第四个原因，高人指点。曹丕和曹植在夺嫡的这个斗争中都有自己的智囊，曹植这边主要是三个人，一个叫丁仪，第二个叫丁廙，第三个人叫杨修；曹丕这边呢，一个，叫吴质。但是现在看起来，我们俗话说三个丑皮匠抵个诸葛亮，曹植这边丁仪、丁廙、杨修这三个丑皮匠，他不但抵不了诸葛亮，他连吴质都抵不了。吴质怎么帮曹丕呢？给他定了两条，第一个叫做输诚，就是你要向你的父王表达你的诚意；第二叫设疑，你要让你的父王怀疑他们。
The fourth reason is the guidance of an expert. Cao Pi and Cao Zhi both had their own brains in the struggle to win the throne. On Cao Zhi’s side, there were mainly three people, one named Ding Yi, the second named Ding Xuan, and the third named Yang Xiu; On Cao Pi’s side, there was one named Wu Zhi. But now it seems that as the saying goes, three ugly cobblers are equal to Zhuge Liang, while Cao Zhi’s three ugly cobblers, Ding Yi, Ding Xuan, and Yang Xiu, are not only inferior to Zhuge Liang, but also inferior to Wu Zhi. How can Wu Zhi help Cao Pi? There are two rules for him. The first is called “losing faith”, which means that you should express your sincerity to your father and king; The second is to set doubts. You should make your father suspect them.
有一次曹操远征，大家都到城外去送行，这个曹植就出来念文章了，估计头一天晚上已经写了一篇非常漂亮的、歌功颂德的、同时也表达依依不舍的、文采华丽的这篇文章，朗诵。这一朗诵，果然文章写的漂亮，大家觉得不错，文章写得好，曹操自己也很得意。结果曹植心里也舒服，曹操心里也舒服，就曹丕不舒服，不知道怎么办，因为他写不过曹植啊。这时候吴质就在耳边上说：“王当行，流涕可也。”哭就可以了。父王不是要远征了吗，远征不是有风险吗，你不是舍不得吗？哭嘛。曹丕马上明白，啪，倒在地上，抱头就痛哭，痛哭流涕，哭得感天动地，哭得曹操也流下眼泪，所有人都流下眼泪，陪着一起哭，大哭一场。哭完了以后，曹植写的漂亮文章全忘了。你说那些华丽的辞藻谁记得住啊？所以我说吴质啊，质朴的“质”，他这个“质”，他不愧为叫吴质，他用做最质朴的，同时也是成本最低的，同时也是最直截了当的，同时也是最方便快捷的方式，获得了胜利。于是，散了以后大家都议论说，哎呀，看来还是五官中郎将的孝心可嘉啊！他是真有孝心啊，他真是孝子啊。那一个人呢，就未免有点作秀啦，未免有点炫耀自己啦，大家也想不清楚到底他是舍不得父亲呢，还是趁机来卖弄一下自己学问啊，搞不清楚了都。所以我一再说，世界上最有价值的东西往往是最朴素的东西，最朴素的，素朴而天下莫能与之争美。
On one of Cao Cao’s expeditions, everyone went to see off outside the city, and this Cao Zhi came out to read an article. It is estimated that the previous night, he had written a very beautiful, eulogizing, and also expressing his reluctance to part with this magnificent article, and recited it. “This recitation was indeed a beautiful article, which everyone thought was good. Cao Cao himself was very proud of his good writing.”. As a result, Cao Zhi felt comfortable and Cao Cao felt comfortable. Cao Pi felt uncomfortable and didn’t know what to do because he couldn’t write about Cao Zhi. At this moment, Wu Zhi said in his ear, “Wang Dangxing, you can shed tears.” Just cry. Isn’t Father going on an expedition? Isn’t it risky? Aren’t you reluctant to part with it? Cry. Cao Pi immediately understood and fell to the ground, hugging his head and crying bitterly. He wept so deeply that Cao Cao also shed tears, and everyone shed tears. He cried with him and cried loudly. After crying, Cao Zhi forgot all the beautiful articles he wrote. Who can remember those gorgeous words? So I say Wu Zhi, the simple “quality”. His “quality” deserves to be called Wu Zhi. He used it as the most simple, the lowest cost, the most straightforward, and the most convenient and quick way to win. So, after parting, everyone commented and said, “Oh, it seems that the filial piety of the Five Senses Zhonglang General is commendable!”! He is really filial, he is really a filial son. As for that person, it’s a bit of a show off, a bit of a show off, and it’s unclear whether he’s reluctant to part with his father, or whether he’s taking the opportunity to show off his knowledge. It’s unclear. So I repeat, the most valuable thing in the world is often the most simple thing, the most simple, simple, and nothing in the world can compete with it for beauty.
还有一件事情，就是吴质因为经常要跟曹丕两个人勾结嘛，又不能公开来往，于是曹丕弄了一个竹笼子，把他装到车子里面运到府里去。这个事被杨修发现了，杨修马上就去报告曹操，因为曹操禁止他的儿子跟这些官员来往的，因为怕结党营私。但是来不及查。这个事被曹丕知道，曹丕就问吴质怎么办呢这事。吴质说好办得很，如此如此这般，啊。第二回，又过了几天，曹丕又运来一个竹笼子来了，杨修看见了马上向曹操报告，曹操马上就拦下来，一查，打开一看里面装的绸子，没有人。于是曹操就怀疑了，你们是不是诬告啊？不相信曹植。
Another thing was that Wu Zhi often colluded with Cao Pi and couldn’t communicate openly. So Cao Pi got a bamboo cage and loaded him into a car and transported him to the mansion. This matter was discovered by Yang Xiu, and Yang Xiu immediately went to report it to Cao Cao, who prohibited his son from associating with these officials because he was afraid of forming cliques for personal gain. But there’s no time to check. This matter was known by Cao Pi, and Cao Pi asked Wu Zhi what to do about it. Wu Zhi said that he had done well. So, so, so, ah. The second time, a few days later, Cao Pi brought another bamboo cage. Yang Xiu saw it and immediately reported it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao immediately stopped it. After checking, he opened the silk inside and found no one there. So Cao Cao became suspicious. Are you accusing him falsely? I don’t believe in Cao Zhi.
你看，这就是吴质的帮，吴质看准了两条：第一条，曹操这个人虽然重才，但是更重情，所以你不要写漂亮文章，你哭。第二，曹操这个人多疑。他看准了这两条，曹丕就赢了。而那三个臭皮匠呢，净出馊主意。上一集我讲过，杨修是经常猜这个曹操提什么问题，预先写好答案的，他把这一招他也去教给曹植，也把答案写好了，曹操写个条子来，曹植就把答案交上去，想给曹操留下一个曹植才思敏捷这么一个好印象。谁知道这个杨修他没有把握住节奏，曹操那边的信刚送过来，他这边答案马上就交出去了。曹操拿来一看说，我这儿子再聪明也没这么快啊。结果露馅了，从此讨厌曹植。
You see, this is Wu Zhi’s help. Wu Zhi has two things in mind. First, although Cao Cao values talent, he values affection even more. So don’t write beautiful articles, you cry. Second, Cao Cao is a suspicious person. “He looked at these two accurately, and Cao Pi won.”. And those three stinky cobblers are coming up with bad ideas. As I mentioned in the previous episode, Yang Xiu often guessed what question Cao Cao asked and wrote the answer in advance. He taught Cao Zhi this trick and wrote the answer well. Cao Cao wrote a note and Cao Zhi handed in the answer, hoping to leave a good impression on Cao Cao that Cao Zhi was talented and agile. Who knows, Yang Xiu didn’t grasp the rhythm. As soon as the letter from Cao Cao’s side was delivered, his answer was handed in immediately. “Cao Cao took a look and said, ‘No matter how clever my son is, he can’t be so quick.'”. “As a result, I was exposed and hated Cao Zhi ever since.”.
不过相比较而言，帮助曹丕的人当中，最有分量的是贾诩。当时曹丕也去请教了贾诩，说我该怎么办？贾诩非常淡然地说：“愿将军恢崇德度，躬素士之业，朝夕孜孜，不违子道，如此而已。”这句话翻译过来说，愿将军你弘扬道德，加强修养，实践一个士人应该做的那些事情，勤勤恳恳，孜孜不倦，不要违背一个做儿子的该尽的孝道，那就够了，你什么都不用做。这才叫高，表面上看贾诩好像在打官腔，说的都是官话、大话、套话，但是说到了根本上。根本是什么？做人。我一再强调，你不管做什么，你是做官、做生意、做学问，你归根结底是做人，你去看三国时代这些成功了的人，无一例外的都是做人的成功。你只要守住你的本分，好好地做人，就行了，不要去玩花招，不要去耍那些小聪明，贾诩实际上就是这个意思。曹丕就是按照贾诩的这个教导来做的，最后终于赢得了父皇的爱心，立他为太子。
However, in comparison, among the people who helped Cao Pi, the most influential one was Jia Xu. At that time, Cao Pi also went to consult Jia Xu and said, “What should I do?”? Jia Xu said very calmly, “May the general restore his moral integrity, pursue his career as a scholar, work diligently day and night, and not violate the path of his son, that’s all.” This sentence translates into saying, May you, General, promote morality, strengthen cultivation, and practice the things that a scholar should do, be diligent and tireless, and not violate the filial piety that a son should fulfill. That’s enough. You don’t need to do anything. “This is called Gao. On the surface, it seems that Jia Xu is playing an official role. He speaks all official, boastful, and clich é s, but he speaks fundamentally.”. What is it? Be a person. I have repeatedly emphasized that no matter what you do, you are a person who is an official, a business, or a scholar. In the final analysis, you are a person. When you look at these successful people in the Three Kingdoms era, without exception, they are all successful people. As long as you keep your duty and behave well, it’s all right. Don’t play tricks, don’t play those little tricks. That’s exactly what Jia Xu meant. Cao Pi followed Jia Xu’s teachings and finally won the love of his father and emperor, making him prince.
＊曹丕靠着贾诩的指导和吴质的帮助，最终让曹操满意，如愿以偿夺得了太子的位置，成为曹魏政权的接班人。那么曹丕能够不辜负曹操的良苦用心，而使曹操的基业常青吗？
据说，曹丕被立为太子以后，情不自禁，抱住一个议郎叫做辛毗的，当时有一个议郎叫做辛毗，曹丕一把抱住他的脖子说：辛君啊辛君啊，你知道我有多高兴吗！狐狸尾巴还是露出来了。
“With the guidance of Jia Xu and the help of Wu Zhi, Cao Pi finally satisfied Cao Cao and succeeded in seizing the position of prince, becoming the successor of the Cao Wei regime.”. Can Cao Pi live up to Cao Cao’s good intentions and make Cao Cao’s foundation evergreen?
It is said that after Cao Pi was made prince, he couldn’t help but hug a counsellor named Xinpi. At that time, there was a counsellor named Xinpi. Cao Pi hugged his neck and said, “Xinjun, Xinjun, do you know how happy I am?”! The fox’s tail still shows.
反倒是这个时候有两个女人非常了不起，表现得很理智、很冷静、很低调。一个是曹丕的母亲卞夫人，我们以前讲过，当时手下的人就要卞夫人请客了，卞夫人很淡地说了一句，我没把儿子教坏就心满意足了，哪里还敢庆祝？还有一个女人就是辛毗的女儿叫做宪英的，辛毗回家以后就把这个事讲给宪英听，宪英叹了一口气说：唉，太子怎么能够这样呢！什么叫做太子？太子就是接替君王治理国家的人。接替君王意味着什么？意味着君王去世啊，所以接替君王你要感到悲痛。治理国家意味着什么？意味着你要担很重的担子，所以你应该感到畏惧。一个人被立为太子以后，他的表现应该是悲痛和畏惧，而我们现在魏国的太子竟然是这样地欣喜若狂，我看魏国的国运长不了。了不起的女人。
On the contrary, at this time, there were two women who were very remarkable, acting very rational, calm, and low-key. One is Madam Bian, Cao Pi’s mother. As we said before, at that time, the people under her command were going to invite Madam Bian to treat them. Madam Bian said very lightly, “I am satisfied without teaching my son bad. How dare I celebrate?”? There is also a woman named Xian Ying, who is Xinpi’s daughter. After Xinpi returned home, she told Xian Ying about this matter. Xian Ying sighed and said, “Oh, how could the Crown Prince be like this?”! What is the name of a prince? The prince is the person who succeeds the king in governing the country. What does it mean to succeed the king? It means the death of the king, so you must feel sad to succeed him. What does it mean to govern a country? It means that you have to bear a heavy burden, so you should feel afraid. After a person was made crown prince, his performance should be sadness and fear. However, our current crown prince of the State of Wei is so ecstatic that I don’t think the national fortune of the State of Wei can last long. Great woman.
而且，不幸被宪英言中了。曹丕在公元220年接替了曹操的魏王的王位，而且在当年就逼汉献帝禅位，自己当了皇帝，这就是魏文帝。然后在公元226年去世了，只当了六年皇帝。曹丕去世以后四十五年，魏国灭亡了。确实是一个短命的王朝。
当然魏国的短命的根本原因，倒不在于说是因为曹丕那个时候得意忘形了一把，这个如果算原因的话也只能算一个次要原因。那么根本的原因是制度，是什么呢？就是曹丕在称帝之前实行“九品中正制”。这个九品中正制的制度说起来很复杂，我简单地说，把它简单化一点，什么意思？就是做官的人世代为官。就是你如果是做官的，你的儿子也做官，你的孙子也做官，只要你祖上是做官的，你总归有官做；而从来没有做过官的人就很难做到官，这个就叫做九品中正制。那么曹丕实行“九品中正制”是和他的父亲曹操实行的“唯才是举”这个人事政策是相反的，他为什么要这样做？他是争取士族的支持。那么那个时候东汉末年已经形成士族，你像袁绍、杨修这些家庭都是世世代代为官的，它是一个政治势力。为了争取这些政治势力的支持，曹丕实行了九品中正制。
Moreover, unfortunately, Xian Ying was right. In 220 AD, Cao Pi succeeded Cao Cao as the king of Wei, and in that year, he forced Han to offer the throne of Zen to the emperor himself. This was Emperor Wen of Wei. Then he died in 226 AD and was emperor for only six years. Forty five years after Cao Pi’s death, the State of Wei fell. It is indeed a short-lived dynasty.
Of course, the fundamental reason for the short life of the State of Wei was not that Cao Pi was so proud and forgetful at that time, but that, if counted as the reason, could only be a secondary reason. So the fundamental reason is the system, what is it? Before Cao Pi became emperor, he implemented the “nine grades in one system”. “The system of formal production in the nine grades is very complex to speak of. Let me simply say, what does it mean to simplify it a bit?”? People who are officials have been officials for generations. If you are an official, your son is also an official, and your grandson is also an official. As long as your ancestors were an official, you will always have an official to do so; “People who have never been an official can hardly become an official. This is called the system of nine grades in the middle.”. So Cao Pi’s implementation of the “nine grade system” is the opposite of his father Cao Cao’s personnel policy of “meritocracy”. Why did he do this? He is seeking the support of the gentry. At that time, the gentry had already formed in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Families such as Yuan Shao and Yang Xiu had been officials for generations, and they were a political force. In order to win the support of these political forces, Cao Pi implemented the system of nine grades in the middle.
