Cao Chong

Cao Chong (196-2118), whose name was Cang Shu, was one of Cao Cao's sons and was born to Mrs. Huan.

Cao Chong was smart, kind and different from others, and was deeply loved by Cao Cao. Cao Cao boasted about him several times to his ministers, which meant to let him inherit. However, Cao Chong died before he was a teenager, at the age of thirteen.

Cao Chong was born intelligent, and when he was five or six years old, his intelligence was similar to that of an adult. At that time, Sun Quan gave Cao Cao an elephant. Cao Cao wanted to know the weight of the elephant and asked all his people, but he couldn't figure out how to weigh it. Cao Chong said, as long as you put the elephant in the boat, record where the water mark reaches, and then weigh the same weight and put it in the boat, you can know the weight of the elephant. Cao Cao was very happy and weighed the elephant according to his method.

Cao Chong is kind and reasonable. At that time, due to frequent wars in Wei State, severe punishments were adopted to restrain the people. Once, Cao Cao's saddle was bitten by a mouse in a warehouse. The officials guarding the warehouse thought that it was certain that they would die, and they negotiated to tie themselves up and turn themselves in, but they were still afraid of death. Cao Chong knew about it and told them to wait for a few days. Cao Chong broke his clothes with a knife. It looked as if he had been bitten by a mouse, and he pretended to be frustrated. His face looked worried. When Cao Cao met him and asked him, he said, "Secular people think that the clothes were bitten by rats, which is unlucky for the owner of the clothes. Now my clothes have been bitten, so I am worried." Cao Cao said, "This is nonsense. Don't worry." Soon after Cao Cao heard about the saddle being bitten, he said with a smile, my son's clothes were bitten right beside him, not to mention the saddle hanging on the post. So I didn't pursue this matter. There are many people who have committed crimes and should be put to death according to the criminal law, and they have been treated leniently by Cao Chong's excuses. Cao Cao told his ministers these things, expressing his intention to spread them to Cao Chong.

among the prodigies of the three kingdoms, Cao Chong is undoubtedly the most famous-of course, this happened in recent decades, originally from Kong Rong, and in the three-character scripture, there is a saying that "if you are four years old, you can make pears". As a result, all literates know this person. It's a pity that Kong Rong didn't die young. As a result, this position had to be given to Cao Chong. Because of the story of "Cao Chong being an elephant", we have worshipped Cao Chong as an idol when we still don't know what Cao Cao's name is.

In fact, Cao Chong not only has such "cleverness" as calling himself an elephant, but also "discerns benevolence, is born with nature, has a beautiful appearance and is different from others, so he is special in favor." He often uses his wisdom and position to do some important things to save lives. According to historical records, "When the military was troubled, the punishment was serious. ..... Who should be guilty of slaughter, and argued by Chongwei, who relied on it, dozens of people before and after. " Probably because of this, he was loved by Cao Cao, and he was chosen as his successor at a very young age. It's a pity that he died of acute illness only after living for thirteen years.

Many people think that Cao Chong is generous, and Cao Cao likes him only because of his superior intelligence. If he doesn't die young, with his kindness, it's hard to predict what will happen in the inevitable struggle with Cao Pi and others. But I think we may have overlooked another aspect, that is, his relationship with another child prodigy, Zhou Buyi. Zhou Buyi also got Cao Cao's unusual favor, but when Cao Chong died, Cao Cao immediately "wanted to get rid of it". Although Cao Pi thought it impossible to persuade, Cao Cao thought, "This man is beyond your control." Finally, someone was sent to assassinate him. It seems that Cao Cao also attaches great importance to Cao Chong's political ability. I think that the character quality of Cao Chong's generosity and kindness recorded in the history books may be only one aspect, and there is probably another aspect of his character that is extremely decisive and brave. Just like Liu Bei, although he is generous and benevolent, he loves the people like a son, but he kills people, but he is not slow at all. That's why Cao Cao loved him so much. If he hadn't died early, he would probably have been a wise Lord like Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty or Kangxi.

So what kind of genius was Cao Chong who made a generation of heroes short of breath? According to the Biography of Wei Shu Deng Ai Chong Wang, Cao Chong showed amazing talent and strong understanding ability from an early age, and by the age of 5 or 6, his intelligence reached the adult level. He is undoubtedly a genius and deserves special care today. However, he was actually born to Mrs. Huan, a concubine of Cao Cao, and should not have any advantage in succession (I have also seen some Chinese and foreign articles expressing doubts about the unshakable legitimacy of the eldest son's succession at that time). And at that time, Mrs. Bian won the respect of Cao Cao himself and others. It is unlikely that Cao Chong loved Cao Cao because Mrs. Huan was favored. By the way, Liu Chan's mother was also a concubine, and she died without a chance to be promoted to the main palace. So it seems that there is still room for discussion about the abolition of legislation at that time. Let's not talk about it here). After his death, Cao Cao once told Cao Pi that Cao Chong's death was unfortunate for himself, but it was great luck for Cao Pi and others. The authenticity of this record should be greater, because for this matter, an official (it seems that Sun Sheng, I can't remember) once criticized Cao Cao very seriously. Indeed, in that case, it will be a strong blow to other heirs to the throne. Closer to home, The Biography of Wei Shu Deng Ai Chong Wang also recorded one thing, saying that Cao Cao conquered the world with a large army at that time, and the criminal law was very strict, which led to frequent unjust cases. Once, a saddle put in the warehouse was bitten by a mouse, which happened to be Cao Cao's. The warehouse keeper was frightened and thought that he must be doomed and dead. When Cao Chong found out, he made a small hole in his clothes with a knife, pretending that it was bitten by a mouse, and he looked sad. When Cao Cao saw it, he asked him what was wrong. He replied: "Everyone said that the clothes were bitten by rats, and the owner of the clothes would suffer misfortune." Cao Cao smiled and said, "that's all nonsense. There will be no happiness or misfortune at all." I don't know whether Cao Cao is a materialist or not, but from here we can see that Cao Cao is a very realistic man. Later, he prayed for Cao Chong, which shows his worries. The warehouse keeper still truthfully reported that the mouse was going to break the saddle. Cao Cao understood Cao Chong's intention, smiled and didn't pursue it.

Compared with Cao Zhi in man of great talent and Cao Pi who plays politics, Cao Chong's wisdom can be said to be amazing. It's disgusting that those two guys rely on a few clever guys to make suggestions all day. Cao Chong, however, was a genius when he was so young, making sense for his father and grasping the accuracy of people's psychology. Moreover, wisdom is used to rescue the weak, and his heart must be very kind and compassionate. This may be because his mother is an ordinary concubine, who understands the sufferings of the lower classes, so Cao Chong, who has heard and heard about it, is more upright since she was a child.

For a long time, many people thought that Cao Chong would die because of his brother Cao Pi. Actually, not necessarily. Xelloss's position in Cao Cao's heart was not too high. In the biography of Wei Shu Ren Cheng Wei Wang Zhangzhuan, it is recorded that after Cao Cao died, Cao Zhang went back to Beijing to see Cao Zhi. He said to Cao Zhi, "I will come back from Wang Zhao first, which means to make you a successor." It can be seen that Xelloss poisoned Cao Zhang at that time. It can also be said that Cao Pi did not get overwhelming support at that time, but I was very interested in the movements of several clans guarding the Quartet at that time. Anyway, if Cao Chong were still here, it would be possible for Cao Cao to clean up the other princes first in order to clear the obstacles to his succession. Because, Cao Cao has been hesitating until his death, it is estimated that he will die before making arrangements, leaving a curse for his family.

In another Japanese document, I once saw a description of another genius at that time, which quoted the words in Wei Shu Liu Biao's Biography of the Sages. At that time, there was a man named Zhou Buyi, who was also a genius and very clever. Compared with Cao Chong, it was nothing, but Cao Chong died young, and Cao Cao couldn't sit still. He wanted to kill Zhou Buyi to avoid future troubles. Xelloss did not agree, but also went to remonstrate. As a result, Cao Cao reprimanded him: "If Cao Chong arrives, it's just that Zhou Buyi is not fun for people like you.". So they sent someone to assassinate Zhou Buyi. Here we can speculate that Cao Cao was likely to pay attention to Zhou Buyi as Cao Chong's assistant, so Cao Chong died, and Cao Cao was eager to kill him instead of leaving it to xelloss and others. It is said that there is also a record in Wei Lue (which I have never seen before) that Cao Pi once said with emotion: "If my brother Cao Chong were here, it is hard for me to say whether it is as it is today and can dominate the world." From then on, we can also see it.

I think Cao Chong will be here. He should be a very good monarch. Moreover, with his wisdom, such a family tragedy as "seven-step poem" would not be staged. Later generations have always been impressed by the aura of Cao Zhi's poem, even ignoring the cruelty and ugliness behind it. The literary value of poetry should not cover up the ugliness of human selfishness behind the background of poetry.

It is worth mentioning that Cao Chong died prematurely in 2118, which happened to be Battle of Red Cliffs in the winter. You can make a chronology to see how Cao Cao's military career was spent in those ten years, and there were constant wars. It is estimated that he just came back from the north, and before he could seriously inspect Cao Chong, his precious son fell ill. Melancholy, he estimated that he was a little tired of the war and prayed for Cao Chong day and night. It's a pity that genius always returns to heaven. Cao Cao probably made a hasty expedition to Jingzhou before he could swallow his grief, which was the biggest failure in his life. Therefore, he told xelloss that the death of Cao Chong was unfortunate for himself, but it was fortunate for xelloss and others that this passage should not be groundless.

alas, Cang Shu! Alas, Meng De!

in the 13th year of Jian' an, Cao Chong died of serious illness. He was buried with Zhen Shi's dead daughter, and was posthumously given the seal of Commander Qi. In the second year of Huang Chu's reign, he was posthumously given the posthumous title of "Deng Ai Hou", with the additional number of "Gong".

Attachment: Introduction to Ancient Chinese

Deng Ai Wang Chong Zi Cang Shu. Shao Cong, born at the age of five or six, has the wisdom of an adult. At that time, Sun Quan once gave birth to a giant elephant, and Mao wanted to know its weight. Under the group he visited, it was impossible to be reasonable. Chong said, "Put it on a big ship, carve its water mark, weigh it and carry it, and then the school will know." "Mao joy, that is, implementation. When the military was troubled, the punishment was serious. Mao's saddle is in the storehouse, but it is bitten by rats. The treasurer is afraid of death, and he wants to face the crime, but he is still afraid. Chong said, "Stay for three days, and then go home. "So blunt with a knife to wear light clothing, such as rats, absurd to frustrated, looks sad. When Mao asked him, he rushed to him and said, "The common people think that rats bite clothes, and their owners are unlucky. Today, seeing the teeth alone is a sign of sorrow. "Mao said," There is nothing wrong with this rumor. "Suddenly, the treasurer heard that the saddle was gnawed, and Mao said with a smile," The clothes are on the side, but they are still gnawed. What about the saddle county column? "Asked nothing. It's all the same to be kind and knowledgeable. There are dozens of people who should be guilty and defended by Chong Wei and relied on it to help. Wei Shu said: Every time you see a prisoner in Tan, you need to see his wronged feelings and ignore them. And diligent officials, who have sinned by mistake, often say for Mao Chen that they should be lenient. Distinguish benevolence, born with nature, beautiful appearance and unique appearance, so it is special to see the difference. Chen Songzhi's words of "beautiful appearance and posture" are divided into three, which is also one of the diseases. Taizu Shu told his ministers that he wanted to pass it on. Thirteen years, Jian 'an thirteen years of illness, Taizu pro-plead. And death, very sad. Emperor Wendi gave a wide metaphor to Mao, who said, "This is my misfortune, and your Cao Cao is fortunate. "Sun Shengyu: The meaning of the Spring and Autumn Period, to stand firm and not to be virtuous. Although it is still not suitable to stand in the middle of the river, what's the matter with it? As the poem goes, "There is nothing to say. "Wei Wu is also easy. I shed tears when I said this. In order to hire Zhen Shi's dead daughter and be buried together, I gave a seal to a riding captain, and ordered Wan Hou to serve as a queen. In twenty-two years, Cong was named Deng Hou. In the second year of Huang Chu's reign, he was posthumously awarded the title of mourning for Hou Deng, and added the title of public. Wei Shuzai said, "Only in the afternoon of August in the second year of Huang Chu, the emperor said," Zi 'er Deng mourned Hou Chong. In the past, the beauty of the emperor's heavenly bell was better than his bow, which enabled him to be wise and wise, and became a weak year. When you enjoy the show forever, you will end up dead. How not to lose money, die early! I inherited heaven's order, enjoyed the four seas, and built a kiss to honor the royal family, but I couldn't catch Si Rong, and the funeral was not prepared. Mourning is sad. Today, he was moved and buried in Gaoling, so that those who kept the festival and paid homage to him shot Chen Cheng, a card shark, and gave him the title of Deng Gong, making the shrine too secure. The soul has a spirit, and Hughes is honored. Alas! Wei slightly said: Emperor Wen often said, "My brother is filial, and he has his share. If Cang Shu is here, I have no world. "In three years, he became a Jue and moved to become a champion. In four years, I moved to seal my husband. In the fifth year of Taihe, Jia Chong called Deng Ai Wang. In the first year of Jingchu, Yan sat in China as a forbidden object, cut 311 households, and demoted him to be a township head. After three years, I became my husband again. In the beginning of seven years, Pingyang Gong was transferred. In Jingchu, Zhengyuan and Jingyuan, the number of cities has increased, and the number of households has reached 1,911.

—— The 21th Biography of the Three Kingdoms, Wei Shu, Wu Wenshi, Wang Gongchuan

Weighing Elephants in Cao Chong

Cao Chong's father, Cao Cao, was a big official. Foreigners gave him an elephant. He wanted to know how heavy it was, so he asked his officials to find a way to weigh it.

this is a difficult task. Elephants are the largest animals on land. How to call it? At that time, there were no scales that big, and people didn't have the strength to lift elephants. Officials are worried about elephants, and no one can figure out a way to weigh them.

just then, a child ran out, stood in front of the adults and said, "I have an idea, I have an idea!" " When the officials saw it, it turned out to be Cao Chong, Cao Cao's youngest son. Without saying anything, they were thinking: Hum! Adults can't think of any way. What can a five-year-old child do?

But don't look down on children. This little Cao Chong has a way. He thought of a way that even adults couldn't think of at the moment. His father said, "You have a way to say it quickly so that everyone can listen."

Cao Chong said, "I'll show it to you and you'll understand."

He had an elephant led and followed him to the river. His father, as well as those officials, wanted to see what he called it and followed him to the river. There happened to be an empty big boat by the river. Cao Chong said, "Take the elephant to the boat."

I wanted to get on the boat, so the boat sank a little. Cao Chong said: "Draw a mark on the boatside at the water level." After the mark was marked, Cao Chong had the elephant brought ashore. At this time, the big ship was empty, so the big ship took some prisoners up.

Everyone watched, one minute they took the elephant aboard, and the other they took it off, and they said to themselves, "What game is this child playing?"

Next, Cao Chong asked people to pick stones and put them on the ship. He picked one load after another, and the ship slowly sank again.

"all right, all right!" Cao Chong saw that the marks on the boatside were all over the water, so he had the stones picked off the boat one by one. At this time, everyone understood: the stone was loaded on the boat and the elephant was loaded on the boat, and the boat sank to the same mark. It can be seen that the stone and the elephant are of the same weight; Weigh these stones again and add up the weights of all the stones. Isn't the sum obtained the weight of the elephant?

Everyone says that this method looks simple, but if it weren't for Cao Chong to show it to everyone, adults really wouldn't have thought of it. Cao Chong is so clever!

Gan Luo

Gan Luo (birth and death unknown) was born in Xiacai (now Gan Luo Township, Yingshang County) in the late Warring States Period. Gan Luo, the grandson of Gan Mao, was a famous young hero in the Warring States Period. At the age of 12, Gan Luo served as the attendant of Qin Xiang Lv Buwei, who was little known in the ruling and opposition. Once Qin wanted to send an envoy to Yan, Lv Buwei asked Zhang Tang, an old minister, to be ordered, but repeated persuasion was ineffective. Gan Luo went to see Zhang Tang to analyze the general trend of the world. The advantages and disadvantages of the series' mission made Zhang Tang gasp in admiration, so he readily ordered Yan, and Lv Buwei praised Gan Luo's talent. Soon after this matter, recommended by Lv Buwei, Gan Luo, as the special envoy of the king of Qin, was ordered to go to Zhao to eloquently persuade the king of Zhao to send his troops to attack Yan, and Qin won five cities at no cost.