Xudu: Cao Cao's Base for "Holding the Emperor" and the Political Center of the Three Kingdoms

Xudu, historically known as "Xuchang," is located in today's Xuchang City, Henan Province. In the chaotic era of warlords during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, it became the nominal capital of the Great Han due to Cao Cao's act of welcoming Emperor Xian. Within the narrative system of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xudu is not just a geographical coordinate but a concrete stage for Cao Cao's political ambitions, marking the official implementation of the strategy to "hold the emperor to command the vassals." For readers, understanding Xudu is key to understanding how Cao Cao transformed from a warlord into a powerful minister.

Core Knowledge Points

1. Name Distinction: Historically, when Cao Cao moved the capital here and was made King of Wei, this place was called "Wei Capital" or "Xuchang." Romance of the Three Kingdoms often calls it "Xudu" for popular understanding, to emphasize its attribute as the Han capital and avoid confusion with the later Wei state capital.
2. Political Status: It was the location of Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, representing legitimate imperial power. Controlling Xudu meant controlling the de jure common master of the world. Cao Cao used this to issue edicts and campaign against the four directions, gaining immense political legitimacy.
3. Strategic Value: Located in the heart of the Central Plains, it could resist Yuan Shao to the north and oppose Liu Bei and Sun Quan to the south. It was the logistics and command center for Cao Cao's unification of the north, as well as an important base for implementing the Tuntian (military farming) system.

Connection to "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"

In the novel, Xudu is the intersection of several key plot lines, running through the rise of Cao Cao's power:

* Capital Relocation Storm: Chapter 17 "Yuan Shao Raises a Great Army, Cao Cao Leads Troops to Save the Emperor." Cao Cao moved the Emperor from Luoyang to Xudu. From then on, "serving the emperor to command the disloyal," establishing political advantage.
* Green Plum Wine: After Liu Bei sought refuge in Xudu, he planted vegetables daily to avoid Cao Cao's suspicion. Cao Cao held a banquet to discuss heroes, saying, "The only heroes in the world are you and I." Liu Bei was so startled he dropped his chopsticks. This plot vividly shows the power tension and survival wisdom within Xudu.
* Talent Game: Xudu was also a battlefield for talent competition. Advisors like Xun Yu and Guo Jia assisted Cao Cao here; while celebrities like Kong Rong and Mi Heng, dissatisfied with Cao Cao's autocracy, met unfortunate ends here, reflecting the complex political struggle within Xudu.
* Later Changes: As Cao Cao became King of Wei, Xudu became the capital of the Wei state. Until Cao Pi usurped the Han and moved the capital to Luoyang, Xudu's historical mission came to an end.

In summary, in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xudu is not just a city, but a microcosm of Cao Cao's political schemes. It witnessed the last glow of the Han Dynasty and opened the prelude to the Cao Wei foundation. It is a crucial key to understanding the turning point in Three Kingdoms history. For users searching for "Three Kingdoms Geography" or "Cao Cao's Sphere of Influence," Xudu is an indispensable core tag.