Cao Cao's strength is far less than Yuan Shao's. Why did he dare to take the initiative to provoke?

To say why Cao Cao is provocative, the main reason is that Yuan Shao has put too much pressure on him. Cao Cao knows Yuan Shao's character and has countless mentors. He may not lose the first world war, but his morale is not low, which is even worse for him who has no advantage. The most important thing is that Cao Cao has the emperor's big killer in his hand.

Cao Cao's film and television image (image source Baidu)

To say that Yuan Shao took the initiative to force Cao Cao, he had to say that on the eve of the battle of Guandu. To say that Yuan Shao fought Cao Cao, in fact, there were many opportunities before the battle of Guandu, but he always spared Cao Cao, who was still weak, for many inexplicable reasons. Later, after Cao Cao recovered, according to some relevant historical records, before the war, the strength of the two was actually very unequal. Cao Cao's money and food can't compare with Yuan Shao's, which means that Cao Cao Can can't afford too many troops. Although the history books do not accurately say that Cao Cao invested in troops, it can probably be inferred that it was between 40,000 and 60,000, far less than Yuan Shao's 100,000 elite. At that time, it was such a hundred thousand troops that crossed the Yellow River and propped up in front of Cao Cao. When Yuan Shao was negotiating, he also said that some conditions needed to be met before Cao Cao's men could be released. Of course, this condition must have Cao Cao's head, which was forced out by Yuan Shao. Naturally, Cao Cao will no longer care about the disparity between the enemy and ourselves, and taking the initiative to provoke may also be one of the tactics.

Yuan Shao's film and television image (image source Baidu)

Even if Cao Cao's troops fought to the death in World War I, how could Yuan Shao lose so badly with so many troops? One of the reasons is Yuan Shao's own problems. Before the battle of Guandu, he was eager to fight a decisive battle, listening to the words of the villain and not listening to dissuasion. During the war, Yan Liang died because he didn't know anyone and insisted on sending generals. Then he made no judgment on the battlefield, became too arrogant and took it out on others; When you were defeated, you were confused, thoughtless and refused to take advice. Generally speaking, he is willful and can't accept the correct suggestions of his subordinates well. Before, they were well hidden, but their shortcomings were exposed in the battle of Guandu. As a result, their army was far less defeated by Cao Cao.

Yuan Shao Cao Cao (image source Baidu)

In contrast, Cao Cao's generation is lean and capable of knowing people and employing people. In addition, at that time, there were talents like Yu Xun who advised Cao Cao, counselors like Guo Jia helped him to boost his morale, and "Kingslayer" improved his reputation. Therefore, in the case of having to fight, it is understandable to provoke Yuan Shao tactically and make waves.