After seizing Hanzhong, Sima Yi and Liu Ye said: "Hanzhong is the throat of Yizhou, we should strike while the iron is hot and take Xishu in one fell swoop!" ”
When Cao Cao heard this, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "People are bitter and worthless, and they have Longyou, and they want to get Shu!" ”
He quoted Liu Xiu's famous words two hundred years ago, but Liu Xiu's original words were: "People are not satisfied with suffering, they are both peaceful and look back at Shu." "I want to laugh at myself for being greedy for long. Cao Cao transformed it into "Why are you so unproductive!" It's all right, why are you still thinking about Shu! ”
He was quite cautious about continuing to attack Yizhou, believing that the set goal that had been achieved - taking Hanzhong - was already a great achievement. His main goal was to deal with Liu Bei when he returned, to ensure that he could attack him at any time. Considering his advanced age, he decided to slow down his offensive for the time being and play steadily.
Cao Cao's "forgetting Shu" became an important reason for the countless criticisms of him in later generations, and people accused him of lacking foresight and failing to strike while the iron was hot to eliminate Liu Bei. However, the development of history is often full of uncertainties. Later facts proved that Cao Cao's decision was not unreasonable.
Although entering Shu was seen as a superior strategy, why did Cao Cao finally choose to postpone his southward journey? The reason is that he has a much more urgent and important task.
In December, Cao Cao returned from Nanzheng, leaving Xiahou Yuan to garrison Hanzhong. In February 216, he returned to Yecheng. In May, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty named him the King of Wei, enjoyed 30,000 households of food, and gave him the crown of the Son of Heaven, car clothes, banners, ceremonial music, etc., which were used to worship heaven and earth, temples, ancestors, wax and other occasions, all in accordance with the Han system. The capital was located in Yecheng, and Cao Cao's princes were also made princes.
In October of the same year, Cao Cao again set out to conquer Sun Quan. In November, he arrived in Qian County.
In the first month of 217, he garrisoned Juchao. In February, he launched a fierce attack on Sun Quan at the mouth of the water.
In March, Cao Cao led his army to withdraw, leaving 26 troops including Cao Ren and Zhang Liao under the command of the Fubo general Xiahoudun to garrison Juchao. Sun Quan sent the commander Xu Shen to ask Cao Cao for surrender; Cao Cao sent an envoy to reply, expressing his willingness to establish friendly relations with Sun Quan and renew his marriage.
In April, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered Cao Cao to use the banner of the Son of Heaven and enjoy the treatment of a guard when entering and leaving. In October, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty ordered Cao Cao to use a top hat with twelve hats on his crown, ride a golden root car, drive six horses, and set up a five-hour auxiliary car. At the same time, he appointed the military attache Zhonglang to make Cao Pi the crown prince of Wei.
At this point, Cao Cao has completed the entire evolutionary process. He was exactly the same as Emperor Han Xian, which was undoubtedly one of the most important things in his life.
After a lifetime of struggle, he finally legalized and consolidated his family business, laying a solid foundation for future generations.
For such a difficult matter as entering Shu, Cao Cao knew the risks based on his own experience. Except for the Qin Dynasty taking advantage of the civil strife and robbery of the indigenous people, Liu Xiu's Yangtze River, Longyou's two-way assault, and Liu Zhang's recent lure of wolves into the house, no one has succeeded in doing so. Liu Bei was still dragged by Liu Zhang for two years when he attacked Baishui, Jia Meng, and Sword Pavilion for three days.
Although the Shu Road is difficult, Cao Cao has full confidence in his ability. His main concern is that he may encounter something wrong in Sichuan. If he is dragged by Liu Bei in Sichuan and cannot get out, he may not only be unable to complete the final procedures to legalize the house book, but also may die on Shu Road due to exhaustion. In the end, it may even fall short, and Liu Bei took the opportunity to recapture Hanzhong.
Someone once said: "The most important thing in life is to be able to settle smoothly." ”In the last years of his life, Cao Cao chose to be safe and internal. From his point of view, such a decision is undoubtedly wise.
There are no real fools in the world, only the last resort after putting yourself in the shoes of others. Cao Cao's decision was based on his deep understanding of the situation and his own situation. His wisdom and foresight enabled him to remain sober and steadfast in complex and volatile situations, leaving a legacy of valuable experience and lessons for future generations.