The “Green Plum and Wine” episode is a classic scene from Chapter 21 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, titled “Cao Cao Brews Wine and Discusses Heroes,” depicting Cao Cao testing Liu Bei’s political ambitions through a banquet. This reveals Cao Cao’s great appreciation for Liu Bei’s abilities. It could even be said that Liu Bei was the talent Cao Cao valued most.
In 196 AD, when Liu Bei controlled Xuzhou, Cao Cao petitioned the court to appoint Liu Bei as General Who Guards the East and enfeoff him as Marquis of Yichengting. Later, when Lü Bu betrayed Liu Bei, forcing him to seek refuge with Cao Cao, Cao Cao immediately recommended Liu Bei as Governor of Yuzhou, providing him with troops and supplies, and treating him with great generosity.
In 199 AD, after Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu, Liu Bei returned to Xuchang with Cao Cao. Once again, Cao Cao recommended Liu Bei for the position of General of the Left. At this time, their relationship was remarkably close. It was during this period that Cao Cao invited Liu Bei to discuss heroes over green plums and wine—the classic scene from Chapter 21 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms mentioned above.
“Now,” Cao Cao went on, “what defines a hero is this: a determination to conquer, a mine of marvelous schemes, an ability to encompass the realm, and the will to make it his.” “Who merits such a description?” Xuande asked. Cao pointed first to Xuande, then to himself. “The heroes of the present day,” he said, “number but two—you, my lord, and myself.”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 21
Similarly, due to Cao Cao’s affection for Liu Bei, Liu Bei’s subordinates were also well accommodated and treated. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Mi Zhu, and Mi Fang were all appointed to high-ranking positions. Of course, some argue that Cao Cao’s intention was to divide Liu Bei’s faction.
In fact, examining Cao Cao’s personnel appointments, very few were appointed as governors with real authority—only a handful like Dong Zhao, Jia Xu, and Che Zhou. Liu Bei was one of them.
Cao Cao’s favor toward Liu Bei extended even further. When those around him strongly advised Cao Cao to eliminate Liu Bei early to avoid “releasing a tiger back to the mountains,” Cao Cao overruled them. Instead, he sent Liu Bei, along with Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao, to Xuzhou to intercept Yuan Shu. It was precisely this leniency that allowed Liu Bei the opportunity to escape from Cao Cao and establish his independence. Ultimately, Liu Bei killed Che Zhou and regained control of Xuzhou.
Cao Cao recognized Liu Bei’s abilities and sincerely hoped Liu Bei would serve him. Given Cao Cao’s favorable treatment, why did Liu Bei still choose to leave? Chen Shou’s view is that Liu Bei, resilient and unwilling to remain subordinate, likely gauged that Cao Cao’s tolerance would not spare him. However, it is more widely believed that Liu Bei’s true reason for not submitting to Cao Cao was to establish his own legacy. As a man of great ambition, Liu Bei would never be content to serve under another. He was not like Han Xin; he was more like Liu Bang.
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