Cao Cao's poems are deeply influenced by the previous generation of literature, mainly (). The Book of Songs, Chu Ci, Han Fu and Han Yuefu folk songs are inexplicable.

Cao Cao's poems are generous and sad, mainly influenced by Yuefu poems. Cao Cao's existing poems are Yuefu songs. Of course, it is very reasonable for Cao Cao to be called "the founder of reforming articles" by Mr. Lu Xun. Although his poems follow the old theme of Yuefu, they do not follow the ancient poems, and are not bound by other ways. Instead, they inherit the spirit of "feeling joy and sorrow, starting from things". For example, Lu Luxing and Good Li Xing were originally elegies, but Cao Cao used them to mourn the troubled times.