ng man Cao Cao had been fond of hunting and delighted in songs and dancing。 He was resourceful and full of guile。 An uncle； seeing the young fellow so unsteady； used to get angry with him and told his father of his misdeeds。 His father remonstrated with him。
But Cao Cao made equal to the occasion。 One day； seeing his uncle ing； he fell to the ground in a pretended fit。 The uncle alarmed ran to tell his father； who came； and there was the youth in most perfect health。
〃But your uncle said you were in a fit。 Are you better？〃 said his father。
〃I have never suffered from fits or any such illness；〃 said Cao Cao。 〃But I have lost my uncle's affection； and he has deceived you。〃
Thereafter； whatever the uncle might say of his faults； his father paid no heed。 So the young man grew up licentious and uncontrolled。
A man of the time named Qiao Xuan said to Cao Cao； 〃Rebellion is at hand； and only a man of the greatest ability can succeed in restoring tranquillity。 That man is yourself。〃
And He Yong of Nanyang said of him； 〃The dynasty of Han is about to fall。 He who can restore peace is this man and only he。〃
Cao Cao went to inquire his future of a wise man of Runan named Xu Shao。
〃What manner of man am I？〃 asked Cao Cao。
The seer made no reply； and again and again Cao Cao pressed the question。
Then Xu Shao replied； 〃In peace you are an able subject； in chaos you are a crafty hero！〃
Cao Cao greatly rejoiced to hear this。
＇e＇ One of the Ten Regular Attendants
Cao Cao graduated at twenty and earned a reputation of piety and integrity。 He began his career as manding Officer in a county within the Capital District。 In the four gates of the city he guarded； he hung up clubs of various sorts； and h