How did Yan Zhenqing learn calligraphy?

Yan Zhenqing lost his father when he was a child, and his family was poor. But he is diligent and studious, and he keeps practicing calligraphy. In order to learn calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing first learned from Chu Suiliang, and later worshipped Zhang Xu. Zhang Xu was the leading calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty, and he could write in all kinds of fonts, especially in cursive script. Yan Zhenqing hopes that under the guidance of this famous teacher, he will soon learn the tricks of writing, thus becoming famous in one fell swoop.

But after his apprenticeship, Zhang Xu didn't reveal any secrets of calligraphy. He just introduced some famous copybooks to Yan Zhenqing, and simply pointed out the characteristics of copybooks for Yan Zhenqing to copy. Sometimes, he took Yan Zhenqing to climb mountains, go swimming, go to the market and go to the theatre. When he got home, he asked Yan Zhenqing to practice calligraphy, or watched him write calligraphy.

A few months passed quickly, and Yan Zhenqing was worried that he couldn't get the secret of the teacher's calligraphy. He decided to ask the teacher directly. One day, Yan Zhenqing was brave and blushed and said, "The students have one thing to ask, so please ask the teacher to teach them the secrets of calligraphy." Zhang Xu replied: "To learn calligraphy, one must' study engineering', that is, study hard and practice hard; Second, we must "comprehend", that is, accept inspiration from all the natural phenomena. Haven't I told you this many times? "

Hearing this, Yan Zhenqing thought that the teacher was unwilling to teach the secret, and took a step forward. Upon him, he pleaded, "I know all the truth about the teacher's' engineering' and' understanding'. What I need most now is the secret of the teacher's stunt, so please teach me." Zhang Xu still patiently enlightened Yan Zhenqing: "I saw the princess fighting for the road with the porter, but I saw Gong Sundaniang dancing the sword, and I got the charm of writing. There was nothing but hard training to observe nature. Then he told Yan Zhenqing the story of Wang Xianzhi, the son of Wang Xizhi, a scholar of Jin Dynasty, practicing calligraphy, and finally said seriously:" If there is any' secret' in learning calligraphy, it is to study hard and practice hard. Remember, people who don't work hard will not achieve anything. " Yan Zhenqing was greatly inspired by the teacher's teaching, and he really understood the way to learn. From then on, he studied hard, studied hard, learned the charm of calligraphy from life, made rapid progress, and finally became a great calligrapher, ranking first among the four calligraphers.