Three Cao refers to the collective name of Cao Cao, his sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi during the Han and Wei dynasties.
Because the political status and literary achievements of their father, son and brothers were very influential on the literary world at that time, and they were representatives of Jian'an literature, so they were collectively called the "Three Cao" by later generations. Sancao is as famous as Sansu (Su Xun, Su Shi, Su Zhe), who are also father-son brothers and are famous for literature.
1. Cao Cao
Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of the Wei Dynasty (155-March 15, 220), whose real name was Jili, also named Mengde, nicknamed Amo, was the governor of Yuzhou (today's Qiao) People from Bozhou, Anhui. An outstanding politician, militarist, writer, and calligrapher in the late Eastern Han Dynasty [3]?, and the founder of the Cao Wei regime.
2. Cao Pi
Wei Emperor Cao Pi (187-June 29, 226), named Zihuan, was born in Qiao County, Peiguo, Yuzhou (now Bozhou City, Anhui Province). A famous politician and writer during the Three Kingdoms period, he was the founding emperor of Cao Wei (reigned from 220 to 226). The second son of Emperor Wu of Wei Cao Cao and the eldest son of his wife, Mrs. Bian.
3. Cao Zhi
Cao Zhi (192-December 27, 232), courtesy name Zijian, was born in Qiao County, Peiguo (now Bozhou City, Anhui Province). Wuyang (now Shenxian County, Shandong Province, also known as Juancheng) was the third son of Cao Cao and Queen Wuxuan Bian. He was King Chen during his lifetime and was given the posthumous name "Si" after his death, so he was also called King Chen Si.
Extended information:
The titles and lyrics of Han Yuefu poems are unified, but Cao Cao used the old songs of the Han Dynasty to create new lyrics. This kind of wine bottles new wine and writes about current affairs in ancient tunes. The writing method provided a model for later literati to create Yuefu poems.
For example, "Mo Shang Sang" originally wrote the story of Luo Fu, but Cao Cao rewritten it as "Qiu Xian"; such as "Dan Ge Xing", Cui Bao's "Ancient and Modern Notes·Volume" said: "Long songs, short songs, words People's life spans have their own destiny, so don't ask for it arbitrarily." However, Cao Cao added the content of timely enjoyment and seeking talents, etc.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Sancao