China says discovers tomb of famed general Cao Cao

[megman]

BEIJING, Dec. 27, 2009 (Reuters) — Chinese archeologists have unearthed a large third-century tomb, which they say could be that of Cao Cao, the legendary politician and general famous throughout East Asia for his Machiavellian tactics.

The tomb, discovered in Xigaoxue village near the ancient Chinese city of Anyang, Henan Province, has an epitaph and inscription that appear to refer to Cao Cao, Central China Television said on Sunday.

A Chinese proverb, "speak of Cao Cao and he appears," is the equivalent of "speak of the devil" in English.

Cao Cao was the final chancellor of the Eastern Han dynasty, who went on to form his own state during the political turmoil of the Three Kingdoms period. He died in 220 AD in Luoyang, the capital of the Eastern Han dynasty, and was posthumously named Emperor of the Wei state that he founded.

In Chinese lore, a number of anecdotes tell of Cao Cao's ruthlessness, cunning, and military and political acumen.

The tomb contains the body of a man in his 60s, corresponding to Cao Cao's age at his death, and two women.

[Linnea]

From Kansas City Star - Dec 10th

Released last year in Asia as a four-hour, two-part special event, “Red Cliff” has been whittled down to 2  1/2 hours for its American release. Given all the mayhem and marching men that remain, one suspects that Woo did most of his trimming to the quiet dramatic moments and character development.

Fair enough. This sprawling yarn resembles one of those big Hollywood epics of the early ’60s.

Set in the Han dynasty around 200 B.C., this story (familiar to all of China) depicts the struggle between the boy emperor’s Machiavellian prime minister, Cao Cao (Fengyi Zhang), and two rebellious warlords opposed to his brutal rule. Putting aside their differences and joining forces, the warlords take a defensive position at Red Cliff, a fortress backed by mountains and facing a broad river...

http://www.kansascity.com/710/story/1621384.html


Publicity stunt?