Seven step poem
Cao Zhi? Sanguowei
Boiled beans are used as soup and fermented into juice.
Honey burns under the pot, and beans cry in the pot.
We are born from the same root, so why rush to speculate with each other?
Translation:
Cook beans to make bean soup. I want to filter out the residue of beans and leave the bean juice for soup.
The beanstalk burns under the pot, and the beans cry in the pot.
Beans and beanstalks originally grew on the same root. How can beanstalk torture beans in such a hurry?
This poem takes fried beans as a metaphor to accuse Cao Pi of cruel persecution of himself and other brothers. The tone is euphemistic and deep, and there are reminders and exhortations in sarcasm. On the one hand, this reflects Cao Zhi's cleverness, on the other hand, it also reflects Cao Pi's cruelty in persecuting his brothers and sisters. The beauty of this poem lies in its clever metaphor and clear meaning.
Beans and beanstalks are born from the same root, just like brothers. When the beanstalk burns, cook the beans in the pot and "cry". This metaphor is very touching, very touching.
Extended data:
Creation background
In the first month of the first year of Huang Chu (220), Cao Cao died at the age of 66, and Cao Pi was promoted to Wang Wei by the prince. In October of the same year, Emperor Xian of Han Dynasty was forced to abdicate, and Cao Pi acceded to the throne, claiming himself. Cao Pi couldn't let go of the experience of fighting for the Crown Prince. After he proclaimed himself emperor, he still held a grudge against Cao Zhi.
He was worried that this learned and politically ambitious younger brother would threaten his throne, so he tried to get rid of him. Cao Zhi knew that his brother had deliberately framed himself, but he could not excuse himself. He had to write a poem within seven steps in extreme grief and indignation.
According to Shi Shuo Xin Yu Literature, "Wendy (Cao Pi) tried to make Dong Awang (Cao Zhi) write poetry in seven steps, but failed to achieve Dafa (killing) and re-write poetry ... The emperor was deeply ashamed."