Sun Guoting's "Shupu", the original text and translation (with annotations of Gaoshan Liuyun 2023.02.21) are as follows:
1. Original text
The husband has been since ancient times Among those who are good at calligraphy, there are Zhong and Zhang in the Han and Wei dynasties, and they are called the two kings in the late Jin Dynasty. Wang Xizhi said: "After a quick search of famous books, Zhong and Zhang Xin are the most outstanding, and the rest are not enough." It can be said that Zhong and Zhang Yun disappeared, and Xi and Xian succeeded them. He also said: "My book is compared to Zhong Zhang, Zhong should resist, or it can be said to be better. Zhang Cao is like a flying goose.
However, Zhang is very skilled, and the water in the pool is exhausted, so I would like to let others hesitate like this. , I may not thank him." This is the intention of recommending Zhang Maizhong. Examining his expertise, although he failed to achieve the result according to the previous rules, he has mastered all aspects, so he is not ashamed of what he is doing now. A commentator said: "The four sages among them are outstanding in ancient and modern times; today we do not catch up with the ancients, but study the ancient quality and study the present." Although the deed is written in writing, it is suitable for recording words; but once Chunxian moved, the quality and writing changed three times, and the evolution was rapid, the physics is always the same.
Second, Translation
As for people who are good at calligraphy since ancient times, during the Han and Wei dynasties, there were Zhong Yao and Zhang Zhi who had outstanding calligraphy skills, and at the end of the Jin Dynasty, Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi’s ink work is exquisite. Wang Xizhi said: "I have recently studied the calligraphy of famous masters. Zhong Yao and Zhang Zhi are indeed outstanding, and the rest are not worth watching." It can be said that after the death of Zhong Yao and Zhang Zhi, Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi succeeded them.
Wang Xizhi also said: "Compared with Zhong Yao and Zhang Zhi, my calligraphy is on par with Zhong Yao, or slightly surpasses him. Zhang Zhi's cursive calligraphy can be compared with his; because Zhang Zhi's cursive calligraphy is comparable to his. Zhi is skilled in studying and studying in the pond, and the water in the pond can be dyed black. If I work hard and study hard like him, I may not be able to catch up with him." This is the meaning of recommending Zhang Zhi and thinking that he is better than Zhong Yao.
Looking at the calligraphy expertise of Wang Xizhi and his son, although they have not yet fully realized the rules of their predecessors, they are able to learn a wide range of calligraphy styles and are worthy of the cause of calligraphy. Calligraphy critics said: "These four talented calligraphy masters can be said to be: unique in ancient and modern times.
But the modern people (the two kings) are not as good as the ancients (Zhong, Zhang), and the calligraphy of the ancients is The fashion is simple, and today's calligraphy style is beautiful." However, the simple fashion has emerged with the development of the times, and the beautiful style has also changed with the changes in the world.