Yang Xiu's death

[Tianshan Zi]

Cao Cao fear Yang Xiu not only for being able to read his mind, but for being able to read his fears as well. I think Cao Cao would be quite happy to have an officer being able to read his strategical thoughts, but not of his inner fears.

I think that this observation is very insightful. Cao Cao would likely desire his officers to be in tune with his strategic thoughts--one for clarity in giving orders, and two for simple validation. But who among us is truly comfortable with other people knowing our fears? Not many, I would say. Excellent point, someguy44.

[Lady Wu]

I guess the main difference between Yang Xiu and the other advisors who guessed at Cao Cao's fears was that Yang Xiu couldn't keep it to himself, or suggest constructive advice.

[Chen Kun]

I guess the main difference between Yang Xiu and the other advisors who guessed at Cao Cao's fears was that Yang Xiu couldn't keep it to himself, or suggest constructive advice.

I remeber there was a wise man,Ji Zi who served the tyrant emperor,Zhou.When Zhou was drunk,he asked Ji Zi what time it was,but Ji Zi answered that he also didn't know what time it was because he was drunk too(though he wasn't drunk).He knew that he would be in danger if he answered.

[Tianshan Zi]

I guess the main difference between Yang Xiu and the other advisors who guessed at Cao Cao's fears was that Yang Xiu couldn't keep it to himself, or suggest constructive advice.

Yes, for as intelligent as Yang Xiu was, he ws still a fool.

[Mengdez New Book]

Cao Cao executed Yang Xiu because Yang Xiu always tend to show off his talent and sometimes even unveil Cao Cao's secret plan. There was one time when Cao Cao told his servants and officers that he will killed someone when he was dreaming. One day, when Cao Cao was sleeping, his blanket dropped to the ground. Cao Cao's guard who was afraid Cao Cao will caught cold, took up his blanket. Suddenly Cao Cao jumped up and killed the guard. Then, Cao Cao pretended he was still asleep until other guard called him up. Yang Xiu who knew this incident said openly to the dead guard,' It was not the Prime Minister (Cao Cao) who are dreaming, it was you who are dreaming,'. Here, Yang Xiu clearly unveiled Cao Cao's plan.

Anyway, the most important factor and reason why Cao Cao wanted to killed Yang Xiu was he involed in Cao Cao family matter. Cao Pi and Cao Zhi race to become the prince who will take the throne of Cao Cao. In this race, Yang Xiu helped Cao Zhi out. He gave Cao Zhi many ideas about how to win Cao Cao's heart and took the throne. First, Yang Xiu tried to unveiled Cao Pi's plan to hide Wu Zhi (吳質) into something like bucket before Wu Zhi can dicussed matter with Cao Pi at Cao Pi's palace. When Yang Xiu brought Cao Cao to check on those buckets, nothing were found (Cao Pi knew it earlier). So, Cao Cao thought that Yang Xiu wanted to accuse Cao Pi. Second, Cao Cao wanted to test Cao Pi and Cao Zhi how they solved problem instantly, they have been ordered by Cao Cao to go out of the palace after the forbidden time. Cao Pi tried first but was blocked by the guard so he retreated. Yang Xiu taught Cao Zhi to kill the guard because he had Cao Cao's order, Cao Zhi did so and Cao Cao delighted with Cao Zhi's work. Unfortunately, later Cao Cao found out it was Yang Xiu's idea, Cao Cao hated Yang Xiu even more. Third, Yang Xiu prepared some answers to Cao Zhi to face Cao Cao's question. Cao Pi who knew this used money to get those answers, he gave it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao knew it was Yang Xiu again who are flaming behind Cao Zhi.

When Cao Cao decided that Cao Pi should took his throne. He wanted to get rid all those people who against Cao Pi. Here, those who were helping Cao Zhi should be the first taregt to get started with. So, when Yang Xiu involve in chicken tendon's incident, he should be killed. This was one of the way for Cao Cao to prepare a road for Cao Pi to take over. I don't think he really wanted something happened awfully between all his sons after he passed away. Yang Xiu was talented and who knew maybe he would taught Cao Zhi to 'rob' the throne from Cao Pi. So, the best way to avoid this was get rid of Yang Xiu.

[Chen Kun]

Cao Cao executed Yang Xiu because Yang Xiu always tend to show off his talent and sometimes even unveil Cao Cao's secret plan. There was one time when Cao Cao told his servants and officers that he will killed someone when he was dreaming. One day, when Cao Cao was sleeping, his blanket dropped to the ground. Cao Cao's guard who was afraid Cao Cao will caught cold, took up his blanket. Suddenly Cao Cao jumped up and killed the guard. Then, Cao Cao pretended he was still asleep until other guard called him up. Yang Xiu who knew this incident said openly to the dead guard,' It was not the Prime Minister (Cao Cao) who are dreaming, it was you who are dreaming,'. Here, Yang Xiu clearly unveiled Cao Cao's plan.

Anyway, the most important factor and reason why Cao Cao wanted to killed Yang Xiu was he involed in Cao Cao family matter. Cao Pi and Cao Zhi race to become the prince who will take the throne of Cao Cao. In this race, Yang Xiu helped Cao Zhi out. He gave Cao Zhi many ideas about how to win Cao Cao's heart and took the throne. First, Yang Xiu tried to unveiled Cao Pi's plan to hide Wu Zhi (吳質) into something like bucket before Wu Zhi can dicussed matter with Cao Pi at Cao Pi's palace. When Yang Xiu brought Cao Cao to check on those buckets, nothing were found (Cao Pi knew it earlier). So, Cao Cao thought that Yang Xiu wanted to accuse Cao Pi. Second, Cao Cao wanted to test Cao Pi and Cao Zhi how they solved problem instantly, they have been ordered by Cao Cao to go out of the palace after the forbidden time. Cao Pi tried first but was blocked by the guard so he retreated. Yang Xiu taught Cao Zhi to kill the guard because he had Cao Cao's order, Cao Zhi did so and Cao Cao delighted with Cao Zhi's work. Unfortunately, later Cao Cao found out it was Yang Xiu's idea, Cao Cao hated Yang Xiu even more. Third, Yang Xiu prepared some answers to Cao Zhi to face Cao Cao's question. Cao Pi who knew this used money to get those answers, he gave it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao knew it was Yang Xiu again who are flaming behind Cao Zhi.

When Cao Cao decided that Cao Pi should took his throne. He wanted to get rid all those people who against Cao Pi. Here, those who were helping Cao Zhi should be the first taregt to get started with. So, when Yang Xiu involve in chicken tendon's incident, he should be killed. This was one of the way for Cao Cao to prepare a road for Cao Pi to take over. I don't think he really wanted something happened awfully between all his sons after he passed away. Yang Xiu was talented and who knew maybe he would taught Cao Zhi to 'rob' the throne from Cao Pi. So, the best way to avoid this was get rid of Yang Xiu.

from the reasons u mentioned,I could say that Yang Xiu was very unlucky to serve a lord like Cao Cao.It was not his fault if Cao Cao's sons were dumb and always depend on others:roll:

[DarkAnthem]

from the reasons u mentioned,I could say that Yang Xiu was very unlucky to serve a lord like Cao Cao.It was not his fault if Cao Cao's sons were dumb and always depend on others:roll:

It really wouldn't have mattered if he served under another lord instead, or maybe he would have been relieved of duty instead of being executed, but regardless, he had it coming for him.

The problem wasn't that Cao Zhi was dumb and had to rely on Yang Xiu, that wasn't the case at all, Cao Zhi was a very intelligent man, and even without Yang Xiu, he was still Cao Cao's favorite son. The reason Cao Cao wanted Cao Pi to succeed him is most likely because it's traditional to let the eldest son succeed, and letting Cao Zhi succeed will definitely lead to turmoil, as Cao Pi was definitely not the type who would stand serving under his younger brother.

For Yang Xiu, he didn't need to help Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhi didn't need his help either, but Yang Xiu had to butt in to Cao Cao's family affairs and try to make Cao Zhi the heir instead. If Cao Zhi was made hier instead, there would be conflicts within themselves, and Wei would be divided into those who support Cao Zhi and those who support Cao Pi, or maybe even some who support Cao Zhang or Cao Cao's other sons. With Wu and Shu still in the height of their powers, Cao Cao could not take such a chance. However, with Yang Xiu alive, even naming the eldest son as hier would potentially cause internal turmoil in Wei, thus Cao Cao wanted to get rid of Yang Xiu, a decision any smart ruler would come to.

[Fan Kong]

from the reasons u mentioned,I could say that Yang Xiu was very unlucky to serve a lord like Cao Cao.It was not his fault if Cao Cao's sons were dumb and always depend on others:roll:

Doesn't it look more like Yang Xiu is trying to get Cao Zhi on the throne so he can work his power in the background? (i.e. Huang Hao, Liu Shan's eunuch)

[Chen Kun]

from the reasons u mentioned,I could say that Yang Xiu was very unlucky to serve a lord like Cao Cao.It was not his fault if Cao Cao's sons were dumb and always depend on others:roll:

It really wouldn't have mattered if he served under another lord instead, or maybe he would have been relieved of duty instead of being executed, but regardless, he had it coming for him.

The problem wasn't that Cao Zhi was dumb and had to rely on Yang Xiu, that wasn't the case at all, Cao Zhi was a very intelligent man, and even without Yang Xiu, he was still Cao Cao's favorite son. The reason Cao Cao wanted Cao Pi to succeed him is most likely because it's traditional to let the eldest son succeed, and letting Cao Zhi succeed will definitely lead to turmoil, as Cao Pi was definitely not the type who would stand serving under his younger brother.

For Yang Xiu, he didn't need to help Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhi didn't need his help either, but Yang Xiu had to butt in to Cao Cao's family affairs and try to make Cao Zhi the heir instead. If Cao Zhi was made hier instead, there would be conflicts within themselves, and Wei would be divided into those who support Cao Zhi and those who support Cao Pi, or maybe even some who support Cao Zhang or Cao Cao's other sons. With Wu and Shu still in the height of their powers, Cao Cao could not take such a chance. However, with Yang Xiu alive, even naming the eldest son as hier would potentially cause internal turmoil in Wei, thus Cao Cao wanted to get rid of Yang Xiu, a decision any smart ruler would come to.

a great ruler will get rid his own son to prevent the event rather than get rid of his talented officer.
besides even without Yang Xiu Cao Pi and Cao Zhi still fought among them too right?

[DarkAnthem]

edit: for some reason I had two exact same posts (this post was originally exactly the same as the previous one)... so I'm editing this post instead of making a new one.

a great ruler will get rid his own son to prevent the event rather than get rid of his talented officer.
besides even without Yang Xiu Cao Pi and Cao Zhi still fought among them too right?

Why would Cao Cao want to get rid of his own son instead of Yang Xiu, when Yang Xiu was the one who was trying to get Cao Zhi on the throne? Cao Zhi himself didn't seem to be very interested in the throne, it would be quite unfair to Cao Zhi if Cao Cao decided to rid him just because his subordinate (Cao Zhi's) has the ambition of making his master the hier.

Also, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi didn't fight among themselves for the throne, it was mainly Cao Pi wanting to get rid of Cao Zhi out of suspicion of Cao Zhi's intentions, since Cao Zhi didn't attend Cao Cao's funeral, and he was rude to Cao Pi's messenger. But in Cao Zhi's part, evidently he didn't do much of anything to try and take the throne.