Study hard and train hard
When Yan Zhenqing was three years old, his father died of illness. He was educated by his mother, Mrs. Yin. Later, Mrs. Yin took him south and lived in his grandfather's house. Grandpa is a painter, and Yan Zhenqing is very clever. He likes him and teaches him to read and write.
Yan Zhenqing practices calligraphy very carefully, and writes most of the day.
On the one hand, Mrs. Yin is gratified that the children study hard and practice hard, on the other hand, she is worried about money. Difficulties at home make it difficult for Yan Zhenqing to buy paper, ink, pens and inkstones for practicing calligraphy. But I don't want to delay my children's education, and my hair is gray.
Knowing his mother's sufferings, Yan Zhenqing thought of a way to tell Mrs. Yin not to worry about buying him a pen and paper.
Mrs. Yin asked, "Where can I practice calligraphy without spending money?"
Yan Zhenqing held up the bowl and the brush and said, "The bowl is inkstone, the brush is a pen, and the yellow mud in the bowl is ink. As for paper, this whole wall is covered. "
After that, Yan Zhenqing practiced writing on the wall. When the wall is full, he washes it off with clean water. With this persistence and diligence, Yan Zhenqing's handwriting is getting better and better every day.
Yan Zhenqing was a 26-year-old Jinshi, and later entered the DPRK as an official. When Yan Zhenqing was appointed as the magistrate of Liquan County, he was busy with official business and still did not give up practicing calligraphy. Although his calligraphy had made some achievements at that time, he was praised by everyone.
However, Yan Zhenqing is not arrogant. He thinks that there are mountains outside the mountains and people outside. He should work harder and learn from his teacher. Later, he resigned, took some words he had written, and rushed to Luoyang to learn from the great calligrapher Zhang Xu.
In fact, Yan Zhenqing resigned more than once, and when he first went there, Zhang Xu didn't accept him. I think the situation is not good now, and Yan Zhenqing should do more for the country. Later, Yan Zhenqing resigned again to learn from the apprentice. Zhang Xu lamented his persistence and sincerity and finally accepted the apprentice.
When studying with Zhang Xu, Yan Zhenqing was modest and eager to learn. Anyone who doesn't understand will politely ask Zhang Xu for answers. Under the guidance of Zhang Xu, Yan Zhenqing's calligraphy became more and more refined, creating a "face" and eventually becoming a great man.