Because of this, on the basis of Liu's demotion to Cao Cao in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, many people feel sorry for Guan Yu's letting Cao Cao go in Huarong Road, and think that Zhuge Liang should not let Guan Yu guard Huarong Road, otherwise he would have killed Cao Cao and achieved great things.
Then, according to historical facts and overall analysis, did Guan Yu let Cao go because he was in America and felt sorry for himself, or did Zhuge Liang have a clear head and a plan?
1. Will Guan Gong's kindness let him let Cao Cao go?
As the embodiment of loyalty, Guan Yu is very famous in history, but you know, loyalty can't control such an important event. Liu Guan and Zhang became sworn in Taoyuan. Even though Cao Cao was so polite to Guan Yu, Guan Yu still protected his sister-in-law. After getting the red hare, he went through five customs and beheaded six generals to find Liu Bei.
It can be seen that Guan Gong's sense of justice is very strong, and he will not ruin the great event for his own personal reasons. In those days, Cao Cao's courtesy was nothing more than drawing water with a sieve. The lifting of the ban on Huarong Road is not a just move. On the one hand, Guan Yu has written a written military order. More importantly, this is not only related to his own life, but also the key to the great cause of the Han Dynasty. You know, it was an era when even relatives turned against each other to achieve their goals. What Cao Cao once gave Guan Yu was only gold, silver and jewels that he didn't care about, and the position of marquis. Guan Yu has no reason to take care of it like this. It can be seen that it is unreasonable for Guan Gong to let Cao Cao go because of righteousness.
Second, doubts about Zhuge Liang's strategy.
After Battle of Red Cliffs's defeat, Cao Cao escaped from the main battlefield with beaten army, and met Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Mi Fang and other generals arranged by Zhuge Liang on the road, hitting the key everywhere. Moreover, Zhuge Liang is a cautious and extremely cautious person. Obviously, he arranged people to do harm, but Guan Yu, who had an old relationship with Cao Cao, was arranged in Huarong Road, an important place that could not be more important.
At that time, no matter Zhang Fei and Zhao Yunzhong were guarding Huarong Road, even Cao Cao could not escape alive. Is this really Zhuge's loss? Obviously, it's hard to justify. It is more likely that Zhuge Liang did it on purpose. Therefore, it should not be a coincidence for Guan Yu to keep Huarong Road, but a necessity!
Third, if Cao Cao dies, who will really benefit?
Battle of Red Cliffs and Cao Cao are extremely powerful, claiming to be an army of 200,000 with 800,000 soldiers, while Sun Liu's army is only 50,000. Liu Bei is just fighting the people in "Marrying a Wife and Having Children". If it weren't for Zilong's brave and fierce wings, even his family would be hard to save.
Under such circumstances, does Liu Bei really want Cao Cao to die? You should know that Zhuge Liang's Longzhong pair was planned in this way, occupying Jingzhou first, then Yizhou, and on this basis, it became a full-fledged trend, and then joined forces with Cao. Liu Bei borrowed Jingzhou on the premise that Cao Cao was here, and Sun Quan wanted to use Liu Bei as an ally against Cao Cao. After Cao Cao's death, Sun Quan will definitely want Zhou Yu to attack Jingzhou with all his strength.
In addition, if Cao Cao dies, the north will be in chaos and busy sorting out, which is a good opportunity for Sun Quan to go north. At this time, Liu Bei has changed from an ally to a menace. At that time, Liu Bei's power over him was equivalent to the threat of the Kansai Army to Cao Cao. This is extremely unfavorable to Liu Bei, who is weak and laying a foundation.
If Cao Cao dies and escapes, he will still be the strongest party, but he will lose the possibility of rapid reunification because of the deep roots in the north and the clique spread all over the Central Plains. And this kind of containment and delay is exactly in line with Liu Bei's mind. Isn't stability what Liu Bei needs most in order to develop his power?
To sum up, Cao Cao died and Sun Quan benefited. His escape was exactly what Liu Bei wanted.
Fourth, doubts about different military orders.
Regarding Zhuge Liang's written pledge to fulfill a military order, Guan Yu and Ma Su are the two most famous in the Three Kingdoms. Comparing them, we will feel really suspicious.
Some people say that Zhuge Liang killed Guan Yu not because he released Cao Cao, but because Liu Bei pleaded, "When the three of us became sworn, we swore to share life and death. Now that Yun Chang has broken the law, he can't bear to violate the former alliance, so I hope that he will remember his rights and be able to atone. " But if we compare Ma Su with the Lost Street Pavilion and shed tears, we will know who Ma Su is. Zhuge Liang, a close confidant of Kongming, is highly valued and adopts Ma Su's strategy. At that time, Liu Bei had passed away and the power was in his own hands. Many generals came forward to mediate. Of course, he could walk down the steps, but Kong Ming didn't. He wept bitterly and beheaded Ma Su in strict accordance with military orders.
It can be seen that Zhuge Liang did not forgive Guan Yu because of Liu Bei's intercession. On the contrary, it is precisely because Guan Yu did the right thing that all this is in the strategy.
Fifth, Liu Bei's righteous act was fulfilled.
The ancients paid great attention to names, and only when they were justified could they be recognized. Liu Bei's main strategic thought is benevolence and righteousness. It is precisely because of his banner of benevolence and righteousness that he attracted the world's wise men, gained a firm foothold in such a dangerous era, and stood in a tripartite confrontation with such valiant generals as Cao Cao and Sun Quan. Letting go of Cao Cao, a miserable wretch, has fulfilled Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness, making Liu Bei's banner of benevolence and righteousness higher and higher, and the world's wise men will inevitably yearn for Liu Bei more. Why not?
If Cao Cao died in Huarong Road, the State of Wei would not be established, and it would be difficult for the three countries to form a tripartite confrontation. At the same time, Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty was unable to govern the country, and the situation in the north would be in chaos. At this time, Sun Quan is likely to replace Cao Cao as the strongest party, which is definitely not good news for Liu Bei, who was still weak at that time.
Of course, if there is no such thing as history, it is not Zhuge Liang's fault to let Cao Cao take the Huarong Road. On the contrary, it proves that Zhuge Liang is resourceful and Guan Yu is really wise to keep Huarong Road.
To sum up, letting Cao Cao go will not only be Liu Bei's regret, but also be good for Liu Bei's career. It was this series of operations that made Liu Bei stand firm in the troubled times, developed his power and laid the foundation for the tripartite confrontation. In such troubled times, it is impossible to allow a lost thought to exist. All coincidences are just arranged already. Under the gaze of everyone, a good play led by Zhuge Liang and starring Liu Bei and Guan Yu was staged. The most important thing is that this drama is well-founded and skillfully completes the overall situation with a small "mistake".
Summary:
Therefore, the questions raised in the title have been answered. Guan Yu Huarong's letting Cao Cao go is a matter of strategy. The resourceful strategist knew that Cao Cao was bound to defeat Huarong Road, so he had to let go and be reasonable. Who is the most suitable candidate? That must be Guan Yu who has some old feelings with Cao Cao. Guan let Cao Cao go on the grounds of having an affair, so that he could hide his eyes and ears and get the result he wanted.
So on the day of appointment, everyone tacitly ignored Guan Yu and did not assign him a task. Guan Yu also volunteered and made a written evidence. After the job was done, Guan Yu pretended to be ashamed and returned empty-handed. Zhuge Liang also showed great anger and had Guan Yu tied up and killed.
At this time, people and Liu Bei came out to intercede, as if they were serious. When Zhuge Liang stepped down, a political drama was superb. Battle of Red Cliffs's biggest beneficiary became Liu Bei's help. Sun Quan and Zhou Yu are bitter and can't say. As the first of the three major battles in the Three Kingdoms, this battle was not a simple battle between Qi Xin and Cao. The intrigue between several families really made future generations lament.
A little thing, a just right time and place, a most suitable candidate, achieved the most rare but most needed result. I have to say that Zhuge Liang, as a fairy, has a strategy that ordinary people can't ponder.
References:
History of the Three Kingdoms (Zhu Pei), History of the Later Han Dynasty and History of the Three Kingdoms.