曹操（155年－220年），字孟德，一名吉利，小名阿瞒，东汉末年著名政治家、军事家、文学家。他是中国历史上著名的战略家，被誉为“乱世之枭雄”。
曹操出生于今安徽省亳州市，自幼聪颖过人，少年时便展现出非凡的政治和军事才能。在东汉末年的群雄割据中，曹操凭借其卓越的领导能力和策略，迅速崛起，成为一方霸主。建安元年（196年），曹操迎汉献帝于许昌，开始了他挟天子以令诸侯的时代。
在军事上，曹操多次击败各路军阀，统一了北方。官渡之战是他一生中的转折点，此战他大败袁绍，奠定了其在北方的统治地位。此后，他逐步征服了黄河流域，为三国鼎立的局面奠定了基础。赤壁之战是曹操生涯中的一次重大挫折，他在这场战役中被孙权和刘备联军击败，从而未能实现统一全国的梦想。
在政治上，曹操实行了一系列改革措施，整顿吏治，推行屯田制，恢复经济。他的用人之道也颇为独特，不拘一格选拔人才，使得许多有才之士得以重用。然而，他在晚年称魏公、魏王，引起了诸多非议，被认为是篡汉自立的野心家。
在文学方面，曹操也是一位才华横溢的诗人，他的诗歌风格豪放悲壮，反映了时代的动荡和个人的抱负。《短歌行》便是其代表作之一，流传千古。
曹操一生充满了传奇色彩，他的智慧与勇气为后世所称道，但他的一些行为如屠城、滥杀无辜等也饱受批评。总的来说，曹操是一个复杂多面的历史人物，对中国历史产生了深远的影响。
Cao Cao (155-220), styled Mengde and also known by his courtesy name Jili, with the childhood nickname Amang, was a prominent political and military strategist as well as a poet during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He is remembered as a shrewd leader in times of chaos.
Born in present-day Bozhou, Anhui Province, Cao Cao displayed exceptional intelligence and leadership abilities from a young age. Amidst the fragmentation and power struggles at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty, Cao rose quickly to prominence due to his remarkable strategic acumen. In 196 AD, he welcomed Emperor Xian to Xuchang, effectively controlling the imperial court and using the emperor as a figurehead to command other warlords.
Militarily, Cao Cao defeated various factions to unify the north. The Battle of Guandu was a turning point in his career where he decisively overcame Yuan Shao, solidifying his dominance in the region. Subsequently, he conquered the Yellow River basin, laying the groundwork for the tripartite division of China. However, his ambitions of national unification were thwarted by his defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs against a coalition led by Sun Quan and Liu Bei.
Politically, Cao implemented several reforms, including the improvement of bureaucracy and the promotion of agricultural development through tuntian system, which helped restore the economy. His approach to selecting officials was unique, as he valued talent over pedigree, bringing many capable individuals into his service. Yet, his later titles as Duke and King of Wei drew criticism for his apparent ambition to usurp the Han throne.
As a poet, Cao Cao excelled in literature, known for his bold and melancholic style that reflected the turmoil of his time and his personal aspirations. “Short Song” is among his celebrated works that have endured through the ages.
Cao Cao’s life is filled with legend, praised for his wisdom and bravery, yet also criticized for actions such as massacres and indiscriminate killings. Overall, he remains a complex historical figure who significantly shaped Chinese history.