Preface to Lanting, also known as Preface to Lanting Collection, Preface to Lanting, Preface to He Lin, Preface to Rang and Papering, was written by Wang Xizhi, a calligrapher in Jin Dynasty. His calligraphy has a high artistic value, and it is called the three major calligraphy posts together with Yan Zhenqing's "A Letter to My Nephew" and Su Shi's "Cold Food Post".
Preface to Lanting is the masterpiece of Wang Xizhi, a general of the right army in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, when he was 5 1 year old. This paper describes the spectacular scene of his meeting with many dignitaries and literati in the dynasty, and expresses his sigh about life and death. Under the mountain, beside the bamboo forest, Maolin gulped down and splashed ink. Calligraphy is vigorous and elegant. It has always been regarded as the best in calligraphy. Mi Fei, a great calligrapher in Song Dynasty, called it "the first post of China's running script". Therefore, Wang Xizhi was also honored as a "book saint" by later generations. Later generations are full of praise for his calligraphy art: "graceful stippling, flowing clouds", "the breeze comes out of the sleeve, the moon falls in my arms" and "floating like clouds, agility scares the dragon". Legend has it that Wang Xizhi later wrote Preface to Lanting, but it was not as good as the original. Therefore, the manuscript of Preface to Lanting has always been regarded as a family heirloom by Wang Xizhi and collected by Wang's descendants. In the seventh generation of Wang Xizhi, he was "cheated" into the court by Emperor Taizong and Li Shimin. After receiving Preface to Lanting, Emperor Taizong wrote several books for Zhao Mo, Feng Chengsu, Yu Shinan and Chu Suiliang. Therefore, the original Preface to Lanting was regarded as a rare treasure by Emperor Taizong, and it was finally sacrificed, which made future generations pay homage to the original work of Lanting Preface. It is also indisputable that it was named as the first calligraphy post of China.