Yan Zhenqing (August 23, 709-784), whose real name was Chen Qing, alias Xianmenzi, alias Fang Ying, was born in Jingzhao Wannian (now Xi, Shaanxi), and his ancestral home was Langxie Linyi (now Linyi, Shandong). Yan Shigu V was a famous minister and outstanding calligrapher in Tang Dynasty.
Yan Zhenqing was a famous calligrapher in Tang Dynasty. In order to learn calligraphy, Yan Zhenqing first learned from Chu Suiliang, and then worshipped Zhang Xu as his teacher. Zhang Xu was a famous calligrapher in Tang Dynasty. He could write all kinds of fonts, especially cursive script. Yan Zhenqing hopes that under the guidance of this famous teacher, he will soon learn the tricks of writing and become famous at one fell swoop. However, Zhang Xu did not reveal any secrets of calligraphy after learning from a teacher. He just introduced some famous copybooks to Yan Zhenqing, and simply pointed out the characteristics of copybooks for Yan Zhenqing to copy. Sometimes, he takes Yan Zhenqing to climb mountains, go swimming, go to the market and go to the theatre. Let Yan Zhenqing practice calligraphy when he gets home, or watch him write calligraphy.
A few months passed in an instant, and Yan Zhenqing was so anxious that he couldn't come up with the secret of the teacher's calligraphy that he decided to ask the teacher directly.
One day, Yan Zhenqing stood up and said with a red face, "The students have something to ask. Please ask the teacher to teach them the secret of calligraphy."
Zhang Xu replied: "To learn calligraphy, one must' learn engineering', that is, study hard and practice hard; Second, we should "comprehend", that is, accept the inspiration of all natural phenomena. Didn't I tell you many times? "
Hearing this, Yan Zhenqing thought the teacher didn't want to teach secrets, and stepped forward. On him, he pleaded: "I know everything the teacher said, such as' engineering' and' understanding'." What I need most now is the secret recipe of the teacher's stunt, so please teach me. "
Zhang Xu still patiently enlightened Yan Zhenqing: "I saw the princess arguing with the porter and examining the brushwork. When I saw Gong Sundaniang dancing sword, I got the charm of writing. Apart from hard training, I have observed nature and nothing else. "
Then, he told Yan Zhenqing the story of Wang Xianzhi, the son of Wang Xizhi, a book sage in Jin Dynasty, practicing calligraphy. Finally, he said seriously, "If there is any secret to learning calligraphy, it is to study hard and practice hard. Remember, people who don't work hard won't achieve anything. "
Yan Zhenqing was greatly inspired by the teacher's teaching, and he really understood the learning methods. 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.