Yu Shinan, a famous calligrapher in the Tang Dynasty, has three copies of Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, one of which was copied by Yu Shinan. Because of his great fame as a calligrapher, few people know that he is also a teacher of Li Shimin, and he is also a teacher highly respected by Li Shimin.
As we all know, Li Shimin fought in the army when he was young, and he had little time to settle down and study. After becoming emperor and bidding farewell to his long-term life abroad, Li Shimin made up his mind to study hard, so he carefully selected two teachers to teach himself, one of whom was Yu Shinan.
There were many talents in the Tang Dynasty. Why did Li Shimin choose Yu Shinan? Just because of his calligraphy? Of course not.
Yu Shinan was very, very smart since he was a child and was regarded as a child prodigy. However, unlike other prodigies, he has a mature and introverted temperament, works calmly and quietly, and often studies his knowledge silently alone, even for a question for dozens of days. When he was a teenager, he followed Gu Yewang, a famous scholar, and he studied for more than ten years, which shows how tolerant he is. But it was this bookworm who dared to die for his brother in the turmoil at the end of Sui Dynasty.
Yu Shinan's brother Yu Shijie was also very intelligent since childhood, but they were very different in personality. Yu Shijie was eager for quick success and quick success. He became a senior official of the Sui Dynasty very early. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, there was turmoil, and Yu Wenhuaji staged a coup, killing people. First, he killed Emperor Yangdi, then Yu Shijie and some court officials. The scene was bloody. If he was a weak scholar, he would have been paralyzed and weak, but Yu Shinan was not intimidated.
after hearing this, Li Shimin admired Yu Shinan and hired him as an 18th bachelor. Later, he often accompanied Li Shimin to study, and his talent was gradually known by Li Shimin and his character was gradually understood by Li Shimin: a weak-looking person may be stronger and grander than anyone else.