Sima Guang was filial to his parents, friendly to his brothers, loyal to the king, trustworthy, gentle, humble and upright.
Sima Guang's major achievements are reflected in his studies. Among them, the greatest contribution is to preside over the compilation of Zi Zhi Tong Jian. During the reign of Xining in Song Shenzong, Sima Guang strongly opposed Wang Anshi's political reform, and asked for a foreign post. In the fourth year of Xining (171), he was sentenced to Xijing Yushitai, and has lived in Luoyang for fifteen years since then, without asking about political affairs.
During this leisurely time, Sima Guang presided over the compilation of 294 volumes of nearly 4 million words of chronological history book Zi Zhi Tong Jian. Sima Guang's paradise is not only his apartment, but also the location of Zi Zhi Tong Jian Bookstore. The environment here is beautiful and the style is simple, which reflects the interest and pursuit of the owner.
His bookstore was established by imperial edict when he was in Bianjing. In addition to Sima Guang, famous scholars at that time, such as Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu, all participated in the work of the bookstore. Among them, Sima Guang was the editor-in-chief, Liu Shu, Liu Ban and Fan Zuyu were co-revisers, and Sima Kang, the son of Sima Guang, was responsible for reviewing the characters.
After Sima Guang came to Luoyang, he moved Zi Zhi Tong Jian Bookstore from the capital of song dynasty to Luoyang. Not only the staff of the bookstore lived in the park, but also famous people such as Er Cheng, Shao Yong and Wen Yanbo from Luoyang often came here to get together. It was an academic center.
Extended information:
Sima Guang devoted his whole life to the study of history and politics, and was not proud of literature. He commented that he was "not good at literature". However, his knowledge is extensive and profound, and he combines learning with writing articles, although he has no intention of writing for the sake of writing.
Sima Guang thinks that flashy poems are useless, because "everything is available, and literature is respected to carry Tao". What he praises is not poems piled up with rhetoric, but poems that are plain and carefree, expressing true temperament and true self.
There are not many calligraphy works left by Sima Guang. His handwriting is thin, vigorous and square, and every stroke and painting is very regular, even if it is long and large, it is not sloppy. Such a vigorous style of writing is similar to his loyal and rigorous personality.