Xu Shao, a contemporary critic of Cao Cao, said this sentence, which is well documented in The History of the Later Han Dynasty, Biography of Xu Shao and The History of the Three Kingdoms.
Details are as follows:
Xu Shao was born in Pingyu, Runan (now Henan) at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. The evaluation of him in Ci Hai is that he is famous in the world and likes to comment on people. History books praised him as "less strict, better reputation and better popularity". He is respected and loved by all because of his profound knowledge and respect for morality.
At that time, among the taxi drivers in runan county, there was a refined atmosphere, that is, they liked to comment on celebrities in the government and the public, either praising or derogating, and did not hide anything. Mars, who hates disease and dares to punish lawlessness, is known as the "model of the world"; Chen Fan, indomitable and brave in resisting eunuchs, is known as "fearless of powerful imperial power". Every time they change their comments at the beginning of the month, they are called "monthly comments". The leader of this month's comments is Xu Shao, a famous person in Runan.
Because Yue Dan, led by Xu Shao, made fair and accurate comments on figures, the government often selected or derogated officials according to their comments. Therefore, people are proud of being praised by Xu Shao, and Cao Cao also came to see you.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, political affairs were dark and social unrest heralded another round of regime change. Young Cao Cao has extraordinary ambitions and is determined to make a heroic career to create a new situation. To this end, read widely and study the art of war; And travel around the world, make friends with people with lofty ideals, and prepare for the later rise.
According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms and the Ji of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, once, Cao Cao broke into his mansion because of rumors that Zhang Rang, the eunuch leader, had huge property, and wanted to know what was going on. Only to be found by servants and surrounded by shouts. Undaunted, he waved a double halberd to kill the soldiers, rushed out of the encirclement and walked over the wall.
The story spread like wildfire and Cao Cao became a famous figure.
Xu Shao had long heard that Cao Cao had broken into his own house. He once got wind that Cao Cao "was less alert and had the right to count, but he was dissolute and did not work as a doctor", and he also spread that he was "an eagle running dog, wandering around the world". "grovel and refuse to be right" is because you look down on him, so you don't want to judge him.
Cao Cao's heart was unhappy, and after repeated requests, Xu Shao still refused. In a rage, he made threats.
Xu Shao had no choice but to ponder for a moment and finally said, "You are a traitor and a hero in troubled times." (Biography of Xu Shaochuan in the Later Han Dynasty) The records of the Three Kingdoms are different from those of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "(Xu Shao) said that' the son can rule the world, and treacherous officials are born in troubled times'." "