I recently read about Liu Bang's story and was especially touched by a period from his early years. At that time, he was still the magistrate of Sishui, basically a street ruffian who ate and drank wherever he pleased, often freeloading at Cao's small tavern. Cao's family was widowed, raising her children and running a business alone, yet she took great care of Liu Bang—never demanding repayment, and by year's end, tearing up the bills. Later, in order to curry favor with the Lü family, Liu Bang married Lü Zhi, and immediately abandoned Cao. But this woman neither made a fuss nor complained; she silently gave birth to Liu Fei and raised him on her own.

I think the most revealing sign of Cao's wisdom was a decision she made later. After Liu Bang unified China and became emperor, he specifically returned to Pei County to find her, intending to bring her and Liu Fei into the palace to enjoy the blessings. Cao directly knelt and refused, saying, "Take your son away; I will never enter the palace." That moment truly shows how perceptive she was.

She saw very clearly: Liu Bang could endure hardships with others, but he might not share wealth and status. The harem was full of beauties, and she was already old and no longer attractive—she knew she couldn't hold her ground there. More importantly, she understood how ruthless Lü Zhi was, and how dangerous palace struggles could be. For a woman like Cao, with no noble background and no beauty, entering the palace was a death sentence. So her refusal was both self-protection and a way to pave the way for her son.

Although Liu Bang was disappointed, he compensated Liu Fei generously, making him King of Qi and granting him over seventy prosperous cities. Later, when Empress Lü took power, Liu Fei nearly got poisoned after offending her over a seating arrangement at a banquet. He only escaped disaster by ceding territory and surrendering command. This incident further proved how accurate Cao's foresight was.

In the end, Cao stayed in Pei County, running her small tavern and enjoying her old age. Without the glory of the court, she avoided palace intrigues and didn't have to live in constant fear. Her wisdom—knowing when to enter and when to withdraw, not craving wealth or status—allowed her to maintain stability and dignity amid the unpredictable power struggles. Honestly, she lived more perceptively than many people.