Cao Cao, also known as Mengde and nicknamed Aman, was an outstanding statesman, military strategist, writer and poet during the Three Kingdoms period in China. He laid the cornerstone of the Cao Wei regime.
Cao Cao was born in a family of officials. He was alert and alert when he was young, but he was regarded as "a capable minister in governing the world and a traitor in troubled times." He first showed his talents during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and later spent all his wealth to raise an army to attack Dong Zhuo, demonstrating his ambition to help the world. In the first year of Jian'an (196), he welcomed Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty to Xudu, "held the emperor in power to command the princes" and gained political advantage. In the Battle of Guandu, he defeated Yuan Shao with less and defeated more. He basically unified the north and became the strongest force in the Central Plains.
During Cao Cao's reign, he implemented the farming system and restored agricultural production; he promoted meritocracy, broke the concept of family status, and recruited talents from all over the world. He was proficient in the art of war and wrote "Sun Tzu's Brief Interpretation". He was also good at poetry. His works such as "Hao Li Xing" and "Dan Ge Xing" were generous and sad, and started the Jian'an literature style.
However, he was suspicious by nature and used cruel methods. For example, after killing Lu Boshe's family, he said, "I would rather betray others than others betray me." He massacred cities many times during the campaign and was criticized by others. In the 13th year of Jian'an (208 years), the Battle of Chibi was defeated by the coalition forces of Sun and Liu, and the great cause of unification was frustrated. He never usurped the Han Dynasty and established himself on his own, but he became the king of Wei. His son Cao Pi later usurped the Han Dynasty and established the Wei Dynasty, and he was honored as Emperor Wu of Wei.
Cao Cao was a man of great talent and strategy throughout his life, possessing both literary and military skills as well as controversial methods. He was one of the most complex and charming heroes in Chinese history.
