1
Xuchang, because it is the place where Cao Cao lived, has become the place I yearn for. By chance, I settled in Xuchang in 2000.
When I first came to Xuchang, I was greatly disappointed. I did not see heroism or smell the humanity here. The strongest visual impression I saw at that time was a flat plain with flying dust.
"To the east is the Jieshi, where you can view the sea. The water is sluggish, and the mountains and islands stand tall. There are thick trees and luxuriant grass..." I don't know which seaside Cao Cao wrote this poem "Viewing the Sea". Obviously not Xuchang. Because at that time I did not find a sea in Xuchang, let alone a mountain island. There were only wheat fields as vast as the sea, and wheat waves that would surge with the wind.
Compared with the handsome Jiangnan, Xuchang at that time was rough, as rough as a groom. I can't help but imagine in my mind that groups of strong men with long hair tied up are galloping on horseback; then I think of the three kingdoms of Wei, Shu and Wu, with their swords meeting each other, roaring and fighting; then I think of Cao Cao cordially shouting "Hey" in the main hall. Ah! It turns out that Duke Xuande is here, please invite me quickly! Please invite me soon..." Then there was another round of chatting and laughter.
2
"The old man is in trouble, and his ambition is thousands of miles. The martyr's twilight years are full of ambition!" These two lines of poetry are selected from Cao Cao's "The Divine Turtle Lives Longevity". This poem not only reveals Cao Cao's lofty ambitions also revealed his outstanding literary talent. The "Jian'an Literature" led by him is a shining star in the history of Chinese literature.
Whether it is Cao Cao's "Dan Ge Xing", "Guan Cang Hai", "The Divine Turtle is Longevity", or Cao Zhi's "White Horse Chapter", "Flying Dragon Chapter", "Seven Step Poems", "Luo Shen Fu" and "Seven Sorrow Poems" ", or Cao Pi's "Yan Ge Xing" are both literary creations that people still like very much. The "Seven Sons of Jian'an" Wang Can, Chen Lin, Xu Qian, Liu Zhen, Ying Jue, Kong Rong and Ruan Yu also left many excellent works for our descendants. In addition, the talented Cai Wenji and the beautiful Fan Qin are also shining stars of Jian'an literature.
In terms of literary achievements, Cao Zhi was most highly regarded by later generations during the Jian'an period. His prose was rich in power, majestic imagery, and superb. His early poems were known for their vigorous momentum, romantic beauty, and his later poems were more... Elegance, resentment, meditation, and a sense of simplicity. "Cooking beans burns the pods, and the beans weep in the cauldron. They are originally from the same root, so why fry each other in a hurry?" This "Seven-Step Poem" was written by Cao Zhi in his later period.
Although Cao Pi, who became the King of Wei, loved literature and was good at poetry, he was narrow-minded and could not tolerate his younger brother Cao Zhi's literary attainments being better than his own. Therefore, the historical story of "Seven Steps of Poetry" was born. This caused Cao Pi to lose the support of many people at that time. Cao Pi also suffered eternal negative reviews and criticism from later generations.
3
"Singing to wine, how many years have passed! Just like the morning dew, it will be a lot of bitterness in the passing days. ... The green and green seeds are lingering in my heart. But for the sake of you, I ponder it till now." …The moon and stars are sparse, and the magpies are flying south. The mountains are never too high, and the sea is never too deep. . This poem is profound, sincere and touching, expressing Cao Cao's strong emotions of caring about the world and sincerely looking forward to talents.
Cao Cao had two major hobbies in his life. The first hobby was his love for talents and the world's talents. Cao Cao loved them all regardless of their literary or military talents. Before the Battle of Feishui, Chen Lin (one of the Seven Sons of Jian'an) wrote an "Essay on Criticizing Thieves" for Yuan Shao to launch an army to attack Cao Cao. He cursed three generations of Cao Cao's ancestors, called Cao Cao a rebellious minister and a traitor, and said that Cao Cao was a treacherous and shameless person. Cao Cao read this article and although he was so angry that he was very angry, he still praised Chen Lin as a genius in the world. After Yuan Shao was defeated, Cao Cao not only did not kill Chen Lin, he also respectfully invited Chen Lin to become his minister.
Those who win the hearts of the people win the world, and those who win the hearts of the people win the support of the people. Although a man of literary talent may inevitably be suspected of sensationalizing and criticizing the ills of the times, some good articles written by a man of literary talent are like thousands of troops, able to convince the heroes and stabilize the country. And more good articles are like food, grass, fruits and vegetables, soft wind and warm sun, which can comfort the misery, be elegant and secular, and can cultivate people's hearts. Cao Cao's cherishing of literary talents naturally had a political purpose. Because he cherished literary talents, he could use outstanding literary talents for his own use and enhance his political influence and political strength.
Cao Cao's love for talents is not inherently open-minded and careless.
After Cao Cao pacified the north, he also became arrogant and arrogant. He thought that he had accomplished his great cause and was invincible. He despised civil servants and generals, did not listen to loyal advice, and killed innocent people indiscriminately. This led to Liu Bei's rebellion. , The rise of Sun Quan. This short-term mistake made Cao Cao unable to complete the great cause of unifying the north and the south throughout his life. However, Cao Cao was a man who corrected his mistakes when he knew they were wrong. After the defeat in Chibi, Cao Cao treated the virtuous corporal and listened to everyone's opinions to make the best plan for the next step, and then preserved and strengthened Cao Wei's strength.
Cao Cao's second biggest hobby is lust, and he is very bold and likes to sleep with other people's women. From Zhang Xiu's aunt to Qin Yilu's wife to Yuan Shao's concubine, and then to the wives, concubines, and women of many other families, Cao Cao enjoyed it but suffered a loss because of it. Cao Cao slept with Zhang Xiu's aunt, causing Zhang Xiu to rebel, which was justified. This time, Cao Cao not only lost his favorite general Dian Wei, but also his eldest son Cao Ang, and his nephew Cao Anmin. Later, Cao Cao's fondness for seizing beautiful women became a popular topic in the world. On the eve of the Battle of Chibi, there were rumors that Cao Cao wanted to attack Soochow because he coveted Soochow's beautiful women Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. As soon as this word came out, the determination of the Soochow soldiers to resist Cao was shaken. Later, there was the alliance between Sun and Liu, Zhou Lang's clever plan, and Cao's army was defeated. Cao Cao almost lost his life this time.
Human lust is both innate and influenced by the acquired environment. As Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi also inherited Cao Cao's lecherous conduct. When he was young, he took advantage of the defeat of Yuan's army and took advantage of Cao Cao's coveted Zhen family (the wife of Yuan Shao's son Yuan Xi). When Cao Cao died, Cao Pi couldn't wait to seize her. Cao Cao's group of beautiful wives and concubines were all included in his harem. Cao Rui is Cao Cao's grandson. His lust is even worse than that of his grandfather and father. There are thousands of beauties in Cao Rui's harem. He overhauls the harem palace, builds artificial attractions, and often has a group of concubines and ministers. Singing and dancing, lewdness and enjoyment.
From the death of Cao Cao in 220 AD to 265 AD, in just 45 years, Cao Wei replaced five Wei kings. The five Wei kings either died young or died young, and from 249 AD The real power was controlled by the Sima family. Why? The important reason is that the successors of the Cao family were not good at loving and using their talents, and the harem was in disorder. They were crowded internally and lost their support externally. As a result, the Sima family soon had an opportunity to take advantage of it. Of course, no matter how many experiences and lessons are learned from hereditary imperial power, dynasties will inevitably change and they will eventually be replaced by the democratic system, because the "talent in command" is created by current events and experience, and it does not mean that a small family can have its generation. Those passed down from generation to generation.
4
If you use the idea of ??imperial power to comment, Cao Cao should be called a traitor; if you use the idea of ??democracy to comment, Cao Cao should be called a capable man with lofty ideals. Cao Cao claimed to be a minister but not an emperor throughout his life, but he still used the emperor to command the princes. This was both compliance with the imperial power and contempt for the imperial power. It shows that his own thoughts were quite complicated.
Cao Cao is a controversial figure in history. It can be said that he is both a tyrant and a hero, a reckless man and a gentleman. Therefore, in the eyes of the world, Cao Cao is a very scary, interesting and lovely person. The most endearing thing about him is his love for talent. Because of his love for talent, he made the move of cherishing Zhao Zilong's talent by only capturing him alive but not shooting cold arrows. That's why Guan Yuxiapi was captured and Cao Cao bid farewell to him after failing to win the generalship. Only with good stories passed down from generation to generation can Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Dian Wei, Xu Chu... these outstanding figures of the world be used by him.
Jian'an literature was formed based on Cao Cao's ruling atmosphere of loving talents. Cao Cao was a literature lover. Not only was he good at writing poems and essays, but he also actively encouraged his children to learn to write poems and essays. He also encouraged and cared for the literary and artistic youth of the day. This is why he formed the "Three Cao" as the commander-in-chief. The phenomenon of "Jian'an Literature" with the "Seven Sons of Jian'an" as important members.
5
Cao Cao loved talents, not only male talents, but also female talents. His appreciation and love for the talented woman Cai Wenji has been passed down through the ages.
Cai Wenji is the daughter of Cai Yong, a great writer in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Cao Cao once worshiped Cai Yong as his teacher, and regarded Cai Yong as his mentor. Cai Wenji was a talented and beautiful woman. She was also good at literature, music, and calligraphy. "Sui Shu·Jing Ji Zhi" recorded a volume of "Cai Wenji Collection" that has been lost. Her existing works include two "Poems of Sorrow and Indignation" and "Eighteen Patterns of Hujia" 》. Cao Cao was about 20 years older than Cai Wenji (according to some data, it is 22 years older, but it is not conclusive). The two met when Wenji was a girl. At that time, Cao Cao was already an adult uncle with wives and children. Cao Cao was quite fond of Wenji at that time. Admiration is hidden in the heart only because the two are not compatible.
Cai Wenji first married university scholar Wei Zhongdao when she was 16 years old. The two talked about music theory and studied articles together and were very loving. Unfortunately, Wei Zhongdao died of illness more than a year after the marriage. After Cai Wenji lost her husband, she returned to her parents' home. A few years after returning to her parents' home, her father was beheaded. Then she was invaded by the Huns. Wenji was kidnapped and became a female prisoner of the Southern Huns. After Wen Ji became a female prisoner, she was selected as his concubine by King Zuoxian of the Southern Huns because of her outstanding appearance and elegant temperament. The two of them had two children together. In the thirteenth year after Cai Wenji was taken captive, Cao Cao unified the north. At this time, Cao Cao was over fifty years old, and Wenji was also thirty years old. Cao Cao learned that Wenji was in the southern Huns, so he paid a lot of money to redeem Wenji. With Wenji's third marriage, she married Dong Si, the captain of the army.
Cai Wenji married three times in her life. Regarding her third marriage, later generations have two different versions. It is said that this marriage was arranged by Cao Cao. Because Dong Si was both talented and beautiful, and to win over Dong Si, he married Cai Wenji to Dong Si. It is also said that this marriage was Cai Wenji's own choice. Because Cao Cao had many wives and concubines, Cai Wenji did not want to compete with a group of women for favor, so she took the opportunity to marry Dong Si secretly and became pregnant.
Both statements have their own basis. From a modern perspective, the second statement is more in line with the personality of a talented woman. Cai Wenji must have had admiration for Cao Cao, but admiration was not enough to make Cai Wenji willing to commit herself to him. Cai Wenji is an extremely smart woman, and of course she can tell what kind of man is suitable for her to spend her life with. That man does not have to be a prince, general, or hero, but a person who can pamper himself and is talented and elegant. Then, the literary young man Dong Si is an ideal candidate. However, historical records are more inclined to the first theory. It is believed that Cao Cao chose a talented and beautiful husband for Cai Yong's daughter Cai Wenji out of his deep affection for his mentor Cai Yong and his sincere care for the talented daughter Cai Wenji. husband.
History cannot be reproduced in detail. No matter which version is more convincing, Cai Wenji's marriage to Dong Si is undoubtedly a wise marriage. Later, there were historical allusions about Dong Si committing a capital crime, Wen Ji's barefoot defense, and Cao Cao's soft-hearted release of Dong. After that, Dong Si and Cai Wenji settled at the foot of the mountain, gave birth to children, and lived happily for the rest of their lives.
Cai Wenji, a frail woman, was born in troubled times and suffered from marital and family changes. However, she was able to survive one misfortune and crisis after another and finally gained the remaining happiness. The reason was related to her It is related to her intelligence and beauty, and also to Cao Cao's care and love. "A gentleman's affection ends with etiquette; more than etiquette, it ends with the heart; he is upright and conservative, and behaves appropriately." During the intersection of Cao Cao and Cai Wenji's lives, although Cao Cao was unwilling and regretful, he eventually became affectionate and appropriate. A gentleman, this makes our descendants have more respect for Cao Cao.
6
"Its shape is as graceful as a startling giant, as graceful as a swimming dragon, with glorious autumn chrysanthemums and gorgeous spring pine trees. It seems as if the moon is covered by light clouds, floating in the air. It looks like the drifting snow. Looking at it from a distance, it is as bright as the morning glow. Looking at it, it is as bright as a flower growing out of Lubo. The shoulders are as slim as they are trimmed, and the waist is as plain as it is..." This text is an excerpt from Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo". The most popular prose written by a Jian'an scholar is Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo". Talents write about beauties, the beauty of beauty, prosperity and triviality. In Cao Zhi's writing, beauty will make people tire of the complexity, and every strand in the triviality is the essence of beauty.
There are many beauties in Weidu and many talented people in Jian'an! Xuchang is no longer the capital of Wei, and the Jian'an era is far away from us. However, Xuchang and Cao Cao have become inseparable humanistic elements, so that when people mention Cao Cao, they will think of Xuchang, and when they come to Xuchang, they will think of Cao Cao. In Xuchang in the new era, in memory of Cao Cao, Weidu District and Jian'an District were established in Xuchang City so that future generations can always remember the four words "Weidu and Jian'an". Cao Cao is undoubtedly an outstanding military strategist, politician, and writer, and deserves to be commemorated in this way.
Longing for a city does not necessarily mean that the city contains your childhood memories. Just because there are many stories about Cao Cao here, you will be very interested in this city. I came to Xuchang because of my "strong interest". I have been here for almost 18 years. Although I was a little disappointed and uncomfortable at first, now I like it more and more.
In Xuchang today, many of the newly built cultural landscapes are related to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao's saying "How about the deer roaring, eating apples in the wild" led to today's Xuchang Luming Lake; Cao Cao's saying "to the east is facing the Jieshi to view the vast sea", today's Xuchang Beihai came into existence; and Jian'an Ancient Street , Prime Minister Cao's Mansion, Baling Lake... these landscapes are all related to Cao Cao.
From a bird's eye view of Xuchang, the water system runs through the north and south like jasper, and the vegetation spreads like green velvet from east to west. When you are in Xuchang, the water is sparkling, the birds are chirping, the flowers and plants are blooming, the trees are shady, the pavilions stand tall, and the bridges and railings are winding, just like a new city in the south of the Yangtze River. Taking a deep breath, the air is fresh and the fragrance of plants is fragrant. The dust in the nose and mouth is no longer the past. Of course, Xuchang is still a vast place in Pyongyang. When you go out of the urban area, you will still see vast wheat fields and a rough atmosphere. This is what makes it different from Jiangnan and full of masculinity.
When we stand in the vast wheat fields of Pyongyang and look around, we suddenly feel that the sky and the earth are infinitely wide and the world is infinitely large, and Cao Cao is galloping horses, reciting poems and discussing politics in our minds!