First, Cao Cao's surname is controversial. Cao Cao's grandfather Cao Teng is a eunuch, but eunuchs can't have sons, of course. So Cao Teng later asked for a son when he was next to the emperor. Cao Song, the father of Cao Cao. What is Cao Song's last name? Chen Shou said in the History of the Three Kingdoms: "You can't judge its origin and end." You see, even Chen Shou, who has a good history, didn't make it clear what Cao Cao's surname was. In the biography of Cao Zang, it is said that Cao Song is descended from Xiahou family, and Cao Song is the descendant of Cao Shi who adopted Xiahou. Xiahou's family is also a noble family in Bozhou. At that time, he was a descendant of the founding emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, and his descendant Xia had a very close relationship with Cao Cao. However, there are some troubles here. The descendants of Cao Cao once married the descendants of Xiahou, which violated the principle that the same surname could not marry at that time. Cao Cao is too old to know his last name. Do you think you can feel better?
Secondly, Cao Cao's mother died early, so Cao Cao's childhood education was not good. Later, Cao Cao recalled his childhood with a poem, "No three migrations, no talks with the DPRK". Three migrations refer to the story of Meng Mu's three migrations. Compared with Meng Mu, Cao Cao thinks that his parents are not strict with themselves at all. Rite refers to the story of Confucius educating his son. One day, Confucius was standing in the yard, and his son Kong Li "hurried across the yard". What do you mean "hurry up"? "Rush" means taking small steps to show respect. Walk in front of your superiors, rush, keep your head down, and walk so fast. This is called "trend". At this moment, Kong Li saw his father Confucius standing in the yard and bowed his head. Confucius said, "Stop, have you studied poetry?" No, how can you talk without learning poetry? How can you talk without learning poetry? Yes, I gave up studying poetry. The next day, Confucius stood in the yard again, and Kong Li "rushed through the court". Confucius said, "Come on, how about learning manners?" Not yet. How can you stand not learning manners? How to be a man without learning etiquette? Yes, it is polite to retreat. This story is called "court language", also called "court training", but Cao Cao had no similar education when he was a child. A eunuch's grandfather spoiled him, his father didn't pay much attention to his studies, his mother died early, and there was no warmth at home.
Third, Cao Cao's father married many concubines. Later, Cao Cao had a younger brother, of course, a half-brother. After having a younger brother, Cao Cao's discipline at home is even less strict. So people's evaluation of Cao Cao at that time was often slander or derogatory. Cao: Mao is not good at flying eagles and running dogs, and he is frantic and confused; Li Zhi, in The Three Kingdoms, also said: Mao is less alert and has the right to count, but he is too extravagant to practice medicine, and the world is not surprised. It seems that Cao Cao was a street thug at that time, playing house with Yuan Shao who robbed other people's brides. Of course, the forgotten friendship between Cao Cao and Qiao Xuan disagrees with this. He thinks that Cao Cao is responsible. He said, "The world will be chaotic, and people who are doomed to do nothing can't help it. Those who can be safe are in the king! "
Fourth, there is a nasty uncle. Cao Cao was alert and resourceful in his childhood. Ren Xia is bohemian, especially fond of the flying eagle and his lackeys. So, not many people pay attention to him. But his uncle was very dissatisfied with his behavior and told Cao Cao's father many times to limit Cao Cao's behavior. Cao Cao's uncle was very angry with this practice and decided to play a prank on him to eliminate his influence on himself in front of his father. One day, Cao Cao met his uncle on the road. He pretended to be ill and became crooked.
Seeing him like this, my uncle got a fright and quickly asked him what was wrong. Cao Cao said, "I had a stroke. It's terrible. " My uncle told Cao Cao's father about his stroke, but when his father arrived, Cao Cao was fine and everything went on as usual. So the father asked Cao Cao, "Uncle said you had a stroke. Are you all right now? " Cao Cao said, "Who had a stroke? No, maybe my uncle didn't like me, so he lied to you. " So Cao Cao's father began to doubt what Uncle Cao said. Later, Cao Cao's uncle told everything to Cao Cao's father, who no longer believed him. In this way, Cao Cao is even more unscrupulous.