After Fan Zhongyan became prime minister, he still slept on a wooden bed, spread old quilts, used coarse porcelain and ate home-cooked meals. Even if he is ill. Song Taizu Zhao Kuangyin went to see him as soon as he was ill. Seeing that he was too poor, I gave him a set of exquisite bedding and utensils, but he was useless. Zhao Kuangyin asked him why he had such a hard time. Fan Zhongyan said that as a prime minister, I have a lot of salary and can't afford it. But if I am extravagant, I will follow suit, and the atmosphere of the court will deteriorate. Song Taizu was surprised after hearing this and praised him as a "real prime minister."
Han Yu and Meng Jiao who compare themselves to Du Li.
Both Han Yu and Meng Jiao were born in poverty, and both suffered when they were young. This similar family background and experience, as well as their congenial personalities and similar poetic styles, contributed to their profound friendship. In the seventh year of Zhenyuan, I met you late. Meng Jiao "Korea retreats to work hard"; When Han Yu saw Meng Jiao, he was "forgetful". Since then, Han Meng has been born with him, singing endlessly, and is known as the poetry circle in the middle Tang Dynasty for his peculiar poetic style. Therefore, they compare themselves with Du Li.
Cao Cao chose people who forgot the past.
Although Cao Cao is suspicious, he has an open-minded and generous politician's mind. For example, in the Battle of Wancheng, Zhang Xiu led an army to kill his eldest son Cao Ang, nephew Cao An, general Dian Wei, and Cao Cao's own right arm was also injured by a flowing arrow in the war. Later, Zhang Xiu took Jia Xu's advice and took refuge in Cao Cao. Cao Cao warmly welcomed Zhang Xiu's arrival. Not only did he not avenge his son's death, but he also formed a children's in-laws with Zhang Xiu and worshipped him as General Yang Wu. Zhang Xiu is very grateful to him. He made great contributions to Cao Cao's unification of the north in later battles.
Chen Lin is one of the "seven sons of Jian 'an". He assisted Yuan Shao in his crusade against Cao Cao, and once caused a sensation with an article denouncing Cao Cao, which made Cao Cao and his ancestors curse three generations. Later, Yuan Shao was defeated in Guandu, and Chen Lin was captured. Cao Cao loves talents, regardless of the past, and entrusts him with a heavy responsibility. Thus, Chen Lin extended a helping hand to Cao Cao's great cause of "Three Kingdoms Unification".