🦁 Story 23: Cao Cao Cuts His Hair

Cao Cao left Xun Yu in Xuchang to guard the capital, while he himself mobilized troops and led a large army on the march. As the army advanced, they saw that the wheat along the way was ripe. However, the people, fearing being caught in the crossfire due to the approaching soldiers, had fled to other areas and dared not harvest the wheat. 

Cao Cao sent messengers to inform the villagers and elders of the news, and instructed the officials guarding the borders to explain to the people: "I, Cao Cao, have been ordered by the Emperor to send troops to punish the rebels and help the people eliminate the harmful warlords*1. Today, when the wheat is ripe, I have no choice but to raise an army. All generals and colonels, large and small, whoever crosses the wheat fields and tramples the wheat will be beheaded. Military law is very strict. You people, do not be frightened, nor doubt my resolve." Upon hearing this, the people were overjoyed and praised the army, bowing towards the dust-covered road to express their gratitude for the army's benevolence*2. When the official army passed through the wheat fields, they dismounted and passed the wheat by hand, not daring to trample it.

 

Cao Cao was riding along when suddenly a dove in the wheat field was startled and flew away. Cao Cao's horse, startled by the sudden flight, rushed into the wheat field, trampling a large section of wheat. Cao Cao immediately summoned his chief clerk and requested that the legal and scribe officials draft a decree to punish him for trampling the wheat. The clerk said, "How can the Prime Minister punish someone?" Cao Cao replied, "I created the laws myself, and I broke them. If I am not punished, how can the people believe in me?" He then drew his sword, intending to commit suicide. The others quickly stopped him. Guo Jia said, "In the ancient Spring and Autumn period, the law did not apply to those of high status. How can the Prime Minister, commanding such a large army, commit suicide?" Cao Cao pondered for a long time, then said, "Since the ancient Spring and Autumn period had such a rule—that the law does not apply to those of high status—I will spare your life." He then used his sword to cut off his own hair*3, threw it on the ground, and said, "My hair will temporarily replace my head." He had the hair passed around to the army to see, saying, "The Prime Minister trampled the wheat; he should have been beheaded to maintain order, but now I have cut off my hair in his place." The army was terrified and obeyed orders without question.

 

*1 [He himself was a powerful warlord, yet he had the audacity to say such things]

 

*2 [Army in chaotic times is often ruthless; at this time, if one is even slightly reasonable, disciplined, does not loot, and does not invade civilian territory, the people's acceptance will generally increase]

 

*3 [The ancients valued hair, believing: "Our bodies, hair, and skin are given to us by our parents; we dare not damage them."] In ancient times, men would wear long hair.