1. Digging graves to steal art
Zhong Yao was born in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He was very dedicated and enthusiastic about the study of calligraphy, almost to the point of madness. It is said that he once studied in Baodu Mountain. In order to practice calligraphy well, he wrote all the rocks and trees in the mountain black. Once, he was discussing calligraphy brushes with Cao Cao, Wei Dan and others. He was so interested that he kept copying the drawings before going to bed, and even cut several holes in the quilt.
Wei Dan was also a calligrapher at that time. It is said that he had the "Bi Lun" written by Cai Yong, a great calligrapher of the Eastern Han Dynasty, so his calligraphy level was very high. People at that time praised his calligraphy and considered it The first calligrapher of his time. Zhong Yao wanted to borrow this "Bi Lun" from Wei Dan, but Wei Dan refused and refused again and again. Zhong Yao was so angry that he beat his chest and vomited blood. Fortunately, Cao Cao saved his life with the Five Spirit Pills. After Wei Dan passed away, Zhong Yao sent someone to dig out the book from the grave, studied it repeatedly, and finally understood the secret of using the pen.
2. Grass Saint Zhang Xu
Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty once issued a rare edict to the whole country: Li Bai's poems, Zhang Xu's cursive script, and Fei Min's sword dance can become The "Three Wonders" of the world.
As soon as the edict arrived in Luoyang City, it immediately caused a sensation among the learned people. They all congratulated Zhang Xu and congratulated him on winning the highest award for his outstanding efforts. Zhang Xu bowed his head and thanked them all, and hosted a banquet in honor of Luoyang celebrities. At the banquet, someone suggested that Zhang Xu talk about the secret of perfect cursive writing. Zhang Xu refused and said modestly: "Everyone is laughing at me. I know I am humble. The emperor's reward is well deserved. When it comes to the secret, it is nothing more than this. The word 'careful'"
Zhang Xu pondered for a moment, and he suddenly remembered the poem "Watching Gongsun's disciples dance with swords" written by Du Shaoling, and then said: "Shaoling once said to Gongsun's disciples. Sword Dancer wrote a poem, in which four lines are said: "It is as fierce as Yi shooting at the nine sunsets, and it is as powerful as the dragons flying; it comes like thunder and collects its wrath, and it ends like the clear light of the river and the sea." I think you all know it. >
In Ye County, I was lucky enough to see Mrs. Gongsun’s dancing posture. Every time I saw it, it aroused my imagination: she waved her left hand over, and I immediately touched what the gesture looked like this time; she jumped. Rotating, I think the galloping strokes of "Zhi Zhuan" in cursive writing should be like this! Her whole dancing posture and sound inspired me with a comprehensive cursive writing structure.
About the first year of Chui Gong (685) or a little before, Zhang Xu was born in a family of high status and learned calligraphy from his uncle Lu Yanyuan. When he was older, Zhang Xu entered the official position through application or recommendation, and was promoted to Changshu County Lieutenant. In the early years of Kaiyuan or a little before, Zhang Xu's calligraphy skills were already well-established and he was admired by Wu Daozi, who then asked Zhang Xu for advice on calligraphy. ?
In the thirteenth year of Kaiyuan (725), Zhang Xu was in Luoyang and probably served as the governor of Zuo Led Prefecture. At this time, Zhang Xu's calligraphy had reached a high level and was known as one of the "Three Wonders" along with Li Bai's poetry and Pei Min's sword dance. Later, Zhang Xu served as the chief historian of Jinwu, so people often called him "Zhang Changshi".