Wang Mian (1287-1359), a famous painter and poet in the Yuan Dynasty, was named Yuanzhang (first authored as Yuansu), also known as Zhuzhai, Zhuishishanong, Fanniuweng, and the owner of Meihua House. A descendant of Haoshan. He was fond of studying since he was a child. He would herd cows during the day, break into the school and listen to the students reading. He would return in the evening and forget about his cows. His father would angrily tarry them, and then he would relapse. My mother was willing to listen to what he had done, so she went to Yiseng Temple and sat on the Buddha's lap every night, reading under the light of a long bright lamp. Later he studied from Kuaiji scholar Han Xing and eventually became a master of Confucianism. However, he repeatedly failed in the exams and burned his career-building articles. He behaves differently from ordinary people. He always wears a high hat, a green raincoat, wooden sandals, and carries a wooden sword. He sings loudly and goes back and forth in the city. Or riding an ox, holding the Book of Han and reciting it, people look at it with madness. Li Xiaoguang, a writer, wanted to recommend him as a government official, but Mian declared: "I have fields to cultivate and books to read, but I hold my case in front of the court day and night to serve as an enslavement envoy!" Then he went to Soochow, entered Huaichu, and experienced View famous mountains and rivers. When traveling to Dadu, my old friend and secretary Qing Tai Buhua wanted to recommend him to a library job, but he refused and returned to his hometown south. He lived in seclusion in Jiuli Mountain in Kuaiji, planted thousands of plum blossoms, and built three thatched cottages. He named himself "Plum Blossom House" and called himself the owner of the Plum Blossom House. He made a living by selling paintings. He built a small boat and named it "Duckweed Pavilion" and placed it in Jianhu Lake. , let it stop. They also planted plums and bamboos, played the harp and composed poems, drank wine and roared. Zhu Yuanzhang pacified Wuzhou, captured Yuezhou, and stationed troops in Jiuli Mountain. After hearing its name, he scouted for it, set up a shogunate, and gave him a consultation to join the army, but he did not do so. In the 19th year of Zhizheng reign of Emperor Huizong of Yuan Dynasty (1359), Zhu Yuanzhang used military force to ask for the title of official. Mian refused to become a monk and expanded his residence into Baiyun Temple. Xuan died in Lanting Tianzhang Temple. ?
Most of Mian's poems sympathize with the suffering of the people, condemn the rich and powerful, despise fame and wealth, and describe pastoral and secluded life, such as "Shang Pavilion House", "Jiangnan Woman", "Ode to the Scenery", "Wu "Ji Qu", "Mo Mei", "Sword Song Xing Ci Rhyme", etc. There are 3 volumes of "Zhuzhai Poetry Collection" and 2 volumes of sequels. ?
I have been fond of plum blossoms all my life. I plant plum blossoms and chant plum blossoms. I am also good at painting plum blossoms and bamboos. Seekers come one after another. He painted plum blossoms after learning from Yang Wu Jiu, with dense flowers and numerous branches, vigorous grass, and full of life. He was especially good at using rouge to create boneless bodies, which gave him a unique style. It had a great influence on the masters of plum painting in the Ming Dynasty, such as Liu Shiru, Chen Xianzhang, Wang Muzhi and Sheng Xingzhi. The surviving paintings include "Three Gentlemen" and "Mo Mei Tu". He was able to seal seals, and he created seals using flower milk stones, and his seal writing skills were exquisite. There is a biography in "History of Ming Dynasty".
Selected Works: Ink Plum
The tree beside the inkstone washing pond at my house,
the flowers are blooming with faint ink marks.
Don’t be praised for the good color, [1]
Only leave the pure air to fill the universe. [2]
Notes:
[1] Color: refers to the light ink color used in ink painting of plum blossoms.
[2] Qingqi: the scent of freshness.