Cao Wenqi (?-1798) was an important official in the Qing Dynasty and a direct descendant of Emperor Wu of Wei (Cao Cao). Together with his son Cao Zhenyong, he was known as the "father and son prime minister". From the 25th year of Qianlong's reign (1760) to the 15th year of Daoguang's reign (1835), there were three generations of emperors. They had controlled the government for 75 years, and almost half of the history of the Qing Dynasty was under the influence of their father and son. , a native of Shexian County, Anhui Province in the Qing Dynasty, with the courtesy name Zhuxu. In the twenty-fifth year of Qianlong's reign (1760), he was passed on to the emperor, and he was selected to be a good scholar. He was awarded the title of editor and editor and served in the Maoqin Hall. Later, he served as an attendant bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and was ordered to walk in the south study room and teach the emperor. In the 42nd year of Qianlong's reign, he returned home to mourn his father. After the funeral, he returned to Beijing and served successively as the censor of Zuodu, in charge of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture. He is one of the chief executives of "Sikuquanshu". Zeng Dian tested Guangdong, inspected Jiangxi and Zhejiang, and was ordered to investigate suspicious cases in Weixian and Beijing. After the case was settled, Qianlong praised "Wen Xian and others for not showing favoritism and being fair and impartial as ministers" and was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs. When he inspected Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, he expanded the provincial capital and added more than 4,000 seats, which was convenient for those who took the exam. Rebuilt the ancient Ziyang Academy in his hometown.
The Cao family was the leader of salt merchants in Yangzhou. Emperor Qianlong made six southern tours and often settled in Yangzhou. Wenwen took on errands and won the trust of Emperor Qianlong. In the fifty-second year of Qianlong's reign, he did not want to be associated with He Shen, so he requested to be raised by his mother because of his old age. The emperor complied with his request and appointed the crown prince as his guardian. Later, Wen Wei came to Beijing for the second time to bless and celebrate the birthday of Emperor Qianlong. Emperor Qianlong gave many rewards to Wen Wei and his mother. He was given the title of "Four Generations and One Rank", and his son Cao Zhenyong, the prime minister of the three dynasties, became a unique figure in Chinese history. Five generations and one product'. His posthumous title was Wenmin.
He is also famous for his calligraphy. He and his close friend Deng Shiru from his hometown were both masters of calligraphy during the Qianlong period. The collection is rich, and the handed down masterpieces "Lanting Preface" and Li Bai's "Shangyang Tie" were once owned by the Cao family. There is also a Shigu inkstone in the collection, so the house is named Shigu Inkstone Zhai.
Shang Shu Cao Wenxi was the originator of Peking Opera. On August 13, 1790, the 80th birthday of Qianlong, Cao Wenxian renamed his private "Lian Family Class" as "Qingsheng Class" and went to Beijing to celebrate. In this performance of Cao Wenqian's family, they performed eight plays including "Seven Flooded Armies" and "Odd Double Club", which were praised by the emperor's relatives and relatives. The "Qing Promotion" bathed in Long's grace, which also enhanced the prestige of the "Sanqing" Huizhou Troupe that performed in the capital at that time, and opened the way for the subsequent Huizhou Troupes such as Chuntai, Hechun and Sixi to advance to Beijing. For a time, "Hui opera" became famous, and watching "Hui opera" became a popular fashion in the capital. After the "Four Anhui Troupes" came to Beijing, they often collaborated with "Han Diao" artists from Hubei to perform. In the continuous performances on the same stage, they gradually took the "Erhuang" of Huizhou tune and "Xipi" of Han tune as the keynote, and absorbed the tunes and acting skills of Kunqu Opera, Qinqiang Opera, Bangzi and other operas, and blended them together to form what would become the Peking Opera, the quintessence of Chinese art.