During the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Bei were the three most influential political leaders. Although Cao Cao once held immense power, Sun Quan and Liu Bei never surrendered to him. This article will explore why these two monarchs insisted on independence, as well as the political considerations and military strategies behind them.

I. Sun Quan's Position and Strategy

Sun Quan inherited the foundation laid by his father Sun Jian and his elder brother Sun Ce, and took control of the Eastern Wu. Despite Cao Cao's strong military force and political influence in the north, Sun Quan did not choose to surrender. This was because Sun Quan was deeply aware of his geographical advantages and the foundation built by his family over generations. In addition, Sun Quan also realized that surrendering to Cao Cao would mean losing control of the Eastern Wu and possibly even being exploited or eliminated by Cao Cao. Therefore, Sun Quan chose to remain independent and actively develop his own sphere of influence.

II. Liu Bei's Beliefs and Aspirations

Liu Bei, as a descendant of the Han dynasty, always took it as his mission to restore the Han dynasty. He believed that Cao Cao was a traitor who usurped the throne of the Han dynasty, so morally speaking, he could not accept Cao Cao's rule. In addition, Liu Bei also had his own ambitions, hoping to establish his own regime. In this situation, surrendering to Cao Cao would mean abandoning his own beliefs and aspirations. Therefore, Liu Bei firmly chose to resist Cao Cao and seek his own path of development.

III. Conclusion

The reason why Sun Quan and Liu Bei refused to surrender to Cao Cao was because they had clear considerations in terms of political stance, family interests, and personal aspirations. In their view, surrendering to Cao Cao would not only mean losing power and status, but also possibly leading to their own and their families' destruction. Therefore, they chose to resist and remain independent, ultimately forming a situation where the three kingdoms stood against each other. Although this choice was full of risks and challenges, it also won them historical status and respect. By understanding their considerations and strategies behind the scenes, we can better understand the historical changes and character traits of the Three Kingdoms period.

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