Original text
Xizhi, the king of Jin Dynasty, had the courtesy name Yishao and Kuangzi. He was good at calligraphy at the age of seven. At the age of twelve, he read the "Bi Shuo" written by the previous generation in his father's pillow and secretly read it. His father said, "Why did you come to steal my secret?" Xi Zhi smiled and did not answer. My mother said, "Look at the way I use the brush." ??My father saw that he was young and feared that he would not be able to keep it a secret. He said to Xizhi: "When you become an adult, I will teach you." The father was happy and followed him. In the non-profit period ③, the book will be greatly improved. When Mrs. Wei saw it, she said to Taichang Wang Ce, "This boy must have seen the "Bi Jue" (4). After reading his book recently, he will have mature wisdom." She shed tears and said, "This boy must hide my name." During the reign of Emperor Jin, he offered sacrifices to the northern suburbs and made new blessings. Workers whittled them and penetrated the wood into three-thirds of the wood. Thirty-three, book "Lanting Preface". Thirty-seven, book "Huang Ting Jing". He said that he was really better than Zhong Yao. (Excerpt from "Shujuan·Wang Xizhi" by Zhang Huaiguan of the Tang Dynasty)
Translation
Wang Xizhi of the Jin Dynasty, whose name was Yishao, was the son of Wang Kuang, a calligrapher of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He was good at calligraphy at the age of seven. When he was twelve, he saw the "Bi Shuo" written by the previous generation under his father's pillow and stole it to read. His father said: "Why did you steal my secret book?" Wang Xizhi smiled but did not answer. His mother asked: "Are you looking at the brushwork?" His father saw that he was young and might not be able to understand it, so he told Xizhi: "When you grow up." I will teach you calligraphy when you are an adult." The father was very happy and immediately gave the book to him. In less than a month, my calligraphy has improved a lot. When Mrs. Wei found out, she told Taichang Wang Ce: "This child must have learned the secrets of using a pen. Recently, I saw his calligraphy, and he has become a master." She shed tears and said, "This child will definitely be more famous than me in the future." During the reign of Emperor Jin, sacrifices were held in the northern suburbs, and the blessing boards were changed. The craftsman's carving was written by Xizhi, with a three-point penmanship. Thirty-three wrote the "Preface to Orchid Pavilion", and the thirty-seventh wrote "Huang Ting Sutra". After finishing writing, someone said in the air: "I am moved by your calligraphy, but what about the world? I am the father-in-law of Tiantai, and I claim to be Zhen Sheng Zhong Yao. "Most of Xizhi's calligraphy is not a single font.
Explanation
①Bi Shuo: A book on calligraphy. ②Youling: The beautiful talent in childhood. ③Period month: a whole month. ④ Tips for using pen: A book on tips for writing. ⑤Lao Cheng: Sophisticated and mature. ⑥Cover: cover up. ⑦Zhuban: A wooden board used to worship gods.