle against Wancheng, he issued a military order prohibiting war horses from stepping on ripe wheat fields. However, a startled turtledove caused his mount to violate the ban. Cao was about to apologize for his crime with death, but the strategist Guo Jia dissuaded him in time, and finally he cut his hair and showed it to the public instead of punishment. All this shocked the officers and men of the Sixth Army and once again consolidated Cao Cao's prestige.
Cao Cao showed great political wisdom in governing the country. He did not stick to secular concepts, and repeatedly ordered "merit-seeking orders" to strive to select talents. This enlightened talent strategy broke through the weaknesses of the social structure of the time, allowing him to remain invincible in the chaotic times.
At the same time, Cao Cao had a deep understanding of Confucian teachings. He advocated etiquette and clarified the importance of etiquette and law in the governance of the country. This profound style of rule laid a solid foundation for Cao Cao to eventually reach the pinnacle of power. His approach to employing people made him stand out in the chaotic times and make him an admirable politician.
In the political arena, Cao Cao's wisdom and wisdom were vividly displayed. Before the Battle of Guandu, he subdued Zhang Xiu, who had killed his son, and appointed him a general. This move not only freed itself from the threat of external enemies, but also solved the potential internal crisis. In the end, Cao Cao succeeded in defeating Yuan Shao and established his dominance in the north. Such a means of intrigue not only demonstrated his broad mind, but also proved his extraordinary talent as a military strategist.
The flexible and witty tactics were also manifested in inviting Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to come to Xuchang. Despite the opposition, Cao Cao embraced the strategy, became a general, and gained power. This kind of scheming has made him comfortable in the political arena and a leader among the strategists.
Cao Cao's resourcefulness was not limited to the military realm, but he was equally adept in domestic and foreign affairs. After quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he restored social order and improved people's livelihood through the implementation of the policy of equalizing land and reducing taxes. These domestic measures enabled him to win broad popular support in the region he ruled.
In diplomacy, Cao Cao was adept at using his resourcefulness and strategic vision. He consolidated his position in the troubled times through a series of ingenious diplomatic means such as uniting with Lu Bu and eliminating Yuan Shu. This kind of outstanding domestic and foreign affairs skills added a lot to Cao Cao's political career.
Cao Cao's success was not only based on power and military strategy, but also on his profound cultural literacy. Although he was an indulgent teenager, his political career was full of culture. His understanding of Confucian teachings was not only reflected in political decision-making, but also in etiquette, making him a respected leader in troubled times.
In addition, Cao Cao's way of employing people also shows his grassroots feelings. He discovered the talents at the bottom through the "Talent Seeking Order", broke the shortcomings of the social structure at that time, and cultivated a loyal and efficient team for his career. This emphasis on talent and reverence for culture made Cao Cao's rule more handy.
Cao Cao's success was accompanied by glory and controversy. His cunning and ruthlessness are often controversial when it comes to dealing with people. The behavior of setting rules at the expense of his relatives makes his leadership style unique. His way of dealing with people not only established his prestige, but also won him the hostility of many hostile forces.
Looking back on Cao Cao's life, we have witnessed a man who emerged in troubled times. His wisdom of strategy, military talent, and way of dealing with people have left a strong mark in Chinese history. Cao Cao, a traitor in troubled times, his life is like a deep and contradictory picture, full of glory and controversy. In the long river of history, Cao Cao is like a bright star, always dazzling and complex. His legend is not only a piece of history, but also a splendid picture, full of wisdom and contradictions, and has become a unique legend in the long history.