Wang Senqian was from Langya Linyi. His grandfather, Wang Xun, was the Minister of Personnel of the Jin Dynasty. His uncle, Wang Hong, served as Chancellor during the Song Dynasty’s Yuanjia era. At that time, many guests thought Wang Hong's name sounded unpleasant and feared it might be taboo. Wang Hong said, "My name is the same as Su Ziguo (Su Shi)." His father, Wang Tan Shou, was a Right Grand Master.
One time, Wang Tan Shou's brothers gathered with their families. Wang Hong's son, Seng Da, was playing around on the ground, while the young Wang Senqian, who was only a few years old, sat quietly, playing with candle beads to create a phoenix. Wang Hong looked at him and said, "This child will surely achieve great things in the future!" As a young boy, Wang Senqian was known for his kindness and skill in clerical script. Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty saw a fan he had written in clerical script and exclaimed, "His calligraphy not only surpasses Zhong Yao, but his potential will definitely be greater than Zhong Yao in the future!" Consequently, Wang Senqian was appointed as a Gentleman of the Secretariat, and later became the Crown Prince's attendant. He was modest and rarely socialized with others, maintaining close relationships only with Yuan Shu and Xie Zhuang. Later, he was promoted to literary scholar for Prince of Yiyang, Crown Prince's equerry, and eventually became the Minister of Works, Left Division.
His older brother Wang Sengchuo was killed due to his involvement in the political struggles during the early reign of Emperor Xiaowu of Song. Family and friends urged Wang Senqian to flee for his life. Wang Senqian cried and said, "My brother served the country faithfully and was so loving towards me. This has happened, and I couldn’t do anything to help; it’s truly heartbreaking! If the two of us could go to the underworld together, it would be like becoming immortal!" At the beginning of Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Wang Senqian was sent to Wuling as the governor. On the way, his nephew Wang Jiansheng fell ill, which deeply troubled Wang Senqian. His companions tried to console him, urging him not to worry too much. Wang Senqian said, "In the past, Ma Yuan treated his nephew like his own son, Deng You treated his stepson better than his own son, and I feel the same way. I cannot ignore my brother's son. If this child cannot be saved, I will immediately quit my position and never serve in government again!" Later, he returned to the court and went on to serve as a Palace Writer, a Yellow Gate Gentleman, and a Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince.
Emperor Xiaowudi wanted to dominate the reputation of calligraphy, so Monk Qian deliberately concealed his talents. During the Ming Dynasty, he often wrote poorly to curry favor with the emperor, who looked the other way. Later, he was sent to the court of Prince Yu Zhang Shang as the Chief Historian, and was then promoted to Cavalier in Regular Attendance. He later served as the Chief Historian for Prince Xin'an Wang Luan and the Commandant of the Southeastern Sea, while also serving as the Governor of Nanxuzhou, as both princes were favorites of the emperor. Shortly after, he was promoted to Interior Minister for Prince Yu Zhang. He later returned to court as an attendant, and was then promoted to Deputy Imperial Censor while also holding the title of General of Agile Cavalry. Generally, aristocratic families are seldom inclined to take on the role of Deputy Imperial Censor, while the branch of the Wang family residing in Wuyi Alley held lower-ranking positions. Upon taking this position, Monk Qian remarked, "This is the seat that the Wuyi gentlemen have occupied; let me give it a try as well!" He later served as an attendant again, while also serving as Commandant of Garrison Cavalry.
During the Taishi era, he was sent to serve as the General Assistant and Governor of Wuxing, with the same salary of 2,000 shi. Wang Xian's calligraphy was exquisite, and he had previously served as the Governor of Wuxing County. Monk Qian also had good calligraphy skills and had served as the Governor of Wuxing County as well, which drew great admiration from people at the time. Later, he was reassigned as the Governor of Kuaiji, while retaining the position of General. Ruan Dianfu, a member of the Imperial Secretariat, had a home in Kuaiji and requested leave to return home. Some advised Monk Qian to treat Ruan Dianfu well due to his power and influence. Monk Qian replied, "I have always been upright and straightforward; how could I ever flatter someone like that? If he dislikes me, he can leave!" Ruan Dianfu reported this to Emperor Song Ming, who instructed Chief Censor Sun Xiong to impeach Monk Qian, citing numerous errors he made while serving in Wuxing. Monk Qian was dismissed from his position. Shortly after, he was appointed as an Attendant, now a commoner, sent to oversee the Governor of Wu County, and later promoted to General-in-Chief, Commander of the Military Forces in Xiangzhou, and Acting Governor of Xiangzhou. He retained his position as General Assistant and eventually became the Governor of Xiangzhou. He was renowned for his kindness and compassion wherever he went. Many refugees from the Ba and Xia regions lived in Xiangzhou, and Monk Qian petitioned to establish Xiangyin County in the areas near the river in Yiyang, Luo, and Xiangxi counties, a request that the court approved.
During the Yuanhui era, I was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel. Gaoping Tanggui stepped down from the position of magistrate of Yuannan County, while Seng Qian was appointed as a staff officer in the Northern Expedition General's office. Tanggui, unable to obtain a government post, wrote a letter to Seng Qian, stating: "The essence of the Five Constants lies in the equal importance of civil governance and military achievements. Civil governance can rule the world, while military achievements can quell rebellions. Although my family may not be as talented in literature as Wentong (referring to Sima Xiangru), we have always been dedicated to serving the nation in terms of military achievements. My family members have intermarried with the royal family for three generations, with ancestors dedicating their lives to the country, yet my children and nephews have perished from hunger in the wilderness. From last winter through this spring, I have received multiple appointments from the court, only to have them revoked due to lack of connections. It has been five springs and four autumns, with twelve memorials written and six or seven audiences with the emperor, yet I have reaped no benefits and have only suffered more. People talk about fairness in the world, so why should I be the only one suffering? I feel as frail as a cicada and as fearful as a tortoise, enduring this situation for a long time. Even a starving tiger would be given meat if it roared, but a starving qilin, a mythical creature, would be ignored. Last winter, I requested to be appointed as the magistrate of Yuzhang County, only to have it taken by Ma Chao; this spring, I received an appointment to be the magistrate of Nanchang County, only for it to be taken by Shi Yan. These two individuals secured their positions through their ancestors' merits, so what makes them better than me? If positions are to be distributed based on wealth, it would be fairer to distribute them equally. Although my personal status is lowly, my family has served the nation for generations, and in terms of marriage and official positions, we are not inferior to others. My cousin is the Princess of Jiangxia, while Tanggui's cousin is the Princess of Nanqiao; my wife is the daughter of the Prince of Jiangxia, while Tanggui's ancestor's cousin was the concubine of the King of Changsha; my uncle served as the Inspector of Jiangzhou, just like Tanggui's ancestor who also served as the Inspector of Jiangzhou; my cousin once served as a staff officer in the rear army, while Tanggui's father initially served as a staff officer in the central army. Although the Minister and I have vast differences in background and region, our families have close connections in terms of marriage and official positions. Despite our current different situations, the ties between our families still remain, so why does the Minister treat me like this? During the Taishi period, eight brothers fought against rebellions together, with two generations of our family sacrificing themselves for the country and achieving great military feats, yet these contributions are overlooked and suppressed in the usual path of official promotion.
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Monk Hui replied, "The staff officer of the General of the Northern Expeditionary Army has been treated well in recent years. Yin, the chief clerk, was promoted from this office to Chongli, and He Yicao took over from Yin, and they did so without complaint. It is indeed difficult for you to suddenly seek a promotion after harboring grievances for many years. In the early Taishi years, I worked hard for ten years without receiving any rewards. It is also unlikely for you to suddenly request a promotion now. We have never harbored any resentment towards each other, so why would I deliberately make things difficult for you? It’s simply that you didn’t receive help from others."
Tan Gui also wrote, "Xun Yu was a distinguished minister of the Han Dynasty, and Emperor Wu of Jin posthumously recognized his great-grandson. Xiahou Dun was a meritorious minister of the Wei Kingdom, and in the beginning of Jinde, his grandson was posthumously recognized. Yang Shuzi presented a strategy to attack Wu during the Tai Shi period of the Jin Dynasty, and it wasn't until the Xianning period that he was rewarded and his brother was granted nobility. Bian Wangzhi sacrificed himself for the country in the early years of Xianhe, and it was not until the Xingning period that he was posthumously recognized, and his descendants were given official positions. The chief clerk of Shu County, Tian Hun, died in battle for his former lord at the end of Huangchu, and it was not until the Xiankang period that his descendants were promoted. It seems that they were not abandoned because of their long lineage or forgotten because of their old age. I, Tan Gui, have experienced countless hardships and misfortunes, with five funerals, nearly starving a hundred mouths, facing life and death, and uncertainty every day. I only want a small official position; I'm not looking for high rank or wealth. Throughout history, there have been marquises with fiefs, and in recent times, there have been royal officials. The staff officer is not a marquis with a fief, and the chief clerk is not a royal official. My abilities are not as empty as a gourd, but I am ashamed to have them go to waste. The promotions of Yin and He may be due to the appreciation of the office master or the will of the court. How can they be seen the same way as us common folks? If I am appointed to this position, can the Lord Shangshu promote me to a court official? If I receive five sheng of salary each day, I wouldn’t be ashamed to serve as an official."
Seng Qian ultimately agreed to appoint Dan Gui as the magistrate of Ancheng County. Dan Gui is the grandson of Shao, the general of Annan in the Song Dynasty. Seng Qian, first appointed as the Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, was later promoted to Right Steward. In the first year of Shengming, he was promoted to the position of Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and shortly after was transferred to the position of Prefect of the Palace Library, eventually becoming the Left Steward. In the second year of Shengming, he finally became the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and his official rank rose swiftly! He was particularly fond of studying history and literature, and was also well-versed in music theory. He found that many aspects of the court's ritual music system strayed far from proper etiquette, and various strange new songs were popular among the people, resulting in a chaotic situation.
During the time of the Taizu's regency, Seng Qian submitted a memorial, essentially stating: "Consider this: the hanging bells should ideally perform orthodox elegant music; the solemn sacrificial ceremonies should also be conducted according to standardized rituals. However, many aspects of the court's musical instruments, clothing, and more are incorrect, straying far from proper etiquette. Moreover, the current popular songs and accompanying bells and drums are entirely different from traditional elegant music, not even utilizing traditional instruments! In the past, during the Ming Dynasty, the palace performances of 'Bi' and 'Fu', although the beats were correct, still seemed somewhat at odds with the standards of elegant music. In the future, those who understand music might even criticize our era! If these bell performances are deemed perfect today, then we must not contravene ancestral traditions by creating new songs and bells, as that would further stray from tradition. Musical performances in various regions should rigorously follow the standards of 'elegant music' to ensure compliance with etiquette and propriety, and if necessary, supplementary measures can be considered."
The popular "Qing Shang music" today actually evolved from the ancient bronze jue music, a musical legacy from our ancestors. It used to be prevalent in the Jing and Luo regions and also very popular in the Jiangnan region. However, these musical instruments and dances are now rarely passed down among the people, only found in a few noble families. The non-traditional sounds of Sang, Pu, Zheng, and Wei should have been left behind long ago. Today's popular music hardly qualifies as elegant. However, people's preferences have changed, and these traditional music styles have gradually declined, with many lost over the past decade. In recent years, new songs have become popular in every household, with people enjoying vulgar folk songs, chasing thrills without caring about musical standards. This chaos has overshadowed traditional music, while decadent music has become more prevalent.
Scholars have different ranks and cannot listen to just any music; etiquette also has its rules, and different generations should not listen to the same music. Therefore, vulgar music is gaining popularity among the masses, while elegant music is reserved for officials and nobles. Therefore, relevant departments should be tasked with diligently collecting and organizing the lost music, sharing it with the public, and completing the missing and forgotten pieces. Those who restore complete pieces of music should receive generous rewards, and higher official positions should be granted to those with exquisite skills. By offering incentives, people will be encouraged to study diligently. This is the only way we can revive tradition and elevate its significance! After hearing his memorial, the emperor agreed and adopted his suggestion.
In the first year of Jianyuan, Buddhist Monk Qian was promoted to the positions of Attendant Minister, General of the Left Guard, and Intendant of Danyang. In the second year, he was promoted to the position of Left Minister of Guanglu, but he firmly declined and did not accept the position. Therefore, the court appointed him to the position of Left Minister of Guanglu, while retaining his positions as Attendant Minister and Intendant of Danyang. At that time, a cruel method of torture was being reported in the prisons across various counties, which involved scalding prisoners to death with boiling water. Monk Qian wrote to the emperor to report this, stating: "Boiling water is originally used to treat illnesses, but now it is being used to harm the innocent and even to settle personal scores. If the criminals have committed serious crimes, there are laws in place to handle them; if you want to quickly eliminate evil, you should report to the court first. How can such a significant matter of life and death be decided arbitrarily and secretly carried out in local areas? I believe that in order to treat the illnesses of prisoners, the county magistrate should be notified first, and officials and doctors should conduct a joint examination and consultation; if the prisoners come from distant counties, their family members should be permitted to visit before any decisions are made. This approach ensures that the deceased harbor no resentment and the living have no grievances." The emperor heeded his advice.
Monk Qian was very dedicated to music. The music he performed during the Shengming year, although slightly modified, still contained many missing sections. At that time, the emperor was about to send envoys to the north. Monk Qian wrote a letter to his nephew, saying, "As the old saying goes, 'When China loses its propriety, ask the outsiders.' The same principle applies to music. It was only after Fu Jian's defeat that the Eastern Jin Dynasty began to collect ancient musical instruments, so we can't take all the blame. The north may still retain some lost music pieces. Of course, we can't just use them to fill the gaps in Central Plains music. However, it is important to understand whether they exist or not. Originally, there were twenty-one pieces in the 'Gu Chui' music, but now only eleven are performed. I believe that among the northern envoy team, there should be some idle personnel. If one person could be sent to the music office to roughly distinguish between the similarities and differences of these music pieces, the mission of the envoy could be completed. Even just learning a bit about the situation would be a big change from before. If you think this suggestion makes sense, could you help me bring this to the emperor's attention? Please consider it carefully." This matter was ultimately not implemented.
Emperor Taizu was skilled in calligraphy, and he became obsessed with it after he ascended the throne. After a calligraphy match with Monk Qian, he asked Monk Qian, "Who has the best handwriting?" Monk Qian replied, "My writing is the best, and Your Majesty's writing is also the best." The emperor laughed and said, "You're really good at looking out for yourself!" Then, the emperor took out eleven ancient calligraphy works by famous masters for Monk Qian to look at, asking him to spot the calligraphers not listed. Monk Qian identified all of them from among the common folk, including the works of notable figures like Wu the Great, Emperor Jing, Duke Guiming, and Huan Xuan, as well as Wang Dao, Xie An, Wang Min, Zhang Zhi, Suo Jing, Wei Boru, and Zhang Yi, and submitted a volume titled "Names of Notable Calligraphers" written by Yang Xin.
That winter, he was promoted to the position of Governor of Xiangzhou, General for the Southern Campaign, and his position as Attendant was retained. He was honest and simple, not coveting anything or pursuing wealth, which made the common people feel very reassured. Later, when the Emperor ascended the throne, Monk Qian wanted to resign due to a cold, but at that time he was promoted to Attendant, Left Guanglu Doctor, and Grand Master of Ceremonies.
When Monk Qian was young, his relatives and friends gathered together, and a guest gave him a fortune telling, saying, "Monk Qian will have the highest official position in the future, and he will be able to reach the position of a court official, surpassing others." When he was appointed as Supervisor, Monk Qian said to his nephew Jian, "You have an important responsibility in the court, and you may hold the Eight Commandments ceremony in the future (an ancient imperial ritual to honor ancestors, metaphorically referring to a very high official position). If I also accept this appointment, our family will have two important ministers in the court, which is quite daunting!" So he resolutely declined, and the Emperor appreciated his character and agreed. Then, he was appointed as Attendant, Special Advisor, and Left Guanglu Doctor.
When asked why he refused so firmly, Monk Qian said, "A nobleman is worried about his lack of virtue, not about lack of favor. I am now free from worries about food and clothing, and I have enough honor and wealth. I am ashamed of my mediocrity and my lack of contribution to the country; how can I accept a higher title? That would only bring criticism from others!" His nephew Jian became a court minister and built a Changliang Pavilion, slightly larger than allowed. Monk Qian was quite displeased when he saw it, so he decided not to enter his nephew's house. Jian had no choice but to demolish the Changliang Pavilion.
In the third year of Yongming, Monk Qian died at the age of sixty. He was knowledgeable about astronomy and astrology, and one night, he noticed celestial signs in the Yuzhang region that hinted at an impending major event. At that time, his son Cizheng was serving as the Prefect of Yuzhang, and he was worried that his son might encounter trouble in his official duties. Soon after, Monk Qian died, and his son Cizheng immediately resigned from his position as Prefect and rushed back home for the funeral. The court posthumously made him Minister of Works, while keeping his role as an Imperial Attendant. He was posthumously honored with the title Jianmu.
This passage narrates the story of ancient calligraphers, from Wang Xizhi to some lesser-known figures.
Firstly, it mentions the calligraphy of Emperor Wen of Song, who boasted that he could rival Wang Xianzhi, but was seen as naturally more talented than Yang Xin but lacking in skill compared to him. Wang Xizhi's uncle Wang Pingnan was already a top calligrapher before crossing the river. Wang Xizhi's great-grandfather, a general, was praised by him for having calligraphy that was just as good as his own. The calligraphic styles of ancient times are now only passed down through Wang Xizhi and the general's calligraphy, while others like Zhong Yao and Zhang Zhi's calligraphy are hardly studied anymore. Wang Xianzhi's cousin, the Prefect of the Central Secretariat, was compared by Wang Xizhi to someone riding a donkey, always trying to outdo a fine horse. Yu Yi's calligraphy was once on par with Wang Xizhi when he was young, but as Wang Xizhi's skills improved, Yu Yi's calligraphy did not progress. He wrote to folks in the capital city of Jingzhou, saying, "These young ones are all trying to learn Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, like a bunch of chicks trying to cluck like an old hen. Just wait until I step in; then I can really show them what I've got."
Zhang Yi's calligraphy was once mentioned in a letter by Wang Xizhi. Emperor Mu of Jin asked Zhang Yi to write a response on the back. Wang Xizhi didn’t recognize it at first and only realized it much later, saying, "That kid almost had me fooled!" Zhang Zhi, Suo Jing, Wei Dan, Zhong Hui, and the two Wei ladies all gained fame for their calligraphy, but it is difficult to compare who is more outstanding; we can only say that their penmanship is truly remarkable. Zhang Cheng was also considered to have profound calligraphy skills at that time. Xi Yin's cursive script is second only to that of Wang Xizhi. Xi Jiabin's cursive calligraphy is second only to that of Wang Xizhi and his son; his calligraphy is too delicate and charming, surpassing that of his father. Huan Xuan claimed to be a top-notch calligrapher like Wang Xizhi, and people evaluated his calligraphy as being similar to that of Kong Linzhi. Xie An was also skilled in calligraphy and very self-confident; he once copied Ji Kang's poems for Wang Xianzhi. Yang Xin's calligraphy was highly valued at that time; he personally studied under Wang Xianzhi and was especially good at cursive script, although his regular script was not very famous. Kong Linzhi's calligraphy is naturally unrestrained and powerful, but it may not be as standardized as Yang Xin's. Qiu Daohu and Yang Xin both studied directly under Wang Xianzhi, so Qiu Daohu's calligraphy should be ranked after Yang Xin. Fan Ye and Xiao Sihua both studied under Yang Xin, but Fan Ye later deviated a bit from his teacher's style; although he made some progress, it wasn't as good as before. Xiao Sihua's calligraphy is a shadow of Yang Xin's—elegant and free-spirited, almost as good as Yang Xin's, but slightly inferior in penmanship. According to his uncle, Xie Zong's calligraphy is strong and powerful, so it is appreciated, though it is slightly lacking in elegance. Xie Lingyun's calligraphy is not systematic, but he can occasionally produce good works. He Daoli's calligraphy is second only to Qiu Daohu. Yu Xin studied Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, also wanting to imitate it. He also wrote a "Treatise on Calligraphy" that has been passed down through the ages.
The ninth son is named Ji, with the courtesy name Zixuan. He is lively and active, enjoys writing articles, and cannot help but admire "The Biography of Fan Pang" every time he reads it. After Wang Rong's downfall, many of his former guests flocked to him. At the onset of the Jianwu era, Ji wanted to present his own "Song of the Revival." His brother advised him, "You come from a wealthy family and are still young; what is there to worry about? Afraid of not achieving your goal? If you can't keep your composure, you might draw criticism." Ji followed his brother's advice and gave up on this idea. He initially served as a secretary but tragically passed away at just twenty-one. During the Song Dynasty, the monk Seng Qian once wrote a letter to his son, saying: "Calligraphy is indeed more profound than painting, yet also more challenging. Painting only seeks likeness; calligraphy seeks spirit. If the spirit is lacking, then even the most skillful likeness is not worth viewing."
I know you blame me for not letting you study, wanting to turn over a new leaf. Either just give up or find a good career. Even if you have some thoughts, they won't change this miserable life. However, I've only heard you talk about it; I haven't seen you take any real action! Start by learning from your teacher's example; I hope you don't waste any more time. My disbelief isn't unfounded. I used to study history intentionally, kept "Records of the Three Kingdoms" on my nightstand, read it for a hundred days, then switched to studying metaphysics. While I have some knowledge of history, it's still not nearly enough. As Manqian once said, "It's not easy!" After I came into contact with metaphysics, my aspirations soared, and my heart was also excited. I focused on one book, tirelessly reciting annotations from dozens of scholars, never putting it down from youth to old age. I wouldn't dare to claim I'm proficient. You've only skimmed the first few pages of "Laozi," without knowing what Fuzi and Pingshu have said, how the Ma Wangdui silk text differs from Zheng Xuan's annotations, or what "Laozi Zhi Li" teaches. Just waving a feather duster around and calling yourself a scholar—that's a dangerous game!
Imagine if Yuan Shao asked you to discuss the "I Ching," Xie An asked you to talk about "Zhuangzi," and Zhang Han asked you to talk about "Laozi." Can you still say you haven't read them? Discussing knowledge is like archery; the predecessors have already shot the arrow, and the next generation should be able to explain it. If you can't explain it, you've already lost. Let’s discuss the various commentaries, the "Eight Classics of Jingzhou," as well as the "Four Books on Talent and Nature" and "Sound Without Sorrow or Joy." These are the fundamentals of knowledge, just like preparing a feast when guests arrive. You haven't even flipped through these books; how can you host guests without preparing the kitchen? Just like Zhang Heng's ideas are on par with nature, and Guo Xiang's words flow like a river, how could they have reached that level without hard work? You haven't even glanced at the titles or grasped their meanings; you don't know the names of the sixty-four hexagrams or which chapters in "Zhuangzi" are inner or outer chapters; how many different opinions are recorded in the "Eight Classics of Jingzhou"; what are the evaluation criteria for the "Four Books on Talent and Nature"? You might fool others for a while, but they won’t be tricked for long. Since I haven’t studied, I can’t teach you. But Shun didn't have a strict father, and Yu didn't have a wise son; they relied on themselves. When you talk among yourselves, you should also say: "On the days when we don't study, we can play and have fun in this world, so why suddenly hold back? It's fortunate to catch a good time; don't wait until old age to regret, why reduce anything?" You’re only seeing part of it, not the whole picture. If my knowledge is anything like the silk texts from Mawangdui and Zheng Xuan, it must be much better than yours; if it's worse than now, then it must be much worse. The reason is from within myself. You are in your prime; if you put in several times the effort, you can easily surpass me. The truths of the world are obvious, and you can totally grasp them; I won't say more.
Let me tell you, although I can't say I've led a virtuous life, I’ve been around for decades and I guess you could call me an old-timer. Others may compare me to you young folks. After I die, if you don't have the ability yourselves, who's going to remember you? In our family, we've had young folks who had a good reputation at a young age and rose quickly in official ranks. When they were in the Wang family, the good ones were like dragons and phoenixes, while the not-so-good ones were like tigers and leopards. But once they lost the support of their family, who cares if they were dragons or tigers? Besides, I can't do much for you; you have to put in the effort yourself. Some folks become high-ranking officials but remain unknown; some come from humble backgrounds but can rise to be prime ministers. Some fathers and sons have different standings, and brothers have different reputations. Why? Isn't it all about studying? I regret it now, but it's too late. I just want to use my experience to warn you. You're at that age; it's time to get into government, start a family, and take on all those responsibilities. How can you find time to study hard like Wang Lang? Just be an ordinary person and live a simple life. Really think about what I'm saying and don't brush off my advice. I'm really hoping to give you some good advice, hoping at least one or two of you will make something of yourselves, and I can see your accomplishments before I die. I don't know if this wish will come true; it's all on you; what does it matter to me? Ghosts and gods only know they like flourishing pines and cypresses; they don't care about your family's ups and downs. Since I feel this way, I just wanted to share my thoughts with you.
Zhang Xu, courtesy name Siman, was a native of Wu County in Wu Commandery. His grandfather Zhang Maodu served as the Governor of Kuaiji, and his father Zhang Yin served as an official in the Crown Prince's residence. Zhang Xu gained fame at a young age for his integrity and simplicity, not indulging in personal pleasures. His uncle Zhang Jing once said to others, "This child is like the present-day Yue Guang!" He was appointed as an official in the Yicang Court and later passed the imperial examination. He served as the Chief Clerk of the Prince Jianping's Army, the Legal Officer of the Right Army, the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works, the Clerk of the Army Command, the Clerk of the Southern Zhonglang Office, and the Assistant in the Ministry of Revenue. When he was the magistrate of the capital, he was responsible for investigating the grain situation in the counties, and Zhang Xu handled the matter with fairness and strictness, without any favoritism. He later served as the Imperial Scholar of Prince Baling, the Groom of the Crown Prince, the Army Advisor of the Northern Zhonglang, the Official in the Crown Prince's residence, the Chief Justice of the county, the Cavalry Officer in the Household Office, the Gentleman of the Imperial Library, the Magistrate of the state, and the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
Every time Emperor Song Ming met Zhang Xu, he would sigh at his integrity and indifference. Later, Zhang Xu was promoted to the Crown Prince's Household Officer, the Chief Magistrate of the province, and then promoted to the Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works. The Minister of Personnel, Yuan Can, said to the Emperor, "I have observed Zhang Xu, who embodies the spirit of the renowned scholars of the Zhengshi era. He should be given an important position in the court." As a result, Zhang Xu was once again promoted to the Crown Prince's Household Officer, concurrently serving as the Colonel of the Imperial Army, and then promoted to the Imperial Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Colonel of Changshui. Shortly after, he was also appointed as an attendant, and later promoted to the Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel, participating in the selection of officials. In the early years of the Yuanhui era, the Eastern Palace was abolished, and the selection committee proposed promoting the attendant Wang Jian to the position of secretary. Zhang Xu believed that Wang Jian was both talented and held a high position, so he should be promoted to the Chief Secretary. The Emperor accepted his suggestion. Zhang Xu was then promoted to attendant, retaining his position as Gentleman.
Zhang Xu was not interested in fame and fortune, and his character was respected by both the court and the common people. He once chatted with guests, saying that he never understood flattery and sycophancy in his whole life. At that time, Yuan Can and Chu Yuan were in charge of the court, and someone informed them of Zhang Xu's words. They then appointed Zhang Xu as the Prefect of Wu County, which Zhang Xu was initially unaware of. Later, Zhang Xu was promoted to the Minister of Rites, while also serving as the Grand Central Supervisor, then promoted to the Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and appointed as a Cavalier Attendant. Shortly after, he also concurrently served as the tutor of the Prince of Shi'an. In the second year of the Shengming era, Zhang Xu was promoted to the Chief Historiographer of the Grand Tutor of the Taizu Emperor and appointed as General Who Subdues the Barbarians. After the establishment of the Qi Dynasty, he was reassigned as a Cavalier Attendant and the tutor of the Crown Prince. In the first year of the Jianyuan era, he was promoted to the Prefect of the Palace Library, while retaining his position as a Cavalier Attendant.
Zhang Xu was very skilled in speech and had always been highly regarded. The Taizu Emperor respected and valued him greatly. Minister Wang Jian once said to others, "It's hard to find talents like Zhang Xu among northern scholars. After crossing the river, there are none like him. I wonder if Chen Zhonggong and Huang Shudu can surpass him." Once, when the Emperor went to the Temple of Solemnity to listen to Monk Dadao preach, Zhang Xu's seat was far from the Emperor, making it difficult for the Emperor to hear him. Not wanting to move Zhang Xu, the Emperor asked Monk Dadao to bring him closer. Shortly after, Zhang Xu was further appointed as the Valiant Cavalry General. The Emperor intended to appoint Zhang Xu as the Right Imperial Secretary and asked Wang Jian for his opinion. Wang Jian said, "Few scholars from the south have held this position." Chu Yuan, who was also present, said to the Emperor, "Wang Jian is young and may not remember clearly. In the Jiangnan region, people like Lu Wan and Gu He have been appointed before, and they are all southerners." Wang Jian replied, "We can't use the decline of the Jin Dynasty as a benchmark." The Emperor then dropped the matter. In the fourth year of the Jianyuan era, the court had just established the National Academy and appointed Zhang Xu as the Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, concurrently serving as the Director of the National Academy, while retaining his positions as a Cavalier Attendant and the Grand Central Supervisor. After Zhang Xu's promotion, the Emperor had Wang Yanzhi take over as the Prefect of the Palace Library. At that time, people believed that this selection of talent was quite successful, comparable to the talents used by the Jin Dynasty such as Wang Zijing and Wang Jiyang.
Zhang Xu was well-versed in the Book of Changes, explaining its subtleties very thoroughly, and was unmatched in his understanding for a time. He often mentioned that He Pingshu struggled to grasp seven concepts in the Book of Changes, and one of them is the historical significance contained within these hexagrams.
After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, Zhang Xu was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel, while also serving as Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the first year of Yongming, he was promoted to Golden Purple Grand Minister of Ceremonies, concurrently serving as Grand Minister of Ceremonies. The following year, he was appointed as the Teacher of the Prince of Nanjun, while still holding the titles of Teacher of the Prince of Nanjun and Attendant. Three years later, he was further promoted to the Prince's Supervisor of the Heir Apparent, with the titles of Teacher of the Prince of Nanjun and Attendant still retained. Every time Zhang Xu attended court, Emperor Shizu would see him off. Emperor Shizu said to Wang Jian, "Zhang Xu holds a higher rank than I do, but I believe my moral character surpasses his!" Later, Zhang Xu was appointed as a Cavalier Regular Attendant, while still retaining the positions of Golden Purple Grand Minister of Ceremonies and Teacher of the Prince of Nanjun. The Emperor also assigned him twenty loyal aides. He also resumed his position as Zhongzheng. Prince of Changsha, Xiao Huang, wanted to recommend a person from Wuxing, Wen Renyong, to serve as the State Secretary, but Zhang Xu felt that Wen Renyong was not qualified and firmly disagreed. Xiao Huang sent his secretary repeatedly to request, but Zhang Xu firmly told Xiao Huang's messenger, "This is a significant matter for the state and the people; how can Your Highness be so forceful?" In the seventh year of Yongming, Prince of Jingling, Ziliang, was appointed as the National University Libationer. Emperor Shizu asked Wang Yan, "I want Minister Zhang Xu to resign as Libationer and appoint Ziliang to this position; what are your thoughts?" Ultimately, Ziliang declined the position, so Zhang Xu took on the role of National University Libationer, with the positions of Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Teacher of the Prince of Nanjun, and Zhongzheng still retained.
Zhang Xu was a man of integrity, never one to covet money, and distributed all his wealth to others. He spoke little and often sat in quiet contemplation, sometimes even going a whole day without eating. His students would prepare food for him when they saw he was hungry, but he never asked for it. Zhang Xu passed away at the age of sixty-eight. He wished to be laid to rest in a simple carriage woven from reeds, with only a cup of water and incense on the hearse, without any offerings. His younger brother Zhang Rong greatly respected him, serving him as if he were his own elder brother, pouring wine in tribute before Zhang Xu's spirit, tearfully saying, "Brother, your splendid life has come to an end like this!" The court posthumously appointed him as Cavalier Regular Attendant, Special Advanced, and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, with the posthumous title of "Jianzi."
His son Zhang Ke served in Cangwu as a regular attendant officer, favored by the emperor for his eccentric behavior, but was later dismissed and imprisoned for his misdeeds.
Zhang Ke's younger brother Zhang Yun served as a magistrate in Anxi during the Yongming period, but was executed for engaging in debauchery and murder.
Another younger brother of Zhang Ke, Zhang Chong, served as a friend of the Prince of Wuling in the first year of Yongming, but was dismissed from office and imprisoned for writing a harshly worded letter to the Minister of Works Wang Jian, which was reported to the Chief Imperial Secretary. It was believed that he held a grudge against Wang Jian.
In the early years of Jianyuan, the emperor intended to summon court officials to appoint Zhang Dai as the Right Supervisor. Chu Yuan objected, saying, "This position is a bit too prestigious for him. If he has demonstrated exceptional loyalty or has been promoted through special favoritism, that would be another matter, and you should reconsider." The emperor then said, "Let's reconsider this." Due to conflicting accounts of this incident, both versions are documented here.
The historian commented: Wang Sengqian, broad-minded and graceful, is quite talented. He always guards against arrogance and impetuosity, is humble and cautious, and maintains good relationships with the ministers, truly a great prime minister in this era of peace and prosperity! Zhang Xu is honest and upright, exuding a natural nobility, dignified in demeanor, deeply loved by the people. How can someone as elegant as Zhang Xu not be considered a good official? In conclusion, Wang Sengqian is a humble and virtuous elder with a noble character; he is skilled in calligraphy and music, assisting the emperor in ruling the country. He is calm and humble, keeping away from worldly distractions; he studies the "Xici Zhuan" and "Xiang Zhuan" from the Book of Changes, truly a gifted individual! "The humble elder, his righteousness is boundless; his calligraphy’s rhythm harmonizes like music. His thoughts are serene and detached from the mundane; his mind wanders through the hexagrams and trigrams, a talent as pure as crystal."
