A brief biography of Cai Wenji.

A brief introduction to Cai Wenji's life:

Cai Wenji's original name was Cai Yan, also known as Wenji. Cai Wenji was a well-educated and proficient in music. She married Wei Zhongdao of Hedong in his early years. Wei Zhongdao died early. He had no heirs, so Cai Yan returned to his home.

In the second year of Xingping, Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and others rebelled in Guanzhong. The Xiongnu took the opportunity to plunder, and Cai Yan was kidnapped by the Xiongnu King Zuoxian. Cai Yan lived in the north for twelve years and gave birth to two children.

In the 11th year of Jian'an, Cao Cao always loved literature and calligraphy, and often had literary and calligraphy exchanges with Cai Yan's father, Cai Yong. When Cao Cao saw that Cai Yong had no heirs, he used a golden jade to redeem Cai Yan from the Xiongnu and married Cai Yan to Dong Si.

Then Dong Si committed a capital crime, and Cai Yan went to Cao Cao to intercede for Dong Si. At that time, Cao Cao was hosting a banquet for distinguished officials, and said to the guests in the hall: "Cai Yong's daughter is outside, let everyone see her today."

Cai Yan, with his hair disheveled and barefoot, kowtowed to apologize, and spoke clearly and coherently , the emotions were sour and sad, and all the guests in the hall were moved by it. But Cao Cao said: "But the document of condemnation has been sent out, what should I do?"

Cai Yan said: "You have thousands of good horses in your stable, and countless brave soldiers. Do you want to spare a fast horse to save a dying life?" Cao Cao was finally moved by Cai Wenji and pardoned Dong Si. After Cai Yan returned home, he composed two "Poems of Sorrow and Indignation" while feeling sad and angry. Since then, there are no records related to Cai Yan, and the year of his death is unknown.

Extended information:

After Cai Yan returned to the Han Dynasty, he wrote two "Poems of Sorrow and Indignation", one in five-character style and one in Sao style. Among them, the five-character poem focuses on "sentiment, confusion, and separation. It is a narrative poem based on love and events. It is the first autobiographical long narrative poem written by a literati in the history of Chinese poetry.

Qing Dynasty poetry critic Zhang Yu Gu once wrote a poem praising Cai Yan's five-character poems: "Wen Ji Cai wanted to overwhelm Wen Jun, and her "Sorrow and Indignation" was a long and eloquent poem. Lao Du Guzong Cao Qibu, can also make incense and hairpin skirts. ”

The general idea is that Cai Yan’s talent overwhelmed Zhuo Wenjun, a talented woman in the Han Dynasty, and the five-character narrative poems of Cao Zhi and Du Fu were influenced by Cai Yan. Because the Sao style "Poetry of Sorrow and Indignation" is intended to be lyrical, the first and last stanzas The experiences of being captured into the Hu and other people's return to the Han are relatively brief.

The large natural scenery in the middle is used to exaggerate Cai Yan's sad mood when he left his hometown. She talked about the difference between them and her hometown, China, to describe her sadness and anger in this environment that was very different from China.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Cai Wenji