Cao Zhi
Cao Zhi (192–232) was a prince of the state of Cao Wei and a poet of China’s Three Kingdoms period, renowned for his fu and shi poetry.
Cao Cao: A warlord, poet, and founder of the Cao Wei state during the late Han dynasty. Cao Zhi’s father, Cao Cao made him a contender in the succession struggle.
Seven-Step Verse: A poem traditionally attributed to Cao Zhi, whose speaker compares brothers to beans and their stalk. Its compact image became the best-known literary expression of his conflict with Cao Pi.
Cao Ang: Cao Cao’s eldest son, who died in battle in 197. His death left Cao Pi and Cao Zhi as prominent surviving sons in the succession rivalry.
Shipin: A sixth-century work by Zhong Rong that ranks and evaluates Chinese poets. Its praise of Cao Zhi reinforced his position among the tradition’s highest-ranked poets.
Cao Pi: The eldest son of Cao Cao, first emperor of Cao Wei, and a poet and literary critic. His accession over Cao Zhi shaped their rivalry and the prince’s political fortunes.
Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River: A fu poem attributed to Cao Zhi, describing an encounter with the goddess of the Luo River. Its refined description of the goddess exemplifies his celebrated fu style.
Ding Yi: A scholar and official who supported Cao Zhi at Cao Cao’s court. His advocacy helped Cao Zhi’s bid to become Cao Cao’s heir.
Chinese literary canon: The body of Chinese literary works repeatedly preserved, taught, and treated as exemplary. Cao Zhi’s poems entered this canon through anthologies and critical praise.
Cao Wei: A state founded by Cao Pi in 220 that ruled northern China during the Three Kingdoms period. Cao Zhi’s princely status and court career belonged to this state.
Ode to the White Horse: A poem attributed to Cao Zhi that praises a frontier warrior’s courage and service. Its martial ideal contrasts with the political vulnerability of Cao Zhi’s own life.