Writers › Writer / Poet
Cao Shu
Western Jin poet from Qiao, magistrate and governor known for good administration, whose poems are mostly to friends; he died in battle in 308.
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 Courtesy name Yanyuan
Cao Shu, courtesy name Yanyuan, came from Qiao in Qiao commandery and was a descendant of the Wei prince Cao Xiu; birth unknown, died 308. He served as magistrate of Linzi, Gentleman of the Masters of Writing, magistrate of Luoyang, Secretariat Gentleman, Governor of Xiangcheng and Military Adviser to the Southern Expedition, and was known for good government; the Jin History places him among the capable officials. His poems are mostly addressed to friends, the Poem on Old Times being best known. He died fighting rebels in 308.
Life and times
Dates Birth unknown; died 308 CE