Cao Zhi (192–232) is a poet who lives during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.

His poetry style, greatly revered during the Jin Dynasty and Southern and Northern Dynasties, comes to be known as the Jian'an style.

Cao Zhi is the third son of the warlord Cao Cao and his second wife, Lady Bian.

Together with his elder brother Cao Pi, they are the strongest contestants for their father's position.

Cao Pi eventually succeeds Cao Cao in 220 and within a year declares himself the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei.

Like many powerful families, tension among brothers is high.

In his later life, Cao Zhi is not allowed to meddle in politics, despite his many petitions to seek office.