The top ten inspirational celebrity stories are as follows:
1. Jiang Shang
Because it is so long ago, Jiang Shang’s birth and death dates are unreliable. Legend has it that he lived to be 100 years old. This is a legend after all. But it is definitely okay to say that Jiang Taigong was a late bloomer. It's very representative and legendary, but maybe not many people have such luck. Of course, your own strength is also crucial.
When Jiang Shang was young, he slaughtered cattle and sold meat in Chaoge, the Shang capital (now Qixian County, Henan Province), and then went to Mengjin (now northeastern Mengjin County, Henan Province) to sell wine. Although he was poor, he had great ambitions, studied hard, and tirelessly studied and explored ways to govern and rejuvenate the country, hoping that one day he would be able to make great achievements and serve the country. It was not until his later years that he finally got the opportunity to display his talents.
While assisting King Wen of Zhou, Jiang Shang formulated a series of correct domestic and foreign policies to strengthen Zhou and destroy Shang. After the death of King Wen of Zhou Dynasty, King Wu Jifa succeeded to the throne and worshiped Jiang Shang as his national master, respectfully calling him Master Shangfu. Jiang Shang continued to assist the Zhou Dynasty in government affairs. In the eleventh year of King Wu's reign, King Wu raised his troops to attack Zhou and won a great victory in Muye. After the founding of the Zhou Dynasty, Jiang Shang was granted the title of Qi due to his meritorious service in destroying the Shang Dynasty, and his capital was Yingqiu (today's north of Linzi City, Linzi City).
There is an old saying in China: "Tai Gong met King Wen at the age of eighty." Probably an exaggeration. But I remember reading there that Jiang Shang was worshiped as a national master at the age of 72, which is more credible. Whether it is meeting King Wen at eighty or worshiping Prime Minister at seventy, it is enough to encourage each of us.
2. Wu Chengen
Wu Chengen has actually been famous in his hometown since he was a child. He was diligent and studious when he was a child. He is good at painting and calligraphy. He likes to write lyrics and music. He is also proficient in Go. He also likes to collect calligraphy and painting stickers of famous people. As a boy, he became famous in his hometown for his outstanding literary talent. However, his famous work "Journey to the West" was written very late.
He was born into a family where an academic official became a businessman, and his family was poor. Wu Cheng'en was extremely smart since he was a child. "Huai'an Prefecture Chronicles" records that he was "sensitive and intelligent, well-versed in books, and wrote poems and essays." However, he failed in the scientific examination, and he was not recognized as "Sui Gong Sheng" until middle age. Later, he lived in Nanjing, and for a long time he relied on selling literature to support his family.
In his later years, he became the Prime Minister of Changxing County due to his poor family. Because he could not stand the darkness of the officialdom, he soon resigned angrily and died in poverty. After the age of 30, he had already "filled his chest" with the anecdotes he was searching for, and he had plans to create.
When he was about 50 years old, he wrote the first dozen chapters of "Journey to the West", but then stopped for many years for some reasons. It was not until he resigned and returned to his hometown in his later years that he was able to officially publish "Journey to the West". creation. Wu Chengen, who lived in poverty all his life, worked hard to complete the famous "Journey to the West" at home and abroad. He passed away in about the tenth year of Wanli (82 years old) with a mixture of sadness and joy.
It is said that Wu Chengen officially wrote "Journey to the West" at the age of 72. For those of you who are older and have failed in academia, politics, or business, you may consider writing a novel, and maybe you can become a great master.
3. Chong'er (Jin Wengong)
In order to take refuge, the 43-year-old Jin Wengong began to live a life of exile. It can be said that he was a homeless person and suffered all kinds of hardships. This Spring and Autumn Overlord who was able to return to China after 19 years of traveling abroad and immediately dominated the Central Plains, his life is full of legends.
In 656 BC, Chong'er was persecuted by the Liji Rebellion and left Jiang, the capital of the Jin state, and went to Pucheng. His father Jin Xiangong sent Bo Di to murder Chong'er. Bo Di cut off Chong'er's sleeves. Chong'er managed to escape by climbing a wall and began his life in exile. In 636 BC (age 62), Duke Mu of Qin escorted Chong'er back to Jin. Chong'er ascended the throne and was called Duke Wen of Jin. After ascending the throne, he gained high prestige among the princes.
Wandering outside for 19 years, Duke Wen of Jin experienced all the ups and downs of the world. He defected to Qi, Cao, Chu, Qin and other countries successively. Some kings treated him with courtesy, while others gave him cold words.
In 633 BC, Shangqiu, the capital of the Song Dynasty, was surrounded by the Chu army. At the beginning of 632 BC (65 years old), Duke Wen of Jin led his troops to rescue the Song Dynasty. In order to repay the Chu State for its hospitality when he was in exile abroad, he ordered the army to retreat three houses (ninety miles) and was defeated in Chengpu (now south of Pu County, Shandong Province). Chu army. Duke Wen of Jin presided over the Jiantu Alliance and became the overlord. In the winter of 628 BC (69 years old), Duke Wen of Jin passed away.
4. Huang Zhong
Huang Zhong appeared late in the Three Kingdoms and became famous very late, but he may have been a little famous when he was young, but he did follow Liu Bei when he got old. He is famous for his actions, especially in the battle of Dingjun Mountain, where he killed the famous general Xia Houyuan and shocked the world. Later, he was named the rear general by Liu Bei, which may have a lot to do with this battle.
Huang Zhong had been serving Liu Biao of Jingzhou when he was young. He was appointed by Liu Biao as Zhonglang General and stationed in You County, Changsha (today's You County, Zhuzhou, Hunan, Huwen's hometown) with Liu Biao's nephew Liu Pan in 208 AD. In 1999, Cao Cao occupied Jingzhou and temporarily appointed him as General Pi. He was stationed at the same place and belonged to Han Xuan, the prefect of Changsha.
In 209 AD, Liu Bei attacked the counties in Jingzhou and occupied Changsha, Lingling, Guiyang, Wuling and other places. Huang Zhong surrendered to Liu Bei. In 211 AD (age 64), Huang Zhong followed Liu Bei to Sichuan and fought in Yizhou. He performed outstandingly and won the three armies bravely. After pacifying Yizhou, Liu Bei named him the general against the captives.
In 219 AD (72 years old), Liu Bei attacked Dingjun Mountain in Hanzhong. Huang Zhong killed Wei's battle-experienced guard Xia Houyuan in one battle. Cao's army was defeated miserably, and Huang Zhong became famous ever since. Later Huang Zhong was promoted to the general of Zhengxi. In 219 AD, Liu Bei established himself as the King of Hanzhong and appointed Huang Zhong as his general. In 220 AD, Huang Zhong died of illness at the age of 73 and was posthumously named Ganghou.
5. Murong Chui
Murong Chui bravely won the three armies since he was a child, and was deeply loved by his father Murong Huang. Later, he was forced to leave by Taifu Murong Ping, and he endured the humiliation and heavy burden under Fu Jian for decades. It was not until his beard and hair turned white that he reorganized the Yan family. He can be regarded as a late bloomer.
Murong Chui was the fifth son of Murong Wei, the founding emperor of the former Yan State, and his uncle. He was favored by Murong Huang and later appreciated by Murong Ke. He was once the commander-in-chief of the vanguard and the former king of Yan and Wu. In 369, Jin general Huan Wen led his army to attack Qian Yan and retreated at Fangtou. Murong Chui pursued him with 30,000 cavalry to Xiangyi (now Suixian County, Henan) and defeated the Jin army.
Later he was forced to leave by the Taifu Murong Ping, and he surrendered to the former Qin Dynasty with his wife. During the Battle of Feishui, the offensive was assigned to attack Xiangyang. He secretly preserved his strength and rebelled after the defeat of the former Qin Dynasty. Murong Chui united with Xianbei and Wuhuan to establish Later Yan, led an army of 200,000 to attack Ye, and captured Yecheng a year later.
He was proclaimed emperor in 386 (60 years old) and made his capital Zhongshan (Dingzhou City, Hebei Province). In 393 (67 years old), Murong Hong's Xiyan regime was eliminated. Due to the detention of the younger brother of King Tuoba Gui of the Northern Wei Dynasty, relations with the Northern Wei Dynasty, which was originally a vassal state, deteriorated. In 395 (69 years old), Prince Murong Bao conquered the Northern Wei Dynasty and was defeated in the Battle of Shenhepi. The following year, Murong Chui fought back, but died of illness during the expedition.
6. Qu Yuan
In fact, it may not be appropriate to describe Qu Yuan as a late bloomer, but I think the peak of Qu Yuan's literary achievements was indeed relatively late. This is related to his rough experience. In his early years, Qu Yuan wanted to be a loyal minister who would be loyal to his emperor and serve his country. Perhaps he could not devote too much energy to literature, but he was ostracized in the political arena. It was only after he was exiled that the great "Li Sao" came out.
In the twenty-fourth year of King Huai’s reign, Qin and Chu formed an alliance with Huangji, and Chu State completely fell into the arms of Qin. Qu Yuan was also expelled from Yingdu and arrived in northern Han Dynasty. , Thirty years after King Huai, Qu Yuan returned to Yingdu.
In the same year, Qin invited King Huai to meet at Wuguan. King Huai was detained by Qin and eventually died in Qin. After King Xiang of Chu came to the throne, he continued to implement the policy of surrender. Qu Yuan was expelled from Yingdu again and exiled to the south of the Yangtze River. , wandering between the Yuan and Xiang rivers. In the 21st year of King Xiang of Chu (62 years old), Qin general Bai Qi attacked Yingdu. Qu Yuan was so sad and angry that he sank into the Miluo River and sacrificed his political ideals.
The poet had spent most of his life writing "Li Sao". In order to realize his political ideals, he was constantly squeezed and attacked by the decadent aristocratic group. At this time, he was exiled again and reached the point where he had no way to save the country; and the Chu State was also brought from a promising country to the verge of destruction. Desperate situation.
The poet looked forward and backward, and was filled with emotion. He melted his deep feelings of persisting in struggle and failing to realize his patriotic ideals into this exciting poem.
"Li Sao" shows the poet's fighting spirit of dedicating himself to the motherland for his lofty ideals through the poet's unremitting struggle throughout his life and his steadfast action of sacrificing his ideals; it also expresses the poet's deep feeling of sharing the same fate with the motherland and the survival of the country. His patriotism; it also showed his glorious and pure personality that loves progress and hates darkness.
It is said that Qu Yuan is also one of the four major cultural celebrities in the world (along with Copernicus of Poland, Shakespeare of England, and Dante of Italy).
7. Liu Bang
Liu Bang should be regarded as a typical late bloomer.
In addition to being surprisingly lucky, I think he also has his own merits. In September of the first year of Qin II (209 BC), Liu Bang gathered a crowd in Peixian County to respond to Chen Sheng and Wu Guang's uprising, and he was called Peigong.
At this time, Liu Bang was already 47 years old. If you want to start a career today at the age of 47, you still feel old. A 47-year-old person more than 2,000 years ago may be equivalent to a 67-year-old person today. What's more, there is still a gap from a small cadre in a county to an emperor.
Liu Bang's revolutionary cause is progressing very rapidly. In October 206 BC (only 3 years ago), Liu Bang invaded Ba Shang. Prince Qin Ying surrendered and Qin was destroyed. After entering the Pass, Liu Bang abolished the harsh laws of the Qin Dynasty and made a three-part agreement with the elders in Guanzhong: "Those who kill will die, and those who hurt others and steal will not be punished." Therefore, he was welcomed by the people.
After Xiang Yu defeated the main force of the Qin army, Liu Bang followed Zhang Liang's advice and went to Hongmen in person, making humble remarks. Xiang Yu made Liu Bang the King of Han and ruled the Bashu and Hanzhong areas. Liu Bang was unwilling to let Xiang Yu monopolize the fruits of the revolution, so he led his army eastward and launched the four-year Chu-Han War. In the winter of the fifth year of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang invited Han Xin, Peng Yue and others to lead an army to besiege the Chu army at Gaixia.
Xiang Yu led his troops to break out of the encirclement and went to Wujiang River to commit suicide. In February of that year (55 years old), Liu Bang ascended the throne and established his capital in Luoyang. Soon it was moved to Chang'an, which was known as the Western Han Dynasty in history.
It is generally said that "from slave to general" means a person's leap, but Liu Bang completed the leap "from pavilion chief to emperor" in 8 years, which is even more impressive.
8. Gou Jian
Gou Jian inherited the throne at the age of 23. He defeated the powerful Wu State not long after he took the throne. He was very satisfied, but of course Gou Jian was still pretty good at this time. Go to "cheng". Because the powerful Wu State was waging bloody humiliation, a disaster immediately befell the young king and his country.
Helu was injured and died, and his son Fucha was determined to take revenge. Gou Jian took the initiative to attack Wu the following year. There was a fierce battle with Wu soldiers at Fujiao Mountain (now southwest of Wuxian County, Jiangsu Province), and the Vietnamese soldiers were defeated. Gou Jian withdrew his troops to Kuaiji Mountain (now south of Shaoxing, Zhejiang), and used Fan Li's strategy to beg for peace with Wu.
In the fifth year of Gou Jian's reign, he led his wife and minister Fan Li to the state of Wu, where he was sent as a hostage to Wu. When they arrived at the capital of Wu, Gou Jian endured the humiliation and bore the heavy burden, calling himself a humble minister. He treated the king of Wu with great courtesy, ate coarse grains and slept in a stable. , perform hard labor, "with a calf nose and a woodcutter's head; the wife wears clothes that have no destiny, and is given a jacket from Zuoguan."
Serve the husband carefully, be obedient, raise horses, and the wife provides water, Remove manure and sweep. For three years, he has not been sullen or resentful. Better than Fu Chai's servants.
Gou Jian returned to Vietnam in the seventh year (30 years old). After returning to the country, in order to encourage himself not to forget revenge and avenge his shame, he did not spread a mattress but put firewood on it when sleeping. A gall was hung in the room and had to be tasted before every meal. This is the origin of the allusion of "sleeping on fuel and tasting courage". Ten years of gatherings and ten years of lessons. Finally, Gou Jian took advantage of Wu's struggle for hegemony in the Central Plains and defeated Wu due to domestic emptiness and domestic natural disasters.
In the twenty-fourth year of Gou Jian's reign (47 years old), Wu Du was besieged for three years and the city was broken. Fu Chai committed suicide. Wu died. Later, Gou Jian took a boat and marched to the north. Song, Zheng, Lu, Wei and other countries surrendered, and moved their capital to Langya (today's Jiaonannan, Shandong). He formed an alliance with the princes of Qi and Jin, and was officially recognized as the overlord by King Zhou Yuan.
"Those who are determined can achieve success by fighting for success. If they lie on the firewood and taste their courage, three thousand Yue Jia can swallow Wu."
9. Qi Baishi
This famous art master in the modern Chinese painting world also started late and had a poor foundation. Qi Baishi grew up in a poor family and had been farming for generations. He only attended a private school with his grandfather before he was 12 years old. He cut firewood, herded cattle, farmed, and did all kinds of work. He learned carpentry at the age of 12 and carving at the age of 15 to earn money to support his family.
I only started to learn painting formally when I was 27 years old. At this time, no one, not even him, would have thought that he would become a master and receive a series of honors in the future.
It's hard to say when Qi Baishi could be called "Cheng". I think he was already famous when he was a young and middle-aged man, but what is certain is that he began to make bold breakthroughs after the age of 56. He became famous after changing his painting style.
In 1949, he was elected as a member of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and a member of the All-China Artists Association. In 1952, he was appointed as honorary professor of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, chairman of the Chinese Artists Association, research librarian of the Central Museum of Literature and History, chairman of the Beijing Chinese Painting Research Association, and honorary president of the Beijing Chinese Painting Academy. He was elected as a deputy to the first National People's Congress.
In 1953, he was awarded the title of "People's Artist" by the Central Ministry of Culture. In 1955, he was awarded the honorary certificate of "Corresponding Academician" by the German Democratic Republic and the Chinese Academy of Arts and Sciences.
In 1956, he won the 1955 International Peace Prize from the World Peace Council. In 1957, he served as the honorary president of the Chinese Painting Academy in Beijing and passed away on September 16 of the same year. He died at the age of 95.
10. Su Xun
It is said that when Su Xun was young, he did not study hard and spent his days in a muddle. He often raced horses and traveled around with a group of "husbands and dogs" until I didn't realize it until I was twenty-seven, so I studied hard.
After studying for more than a year, I thought I was ready, so I went to take the Jinshi exam, but I failed. This made him realize that learning is not easy, and you have to work hard to get results. From then on, he declined guests and studied behind closed doors, working day and night without letting go of the scroll. After studying so hard for five or six years, my literary talent finally improved greatly, and I could write thousands of words in an instant as if I was inspired.
In the first year of Renzong Jiayou's reign, he led Su Shi and Su Che to Bianjing to pay a visit to Ouyang Xiu, a Hanlin scholar. Ouyang Xiu admired his "Book of Quan", "Lun of Heng", "Several Strategies" and other articles, and thought they were comparable to those of Jia Yi and Liu Xiang, so he recommended them to the court.
For a time, officials and officials rushed to recite it, and its reputation became very popular. In the third year of Jiayou's reign, Renzong summoned him to take the examination in Sherenyuan, but he refused to answer the call because he was ill. In the fifth year of Jiayou's reign (52 years old), he was appointed as Secretary and Provincial Secretary.