Li Shimin "learned from Yu Shinan" and "often discussed books with Yu Shinan"; Among the great calligraphers of the previous generation, he admired the "two kings" most. According to historical records, Li Shimin personally wrote a biography of Wang Xizhi, and spared no expense to search for 3,6 pieces of ink of the "King" (namely Wang Xizhi). "A Brief History of Books" also called him: "The official script, flying white, won two kings' laws, especially good at ancient posts, almost realistic."
The Tang Dynasty was an extremely powerful and unified feudal empire in Chinese history, which reached a historical peak in economic and cultural aspects, especially in literature and art.. When it comes to calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty, especially in the early Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin is a key figure. He was not only an outstanding politician, a great monarch, but also a calligrapher with great artistic accomplishments. As the supreme ruler at that time, he devoted himself to advocating and popularizing China's calligraphy (especially Wang Xizhi's calligraphy), which played a great historical role in promoting the establishment of a generation of calligraphy atmosphere.
Taizong Li Shimin likes calligraphy, especially Wang Xizhi's. I often take time to study in my spare time, and often "learn the orchid pavilion with candles at midnight", even in the military, I also write "simplified board and immediately", and my obsession is so intense. In order to better study and study Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, he devoted great efforts to extensively searching for the authentic ink of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy in the society. After he got the original Preface to the Lanting Pavilion, he ordered Feng Chengsu, Zhuge Zhen, Han Daozheng, Zhao Mo and others of Hong Wen Pavilion to copy it with double hooks and give it to the kings and ministers. In addition, Ou Yangxun was ordered to copy, which is the famous Preface to Lanting, which was handed down by later generations. "A Tale of Sui and Tang Dynasties" contains: "Taizong is the Prince's Day, and it is a surprise to see (Preface to Lanting). It is the expensive book Lanting, which is not meaningful in the end. Knowing that it was in the defense division, Xiao Yi got it from Yuezhou, and entered the Qin government with Wude for four years. Ten years of Zhenguan is to expand ten books to give modern ministers. When the emperor collapsed, the Chinese book ordered Chu Suiliang to play:' Lanting was valued by the first emperor, so you can't stay.' So it is close to Zhaoling. "Because Emperor Taizong strongly admired and advocated learning Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, it had a certain influence and function on the calligraphy style in the Tang Dynasty. He said in "Wang Xizhi's Biography": "Examine the ancient and modern times in detail, study the seal elements intensively, and be perfect. Is it only Wang Yi?" It can be seen that he has a deep preference for Xi's calligraphy. Under his vigorous advocacy, learning calligraphy became a common practice in the society for a while, and many outstanding great calligraphers appeared. For example, the "four outstanding figures in the early Tang Dynasty" (Ou Yangxun, Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang and Xue Ji) are among them. Li Shimin also established the Hong Wen Pavilion, initiated calligraphy, and stipulated that "art should be an official". The adoption and implementation of this series of measures have effectively cultivated and strengthened the social mass base of calligraphy.