In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xunzi disapproved of Cao Cao's entry, and Mao was uneasy, but Xunzi said that if Mao was worried, it would be the palace next year.
The death of Xunzi, the first hero of Cao Wei, has always been a mystery. According to the orthodox view on the internet, he was forced to commit suicide because he opposed Cao Cao's independence, that is, against Cao Cao's usurpation of the Han Dynasty. This view highly praised Xun as an ideal figure, that is, a hero who sacrificed himself for others.
But this view is very suspicious. Xun was no match for Cao Cao's usurpation of the Han Dynasty, nor was he a martyr of the Han Dynasty. There are three main reasons:
First of all, Xunzi is the main planner of Cao Zhi's imperial career. Xunzi made many important strategies for Cao Cao in his life, many of which were obviously for Cao Cao's official career, and Xunzi himself directly explained this point. The following example is clear. In the second year of Xingyuan, Xun suggested that Cao Cao establish his own base area. He said: In the past, Emperor Gaozu protected Guanzhong, and Emperor Guangwu was based in Hanoi. These two places are deeply rooted. In the first year of Jian 'an, Cao Cao was advised to welcome Emperor Han Xian. Cao Cao said: In the past, Gao Zu invaded the east, and the east was the benevolent emperor, and the world belonged to his heart. When suggesting that Cao Cao set up various systems, it takes Shun, Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Guangwu as examples to illustrate its importance. He repeatedly used the founding emperor as an example to persuade Cao Cao, and compared this benevolent emperor with Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty, with obvious implication. Xun did not convince Cao Cao on the grounds of being king and conquering the world, let alone taking the Duke of Zhou as king, but clearly served Cao Cao with the attitude of assisting the king. Otherwise, he would not use one founding emperor after another to inspire Cao Cao. A great adviser with great wisdom like Xun won't be misunderstood because he repeatedly said inappropriate words. It can only be said that Xun took it as his duty to help Cao Cao unify the whole country and be an emperor from the beginning.
Secondly, Xun never really served Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty. After Cao Cao welcomed the Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty, Xun became the servant and secretary-general of the Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty, that is, he served as a senior adviser to the Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty, managing the performance and other affairs. And holds a position similar to that of Secretary-General. This was of course appointed according to Cao Cao's wishes. Cao Cao fought abroad for many years, leaving Xun in charge of the emperor for him in Beijing. Xun lived up to his mission. I can only be an obedient puppet and go out to fight with Cao at ease. During his seventeen years in office, Xunzi did not make suggestions for Xian Di's interests, nor did he do anything good for Xian Di, but recorded all kinds of extremely clever strategies of Cao Cao. It is illogical to make sacrifices at the end of life. For example, Xun You served the emperors of the Han Dynasty, which made the demise of the Eastern Han Dynasty inevitable. However, the improvement of the situation in Xian Di, coupled with Xunzi's cleverness, made Xian Di feel a little safe in Jennifer, and he stayed in the office for some time. No way. Absolutely impossible.
Third, the Eastern Han Dynasty perished without martyrdom. After Dong Zhuo's rebellion, the Han Dynasty actually existed in name only. Civil military commanders have their own masters, and many people are absolutely loyal to their masters, leaving the emperor behind. For example, Ju Shou and Shen Pei, Yuan Shao's advisers, are considered to be soldiers loyal to Yuan. Before the execution, Shen Pei also shouted: Master is in the north, and I will die in the north. . In his mind, Yuan Shao's pig-like son is his master, and there is no Han emperor in the south. After Dong Zhuo's rebellion, no martyr really died for North Korea. In such a big environment, it is unreasonable to suddenly regard Xun as a hero who sacrifices himself for others.
According to the above viewpoint, it is impossible to describe Xunzi's death with ideals and noble morality. But when Dong Zhao and Xun talked about joining Cao Cao and adding Jiu Xi, Xun disagreed. In addition, as far as time is concerned, it does have a certain causal relationship with his death. In the second year after Xun's death, Cao Cao added nine tin. This seems to contradict the above statement. What was the cause of Xunzi's death? As mentioned above, Xun spent his whole life trying to unify the whole country and become the emperor of Cao Cao. Cao Cao wanted to take a crucial step. Why didn't he agree? It is likely to be a strategic disagreement, not a principled objection.
This difference can be divided into two parts: First, the great cause of reunification has not been completed, and there are Sun Quan, Liu Bei and Liu Zhang in the south. In Xunzi's view, now may not be the time to change the dynasty. Cao Cao himself may think so. He didn't become emperor before he died. Second, adding nine tin was a trick before Wang Mang usurped the Han Dynasty, and Wang Mang's reputation was very bad. Xunzi's idea may be not to learn from Wang Mang, but to become a great emperor with a seemingly more complicated technology. At first, this difference will not necessarily become a capital crime. But because of Cao Cao's suspicion, the older he gets, the heavier he gets. Any disagreement with him will arouse his high suspicion. On the other hand, Cao Cao may think it necessary and possible to further improve his authority and status. In this way, Xun could hardly live. Pei quoted a series of legends in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Xun wanted to negotiate with Cao Cao by rewarding the army, but Cao Cao refused. What does Xun want to talk about? I don't know. This may be related to the addition of nine tin. Cao Cao refused to talk to him, which shows that Cao Cao is determined to kill the number one hero. Although Xunzi was praised by him as his kindness, married his own children and in-laws, and insisted that the world was set and his merits were set, Cao Cao would not be soft. The stronger the ability, the greater the credibility and prestige. Once people like Cao Cao get suspicious, it will only be more difficult to deal with. Xun actually died of Cao Cao's paranoia and cold blood.