To compose a poem in seven steps; to describe someone's quick wit and exceptional literary talent, especially under pressure or with great speed.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
After Cao Cao's death, his eldest son Cao Pi ascended to the throne. Fearing his brothers might contend for the throne, Cao Pi acted preemptively, seizing military power from his second brother Cao Zhang and forcing his fourth brother Cao Xiong to commit suicide. Only the third brother, Cao Zhi, remained, and Cao Pi harbored deep resentment towards him. Therefore, he ordered Cao Zhi to take seven steps in the imperial hall and then compose an impromptu poem on the theme of 'brotherhood,' but without using the actual word 'brothers.' If he succeeded, he would be spared; otherwise, he would be executed.
Without hesitation, Cao Zhi immediately recited: 'Beans are boiled by burning beanstalks; the beans weep in the pot. Born from the same root, why are you so eager to torture each other?' This is the famous idiom 'Composing a Poem in Seven Steps'. Upon hearing this, Cao Pi shed tears and couldn't bring himself to kill him, instead demoting Cao Zhi to the Marquis of Anxiang.