Is “Forced Cao Zhi to compose a poem in seven steps” true?
based on fact
The "Anecdotes of the World" (Shishuo Xinyu), in the chapter on Literature, records the seven-step poem; however, the "Records of the Three Kingdoms" (Sanguozhi), in the Wei Book, does not record it, and scholars mostly believe it was a later work attached to Cao Pi's coercion. (Original text: 「煮豆燃豆萁，豆在釜中泣。」——Source: data/raw/sanguo-yanyi/Chapter 079.txt)
Cao Pi
In official history, he is Emperor Wen of Wei, a literary figure and statesman; in fiction, he is portrayed as a narrow-minded villain who oppresses his own brother.
Other claims about Cao Pi
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