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Why did Cao Cao kill with a borrowed knife? [Three Kingdoms]
“Kill with a borrowed knife” (“Kill with a borrowed sword”, or “Borrow one’s hand to kill”) is a famous Chinese idiom and also the third stratagem of thirty-six. It means to convince others or even your enemies that your enemies are theirs, and make them believe they will be defeated, betrayed or otherwise end…
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Why did Cao Cao attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo? [Three Kingdoms]
Why would Cao Cao risk his life to assassinate Dong Zhuo? Was it merely to prove himself a loyal and righteous hero? Today, let’s delve deep into the motivations behind Cao Cao’s attempt on Dong Zhuo’s life, a pivotal event in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
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Cao Cao’s attempted assassination of Dong Zhuo [Three Kingdoms]
In Chapter 4 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the episode of Cao Cao’s attempted assassination of Dong Zhuo stands as one of the most pivotal and dramatic moments in the early narrative. This event not only establishes Cao Cao’s image as a courageous “loyalist and righteous hero” but also sets the stage for…
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Three lessons on Chen Gong’s tragedy [Three Kingdoms]
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chen Gong’s fate stands as one of the most poignant and instructive tragedies. A man of intelligence, loyalty, and moral integrity, Chen Gong ultimately met his end not through cowardice or incompetence, but due to a series of fateful misjudgments. His life offers profound lessons on…
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The tragedy of Lü Boshe: A cautionary tale of miscommunication and mistrust [Three Kingdoms]
In Chapter 4 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the incident in which Cao Cao kills the entire family of Lü Boshe stands as one of the darkest stains on his legacy. Many readers, upon encountering this episode, condemn Cao Cao for his suspicious nature and ruthless cruelty.
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Cao Cao and the Tragedy of Lü Boshe [Three Kingdoms]
The story of Cao Cao killing Lü Boshe took place in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, during the time when Dong Zhuo held absolute power. Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao, installed Emperor Xian, declared himself Chancellor, and secretly plotted to seize the Han throne. Determined to eliminate Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao once drew his…