Cao Pi

Cao Pi (Chinese: 曹丕 Cáo Pī; 187 – June 29, 226) was a Chinese writer and poet, founder and first emperor (220-226) of the Wei dynasty.

Second son of Cao Cao. Upon the death of his half-brother Cao Ang, he became Cao Cao's heir. He accompanied his father during the invasion of Ji Province and when he was named king of the Wei, he also fought a war of succession with his brother Cao Zhi. Cao Pi, an astute man, ended up succeeding his father by proclaiming himself prime minister of the Han, king of the Wei and Imperial Protector of the province of Ji. Shortly after his succession, Cao Pi formed the kingdom of Wei by dethroning Emperor Xian and becoming the first emperor of Wei. In 221, Cao Pi ceded to Sun Quan the title of king of the Wu whose kingdom he would later order an invasion of, shortly before ordering the invasion of the Shu kingdom. He failed in both invasions.

In 223, he suspected that his brother Cao Zhang wanted to usurp the throne and had him poisoned when they were playing weiqi. After his failures in conquest, Cao Pi persisted in attacking the Wu again and personally participated in the invasion, but He was defeated again. After reigning for seven years, he fell ill and summoned Sima Yi, Chen Qun, Cao Zhen and Cao Xiu to his bedside, whom he asked for support for his heir Cao Rui. Cao Pi died at the age of 40, leaving an important mark in history as a poet despite his notorious military failures.