During the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, Sun Quan and Liu Bei both dared to proclaim themselves as emperors, while Cao Cao never took this step. What are the reasons behind this?

Firstly, Sun Quan and Liu Bei both had a certain power base when they established their own regimes. Sun Quan gradually stabilized his rule in the Jiangdong region by relying on the heritage left by his father and brother, while Liu Bei had enough confidence to proclaim himself as emperor due to his royal identity and influence in Yizhou. In contrast, although Cao Cao had strong strength in the Central Plains region, his power mainly came from the appointment of the Han dynasty emperor, rather than his own family background or local influence.

Secondly, Sun Quan and Liu Bei's decision to proclaim themselves as emperors was also based on political strategies. In their view, proclaiming themselves as emperors could enhance their political status and strengthen their appeal to both internal and external forces. However, Cao Cao was more focused on practical interests. He held real power by serving as a prime minister and did not need to proclaim himself as emperor to elevate his status. Additionally, Cao Cao's cautious and low-key personality also influenced his attitude towards proclaiming himself as emperor.

Lastly, social stability and the wishes of the people were also important factors that influenced whether Sun Quan, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao would proclaim themselves as emperors. Under the social environment at that time, proclaiming oneself as emperor could lead to social unrest and dissatisfaction among the people. Sun Quan and Liu Bei had relatively stable control over their own territories and had sufficient control to deal with potential problems. However, Cao Cao needed to face a more complex situation in the Central Plains, and he needed to maintain social stability and avoid unnecessary trouble caused by proclaiming himself as emperor.

In conclusion, Sun Quan and Liu Bei dared to proclaim themselves as emperors because they had a certain power base, considered political strategies, and were able to deal with the risk of social unrest. Although Cao Cao had strong strength, his political strategies, personal character, and consideration for social stability led him not to choose the path of proclaiming himself as emperor. By delving into this period of history, we can better understand the power struggle and decision-making considerations among the various forces during the Three Kingdoms period.

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