Cao Pi (Ts'ao P'i) 187-226

A poet and critic who was the second son and heir of the de facto ruler Cao Cao, who deposed the young Han emperor and ruled his latter years held the title of King of Wei. After Cao Cao's death, Cao Pi ruled as Emperor Wen of the Wei dynasty. His essay on literature, Lun Wen, established him as a major figure in the history of Chinese literature. He was the elder brother of the poet Cao Zhi.

         close