Cultural Interpretation of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"

Author: Guo Ruilin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Therefore, the "loyalty" here primarily refers to loyalty to the Yan Liu realm and the Liu family's kingdom. Specifically, it means loyalty to Emperor Xian of Han and the later Shu Han regime. Those who remain loyal to the Liu clan and uphold the Yan Liu family's interests are loyal ministers and righteous men; conversely, those who betray the clan are traitors and rebellious ministers. Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and Cao Pi are regarded as treacherous ministers and rebellious villains precisely because they ignored imperial authority, unilaterally abolished or enthroned emperors, and manipulated the sovereign like a plaything, using the emperor to command the feudal lords. Once Dong Zhuo seized control of the court, he disregarded the opposition of ministers, abolished the young emperor and enthroned Prince Chenliu, and later even killed the young emperor and the empress. He also unilaterally decided to move the capital from Luoyang to Chang'an. Although Cao Cao did not unilaterally abolish or enthronize emperors, he used the emperor to command the feudal lords, oppressed the sovereign, acted arrogantly, killed the imperial uncle Dong Cheng and the imperial father Fu Wan, poisoned the imperial princes, and forced Emperor Xian to proclaim himself as Duke of Wei and King of Wei. He openly declared that he would only act like the Duke of Zhou, implying that his son Cao Pi would usurp the Yan Liu realm and overthrow the dynasty. Cao Pi surpassed his father in forcing the sovereign to act and in acting arrogantly. He impatiently usurped the Han throne just one year after ascending the throne, degrading Emperor Xian to the Duke of Shanyang. On the surface, it appeared to be a voluntary abdication like Yao and Shun, but in reality, it was a rebellious act by treacherous villains. The actions of Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and Cao Pi completely violated the principles of being a loyal minister in the feudal era. They were rebellious acts of deceiving and murdering the sovereign, not only deserving of public scorn but also deserving of divine retribution. Thus, the novel depicts Dong Zhuo's funeral being marked by divine anger, with thunder and lightning striking three times in succession, reducing his remains to nothing. Cao Cao was plagued by headaches throughout his life and was even haunted by the spirits of the wronged after his death. Cao Pi faced immediate retribution, suffering divine punishment when he was proclaimed emperor, being struck to the ground by a strange wind and sudden rain. He ruled for only seven years before falling ill and dying at the young age of forty. In the author's view, all these events were divine retribution, as the heavens punished those who were disloyal.
Just as there are treacherous ministers and rebellious villains, there must also be loyal ministers and righteous men. To oppose Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao, and Cao Pi's disloyal acts, countless loyal ministers and righteous men risked their lives to fight for the Han dynasty, demonstrating their loyalty to the Han. Ding Guan, the Minister of State, dared to strike Dong Zhuo with an elephant tusk scepter to oppose his abolition of the throne, though he was killed, he "never ceased shouting until his death, his expression unchanged" (Chapter 4). Wu Fu, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, was filled with righteous indignation upon witnessing Dong Zhuo's murder of the emperor and empress, so he concealed a short knife and attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Although the attempt failed, his spirit was indomitable.