Chapter 11 four murders

In fact, almost everyone who offended and contradicted Cao Cao ended badly.If you can't find any faults, you will falsely accuse them of treason; if you can't plant the spoils of rebellion, you will falsely accuse them of "slandering the heart and slander".Slander and slander are matters that cannot be explained clearly and do not require evidence, so of course one must be sure.This kind of murder on the charge of "slandering the heart" was done by Liu Bang, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Liu Che did it, and Cao Cao was also very handy in doing it.Cui Yan, who had the highest morality, the most upright character, the most decent style, and the highest prestige among the masses, was beaten to death by Cao Cao.

Cui Yan, courtesy name Jigui, was the most respected celebrity at that time. According to history books, he was "clean, loyal and bright, elegant and knowledgeable, straight-forward, and upright in the court", that is to say, he was honest, loyal, upright and elegant. He has great foresight, sees people accurately, does things upright, and looks dignified, awe-inspiring to the court. It is said that even Cao Cao was awed by his righteousness when he saw him (the Taizu also respected him).In fact, Cao Cao also admired him very much, saying that he had "the style of Boyi" and that "the straightness of Shi Yu" Boyi was a typical so-called "gentleman". It is not for the people not to make things happen."Shi Yu is a typical so-called "straight minister". Because Wei Linggong did not accept his faithful advice, he left a will before his death and refused to allow his family to attend his funeral in the main hall. Wei Linggong corrected the mistake.So Confucius said: Upright, Shi Yu!If the country has the right way, it is as straight as an arrow, and if the country has no way, it is also as straight as an arrow.Mencius said: Those who hear the wind of Boyi are stubborn and honest, and cowards have determination. , "The poor man admires his reputation and is clear, and the strong man is honored and powerful." He believes that Cui Yan is an example for everyone and a model of the times.

Cui Yan really lived up to expectations.During his tenure as Minister of Organization and Minister of Personnel, he selected a large number of outstanding talents (civil and military talents, many outstanding), and recruited according to their talents, without empathy, so that "the imperial court is high, and the world is equal." The corruption has established the prestige of the court. Cui Yan is also an upright and open-minded person.In his later years, Cao Cao was troubled by the issue of establishing an heir. He didn't know whether to establish the oldest Cao Pi or the most talented Cao Zhi.So he secretly asked all the officials in a letter, asking them to state their opinions and seal them for answering.Only Cui Yan responded publicly by "exposing the board" (not sealing the board), saying that according to the meaning of "Spring and Autumn", a son is established to grow up, not to mention that the general of the five senses (Cao Pi) is benevolent, filial, intelligent, and suitable for orthodoxy.I, Cui Yan, would like to die to abide by the righteous way.Cao Cao was surprised when he saw it.Because Cao Zhi is Cui Yan's nephew and son-in-law.Cui Yan recommends Cao Pi instead of Cao Zhi, which shows that he is indeed public-minded. Even Cao Cao has to "sigh" and admire his selflessness.

However, such a person was also killed by Cao Cao, and it was completely framed.The reason for killing him was "slander at the heart".Killing someone with the so-called "slander at the heart" is a stupid logic, not to mention Cui Yan's "slander at the heart" is simply untenable.The thing is this: After Cao Cao became the king of Wei, a man named Yang Xun wrote a watch, praising Cao Cao's meritorious deeds and virtues, and was criticized by some people, saying that he catered to power and was a hypocrite.Then they discussed Cui Yan, thinking that he actually recommended Yang Xun as an official, which was his negligence and dereliction of duty as the head of the organization.So Cui Yan took a look at the draft of Yang Xun's memorial, and wrote a short message to Yang Xun, saying: "Provincial form, the matter is good! Call from time to time, and when there is a change." The case was settled. From this.

We are now unable to know Cui Yan's true thoughts and motives for writing this letter, but this letter is indeed somewhat vague and ambiguous.Its literal translation is: I have read the watch and chapter, and the work is not bad!Time, oh time, as time changes, the situation will definitely change!The key here is: what is the thing that is okay, and what is the situation that will change.They can be understood as: Yang Xun’s memorial was not bad, or he did a good job of presenting the memorial, and as time goes by, people’s views on Yang Xun will also change.This kind of understanding is logical and logical.

But the whistleblower didn't understand it that way.The translation of his explanation will be like this: I have read the watch and seal, and the things that Cao has done are not bad!Oh, the weather, the time, there will always be a change.So Cao Cao said angrily: Common people usually say that it’s all right to have a baby girl, but it’s just "not bad". The word "ear" is not a good word. "There will always be a time for change" is even more rude, with ulterior motives!So Cui Yan was sentenced to lose his disciples with Kun.That is, shave a yin and yang head and send it to the labor camp.Cui Yan suffered this humiliation, but he was very calm in his heart, he behaved as before, his words were unflinching, and he did not show any obsequiousness, condescension, or begging for mercy.The informer went to report to Cao Cao again, saying that Cui Yan had no intention of pleading guilty and repenting.Cao Cao issued an order saying: "Although Cui Yan was tortured, he still received guests. The crowd was bustling, his beard was shaking when he spoke, and people stared straight at him, as if he was dissatisfied!"Three days later, the officials in charge of monitoring Cui Yan reported that Cui Yan had not committed suicide. Cao Cao was angry and said: "Does Cui Yan have to use the knife and saw?"When Cui Yan heard this, he nodded and said, "It's my fault. I don't know Mr. Cao has such a meaning."So he calmly killed himself.

Cui Yan's death was undoubtedly the biggest unjust case at that time.Even when Chen Shou was writing history, he couldn't help but say: "Taizu (Cao Cao) was taboo by nature, and those who were unbearable, Kong Rong of Lu State, Xu You of Nanyang, and Lou Gui of Nanyang were all punished for sticking to the old and ungodly. (Cui) Yan is the most deplored by the world, and has been wronged up to now." In fact, Cui Yan is not "impious", and Cao Cao has long had murderous intentions.In 204 A.D., Cao Cao conquered Yecheng, pacified the Yuan family, and led Jizhou Mu.He proudly told Cui Yan, who had just been rescued from Jizhou Prison and became his second driver, "I checked my household registration yesterday, and this time I can get 300,000 people. Jizhou is really a big state." !Unexpectedly, Cui Yan said: Now the world is falling apart, Kyushu is divided, the Yuan brothers are fighting with each other, and the corpses of the people of Jizhou are exposed in the wilderness.When Master Wang arrived, he didn't hear that he first spread the voice of benevolence, asked about the customs, and saved the people from suffering. Instead, he first calculated how many soldiers he could get, and focused on expanding his strength. Is this what the men, women, and children of our state pinned their hopes on Ming Gong?These words of righteousness made the guests beside him turn pale with fright, and Cao Cao quickly put away his complacent demeanor and apologized to Cui Yan.Because this is really the voice of justice and integrity, it cannot but be awe-inspiring.But that lump is also knotted in the bottom of my heart.It should be said that Cao Cao had waited twelve years from the grudge in 204 to the murder in 216, and he had waited long enough.

Let us not forget that none of those who held power in the era of autocracy did not retaliate and avenge their private enemies, and Cao Cao was no exception.Because even the most wimpy and most incompetent emperors and officials can do this.The only difference is: some people will turn their faces on the spot and take revenge immediately; some people will do it for long-term goals and greater interests.Bear with it first, and wait until autumn to settle the score. However, it is the difference between a hero or a villain and a bear or an idiot whether to settle accounts after autumn or to turn one's face on the spot.

Therefore, Cui Yan used his own death to prove that he was a gentleman; Cao Cao used Cui Yan's death to prove that he was a traitor. Kong Rong's death was different. Kong Rong, courtesy name Wenju, is said to be the twentieth grandson of Confucius, so he has a great background.He was very smart when he was a child, and he was regarded as a "child prodigy".As a result, Kong Rong became famous all over the world, and everyone knew that he was the same "backward crown" as the Bian Rang mentioned above, and he became Prime Minister of Beihai at the age of thirty-eight.Later, he was invited to Xuchang by Cao Cao and became the general minister (minister of construction) in charge of engineering.Every time the imperial court holds an imperial meeting, he is the main spokesperson, and the other ministers are just nominal committee members.

Kong Rong is very talented and famous, and of course his temper and airs are not small. In 197, when Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, Cao Cao wanted to avenge his personal revenge and took the opportunity to kill the Taiwei Yang Biao who was married to Yuan Shu.When Kong Rong heard about it, he immediately went to Cao Cao and said that "Book of Zhou" said that "father and son are brothers, the crimes are not related", not to mention that Yang Biao and Yuan Shu are only in-laws!Cao Cao evaded and said, this is the meaning of the above.Kong Rong thought to himself, fuck you!He doesn't forgive others: Could it be that King Cheng wanted to kill Duke Zhao, and Duke Zhou also said he didn't know?Now people all over the world respect you because you are smart, benevolent and fair.If innocent people are killed indiscriminately, the hearts of all people in the world will be chilled.First of all, the first one, I, Kong Rong, is a dignified Lu country man, and I won’t come to work tomorrow!Cao Cao thought that what he said made sense, so he didn't kill Yang Biao, but he must have a lump in his heart.

However, Kong Rong did not let Cao Cao go, and found trouble with him whenever he had the opportunity, and vented his dissatisfaction with Cao Cao by means of sarcasm and deliberately making trouble.Cao Cao broke through Yecheng, and Cao Pi snatched Yuan Xi's wife, Zhen Shi, as his concubine.Kong Rong wrote to Cao Cao, saying that when King Wu defeated Zhou, he gave Daji to Duke Zhou.Because of Kong Rong's erudition, Cao Cao thought it was true, so he asked him which book he read about it.Kong Rong replied: "It's a matter of course to live with it today." Another example is that Cao Cao ordered a ban on alcohol in order to save food, saying that alcohol can subjugate the country, so it must be banned.Kong Rong jumped out to sing the opposite tune again, saying that there are wine stars in the sky, wine springs on the ground, and wine virtues in the world, how can wine be banned?Besides, since ancient times, countries have been subjugated because of women, why can't women be banned?These words, of course, made Cao Cao very uncomfortable.But Kong Rong has a big background and a great reputation, and Cao Cao can't help him easily, but "although he is tolerant on the outside, he can't be flat on the inside." If Kong Rong just said some sarcastic and harsh words, maybe Cao Cao just endured it.It's a pity that Kong Rong still wanted to attack Cao Cao's political line and program, and expressed his opposition to every major decision of Cao Cao, which made Cao Cao intolerable.In addition, the relationship between Kong Rong and Liu Bei is extraordinary, and Cao Cao just wants to use Jingzhou.How can you feel at ease keeping such a person in the court?So Cao Cao decided to eliminate Kong Rong before eliminating Liu Bei. After all, killing Kong Rong is not killing some other nameless moron, and we have to talk about legal procedures.Therefore, Cao Cao appointed Xi Ji to be the chief prosecutor (doctor censor) to investigate what was wrong with Kong Rong.Xixi was originally at odds with Kong Rong, so he naturally understood Cao Cao's appointment, and soon collected Kong Rong's criminal evidence, and asked a person named Lu Cui to write a report.One of the most serious ones is threatening that "whoever has the world, why use a golden sword".Maojindao is the word Liu (Liu).This is treason, of course he should be killed, he can be killed.So Kong Rong was soon imprisoned, executed, and abandoned the market, and his wife and children were all implicated. However, Cao Cao killed Kong Rong not on the charge of "rebellion", but on the charge of "unfilial piety".According to Lu Cui's revelation and the charges released later, Kong Rong had two "reactionary remarks".One is to say: Father and Son, what grace do you have?In terms of its original meaning, it was just an outbreak of lust at that time.Son and mother, what love is there?It's like a thing is temporarily stored in a crock, and it doesn't matter when it's poured out.The second is to say: When there is a famine, if there is something to eat, if the father is not good, he would rather give it to others.Such remarks are of course "unfilial".So Cao Cao said viciously in the notice: "Integration violates the heavens and the way, corrupts the morals and outlaws the etiquette. Although it is in the market, I still hate it late." Not only should he be killed, but it is too late. This is a typical punishment of crimes with words, and it is also a typical autocratic politics.First of all, we don't know whether Kong Rong really made the above remarks.But Cao Cao said yes, so there is, and there is no room for argument.Secondly, even if there is, it is at best outrageous, wrong but not guilty.But in Cao Cao's era, human rights were not respected, and he was even guilty of "slandering and slandering", let alone "rampant attacks"?Of course damn it.Third, Cao Cao himself said that "it is only a matter of talent", and it doesn't matter if you steal money from your wife or be unkind or unfilial. How can you kill someone because of unfilial piety?Could it be that you backtracked and slapped yourself?Besides, Kong Rong just made unfilial remarks, and Cao Cao also used it in organizational lines and personnel policies. Shouldn't he be killed?However, we can't ask Cao Cao these words.As Mr. Lu Xun said: "If we ask him, I'm afraid he will kill us too!" Lu Xun: "Wei Jin Manners and the Relationship between Articles, Medicine and Wine". In fact, Cao Cao had a deep intention to kill Kong Rong on the charge of unfilial piety, which once again showed that Cao Cao was a very scheming politician, while Kong Rong was a bookworm who was motivated.First of all, the Han Dynasty has always advocated the rule of filial piety.Cao Cao's killing of Kong Rong shows that he maintained filial piety, and maintaining filial piety means maintaining the Han Dynasty.This is fair and aboveboard, and at the same time, it also washes away the suspicion of "conspiring to usurp", and makes another political vote.Secondly, doing so will not only destroy Kong Rong's body, but also slander Kong Rong's reputation.Do you think that the twentieth generation grandson of Confucius actually advocated unfilial piety, is his character still reliable?A person who even betrayed his ancestors, shouldn't he deserve to die?Obviously, Cao Cao not only wanted to kill Kong Rong, but also let him die without guilt, and he would not be able to turn over after death, leaving a bad reputation for thousands of years.This move is very vicious and powerful.When Chen Shou wrote "Three Kingdoms", he did not dare to write a biography for Kong Rong. Speaking of Cao Cao's killing of Kong Rong, he did have the purpose of correcting the atmosphere.It's just that this ethos has nothing to do with filial piety or unfilial piety, but has a lot to do with politics.We know that at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, many celebrities advertised as "Qingliu".Among them, there are naturally noble and pure people who keep themselves clean, and there are also people who try to catch fame.But no matter what kind of "Qingliu", the common feature is that they are talented and have a big temper, or they are not talented but have a big temper.They are all self-proclaimed, unwilling to associate with the so-called common people, unwilling to cooperate with the authorities, or pretending not to cooperate with the authorities.If it's just a temper tantrum in personal life, it doesn't matter, but they still want to bring this kind of ethos into political life, and it will have a great impact, which can't help but give Cao Cao a headache.Cao Cao is an extraordinary person who does extraordinary things at extraordinary times.If he wants to be a dictator, how can he allow others to say strange things about him every day?If he wants to employ people, how can he allow everyone not to cooperate?This requires killing a thousand people to set the trend right, and Kong Rong happens to be such a big rooster.So he wants to kill Kong Rong and criticize him.For another person who is also very talented and tempered, but his status and influence are not as good as Kong Rong, he will not touch him, but let others kill him. This person is Mi Heng. Mi Heng, courtesy name Zhengping, was born in Pingyuan (now Pingyuan County, Shandong Province). "Book of the Later Han Dynasty" says that he "has little eloquence, but he is arrogant and arrogant, and he is very arrogant and arrogant." The meaning in the eyes.Probably because of congeniality, he and Kong Rong have a very good relationship and talk about everything.It is said that Kong Rong's two unfilial remarks were said to Mi Heng, and Mi Heng spread them everywhere.Lu Cui also revealed that Kong Rong and Mi Heng flattered each other.Mi Heng said that Kong Rong was "the immortal Zhongni", while Kong Rong praised Mi Heng as "Yan Hui was resurrected".Lu Cui's report materials repeatedly mentioned Mi Heng, which shows that Kong Rong's case is, in a sense, a continuation of Mi Heng's case. Mi Heng's killing, of course, offended Cao Cao first.Kong Rong recommended Mi Heng to Cao Cao many times because of his love for Mi Heng's talent.Cao Cao himself is also a person who loves talents, so he also wanted to meet this celebrity.But Mi Heng looked down on Cao Cao, claiming to be mad, and refused to go, and sneered at Cao Cao behind his back.How could Cao Cao stand this?But considering Mi Heng's talent and fame, he didn't want to kill him, he just wanted to kill his prestige.Hearing that you Heng is good at playing drums, he called you Heng to be the drummer, and gathered guests to read and test the syllables.This time Mi Heng came, and the drumming was very wonderful and beautiful, "the appearance is different, the chorus is tragic, and the listeners are all generous."Mi Heng walked in front of Cao Cao again, but was stopped by the official in charge of etiquette, saying that the drummer should put on special clothes, why did you walk in like this?Mi Heng said: Yes.So in front of Cao Cao, he unhurriedly took off his clothes one by one, stripped naked, then slowly changed into his uniform, played drums and left without any shame on his face. mean.As a result, Cao Cao couldn't step down.But Cao Cao is Cao Cao after all, so he said to the guests with a chuckle: I originally wanted to humiliate Ni Heng, but I didn't expect to be humiliated by him instead. Even Kong Rong felt that this was too shameful, so he scolded Mi Heng when he came down, and repeatedly stated Cao Cao's intention of admiring talents.Ni Heng agreed to see Cao Cao.Kong Rong was very happy, and immediately ran to tell Cao Cao.Cao Cao was also very happy to hear that, and immediately told his disciples to report when Mi Heng came.Unexpectedly, Mi Heng didn't come until the afternoon, and he didn't come to apologize, but to scold people.I saw him wearing a single cloth coat, a thick kudzu scarf on his head, and a wooden stick in his hand. He stood at the gate of the camp and cursed.While cursing, he also hit the ground with a wooden stick, cursing in a rhythmic and vivid manner.Cao Cao was furious, turned around and said to Kong Rong: "You Heng boy, what are you?"Gu wants to kill him, but kills a sparrow and mouse! What You Heng did is really unreasonable.At least, he shouldn't have sold Kong Rong as well, making Kong Rong a bad person inside and out, and making Cao Cao look down on him.Perhaps it was because of this extreme contempt that Cao Cao didn't even bother to execute him himself, but sent him to Liu Biao.Liu Biao has a reputation for being tolerant and loving. After Mi Heng left, if he could change his course and live in harmony, it would be a good solution.It's a pity that you Heng's country is easy to change, but his nature is hard to change. In the end, he fell out with Liu Biao and was sent to Huang Zu by Liu Biao.Huang Zu is a big bastard, how can he eat Mi Heng's tricks?At a banquet, Mi Heng made rude remarks again.Huang Zu scolded him, but he responded with insults.Huang Zu was furious and ordered him to be spanked, but Mi Heng cursed more and more fiercely.Huang Zu couldn't take it anymore, so he ordered the boy to be killed.It just so happened that Huang Zu's master hated Ni Heng, so he killed him in a hurry.You Heng was only twenty-six years old when he died. Mi Heng's death was more or less self-inflicted.He has gone too far.Of all the scribes who died unjustly, he deserves the least sympathy.Seriously speaking, he is actually an extremely selfish person.His arrogance is a manifestation of his selfishness.In his mind, there is only himself and no one else, so he looks down on anyone.In order to show his so-called arrogance, he did not hesitate to push his friend Kong Rong into an extremely embarrassing situation.This is not a hero, it can only be called a bastard. In fact, Mi Heng's so-called arrogance has no righteous content. It is just a vicious expansion of his self-expression, and it has reached the point where he does not hesitate to belittle others to elevate himself.At that time, Xuchang had just established its capital, and heroes from all over the world gathered here, full of talents.Someone suggested that he associate with Chen Qun and Sima Lang, but he looked disdainful, saying how can I deal with people who butcher pigs and sell wine!Chen Qun, courtesy name Changwen, his grandfather, father, and uncle were all celebrities at that time. He himself was friends with Kong Rong, and he was an official in the same dynasty. He was not a pig killer.Sima Lang, whose name is Boda, is a son of an aristocratic family. He is Sima Yi's eldest brother, and of course he is not a wine seller.When Mi Heng said this, he could only show his arrogance.Someone asked him again, how about Xun Yu and Zhao Zhichang?Xun was Cao Cao's number one counselor, and he was an outstanding talent; Zhao was the general who swayed bandits at that time, and he had a lot of food.So Mi Heng pouted and said: Xun can use his face to host funerals, and Zhao can use his belly to supervise the chef to treat guests.In short, Mi Heng looks down on everyone, and the ones who look a little more pleasing to the eye are Kong Rong and Yang Xiu.But Mi Heng was not polite to them, and often told people that only the eldest son Kong Wenju (Kong Rong) and the younger son Yang Dezu (Yang Xiu) were okay, and the other boys couldn't mention it.When Mi Heng said this, he was only in his early twenties, and Kong Rong was already forty years old, and he was called "the eldest son". You can imagine Mi Heng's madness. Such a rebellious and rude person, of course, can't get along well with others, and Mi Heng doesn't seem to want to build a good relationship either.He was expelled from the country by Cao Cao, and everyone came to see him off, but he put on airs and came after a long time, so angry that everyone sat and lay down, ignoring him.Mi Heng sat down and cried loudly.Everyone asked him why he was crying, and he said that what was sitting was a tomb, and what was lying was a corpse, and I was caught between the tomb and the corpse, can you not be sad?Who would like a guy who likes to swear, and who swears so viciously? In fact, Ni Heng is dying from his arrogance.When he went to Liu Biao, Liu Biao regarded him as a guest of honor, but he kept mocking Liu Biao's cronies.So these people went to Liu Biao to make a small report, saying that Ni Heng recognized the general's benevolence and generosity, but thought that he was no more than a woman's benevolence, had no ability to make decisions, and would undoubtedly lose.These words hit Liu Biao's vital point, but Mi Heng didn't say it.However, it was said that it came from Mi Heng's mouth, but everyone believed it.So Liu Biao became angry and sent him to Huang Zu.Cao Cao sent Mi Heng to Liu Biao because he knew that Liu Biao was magnanimous, and he was lenient towards Mi Heng, and hoped that he could take care of himself.Liu Ming knew that Huang Zu was irritable, and he wanted to push Mi Heng to him because he wanted to make things difficult for Mi Heng, and even wanted to kill someone with a knife. In the final analysis, Ni Heng died because of the lack of legal system and human rights.Because no matter how hateful and disgusting you are, at least the sin does not deserve death.But it is certain that even in a society that talks about the rule of law and human rights, he will not be likable. In comparison, Yang Xiu's death was somewhat unclear. Yang Xiu, courtesy name Dezu, the son of Taiwei Yang Biao, is also an extremely intelligent and talented person. Even the arrogant champion Ni Heng admits that he is still a person, and calls him a child.Yang Xiu is also a humble person.His death was not because he offended anyone.Historians generally believe that Yang Xiu died in the dispute over the establishment of the reserve.At that time, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were fighting to be the prince, and Yang Xiu was helping Cao Zhi.After Cao Cao made up his mind to make Cao Pi his son, in order to prevent Yang Xiu from giving Cao Zhi a bad idea, he would fight against Cao Pi, cause trouble, cause brothers to fight, and cause trouble to Xiao Qiang, so he killed Yang Xiu more than a hundred days before his death. This statement is very suspicious.Yang Xiu did help Cao Zhi, but Yang Xiu is not Cao Zhi's best friend.After Cao Pi was established as the prince, Yang Xiu wanted to alienate Cao Zhi.However, Cao Zhi tried to win over Yang Xiu again and again, and Yang Xiu "did not dare to give up himself".After all, Cao Zhi is Cao Cao's beloved son, even if he can't become the prince, he can't afford to offend him.Although Yang Xiu came from a famous family, the fourth generation of Taiwei, like the Yuan Shao brothers, is also a "high-ranking son", and his father is the current Taiwei, but now even the emperor has become Cao Cao's doll, so what is a Taiwei?What can Yang Xiu do if he doesn't flatter the Cao brothers? What's more, the relationship between Yang Xiu and Cao Pi is not bad.Yang Xiu once presented a sword to Cao Pi. Cao Pi liked it very much and often wore it on his body.Later, when Cao Pi became emperor and lived in Luoyang, he still wore this sword.One day, when Cao Pi left the palace calmly, he suddenly remembered Yang Xiu. He stroked his sword and ordered him to stop.Where is Wang Mao now?When he found Wang Mao, Cao Pi gave him some food and clothes.As the saying goes, love a house and a bird.Cao Pi liked this sword so much that even Wang Mao wanted to reward it; when he mentioned Yang Xiu, he called him by his name but not by his name, which showed that Cao Pi still had some feelings for Yang Xiu, at least not so disgusted.Cao Pi himself didn't want to kill someone, why would Cao Cao kill him for him! Cao Cao killed Yang Xiu for himself. Yang Xiu, although everyone recognized him as smart, was actually just a little smart.He assisted Cao Zhi, mostly because he speculated that Cao Cao would establish Cao Zhi.So even though both brothers dated him, he fell for Cao Zhi.After Cao Zhi lost power, he wanted to run away again. This is all a manifestation of cleverness.The ideas he gave Cao Zhi were also clever.Once, Cao Cao ordered Cao Pi and Cao Zhi brothers to go out of Yecheng to handle errands.In advance, the guards were ordered not to let him go.Yang Xiu guessed that Cao Cao must have such an arrangement, so he told Cao Zhi in advance that if the guards did not let Hou Ye go out, Hou Ye had the king's order and could kill him.As a result, Cao Zhi left the city, but Cao Pi did not.But Cao Cao's arrangement is a comprehensive inspection of the two brothers, not only their talents, but also their virtues.On the surface, Cao Zhi won the game, but he left Cao Cao with the impression that Cao Pi was kind and Cao Zhi was cruel, and he actually lost.Yang Xiu knows one thing, but doesn't know the other, and he doesn't see far, so he is clever. This kind of cleverness often makes him shoot himself in the foot.Yang Xiu liked to speculate on Cao Cao's thoughts, and often pre-conceived many questions for Cao Zhi and wrote down the answers.Whenever Cao Cao has something to ask, he will send a copy of the appropriate answer prepared in advance, hoping to give Cao Cao the impression of "witty and quick thinking".However, after going back and forth, Cao Cao became suspicious, thinking that no matter how smart Cao Zhi was, he wouldn't be so fast!After sending someone to investigate, they found out the reason.From then on, he had an opinion on Cao Zhi, and he hated Yang Xiu even more. It's a pity that Yang Xiu has no self-knowledge at all, and often has to show off his cleverness.As the chief bookkeeper of Cao Cao, he refused to sit in the office honestly, and always wanted to sneak out to play.But I was afraid that Cao Cao would have questions to ask, so whenever I went out, I had to figure out Cao Cao's thoughts in advance, write down the answers, and write them in order, and told the attendants that if the prime minister issued an order, they would answer them one by one in this order. .I didn't expect that people are not as good as heaven.A gust of wind blows, and the order of the papers is all messed up.The attendants answered in a messed up order, so naturally the text was wrong.Cao Cao was furious and called Yang Xiu to interrogate him.Yang Xiu didn't dare to hide anything, so he could only tell the truth.When Cao Cao saw Yang Xiu treating him like this, he was naturally very jealous. To make matters worse, Yang Xiu still wanted to show off his cleverness in front of everyone.Once, Cao Cao went to inspect the newly built Xiangguo Mansion, and he was noncommittal after seeing it, so he just asked someone to write the word "living" on the door.Yang Xiu ordered the door to be demolished and rebuilt, saying: "Live" in "door" means "broad", and the prime minister thought the door was too big.Once again, someone gave Cao Cao a box of halva.After Cao Cao took a bite, he wrote the word "He" on the box and handed it to everyone.Everyone was puzzled, but Yang Xiu took it and ate it, and said: Isn't it "one bite"?If this is still a trivial skill and harmless, then his performance in the army will make Cao Cao murderous.In 219 AD, Cao Cao personally led an army from Chang'an out of Xiegu and marched into Hanzhong, preparing for a decisive battle with Liu Bei.Unexpectedly, Liu Bei gathered the crowd to take advantage of the danger and defended himself without fighting.Cao Cao wanted to attack but could not advance, wanted to defend without ground, had no way to fight and defend, and was in a dilemma.One day, his subordinates asked him for the password in the army, and they agreed to give him "chicken ribs".After hearing this, Yang Xiu immediately packed up.Everyone hurriedly asked why, and Yang Xiu said: Chicken ribs are tasteless to eat, and it's a pity to discard them. My lord is planning to go home. This time Yang Xiu guessed right again, but this time I'm afraid it will kill his head.Sure enough, in less than half a year, Cao Cao killed Yang Xiu on the charge of "leaking out his words and teachings and making friends with the princes", which is roughly equivalent to the crime of leaking state secrets, forming a party for personal gain, and lying to deceive the public. It is said that Yang Xiu once said to people before his death: "I think it is too late to die." But if he thought his death was implicated by Cao Zhi, then he didn't understand it.Yang Xiu didn't understand that he was living in an autocratic system, and Cao Cao was one of the few "lords of guessing" under this system.Such characters are very suspicious and defensive.What they hate the most is that others can guess their thoughts.Because they want to maintain their dictatorship of one-man dictatorship, they must implement the policy of obscuring the people and spy politics.He wants to master everything about others, but he cannot let others know his own thoughts, unless he intentionally hints or reminds you.In short, a dictator must mystify himself in order to appear "unpredictable" and make others tremble with fear while he is at his fingertips.Yang Xiu has a clear understanding of Cao Cao's thoughts, and he can even guess the order of questions to be asked, which is really terrifying.With such a figure like an X-ray machine guarding him, can Cao Cao still play politics?If Yang Xiu guessed it but didn't say it, maybe it would be better.He wants to publicize everywhere, which will at least make it appear that Cao Cao's city is not deep, but this will activate some people's disobedience.Therefore, Yang Xiu's nail must be pulled out.It can be said that Mi Heng died because he did not understand people too well; Yang Xiu died because he understood people too well.Moreover, they don't understand themselves, nor do they understand how people should get along with each other. To put it simply, Cui Yan died because of his loyalty and integrity, Kong Rong died because of his ignorance of current affairs, Mi Heng died because of his arrogance and absurdity, and Yang Xiu died because of his cleverness.Cui Yan died the most unjustly, while Mi Heng died the most worthless.