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Cao Pi

First emperor of Cao Wei, who accepted the Han abdication in 220, adopted the nine-rank system and wrote the critical essay Discourse on Literature

Also known as Zi Zihuan · Weiwen Di

Cao Pi, courtesy name Zihuan, was from Qiao in the state of Pei, the eldest son of Cao Cao by Lady Bian. Named heir to the kingdom of Wei in 217, he succeeded his father as chancellor and King of Wei in 220 and that winter received the abdication of Emperor Xian of Han, taking the reign title Huangchu and setting his capital at Luoyang. Around his accession he adopted Chen Qun's proposal for the nine-rank system, under which local arbiters graded men for office. His repeated campaigns against Wu achieved nothing. He died in 226 and was given the posthumous name Wen and the temple name Gaozu. His 'Discourse on Literature' (*Lunwen*) in the *Normative Treatises* (*Dianlun*) held that writing rests on vital energy and assessed the Seven Masters of Jian'an, his 'Song of Yan' is among the earliest complete seven-syllable poems, and Liu Xie's *Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons* (*Wenxin diaolong*) praised his talent as ample and clear.

Life and times

  1. 187 CEBornHanThree Kingdoms
  2. 204Legend of the Luo GoddessTook partage 17Lady Zhen entered the Cao Wei court celebrated for peerless grace, inspiring Cao Zhi's timeless Rhapsody on the Goddess of Luo.
    1. Cao Pi Marries Lady Zhen YeAfter Ji Province was pacified in 204, Cao Pi took Lady Zhen at Ye; she later bore Cao Rui.
  3. 220Three Kingdoms DivideTook partage 33Cao Pi founded Wei, Liu Bei founded Shu Han, and Sun Quan ruled Wu as three courts contested Jingzhou, Hanzhong, and the frontier.
  4. 226 CEDied

Works

  1. Literature · Sayings10
    1. Writers Belittle One AnotherThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Pi's Authoritative Discourses: writers belittling one another
    2. Between Elder and Younger BrotherThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Pi's Authoritative Discourses: so close in talent one cannot rank them
    3. Joy Departs and Sorrow ArrivesThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Pi's letter to Wu Zhi: night falls on a happy outing and sorrow comes
    4. Floating Melons and Sinking Plums in Cool WaterThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Pi's letter to Wu Zhi: chilled fruit and summer pleasures at Nanpi
    5. The Autumn Wind Blows Bleak: Cao Pi's Song of YanThree KingdomsFamous line from Cao Pi's Song of Yan: a bleak autumn wind and a wife's longing
    6. +5 more
      1. Literature as a Great Enterprise of Governing the StateThree KingdomsIdiom from Cao Pi's Discourse on Literature: writing as a great task of governing the state
      2. Writing as an Undying GloryThree KingdomsLine from Cao Pi's Discourse on Literature: writing as the deed that never dies
      3. The Long Night Not Yet EndedThree KingdomsLine from Cao Pi's Song of Yan: a lonely wife awake while the night drags on
      4. In Writing, Vital Energy Comes FirstThree KingdomsLine from Cao Pi's Discourse on Literature: a writer's vital energy shapes the work
      5. Keeping the Empty Room Alone: Cao Pi's Song of YanThree KingdomsLine from Cao Pi's Song of Yan: a lonely wife keeping an empty room
  2. Literature · Criticism3
    1. Authoritative DiscoursesThree KingdomsCao Pi's treatise as Wei crown prince; its Discourse on Literature is the oldest critical essay
    2. Authoritative Discourses: A Discourse on LiteratureThree Kingdoms
    3. Authoritative Discourses: Autobiographical AccountThree Kingdoms
  3. Literature · Poetry3
    1. Song of Yan · Part 1 (Autumn Winds Bleak)Three KingdomsCao Pi's yuefu, the earliest complete literati seven-character poem: a wife's autumn longing
    2. On Seeing a Boat Hauler at Qinghe Parting from His New BrideThree KingdomsCao Pi gives voice to a newly wed boat hauler at Qinghe who must leave his bride
    3. Written at QingheThree KingdomsCao Pi hears sad music on the river at Qinghe and wishes for a love that runs deep
  4. Literature · Prose3
    1. Letter to Wu Zhi · Remembering Past WanderingsThree KingdomsCao Pi's letter to Wu Zhi mourning the Jian'an writers lost to plague and their days at Ye
    2. Letter to Wu Zhi, Prefect of ZhaogeThree KingdomsCao Pi's earlier letter to Wu Zhi, prefect of Zhaoge, recalling their summer outings at Nanpi
    3. Letter to Zhong Yao on the Ninth DayThree KingdomsCao Pi's short Double Ninth letter sending chrysanthemums to Zhong Yao

Family tree

  1. Direct kin
    Cao Cao
    Father
    Cao ZhiYounger brother
    Cao ZhangYounger brother
    Cao BiaoYounger brother
    Cao Pi
    Wife
    Lady Zhen
    Son
    Cao Rui
    Children
    Cao Mao

Connections

  1. Shared events3
    1. Zhuge Liang181 CE–234 CE
    2. Liu Bei161 CE–223 CE
    3. Sun Quan182 CE–252 CE
  2. Rulers and officials2
    1. Sima YiRegent minister · 179 CE–251 CE
    2. Hua XinSenior minister · 157 CE–232 CE