Cao Cao, the founder of the Wei kingdom and his four sons were influential poets, especially Cao Zhi (192–232) and Cao Pi (187–226). Cao Pi wrote the earliest work of literary criticism, the Essay on Literature. Cao Zhi, together with Xu Gan, sponsored a resurgence of the Jian'an style of lyric poetry. Cao Zhi is considered by most modern critics to be the most important Chinese writer between Qu Yuan and Tao Yuanming.
cao cao the founder of the wei kingdom and his four sons were influential poets especially cao zhi (192–232) and cao pi (187–226) cao pi wrote the earliest work of literary criticism the essay on literature cao zhi together with xu gan sponsored a resurgence of the jian'an style of lyric poetry cao zhi is considered by most modern critics to be the most important chinese writer between qu yuan and tao yuanming