Post by Cao Mengde on Dec 2, 2007 14:43:00 GMT -5
Cao Cao Led-99 War-71 Int-92 Pol-96 Cha-96
Styled Mengde, Cao Cao was a man of medium build with small eyes and a long beard. Born in Qiao, Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song, had been born Xiahou Song but was adopted into the Cao family by the Eunuch Cao Teng. During his youth, Cao Cao enjoyed hunting, songs and dancing; he was a resourceful and crafty young man. One of his uncles seeing this in him used to get angry and tell Cao Song of his son’s deeds, resulting in Cao Cao being reprimanded by his father. However, one day Cao Cao pretended to have a fit when his uncle came near. The uncle quickly brought Cao Song who found Mengde in perfect health and so quizzed him about the fit. The young man told his father “I have never suffered from fits or any such illness but my uncle distrusts me and he has therefore deceived you.” From that day forth, Cao Song never listened to complaints about his son from that uncle and the young man grew up immoral and uncontrolled. A man named Qiao Xian once said to Cao Cao, “Rebellion is at hand, and only a man of the greatest ability can succeed in restoring tranquillity. That man is yourself.” a view that was echoed by He Yong. Upon these words, Mengde sought out a wise man from Runan named Xu Shao and asked him “What manner of man am I?” to which the Xu Shao replied, “In peace you are an able subject, in chaos you are a crafty hero.”