I didn’t expect to see Elon Musk quoting Cao Zhi on my TL.
Ok, I will tell the Three Kingdoms story of this poem 🧵
Well known to Dynasty Warriors fans, Cao Cao is the baddest warlord to emerge out of collapse of Han Dynasty after Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out in 184 AD.
Trailer frm 2010 Drama Advisor’s Alliance
Cao Cao’s heir Cao Ang died giving his horse to Dad to escape in battle of Wancheng. Favorite son Cao Chong died young. That left No 2 son Cao Pi (L) and No 3 Cao Zhi (R) to fight to be Dad’s heir
In addition to Cao Cao’s throne, 2 brother also vied for affection of a woman. Aft Cao Cao defeated his old rival Yuan Shao and sons, Cao Pi took Yuan’s beautiful daughter-in-law as his wife. But Cao Zhi has a soft spot for his new sister-in-law...
A talented poet, Cao Zhi wrote a thinly veiled poem for his beautiful sister-in-law Ode to Goddess of Luo River 洛神賦.
The poem became famous. Here’s a modern interpretative dance 洛神水賦 based on the poem👇🏼
Cao Pi finally became Emperor of Wei after Cao Cao’s death. He ordered his brother to compose a poem within 7 strides on the pain of death.
Cao Zhi:
煮豆持作羹，
漉菽以為汁，
萁在釜下燃，
豆在釜中泣，
本自同根生，
相煎何太急
16th century author of Romance of Three Kingdoms Luo Guanzhong re-wrote the poem to its most popular version as quoted by Elon Musk:
煮豆燃豆萁
豆在釜中泣
本是同根生
相煎何太急
Translation of Cao Zhi’s poem Seven Steps Verse 七步詩
Burning beanstalks to boil beans
Beans in the pot cry out
We’re born from the same root
Why incinerate each other w such haste!
Elder brother Cao Pi wept and spared his younger bro Cao Zhi from death.
I just realized I am still too young, my explanation too simple, sometimes naive. Listen to the elder 长者 explains:
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