He was one Cao Cao, also known as Cao Meng-de, a Peiguo man holding
the rank of Cavalry Commander. His father was Cao Song, who had
been born to Xiahou family, but he had been brought up by the ennuch
Cao Teng and had taken his family name. This Cao Cao was Song's
son and as a lad, bore the name of A-man.
As a young man Cao Cao had been fond of hunting and delighted in
songs and dancing. He was resourceful and full of guile. An uncle,
seeing the young fellow so unsteady, used to get angry with him
and told his father Cao Song of his misdeeds. His father remonstrated
with him.
But the youth was equal to the occasion. One day, seeing his uncle
coming, he fell to the ground in a pretended fit. The uncle alarmed
ran to tell his father, who came, and there was the youth in most
perfect health.
"But your uncle said you were in a fit; are you better?"
"I have never suffer from fits or any such illness," said
Cao Cao. "But I lost my uncle's affection and he has deceived
you."
Thereafter, whatever the uncle might say of his faults, his father
paid no heed. So the young man grew up licentious and uncontrolled.
A certain man of the time said to Cao Cao, "Rebellion is at
hand and only a man of the greatest ability can succeed in restoring
tranquility. That man is yourself." And He Yong of Nanyang
said of him, "The dynasty of Han is about to fall. He who can
restore peace is this man and only he."
Cao Cao went to enquire his future of a wise man of Runan called
Xu Shao. "What manner of man am I?" asked Cao. The seer
made no reply and again he put the question. Then he replied, "You
are able enough to rule the world, but wicked enough to disturb
it". Cao greatly rejoiced to hear this.
#Meng-de 孟徳、曹操の字
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