Throughout history, Cao Cao has been called a cunning hero, while Liu Bei is praised for his virtue. But how they treated their adopted sons reveals a deeper truth.
Cao Cao had three adopted sons, all of whom he trusted and promoted. Even when one disobeyed him, Cao Cao looked the other way. Liu Bei had only one adopted son, Liu Feng, whom he raised from childhood. Liu Feng was a fierce warrior—by his early twenties, he had fought alongside Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, winning battle after battle. Even Cao Cao feared him enough to summon his own biological son to counter him.
But Liu Feng’s strength became his curse. After Guan Yu’s death, Liu Feng was blamed for failing to send reinforcements—yet Liu Bei did not punish him immediately. Only later, after Liu Feng clashed with another officer and caused his defection, did Liu Bei confront him. Zhuge Liang warned: “Liu Feng is too strong. After you are gone, no one can control him.”
So Liu Bei ordered Liu Feng to take his own life. Before dying, Liu Feng sighed, “I regret not heeding good advice.” Liu Bei wept—but no one knows whether those tears were real.
The true crime was not past failure, but future threat. In the game of power, even bonds of loyalty can become stepping stones.