China finds likely tomb of 3rd century general

[Adsos Letter]

Source: AP

BEIJING – Chinese archaeologists have found what could be the tomb of Cao Cao, a skillful general and ruler in the 3rd century who was later depicted in popular folklore as the archetypal cunning politician.

Archaeological officials say Cao's 8,000-square feet (740-square meter) tomb complex, with a 130-feet (40-meter) passage leading to an underground chamber, was found in Xigaoxue, a village near the ancient capital of Anyang in central Henan province, according to the official China Daily newspaper.

Historians say Cao Cao's outstanding military and political talents enabled him to build the strongest and most prosperous state in northern China during the Three Kingdoms period in 208 to 280 A.D., when China had three separate rulers.

Characters based on Cao are depicted as shrewd and unscrupulous villains in traditional Chinese operas and in one of China's best-loved historical novels, "Romance of The Three Kingdoms." In the fictionalized account, Cao says, "Better for me to wrong the world than for the world to wrong me."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_china_general_s_tomb

[burrfoot]

1. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, NES, circa 1990. n/t

[villager]

2. on which note, allow me to recommend the under-publicized "Red Cliff" to DU filmviewers

John Woo's comeback film, a "battlefield epic" -- yet with sharply drawn characters -- about that very period. And character.

[Oerdin]

3. BBC video

The BBC's website has streaming video of a Chinese news clip with English translation.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8432040.stm