Wang Xizhi, courtesy name Yishao, was a cousin of Minister Wang Dao. His grandfather Wang Zheng served as a high-ranking official, and his father Wang Kuang was the Governor of Huainan. When Emperor Yuan of the Eastern Jin fled south, Wang Kuang was the first to come out in support. When Wang Xizhi was young, he was somewhat reserved, and no one thought he was particularly special. At the age of thirteen, he visited Zhou Yi, who observed him carefully and found him to be extraordinary. At that time, there was a roasted beef heart on the table, and no one touched it. Zhou Yi cut a piece and offered it to Wang Xizhi. From then on, Wang Xizhi began to be famous. As he grew older, Wang Xizhi became an eloquent speaker, was upright, and especially excelled in official script, being considered the greatest of all time. People praised his calligraphy, saying that his brushwork was elegant like floating clouds and vigorous like a flying dragon. His uncle Wang Dun and Wang Dao highly esteemed him.
At that time, Ruan Yu from Chenliu had a great reputation and served as the chief scribe under Wang Dun. Wang Dun once said to Wang Xizhi, "You are a good descendant of our Wang family, and in the future, you will definitely not be inferior to Chief Scribe Ruan." Ruan Yu also revered Wang Xizhi, Wang Cheng, and Wang Yue as the "Three Young Wangs." Later, the Grand Commandant Chi Jian sent his student to choose a son-in-law from Wang Dao's family. Wang Dao asked the student to go to the east wing to see his nephews. When the student returned, he told Chi Jian, "The young men of the Wang family are all impressive, but when they heard that you sent someone to choose a son-in-law, they all adopted serious expressions. Only one person was reclining on the east bed eating with his belly exposed, as if he were completely oblivious." Chi Jian said, "This is the son-in-law I've been looking for!" Upon inquiry, it was Wang Xizhi, so he married his daughter to him.
Wang Xizhi initially served as a minor official in the Secretariat office, but later General Yuliang recognized his talent and brought him on as a military officer, eventually rising to the position of Chief of Staff. Before passing away, Yuliang put in a good word for Wang Xizhi, praising him for his integrity and insight. Wang Xizhi was subsequently appointed General of Ningyuan and Governor of Jiangzhou.
When he was young, he had a good reputation, and high officials in the court admired his talent. He was summoned multiple times to serve as an attendant minister and as the Minister of Personnel, but he turned it down as well. Later, he was appointed as the General of the Guard, but he still declined. The Governor of Yangzhou, Yin Hao, always respected him and urged him to accept the court's appointment. Yin Hao wrote to him, saying, "For someone like you, your choice to stay or leave can significantly reflect the court's rise and fall, and we also think so. However, your choice doesn't fully determine the court's rise and fall. Does the survival of the court necessarily depend on your personal will? You should consider everyone's opinions. If you keep turning down official positions, what positive political outcomes can you hope for? You should be more open-minded to grasp the bigger picture!"
Wang Xizhi replied, "I never aspired to be a high official. When Prime Minister Wang wanted me to enter the court, I resolutely refused. My calligraphy has been around for a long time, and I will not change my mind because of you. Since I married and had children, I've talked about this with my family and friends for quite a while now. If the court insists on having me do something, I'm willing to head to Guanzhong, Longxi, or Bashu. Although I do not have the ability to directly meet the emperor and offer advice, I can faithfully follow the court's orders and promote the country's virtues. This is definitely not the same as being just an ordinary envoy and will surely let people near and far know that the court values the border areas. This is more meaningful than just staying in the capital as the General of the Guard. At the end of the Han Dynasty, the Grand Tutor Ma Midi was ordered to pacify the eastern regions. If you don't think I'm insignificant and have no concerns, it would be best to let me depart before early winter. I will respectfully await your orders."
Wang Xizhi accepted the position of General of the Imperial Guard, but he strongly requested to be appointed as an official in Xuancheng County. The court did not agree, so he was appointed as General of the Right Army and Governor of Kuaiji. At that time, Yin Hao and Huan Wen had a strained relationship. Wang Xizhi believed that the stability of the country depends on unity, so he wrote a letter advising Yin Hao, but Yin Hao did not listen. Later, when Yin Hao was about to launch a northern expedition, Wang Xizhi believed that he would definitely fail. He wrote a letter strongly dissuading him, with genuine concern. Yin Hao still went and was indeed defeated by Yao Xiang. When Yin Hao wanted to launch another northern expedition, Wang Xizhi wrote to him again, saying:
Alas, I heard the news of the defeat in Anxi, and the entire country is in deep sorrow. I can't get this out of my mind. Considering our small territory in Jiangzuo, it's remarkable we've come this far. The people have long been disheartened, and now with this defeat, it's truly heartbreaking to think about. We can't change the past; we must think about how to move forward, offer the people hope, and revitalize the country. Governing the country should be grounded in morality and kindness, instead of blindly chasing military glory. We must leverage our strengths, strengthen our cause, and reflect on these principles.
Since the war, none of the officials in the court or the opposition have been able to plan ahead or seriously strategize, resulting in the very foundation of the country being hollowed out. Everyone is acting on their own, with nothing to show for their efforts, and nothing worthy of record. The good advice and strategies have been abandoned, leading to the imminent collapse of the realm; how can one not feel heartbroken and indignant! How can those in power shirk their responsibility to the world! It is useless to investigate the past; one should humbly recruit talents, consult with knowledgeable individuals for solutions, and not let loyal and upright opinions be suppressed by those in power. The army is collapsing on the front lines, domestic resources are depleted, the plan to protect the Huai River is no longer feasible. The best solution is to retreat to the Yangtze River; each governor should return to their original station, and the regions north of the Yangtze should be held symbolically. Guojun, you should take the blame and reflect on your actions, lower your status and apologize to the people. Then collaborate with wise officials to devise effective policies, ease taxes and corvée labor, and give the people a fresh start. Only then can we meet everyone's expectations and save the country from its crisis. You have risen from a commoner to your current position, bearing the heavy responsibility of the country. Although you have done many good deeds, there are still areas where your performance has fallen short. During your tenure as Dongtong, you have led to today's defeat; perhaps no one in the court is willing to share the responsibility with you. It is time to quickly make amends, recruit talents, share responsibilities with them, and it is uncertain whether the expected goals can be achieved. If you still consider past mistakes as not being done well, and look for reasons from other aspects, even if the universe is vast, it cannot possibly accommodate you! Not all kind words should be heeded; sometimes it may offend those in power, but I can no longer hold my tongue and must speak honestly. If you insist on personally going to battle and go through with it, it would be an act of utter folly, and no one can understand. I hope you can discuss with everyone.
I received another official document from the state government, requesting an additional one thousand shi of grain to be transported, and the conscription order soon followed. All of this is due to the urgency of the war, and I feel extremely frustrated about it, not knowing what to do. In recent years, the exploitation and oppression of the common people has intensified, along with increasingly severe punishments, almost as cruel as during the Qin Dynasty, albeit without the infamous Five Punishments. I fear we may be heading down the same path as the Qin Dynasty, and these days are unbearable.
I wrote a petition to King Kuaiji, stating that Yin Hao is not suitable for a northern expedition, and provided an analysis of the situation. I said: Ancient people were ashamed that their monarchs could not be as wise as Yao and Shun, and they emulated the practice of facing north like Yao and Shun. Isn’t this to honor those they emulate and align themselves with the wise rulers of antiquity? Moreover, we are presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! However, our current capabilities fall short of those wise rulers of the past, so we must weigh the pros and cons to handle this matter. Although there is a promising situation now, upon closer reflection, our worries outweigh our joys. The "Zuo Zhuan" says: "If it is not a sage, external stability will inevitably be accompanied by internal troubles." While the external situation remains unstable, our internal troubles run deep. In ancient times, those who accomplished great feats often did so without consulting others, devoting the entire country's efforts to achieve temporary success, which was not uncommon. If only someone with extraordinary wisdom could surpass the rest, and temporary fatigue could ultimately bring eternal peace, then it's fine. But can we achieve that in the current situation?
Before going to war, it is essential to carefully evaluate the strengths of both sides, and only when we are certain of success should we take action. After winning a battle, one must use the results of the victory to consolidate their position. Although victory is not yet in sight, the common folk have already suffered greatly, with hardly anyone left standing. Furthermore, transporting provisions over long distances has always been a difficult task, and now we must move provisions from the west to Xuchang and Luoyang, and from the north to the banks of the Yellow River. Even during the harsh rule of the Qin Dynasty, such extreme measures were never resorted to, but the suffering of the common folk is only getting worse. The delivery of provisions has no end in sight, and taxes are becoming heavier. Our Wuyue region is shouldering ninety percent of the national burden. If this keeps up, how can we possibly avoid disaster? If we fail to assess our strength and halt these actions, all within the court are distressed but dare not speak the truth.
The past cannot be changed, but the future can still be saved. I urge Your Highness to reconsider and change strategies, have Yin Hao and Xun Xian return to defend Hefei and Guangling, and have the armies in Xuchang, Qiao County, Liangdi, Pengcheng, and other regions retreat south of the Huai River to establish an impenetrable defense system. There's still time to make this happen. This is currently the best strategy. If we do not act in this way, the country's downfall is just a matter of time. At this critical juncture, making decisions is as easy as flipping your hand over. The reality of the situation is clear, and I hope Your Highness can make a decisive decision and act quickly.
I know I might sound alarmist, but even in ancient times, common people dared to offer advice for the country, and they were not criticized. Moreover, I am now a minister of the court; how can I remain silent? The fate of the country depends on action. We can no longer afford to hesitate. If we don't make decisions now, it will be too late to regret it later!
You are truly esteemed and have served the court, always adhering to the path of righteousness with remarkable achievements. However, you have not received the recognition you deserve, leading many to lament your situation and lose sleep over it. The country is deeply worried, fearing that concerns like those of Wu Zixu in the past may not only exist in history, and chaotic circumstances roaming like deer may not be limited to deep mountains and old forests. I hope you can temporarily set aside those unrealistic thoughts and resolve the current crisis, which can be seen as turning danger into safety. In this way, the country can be peaceful, and the people can live and work in harmony.
At that time, there was a famine in the eastern region, and Wang Xizhi immediately opened the granaries to provide relief to the victims. However, the tax burden imposed by the court was heavy, especially in Wu County and Kuaiji County. Wang Xizhi repeatedly petitioned the court to reduce taxes, and many of his suggestions were adopted. He also wrote to the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, Xie An, saying, "Most of my previous suggestions have been adopted, so the people have been given a chance to catch their breath and return to their livelihoods. If not, the county would have been driven to desperation by the people long ago."
The most important issue now is still unresolved, that is, grain transportation. I believe the court should order a clear timetable, assign responsibilities to relevant departments, cease further urging, and only assess their performance at the end of the year. If local officials receive the lowest assessment scores, they should be punished by being sent to Tian Tai in prisoner transport carts; if the transportation tasks of three counties are not completed, the officials of 2,000 stones must be dismissed or demoted to extremely challenging regions on the frontier.
Since I arrived here, there have always been four or five people responsible for managing affairs, in addition to the official documents from the Taishi and Dushui Yushi raining down, which are intricate and difficult to sort out. I can only blindly follow the usual practices, prioritizing important official and disciplinary matters while delegating the less critical ones to the Five Caos. The supervising officials often can’t get things done in under ten days, and the common people are soon running around in chaos, leading to massive losses. Now that you are in a high position, you can consider my suggestions slowly. In normal times in the Jiangzuo region, just one excellent Yangzhou governor is enough to manage, especially now that there are so many talented individuals, yet there is chaos in management caused by inconsistent laws and too many restrictions. Simplifying laws for easier enforcement can help preserve the existing foundation.
The Granary Supervisor embezzles and steals official grain, with tens of thousands involved each time. I believe that if we strictly punish one offender, similar incidents will be less likely to happen, but opinions were not unified at the time. Recently, I inspected various counties and found that not a single county is free from such situations. Yuyao County embezzled nearly one hundred thousand hu of grain, which ended up being used to bribe corrupt officials, leading to an empty national treasury, which is truly heartbreaking!
Since the war began, the number of people drafted as soldiers, those responsible for transportation, and those who were injured or fled without returning has dropped sharply! As usual, replenishing troops is impossible since every region is impoverished and there’s no idea where to find more recruits. Officials sent to conscript soldiers, but many people fled along the way, with officials and deserters escaping with the funds. There is a rule that the families and comrades of deserters should be captured together. If they can’t be caught, their families and comrades also end up fleeing. The common people are fleeing everywhere, the population is decreasing day by day, and the problem lies here. Furthermore, the craftsmen, doctors, and monks have all died, leaving households empty and unable to replenish manpower. Orders keep coming from above, some tasks take ten or fifteen years to complete, with endless complaints and sentencing, yet no practical issues being resolved at all. How can this be tolerated!
I think, starting from now, those who were originally given light sentences for capital offenses, as well as those sentenced to five years in prison, can all be used to supplement the workforce. Those who were originally supposed to die can serve long-term military service; those sentenced to five years can serve as craftsmen, doctors, and monks. Move all their family members to the city. Increasing the population in the city is fundamental for governing the country and can also help prevent escapes. If their family members are not moved, the problem of escape will remain the same. Now, turning criminals into laborers and moving all their family members here, the ignorant common people might think this punishment is worse than execution, thus deterring the bad elements. Although the punishment is light, the deterrent effect is strong; isn't that fitting?
Wang Xizhi especially enjoys a healthy lifestyle and does not like staying in the capital. Just passing through Zhejiang, he already wants to spend his old age there. Mount Kuaiji has beautiful scenery, and many literati lived there. Even Xie An resided there before taking office. Sun Chuo, Li Chong, Xu Xun, and Zhi Dun were all famous literati at the time, and they all constructed homes on the eastern side of Mount Kuaiji, sharing the same interests as Wang Xizhi. They once gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in Mount Kuaiji, where Wang Xizhi wrote a preface to express his feelings. The preface goes like this:
In the ninth year of Yonghe, in the year of Gui Chou, early in the spring, we gathered at the Orchid Pavilion in the shade of Mount Kuaiji to hold the purification ritual. Many wise men came, young and old alike. Here, there are towering mountains and steep ridges, dense forests and bamboo groves, with clear streams and swift currents reflecting on both sides, creating a perfect setting for toasts as we sat in order. Although there is no grand music of strings and flutes, a toast and a poem are enough to express our deep feelings.
On that day, the sky was clear, the air was fresh, the gentle breeze was pleasant; looking up at the vast universe and looking down at the abundance of species, we let our eyes and hearts wander, fully enjoying the beauty around us. It was truly a joyful occasion.
Among friends, spending a short lifetime together, some share heartfelt conversations at home, while others roam freely and travel far and wide. Although interests vary greatly and personalities differ, when they experience joyful moments and temporary gains, they feel very happy and satisfied, completely forgetting about the aging process. When they become tired of pursuing their goals and their moods change with the environment, they begin to feel sentimental. Those things that used to make them happy in the past quickly become memories, and they can't help but feel a twinge of sadness. Moreover, the length of one's life is beyond one's control, ultimately leading to death. As the ancients said: "Life and death are major events in life, how can this not evoke sadness?" Whenever I read articles expressing the feelings of the ancients, I feel a deep resonance, always unable to help but sigh with regret, unable to express the feelings in my heart. I realize that considering life and death as mere illusions and equating longevity with brevity is misguided. Viewing the present through the lens of future generations is just as sorrowful as how we perceive the past! So I have gathered works from that era; although the times are different and the situations varied, the emotions they convey share common threads. Later readers will surely be moved by these words. Some have likened my writings to Pan Yue's "Jingu Shi Xu" and compared me to Shi Chong, and I am very happy to hear that. Speaking of Wang Xizhi, he had a particular fondness for geese. Legend has it that an old lady in Kuaiji raised a goose that sang exceptionally well. He wanted to see it, but couldn't buy it, so he brought his relatives and friends to visit. When the old lady heard that Wang Xizhi was coming, she even went so far as to kill the goose to prepare a meal for him! Wang Xizhi mourned this for quite some time. Another time, there was a Taoist priest in Shanyin who raised a group of good geese. Wang Xizhi visited them, was utterly charmed, and wanted to buy them. The Taoist priest replied: "If you would write me a copy of the 'Tao Te Ching,' I will give you all these geese." Wang Xizhi happily wrote it, and went home happily with a cage of geese. He was a person who acted casually like this.
Once, Wang Xizhi went to visit a student's home and saw that the table in the student's house was spotless and gleaming. He felt inspired and wrote with two different styles of calligraphy on the table. Later, the student's father accidentally scrubbed off the characters! The student was quite upset about it for several days. Another time, he saw an old lady selling hexagonal bamboo fans in Jishan. Wang Xizhi wrote five characters on each fan. At first, the old lady was quite displeased. Wang Xizhi told her, "Just tell them these are written by Wang Youjun and sell them for a hundred coins each." The old lady did as he said, and everyone rushed to buy them! A few days later, the old lady returned with more fans, but Wang Xizhi simply smiled and ignored her. The value of his calligraphy stemmed from these incidents.
Wang Xizhi often boasted about his skills, saying, "My calligraphy is better than Zhong Yao's and can stand shoulder to shoulder with them; compared to Zhang Zhi's cursive script, it should also be able to soar side by side." He once wrote in a letter, "Zhang Zhi practiced calligraphy by the pool and dyed the water black. If someone could work as hard as he did, it wouldn't be impossible to surpass him." When Wang Xizhi first started writing, he was not as good as Yu Yi and Chi Yun, but he ultimately achieved mastery in his later years. He once wrote a reply to Yu Liang in the form of a postscript, and Yu Yi was very impressed after reading it. He wrote to Wang Xizhi, expressing, "I had ten sheets of postscript written by Bo Ying, which I lost while crossing the river. I have always regretted the loss of those exquisite characters. Seeing your reply to my brother this time felt like a miracle, bringing back the scenes of the past."
Wang Shu, who gained fame at a young age and was considered Wang Xizhi's equal, was held in contempt by Wang Xizhi, resulting in a strained relationship. Wang Shu first became the Governor of Kuaiji County. After his mother's passing, Wang Xizhi took over his duties. He only offered condolences once and never returned. Whenever Wang Shu heard the sound of a horn, he thought Wang Xizhi was coming to visit, so he quickly tidied up the house and waited. He waited like this for several years, but Wang Xizhi completely ignored him, filling Wang Shu with resentment.
Later, Wang Shu became the governor of Yangzhou, was about to take office and inspect various places, but he deliberately avoided Wang Xizhi, and simply said goodbye before leaving. Previously, Wang Xizhi often told his friends, "Wang Shu, at most, he’s just a Shangshu. If he’s lucky, he might become a Puyi, and that would be his peak." He’s really got his head in the clouds! As a result, Wang Shu unexpectedly got promoted, and Wang Xizhi felt very embarrassed, so he sent someone to the court to request the division of Kuaiji County into Yuezhou and Kuaiji. The messenger didn’t communicate it clearly and ended up being laughed at by the scholars of the time.
Wang Xizhi felt both guilty and frustrated, and said to his sons, "My talent is not inferior to Wang Shu's, but my official position is far behind. Is it because you aren’t as accomplished as Wang Tanzhi (Wang Shu's son)?" Later, Wang Shu inspected the affairs of Kuaiji County, carefully handled cases, and the officials in charge were worn out. Wang Xizhi felt very ashamed, so he resigned due to illness, and then swore in front of his parents' graves:
"In the eleventh year of Yonghe, on the first day of the third month, on the ninth day of the eleventh month, Xizhi dares to address the spirits of my ancestors. Xizhi is not a saint, has long faced misfortune, and has not received the teachings of the ancestors. My mother and brothers nurtured me gradually, but due to my lack of talent, I’ve received national favor and glory. I lack the virtues of loyalty and filial piety and have gone against the principles of promoting the worthy. I often reflect on the teachings of the ancients and the Zhou dynasty, always fearing that death will come soon, worrying about the ancestral sacrifices, not just about myself! Therefore, I wake up and sigh constantly, as if falling into a deep valley. I’ve made my decision now. Therefore, on this auspicious day of this month, I’m holding a feast to show my sincerity and make a solemn vow to my ancestors. From now on, I will not waver in my commitment, greedily advance, or be without a respectful heart and not be a true son. Being a son but not acting like one is something that heaven and earth cannot tolerate, nor can moral teachings accept. The sincerity of my oath shines as bright as the sun!"
After Wang Xizhi resigned from his official position, he explored the mountains and rivers with friends, hunted, fished, and lived a leisurely life. He also studied the art of health preservation with Daoist Xu Mai, searched for medicinal herbs and minerals, traveled to many counties in the east and central regions, visited famous mountains and rivers, and even took a boat trip to the sea, exclaiming, "I will eventually die content." Xie An once remarked to Wang Xizhi, "Since middle age, I have often been troubled by sadness and joy. Every time I say goodbye to relatives and friends, I feel uncomfortable for several days." Wang Xizhi replied, "It's normal to feel this way at this stage of life. Lately, I've been easing my boredom by listening to music, and I've been worried that my children will notice my unhappiness and affect their happiness." Seeing his resolve, the court decided not to pressure him into returning to official duties.
At that time, Liu Yan was the magistrate of Danyang. Xu Xun once stayed at Liu Yan's house for a night and saw the luxurious bed curtains and abundant food, exclaiming, "Living in luxury like yours is far better than Wang Xizhi's secluded life in Dongshan!" Liu Yan replied, "If you understand that good and bad fortune are in your own hands, how can I be content with the status quo?" Wang Xizhi interjected, "If Chao Fu and Xu You had met wise rulers like Yao and Shun, they wouldn't have said such things." Liu Yan and Xu Xun felt a bit embarrassed after hearing this.
After Wang Xizhi started living a leisurely secluded life, he wrote a letter to the Ministry of Personnel official Xie Wan: In ancient times, those who retired from official positions to live in seclusion were sometimes disheveled and eccentric, while others willingly degraded themselves, living in filth. It’s really not easy! But now I can relax at home, enjoying a leisurely life and fulfilling my long-held wish. Isn’t this a fortunate gift from heaven? Going against heaven’s will isn't a good omen.
Recently, I returned from a trip to the east, where I planted some mulberry and fruit trees that are now lush and verdant. I played with my children and young grandson in the orchard, sharing this sweet time together, dividing the fruit for everyone to eat, and enjoying each other's company. Although my moral character may not be considered noble, I still want to educate my descendants to be kind and humble. Even if they are occasionally careless, I want them to learn some strategies for governing the country and securing the nation, so that they can achieve something significant like Wan Shi Jun in the future. What do you think of my approach?
In a few days, I plan to travel east with Xie An to explore the mountains and rivers and also inspect the fields while taking a good rest. Besides eating, drinking, and dressing, I also want to gather with relatives and friends. Even if we cannot engage in high-level discussions and toasts like ancient literati, as long as we can chat about country life and share some hearty laughs, I will be content. It’s hard to put this joy into words! I have always emulated the philosophies of Lu Jia, Ban Gu, Yang Xiong, and others, and I truly hope to be like them. My ambition lies in this.
When Mo Qi became the governor of Yuzhou, his father wrote him a letter, saying, "You are already very talented and disdainful of associating with ordinary officials, which I can understand. However, to truly grasp the situation, you must be flexible in your approach based on the circumstances in order to go further. I hope you can always get along well with those of lower status, as this is key to doing your best. Not being picky about food and living arrangements may seem trivial, but the ancients considered it a virtue, and this is key to achieving great things! Remember, success comes from accumulating small things; you need to keep this in mind." Mo Qi did not heed his father's advice and ultimately failed.
He passed away at the age of fifty-nine, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu (金紫光禄大夫). His several sons followed their father's will and firmly declined this official title.
He had a total of seven sons, five of whom were relatively famous. The eldest, Moqi Xuan, passed away early. The second son, Moqi Ning, was also skilled in cursive and clerical script, and served as the governor of Jiangzhou, the left general, and the Prefect of Kuaiji. The Wang family has been following the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice established by Zhang Ling for generations, and Moqi Ning was especially devout. When Sun En attacked Kuaiji, his subordinates suggested that he prepare for defense, but he refused and instead went to pray in a quiet room. When he came out, he told his generals, "I have prayed to the Great Dao, and heaven has promised to send spirit soldiers to assist. The enemy will defeat themselves!" Due to his lack of preparation, he was ultimately killed by Sun En.
The third son, Moqi Hui, styled Ziyu, was quite eccentric. He served as a military officer under the Grand Marshal Huan Wen, always looking unkempt and ignoring his official responsibilities. Later, he served as a cavalry officer under General Huan Chong. Huan Chong asked him, "Which department are you in charge of?" He replied, "Probably the department in charge of horses." Huan Chong asked again, "How many horses do you manage?" He said, "I don't understand horses; how would I know how many there are!" Huan Chong then asked, "How many dead horses are there?" He replied, "I don't even know how many live horses there are; how would I know how many dead horses there are!" Once, when they were traveling together and encountered a storm, Moqi Hui got off his horse and squeezed into Huan Chong's carriage, saying, "How can you take up the whole carriage by yourself!" Huan Chong once told Moqi Hui, "You've been in the mansion for so long; you ought to start pulling your weight." Initially, Moqi Hui ignored him, merely looking up while resting his chin on his hand, saying, "The morning air in the Western Mountains is really refreshing!"
Once, in Wu, there was a scholar named Huizhi who grew fine bamboo at his home and wanted to appreciate it, so he took a sedan chair to the bamboo grove, where he whistled and hummed cheerfully, feeling utterly at ease. The host hurriedly tidied up and invited him to take a seat, but Mr. Huizhi paid him no mind. Just as he was about to leave, the host unexpectedly closed the door! Mr. Huizhi took this as a sign of the host's wit and left in good spirits. He once resided in a vacant house and had bamboo planted there. When someone asked him why, Mr. Huizhi whistled, recited poetry, and gestured toward the bamboo, saying, "How could I possibly go a day without this bamboo!"
Once, while staying in Shanyin, it had just snowed overnight, and the world was blanketed in snow. He sat alone, drinking and reciting Zuo Si's "Inviting Reclusion Poem," suddenly thinking of Dai Kui. Dai Kui was in Shan County at the time, so he took a small boat to pay him a visit that very night, but by the time he arrived, it was already the following day. Upon reaching Dai Kui's door, he decided to turn back. When asked why he turned back, Mr. Huizhi replied, "I set out with great enthusiasm, but when it waned, I turned back. Why must I insist on seeing Dai Kui!"
He was inherently free-spirited and enjoyed a life of revelry. One evening, he and his brother Xie Xianzhi sat together reading "Praise of the High Scholar." While Xie Xianzhi admired Jing Dan's noble character, Mr. Huizhi remarked, "It's far better to scorn the world like Ruan Ji!" This illustrates his arrogance and carefree nature. People of his time admired his talent, yet were put off by his behavior.
Later, he was appointed as the Yellow Gate Attendant, then he resigned and returned home. He and his brother Xie Xianzhi both fell seriously ill. At that time, a sorcerer said, "One's life should come to an end, but if someone is willing to trade their own life for another, the deceased can be revived." Huizhi replied, "My talent and status are inferior to my brother's; please use my life in his stead!" The sorcerer replied, "To exchange one's life for another, one must still have some life left. Now both you and your brother's lives have come to an end, how can it be replaced?" Shortly thereafter, Xie Xianzhi passed away. Huizhi refrained from crying at the funeral and went directly to sit by the spirit bed, picked up Xie Xianzhi's qin and played for a long time, but could not get it in tune, he sighed, "Alas, Zijing, both you and the qin are gone!" After he spoke, he fainted. He already suffered from a back ailment, and the old condition flared up, leading to his death a month later. His son Xie Zizhen inherited his family business.
Xie Zizhen, styled Gonggan, later rose to the position of Shizhong and Chief of Staff to the Grand Marshal. When Huan Xuan became the Grand Commandant, the ministers gathered. Huan Xuan asked Xie Zizhen, "How do I compare to your late uncle?" Everyone present held their breath. Xie Zizhen replied, "My late uncle was a remarkable talent of his time, while you are a once-in-a-millennium hero." Everyone present was pleased.
Xie Zizhong, styled Caozhi, served as Shizhong, Minister, and Governor of Yuzhang. Wang Xianzhi, styled Zijing, was well-known from a young age but had a proud and free-spirited nature. Though he spent his days idly at home, he was elegant and graceful, the most dashing figure of his time. As a child, he once saw his students playing a game and remarked, "The south wind does not compete." The students laughed and replied, "This young master only sees the surface." Xianzhi, upon hearing this, grew furious and retorted, "Nowhere near Xun Fengqian, and certainly not as good as Liu Zhenchang." With that, he stormed off.
Once, he visited Xie An with his brothers Wang Huizhi and Wang Caozhi. The two brothers talked about many mundane topics, while Xianzhi only inquired about the weather. After they left, the guests asked Xie An who was more outstanding among the Wang brothers, to which Xie An replied, "The younger one is better." When asked why, Xie An said, "A wise person speaks little; by saying less, they understand things better." Another time, he and Wang Huizhi stayed in a room together, and suddenly there was a fire. Wang Huizhi rushed out without even putting on his shoes, while Xianzhi remained calm and slowly called for a servant to assist him. That night, while he was sleeping in his study, a thief sneaked into his room and stole everything. Xianzhi said calmly, "Thief, this green felt is an old belonging of mine; you can take it." The thieves were startled and quickly fled.
He was skilled in both cursive and clerical calligraphy, as well as painting. He started learning calligraphy at the age of seven or eight, and Wang Xizhi secretly tried to pull the brush from behind him, but couldn't move it, exclaiming, "This child will definitely become very famous in the future!" He once wrote on the wall, with characters that were as tall as one zhang, and Wang Xizhi greatly admired his talent, with hundreds of people coming to see. Huan Wen once asked him to write on a fan, but when he made a mistake, he spontaneously drew a remarkable picture of a black-spotted cow.
He served as a county registrar, a secretary, and later was promoted to magistrate, and was even chosen as the son-in-law of Princess Xin'an. Once passing through Wu County, he heard that Gu Biqiang had a famous garden. Although he hadn't met him before, he went straight in on a sedan chair. At that time, Gu Biqiang was entertaining guests, and after Xianzhi finished his visit and left as if he hadn't seen anyone else. Gu Biqiang was furious and reprimanded him, saying, "Arrogant host, this is disrespectful; bullying others with power, this is against morality. You have committed both, not even worthy of comparison to an ordinary person!" Then he kicked Xianzhi out. Xianzhi remained haughty and was completely unfazed.
Xie An particularly appreciated him and invited him to be the Chief Historian. After Xie An was promoted to General of the Imperial Guards, he allowed him to continue serving as the Chief Historian. During the Taiyuan era, the Taiji Palace had just been completed, and Xie An wanted him to inscribe the name of the palace as a treasured legacy. However, he didn't want to ask directly, so he tentatively said, "During the Wei Dynasty, the plaque for Lingyun Palace wasn't inscribed in time, so the craftsmen accidentally nailed it on and couldn't take it down. They had Wei Zhongjiang write the characters while suspended. After finishing, his hair and beard turned white, and he was barely alive. He later told his descendants that they should never use that method again." Wang Xianzhi immediately grasped what Xie An meant and replied seriously, "Wei Zhongjiang was a minister of the Wei Dynasty, how could that even happen! If it did happen, it would suggest that the Wei Dynasty's fortunes wouldn't last long!" Xie An then dropped the subject. Xie An asked him again, "Can your calligraphy compare to your father's?" Wang Xianzhi replied, "Of course, it's different!" Xie An said, "Others might not see it that way." Wang Xianzhi said, "How would they know!" Soon after, Wang Xianzhi was appointed General of Establishing Might and Prefect of Wuxing, and was later called to serve as Minister of the Central Secretariat.
After Xie An passed away, there were different opinions regarding the appropriate level of ceremonial honors for him. Only Wang Xianzhi and Xu Miao jointly explained Xie An's loyalty and contributions. Wang Xianzhi then wrote a memorial saying: "The late Grand Tutor Xie An, from a young age, displayed noble demeanor, with reputation and fame spreading far and wide. He withdrew to the mountains at a young age, aspiring to nobility like Ji Zi and Hao Zi from Qi; rising to the occasion, he cast aside his humble attire, assisted the court, and achieved remarkable success. When he was ordered to go to war, he struck fear across the land, and his powerful enemies were all eliminated. Despite his outstanding achievements, he remained modest and humble. Moreover, he served the late emperor with deep favor and trust, despite holding a low position. Upon Your Majesty's ascension to the throne, the country enjoyed peace and prosperity, and he devoted himself wholeheartedly to assisting the wise rule. Examining his life, from obscurity to fame, his accomplishments are truly inspiring; he truly was a pillar of talent in the Eastern Jin court and was loyal to the late emperor. I earnestly request Your Majesty to show compassion to this loyal minister and carefully consider his merits." Emperor Xiaowu eventually gave special treatment to Xie An.
Not long after, Wang Xianzhi fell ill. His family wrote a memorial for him, as is customary, asking him if he had any last wishes or instructions. Xianzhi said, "There is nothing else, I just remembered the matter of breaking off the engagement with the Chi family." Xianzhi's former wife was the daughter of Chi Tan. Not long after, Xianzhi passed away in office. Empress Anxi ascended to the throne and posthumously honored her father with the titles of attendant, special advisor, grand master of the palace, and grand preceptor, with the posthumous title of "Xian." Wang Xianzhi had no sons, so his nephew Wang Jingzhi inherited his title and ascended to the position of Prefect of Yixing. At that time, people said that Wang Xizhi's cursive and official scripts in the Jiangzuo area were peerless, while Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy skills were not as good as his father's but exuded a distinct charm. Huan Xuan greatly admired the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi and his son and crafted a brocade box to showcase their calligraphy, placing them on both sides for admiration. Initially, the friend who often accompanied Wang Xizhi was Xu Mai.
Wang Xianzhi fell ill, so his family hurriedly wrote a memorial for him, as per custom, they needed to ask if he had any final words. Xianzhi said there was nothing else, just that he thought about his divorce from Miss Xi. His ex-wife was Xi Tan's daughter. Alas, in just a few days, Xianzhi passed away while in office. Later, Empress Anxi became the empress and posthumously honored her father, Xianzhi's father-in-law, with high official titles: Grand Preceptor, Special Consultant, Minister of Works, and Grand Minister of State. He was also posthumously granted the title "Xian." Sadly, Xianzhi had no sons, so his nephew Wang Jingzhi succeeded him and became the Governor of Yixing. At that time, everyone believed that Wang Xizhi's cursive and clerical scripts were unrivaled both in the Jiangzuo region and at court. His son Wang Xianzhi's calligraphy skills were far inferior to his father's, but it still had a certain appeal. Huan Xuan really loved the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi and his son, and even had a brocade box made for their calligraphy, displaying them on either side, taking them out to look at and play with when he had some free time. By the way, Xu Mai was a friend of Wang Xizhi's who used to hang out with him.
Xu Mai, also known as Xu Ying, was from Dan Yang in Ju Rong. His family was from a prestigious family, but he was quiet from a young age and not one to chase after fame and fortune. Before he turned twenty, he visited Guo Pu, who divined for him with the 'Taì' hexagram, specifically the 'Da Xù' line at the top. Guo Pu told him, "You will be blessed by heaven in the future and should learn the ways of ascending to immortality." At that time, Bao Jing, the Governor of Nanhai, had gone into seclusion, and no one knew where he was. Xu Mai went to visit him to uncover the secrets of immortality. However, because his parents were still alive, he couldn't disregard filial piety. He believed that Xuanluo Mountain near Yu Hang was close to Maoshan in Yanling, the western gateway to Dongting Lake, which is secretly linked to the Five Sacred Mountains. Figures like Chen Anshi and Mao Jiwei often visited there, so he decided to build a cottage on Xuanluo Mountain, often exploring the caves of Maoling, leaving behind all worldly concerns, and wholeheartedly seeking the path to immortality, only going home to see his parents at the start and middle of each month.
After his parents passed away, he sent his wife Sun Shi back to her family, and then traveled to renowned mountains and rivers with like-minded friends. At first, he collected herbs and refined elixirs on Huanshan in Tonglu County, and after three years of taking medicine, he decided to try fasting. Because Huanshan was relatively close to civilization, he found it difficult to focus on his cultivation, as there were people from all directions who wanted to meet him for spiritual guidance. He would climb to the top of a building to discuss Taoist philosophy with them, finding joy in these interactions. He often practiced qigong and could take over a thousand breaths in a single inhalation. In the second year of Yonghe, he moved to the western mountains of Lin'an, where he foraged for Zhi grass among the rocky outcrops, living freely and planning to grow old there. He changed his name to Xu Xuan (许玄), with the courtesy name 'Yuanyou.' He bid farewell to his wife through a letter and wrote twelve poems about immortals. Wang Xizhi visited him, and each time he would forget to return home, becoming friends with Xu Xuan, both being reclusive sages. Xu Xuan wrote to Wang Xizhi: "From Shanyin in the south to Lin'an, there are many magnificent palaces, as well as many immortals and Lingzhi grass. Recluses like Yuanfang and those who became immortals at the end of the Han Dynasty have all been here." Wang Xizhi later wrote a biography of Xu Xuan, recording many of his miraculous deeds, which will not be elaborated on here. Later, Xu Xuan disappeared without a trace, and those who practiced cultivation believed he had ascended to immortality. In ancient times, calligraphy began with simple markings on cords and characters resembling bird claws, which were hardly regarded as noteworthy. As calligraphy became more elaborate, people began to compete to see who could write better. Techniques such as the exquisite skills of Boying Linchi have since been lost; the words written by Shi Yizi when giving lectures in a hanging tent have almost disappeared. It wasn't until the appearance of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi that calligraphy began to gain significance.
Although Zhong Yao was very talented at the time, he had his shortcomings as well. Some even questioned his perfection. His characters, with their thickness and density, were just right, like clouds drifting in the sky, effortlessly. However, his style was outdated and didn't resonate with modern tastes; his characters were too lengthy and beyond standard norms, which were all shortcomings. Wang Xianzhi inherited the style of his father, Wang Xizhi, but there was nothing new about it. Look at his characters, thin and sparse, reminiscent of a lifeless tree in winter; his strokes were stiff, like a slave under duress. Both resembling a barren tree and a starving slave, his characters seemed sickly.
Let's talk about Ziyun, who has recently become famous in Jiangdong. However, the characters he wrote were merely average, lacking the gravitas of a true master. His characters were twisted and winding, like spring earthworms and autumn snakes. He trapped the calligraphy greats Wang Xizhi and Xu Yan in mere paper and ink. Although he used up ink, his characters lacked strength and backbone. With characters like this, isn't that a classic case of style over substance? These calligraphers are all overrated.
So, dive deep into the study of calligraphy from ancient to modern times, seriously study seal script and clerical script, and strive for perfection—only Wang Xizhi truly achieved it! Look at his characters; his strokes are exquisite, and the structure is flawless, like clouds, mist, and morning dew, appearing sporadic yet seamlessly connected; like a phoenix dancing, a dragon soaring, seemingly slanted but straight and upright. You can’t help but admire them, always finding something new, filling you with envy, making you want to imitate. Only he can do it. The rest of the calligraphers hardly deserve a mention!
