The Development of Confucian Literary Conception by the "Three Caos"

The Three Caos,namely,Cao Cao,Cao Pi and Cao Zhi,not only inherit but also further develop Confucian literary conception-the political and educational functions in Confucian literary conception and the aesthetic function.The latter can be summarized into three aspects: first,they stress the expression of personal emotions;second,they pursue flowery language;third,they advocate and practice writing techniques in poems and phonology.Generally speaking,they hold aesthetic points of view towards literature.Their literary conception forms a connecting link between the preceding and the following,exerting substantial influence on the later literary theories.