Since the beginning of written records, through countless dynasties, although the rise and fall of nations have come and gone, there have always been reclusive sages. Therefore, the Book of Changes says "escape the world without regret" and "do not serve kings and nobles"; the Book of Songs writes "bright white horses, in that empty valley"; the Book of Rites says "Confucians neither serve the emperor above nor the nobles below"; as the saying goes, "If you elevate the worthy, the people will naturally rally around them." Although their ways of life are different, their words and actions are different, and their aspirations are also different, they are all gentlemen!
Starting from Mr. Hongya, the hermits of Ji Mountain have carried on this tradition. In the Spring and Autumn Period, there were seven hermits, in the Han Dynasty, there were the Four Haos assisting Liu Bang, and after the Wei and Jin Dynasties, this tradition became more prevalent. Among these hermits, some are indifferent to all things in the world, some are content to live independently and embrace loneliness. Some go with the flow, while others stand alone, pursuing freedom. They are close to fish and birds, accompany themselves with music and books, pick up lost grains, mend old clothes, drink mountain spring water, and cool off under pine and cypress trees. They immerse themselves in the world around them, satisfied with inner peace, and are content to live independently, rarely thinking about benefiting the world.
And those accomplished wise rulers always send people to search for them everywhere, driving carriages and horses, crossing mountains and hills, afraid of not finding them. Why is this? Because although these hermits have not done anything earth-shattering, their aspirations are unshakable; even without remarkable achievements, they possess noble virtues. They are enough to inspire the weak, eliminate the atmosphere of greed and competition, and those who are solely self-serving are simply not on the same wavelength. This is the embodiment of "the usefulness of the seemingly useless is the greatest use; the governance of non-action is the greatest governance." Therefore, I write down the stories of these characters, record their actions, to enrich my chapter on recluses.
Li Shiqian, courtesy name Ziyue, was from Pingji, Zhao County. He lost his father at a young age, which made him renowned for being especially filial to his mother. One time, when his mother vomited, suspecting food poisoning, Li Shiqian knelt down to taste her vomit. His uncle Wei Zhang, the governor of Qizhou, greatly admired him and often praised him, saying, "This child is like Yan Hui from our family!" When Li Shiqian was twelve years old, he was summoned by King Zan of Guangping to serve as a military officer. Later, his mother passed away, and during the mourning period, he became as thin as a rail. His sister married into the Song family, but she also passed away from her overwhelming grief.
After the mourning period ended, Li Shiqian converted his family home into a temple, then left home to seek a mentor. He studied diligently across various subjects, particularly excelling in astronomy and mathematics. The Minister of Personnel of the Qi State, Xin Shu, invited him to serve as a junior official, and Prince Rui of Zhao County valued his virtues and wanted to recommend him for an official position, but he declined, citing illness as the reason. Shi Kai also appreciated him and wanted to recommend him to the court for the position of National Teacher, but Li Shiqian firmly refused, thus managing to avoid an official position. After the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, Li Shiqian just wanted to live a simple life and never hold an official position again.
He lost both of his parents at a young age, never drank alcohol nor ate meat, and never said anything hurtful. Even when relatives and friends came to visit, he always arranged food and drinks, sitting properly to entertain them, never once feeling tired throughout the day. The Li family was a prominent family, and during the spring and autumn sacrifices, the family would hold grand banquets where everyone would get drunk and celebrate heartily. During one family gathering, Li Shiqian was also present. The table was laden with a sumptuous spread, but he first served millet and then said to the clan members, "Confucius said millet is the king of the five grains, and Xunzi also said to eat millet first. This is the tradition of our ancestors; how can we go against it?" The elders and juniors all showed their respect and refrained from any disrespectful behavior. After the banquet, everyone said to each other, "After meeting Mr. Li today, we realized how lacking we are!" Upon hearing this, Li Shiqian reflected on his own actions and said, "How could I let people look down on me and come to this point!"
Li Shiqian came from an affluent family, but he lived a frugal life and always used his money to help others. When a family in the county couldn't afford a funeral, Li Shiqian would take the initiative to lend a hand. If there were disputes between brothers over dividing property, Li Shiqian would use his own money to support the one with less, ensuring they had an equal share. The brothers felt embarrassed, yielded to each other, and eventually made amends. If a cow strayed into his fields, he would guide it to a shaded spot to feed, caring for it even more than the cow's owner. When he noticed someone stealing his crops, he quietly chose to walk away. When a servant in his household stole food, Li Shiqian reassured him, saying, "You did this out of necessity; there's no need to blame yourself." And then he let him off. One of his servants got into a fight after drinking with a local man, and the man accidentally killed the servant in a scuffle. Fearing the consequences, the man confessed to Li Shiqian, who replied, "You didn't intend to kill him; there's no need to apologize! But you should get out of here and avoid getting caught by the authorities." Li Shiqian was known for his kindness and generosity.
Later, Li Shiqian lent several thousand shi of grain to the villagers. That year, the crops failed, and the villagers couldn't repay their debts. They all came to thank him. Li Shiqian said, "My family has plenty of grain, and I wanted to help everyone, not to make money!" So, he called the debtors, hosted a banquet, burned the IOUs in front of everyone present, and said, "All debts are forgiven; no need to worry about them anymore." Then he sent everyone home. The next year, there was a good harvest, and the debtors came to repay the money, but Li Shiqian refused to take a single cent. Several years later, a major famine struck, and many people died of hunger. Li Shiqian took out all his family's assets to cook porridge for the villagers, saving nearly ten thousand lives. He also collected and buried the deceased, leaving no one behind. In the spring, he distributed grain seeds to the poor. The farmers of Zhao County were grateful to him, touching their children and saying, "These are the blessings left by General Li!" Someone said to Li Shiqian, "You've done so many good deeds and built up a lot of merit." Li Shiqian replied, "What do you mean by virtue? It's like ringing in the ears; only you can hear it, and others don't know." "I have done all these things, and you young man know about them all. So, where's the hidden gain in all this?"
Shi Qian is skilled at discussing profound concepts. Once, a guest sat next to him and did not believe in the Buddhist theory of cause and effect, thinking that the Buddhist teachings have no basis in other texts. Shi Qian gave him an example and said, "Doing good brings blessings, while doing bad brings misfortune; high positions and great fortunes await those who are deserving, and those who sweep tombs and offer sacrifices hope to see the souls of their loved ones. Aren't these manifestations of karma? The Buddhist scriptures say that all beings are reincarnated in the five paths, endlessly, just as Jia Yi said: the world is full of endless changes, and people can suddenly transform into anything. Before Buddhist thoughts were introduced to China, some wise individuals had already grasped this concept. Like Gun turning into a yellow bear, Du Yu turning into a cuckoo, Bao Si turning into a dragon, Niu Ai turning into a wild beast, a gentleman turning into a swan, a villain turning into a monkey, Peng Zu turning into a pig, Ruyi turning into a dog, Huang Mu turning into a turtle, Emperor Xuanwu turning into a soft-shelled turtle, Deng Ai turning into an ox, Xu Bo turning into a fish, Ling Xia turning into a crow, a scholar turning into a snake, and Yang Hu's past life was the son of the Li family... Aren't these examples of beings transforming into different forms, as Buddhism describes?" The guest said, "Xing Zi once said, 'How could a pine tree turn into an oak after it dies? I think his explanation is correct.'" Shi Qian said, "That's complete nonsense. All changes in everything come from the heart; where do trees get a heart?" The guest also asked about the merits and flaws of the three teachings: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Shi Qian said, "Buddhism is the sun, Taoism is the moon, and Confucianism is like the five stars." The guest couldn't argue back and had to concede.
Shi Qian liked to write poems that expressed his emotions throughout his life, but he always destroyed them after writing, never showing them to anyone. He once discussed punishments; although the complete article has been lost, the general content was as follows: "The laws established by emperors of all generations vary with the changes of the times; they can be adjusted according to the situation, but cannot be completely overturned all at once. Now, if someone commits a serious crime, they are sentenced to death, which is both cruel and ineffective as a deterrent. There's an old saying: 'If people do not fear death, they cannot be scared by it.' I believe that corporal punishment should be applied for such crimes; the first offense should result in the offender losing a toe, and the second offense should result in the amputation of the right wrist. Exiled criminals should have three fingers of their right hand amputated, and if they offend again, their wrist should be amputated. Thieves should receive facial tattoos, and if they offend again, the three fingers they used to commit the crime should be cut off; if they still do not show remorse, their wrist should be amputated, and so on, with no mercy shown. For those rascals, they should be exiled to border areas, as they are the troublemakers disrupting social order; this will only invite invasions by barbarian tribes, which is not an effective way to govern. Gambling and entertainment are the root of theft; if prohibition proves ineffective, then tattooing should be implemented, perhaps this can effectively deter it." Many knowledgeable individuals found his governance philosophy quite reasonable. In the year 588 AD, Li Shi Qian finally passed away at home at the age of sixty-six. When the people of Zhaojun heard the news, everyone cried and said, "We are still alive, but Captain Li has left us!" More than ten thousand people came to attend his funeral. His neighbors Li Jingbo and others, because of Li Shi Qian's noble character, erected a monument for him at his gravesite and wrote to the Ministry of Personnel requesting the court to grant him a posthumous title, but this request ultimately did not succeed.
Li Shiqian's widow, Lu of the Fanyang Lu family, was also a virtuous woman. After her husband passed away, she did not take a single cent of the inheritance he left, telling the elders of the village, "My husband was generous and charitable during his lifetime. Even though he has passed away now, how could I go against his wishes now?" She then distributed five hundred shi of grain to the poor.
Cui Kuo, styled Shixuan, was from Anping, Boling. His father, Cui Yuan, once served as the Sima of Yanzhou in Northern Qi. Cui Kuo became an orphan at a young age, and his mother's humble background meant he was overlooked by the local elite families. He initially served as a minor local official but faced humiliation repeatedly, which drove him to retreat to the mountains in frustration. He extensively read books in the mountains, becoming well-versed, and scholars in Shandong respected him. He later returned to his hometown but refused to respond to official summons. He was a lifelong friend of Li Shiqian, and they were often referred to as "Cui Li" by the people. After Li Shiqian's death, Cui Kuo was grief-stricken and wrote a biography for him, which he cherished. Lu, Li Shiqian's widow, often consulted Cui Kuo for advice on household matters. Cui Kuo had written extensively on the principles of justice, with profound insights, although many of his writings did not survive. During the Daye era, Cui Kuo passed away at home at the age of eighty years, leaving a son named Cui Ze.
Cui Ze, courtesy name Zu Jun, could write at the age of seven. Although he was short in stature, he had outstanding eloquence. During the Sui Kaihuang period, he was recommended by Prince Qin and participated in the examination, ranking at the top. He was summoned by the court to participate in the revision of the ritual music system and was appointed as a court official. Shortly after, he was promoted to assistant to the Minister of Ceremonies, and the Minister of Ceremonies, Su Wei, valued him highly. After his mother's death, he resigned from his official position to mourn for his mother, not drinking a drop of water for five days, demonstrating great filial piety. Later, he was appointed as a reader for the Prince of Henan and the Prince of Yuzhang, traveling back and forth between the two princes' residences every day. When the Prince of Henan was appointed as the Prince of Jin, Cui Ze was promoted to military secretary by the Prince of Jin, leaving the Prince of Yuzhang's residence. The Prince of Jin valued him greatly and even wrote to him, stating: "Back in the Han Dynasty, in the Western Capital, King Liang established vassal states and built grand palaces, attracting many talented individuals, creating a scene of prosperity. Magistrate Ma stepped down from his military post, and Mei Cheng also resigned from his position as Grand Administrator of Hongnong. Every time I read historical books, I find it odd that they gave up their prestigious positions to serve in vassal states. Now I see their noble ambitions. These two weren't just names in history!"
Your knowledge is profound, your memory exceptional, your inquiry thorough, and your vision far-reaching. Compared to the three boxes of books of the ministers of the Han Dynasty, your knowledge is as vast as traversing the Meng Mountains; compared to the five cartloads of books of the attendants of Prince Xiao of Liang, your knowledge is as expansive as the Cloud Dream Marsh. You are upright, respectful of the wise and talented, cherish talent, and are diligent and hardworking. You first followed in the footsteps of Guo Kui in building a palace to recruit talents, and often entertained guests with fine wine like Mu Sheng. Now you are once again opening up new territories, renewing your vows. Your territory is as large as seven hundred li, enclosing Qufu, with more than seventy cities surrounding Linzi, and large-scale development in Nanyang and the construction of Dongge has begun. I imagine you in the future riding in a splendid carriage, wearing long robes, sitting at a beautifully decorated banquet, wearing shoes adorned with pearls, singing the elegance of mountain laurel, and composing poems describing the lush bamboo forests and ponds. Your status is so honorable, your demeanor so elegant; it's truly wonderful—what greater joy could there be?
Looking up to the capital, missing the virtues of my ancestors, my talents pale in comparison to those granted by heaven, and I feel much more ashamed compared to Cao Zhi. This letter cannot fully express my thoughts; let's talk about it slowly in the future.
Reply:
I received your letter the day before yesterday, and I feel truly honored. I am overwhelmed with excitement. Your letter is rich with profound insights. I do not fully understand the 'Image and Commentary' and 'Appended Remarks' of the Book of Changes, and I may not fully grasp the intricacies of divination using the gua method. Even the rich records in the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas,' with Guo Pu's annotations, may not be fully detailed. Not to mention the colorful scenes and the harmonious sounds of various musical instruments; the cries of the phoenix cannot capture their essence, and the dragon's patterns cannot be compared with them. Wu Zha's interpretation of the 'Odes of Zhou' may not fully demonstrate its subtleties; who can truly appreciate the essence of 'White Snow in Early Spring' performed by the musicians of Ying?
You are the esteemed Highness, noble and distinguished, radiating brilliance. Your refined character surpasses that of the King of Dongping, and your literary achievements far exceed those of the King of Beihai. In the Han Dynasty, there were Sima Qian and Xiaowangzhi; in the Jin Dynasty, there were Pei Kai and Zhang Hua. They were all famous throughout the world, while I remain obscure; the difference between us is as vast as heaven and earth. My ancestors were once a son-in-law in the southern region of the Yan Kingdom and later wandered in the Heshuo region. I never sought fame or fortune, much less aspired to emulate Lin Xiangru! I have never studied hard; I have only read a single passage of "The Analects" and only a little bit of "Zhuangzi." Moreover, I am now aged, impoverished, and have achieved little in my studies; the knowledge I have learned has long been forgotten. I am like a sparrow attempting to measure up to a horse, like Xue Tan trying to rival a rooster; it is truly ignorant and overestimating oneself. To think of crossing the Beihai using the strength of Mount Tai to repay your kindness is no easy feat; wanting to use Kunlun Mountain to fill the pond to repay your grace is even more difficult.
However, your grace, akin to the Tongye seal of the Zhou Dynasty, like the Kang River nourishing the homeland, my family is flourishing, with talents emerging. The true dragon is soon to descend; who desires fame? Those who merely boast should depart early; there’s no need to heed their sweet words! Your grace is as boundless as rivers and seas, nurturing all life, like the king of rivers and seas, and no hills or mountains can compare. If Cao Zhi could hear your high opinions, he would not have died young; if Yang Xiu could receive your teachings, he would not have met a tragic end. I am profoundly grateful and hereby pen this letter to express my sentiments.
Yuzhang sent me a letter, along with fifty stones of rice, as well as clothes and money. At that time, he wrote most of the documents for the Jin Prince. After Wang Shichong entered the Eastern Palace, he was appointed as the commander of the Prince's household and soon promoted to be the chamberlain. After the Crown Prince Yuande passed away, he returned home due to illness. Later, he was summoned once more and appointed as the chamberlain.
In the fourth year of Daye, I followed the emperor to the Fenyang Palace, and then to Heyang Town. The county magistrate of Lantian, Wang Tan, discovered a jade figure on Lantian Mountain, standing three feet four inches tall, wearing a large-collared robe and a hat, and presented it to the emperor. The emperor asked the courtiers, but no one recognized it. I replied, "According to historical texts, before Emperor Wen of Han, there were no hats like this. This jade figure should have been made after Emperor Wen's time. I once read 'Records of the Temple on Song Mountain' by Lu Yuanming, the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Wei Kingdom, which states that divine beings made of jade take on human form and are only a few inches tall, appearing intermittently. When they appear, peace will last for a long time in the world. Your Majesty, in accordance with the will of heaven, has pacified the people and established a capital in Luoyang on Song Mountain. The mountain god himself has appeared. I humbly congratulate you!" Afterward, I bowed twice, and the other officials followed suit in congratulating him. The emperor was very pleased and granted me two hundred rolls of silk.
We followed the emperor to climb Taihang Mountain. The emperor asked me, "Where is the Yangchang Slope?" I replied, "According to the 'Book of Han: Treatise on Geography,' there is the Yangchang Slope in Huguan County in Shangdang." The emperor said, "No." I then replied, "According to the 'Book of Earth' by Huangfu Shian, there is the Yangchang Slope ninety miles north of Taiyuan." The emperor said, "Yes, that's it." Then the emperor said to Niu Hong, "Cui Zujun's 'Ask one to know two' refers to this person!"
In the fifth year of Daye, I was ordered to compile the 'Records of the Regions and Territories' with two hundred and fifty volumes along with other Confucian scholars, and presented it to the emperor. The emperor was not very satisfied and had Yu Shiji and Xu Shanxin revise it again, increasing it to six hundred volumes. Because my father passed away, I resigned from my official position, but was soon reinstated. During the Liaodong campaign, I was appointed as the Chief Historian for Yingyang, tasked with naming the counties in Liaodong. These were all my suggestions. I was also ordered to write the 'Records of the Eastern Expedition.' In the ninth year of Daye, I was appointed as the Chief Historian of Yue Wang. At that time, bandits were rampant in Shandong, and the emperor sent me to pacify Gaoyang and Xiangguo, resulting in the surrender of over eight hundred people.
In the twelfth year of Daye, I followed the emperor to Jiangdu. Yuwen Huaji assassinated the emperor and summoned me to be a writer, but I declined the position citing illness. I fell ill during the journey and passed away in Pengcheng at the age of sixty-nine.
Zi, I was on good terms with Yuan Shan in Luoyang, Liu Bian in Hedong, Wang Shao in Taiyuan, Yao Cha in Wuxing, Zhuge Ying in Langye, Liu Zhuo in Xindu, and Liu Xuan in Hejian. They often went on vacation together and spent all day in endless discussions.
He composed poems, essays, and inscriptions, amounting to over 100,000 words! He also wrote "Qawen Zhi" in seven volumes and "Baida Si Ke Zhi" in thirty volumes, but these works hadn’t been widely circulated before the incident in Jiangdu, where they were all reduced to ashes, which was truly a shame!
Xu Ze hailed from Tan County in Shandong. He had a calm demeanor and few desires since he was a child. He studied under Zhou Hongzheng, mastering the three classics: the Book of Changes, Laozi, and Zhuangzi, and was skilled in debate, gaining fame throughout the capital. However, he lamented, "Fame is a mere facade. Must I become its servant?" Thus, he contemplated seclusion and made his way to Jinyun Mountain with a cane. Later, hundreds of students implored him to teach them, but he turned them all down. He stayed single and wore simple clothes year-round. During the Taijian era of the Chen Dynasty, he was called to Zhenzhen Temple for a brief visit. A month later, he said his goodbyes and headed to Tiantai Mountain to meditate in the deep woods, surviving on pine nuts and water. Even in the biting cold of winter, he refused to wear cotton clothing. Grand Tutor Xu Ling even had a stele carved in his honor.
When he was on Mount Jinyun, Master Xu Jun of Taiji once said to him, "When you turn eighty, you will become the teacher of emperors, and only then will you attain enlightenment." Prince Jin Guang was stationed in Yangzhou, and after hearing about his reputation, personally penned a letter inviting him. In the letter, it was written, "The Tao embodies profound principles, adheres to natural laws, encompasses all things in heaven and on earth, and transforms everything in the world. If people promote the Tao, it will not be in vain. You cultivate virtue, embrace the mysterious, and discuss the unity of all things, deeply understanding the principles of the Tao and comprehending the methods. You possess a calm temperament and clear spirit, subsisting on pine nuts while living in seclusion in the mountains, anticipating the convergence of winds and clouds in Chicheng and controlling dragons and phoenixes to soar in Yutang. Even if you live in famous mountains and rivers, your influence reaches far and wide across the Jianghuai region, and your merits are commendable, which has me thinking of you day and night. I have long admired your Taoist practice and held you in deep reverence, longing to communicate with recluses like you, dreaming of visiting your hermitage. As the frosty winds grow colder and the sea air turns chilly, you are resting in the dense forest, and your spirit should also be rested and nurtured. In ancient times, the Four Haos of Mount Shang disregarded the Han court, and the Eight Lords of Huainan also came to the fief. Though ancient and modern times differ, the valleys remain; recluses in the market court have paved the way, promoting the ordinary and elucidating the sacred path. Besides you, who else can do it? Therefore, I have sent someone to extend a sincere invitation, hoping you won't need to prepare extensively and can simply agree, without needing to ride in a grand carriage to leave this secluded valley. I hope you will honor us with your presence, and I eagerly await your arrival."
Xu then told his disciples, "I am eighty-one years old this year. The Jin King has summoned me. This is the will of Xu, and it has truly come to pass." So he went to Yangzhou. The Jin King wanted to learn the Tao from him, but he declined, citing his inconvenient circumstances. Later in the evening, he instructed his attendants to bring incense and fire, and he performed his usual rituals. At dawn, he passed away, his body soft as if he were still alive, unchanged in appearance after being left for several months. The Jin King wrote, "Mr. Xu from Mount Tiantai by the East Sea, a hermit of virtue, noble character, transcendent and upright. He wore coarse hemp clothing, ate pine nuts, and lived in seclusion on Mount Ling for over fifty years. He possessed an extraordinary and refined temperament, noble bearing, and depth beyond measure. I admire his moral character and have long admired his virtue. I have sent people to invite him several times, hoping he would condescend to come and allow me to devoutly learn his Tao, forming a good connection. However, shortly after his arrival, in less than ten days, he grew weary of the world, ascended to immortality, and returned to the abode of the immortals. His body was soft, his appearance unchanged, just as the scriptures say, 'the corpse transforms into an immortal.' Even though the rites for the teacher have not been completed, his wish has been fulfilled. Even though he has ascended, I still feel sorrowful. I will handle all the funeral arrangements. The grand procession has already ascended into the clouds, and the empty coffin, why bother burying it? Only his cane remains, as a symbol of worldly customs; it should be sent back to Mount Tiantai for burial."
At that time, there was a person named Song Yuquan, who was from Jian'an; there was a person named Kong Daomao, who was from Kuaiji; and there was a person named Wang Yuanzhi, who was from Danyang. These three individuals also practiced fasting, living on pine nuts and drank mountain spring water, and Emperor Yang Guang held them in high regard.
Zhang Wenxu was from Hedong. His father, Zhang Ju, served as the magistrate of Huanshui County during the Kaihuang era and was known for his integrity and honesty. The family had thousands of books, which he used to educate his sons and nephews, all of whom passed the imperial examinations and achieved success. Zhang Wenxu was well-read, especially proficient in the "Three Rites," and was also well-acquainted with the "I Ching," "Book of Songs," "Book of Documents," and "Spring and Autumn Annals." He particularly liked Zheng Xuan's annotations, regarding them as exemplary of profound scholarship, and he also studied the differing interpretations of other Confucian scholars with great care.
Emperor Gaozu summoned famous Confucian scholars from all over the country, such as Fang Huiyuan, Zhang Zhongrang, and Kong Long, and appointed them as scholars. Zhang Wenxu was studying at the Imperial Academy at that time, and Huiyuan and others held him in great esteem. Many students came to him for advice on difficult questions, and Zhang Wenxu could always draw on classical texts and articulate his explanations fluently. The Minister of Justice Huang Fudan, who was esteemed by the prominent ministers at court, was referred to as a teacher by them. Once, Huang Fudan dressed his horse and visited Zhang Wenxu at the South Pavilion. Each time, Zhang Wenxu would walk with him while holding the horse, to demonstrate that he was not seeking to curry favor with the powerful. When the Right Supervisor Su Wei heard of his reputation, he summoned him and was very pleased after talking to him, urging him to take on an official position. However, Zhang Wenxu firmly refused as he had no desire to take on an official position. During the Ren Shou period, the Imperial Academy was closed, so Zhang Wenxu returned home, leaning on a cane, and took up farming. Despite being repeatedly invited by local governments to serve as an official, he always declined. He was renowned for his filial piety towards his mother and often inspired the villagers with his moral example, leading to an improvement in local customs. Once, someone tried to steal his wheat in the middle of the night, but when he saw it, he chose to avoid confrontation. The thief was moved by this act and left the wheat behind. Zhang Wenxu comforted him, promised not to disclose the incident, and allowed him to take the wheat. Several years later, the thief eventually confessed this incident to the villagers, and it became known to everyone.
The neighbor built a wall, feeling it was unfair, so Zhang Wenxu took the initiative to dismantle his own old wall in response. Zhang Wenxu once suffered from back pain, and a doctor claimed to be good at treating back pain. Zhang Wenxu let him treat him, but was accidentally cut and had to rest in bed. The doctor quickly confessed, and Zhang Wenxu sent him away and kept it from his wife, saying, "I felt dizzy yesterday and fell into a pit." He always covers up others' shortcomings in this way. The county wanted to give him some relief because of his poverty, but he refused. He often sighed during his leisure time, saying, "I'm getting older, worried that I won't be able to establish a good reputation!" He used a ruyi to knock on the table, creating a sound, and could accurately determine the location of the knock. People at that time compared him to Min Ziqian and Yuan Xian. He eventually died at the age of forty. The villagers erected a monument in his honor, calling him Mr. Zhang. Historians note that in ancient times, those recluses did not isolate themselves from society, did not remain silent, and did not hide their talents. They were calm and indifferent, neither confused nor overly aware, content with the present situation, adapting to the times, and treating all things equally. People like Shi Qian looked down on official positions and wealth, focusing on rural life. They lived in seclusion without violating filial piety, had integrity but did not isolate themselves from society, did not actively educate others but could offer subtle guidance, appearing to do little, but actually contributing a lot. They cared for the people like parents, treated their neighbors like relatives, and who else could achieve this without such pure and noble character? Look, Shi Qian doesn't feel happy when praised, Wenxu does not get angry when wronged, Xu Ze only wants to return to the countryside, not close to anyone but not distant, and no one can change their attitude towards them. They are all people with simple and honest hearts.
Cui Kuo chose to retreat into seclusion after feeling wronged, and this led to his reputation spreading far and wide; Zu Jun inherited a strong literary foundation from his ancestors, sufficient to bring honor to his family. Even though the father and son pursued different paths, they both found success in their own fields, which is quite remarkable!
