With the efforts of Cao Cao, the northern part of China was gradually pacified, and the strongmen such as Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Lu Bu and Zhang Xiu were swept away or soothed in turn. In the years of fighting, Cao Cao attached great importance to the construction of his own team, and successively eliminated Yu Xun, Kong Rong, Cui Yan and other dissidents. Later, Cao Cao reached the peak of power at the end of the Han Dynasty, but he didn't become emperor himself. There are many reasons, but perhaps the most important thing is that his utilitarian view is different. After pacifying the north, until Cao Cao died. At the same time, it is more appropriate to say that Xian Di has no power from beginning to end than that Cao Cao's power is above the Han Emperor step by step. However, the influence of the clean stream and the gentry in the late Han Dynasty cannot be underestimated. Therefore, Cao Cao kept wooing celebrities, on the one hand, to win the favor of gentry and clean stream, on the other hand, to get talents. It is not unwise to kill two birds with one stone. Although Cao Cao's family was usurped by Sima Yi, a "gentry", and this Sima Yi was invited out by Cao Cao with a knife, it seems to be an act of God. On the other hand, Cao Cao's gold-lettered signboard of "holding the emperor to make the princes" gave him the convenience of recruiting talents and talents aboveboard, and he even took this signboard to snatch Hua Xin from Sunjiaban in Jiangdong. But some people don't go to Cao Cao, thinking that they are the courtiers of the Han Dynasty. They are very dissatisfied with Cao Cao bullying Xian Di. Among them, when Yu Xun repeatedly opposed Cao Cao's naming him king of Wei, he was met by Jiuding. Cao Cao finally couldn't bear it, and gave it to the veteran who has made countless contributions since he took office. However, although Cao Cao was centralized, he did not become an emperor after all. This not only reflects Cao Cao's sobriety and wisdom at the peak of his power, but also reflects his psychology of being keen on power and valuing practical interests from one side. At that time, many people thought that Cao Cao had different ambitions. Not only our ancestors Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, Zhou Yu and others have accused Cao Cao of being a Han thief for generations, but even many people in Xudu under Cao Cao think that Cao Cao intends to replace the Han thief. At this time, it was suggested that Cao Cao should return the relieving power and return to his own country to provide for the aged. This is "the mouth of the world". Cao Cao resolutely opposed this, and said in "Let the county know for itself": But if you want to be independent, you can donate all your soldiers to pay back the deacons and return to Wuping Houguo. who is it? I'm afraid I left the army and was killed. For the sake of children and grandchildren, it is dangerous to lose the country. We must not covet the false reputation and deal with the real disaster. This is absolutely impossible ... —— Here, in view of someone who wants to surrender the military power, resign from the prime minister and return to the country, Cao Cao suggested that the future should not be ruined because of coveting a false name. He said from a lofty position: Never let the country fall into turmoil again because of their false name. In fact, Cao Cao also knew that once he lost the military power, maybe one day the enemy would kill him. For these reasons, it is decided that once he has mastered the power, he will hold on to it. This is to protect ourselves, to be strong in the world, and to be satisfied with fame and fortune. "Don't be greedy for fame, don't do real harm" is the truth of Cao Cao, and his inner thought is the word "real". For Cao Cao, the system of "three publics" with parallel status is an obstacle to his road to dictatorship. In order to gain the legitimacy of governing state affairs from the written law, Cao Cao reorganized the official system. In the thirteenth year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao abolished the three fairs and bought the position of prime minister. In June, he became prime minister. Through this adjustment, the imperial court and Emperor Cao were completely manipulated. His orders were transmitted from Sima Lang, the prime minister, to Yu Xun, the acting minister, and then from Yu Xun to Xian Di, and finally published by Xian Di in the form of letters. In the first month of the sixteenth year of Jian 'an, under the arrangement of Cao Cao, Xian Di appointed xelloss as the commander-in-chief and deputy prime minister of the five senses, and had the right to set up official positions. According to Han Yi, the commander of the five senses is responsible for guarding the palace, belonging to Guang Luxun and having no official position. Xelloss can buy office, of course, is a franchise, but also a deputy prime minister. The prime minister's office is in yecheng, so xelloss also works in yecheng. Cao Cao tried his best to exercise his son's practical ability, and his son was guarding the base camp, so he could rest assured to go out. At the same time, in order to highlight Cao Cao's position, in the seventeenth year of Jian 'an, Xian Di ordered Cao Cao to go to the temple without his name, but he could wear shoes with his sword (the courtiers in the Han Dynasty had to be inspected before seeing the emperor, but they could only wear socks with their swords. When they arrived at the temple, the emcee called his official name but had to trot in, but he must not take measured steps, otherwise he would be punished or even lose his head), just like Xiao He. In May of the eighteenth year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao was accepted by Wei Gong and Jiu Xi (Jiu Xi is nine kinds of gifts and treatments given by the Emperor of Heaven to courtiers, and is usually considered as a precursor to the usurpation of the throne by ministers). Cao Cao has already made all kinds of preparations, including increasing the area of Wei County and restoring ancient ways to Kyushu. Dong Zhao and others saw Cao Cao's intention and suggested that Cao Cao "become a knight and prepare nine tin objects to show his righteousness", but they gave up because of Yu Xun's opposition. Cao Cao drove Yu Xun to death in despair, so no one dared to stop him. In the first month of 18th year, Cao Cao merged fourteen states into Kyushu in the name of Xian Di. In this way, Jizhou led by Cao Cao became the largest state in the country, and Wei County was also the largest county. In the end, Cao Cao wanted Jizhou and Weixian to have the best strength in the country. Of course, he did it, which also laid the foundation for Wei in the future. In the first month of Jian 'an 19th year, Cao Cao held a ceremony to reclaim his native land in a fief, which was the land requisitioned by the emperor or vassal, marking the formal establishment of Wei's status as a enfeoffment country. In March of the same year, it will be placed above the princes and named Cao as,, Chibi, Guan and so on. Needless to say, gold is naturally a seal made of gold; The red ribbon is used to wear the seal; The travel crown is shaped like a celestial crown worn by the emperor. According to the rules of the Han dynasty, these three things can only be owned by the crown prince or the king. When Cao Cao got them, he was actually just a nominal Wang Wei. 1 1 month, because the secret book of Queen Fu was discovered, leading to claustrophobia and death. As early as the eighteenth year of Jian 'an, Xian Di had already married Cao Shi's three daughters according to Cao Cao's meaning, and now it is natural for Cao Jie to be the three female queens. But after the death of Cao Cao, when Xelloss forced Xian Di to abdicate, it was the first and boldest opposition and curse of Queen Cao, which showed that Xian Di still had certain charm. Ah, digression ... In September of the twentieth year of Jian 'an, Xian Di granted Gong Wei and Cao Cao the right to enfeoffment governors and appoint county chiefs. In the past, Cao Cao had to make a formal recommendation, but now even the form is free. With this power, Cao Cao immediately established the titles Hou, Guan Zhonghou, Guan Waihou and Beowulf in the second month, that is, October, and made four titles in total, plus the previous Liehou and Guan Neihou, which made a total of six grades, and greatly rewarded them. So, those who got the official title shouted that Wei Gongying knew SHEN WOO and had already thrown Emperor Gaozu into Java. In May of the 21st year of Jian 'an, Cao was appointed as Wang Wei, and he won the golden roller. According to the rules of the Han dynasty, the central government issued bronze and bamboo symbols to the chief. The bronze symbol is in the shape of a bronze tiger, which is a voucher for the transfer of troops. The son of heaven keeps the right half, and the princess keeps the left half. Only by dispatching troops can he send troops. Bamboo symbols are engraved with seal characters on five-inch long bamboo slips, which are used as proof of confidential communication or proof of messengers. The effect of the golden roller is the same as that of the copper roller, which shows that Xian Di has institutionally recognized Cao Cao's right to adjust troops. Although it is one thing for Xian Di to admit it or not, it is unreasonable, so this is what Cao Cao wants. Liu bang, the founding emperor of the Han dynasty, knew the harm of the king with a different surname. After trying his best to get rid of Han Xin and other kings with different surnames, he slaughtered the white horse and swore to his ministers: "If it is not Liu's, the king will be attacked by the world!" Therefore, we haven't seen the recruited king officially conferred by Emperor Gaozu since then. It seems that Cao was the first person in the Han Dynasty for 400 years. In the following years, Wang Cao was ordered to enjoy the same treatment as the son of heaven in many aspects, and Cao Pi was appointed as the crown prince. Cao Cao also further improved the political organization of Wei, appointed Zhong You as the prime minister of Wei, appointed Hua Xin as the adviser of the imperial history, and established imperial academy as the base for training bureaucratic talents of Wei. From 13th year to 22nd year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao gradually transferred the power of Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty to himself from the aspects of political system, and completed the preparation of Cao Wei Dynasty. Wang Wei's position is nominally lower than Liu Xie's, but all the power of the Han court really belongs to Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao did not intend to be the emperor on behalf of the Han Dynasty, so he tried his best to maintain the superficial relationship between monarch and minister with Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty. Cao Cao lived a simple life himself, but he tried his best to make Xian Di and members of the royal family enjoy luxury. His offerings are not only numerous, but also exquisite. Cao Cao's genius lies in not being the target of public criticism and not taking the world by storm. He got too many practical benefits. He takes power, kills and takes it away. Even the emperor can manipulate him. He added nine Xi's to Wang Wei and Wang Wei. Besides the crown, he already has too much. In the twenty-fourth year of Jian 'an, Sun Quan wrote that he would like to be a vassal and respect Cao Cao as emperor. Cao Cao obviously realized Sun Quan's plot and said with a smile, "It is my son who wants me to live on fire!" " "This boy sun quan wants to roast me on the fire! Persuaded by Chen Qun and others, Cao Cao still refused to proclaim himself emperor, saying, "Politics is politics. "... If my destiny is in my hands, I will become Zhou Wenwang. It means: as long as there is real power, why must there be the name of the emperor? Even when the time is right, I will become Zhou Wenwang and create conditions for my son Zhou Wuwang to be emperor like Zhou Wenwang. This shows that Cao Cao has brought pragmatism and utilitarianism to the extreme. Yuan Shu at the end of the Han Dynasty was a man without talent and virtue. He dominated the party by virtue of his family background of four generations and three fairs, and even hoped to stand on his own feet on behalf of the Han Dynasty, but he didn't know how capable he was, and even forgot that he was a courtier of the Han Dynasty. So he arrogantly proclaimed himself emperor and vomited blood and died. Have to say, the righteous with the wicked Yuan Shu cao cao didn't understand the lesson of Yuan Shu. Moreover, Cao Cao was also a courtier of the Han Dynasty. He owed his grandfather Cao Teng, his father Cao Song, himself and his son Xelloss for four generations. Cao Cao always knew that he was a courtier of the Han Dynasty. As a generation of heroes, although he is eager for quick success and instant benefit, he still dares not call himself emperor. Besides, he has always had a loyalty complex in his heart. Speaking of which, some people may find it strange: loyal subjects? If Cao Cao is a loyal minister, who else is a traitor? Don't worry, listen to me slowly. When the Yellow Scarf Uprising at the end of Guanghe River, Cao Cao was still young, and young people in their twenties were full of blood. Young Cao Cao is eager to contribute to the imperial court, and he is not afraid of powerful people when he is a captain in the north of Luoyang. Cao Cao also worked hard to suppress the Yellow turban insurrectionary uprising. Jinan, the prime minister, vigorously rectified the official administration; When the Yunnan army was a captain, it assassinated Dong Zhuo. Liu Chen scattered his wealth to recruit volunteers, joined the governors to crusade against Dong Zhuo and so on. Cao Cao resolutely broke with Dong Zhuo when he was in charge of power alone, and won Dong Yiqi in the first battle with dedication, which can be described as the first hero in the late Han Dynasty. When Liu Chen spent all his money to recruit volunteers, Cao Cao's idea was unknown, but there were at least two possibilities: success would sweep away Dong Zhuo's disciples for the Han Dynasty, reorganize the rivers and mountains, and become a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, which would last forever; If you fail, you can also support your own troops and respect yourself. You can recruit talents from all over the world and compete with others. So Cao Cao at that time can be said to have contributed his own strength to the Han Dynasty. Although Cao Cao was defeated alone because of the short-sightedness of the pack, it can be said that this failure taught Cao Cao a lesson: without strength and territory, it is absolutely impossible. So he turned to expand territory, expand the army, and embarked on the road of competing for the Central Plains. Although Cao Cao is in a high position, he still has the idea of loyalty to the Han family in his heart. Besides, Cao Cao was over 60 years old at that time, and he was ill, and he felt that he was dying soon. If you call yourself the emperor, you will violate the oath that you have said many times that you will never stand on your own feet, which will adversely affect your reputation and honor, and at the same time provide an excuse for hostile forces to attack you. Cao Cao is a pragmatic person. He would rather be Zhou Wenwang. Cao Cao's life is magnificent. He was a great statesman, strategist and writer in the history of the Three Kingdoms. His reclamation soon resumed the agricultural production that was seriously damaged at the end of Han Dynasty. He annotated Sun Tzu and compiled Meng De's new book into a military guide book. His articles and poems are wonderful. However, his inner world is more confusing. Perhaps Cao Cao's heart also hopes to be a courtier of the Han Dynasty all his life.