1. Let the wisdom of the world be ruled by Tao.
In the sixth year of Zhong Ping (AD 189), Cao Cao set off for Liu Chen (now southwest of Ningling County, Henan Province). There were only 5,000 troops at that time. Compared with Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu and others, their strength was originally very weak, but after more than ten years of operation, they finally defeated all the rivals in the north. This is closely related to Cao Cao's always attaching importance to strategic thinking, always grasping the overall strategic goal and being good at using strategy since the uprising. Cao Cao has always been ambitious, pioneering and determined to do great things. He said: "People with aspirations will succeed, and martyrs will follow suit." (page 36 of "Giving Taishan Taishou Lu Qian Cai Mao Mausoleum") The so-called: "The old horse crouches tiger, aiming at a thousand miles; In the year of martyrs, go forward bravely. " In the first year of Emperor Chuping of Hanzhao, Cao Cao joined forces led by Yuan Shao against Dong Zhuo. When Yuan Shao and others dared not pursue forward, Cao Cao pointed out in a unique way: "Punish riots with righteous men and unite the masses. What do you suspect? " ..... The world is set after World War I, and we can't afford to lose it. "("The History of the Three Kingdoms, Emperor Wudi ")" Today's soldiers move with righteousness, hold doubts but do not advance, lose the hope of the world, and steal for the shame of kings. " (Page 134)
After the defeat of Dong Zhuo's allied forces, Yuan Shao once asked Cao Cao, "Why not make things up?" Cao Cao asked Yuan Shao, "What is the first step?" Shao said, "My south is near the river, and my north is against Yan and Dai. I am also a member of the army. How can I help the southern world? " Cao Cao replied: "I am the wisdom of the world, and I can resist it with Tao." This is the general principle of Cao Cao's strategic decision-making thought. The starting point of his strategic thought is to gather the wisdom of outstanding people in the world, formulate a correct political line, attract, unite and guide talents with the correct ideological and political line, and give full play to people's intellectual enthusiasm and creativity, that is, "ruling the country by the Tao", unite outstanding people in the world, guide them correctly, and give play to their intelligence and creativity. At that time, this was undoubtedly far-sighted. In the whole political and military struggle, Cao Cao attached great importance to strategy, talents and knowing people, which was the prominent feature of his leadership thought. He emphasized "pacify the world and strive for high success" (19 page).
Cao Cao's strategic thought always obeys and serves his overall strategic goal, that is, to eliminate the war, unify the country and develop the economy, so as to realize "the monarch is wise and the prime minister is loyal to the good." Salt courtesy, the people do not dispute, three years of cultivation has nine years of storage, the granary is full ... the road is not private, the shackles are empty ... people can die "("Drinking ",page 4).
Cao Cao is a bold and innovative politician in history. At the age of 20, he entered the official career, adhered to strict law enforcement, cracked down on local strongmen and upheld justice. When he was a minister in Jinan (more than ten counties in the state), many officials colluded with powerful people to kill the people. But after he came to power, he punished eight people and a group of local villains, and the domestic order became better. At that time, courtiers fought for power and profit, and nobles were rampant. Cao Cao doesn't want to violate the legal principle, please and indulge their minions, and he can't go against them everywhere. In order to avoid causing trouble to his family, he said that he was ill and went back to his hometown to study martial arts and observe political trends.
2. If you want to attack first, know yourself and know yourself.
Cao Cao realized the importance of ingenuity and talent from the moment he stepped onto the military and political stage. In the long-term campaign, he became more and more deeply aware that "if you want to attack your enemy, you must seek it first." When making major political and military decisions, Cao Cao always considers comprehensively, weighs the pros and cons, analyzes the subjective and objective situation, and then makes a decision. A.D. 188 (the fifth year of Emperor Zhong Ping of the Han Dynasty): Wang Fen, Xu You, etc. Join forces with powerful people, seek to abolish the Mausoleum, and conclude an agreement with Cao Cao. Cao Cao analyzed the political and military situation at that time, resolutely refused, and solemnly pointed out: "Abolishing legislation is the most ominous thing in the world. The ancients had the right to success or failure, and Yi Yin and Huo Guang were made. Yi and Huo are loyal and sincere. According to Zaifu's potential, because of the importance of politics and the desire of others, they can plan to establish themselves. ..... Today, you see the ease of the past, but you don't see the difficulty of today, which makes it very unusual. Your desire must be overcome, not dangerous! " "How can it be seven countries?" Soon after, Wang Fen's plot was exposed and he committed suicide. Two years later, in a.d. 190 (the first year of Xian Di Chuping), Yuan Shao and other Guandong generals plotted to abolish Xian Di, made you Zhou Mu Liu Yu emperor, and contacted Cao Cao who opposed it. He said: "We are United with the masses and fighting in Xingyi, but there will be a response from far and near, so we will move our cause with righteousness." Now the young master is weak and controlled by treacherous court officials. Without the disaster of Changyi's national subjugation, how can the world be safe once it changes hands? Gentlemen are north and I am west. "("reflection, emperor wudi ")
In the above two major political decisions, Cao Cao made a careful analysis of the political and military situation, power comparison and popular support at that time, carefully considered, summed up historical experience, assessed the situation, weighed the pros and cons, and made bold decisions. His strategic decision-making level is much higher than that of Yuan Shao and others. Although Cao Cao did not leave a systematic exposition on decision-making, we can still get a glimpse of it from his political and military decision-making practice and his notes on the Art of War.
Cao Cao's strategic decision attaches great importance to "knowing the enemy's knowledge", and he emphasizes that "a soldier must use spies to understand the enemy's situation" (page 124). When making a decision, he carefully grasps the relevant necessary intelligence information, listens to the opinions of his subordinates extensively, objectively evaluates the situation of the enemy and ourselves and relevant parties, and makes a comprehensive comparison and analysis before making a decision. After Yuan Shao leveled Gongsun Zan in 199 (the fourth year of Jian 'an), he occupied Youzhou, Hebei, Qinghai and Hezhou, with more than 100,000 mercenaries and 10,000 cavalry, and attacked Xu Changnan. The strength of the two sides is very different. Although Cao Cao held the emperor to command the princes, he was far inferior to Yuan Shao in military and economic strength. When the generals in Cao Jun heard that Yuan Shao had attacked Xuchang in the south, they were all scared. Cao Cao called all the generals and advisers to discuss countermeasures. From a strategic point of view, Cao Cao made a profound analysis of Yuan Shao's character, wisdom, courage, economy and strength, and finally came to the conclusion that he was sure to defeat Yuan Shao. He said: "I know that Yuan Shao is a man with great ambition but little wisdom, strong color but weak courage, weak ability to avoid obstacles, unclear soldiers, defiant people and different decrees. Although he is rich in land and food, he is enough for my use." ("Chronology of Cao Cao", page 20 1) Kong Rong objected to Cao Cao's opinion, arguing that Yuan Shao had a vast territory, strong soldiers, many counselors and loyal to Yuan Shao, so many soldiers would be fierce and it was difficult to win. Cao Cao's counselor Yu Xun retorted: "There are too many soldiers and the rule of law is incomplete. Tian Fenggang is guilty and Xu You is insatiable. Shen Pei is expert and has no plan, and uses it for his own use. " These people are incompatible with each other, and changes will inevitably take place within them. Yan Liang and Wen Chou, with brave ears, can be tackled in World War I.. "(History as a Mirror, Vol. 63, p. 252) Cao Cao's advantages mainly lie in internal unity, talent strategy, statutes, military quality and popular support. In 200 AD (the fifth year of Jian 'an), Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao in Guandu (now north of zhongmou county, Henan) and unified the north of China. Zhuge Liang commented on this: "Compared with Yuan Shao, Cao Cao has a small name and few people. However, he can overcome his weaknesses and make himself strong. Not for the weather, but also for others. " (Collected Works of Zhuge Liang, Guizhou People's Publishing House, 1997, p. 1) "Cao Cao's intelligence and wisdom are unique to others, and he uses soldiers like Sun and Wu." (Complete Works of Zhuge Liang, p.31)
3. Take the overall situation into consideration, assess the situation and take a long-term view.
Cao Cao's strategic decision-making thought always grasps the long-term strategic goal, sizes up the situation, is flexible, and "the enemy will win and change into a god" (The History of the Three Kingdoms, Emperor Wu) does not stick to details. In A.D. 196 (the first year of Jian 'an), Emperor Xian of Han moved the capital to Xuchang, and appointed Cao Cao as general and Yuan Shao as Qiu. Yuan Shao was greatly dissatisfied and refused to be ordered. Cao Cao appointed the general Yuan Shao for the overall benefit, and he became a commonplace. The following year, Cao Cao attacked Zhang Xiu, and Zhang Xiu rebelled after surrendering. When fighting Zhang Xiu, Cao Ang, the eldest son of Cao Cao, was killed by the embroidery army. In the last two years, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were in a decisive battle. Zhang Xiu listened to the counselor Jia Xu's persuasion and prepared to invest in Cao Cao, but he had concerns. He said, "What should you do if you have an enemy with Cao Cao?" Jia Xu pointed out: "Those who have the ambition of overlord must release their personal grievances to be wise in the world." (History as a Mirror, vol. 63, p. 253) After Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, Cao Cao put aside the past, held an embroidered hand and married an embroidered woman as his daughter-in-law. He was generous and did not care about grievances.
Forced by Lu Bu, Liu Bei defected to Cao Cao and held a thick ceremony. He spoke highly of Liu Bei's "heroes are all over the world, but only the monarch and Cao and his early disciples are not enough" (Zi Jian, vol. 63, p. 265). Counselor Cheng Yu suggested to Cao Cao: "Seeing that Liu Bei is talented and won the hearts of the people, it is better to think clearly before it is too late." Cao Cao knew that Liu Bei would be his political enemy in the future. But he said, "You can't kill one person and lose the heart of the world today." Cao Cao's strategy is to recruit talents from all over the world and use them for his own use. He must not commit suicide in order to kill Liu Bei.
Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao and seized a large number of equipment and various ancient books, documents and intelligence materials from Yuan Shao. Among them, it was found that there were many people secretly contacting Yuan Shao's letters in Xuchang Palace and the military general school. Everyone has asked to clean up the mole, purify the team and present the materials to Cao Cao. Faced with these materials, he ordered all the materials to be burned and called a meeting to say, "When Shao is strong, loneliness cannot protect himself. What about everyone? " (History as a Mirror, Volume 63, p. 282) On major political issues, Cao Cao never gets emotional, but thinks carefully, takes the overall situation into consideration and obeys the overall strategic objectives. Cao Cao's move has far-reaching influence. Those who are vacillating and half-hearted are more determined and loyal. He believes that Yuan Shao, the most powerful opponent, has been eliminated, and those who commit adultery with Yuan Shao will only shake the morale of the army. It is not as good as positive education and generosity, which not only stabilizes the morale of the army, but also establishes their lofty image and enhances their prestige.
For Yuan Shao's companions, he also adopted a lenient policy, "Anyone who is evil with Yuan Shi should turn over a new leaf with them" (page 34), thus isolating the enemy to the maximum extent. Cao Cao resolutely punished those who were still ambivalent after education. Yuan Shao's adviser, Jushou, was too late to cross the river with Shao when Yuan Shao was defeated and was captured by Cao Cao. After being persuaded to surrender, he plotted to return to Yuan Yuan and was killed when he was defeated.
Cao Cao's strategic decision-making principle always adheres to the principle of "enriching the people with talents" (Chen's Income Statement, p. 14) and "the skill of a husband in determining the country lies in adequate food" (Preface to Reclaiming Land, p. 30). Pay attention to developing economy, stabilizing society, selecting and employing people, and strengthening army building, so as to "never forget death and always equip yourself" (page 104). When summing up the lessons of Yuan Shao's failure, he pointed out: "The rule of Yuan's family also made the powerful and powerful arrogant, the relatives merged, and the people were poor and weak ... If you want to win the relatives of the people, how can you get evil?" (page 33) Cao Cao advocates giving full play to the wisdom of talents and manpower. He advocates developing the economy and making the people rich and stable. Develop military strength instead of belligerence, and advocate attaching importance to economic and cultural construction. Cao Cao pays attention to the law and general trend of objective and actual development, and is good at predicting the future, so as to "see things in the bud". At the same time, he also paid attention to listening to different opinions from all sides and giving full play to the overall effect of the leading group.