Yan's calligraphy became famous in Beijing in the 29th year of Guangxu (1903).
This year, the restoration of the Summer Palace in Beijing was completed, and the prince in charge of supervision asked for the inscription "Summer Palace" at the door of the book. There are many good calligraphers in Beijing, and the major Hanlins compete to give books. Empress Dowager Cixi felt dissatisfied after reading it. At this time, it happened that Yan was awarded the Beijing Museum and was recommended to participate in the application for the World Heritage. Yan has been deeply studying calligraphy, learning from Wang Xizhi for many years and absorbing the essence of calligraphers in Han, Wei, Jin and Tang Dynasties. So he wrote the word "Summer Palace" by combining lines and letters, which was praised by a good calligrapher in the capital of Qing Dynasty and greatly appreciated by Empress Dowager Cixi, so he ordered him to put 18 plaques and 23 couplets on the halls and pavilions of the bookstore. Afterwards, Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Jia Mian and gave Yu Zhang a "Chen reward". As soon as the news came out, the Beijing calligraphy circle was shocked. For a time, Yan became famous all over the world, and people came to ask for books and advice in an endless stream. But he said modestly, "I have gained a false reputation in my life, and I am ashamed of it."