"Sacrifice to My Nephew" can be said to be the most special one among Yan Zhenqing's many works. Its brushwork is arbitrary, in one go, because it is full of strong grief and indignation. I think, if another calligrapher wrote it to understand the pain experienced by Yan Zhenqing, he would also write this emotional poem "Sacrificing a Nephew". This manuscript of Sacrificing a Nephew was not written by Yan Zhenqing, but it may be different. However, in anger and sadness, emotions have already spread through handwriting. We should not be limited to discussing the structure of individual words, but also be moved by the emotions and stories behind calligraphy.
What's more, although the running script is sloppy, it is by no means equivalent to an ugly book at sixes and sevens. It can only be said that there is a threshold for appreciating calligraphy. When we can't accept the running script and get used to reading straight Chinese characters, we will feel that the manuscript of Sacrifice to My Nephew, as a running script, is too scattered and messy. As an art form, calligraphy is extremely important for expressing inner feelings. It coincided with the Anshi Rebellion. As a minister, Yan Zhenqing was ordered to quell the unrest, and together with his elder brother Yan Gaoqing, he led troops to crusade against rebels and ministers. Unfortunately, more than 30 Yan family members were arrested and killed, including his brother and little nephew. Yan Zhenqing wrote this manuscript of Sacrificing a Nephew with great indignation.
Only looking at the spirit without looking at the font is the real appreciation of calligraphy, and the manuscript commemorating my nephew is the top grade in love.