In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was portrayed as a "treacherous hero", and his treachery and cunning were daunting. Among the Three Kingdoms, he is a "dual" figure, with a dark side and a heroic side. As a novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms takes the historical image of Cao Cao as the prototype, highlighting its "treacherous hero" side, shaping a brand-new character image, and embodying Cao Cao's literary image and historical image.
1, literary image: running the world, traitors in troubled times.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the author holds a negative attitude towards Cao Cao. There are countless stories in his works that reflect his treachery, cunning and cruelty. As a villain, Cao Cao has always been portrayed as a "traitor" image, a typical minister of a big villain, and a representative of the "traitor" among the typical characters in the author's works.
Sun Sheng said in Similarities and Differences of Miscellaneous Words: "Mao Wen (Xu Shao):' What am I like?' A solid question, and then the son will answer,' a capable minister in charge of the world, a traitor in troubled times.' ""Mao laughed. "
Tang Yongtong's "Reading Words" also said: "The Book of the Later Han Dynasty said that Xu Caocao said:' Zi Qingping's traitor was a hero in troubled times. "
In addition, "Shi Shuo Xin Yu Jian" also said, "Tsao Gong saw Qiao Xuan when he was young, and Xuan Yue said,' There is chaos in the world, and tigers compete with each other. Isn't it a gentleman? However, you are a hero in troubled times and a traitor who runs the world. "
This is the earliest material that regards Cao Cao as "a hero who manages the world and a traitor in troubled times", among which Liu Shao's statement is recognized by the world.
2, historical image: omnipotent, with the world in mind.
We can see that Cao Cao was an innovator in the feudal ruling class of China in the history of the Three Kingdoms and Emperor Wu. He promulgated a series of reform decrees: rewarding farming, strengthening centralization and appointing people on their merits. He "banned prostitution", which made "traitors flee and the county boundaries respected"; He ordered rent reduction and tax reduction, and the people were very happy; Its "neat customs" and "great contribution" have stabilized the development of northern society and fully demonstrated the courage and wisdom of a politician.
In the Biography of the Three Kingdoms Wei Yu Xun, the author wrote: "When Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou City in the first year of Xingping (AD 194), Yu Xun advised Cao Cao:' If you go to Xuzhou before, you will be bullied. If your children are ashamed of their fathers and brothers, they must protect themselves and have no heart. You can break it, but you can't have it yet. " "。 This passage did not directly say that Cao Cao killed people like hemp, but summed up how many people killed Cao Cao with the euphemism of "imposing punishment", which made people guess Cao Cao's cruel side. When describing this history, this biography also said that Cao Cao was "killed by too many people", which shows Cao Cao's cruelty and ruthlessness.
In the biography of the Three Kingdoms, Wu Zhi and Zhuge Liang, Sun Quan commented on Cao Cao in this way: "What Cao Cao did only focused on the war, and it was too bad to alienate the people's flesh and blood, which was very cool." As for the royal generals, they are rare since ancient times. "
It can be seen that it is vivid and objective for Chen Shou to record Cao Cao's good and evil in the History of the Three Kingdoms. In the history of the Three Kingdoms, both Cao Cao's heroic side and his dark and cunning side were displayed.
Note: Cao Cao (155-March15,220) was born in Peiguoqiao County (now Bozhou, Anhui Province). At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, he was an outstanding politician, strategist, writer and calligrapher, and the founder of the Cao Wei regime in the Three Kingdoms. At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the world was in chaos. In the name of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao conquered all directions, wiped out the separatist forces such as Er Yuan, Lu Bu, Liu Biao, Ma Chao and Han Sui at home, surrendered the southern Xiongnu, Wu Huan and Xianbei abroad, unified the northern part of China, and implemented a series of policies to restore economic production and social order, which laid the foundation for the founding of Cao Wei. Cao Cao was the prime minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty before his death, then Wang Wei, and after his death, posthumous title became King Wu. After his son Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor, he was honored as Emperor Wu, with the temple name Mao.