Cao Pi saw two cows fighting, and asked Cao Zhi to compose poems, but the word "cow" could not appear, but the result was passed down through the ages
Foreword: At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the social situation at that time was extremely turbulent. In such a context, many talented literati and artists were born.
Among them, the most famous are Cao Cao, Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, the three fathers and sons, who are known as the "Three Caos" in the world. Whether in the field of literature or in the political arena, the three of them have a pivotal position. However, behind the glamorous, there is a tortuous and complicated family feud.
Cao Cao is still an outstanding statesman, military strategist and writer. During his tenure as the ruler of the Wei state, the country gradually moved towards stability and prosperity. His literary achievements are also not to be underestimated, and his poetry is full of boldness and power, and is highly praised by the world.
And his son Cao Pi, inherited his father's mantle and became the founding emperor of Wei, known as Emperor Wen of Wei in history. His love for literature is in no way inferior to that of his father, especially his prose works, which have had a profound impact on the literary style of future generations with their gorgeous rhetoric.
Cao Zhi, on the other hand, showed more of his literary prowess. He was the third son of Cao Cao and Madame Bian, and from an early age he showed great wisdom and talent, and was able to recite various poems at the age of ten.
His famous works such as "Luo Shen Fu" and "Stage Fu" were widely circulated at that time and were deeply loved by the people. However, on the political front, he failed to compete with his brother Cao Pi for the throne and was eventually exiled to Juancheng as a vassal king.
In this family power struggle, Cao Pi's jealousy of his younger brother Cao Zhi gradually deepened. He once forced Cao Zhi to improvise a poem within seven steps as a test of his talent.
That poem was written in a state of tension, so it is called "Seven Steps Poem". This poem is still talked about by many people today.
The confrontation between Sima Yi and Yang Xiu, the two wise men, constituted the epitome of the political struggle between Cao Zhi and Cao Pi. Sima Yi, with his deep strategic vision and political skill, helped Cao Pi consolidate his power.
Yang Xiu, with his extraordinary wisdom and shrewdness, tried to help Cao Zhi get out of his current predicament. In this power struggle, Sima Yi gradually gained the upper hand and assisted Cao Pi in consolidating his position as the son, paving the way for his later ascension to the throne.
However, when Cao Pi became emperor, his desire for power made him even more ruthless towards his brother Cao Zhi. Once, the two of them came across two bulls fighting on the road.
Emperor Wei Wendi took the opportunity to ask Cao Zhi to compose a poem in the time of a hundred paces on this situation, and the poem could not contain the word "cow". This is a life-and-death test, and if it is not handled properly, Cao Zhi may not be able to escape.
He knew his intentions as the emperor's brother, but he couldn't refuse, so he could only accept the offer. After some thought, he cleverly conceived a poem within the specified time, entitled "Hundred Steps Poem", which was later called "Dead Cow Poem".
The poem depicts the scene of the bull fight with vivid brushstrokes, which not only avoids the direct use of the word "cow", but also delicately presents the scene at that time, which is enough to see Cao Zhi's extraordinary talent.
Although the emperor felt the wisdom of his third brother, he could only stop helplessly in the end, after all, under the imperial power, family affection can make people give in after all. Therefore, this poem has been passed down to the world, becoming an example of people celebrating Cao Zhi's talent, and at the same time reflecting the complex situation of power strife and brotherhood within the court at that time.
Through this challenge, Cao Zhi showed his wisdom and strength in times of crisis. "Hundred Steps Poem" not only proves his talent, but also reflects his composure and calmness in the face of difficulties.
Although this incident originated from the jealousy and framing of Cao Zhi by Emperor Wen of Wei, Cao Pi, it eventually led to another literary masterpiece that became a beautiful legend in history.
Both Cao Zhi's literary and artistic achievements and the political challenges he faced added a lot of color to that era. The trajectory of this literary giant's life and his works continue to inspire us to think deeply about human nature, society and history.
Looking at the life of the Cao brothers, although they were born in a powerful family, they still could not get rid of the power struggle within the family. This history reminds us of the importance of staying calm and wise, no matter what the circumstances. As a way to express emotions and wisdom, poetry often plays an irreplaceable role and value at critical moments.
