歷史上的華佗，是一代名醫。他出生在漢末沛國譙縣，也就是現在的安徽亳縣，是東漢末期醫學家。華佗一生行醫各地，精通內科、外科、兒科、針灸各科，尤其擅長外科，因此在當時的中國很有聲譽。特別是他發明的“麻沸散”，在世界上前所未有，成為當今醫學界醫生動手術為病人麻醉的麻醉藥。當然，華佗發明的“五禽戲”，也是醫學上重大的發明創造，是中國現代體育運動、氣功運動，甚至是武術界健身運動的始祖。因此，華佗被后人稱為外科圣手、外科鼻祖。

曹操患有頭風病，每次復發都頭痛欲裂，十分痛苦。聽說沛國譙縣（今安徽亳縣）的華佗醫術很有名，便把他召來，留在身邊專為自己診治。頭風再發作時，華佗只要針刺“鬲腧”一個穴位，病就好了。華佗在京日子久了，十分思念家鄉親人，便對曹操說：“剛剛接到家里來信，家中有事，我必須請假回家一趟。”曹操只好答應了他的請求。華佗在家鄉為百姓治病，實在不愿意回去侍候權貴，便以妻子有病為由，幾次捎信給曹操，要求延長假期。

曹操多次命下屬寫信要華佗回去，又下令讓郡縣地方官催他回京，他都借口妻子病未好拒絕上路。曹操十分惱怒，立刻派人前去查核，并說：“如果他的妻子確實有病，賞賜四十斛小豆，放寬假期；如果他妻子沒有病，馬上拘捕進京。”那人抓住華佗，把他關在許昌的監獄里。曹操的一位參贊催促曹操：“華佗的醫術很好，與人的生死有關，還是把他放了！”曹操不聽，立刻下令處決華佗。當華佗去世前，他拿出一本書，對獄吏說：“這本書可以拯救生命。”當獄吏不接受它的時候，華佗就把書燒了。

后來，曹操的兒子蜀處于危急關頭，他嘆了口氣說：“我真后悔殺了華佗，不然孩子就不會死了。”

Cao Cao Killed Hua Tuo

Born in Pei County（now Boxian,Anhui Province），Hua Tuo is a famous doctor as well as a medical scientist in the late Eastern Han Dynasty（25—220）.He practiced medicine in his life all around the country,and was most proficient in internal medicine,surgery,pediatrics,acupuncture and other subjects,especially in surgery.He was extremely celebrated in China at that time.In particular,what he invented named "powder for anesthesia" is unprecedented in the world,and it became the narcotic which has been used for the operation.Besides,the "Five Animals Play" he invented is also an important invention and the ancestor of China modern sport,Qigong and even martial arts.In short,he was known as the surgical originator.

Cao Cao suffered from Toufeng syndrome,and he had a splitting headache every time it recurred.He heard of Hua Tuo's fame and sent someone to summon Hua Tuo to his side to serve him only.Each time his bad headache happened again,Hua Tuo would use the acupuncture needle to stimulate the "Ge Shu" acupoint,and then the pain would fade away.Hua Tuo had been in the capital city for such a long time that he missed his home and family.He said to Cao Cao，" got a letter from my family and I want to go home for a vacation,may I?" Thinking for a long time,Cao Cao finally agreed，" am really not willing to agree but I have to as you need some rest." When Hua Tuo returned to his hometown,he treated the poor people who got sick.He did not want to go back to serve the king anymore,so he sent letters to Cao Cao several times with the excuse of his wife's illness and asked for more days off.

Cao Cao ordered his subordinates to write a letter to Hua Tuo and asked the county magistrate to urge him to go back to the capital city.Hua Tuo refused again and again with the excuse of his wife's illness.Therefore Cao was very angry and immediately sent a man to check it out,saying，"f his wife was ill,give 40 hu（9.6 kilograms）of red beans to Hua Tuo and extend the leave.If not,you must arrest him,and take him back to the Capital." The man seized Hua Tuo and sent him to prison in Xuchang.One counsellor of Cao Cao said to him，"ua Tuo has exquisite medical skills,and he can save people's life,please set him free." Turning a deaf ear to him,Cao Cao sentenced Hua Tuo to death immediately.Before he died,Hua Tuo took out a book and said to the warder，"his book can save lives." But the warder dare not accept it.Then Hua Tuo burned the book.

Later,when Cao Cao's son Shu was seriously ill,he sighed and said，" regret having killed Hua Tuo.Otherwise,my child would be saved."