Sancao? is the collective name of Cao Cao, his sons Cao Pi and Cao Zhi during the Han and Wei dynasties. This is because the extraordinary political status and literary achievements of their father and son brothers had a profound impact on the literary world at that time and in later generations. These three people were also representatives of Jian'an literature, so they were collectively called "?" San Cao?. In the history of literature, their father, son and brothers are as famous as the three Sus of the Song Dynasty (Su Xun, Su Shi and Su Zhe) who were famous for their literature.
Cao Pi was a scheming and calm man. After deliberate battles, he finally inherited Cao Cao's title as King of Wei. Later, he deposed Emperor Xian of Han and established the Kingdom of Wei. Cao Zhi's (surnamed Zijian) literary talent surpassed that of his elder brother. People once said: "If there are ten talents in the world of literati, Cao Zijian has eight." This is also the origin of "Taigao Ba Dou", which is a testimony to his talent.
The authenticity of this story is open to question. It is said that one day, brothers Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were traveling and saw two cows fighting to the death. As a result, one cow lost the fight and fell into a well. Cao Pi had an idea and came up with a plan. On the spot, he ordered Cao Zhi to compose a poem called "Poem of a Dead Cow", and restricted the poem to "not say it is a cow, nor clouds be a well, nor mention its fight, nor its death." If you walk a horse and walk a hundred steps, you will be asked to write forty poems. If you finish the poem and fail, you will be beheaded. The conditions are very harsh. Cao Zhi was calm and calm, and immediately wrote a poem;
The two bodies passed together, with a cross bone on the head; when they walked to the head of the fierce soil, they stood up abruptly. The two enemies are not afraid of strength, but they lie in a cave with their own flesh; unless they are stronger, their good intentions cannot be revealed.
The poem fully complies with Cao Pi's requirements. It compares the meat to the cow, the cave to the well, the tantrum to the fighting, and the lying to the death. The overall concept of the fight between the two cows is vivid, in-depth, full of fun, and amazing. Cao Zhi once again used his literary talent and wisdom to survive.
Cao Zhi is naturally talented, but due to political frustration, his life has been in a state of depression. Later, he was still criticized by Cao Pi. He had to move away because of this, and his situation and health deteriorated. After Cao Pi's death, Cao Rui, who succeeded to the throne, still took precautions against his uncle. Cao Zhi knew it well but could do nothing about it. As he continues to live an uncomfortable and sad life, who calls him too talented?
As one of the representatives of Jian'an literature, Cao Zhi has works such as "Seven-Step Poetry", "White Horse Pian", "Luo Shen Fu", "Seven Sorrow Poems" and "Flying Dragon Pian". He is the first in the history of poetry. A person who vigorously wrote five-character poetry; almost single-handedly completed the transformation from Yuefu folk songs to literati poetry, and promoted the development of literati five-character poetry.