Writers › Writer / Poet
Wu Zhi
Cao Wei man of letters and minister, intimate of Cao Pi, who rose from magistrate of Zhaoge to general commanding the region north of the Yellow River.
In a study at night, a desk holds a brush pot, a porcelain vase with a plum branch, a lit red lantern, a folded fan and an unrolled blank scroll, with no one seated there, while through a round window the moon rises over a lake with a sailboat.
Also known as Zi Jizhong · Wu Jizhong · Marquis Wei
Wu Zhi, courtesy name Jizhong, came from Jiyin. His literary talent won the regard of Cao Cao's sons, above all Cao Pi, whom he advised in the succession struggle. After serving as magistrate of Zhaoge and Yuancheng, he was promoted under Cao Pi to general of the northern gentlemen, enfeoffed, and made General Zhenwei with command over the armies north of the Yellow River. He became palace attendant in 230 and died that year. First given the posthumous name Chou for his arrogance, he was renamed Marquis Wei after his son petitioned. Cao Pi's famous letters to Wu Zhi are addressed to him.
Life and times
Dates c. 177 (or 178)–230 CE