How did Han and Wei abdicate?

In the sixth year of Guanghe (183), Zhang Jiao and his disciples planned an uprising to overthrow the Han Dynasty. Their slogan is: "When the sky dies, the yellow sky should stand, and the year is in Jiazi, and the world is good." The next year, Zhang Jiao led a group of people wearing yellow turbans to raise the anti-Han flag, which shocked the whole country.

Sima Qian, but the Yellow Scarf Uprising was suppressed by the Han Dynasty, which lasted for another 36 years in name, and was replaced by Wei founded by Cao Pi in 220 AD. It is said that Wei belongs to Tude, so it is still yellow. Even the first title used by Cao Pi was called "",and Huang naively replaced the sky. What Cao Pi practiced was to imitate the demise of Yao Shunyu, which was the later "story of Han and Wei Dynasties".

According to legend, Tang Yao in ancient times passed the world to Yu Shun, which is the "Tang Yu story" that Confucianism relishes. It is said that Shun later spread that there is also a "Yu Xia story". But after Yu's death, his original heir, Yi, did not ascend to the throne, which made Yu's son win the world. There are two reasons: one is that the interest has been given to Kai, and the other is that Kai killed the interest. In any case, the story of abdication ended here, because it was passed on to his son from the beginning and implemented as a "family world".

Today's historians can fully explain the existence and disappearance of this phenomenon with the law of human social development, and point out that this phenomenon is not a specialty of China. But in that year, Confucianism regarded it as a historic event and a model for the world to serve the public. It was full of praise, but it was a pity that it could not be witnessed and experienced in person. Unfortunately, the emperor pays attention to reality. Although they like to listen to the courtiers compare themselves to Yao Shun, no one ever wants to spread it to outsiders like Yao Shun. Even when he was alive, there were only a handful of people who passed it on to his son. Perhaps only Emperor Qianlong volunteered. As for whether he really gave power to his son Jiaqing emperor after three years of business, that is another matter.

On the other hand, however, there have always been many people who want to accept "abdication". For those ministers and warlords with real power, it is easy to abolish puppet emperors, but there are still obstacles to becoming emperors and establishing new dynasties. Because the emperor is abolished, even if he is killed, a new monarch must be established in the royal family. Otherwise, he will be notorious for usurping the throne or killing the king, which will not only lack legitimacy, but also cause resistance from hostile forces. However, if the emperor abdicates himself and then pretends to give up, the usurper will become "abdication", and the puppet and manipulator will become sages like Yao and Shun, so the "Tang Yu story" is really indispensable.

Cao Pi, Emperor Wen of Wei, took the lead in abdicating, and the Western Jin Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Qi State, Liang Dynasty, Chen Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Sui Dynasty and Five Dynasties all followed suit when replacing the former dynasty. By the Five Dynasties, when Guo Wei (Zhou) replaced Han, Han had been killed, and the Queen Mother could only play a leading role in abdicating. Song Taizu, Zhao Kuangyin and Zhou Dynasty were all completed in one morning, but only one Zen imperial edict was written in the name of the Duke of Zhou. Probably because the "Tang Yu Story" is so old that no one can tell exactly how it happened, but the History of the Three Kingdoms records in detail the process of Cao Pi usurping the Han Dynasty, which is very easy to operate, so the "Han Wei Story" has become a synonym and model for later generations.

Since the first year of Jian 'an (A.D. 196), Cao Cao welcomed the Han Emperor to Xu (now east of Xuchang City, Henan Province), the Han Dynasty has existed in name only. However, Cao Cao never replaced it in order to "hold the emperor to make the princes." But by the twenty-first year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao had been "sealed" as Wang Wei. In the second year, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty "ordered" him to use the ceremony of the emperor, which was only one step away from becoming an emperor. Unfortunately, Cao Cao died in the first month of the twenty-fifth year of Jian 'an, so the procedure of accepting "abdication" can only be completed by his son Cao Pi inheriting Wang Weilai.

First of all, a series of "auspiciousness" appeared, starting from Cao Cao's hometown Qiao County (now Anhui Province). It is said that as early as the fifth year of Xiping (176), Huanglong appeared in Qiaocheng, and Taishi ordered Shanxiang to predict that "there will be kings in the future", and Huanglong reappeared within 50 years. At that time, a man named Yin Deng wrote his words. In March of 22 1 year, that is, 45 years later, Huanglong reappeared, and Yin Deng, as a witness, announced that Shanxiang's words had come true. In April, Rao 'an County (now southwest of Yanshan County, Hebei Province) reported seeing this kind of pheasant. Later, such reports continued. For example, eight counties in Lunatone (now southeast of Huolu County, Hebei Province) reported that a phoenix was coming.

On June 26th, xelloss led the army south. In fact, there was no military need at that time, and Cao Pi didn't really want to attack Sun Quan. The so-called southern expedition only paves the way for abdication. On July 20, the army arrived in Qiao County, where Cao Pi hosted a banquet for the local elders and the whole army, and ordered that Qiao County be exempted from taxes for two years. After several months of cruising, Cao Pi returned to Quli (now Xuchang City, Henan Province) in Ying County, not far from the capital Xu, on the fourth day of October, but did not enter the city.

At this time, Li Fu, the left corps commander, wrote a letter announcing the secret he had kept for many years, proving that the nearest good omen should be Cao Pi. This Li Fuyuan belongs to Zhang Lu. He said that when he was in Hanzhong, he heard that Emperor Xian of Han gave Wei to Cao Cao, and everyone thought it must be Wang Wei. However, He Jiang said, "I will definitely become Wang Wei, but it is not convenient to be king now. It is Wei Gongzi Huan (Cao Pi's word) who sets the world. This is the will of God, and it is clearly stated in the prophecy. " Zhang Lu asked He Jiang what the basis was. Jiang said, "This is what Confucius said in the edition. The emperor's calendar can be predicted even after a hundred generations. " More than a month later, someone sent a booklet with these words on it. After He Jiang joined Cao Shi, he died in Yecheng. Li Fu said: "I have told many people who are familiar with this matter, but considering that the time is not mature, I dare not make it public. After you acceded to the throne, auspicious symbols appeared again and again. Every time I celebrate, I want to tell the truth, but I am afraid that others will say that I am trying to please you. Besides, I was originally a subordinate of Zhang Lu. I didn't submit for a long time, and I felt guilty when I made a mistake, so I always endured it. Now that the good omen has been presented, God's will is clear, and I am extremely excited. Please report on the table. " Xelloss ordered it to be made public, saying that his virtue was poor and he was really unworthy. This is the result of "the first king is virtuous and knows the gods".

As a result, Liu Kuang, Xin Pi, Ye Liu and other ministers wrote in succession, quoting classics and confirming Li Fu's prediction. They said: "Yao claimed to be predestined friends, and the positions of the first four stars in the Beidou constellation changed;" Zhou Wuwang hasn't hit Shang Zhouwang yet, and a Hong Niao has won good news; Before Emperor Gaozu was born, his mother was inspired by God. When Emperor Xuan Di was in a low position, the leaves showed a good omen. Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty was a civilian when his name appeared on the map. It can be seen that destiny is granted to sages, and there is no need to use flowery words or fragrant smells, as long as there are concrete signs, it can be proved. The decline of the Han dynasty has lasted for several generations, and it has been more than twenty years since the chaos of the last years of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling. Finally, God is spiritual, and saints are born to save suffering, so divination is used to show where fate lies. Less than a year after you ascended the throne, so many auspicious signs appeared in the sky and on the ground, and people from all over the world rushed to submit. There has never been such a grand occasion in ancient books. How can we not rejoice? " Cao Pi said: "Strong calves are like tigers, and weeds are like crops. Some things will be specious, and this is the case today. " Probably using the words of ministers to "explain my lack of virtue." Cao Pi ordered the relevant officials to announce it to the officials so that everyone could understand.

Seeing that the public opinion was almost made, Taishigong officially reported the divination in Wei and Jin Dynasties to Cao Pi on the ninth day of October.

First of all, according to the most authoritative Book of Changes, he said that "the sage was ordered to be king, and Huanglong became more and more famous", and the latest discovery of Huanglong was the fifth day of July 4, which should be the clearest omen of the emperor's fate. In addition, the appearance of locusts and Kirin in this season accords with the typical good omen recorded in Yi Zhuan.

Then he quoted a large number of records in divination books and the speeches of Cao Cao's celebrities, indicating that the Han Dynasty was doomed and Wei had made arrangements. For example, Hanshu Chunqiu said "Han Wei, Kevin·Z"; "Spring and Autumn Jade Edition Prophecy" said that "the son of Red Wei"; "Spring and Autumn Annals" said that "the Han Dynasty lost the world with Xuchang" and "the Han Dynasty lost its grandson"; Therefore, the White Horse Ambassador said, "The spirit of Xuchang can be seen in dangtu, and if it is high, it will flourish in Xu"; Wait a minute. Some of these words are straightforward, while others need to be explained. For example, the so-called "Dangtu Gao" refers to the tall buildings in front of the avenue-like Wei (or Wei Que), which means the word Wei. "Sun Meng" is said to refer to the 24th emperor of the Han Dynasty, or the descendants of the royal family who acceded to the throne as non-heirs. Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty was not born of the queen, but also the 24th generation of the Han Dynasty, and the Han Dynasty was doomed to die at his hands. The records in the Book of Filial Piety and the Book of the Emperor in Yi Yun's period are even more unique: "The sun carries the east, and there is no fire. Don't be horizontal, be wise. Four hundred years later, I changed my surname and became king. " According to the writing method, the upper part of Cao character is the lower part of Dong character (fire character), and the lower part is Japanese character, which conforms to "the sun lifts the east and the fire closes"; No word plus a horizontal line is Pi, which shows that only Cao Pi can inherit the world in the Han Dynasty for 400 years. "East said, there is noon in the west, there are two days of light. It is the main thing, but it is also an auxiliary thing. Five, eight, four, yellow gas, real people. " "Ghosts are in the mountains, women are with them, and the world is king." Obviously, there will be a transfer of monarch and minister in Xuchang, and Wei will replace it (there is a mountain character under the ghost character on the right side of Wei). As for "400 years ago" and "5840 years ago", according to Xu Zhimo's explanation, the cycle of God's arrangement for the emperor to change his surname was originally 720 years, but the dynasty with virtue can be extended to 800 years, and the dynasty without virtue can only be 400 years. It has been 426 years since the Han Dynasty. If the emergence of Kirin in the Spring and Autumn Period is the beginning of a new cycle, it is more than 700 years, and it has reached "400 years away". Huang Di Star (representing Wei State) has been bright in the sky for 40 years, but Chi Di Star (representing Han Dynasty) is often not seen. All kinds of signs of astrological changes show that it is time to change the dynasty.

Taishi thinks that there are only one or two auspicious signs when saints appear in history, and the auspicious signs after Cao Pi and Wei acceded to the throne are simply too numerous to mention: Huanglong, Phoenix, Kirin, White Tiger, Ganlu, Liquan, rare birds and animals, all of which are the best since ancient times. The old star has appeared in the scope of the girder, which is the dividing line of Wei, similar to the astrology that appeared when Zhou Wuwang and Emperor Gaozu entered Xianyang. As a historian, it is my duty to report such important pictures and astronomical phenomena.

Unexpectedly, Cao Pi's reply was a flat refusal. He ordered: "In those days, Zhou Wenwang occupied two-thirds of the world, and also surrendered to Yin, which was praised by Confucius. Duke Zhou actually exercised the authority of the monarch and returned it to the king after completing his mission, which was highly praised. Although my virtue is far less than these two saints, how can I forget the truth of' high mountains'? " "My virtue is extremely thin, and my position is extremely contemptible. I was born at the right time. I was lucky enough to inherit the business left by my late king, but I haven't benefited the world yet. Although we tried our best to help the people of Wei, many people were frozen stiff, and some people didn't have enough food. I was worried and scared in my sleep, and I didn't dare to slack off. I just want to die peacefully, so that Wei can be saved. When I saw my late king after my death, I felt that I had betrayed his trust. My wishes and ambitions are limited, as long as I can keep my grades. Therefore, despite the repeated appearance of auspicious signs, I can only increase my anxiety and have lost my mind. How dare I listen to Xu Zhi? These words make me afraid, my hands tremble, I can't write words, and my meaning is unclear. I once wrote a poem:' After ten years of war, there were many bones in Wan Li. Who can the poor depend on? I want to help the Han family govern the world, and when it's done, I will return to power, resign and return to my hometown. "I must keep this oath, I'm not lying. So tell the world and let everyone know my heart. "

However, ministers seem to ignore Cao Pi's attitude at all. They served Xin Pi and Fu Xun, Wei Zhen, Shang Shuling, Huan Jie, Chen Jiao and other ministers, as well as riding a captain with Dong Ba and other doctors, and signed a letter: "Your letter is sincere and modest, no less than Shun, Yu, Shang Tang and others. However, the reason why the ancient sages refused to accept their fate was to comply with God's will and the people's expectations. " They quoted the Book of Changes and other classics, enumerated the situation, proved that God's will was irresistible, and asked Cao Pi to "urge the justice of the world" and "announce the county inside and outside" to let the whole country know God's will and his humility.

Cao Pi ordered: "Let the whole world know that my mind is right. As for the rest, do you mean me? " How dare I? ""In the counties and wasteland that passed during the recent crusade, people were starving, and some people didn't even have a good jacket. This is all my responsibility, so I am ashamed of so many auspicious things and I am sorry for the people. This shows that my virtue is not even enough for a king who rules one side. Do I still want to be emperor? You should stop this kind of advice at once, and don't aggravate my fault, so that I won't make jokes on gentlemen all over the world after I die. "

1October 1 1 day, Cao Pi announced this order to officials, but it did not cool the enthusiasm of ministers. Cheng Sima Yi and others wrote in the governor's suggestion that "the spirit of heaven and earth, the luck of numbers, the symbol of going, only the virtue is there", and the loss of virtue in the Han Dynasty has a long history. Since Cao Pi ascended the throne, "supreme virtue" has been widely felt by people from top to bottom, which is unprecedented in history. "As an adult, what you do in advance is not against God's will, and what you do afterwards is also in line with the weather. Shun and Yu, seeing that the time had come, refused to be humble, and the people got timely relief, and everything generally benefited. Now in all directions, the whole country is looking forward to it. God is blessing you and doing his best for you. Nine tenths of the people in the world have surrendered to you, far more than two thirds in Zhou Wenwang. If you don't accept it again, it will be too modest, and all of us are really worried. "

Cao Pi's answer is more clear. He said: "Virtue and justice are the most lacking in the world, and lies told by the masses are the most abundant. Ordinary people just don't pay attention to what is missing and like what is already rich. " "Although my virtue is insufficient, I always hope that I don't like listening to lies like ordinary people. Rock can be broken but not hard, and Dan (cinnabar) red can't be worn out. Small things like Dan and Shi can still adhere to their own quality, not to mention that I am more or less a scholar and educated as a gentleman? " After quoting the deeds of ancient sages, he said that although his virtue was not as good as Zhou Wuwang's and he was morally ashamed of Bo Yi and Shu Qi, he was determined to be an immortal, never believed in falsehood, and should learn from the virtues of sages. "As the saying goes,' the three armed forces can win the handsome, but the ordinary man can't win the ambition'. Can my ambition be taken away? "

Speak so firmly that there seems to be no room for manoeuvre. But the play has to go on, which requires the puppet emperor to perform. Two days later, Emperor Xian of Han formally presented the imperial edict of Zen to Wang Wei and Cao Pi, and sent Zhang Yin, who was also an ancient imperial doctor, as a special envoy to present the seal of God. Shangshu ordered Huan Jie and others to write a letter immediately: "The destiny can be obtained and resigned, and the hope of the trillion people can be violated": they requested to convene the ministers of civil and military affairs, issue an imperial decree, comply with the destiny, and set about formulating abdication etiquette. Cao Pi ordered: "Only the reasons that should not be accepted can be discussed. I am now between the military and will give an official reply when I go back. " Shang Shuling and others wrote: "Emperor Gaozu was in the army when he was ordained by heaven. In order to fear the destiny and dare not delay, he held a ceremony of enthronement at the station. Since we have accepted the imperial edict of Zen, we should gather hundreds of officials and gather the whole army to let everyone know the destiny. The place in the military camp is small, so an altar can be built on the ground nearby to decorate the venue for the ceremony. We have discussed and determined the etiquette with the waiters and waitresses. Tai Shigong has chosen an auspicious day. " Cao Pi said, "I really don't deserve it. What else can I talk about? "

Liu Kun, a waiter, and Wei Zhen, a regular waiter, also appeared: "The Han family abides by the principle of Emperor Yao of Tang Dynasty, and your Majesty (please note that he is no longer called Your Highness) accepts the calendar arrangement by virtue. God and the people are rejoicing, and they should conform to the charm and accede to the throne in time. According to Tai Shicheng and Xu Zhi, the 17th of this month is no longer an auspicious day, and the meditation position is acceptable. The altar has been arranged, please ask for details. " Cao Pi said, "How can you set up an altar at will? What do these things do with it? I'm going to resign from accepting the imperial edict. Then read the imperial edict in front of the account, and the ceremony is the same as when summoned at ordinary times. Besides, now that the weather is cold, we should stop building the altar and let the craftsmen go home. " After reading the imperial edict of Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty, Cao Pi ordered: "How can I accept the imperial edict and undertake such a great mission? It is necessary to draft a chapter of resignation and return it to the emperor. In ancient times, Yao made the world rely on Zizhou, Shun made the world rely on good books, and the peasants of stone households had no choice. They either go back to Chaoyang to farm or take illness as an excuse. Or go deep into the mountains and let others know where they are; Or take your wife out to sea and never return; Or be ashamed of it and commit suicide by drowning. Besides, in order to return to nature, Yan Zhu resigned from his official position, and the prince searched Dan Cave, but refused to come out even if he was smoked to death. Liu Xiahui didn't change his attitude because of the high price of Sangong, and Zeng Shen didn't give up benevolence and righteousness because of the wealth of Jin and Chu. These nine sages all have high courtesy and righteousness, and are not moved by wealth, so they are recorded in the history books and will be immortal. Ren is not far away. It depends on your attitude. Am I inferior to them? I resolutely refused to accept the imperial edict of the Han Dynasty, preferring to commit suicide by jumping in the East China Sea. Hurry up and return the seal to the throne, announce it to the world and let everyone know my determination. " Cao Pi's decision was announced on 10 15.

Ministers naturally know that this is a good opportunity to show loyalty. Hou et al., the general of the auxiliary country 120 people signed a letter, boldly refuting Cao Pi's theoretical basis: "Shi Hu and Beijingers are just arrogant people, whose behavior is unreasonable and their history is rare. Therefore, Sima Qian did not agree, which is really not something that sages should admire. Moreover, Yu Shun did not refuse Yao's abdication, nor did he make any resignation remarks. It can be seen that saints know that destiny cannot be violated and calendars cannot be rejected. " They said they would ignore Cao Pi's opposition, "beg for death" and still "rectify the altar until the auspicious day of the ecliptic", which means they will never give up until they reach their goal. Liu Ruo, the leader, was the imperial clan of the Han Dynasty. His persuasion of Kim is even more selfless, which also proves that the destiny is really inviolable. Cao Pi's answer is still no: "In the past, Bai Gao avoided the wilderness in order not to accept the appointment of Dayu, and he could not live in seclusion in order to return the gift of Duke Lu. Why do they value the respect of princes? "Because of noble integrity. Therefore, martyrs pursue honor, while righteous people attach importance to integrity. Even if he can only live in poverty, he will enjoy it. Confucius learned from Wang Qian, and his son respected the land of God. This is the truth. You are all my closest confidants. You should know my mind, but now you have done such a thing. It seems that what you pursue is material, while what I yearn for is spirit. It is not surprising that there is no language. Hurry up and return the letter, don't make any new tricks. "

However, this 120 ministers wrote a letter with confidence, accusing Cao Pi of "doing small things against the will of heaven and keeping private ambitions against the people's hearts." They are sorry for God's care and trust, but they forget the sage's teaching of enlightenment, which affects the enthusiasm of their subjects. They think that to serve the monarch, we must first distinguish between right and wrong and stick to the truth in order to fight against the emperor. They decided to ignore Cao Pi's orders and "cut their own throat". However, Cao Pi wanted to finish the article and said more earnestly: "There are still people who are starving, and there are still people who don't wear warm clothes. Widows can't marry wives, and widows can't marry good men; Sun Quan and Liu Bei have not been destroyed. Now is not the time to sing a triumphant song, but the time to prepare for battle. The foreign war has not yet subsided, and the domestic scholars have no peace. " Why can't I do my best, get along well with others when the weather is good, do all these well and let all auspicious things appear? Wouldn't it be better to talk then? Why do you force me to show my ugliness? "

The ministers knew that the play had to go on, so they let Liu Yu, the assistant minister, and others go on, saying that they were "obeying the imperial edict and did not dare to obey it"? Immediately prepare the throne and send messengers to reply to Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty. Cao Pi, afraid that everyone would not understand his painstaking efforts, ordered: "Uncle Tai has given the world to others three times, and everyone praised him. Confucius sighed as the highest virtue. What am I doing? "

In ancient times, on1October 18, Cao Pi wrote to Xian Di, saying that after serving the imperial edict, he was "surprised within five days, refined and relaxed, and he didn't know where he was". He said that he was "immoral" and sent General Manager Mao to return it. The next day, Dr. Surin and Dr. Dongba were included in the list. From the astronomical division and the position of the old star, it is proved that Guo Wei is the same age as Zhou Wenwang, and this year is the right time. Cao Zhi's ancestor is Zhuan Xu, who is of the same clan as Shun. In October, he was ordered by Zhuan Xu to accept Zen, and replaced fire virtue with earth virtue, which was consistent with Shun Yao. They warned that "the world can't be without a monarch for a day" and advised Cao Pi not to "go against fate and people's hearts" but to "ascend the throne at the right time". In fact, Cao Pi is planning the next performance, but only replied: "I have written to resign, hoping to get the approval of the emperor and let the whole country know."

On 20th, Xian Di issued the second Zen imperial edict. The ministers ordered Huan Jie and others to "dare to die" (they didn't die after being rejected by Cao Pi last time), and demanded that they immediately "repair the altar, choose an auspicious day, receive a Zen order and issue a seal". Cao Pi's answer is: "What's the hurry? I hope to resign three times, and I will say it before I get the approval. " So I wrote to Xian Di for the second time on 22nd and returned the seal. Mclynn Killman Liu and others comforted each other in the last performance, saying that these days, "when it's sunny, the sun is shining and the air is steaming", which proves that "people are happy to wear it." Besides, "a group of people can't live without their masters for a day, and artifacts can't be unified" and "dare not pay more attention to death" (note that a heavy word has been added)! Cao Pi refused and said, "Is this a trivial matter? Ministers haven't all expressed their views yet! We should discuss the implementation method after resolutely resigning. "

On 24th, Xian Di issued the third imperial edict, ordering Zhang Yin, the messenger, not to take back the national seal. Under the instruction of Cao Pi, ministers and officials of the Qing Dynasty expressed their views in succession, and 46 people, including Hua Xin, Qiu Jiaxu, Wang Lang and Jiuqing, jointly wrote a letter to persuade Jin. Cao Pi replied, "As far as morality is concerned, I am inadequate, and as far as potential is concerned, the enemy is still alive. If I can become Wang Wei safely with your help, I will be satisfied. It is said that good fortune from heaven and popular support are the fruits left by the sages of my late king. What does it have to do with me? So I dare not do it. " On 26th, xelloss wrote to Xian Di for the third time, requesting Xian Di to recall Zhang Yin.

Ministers all know that Cao Pi's "three concessions" have ended, and the enthusiasm for persuasion is naturally higher. Hua Xin and other officials immediately went to the table, and the drafters even tried their best: "The Book of Changes says that saints are dedicated to heaven, and The Analects says that gentlemen fear destiny, precisely because destiny is different. Only the emperor wants to give up. Knowing that his mission had been completed, Yao had to meditate at Shun's place. I know that I should forget it, and I dare not refuse. When I am in heaven, I must meditate; I'm afraid of fate. Although the Han dynasty has declined, it can still serve its destiny and follow Yao Chan's example. Your majesty was appointed in Wei Chu, but his knowledge was not as good as that of Yu Shun. Instead, she made such a concession as Yan Ling. It's really careless, it's detrimental to virtue, and it's important to ignore minor matters! Even ordinary people in China don't think so. If the deceased has a spirit, Shun will be angry at the tomb of Cangwu, Yu will be angry at the burial place of Huiji, and (Cao Cao) will be angry at the Gaoling underground palace and will be invited to death. " After praising Cao Shi's achievements and listing countless good omen, he added: "The ancients said,' Without Dayu, we would have been drowned by the flood.' If it weren't for Wei, we ordinary people would have become bones lying in the wilderness. "Wei's merits and Ruiying are really' three kings without, five emperors without boundaries'." It has been more than 30 years since we entrusted the fate of the people to Wei and the people supported Wang Wei. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. What is needed is insight, not scruples. It is our sin not to comply with the destiny in time before, so we have arranged the altar, prepared the etiquette, chosen the auspicious day of the ecliptic, and will announce and sacrifice to the gods, and then gathered hundreds of officials in the court to discuss matters such as changing the number, changing the new moon and taking the color. "At this point, Cao Pi replied:" I just wanted to eat coarse grains and live a hard life like Shun; Shun accepted Yao's Zen position, put on the clothes Yao gave him and married his two daughters, which was also a manifestation of fate. Officials and subjects must say,' Destiny cannot be violated, and people's expectations cannot be violated'. What can I refuse? "

On 28th, Xian Di wrote the Zen Sutra for the fourth and last time. Shangshu ordered Huan Jie and others to go to battle immediately: tomorrow is an auspicious day chosen by Taishiling, so you can go to the altar to wait for orders. Cao Pi approved a "Ke". On the 29th, Cao Pi boarded the meditation hall built in Fanyangge. Tens of thousands of people attended the ceremony, including civil and military officials, Huns, and other envoys of the emcee. After the ceremony, Cao Pi said to his ministers, "I finally understand the matter of Shun and Yu."

It has been seven months since Huanglong appeared in Qiao County. However, since Li Fu wrote a letter, this busy drama only lasted for more than 20 days, and the "Han Wei Story" ended successfully. Cao Pi, who was full of ambition, never imagined that only 45 years later, his grandnephew Cao Huan played the role of Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty, such as The Story of the Han and Wei Dynasties, and gave the throne to Sima Yan.

It's obviously a fake play, but it has to be so realistic. It seems ridiculous to people today, but it was necessary in those days. Otherwise, Cao Pi and his ministers would not have to go to great pains, and the "story of Han and Wei Dynasties" would not repeat itself for more than 700 years. Besides, although it is the general trend that Cao Shi replaced the Han Dynasty, it can be successfully completed in the end, thanks to the director and actors of this drama.

Cao Cao has long been in power, and Emperor Xian of Han is just a tool for him. In the eighteenth year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao gave his three daughters to Xian Di as nobles, and in the second year he found an excuse to kill Queen Foucault. Cao Cao sent Hua Xin to lead the troops into the palace, and Fu Shi closed the door and hid in the closet, but he was caught out. Furry and barefoot, Fu took Xian Di's hand and said, "Can't you save me?" Xian Di said, "I don't know when I will die." Two months later, one of Cao's three nobles was made queen, and Xian Di became Cao's son-in-law. It is easy to abolish or kill Xian Di. What makes Cao Cao have to worry is the existence of Liu Bei and Sun Quan and the pressure of public opinion. Two months before Cao Cao's death, Sun Quan surrendered to Cao Cao and advised him to become emperor. Cao Cao showed Sun Quan's letter to everyone: "This boy is going to put me on the fire." When Chen Qun and others also advised him to "take the lead" in time, he made it clear: "If fate is in me, I am Zhou Wenwang." With Cao Cao's military and political observation, he naturally knew that his son Xelloss could not destroy Liu Hesun soon. He just hoped that public opinion would be more favorable to Cao Zhi in Cao Pi's generation, thus naturally replacing the Han Dynasty. Commenting on Cao Cao, Sima Guang said: "Wei Wuzhi has made great contributions to the world by using violence. He has accumulated for a long time without a monarch's heart, and did not even dare to abolish the self-reliance of Han people. What is his ambition? " I'm still afraid of this name and suppress myself. "(see" History as a Mirror "Volume 68) is not entirely true, but it makes sense.

Because of this, the first thing Cao Pi should do is to create a good omen to prove that Cao Zhi, Wei and himself are predestined friends. In China's once popular words, it means "create public opinion first, and do ideological work first". This is a tradition since ancient times, from the legendary Yao, Shun and Yu, to Qin Shihuang, Emperor Gaozu, Wang Mang, Emperor Guangwu of Han Dynasty, and Chen Sheng,, (Yellow turban insurrectionary) and so on, whether it is enthronement, meditation, usurpation, rebellion or starting an army. It is easy for rulers to create auspicious signs and symbols, because once created, the vast majority of ignorant people will really believe it, even a few wise people who dare and are willing to reveal the truth? Some of the so-called auspicious animals are animals that do not exist in the world, such as the dragon, phoenix and unicorn. As long as someone says they have, of course, no one can deny it. There are only rare animals and plants or ordinary animals and plants, such as silver pheasant, ganoderma lucidum, locusts and so on. , so it is not difficult to collect them on purpose. Moreover, officials who provide good omen will be promoted or rewarded, and local people will be honored. For example, Rao 'an County, which reported the occurrence of silver pheasant to Cao Pi, was exempted from paying the annual land rent, while Bohai County, where it was located, was rewarded with ox wine, allowing the county officials and people to drink for three days. Why not do such a thing?

Of course, the manufacture of divination depends on intellectuals and must win the cooperation of famous scholars or ministers when necessary, but it is not difficult for rulers. Although we can't judge how Cao Pi's hexagrams were refined, we can cite the fact that Song Zhenzong personally concocted the Book of Heaven: When Wang Qinruo persuaded Song Zhenzong to hold a ceremony to close the Zen temple to wash away the shame of the Zen temple alliance, the emperor was most worried that there was no "heavenly spirit" and there was no reason to close the Zen temple. Wang Qinruo and Du Gao, an old Confucian scholar, told him that the so-called "Hutuluo" was originally "Shinto Sage Teaching" and it was all artificial. As long as the monarch believes in and declares the world, it becomes "Tian Rui". True Sect is afraid of not getting the cooperation of Prime Minister Wang Dan, but on the one hand, Wang Qinruo has cleared the field ahead of time, and Wang Dan has got the news; On the other hand, Zhenzong personally gave a banquet and gave Wang Dan a pot of wine to drink with his wife. After returning home, Wang Dan found that the jar was full of precious pearls. So Zhenzong announced to the civil and military officials in the Qing Dynasty that he dreamed that the man of God told him that he would lose the three-day book of Dazhong Xiangfu. On the first day of December, he found that the gobbledygook had been hung on Zuo Chengtian Gate. Wang Dan took the lead in congratulating him, and the whole country celebrated, and all localities rushed to report to Xiangrui. With such a sense of heaven and man, Shinzo naturally has to go to Mount Tai to worship Zen in accordance with his destiny.

Cao Pi's "Southern Expedition" seems to be a coincidence with the appearance of Xiangrui, but it is actually the second and key step for him to replace the Han Dynasty. The southern expedition is the best reason for him to concentrate his elite troops, which can not only patrol all parties, show his strength, but also suppress the resistance forces at any time. After Cao Pi returned to Li, he neither returned to Yecheng, the capital of Wei, nor entered Xudu, where Emperor Xian of Han lived, but stayed near Xudu. Even the meditation ceremony was held next to the military camp, apparently for military control. This is an important part of the story of Han and Wei dynasties, which may be ignored by ordinary people, but there are many imitators. In the Five Dynasties, Zhou Taizu and Guo Wei took the place of Han Dynasty, starting with "invading the Khitan", and led troops northward. Later, Zhao Kuangyin and Song Taizu replaced the Zhou Dynasty. When the Khitan invaded, he led the army to leave the capital and became a monk in Chen Qiaoyi.

Cao Pi's "three concessions" was not his invention. When Liu Bang defeated Xiang Yu in the Beggars' Sect, he was actually the master of the world, but when the princes asked him to be emperor, he even said, "I don't deserve it."