This is the evaluation of Cao Cao by Xu Shao, a famous connoisseur in the Eastern Han Dynasty, before Dong Zhuo's political chaos in the early Three Kingdoms.
This sentence has two meanings. First, to be in charge of the world is to be a minister; Being in troubled times is a traitor. Second, to govern the world is to be a minister; It is treacherous to disturb the world.
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 heard that Cao Cao broke into Zhang Rang's house alone. It is also said that Cao Cao "is less alert and has the right to count, while Ren Xia is extravagant and does not wait for his occupation", and he is also said to be a "flying eagle running dog, wandering around the world". "Humble yourself and refuse to be right" is because you despise him and 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 while and finally said, You are a traitor and a hero in troubled times. (Biography of Xu Shao in the Later Han Dynasty) The records of the Three Kingdoms and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty are different: (Xu Shao) said: Zi can rule the world, and treacherous officials come out in troubled times.
Extended data:
Cao Cao (155-0315,220), whose real name was Geely, was the secretariat of posthumous title Mengde and Yuzhou (now Bozhou, Anhui). Outstanding statesman, strategist, writer and calligrapher in the late Eastern Han Dynasty? The founder of Wei in the Three Kingdoms and the son of Qiu Cao Song.
Ju Xiaolian was born and was elected as a Langguan. Successively served as the viceroy of Luoyang North, Dunqiu, negotiator and a captain on horseback, suppressed the Yellow turban insurrectionary uprising, moved to Jinan, became a political and religious leader, moved to a county, and worked as a captain in the point army. Organize the Kanto vassal Coalition to crusade against Dong Zhuo, move to Dongjun, and worship Yanzhou as a shepherd. Welcome the Han emperor, worship the viceroy, record the history, serve the public, move the prime minister, and praise the emperor to make him not a minister.
Eliminate the separatist forces such as Er Yuan, Lu Bu, Liu Biao, Ma Chao and Han Sui, surrender to Xiongnu, Wuhuan and Xianbei in the south, basically unify northern China, implement effective policies, resume economic production and stabilize social order.
Expanding land reclamation, building water conservancy projects, rewarding agriculture and mulberry, attaching importance to handicrafts, resettling refugees and implementing "rent modulation" have promoted political stability, economic improvement, reduced class oppression and improved social atmosphere in the Central Plains. ? Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty remembered his contribution, made him Duke Wei and added nine tin.
In the 21st year of Jian 'an (2 16), he was named Wang Wei and ascended the throne of a vassal, just like the story of Xiao He. In the 25th year of Jian 'an (15, March 220), he died in Luoyang at the age of 66, and posthumous title was a martial artist. After the second son Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, he was honored as Emperor Wu, with the temple name Mao.
Baidu encyclopedia-Cao Cao