
Cao Zhi (192-232) was Cao Cao's fourth son. He fought with Cao Pi for succession. He postured himself to be favored by Cao Cao but was discarded because of Yang Xiu's suggestion and lost the throne. After Cao Cao's death, he was almost killed by Cao Pi but wrote the "Poem of Seven Steps" and avoided death. Skilled with words, he wrote many great poems, such as "Luoshen Fu".