Why didn’t Cao Cao defeat Liu Zhang first?

Why didn't Cao Cao attack Liu Zhang first?

During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao was the northern overlord, and his strategic choices have always been the focus of discussion among history scholars and enthusiasts. In particular, his relatively conservative attitude towards Liu Zhang's regime in the southwest has triggered a lot of speculation. This article will analyze why Cao Cao did not attack Liu Zhang first from the aspects of historical background, geographical factors, military strategies, etc., and present you a structured analysis based on the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days.

1. Historical background and comparison of forces of various parties

The following is a comparison of the basic situations of Cao Cao, Liu Zhang and their surrounding forces:

2. Analysis of the reasons why Cao Cao did not attack Liu Zhang first

1.Geographical barriers are difficult to overcome: Yizhou is located in the southwest, surrounded by mountains, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. If Cao Cao wanted to attack, he would have to cross the Qinling Mountains or go up the Yangtze River from Jingzhou. The supply line was too long and the risk was extremely high.

2.Different strategic priorities: Cao Cao’s core threats come from Soochow Sun Quan and the growing Liu Bei. In contrast, Liu Zhang, who was in a corner of peace, had no expansion ambitions and posed less of a threat to Cao Cao.

3.Internal integration needs: Although Cao Cao controlled the north, he needed time to digest the newly conquered areas (such as Hanzhong) and deal with the harassment of the nomads in the north.

4.Characteristics of Liu Zhang’s regime: Liu Zhang has a cowardly character and loose rule. There are pro-Cao factions such as Fa Zheng and Zhang Song within him. Cao Cao may have preferred political rather than military conquest.

3. Correlation analysis of hot topics across the entire network

Among the popular discussions on the history of the Three Kingdoms on the Internet in the past 10 days, hot topics related to the topic of this article include:

4. Subsequent development of historical events

Cao Cao's choice ultimately led to Liu Bei seizing Yizhou first:

1.211 years: Liu Bei entered Shu at the invitation of Liu Zhang

2.214 years: Liu Bei rebelled against his guests and captured Yizhou

3.215 years:Cao Cao captured Hanzhong but did not continue southward.

4.219 years: Liu Bei conquered Hanzhong, and the Three Kingdoms came into being.

5. Strategic reflection from a modern perspective

From the perspective of modern strategic management, Cao Cao’s decision-making reflects:

1.Opportunity cost considerations: The benefits of attacking Yizhou are not as good as consolidating the Central Plains

2.risk aversion: Avoid falling into multi-front battles

3.Resource allocation: Prioritize ensuring stability in core areas

This historical case is still a classic object of analysis in military academies and business schools, and its decision-making logic still has reference significance for modern strategy formulation.

Conclusion

Cao Cao's choice not to attack Liu Zhang first was a rational decision based on multiple factors such as geography, politics, and military. History has proven that even if you are as powerful as Cao Cao, you must face the realistic constraints of limited resources and strategic priorities. This case vividly demonstrated the complex geopolitical pattern of the Three Kingdoms period, and also left precious historical wisdom for future generations.