😈 Story 44: Xu Shu's Return to Cao Cao

1. Xu Shu's talent was recognized by Cheng Yu.

 

In another battle, Cao Cao's generals Cao Ren and Li Dian, after being defeated by Liu Bei's army using a stratagem, returned to Xuchang, knelt on the ground, and wept, pleading guilty and detailing the losses of their generals and soldiers.

 

Cao Cao said, "It's normal to win and lose in battle. But I don't know who was advising Liu Bei?" Cao Ren replied, "It was a man named Shan Fu who devised the strategy." Cao Cao asked, "Who is Shan Fu?" His strategist Cheng Yu smiled and said, "This isn't Shan Fu! This person is Xu Shu from Yingchuan, courtesy name Yuanzhi. 'Shan Fu' is a pseudonym." Cao Cao asked, "How does Xu Shu's talent compare to yours?" Cheng Yu replied, "Ten times better than me!" Cao Cao sighed, "It's a pity such a talented man has joined Liu Bei! His power is growing; what should we do?" Cheng Yu said, "Although Xu Shu is there, if you, Prime Minister, wish to use him, it's not difficult to summon him."

 

2. Cao Cao's Scheme to Deceive Xu's Mother

 

Cao Cao asked, "How can I get him to come and join me?" Cheng Yu said, "Xu Shu is very filial (to his mother is very good to him). You can send someone to lure his mother to Xuchang, have her write a letter asking her son to return, and Xu Shu will surely come."

 

Cao Cao was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to fetch Xu Shu's mother that very night. Within a few days, Xu's mother was brought to Xuchang. Cao Cao treated her with great courtesy.

 

Cao Cao then had his men bring out pen, ink, and paper for Xu's mother to write a letter. Xu's mother asked, "What kind of person is Liu Bei?" Cao Cao replied, "He's just a nobody from Pei County. He casually claims to be an imperial uncle, completely lacking in credibility and morality. He's the kind of person who appears good on the outside but is wicked on the inside." Xu's mother loudly rebuked him, "How can you speak so falsely! I've long heard that Liu Bei is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan. Everyone knows his reputation for humility and benevolence. Even the children and old men on the roadside, the cowherds and woodcutters know his name. He is the true hero of the world! My son has found a good lord by following him! Although you falsely claim to be the Chancellor of the Han Dynasty, you are actually a traitor to the Han Dynasty. You call Liu Bei a traitor, trying to make my son abandon the light and turn to darkness. Don't you feel ashamed?"

044 

Xu Shu's mother commented on Cao Cao's usurpation of the Han Dynasty and respected Liu Bei's veneration of the Han Dynasty.

Many people saw through Cao Cao's disguise as the Han Dynasty's prime minister; he was actually a usurper of the Han Dynasty. Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, Xu Shu's mother, and Zhou Yu all criticized him.