Editing Cao Pi (section)

==Succession struggle with Cao Zhi==
The next immediate reference to Cao Pi's activities was in 211, when he was appointed General of the Household for All Purposes ({{lang|zh|五官中郎將}}) and Vice [[Chancellor (China)|Imperial Chancellor]] ({{lang|zh|副丞相}}). This position placed him second to his father, who was then Imperial Chancellor ({{lang|zh|丞相}}) and the ''de facto'' head of government in China. The eldest of all of Cao Cao's sons, [[Cao Ang]], had died early, so Cao Pi was regarded as the eldest among all his father's sons. Besides, Cao Pi's mother had also become Cao Cao's official spouse after Cao Cao's first wife Lady Ding was deposed. Cao Pi thus became the presumptive heir to his father.

However, Cao Pi's status as heir was not immediately made legal, and for years there were lingering doubts on whom Cao Cao intended to make heir. Cao Cao greatly favoured [[Cao Zhi]] (his third son with Lady Bian), who was known for his literary talents. Both Cao Pi and Cao Zhi were talented poets, but Cao Zhi was more highly regarded as a poet and speaker. By 215, the brothers appeared to be in harmony with each other, but each had his own group of supporters and close associates engaging the other side in clandestine rivalry. Initially, Cao Zhi's party appeared to be prevailing, and in 216 they were successful in falsely accusing two officials supporting Cao Pi – [[Cui Yan]] and [[Mao Jie]]. Cui Yan was executed, while Mao Jie was deposed. However, the situation shifted after Cao Cao received advice from his strategist [[Jia Xu]], who concluded that changing the general rules of succession ([[primogeniture]]) would be disruptive – using [[Yuan Shao]] and [[Liu Biao]] as negative examples. Cao Pi was also fostering his image among the people and created the sense that Cao Zhi was wasteful and lacking actual talent in governance. In November or December 217,<ref>10th month of the 22nd year of the ''Jian'an'' era, per Cao Cao's biography in ''Sanguozhi''. The month corresponds to 17 Nov to 15 Dec 217 in the Julian calendar.</ref> Cao Cao, who had received the title of a [[vassal]] king – King of Wei ({{lang|zh|魏王}}) – from [[Emperor Xian of Han|Emperor Xian]] (whom he still paid nominal allegiance to), finally declared Cao Pi as his heir apparent ({{lang|zh|世子}}). Cao Pi would remain as such until his father's death in March 220.