Zhang Rong, whose courtesy name was Siguang, was from Wu County in Wu Commandery. His grandfather, Zhang Yi, served as a Langzhongling in the Kingdom of Langye during the Jin Dynasty; his father, Zhang Chang, served as the Governor of Kuaiji during the Song Dynasty. Zhang Rong was still in his teens when the local Daoist priest, Lu Xiujing, gave him a whisk made of egret feathers, saying, "This is a rare treasure, and I’ll give it to you, an exceptional person!" When Emperor Xiaowu of the Song Dynasty heard that Zhang Rong had already made a name for himself, he appointed him directly as a military officer, as a Colonel in the Northern Army under Prince Xin'an. Later, when Emperor Xiaowu wanted to build the Xin'an Temple, other officials donated a lot of money, but Zhang Rong donated just one hundred wen. The Emperor said, "Zhang Rong comes from a poor family; he deserves a good position." So he was assigned to serve as the magistrate of Fengxi County.
His uncle, Zhang Yong, sent him to Houzhu, saying, "I heard the court has issued an edict; you’ll be back soon." Zhang Rong said, "I’m not worried about not coming back; I’m worried that if I do return, I’ll just be sent away again." On the way to Guangyue, passing through treacherous mountainous areas, he was captured by local bandits who intended to kill and eat him. Zhang Rong stayed calm and began reciting the "Luoshen Fu." The bandits found his behavior odd and spared his life. He sailed to Jiaozhou and wrote a piece called "Hai Fu" on the sea:
Words convey emotions. Let the heavens manifest within; emotions manifest without; that is the business of words. I am far from my lonely post, arriving at the sea to find land, passing through the waves at the border, staying on the islet through the waves, watching the trees and contemplating, day and night. There’s no distinction between inside and outside; south and north stretch endlessly like the sky; the black crows flit back and forth, the colors are intertwined. How magnificent is the water, and how powerful it is! Therefore, the ancients praised what they saw; I ask for a brush to write it down. When the feelings of crossing the sea are cut off, how can one not feel that people are beyond me? The growth of trees, you are your own master.
Separating the muddled waters to shape the earth, discerning the vital energies to establish the heavens. Creating all things, from mountains to rivers. Uniting the rivers, guiding the sea to open its gates. What is the nature of the sea, what does it look like? From distant lands to submerged shoals, with shores concealed for miles on end. Mastering the convergence of rivers, gazing upon the Yangtze and Han. The swirling chaos crashes down, peaks tumble, and waves surge. Soaring in the distant sky, bathing in sunlight. When the drums clash, the eight trigrams shatter; when angered, the nine knots break apart. In short, despite his many hardships, he was exceptionally talented, having even penned a magnificent piece while at sea.
Speaking of this water flow, it is truly grand and powerful, overturning the rivers and seas! It is like a mighty wind whipping up colossal waves, making the heavens and earth change color. The water converges, rushing and surging like a massive whirlpool, eroding rocks and forming caves. In the west, it rushes toward a bottomless abyss, while to the east, it impacts the valleys of the Tanggu. The legendary Ruomu has been swept away, and the divine Fusang tree has been shattered. The water churns violently, murky and chaotic, crashing against rocks, emitting a deafening sound, flowing and rolling endlessly, washing over shallows and hills. The water flows swiftly, as if even the sun, moon, and stars were disturbed, with waves surging and the Milky Way seeming to collapse. The force of this water is so fierce it could even topple Mount Tai and the Kunlun Mountains, as well as shatter thunderous chariots and break through the gates of heaven.
The water winds and twists, flowing endlessly, like pearls and jade, shimmering brightly. It sometimes swirling and accumulating, flowing through winding river bends and narrow shallows, creating a myriad of scenes. Sandbars connect, islands link, the water stretches endlessly in all directions, as if to fill the entire sky. Various birds and beasts, exotic flowers and plants thrive here. The strong wind sweeps through the paths, thick clouds shroud the valleys. Lush vegetation obscures the sky. In the morning, crows roost on the eastern cliffs, and in the evening, they plunge into the western waters.
The vast river flows endlessly, with waves crashing. On both sides are towering mountains, undulating hills, overlapping mountain ranges, towering into the clouds. The strangely shaped peaks, as if carved by knives and axes, obscure each other. Rocks collapse, in disarray; some peaks tower, some are low, some appear to charge forward while others seem to pull back. The eastern peaks bask in sunlight, while those on the west are dyed red by the setting sun. The snow-covered ridges reflect sunlight like a mirror, and the mountain rocks appear especially stunning in the spring breeze.
Xu Jiang and Xu Bai set off from Yuhelian Ridge. Along the way, they crash against mountains and rocks, with swift and cold water. The water winds its way through rocks and trees, rushing all the way. Sometimes the water flows gently, sometimes turbulently, crashing against rocks, crossing mountain ridges, impacting peaks, causing huge waves, collapsing rocks, creating clouds and mist that stretch to the sky. Thunder roars, lightning flashes, rocks collide—a breathtaking sight. Fierce beasts run, fish dance wildly, as if dragon spirits swirl in the water, and tiger souls roam on land. Looking back, there is no way back; looking forward, there is no way forward. After a long gaze, all that can be seen is the water meeting the sky.
The mountain range stretches horizontally, waves roll, the wind howls fiercely, and the waves surge. The rocks tower like peaks in the raging waves; the clouds churn like vibrant smoke, colorful and magnificent. The sunlight shines in a riot of colors, creating a magnificent scene.
Night falls, thick fog pervades, and daylight is shrouded in thick clouds as well; the high waters of the river block the sunlight, and darkness blankets the land for miles on end. The mountain valley is serene and warm, filled with thick grass in the caves. The sky is covered by clouds, and the earth is shrouded in mist. The water flows powerfully, with a majestic force, beyond human imagination and the comprehension of even the wisest. The wind and waves clash and dance; the clouds part to unveil the sunrise. The waves sometimes scatter, sometimes converge, while the mountain peaks sometimes soar high, sometimes collapse.
Now, about this strange fish—it's truly one-of-a-kind! It can sift out pure white substances from the sand, refining pure white from the waves. In the winter's snow, it can uncover spring, and even on frosty summer days, it swims freely. Its peculiar name is nowhere to be found in any records, and this strange creature cannot be found in books either. It can bring forth small birds from high cliffs, and fish can be born in horizontal doors—these are all feats it can achieve. And let's not forget its peculiar fins, wings, tail, and bones—truly indescribable! It can unleash light like a sunrise, swallow river water and moonlight, and its breath can even cause earthquakes; its call can shake the heavens. The water vapor it spits out falls like rain and drifts like clouds. Its tall head and strong back can support mountains and fly over graves. With a single movement, it can shake five mountains, and the radiant light on its body reflects the brilliance of seven stars. Its body is adorned with various shells, snails, and pearls in a spectrum of colors, shining in green and purple—an incredibly beautiful sight. It glides through autumn streams, frolics in the spring scenery, its scales shimmering with color, its body washed clean of dust.
Next, this fish appears to defy the constraints of time, able to carry the essence of spring into autumn, freely gliding through the four seasons. With gentle winds, beautiful scenery, clear skies, and sunshine shining everywhere, it dances gracefully and glides through the air. It floats lightly in the clouds, like drowsy, half-closed eyes, and descends softly like a gentle drizzle. When it touches clever patterns, it evokes distant echoes; when it hits the alder trees, it creates ripples. The waves it creates are diverse and ever-changing. On the water's surface, water chestnuts reflect beautiful scenery, while lotus leaves and water plants shield the sunlight. Its stunning visage, vibrant and deep, is like lotus roots of jade and lotus flowers of gold. It revels in the fragrances along distant riverbanks and shines brightly in long rivers. Various boats come and go, with curtains and mats stretching toward the distant horizon. It breaks through the waves without fear, whipping up a tempestuous wind. It pursues beauty through valleys and moonlight along the river. It glides freely through endless rivers and mountains, as if unbound by time, soaring freely between heaven and earth, now visible, now hidden. The falcon hasn't even reached halfway, and the Roc can't match its speed. Before the folks on the boat can catch their breath, it has already ventured beyond the universe.
Speaking of these birds, their feathers are bright in spring, but dim in autumn. They fly high, they fly far, playing in the wind for a while, then gliding over the clouds. They fly back to their nests, passing through continuous rainy weather, frolicking by the surging waters, washing away the dirt on their bodies, feeling carefree! Look at the long ribbon broken, the smooth jade shattered, but the birds flying up are like colorful clouds, the geese take flight like falling snowflakes, they fly in flocks, calling to one another, flying over passes, flying over watersides; everywhere is a sight to behold.
This lady, possessing an elegant and refined demeanor, her skin is as fair as snow, as clear as the sky after a rain shower. The cool air is fresh and vast, the sky is clear, without a trace of haze. Her reflection dances in the clear water, mirroring the color of the river like a mirror. Her heart is as expansive as the deep rivers in summer. Although she is often disturbed by things, her heart remains calm, never moved by external factors. Therefore, the mountains and seas conceal their shadows for her, clouds float into valleys for her. Everywhere flowers bloom, the sun shines brightly; she resembles a fairy, transcending the mundane world, drifting lightly in the wind, her clothes fluttering, as if she is in the clouds. She sees the autumn moon as a feast, the spring mist as a tent, taking in the beauty of the Penglai fairyland, overlooking the Fanghu scenic area, trees blocking the sunlight, mountains surrounding the moon. Her dwelling is a world away, clean and tidy, with the sound of wind in the valley, clouds and mist lingering in the forest; everything feels wonderfully natural and pure.
Looking at the deep valley, steep cliffs, and surging waves, rushing forward unstoppable. There, the flowers, grasses, and trees are thriving, their branches and leaves intertwining and weaving together. Clouds and mist linger, the wind howls, and the water flows fiercely against the riverbank, as if the very mountains and rivers are crumbling, crashing against the cliffs and precipices, as if all nations are at war. The scene is awe-inspiring, as if to shake the very heavens with thunder and lightning, the light dazzles, as if it could strike down lightning.
However, sometimes the clouds do not roll, the wind stops, and the water becomes calm; only the waves still sparkle. The moon is distant, stars scattered like jewels across the beach. There are countless treasures, invaluable, with jade pools and valleys of pearls, gleaming with splendor. Day shines as brightly as night, and night glows as brightly as day; coral sparkles, glass is translucent, red veins and mirror-like sheen complement one another, like ice and snow woven with the blush of dawn. The water rushes fiercely, washing away the sun and moon, drowning the Milky Way, and seeping into the heavens. From where does the wind blow? How do the clouds disappear? Beautiful colors sweep through the mist, sunlight illuminating the pristine snow.
Speaking of this person, his thoughts are different from others, completely unconventional. He believes that when emotions are high, clarity cannot be achieved; only by calming down can one find clarity. With fewer obsessions, he remains unbound; even if he doesn't achieve his aspirations, he remains undeterred. He can transform misfortunes into opportunities, and escaping death is not a rare occurrence for him. He likens those intangible concepts to sacrificial dogs, saying they can enrich people's spiritual world. Although these things are common in daily life, how can one truly articulate their essence? His thoughts are profound, transcending the mundane world, seemingly conjuring something from thin air, yet grounded in reality; seemingly untraceable, but not without foundation. He can bring mountains down in silence and harmonize heaven and earth without a trace. His approach to life is as adaptable as choosing to engage or withdraw, responding freely. A compassionate person views his actions as virtuous, while a discerning person recognizes their wisdom. In short, he approaches the realm of supreme goodness; I think he is truly remarkable!
The articles he writes are richly worded, with a unique style that sets him apart from others. Later, he returned to the capital and presented his writings to the military commander Gu Ji. Gu Ji said, "Your article is truly extraordinary; it's a shame you didn't include a mention of salt!" So he jotted down four lines: "Sift sand to create white, boil waves to yield purity. Snow accumulates in spring, flying frost on the scorching road." These four lines of poetry were added by him later.
Gu Ji shared a close bond with his brother, and after Gu Ji passed away, he took it upon himself to bury him. He also had a strong friendship with Bian Zhan, the Prefect of Jiaozhi, and when Bian Zhan was killed in Lingnan, he immediately traveled to pay his respects.
He passed the imperial examination and the policy examination, and was appointed as a court official in the Ministry of Personnel, but he did not take up the position. Later, he became an official in the Ritual Department. In the fifth year of the Taishi era, Emperor Ming of the Eastern Jin Dynasty summoned archers from Jingzhou, Yingzhou, Xiangzhou, and Yongzhou. Rebels and their families were executed, and their properties were confiscated. In the early years of the Yuanhui era, the archers in Yingzhou revolted again. He suggested that families should not be implicated, and only the rebels themselves should face a five-year sentence.
Later, he took leave to attend a funeral, but on the way, he was fined for an unspecified offense and received fifty lashes and was imprisoned in Yanling Prison. In the fifth year of Daming, it was mandated that officials of the second rank and above could receive no more than ten lashes for offenses. He was impeached by Left Minister Sun Mian and removed from office. Not long after, he was reinstated and acted as the head of the Ancestral and Granary Departments. When General Liu Meng was killed in action, the officials of the Ancestral Department felt they should not mourn him, but he felt otherwise, so a mourning ceremony was held. There was ongoing debate in the Granary Department about whether to open the granary and distribute food during the lunar calendar's taboo month, but he argued that they should not be bound by such trivial taboos. Later, he took on the role of head chef. Upon witnessing the slaughter of animals, he turned away and submitted his resignation in writing. He later became a military advisor overseeing the granary for Prince Ancheng and was later promoted to be a friend of Prince Nanyang.
Rong's father, Chang Xian, had once served as the Chief Historian under the Prime Minister, but due to a complicated situation, he attracted the attention of Wang Xuanmo and narrowly escaped death. Wang Xuanmo's son Zhan was the former Chief Historian of Prince Nanyang, so Rong requested to resign, but his request was denied.
Rong came from a poor family and desired a position with a salary. He initially wrote to his cousin, the Northern General Yong Shu, saying, "I have had a good education since childhood, thanks to my family's upbringing. Although my abilities may be lacking, my character is still upright. When I was young, I lived in a simple house and ate simple food, yet I felt very happy. However, my family has been poor for generations, and the financial burden on my family is quite heavy. The dowry for my daughter and the expenses for my son's rites of passage all require a lot of money. In order to improve our family's situation, I have taken on seven official positions over the past ten years. It's not that I don't want to farm, but I have no choice. I previously requested to be appointed as the Prime Minister of Sanwu, but was unsuccessful; now I hear that Nankang County lacks a magistrate, and I hope to obtain this position. I don't care about the rank of the position, whether high or low. I strived for the position of Prime Minister but failed, so I sought the magistrate; if I cannot obtain the magistrate position, I can still seek the Prime Minister position again."
He also wrote to the Minister of Personnel, Wang Sengqian, saying, "I, Rong, am a laid-back person in this world. I don't feel any more honored when I get promoted, nor do I feel any less worthy when I get demoted. I am like nature and the plants, going with the flow. It is just that due to my family's poverty, being an orphan, my eight nephews are all orphans, and my two younger brothers are weak. Caring for them saddens me deeply, reminding me of the sorrows faced by those in ancient times. I can no longer endure this life of poverty and desperately hope to secure a paid position." Ruan Ji liked the folk customs of Dongping, and I also like the leisurely life of Jinping. At that time, people doubted Rong's ability to govern effectively, so his request was ultimately not approved.
Later, he was appointed as an aide to the Grand Tutor of Emperor Taizu, successively serving as General of the Cavalry, Consultant to the Minister of Works of Prince Yuzhang, and then promoted to Gentleman of the Central Secretariat. However, he did not like these positions and requested to be appointed as a Junior Official, but his request was not approved. Zhang Rong had eccentric habits, always sitting with his knees bent and dragging his feet when walking, leaning forward with his body and head tilted back, often adopting various postures. When walking with others, he would always fall behind at a slow pace. The Taizu Emperor admired him greatly and often had friendly conversations with him when he was the Grand Commandant, always smiling and saying, "This person, one is not enough, but having two would be excessive." After the Taizu Emperor ascended the throne, he personally wrote a letter to grant him clothing, stating in the letter: "Seeing that your clothes are old and rough, this is indeed due to your lifelong modesty; wearing rough clothes also disappoints the court's expectations. Now I am sending you an old set of clothes, although they are old, they are better than new ones. These are clothes I have worn, I have had them altered to fit you, and I'm including a pair of shoes as well."
Zhang Rong had a good relationship with the Minister of Personnel, He Ji. Once when he went to visit He Ji, he mistakenly went to the residence of the Minister of Works, Liu Cheng. As soon as Zhang Rong got off the carriage and entered the gate, he said, "I've gone to the wrong place!" When he reached the door and saw Liu Cheng, he said, "I've gone to the wrong place!" When he finally sat down, he looked at Liu Cheng and said, "Anyway, I've ended up in the wrong place!" and then left. That's just how peculiar he was. He also served as Military Governor of Changsha and as Advisor to the King of Jingling.
In the second year of Yongming, the Zongming Temple hosted a lecture, and the emperor ordered all courtiers to attend. Zhang Rong was helped in and sat on a couch, secretly wanting to drink wine. After the lecture, he sighed and said, "Alas! What kind of person was Confucius, really?" This incident was reported to the Chief Imperial Censor, leading to Zhang Rong's dismissal from his position, although he was later reinstated.
Zhang Rong was short and ugly, but had a particularly lively demeanor. Wang Jingze saw that Zhang Rong's belt was tied very tightly, almost cutting into his bones, and said, "Your belt is too tight." Zhang Rong replied, "I'm not an infantryman, so why do I need to tie my belt so tight?"
Zhang Rong pretended he had moved to the east, and when the emperor asked where he lived, Zhang Rong replied, "I have no house on land, and living on a boat doesn’t mean I'm living in the water." The next day, the emperor asked Zhang Rong's brother Zhang Xu about this, and Zhang Xu said, "Zhang Rong recently moved to the east and has not found a place to live, so he is temporarily staying on a small boat by the shore." The emperor burst out laughing at this.
The northern ethnic minorities had heard of Zhang Rong's reputation, so the emperor sent Zhang Rong to receive the northern envoy Li Daogu. They had a meal together, and Li Daogu looked at Zhang Rong and asked, "Is Zhang Rong the son of Zhang Chang, the Changshi of Pengcheng in the Song Dynasty?" Zhang Rong frowned for a while before saying, "My father unfortunately passed away early, but his reputation has spread to the northern ethnic minorities."
Prince Yuzhang hosted a banquet for guests, and when Zhang Rong finished eating the roasted meat, the person roasting the meat left. Zhang Rong wanted to add some salt and garlic, but he didn't say a word, just kept waving his index finger, only stopping after a while.
When Zhang Rong entered and exited the court, everyone stared at him with wide eyes, finding him very peculiar. Eight years later, when the courtiers celebrated auspicious signs, Zhang Rong was helped in to see the emperor, but was accused by officials after getting up, but in the end, nothing came of it. Later, he was promoted to the Right Chief Historian.
Zhang Xinshi, the person from Jingling, was a county magistrate in Zhuji at that time, committed a crime and was sentenced to death. His father Zhang Xingshi accompanied the Song Dynasty army in its campaign against Wang Yixuan of Nanqiao. At that time, the army wanted to kill Zhang Rong's father Zhang Chang, and Zhang Xingshi covered Zhang Chang with his robe, shielding him in his embrace, thus saving him from death. After Zhang Xingshi's death, Zhang Rong wore elevated shoes and personally picked soil to build a tomb for his father. After this incident, Zhang Rong went to Prince Liang of Jingling to plead for mercy, hoping to spare Zhang Xinshi from execution. Prince Liang replied, "This is a good job, Changshi. I'm afraid the court has regulations and cannot do as you wish." In the end, Zhang Rong was promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, then Taizi Zhoushi, and finally became the Left Historian of the Ministry of Works.
Zhang Rong was filial and particularly loyal. On anniversaries, he refrained from listening to music for thirty days, and he was especially respectful to his sister-in-law. When the former Song prime minister Yixuan rebelled, his father Zhang Chang was killed for refusing to participate. At that time, Sima Zhuchao strongly advised against the execution, which ultimately saved Zhang Chang's life. Before he died, Zhang Chang instructed his sons, "I owe my life to Sima Zhuchao because of the prime minister's rebellion in the past. You must repay his descendants in the future." Later, when Zhuchao Min's grandson Zhuchao Wei's mother passed away in winter and the family was poor, Zhang Rong went to offer condolences to his family, gave away his clothes to help cover the funeral expenses, and returned home wrapped in nothing but a cowhide blanket. He always treated Zhuchao Wei as a brother. When Prince Yu of Yuzhang and Prince Liang of Jingling passed away, Zhang Rong, who had served under them, wept inconsolably, with a heart full of grief.
In the fourth year of the Jianwu era, Zhang Rong died at the age of fifty-four. Before his death, he left a will stating that he wanted a white flag to be erected without tassels and without any funeral ceremonies. Instead, he requested that someone wave a dust brush on the rooftop to call his spirit. He said, "The good deeds I've done in my lifetime are enough to make me smile in the afterlife." He spent only three thousand coins on a coffin and didn’t even prepare new bedding. In his left hand, he held the "Book of Filial Piety" and the "Tao Te Ching," while in his right hand, he held a small copy of the "Lotus Sutra." He had two concubines, who he let go home after the funeral. He also said, "With my honest and upright conduct in life, how could I let my concubines weep so sorrowfully? They don’t need to be widows; they can live their own lives."
Rong is exceptionally gifted. Without studying under a master, he can explain things more thoroughly than others, debate with clarity, and few can counter his arguments. During the Yongming era, he became ill and wrote "Self-Preface to the Menlu," saying, "My writing style astonishes many. You can study it carefully, but don't let your ears dictate your heart. How can writing have a fixed style? As long as it has its own style, it is normal. The key is to infuse the ordinary with one's own style. A true gentleman should emulate those who edited the 'Book of Songs' and 'Book of Documents.' How can one simply conform and become beholden to others? Moreover, after the revival, the methods of expressing ideas in writing have evolved; they are all mere patchworks of outdated concepts. My writing style is similar. How can writing style change because of the weather, or change the way of expressing ideas because of emotions? It's just that my writing employs a richer vocabulary, and examples are not bound by conventions, just taking a different path. But my writing is smooth in rhythm, magnificent in momentum. Even if it hasn't reached the peak, it has reached my limit. If you can find another style, I won't object. My principles of conduct are the same as my writing, consistent in both good and bad times. I have no teacher, no friends, not constrained by conventional writing formats, somewhat aloof. The application of principles of conduct is to ensure one's character is as pure as if cleansed. Never go with the flow for profit, never raise your value for fame and fortune, transforming a serene space into a battleground. I used to enjoy discussing Buddhism with monks, enjoying debates, but it was merely for amusement. Don't take it seriously." He also said, "In life, besides eating and sleeping, one should discuss principles. Other things are like a big net that will trap you. I often regret this; you should strive to rise!"
Before he died, he warned his son again, saying, "My handwriting is still here; there's no need for you to read my books! Besides, my words and emotions are all woven into my writings. That's not my intention; don't dwell on my voice any longer. My writing style is uniquely outstanding and ever-changing, although it cannot reach the height of the Han and Wei dynasties, so there's no need to envy the writings from the Jin and Song dynasties. This is probably my gift; in short, I have preserved the family's reputation. If you choose not to read it, it's because our ancestors hope you will. You can read it with tears in your eyes." Rong named his collection "Jade Sea." When Sima Chuyuan asked about the meaning of "Jade Sea," Rong replied, "Jade symbolizes virtue, while the sea represents noble goodwill." His collection consists of several dozen volumes that have been passed down through generations.
The Zhang family produced many famous people, including Fu, Yan, Jing, Chang, Chong, Rong, Juan, and Ji at the front, and Zhou Yong, with the courtesy name Yanlun, was from Ancheng, Runan. He was the seventh-generation grandson of Yi, the Left Guanglu Daifu of the Jin Dynasty. His grandfather, Hu Tou, was an attendant official, and his father, Xun, was a magistrate who returned to their hometown.
Early on, Yong caught the attention of an ancestor named Lang from his clan. Later, he became an attendant of Hailingguo, equivalent to a government official in a modern department. The Governor of Yizhou, Xiao Huikai, thought this young man showed considerable talent, so he brought him to Sichuan, appointed him as a General Lifen, and also managed the positions of magistrate of Feixiang County and Chengdu County. Later, he was transferred to Xiao Huikai's Fu Guofu as a military officer, while retaining his roles as general and magistrate; he was also assigned the duties of chief scribe. Yong often thought Xiao Huikai was rather treacherous, so he frequently advised him. Xiao Huikai, displeased, said to Yong, "Heaven is treacherous, the earth is treacherous, and kings set traps; but the question is how to use them." Later, he returned to the capital city with Xiao Huikai.
Emperor Song Mingdi really liked to reason with people, thinking that this young man, Yu, was very articulate and had his own ideas. He brought him into the palace, assigned him to work night shifts in the palace, and often summoned him. Sometimes the emperor would do cruel things, and Yu didn't dare to directly advise him, so he often recited the parts of Buddhist scriptures about cause and effect to the emperor, which caused the emperor to be somewhat more restrained. He later transferred to the mansion of Prince Ancheng as a military officer. At the beginning of the Yuanhui era, he was sent to Shanyin County as a county magistrate, where he did many good deeds and was fondly remembered by the locals. He later held several military posts at the mansion of Prince Shaoling. After Liu Yu became regent, he called Yu to the palace. Yu was an excellent letter writer, as Shen Youzhi cut ties with people through his letters. Liu Yu dictated and had Yu draft his replies. Eventually, Yu was promoted to Langzhong of Qitai Palace.
During the Jianyuan period, I started out as a military officer under the King of Changsha, then as a military officer for the rear army, and finally became the county magistrate of Shanyin. Shanyin County used to have a bad habit of forcing the people to perform corvée labor and various odd jobs. I brought this to the attention of Prefect Gongzi Liang, saying, "I have found that the people's suffering is unbearable! Although there are quotas for corvée labor, in practice, it becomes even harsher, driving the people to their breaking point, making it impossible for them to live in peace. In critical situations, they escape to the mountains and lakes to hide; with no way out, some resort to suicide in ditches. Some people self-harm to escape corvée labor, becoming peddlers or laborers just to scrape by. Every time corvée labor begins, the people rush to comply; any delay leads to beatings and punishment, and they kneel on the ground crying and begging for mercy, and it’s truly heartbreaking to witness. Every time I see such a situation, I put down my chopsticks, stop writing, and I find it hard to calm down afterwards. Although I know the situation has to be addressed, and I know I have to punish them, seeing this suffering is truly unbearable. The administrative work in Shanyin County is complicated and much more challenging than in other counties; but as far as I know, other counties are similar. Only Shangyu County, with one person serving corvée labor per hundred households, is much better off, while other counties are nearly exhausted. We need to find a way to tackle this issue so that the people can have some relief; only then can we turn things around; how hard can that be?"
Later, I became a military scribe for Prince Wen Hui, accompanying the army northward into battle. When Prince Wen Hui was in the Eastern Palace, I returned to court as a court official and also served as the chief military advisor to King Shixing. I served the emperor in the palace and was recognized and valued. I was eloquent, speaking fluently and with a literary flair. I was well-versed in a wide range of subjects, particularly Buddhist philosophy, and even wrote a book called "Three Treatises." In the book, I introduced concepts such as "establishing empty names," "establishing non-empty names," "establishing non-empty names as challenging empty names," "establishing empty names as difficult non-empty names," "difficult empty names of two sects," and "empty names." Zhi Lin, a Daoist from Xiliang Province, wrote to me saying, "The viewpoints in your book seem to be not original; such profound discussions have been absent for sixty or seventy years. When I was twenty, I came across these viewpoints and was delighted, but sorrowed over the lack of someone to discuss with. In my youth in Chang'an, I met many old people who said that the eminent monks of the Guanzhong region had already mastered these principles. During the heyday of Buddhism, few truly understood these nuances, and after crossing the river, there were almost none. I have studied Buddhism for forty years and have lectured widely, gaining some recognition for my other ideas, but surprisingly, no one seems to grasp the discussions on 'emptiness' and 'falsehood,' which has been a source of great distress for me. I never expected your discussions to resonate with me; this is truly the first fruit of genuine practice!" I felt extremely honored to receive such high praise for my discussions.
Mr. Zhong Rong built a small house at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain for seclusion, and he would return home during his breaks. Later, he was promoted to the position of the Prince's attendant and also took on the role of a writer, responsible for composing daily records. He was later promoted to the position of Chancellor, while still retaining his role as a writer. He frequently visited the Eastern Palace to attend to the Prince. When he was young, he obtained Wei Heng's calligraphy manuscript from his maternal grandfather, General Zang Zhi, who was a cavalry commander. He studied diligently and practiced extensively, and his calligraphy skills were extremely exquisite. Prince Wenhui asked Zhong Rong to inscribe on the walls of Xuanpu Maozhai. The National Teacher He Yin wanted to exchange his "Dao Xie Shu" with Zhong Rong, to which Zhong Rong replied with a smile, "Even in times of peace in the world, I will not change easily."
Every time he gathered with friends, Zhong Rong always left an empty seat for them, engaging in long conversations with everyone, with eloquent speech and rich vocabulary, keeping the listeners engaged. He was also proficient in "Laozi" and "Yijing." Once he met Zhang Rong, and the two debated metaphysical issues all day without reaching a conclusion. Zhong Rong led a modest life, subsisting on simple meals of tea and rice daily. Although he had a wife, he lived alone in a mountain hut. General Wei Wang Jian asked Zhong Rong, "What do you eat in the mountains?" Zhong Rong replied, "Just some coarse rice, a bit of white salt, and wild vegetables." Prince Wenhui asked Zhong Rong, "Among all kinds of vegetables, which one tastes the best?" Zhong Rong said, "Early leek in spring, and late-season cabbage in autumn." At that time, He Yin also devoutly believed in Buddhism and did not have a wife or concubines. The Prince asked Zhong Rong, "How is your practice compared to He Yin's?" Zhong Rong replied, "We both face the three realms and the eight difficulties, which we cannot escape. But each of us has our own concerns." The Prince asked, "What are your concerns?" Zhong Rong replied, "My wife's flesh." His replies to questions and challenges were always clever and witty.
Later, Zhong Rong was promoted to National Scholar, while retaining the position of Master of the Writing Bureau. The students of the Imperial Academy admired his character and knowledge, and eagerly sought to emulate his literary talent and debating skills. Later, He Yin expressed his desire to fast and pursue asceticism, but still wanted to eat dried white fish, fish jerky, and candied crabs, considering these to be non-living creatures. He hesitated about eating oysters and clams, which led the students to engage in discussion. Zhong Yan, one of the students, remarked: "The process of making fish jerky is quicker than bending and stretching, while candying crabs is far more time-consuming and labor-intensive. Benevolent individuals put in great effort with good intentions and are filled with compassion. Regarding horseshoe crabs, oysters, and clams, they lack eyes, resembling the chaos at the dawn of creation, enclosed in hard shells, unlike humans who are careful. They neither wither nor thrive, and are inferior to plants; they have no fragrance or stench, so how are they any different from rubble? Thus, they should always remain in the kitchen and be used as food indefinitely." Prince Liang of Jingling was furious upon hearing Zhong Yan's remarks.
Brother Yin wrote to me, also urging me to adopt a vegetarian diet. Yong also wrote to me, advising me to be vegetarian. He said, "The reason you have not been able to reach a higher realm might be because you don’t follow a strictly vegetarian diet. Think about it, from fighting and killing to catching fish with nets, these accounts have existed for ages; who would dare to challenge that? Consider the sages who set dietary guidelines; they also emphasize moderation. This is because consuming meat and blood is a shared origin for all humans and living creatures. If we indulge without moderation, it leads to endless consequences. Shouldn’t a person of virtue be compassionate towards themselves? So everyone should abide by their boundaries and not violate each other. Moreover, the greatest change is life and death; the most precious thing in life is our very existence. Life is extremely important to them, and for us, flavor is fleeting, and we depend on it to navigate our long lives. They endure injustice and suffering, powerless to save themselves, while we can live long lives—how tragic that is! Furthermore, the tiny egg is delicate and easily shattered; it’s heartbreaking to see those young deer, their unsteady steps are so vulnerable. Seeing them drink, call out, and flutter evokes deep sympathy, not to mention the merciless hunting and killing, followed by their consumption? Even the vast herds of livestock roaming freely, confined in pens, weighed for their meat and wool, awaiting slaughter, cast aside like refuse—people accept this as normal, yet just contemplating it brings sorrow. Is there truly only one way for things to be?"
If it is said that we have been deceived for three lifetimes, then it's good, it's really good! If this principle is true, and we have not yet been freed from physical constraints, then the cycles of coming and going, of life and death, make reincarnation a common occurrence. At home, it's like being at home; in the world, it's like being a guest. We spend more days at home than as guests. Our profession still cannot completely avoid killing, thus tragic sorrow will inevitably visit us. Even though you haven't killed anyone yourself, you still cannot be unaware of those who catch ducks early in the morning or fish at night. Once money falls into the hands of thieves, even a clean scholar will give up; once life is opened by a sword, what compassion can endure? Although the zhouyu is hungry, it does not eat the grass that dies on its own. Doesn't hearing its story evoke a sense of shame? All beings have this body to nurture muscles because they have accumulated ignorance and confusion, cannot turn back, endure filth and impurity, and experience long-term pain. The sweetness and richness of these foods are the consequences of ignorance. Why bother to eat these fat foods and pollute your stomach? If you can grasp these principles, that would be great—I'm just offering a little nudge.
When Zhang Rong was in office, he happened to find Wang Jian's lecture on the "Classic of Filial Piety" still ongoing, so he let Tan Ji continue the lecture, and his classmates admired him very much. Later, Zhang Rong became a censor.
Historical commentators say: People like Zhang Rong, who are upright, stable, and show the highest benevolence, can be as unyielding as Ji An, as dignified as Cui Yan, can be unafraid of the powerful, and dare to speak up. Zhang Rong is upright, detached from the world, eloquent, does not value personal status, but he serves the monarch, makes friends, and is exceptionally loyal and principled, never crossing the line, always conforming to Confucian teachings. As for those talented and famous individuals, like Yu Fan and Lu Ji, they cannot be considered superior to him.
In the end, people wrote a tribute to honor him: his talent shines as brightly as the sun, inaccessible and resplendent, like a mountain that rises high with sheer cliffs. When promoted, he got along well with his colleagues; when demoted, he took it in stride. He dedicated himself to the unity of the nation, never thinking of his own rank. He was a gifted speaker, unparalleled in debate, honest, and of noble character. He was as courageous as the legendary White Horse General, and as determined as someone climbing a ladder to the sky, always reaching for greater heights.
