Monday, September 20, 2010
i learnt a new poem last week from Cyndi.
Seven step poem.. in the Cao dynasty...
here it goes...
*quote*
煮豆燃豆萁
Zhu Dou Ran Dou Qi
To cook beans, you are burning the stalks of the beans
豆在斧中泣
Dou Zai Fu Zhong Qi
The beans are crying in the pot
本是同根生
Ben Shi Tong Gen Sheng
Both of us are originated from the same roots
相煎何太急
Siang Jian He Tai Ji
Why are we killing each other with such harsh?
*un-quote*
Cao Pi was always jealous of his brother Cao Zhi. Their father Cao Cao had initially wanted Cao Zhi to take over his position and rule the state. But though cunning and treacherous methods, Cao Pi managed to make Cao Zhi lose favor with Cao Cao and hence he was the one anointed to be the next ruler of the State of Wei.
Despite being the Emperor, Cao Pi was extremely wary of his brother whom he worried will be up against him sooner or later. It was at this point when his spies told him that Cao Zhi was complaining about his treatment. Cao Pi decided to take this opportunity to get rid of his brother once and for all.
Cao Pi needed a reason of course, so that at least he won't have a hard time explaining why he killed his own brother. He had his brother taken to the palace. Cao Pi next told Cao Zhi that as Cao Zhi had always been well known for his poetry and talents, he felt that this wasn't true, someone might has been writing the poems and literary works for him and wanted him to prove his talents.
To prove his talents, Cao Pi wanted Cao Zhi to compose a poem within seven steps. Making things more difficult, the poem had to mention their brotherly relationship but could not use the word "Brother". Cao Zhi composed the poem in seven steps.
This ancient Chinese poem was used as an idiom today Zhu Dou Ran Qi to mean brothers harming each other.
Yxiaopei'er♥
