The "Zhang Menglong Stele" is a masterpiece of stone carvings from the Northern Wei Dynasty. The calligraphy is mainly square brushes, and round brushes are also used. The palace in the knot is tightly closed, and the four sides are open in a radial shape. The lines are so varied that there seems to be no pattern to be found. The writing "follows one's heart" but never "does not exceed the rules". Famous masters of the past dynasties have highly praised this stele.
Qing Kang Youwei listed the "Zhang Menglong Stele" as "a top quality" in "Guangyi Zhou Shuangji" and said that "the structure is exquisite and the changes are unprovoked."
Yang Shoujing's "Xue Shu Yi Yan" said that "calligraphy is unrestrained and ancient, and the strange and the right complement each other. This is why the people of the Six Dynasties are superior to those of the Tang Dynasty."
Shen Zengzhi's "Hai Ri Lou Zha Cong" said, "The wind is strong and steep, and there is a beautiful scenery of Zhongliang, but the final painting is not stained by a single stroke of paint, which is different from other inscriptions on the Bei stele that express themselves freely." Naturally. The mottled stone flowers formed by molu add a hint of subtlety, depth and mystery to "Zhang Menglong Monument". From the Qing Dynasty to the present, many people have benefited from studying this stele, such as Zhao Zhiqian and Hong Yi, which fully proves that Kang's praise is justified.
Bao Shichen of the Qing Dynasty: The main book "Zhang Menglong" fully succeeded the great order, and "Longzang Temple" fully succeeded the right army. ("Yi Zhou Shuang Ji") Kang Youwei of the Qing Dynasty: The most prosperous stele in later generations is none other than the Tang Dynasty, where famous masters were outstanding and all styles coexisted. However, from my own perspective, it is not like that of the Wei Dynasty. The people of the Tang Dynasty paid most attention to structure, but the method of stretching and retracting back and forth. Among the monuments of the Tang Dynasty, which one can compare with "Yang Hui", "Jia Sibo", and "Zhang Menglong"! His writing style is rich and vigorous, and his moods are jumpy. The lengths and sizes are all due to their own style. The white lines are arranged in stages and batches, which is wonderful. The changes are contained in the order, and the wonders are hidden in the square. They are all extremely brilliant. He is the first in calligraphy skills. It can be said that man is extremely clever but nature's workmanship is wrong. ("Guang Yi Zhou Shuang Ji") Kang Youwei of the Qing Dynasty: "Zhang Meng Long" is the sect of orthodox metamorphosis. Just like Zhou Gong's etiquette system, everything is beautiful and good. ("Guang Yizhou Double Calligraphy") Kang Youwei of the Qing Dynasty: The structure of "Zhang Menglong Stele" is the best of calligraphers, with short and long pitches, each according to its body. I took "Zhang Menglong" from the main book, and each one has its own changes. ("Guang Yi Zhou Shuang Ji")