Zhang catches Cao.
Generally speaking, what we know about Chen Gong is the image outlined in the plot of catching Cao in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. After being sung by Beijing opera and various local operas, it is a household name. The play tells the story of Cao Cao's unsuccessful attempt to stab Dong Zhuo, who fled Luoyang in a hurry and was arrested in zhongmou county. Chen Gong, the county magistrate, was greatly moved when he heard that Cao Cao said that the assassination of Dong Zhuo was "killing the country" and he wanted to return to his hometown to "gather all the governors in the world and punish Dong Zhuo together". He immediately abandoned his official position and ran away with Cao Cao. Cao accidentally killed the whole family on the way to escape, and then killed them, and brazenly declared that "I would rather teach you to lose in the world than me." So Chen Gong decided that Cao Cao was a "heartless man" and made a clean break with him.
In fact, all the above plots are fictional. Although there is a story of "catching Cao" in history, it was not done by Chen Gong, or even had nothing to do with Chen Gong from beginning to end.
At that time, Dong Zhuo was recommended by the court as a captain of Xiaoqi Cao Cao and wanted to work with him for great things. But Cao Cao didn't want to go along with Dong Zhuo, so he quietly returned to his hometown in an attempt to make another move. Cao Cao passed by zhongmou county on his way back to the East, and was suspected by a curator and sent to the county government for punishment. Cao Gonggong thinks that now is troubled times, and it is hard to say who is good or bad. Don't grab pedestrians casually. So Gong Cao persuaded the magistrate to let Cao Cao go.
The acquaintance between Chen Gong and Cao Cao in history is actually not dramatic. In 189, when Cao Cao was released in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chen Gong had no contact with Cao Cao. 199 1 year, Cao Cao was appointed as the prefect of Dong Jun, and Chen Gong became his subordinate. Besides, Cao Cao killed Lv Boshe's family before Zhongmou was arrested, not after he was released as described in The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. There have been many theories about the cause of Cao Cao's murder, but none of them has anything to do with Chen Gong.
Then why does The Romance of the Three Kingdoms blame Chen Gong for catching Cao? This is because, in history, the relationship between Chen Gong and Cao Cao experienced a typical process of "close cooperation, making a clean break and fighting for life and death". When Luo Guanzhong carefully wrote The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he used artistic techniques such as wearing a crown and replacing flowers with trees to skillfully draw Chen Gong into the story of "catching Cao". And vividly described the process of their acquaintance, disagreement and breakup. This makes Chen Gong a powerful foil to Cao Cao's treacherous character.
Support Cao Cao and oppose Cao Cao
Although Chen Gong in history was not the savior of Cao Cao, he did make great contributions to Cao Cao. After Cao Cao took part in the local warlord's crusade against Dong Zhuo, he actively developed to Qingzhou and Yanzhou. 1992, Liu Dai, the secretariat of Yanzhou, was killed in the battle with the Yellow Scarf Army, and the situation in Yanzhou was in chaos. Chen Gong took the opportunity to lobby around and recommended Cao Cao to take charge of Yanzhou, trying to help Cao Cao realize the "overlord's business".
At this time, Chen Gong spoke highly of Cao Cao. He thinks that Cao Cao is a hero who can save the world and bring peace to the world. So he is willing to entrust his life and a country's soldiers and civilians to him.
After Cao Cao entered Yanzhou, he adopted the strategy of Chen Gong and successively won the battle with Huangta Army. More than 300,000 troops were withdrawn,100,000 men and women, and their strength increased greatly. At that time, Cao Cao's counselors were few, and Chen Gong was good at making suggestions, so he had a close relationship with Cao Cao, and they had a good personal relationship. Cao is very appreciative, and Chen Gong is also very loyal to Cao Cao. Of course, Chen Gong still has his own ambitions, thinking with Cao Cao.
However, Chen Gong's expectations of Cao Cao were soon completely shattered. 193, Cao Cao began to crusade against Tao Qian. At the same time, Cao Cao killed Xuzhou with blood to avenge Tao Qian's father, saying, "Kill hundreds of thousands of men and women in Surabaya, and the water will not flow.". The method is extremely cruel. Cao Cao's atrocities aroused the condemnation of most literati at that time. Chen Gong was also very dissatisfied with this, and the bad blood between them began to form. 194, the famous Bian Jean was killed by Cao Cao. It is said that Bianrang was dissatisfied with Cao Cao's bloody slaughter of Xuzhou, and his words were sarcastic everywhere, which finally made Cao Cao unbearable. "If you smell it, you will kill it, and your wife will also."
It was Chen Gong's recommendation that persuaded Yanzhou officials and the cremation class to accept Cao Cao. Now Cao Cao's despicable behavior has also damaged Chen Gong's reputation among Yanzhou officials and Turks. Therefore, Chen Gong and Cao Cao's Xu Si and Wang Jie conspired against Cao Cao's plan. Chen Gong knew that the defectors headed by him could deal with Cao Cao's army, but there was no absolute chance of winning, so he tried his best to win the support of Liu Chen's satrap Zhang Miao.
After Zhang Miao, Chen Gong and others rebelled against Cao Cao, the situation was very favorable. Cao Cao's influence in Yanzhou is only Juancheng, Fanxian and Dong 'e. Although Cao Cao's strength is damaged, Chen Gong and others think it is still impossible to win. Therefore, Chen Gong suggested to Zhang Miao and others to meet Lu Bu, and recommended others to take charge of Yanzhou. Chen Gong's choice was well-intentioned, and he wanted to quickly occupy Yanzhou with the help of Lu Bu's bravery and the good situation at that time.
However, Chen Gong knew that there were significant differences between Cao Lu and Cao Lu. In his eyes, Cao Cao belongs to "the talent of life", while Lu Bu is a "warrior". Obviously, Chen Gong is not optimistic about Lu Bu. I recommend Lu Bu because I want to drive Cao Cao away by Lu Bu's hand and try to protect myself. This is just a stopgap measure.
At the beginning of the alliance between Lu Bu and Zhang Miao, although it had great influence, its record was not ideal. Obviously, Lu Bu, Zhang Miao and others are not equal to Cao Cao. As a result, Cao Cao quickly regrouped and launched a counterattack, winning one victory after another on the battlefield. 1995, Cao Cao completely recovered Yanzhou and drove Lu Bu to Xuzhou.
1at the end of 995, Cao Cao besieged Qiu Yong, and Zhang Miao was killed by his men on his way to Huainan to ask Yuan Shu for help. This is a heavy blow to Chen Gong. Although he has a strong self-esteem, he has always looked down on Lu Bu and had to turn to Lu Bu for help. From then on, Chen Gong didn't want him anymore, so he had to travel around the world with Lu Bu.
Don't give up and die peacefully.
Chen Gong is indeed a very powerful counselor. Since he assisted Lu Bu, he gave the tiger wings and made Lu Bu do something. It was at this time that Lu Bu began the most brilliant course in his life: under the influence of Chen Gongliang, Lu Bu succeeded in military affairs, taking Yanzhou first and Puyang later. From then on, Lu Bu became famous and became one of the princes, even causing Cao Cao's panic.
1at the beginning of 996, Cao Cao rushed to Puyang. At this time, Chen Gong's intelligence was brought into full play and played a very important role. Fortunately, Lu Bu, who has always been headstrong, listened to Chen Gong's counsel at this moment. Chen Gong asked Lu Bu to trick Cao Cao into the city in the name of a rich man named Tian in Puyang City, and then he caught a turtle in a wooden bucket. This strategy was so powerful that Cao Cao was chased by Lu Bu's army after he entered the city. Cao Cao's arms and hair were burned, and he almost lost his life.
But it didn't last long. Later, Chen Gong left with Lu Bu. Lyu3 bu4 capricious, no ambition and talent, then Chen Gong began to realize his mistake. At the same time, Lyu3 bu4' s loyalty to Chen Gong became more suspicious. Although Chen Gong made many suggestions to Lu Bu, Lu Bu suspected that he had ulterior motives.
1June, 996, Lu Bu's general Hao Meng rebelled. Lu bu panicked, but he didn't know who the rebels were. He had to run for his life with his wife until he ran to the barracks of his commander Gao Shun. Gao Shunsui led the army to attack Hao Meng, and Hao Meng's army dispersed. Later, Lu Bu asked Cao Xing, the general of Hao Meng, "Why did Hao Meng rebel?" Cao Xing replied: "Hao Meng rebelled after accepting Yuan Shu's plan." Lu Bu asked again, "Who else is the accomplice?" Cao Cao said, "Chen Gong is an accomplice." Chen Gong beside, blushed. Lyu3 bu4 also no longer ask.
Is Chen Gong a criminal? Actually, not at all. Because Chen Gong had to rely on the strength of Lu Bu to recapture Yanzhou and bring the remaining Yanzhou soldiers back to their hometown. Lu Bu didn't delve into this matter, which shows that he still has some brains in this matter. After all, Chen Guan is the representative of the remnants of Yanzhou, and he still has some influence. If we rashly deal with Chen Gong, it is not good for Lu Bu.
197, Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor in Shouchun. In order to win over Lu Bu against Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Yuan Shu sent Han Yin to ask for relatives and friends from Lu Bu. Chen Gong said it was a great event for both Yuan Shu and Lu Bu, and Lu Bu agreed. But a few days later, despite Chen Gong's opposition, Lu Bu changed his mind. He not only recovered his half-gone daughter, but also escorted Han Yin, the envoy of Yuan Shu, to Cao Cao's residence in Xuchang, causing Han Yin to be killed by Cao Cao. This made Yuan Shu furious, but Cao Cao took advantage of the fisherman.
With Lu Bu's defeat on the battlefield, most officials and gentry in Xuzhou turned to Cao Cao's camp. But Chen Gong, who would rather die than eat "returning grass", has been faithfully following Lu Bu.
1998 10, Cao Cao arrived in Pengcheng, and Lu Bu wanted to stick to it. Chen Gong suggested: "We should attack Cao Jun head-on, and we will definitely win." At this time, although the relationship between Chen Gong and Lu Bu improved with the rebellion of Xuzhou officials and the cremation, Lu Bu was still a little uneasy about Chen Gong. Lu Bu said, "It is better to wait for them to attack, and we will drown them in Surabaya." As a result, Lu Bu and Chen Gong defeated Cheng Peng and fled to Xiapi.
After that, Cao Caobing surrounded Pi. Lu Bu was afraid and wanted to surrender. Chen Gong advised him, "Cao Cao has come from far away and won't last long. General, you lead the infantry and cavalry to camp outside the city, and I will lead others to guard the city. If Cao Cao leads an army to attack you, then I will lead an army to attack him from behind; If Cao Cao attacks the city, then the general will carry out rescue outside the city. In this way, only half a month later, Cao Jun's food was eaten up. If you attack again, you will be able to break Cao Cao's army. " Lyu3 bu4 readily adopted Chen Gong's plan, let Chen Gong and Seibel guard the city together, and led the cavalry to break Cao Cao's route for providing foodstuff. However, Lu Bu's wife said to him, "Chen Gong and Gao Shun don't get along. Once you leave the city gate, they will not be able to defend the city together. Where will you go if something goes wrong? Moreover, Cao Cao treated Chen Gong like a son, and he was able to come to us. Now you are not as good to him as Cao Cao. Once it changes, I can't serve you anymore! " So Lu Bu gave up Chen Gong's plan and sent someone to Yuan Shu for help.
Not listening to his wife's kind words is undoubtedly an insult to Chen Gong, and it is also doomed to the failure of the White Gate Tower in the near future.
After Lu Bu was killed in the White Gate Tower, Chen Gong was also captured. At that time, Cao Cao wanted to take in and reuse Chen Gong, so he tried to persuade him to surrender. After all kinds of persuasion failed, Cao Cao asked Chen Gong, "Gong Tai, you claim to be smart on weekdays, but why are you here today?" Chen Gong replied: "I hate that Lu Bu didn't adopt my plan, otherwise you might not catch me!" Cao Cao asked again, "Where is your old mother?" Chen Gong said, "I know that people who govern the world with filial piety will never hurt other people's parents. My mother's life depends on you, not me. " Cao Cao asked again, "Where are your wife and children?" Chen Gong replied, "I heard that benevolent people in the world can't destroy the descendants of others. The life and death of my wife and children depends on you, not me. " Never put off till tomorrow what you can, Chen Gong calmly passed away, and everyone present left tears.
Therefore, there is a poem praising Chen Gong, saying, "Give birth to one gram without ambition. What a strong husband! Not from epigraphy, empty pillars. The Lord is really respectable, and he is sad to resign. When the door dies, who will be like a public platform! "