After Cao Cao killed Lu Bu, he invited Liu Bei to drink. During the dinner, Cao Cao asked Liu Bei who was the hero of the world. Liu Bei listed Sun Ce, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. Cao Cao said no, Liu Bei asked him, and Cao Cao said, "Only the monarch and Cao Er are heroes in the world today!" Liu Bei was stunned. Knowing that Cao Cao would not tolerate him. So he borrowed soldiers from Cao Cao to intercept Yuan Shu and left.

Cao Cao tells the story of two tit-for-tat heroes in the Three Kingdoms period, which shows Cao Cao's insight and great ambition. It also shows Liu Bei's cautious attitude under dissidents.