Now, the 63-year-old Cao Cao has been having a headache: when he is a hundred years later, which of his sons will Wei inherit it? Finally, in October, Cao Cao made a decision: to appoint the 31-year-old Wuguan Zhonglang to make Cao Pi the crown prince of Wei.

Cao Cao's first wife, Ding, had no children and adopted his eldest son Cao Ang (born by Liu) as a son. Cao Ang was killed in the Zhang Xiu Rebellion in 197. Madame Ding wept unkeptly and was deposed by Cao Cao. Bian became Cao Cao's second wife. Among the four sons born to Bian, the youngest son, Cao Xiong, died young. The second son, Cao Zhang, the Marquis of Yanling, was a martial artist, and once told Cao Cao that his ambition was "to be a good general." Wear a strong and stubborn face, regardless of difficulties, for the soldiers. The reward must be done, and the punishment must be believed" In this way, there are actually only two people left in the competition for the crown prince: the eldest son Cao Pi and the third son, the 26-year-old Marquis of Linzi Cao Zhi.

Cao Zhi was supported by Yang Xiu, Ding Yi and Ding Hui; Cao Pi was surrounded by Sima Yi, Chen Qun, Wu Zhen, and Zhu Le, who were known as the "Four Friends of the Prince". Cao Cao once wanted to marry his daughter to Ding Yi as his wife, but Cao Pi thought that Ding Yi was not worthy of his sister, so he stopped the matter. The Ding brothers also made a feud with Cao Pi because of this.

Cao Zhi is alert, versatile, and quick-witted, and is deeply loved by Cao Cao. But doing things often willfully, not self-decorated; And Cao Pi is pretentious.

Once Cao Cao went on an expedition, and the brothers Cao Pi and Cao Zhi went to see him off. Cao Zhi praised his merits on the spot, and the export became a chapter, winning the applause of everyone. Cao Pi was stunned. Wu Zhen hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "You just need to show your reluctance," Cao Pi immediately followed the plan, weeping and bowing. At this time, everyone is ashamed, thinking that although Cao Zhi is rhetorical, he is not as sincere.

During the critical period of seizing the heir, Cao Pi often summoned Wu Zhen, crashed him into the waste of the car, and took him into his home. After Yang Xiu found out about this, he reported it to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao was also ready to inspect it in person. Cao Pi was anxious when he learned about it, but Wu Zhen didn't care, "It's okay." As long as this is the case, "The next day, Cao Pibian arranged a car, filled it with silk, and pulled it to his home. And Yang Xiu thought that it was Wu Zhen in the car this time, and hurriedly went to report to Cao Cao. Cao Cao rushed to check, but saw only the silk silk and Wu Qian. Cao Cao was suspicious of Yang Xiu.

Cao Zhi also once drove on the gallop road, and even called Sima Gate away. According to the regulations of the Han etiquette system, when entering and exiting Sima Gate, you must get out of the car, and you must not drive at a speed. When Cao Cao learned of this, he was furious and ordered the execution of the bus order. And the ban was strictly enforced.

Another time, Cao Zhi's wife and Cui Yan's niece were seen by Cao Cao on stage because she was wearing an embroidered dress that violated the system, and she immediately ordered her to die. After these things, Cao Zhi finally favored Cao Cao's heart.

Of course, in the end, it was the attitude of the ministers that made Cao Cao decide to abandon Cao Zhi and establish Cao Pi. Cao Cao consulted his ministers in the form of a confidential letter on this matter. As a result, although Cui Yan is Cao Zhi's elder relative, he has always been upright, and he publicly expressed his support for Cao Pi with an open board. Mao Jue, Xing Hao and others also supported Cao Pi.

It was Jia Xu who gave Cao Pi the greatest support. Cao Pi once asked Jia Xu about the art of self-consolidation. Jia Xu's answer was very simple, "Restore virtue, bow to the business of a scholar, work diligently day and night, and do not violate the way of the son, that's it" is to tell Cao Pi: Don't think too much, just do your duty as a son. Once, Cao Cao pulled outsiders back and quietly asked Jia Xu about the heir. Jia Xu deliberately pretended to be absent-minded and thinking about things. Cao Cao asked Jia Xu what he was thinking? Jia Xu replied, "I'm thinking about Yuan Shao and Liu Biao," Cao Cao laughed. Finally made up my mind.

After Cao Pi was made the crown prince, the left and right governors congratulated Mrs. Bian and asked Mrs. Bian to take out the treasury and reward. But Mrs. Bian refused, "Cao Pi is old, so the king made him his heir." What credit do I have? How to deserve a heavy reward" Chang Yu told Cao Cao the original words of these words. Cao Cao said happily, "Anger does not change its face, and joy does not lose its temper." It's difficult. It's not easy for me to be a lady."

Cao Pi was made the crown prince, and he got carried away for a while, so he hugged Xin Bi's neck and said with a smile, "Does Xin Jun know my happy event" After returning home, Xin Bi told his daughter Xin Xianying about it. Xin Xianying sighed, "As a prince, you have to take responsibility." This responsibility is to inherit the previous monarch and govern the country. Therefore, it should be both relatives and fears, and only care about their own pleasure, it seems that the Wei State will not be able to prosper for a long time."

In October, Fa Zheng said to Liu Bei, "Cao Cao captured Hanzhong, but did not take advantage of the situation to enter Tubashu, but ordered Xiahou Yuan and Zhang He to stay behind, but he was in a hurry to return to the north, which must be his internal problem." And we can take this opportunity to take Hanzhong over. Then recuperate and wait for your chance. There are three strategies available: the upper can overthrow the enemy and honor the royal family; It can encroach on Yongliang and expand the territory; The next can stick to the key points, for a long-lasting plan" Liu Bei immediately adopted, personally led the generals into the Hanzhong. He also ordered Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Wu Lan and other generals to send troops to Wudu County to govern the county. When Cao Cao learned about it, he ordered Cao Hong to send troops to resist Zhang Fei.

This year, Lu Su died, and Sun Quan ordered Yan Jian to succeed him, supervising 10,000 soldiers, to town Lukou. Everyone congratulated Yan Ji, but Yan Ji himself was stubborn. In the end, Sun Quan ordered Lü Meng to succeed Lu Su and concurrently serve as the Taishou of Hanchang.

This year, Lu Xun suggested to Sun Quan, "The heart is not at peace, and it is difficult to go far." We should first put down the rebellion in Shanyue in various places, take its elite as soldiers, and then we can map the Central Plains, "It just so happens that Danyang County has Fei Zhan to rebel and incite Shanyue." Sun Quan ordered Lu Xun to go to the conquest. After Lu Xun put down the rebellion, he carried out the work of "selecting the strong as soldiers and the weak for the people", and a total of tens of thousands of elite soldiers were returned to Wuhu. Who knew that he was impeached by the Huiji Taishou Chun Yu Shi on the table, "Lu Xun took the people in vain, causing local resentment", but Lu Xun later recommended Chun Yu Shi to Sun Quan, "Chun Yu Shi intends to support the people, so impeach me." I can't slander people because of this, so that I can mess with the saints."

This year, there was a great epidemic. Among the seven sons of Jian'an, except for Kong Rong and Ruan Yu, who died early, the remaining five Wang Cang, Chen Lin, Xu Gan, Ying Dang, and Liu Zhen all died of this year's major epidemic.

In this year, Cao Cao ordered Prime Minister Changshi Wang to supervise the military of Xudu. Wang Bi's friend Jin Yi was a famous minister of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, after Jin Riyan, who was a Han minister, he did not want to serve Wei, so he secretly contacted Geng Ji, Wei Huang, Ji Ben and Ji Ben's two sons Ji Miao, Ji Mu and other like-minded people, plotted to kill Wang Bi, seized military power, and then raised troops in Fengtianzi, and went to seek reinforcements from Guan Yu in Jingzhou in the south, and joined Liu to attack Cao.

On the night of January 6, 218, the plan began. Ji Miao led more than 1,000 people from the same party to attack Wang Bi's mansion and set fire to the door. Jin Yi sent people to respond internally and shot Wang Bi in the shoulder. Wang Bi didn't know that Jin Yi was involved in the rebellion, so his first thought was to flee to Jin Yi's house and hide with his friends. The gatekeepers of the Golden Mansion did not know that the king was coming, and when they heard someone calling for the door, they asked in a loud voice, "Is it Ji Miao?" Has Wang Changshi been killed? Did the big thing succeed?"

Only then did Wang Bi know that something was wrong, and hurriedly rushed to Nancheng under the protection of his subordinates to meet Yan Kuang, the general of the Diannong Zhonglang. Yan Kuang raised troops to attack and disrupt the party. Jin Yi and Yoshimoto father and son died in battle. Geng Ji and Wei Huang were captured and beheaded, and several families were exterminated. More than 10 days later, Wang Bi also died of arrow wounds.

When the news of Wang Bi's death reached Yecheng, Cao Cao was furious and ordered all the officials of the Han court to be summoned to Yecheng. When he arrived, he ordered those who had participated in the fire fighting in front of the king's gate to stand on the left; Those who did not participate in the firefighting should stand on the right. Baiguan thinks that he should be innocent of fighting fires, right? So most of them stood on the right. Who knew that Cao Cao actually ordered to kill all these officials standing on the right! The reason is that "you people didn't want to put out the fire, but you really wanted to help the thieves."

In January, Zhang Feitun troops fortified the mountain and threatened to cut off Cao Hongjun's back road. Cao Xiu suggested to Cao Hong that he immediately attack Wu Lan. If Wu Lan is defeated, Zhang Fei will leave. Cao Hong accepted, sent troops to defeat Wu Lan, and beheaded his general Ren Kui. In March, Zhang Fei and Ma Chao withdrew. Wu Lan was killed by Qiang Duan, the leader of the Yinping Di tribe.

In April, Cao Cao summoned Pei Qian, the Taishou of Daijun, to return to the dynasty and appointed Cao Peng, the prime minister. He is deeply satisfied with his performance. However, Pei Qian seemed worried: "I am generous to the people in my administration, but severe to Zhuhu. My successor will find me too harsh and will turn to leniency. But in this case, the Hus will be too arrogant and break the law more, and then they will be punished with severe punishment, and the Hus will be resentful, and they will set off a rebellion. Therefore, the administration must be consistent, and I should not be summoned back" Sure enough, only ten days after Pei Qian's words came out, Wu Huan of Dai and Shanggu County launched a rebellion without any ministers.

At this time, Cao Cao regretted it and was useless, and hurriedly sent Cao Zhang, who was the most talented of his sons, to lead his troops to conquest.

In April, Cao Cao decreed that women over the age of 70 and without children, young children under the age of 12 without parents and brothers, blind or crippled with limbs and no relatives to take care of them should be supported by the government for life.

In June, Cao Cao ordered the construction of his own mausoleum on the west plain of the Ximen Leopard Temple outside Yecheng.

Liu Bei Tun soldiers at Yangping Pass at the junction of Hanzhong County and Wudu County, and confronted Xiahou Yuan and others. Chen Shi was sent to lead his troops to cut off the traffic on Ma Mingge Road, but was defeated by Xu Huang. He also sent troops to attack Zhang He, who was stationed in Tunguangshi, but he could not succeed. Liu Bei wrote back to the CD, asking Zhuge Liang to send troops to the front again. But Zhuge Liang probably felt that the remaining troops in Yizhou were also very important, so he was a little hesitant and asked Yang Hong's opinion. Yang Hong replied categorically: "Hanzhong is the throat of Yizhou." If there is no Hanzhong, there is no Shudi. At this time, men should be in charge of fighting, and women should be lucky. "Zhuge Liang also immediately adopted Yang Hong's advice and sent troops. At that time, Shu County was too law-abiding and was following Liu Bei on the expedition, so Zhuge Liang appointed Yang Hong as the Shu County Taishou, and appointed He Yi, who was recommended by Yang Hong, as the Guanghan Taishou.

The importance of Hanzhong can be seen not only by Liu Bei, but also by Cao Cao. So Cao Cao embarked on the last expedition of his life, which lasted for a year and a half. In July, Cao Cao left Yecheng and personally conquered Liu Bei. In September, it arrived in Chang'an.

In September, Cao Zhang fought against Daijun Wuhuan and went into battle in person. Although he was hit by several arrows in his armor, he became more and more brave the more he fought. Won a great victory, and pursued all the way to the north of the Sangqian River. At that time, Kebineng, the leader of the Xianbei tribe, led tens of thousands of horsemen to watch the battle, and when he saw Cao Zhang's momentum, he was so frightened that he hurriedly surrendered. The north was re-pacified.

The officials and people of Nanyang County suffered from forced labor. In October, he rebelled under the leadership of Hou Yin, the defender of Wancheng. Nanyang Taishou Dongligon and Gong Cao Yingyu fled from the city in a panic. Hou Yin sent troops to chase after him. In the midst of the chaotic arrows, Ying Yu used his body to block the arrows for Dongligon, and was wounded seven times and died, while Dongligon was captured alive. At this time, a Gong Cao named Zong Ziqing suddenly appeared, and he persuaded Hou Yin, "You originally obeyed the will of the people and came to do great things, so you can't help but look forward to the wind and return to obedience." But what do you mean by catching Taishou now? It's better to let him go," Hou Yin didn't think much about it for a while, and agreed. That night, Zong Ziqing also went out of the city, went outside the city to gather the remnants of Taishou Dongligon, counterattacked Hou Yin, and waited for reinforcements.

When Cao Cao learned the news, he ordered Cao Renhuo, who was stationed in Fancheng on the border of Xiangyang County and Nanyang County, to lead his troops north to quell the rebellion. In January 219, Cao Ren captured Wancheng and beheaded Hou Yin. He then ordered the slaughter of the city and returned to Fancheng to station.

Knowing that Liu Bei went all out to fight for Hanzhong, Cao Cao was a little uneasy about the front-line commander Xiahou Yuan, and specially sent an envoy to warn him, "When the general is cowardly, he should not be brave." It will be based on courage, but it will also be done with wisdom. If you only know bravery, you are only the enemy of the horseman."

Liu Bei crossed the water from the south of Yangping Pass and camped in front of Dingjun Mountain. Xiahou Yuan led his troops to attack. Fa Zheng suggested that Liu Bei should first hold his troops and wait for work. When the Wei army showed fatigue, Fa Zheng said that it was "attackable" Liu Bei ordered the veteran Huang Zhong to condescend from the mountain, rushed into the enemy formation, and defeated the Wei army, Xiahou Yuan himself and Zhao Hao, the assassin of Yizhou appointed by Cao Cao, were killed. Zhang He gathered the defeated troops and retreated to Yangping Pass.

The sudden loss of the commander in the army made people panic. The overseers Du Xi and Sima Guo Huai came forward to order: "General Zhang He is a famous general of the country, and Liu Bei is afraid. Now that the matter is urgent, General Zhang can't be at ease", so Zhang He was temporarily promoted as the commander-in-chief by the army, and the army's heart was determined. The next day, Liu Bei Chen soldiers Hanshui wanted to cross the river to attack. Cao Wei's generals all felt outnumbered, so they could only rely on the water for Chen and tried their best to refuse. Guo Huai said: "This is too weak. We should stay away from the water's edge and set up a formation, lead Liu Bei and them over, and then attack halfway" Finally, Liu Bei was also worried that Guo Huai would do this, so he did not cross the river to attack. Guo Huai reported the matter to Cao Cao. Cao Cao immediately sent an envoy to send the festival to the army and handed it over to Zhang He.

In March, Cao Cao went out of the valley from Chang'an and marched to Hanzhong County. Liu Bei smiled, "Even if Cao Cao comes in person, it's useless." Hanzhong is destined to be mine" ordered the whole army to resist danger and hold on, and not to engage the Wei army.

Soon, Liu Bei learned that Cao's grain village was in Beishan, so he ordered Huang Zhong to go to rob the grain, and Zhao Yun responded later. Huang Zhong made an appointment with Zhao Yun and went to Beishan alone.