Wang Mian (1287-1359), whose courtesy name was Yuanzhang and whose first name was Yuansu, was named Zhuishishannong. There are many nicknames, including Zhuzhaisheng, Kuaiji Mountain Farmer, Kuaiji Foreign History, Plum Blossom House Owner, Mr. Jiuli, Jiangnan Ancient Guest, Jiangnan Savage, Shanyin Savage, Duckweed Xuanzi, Zhuguancaoren, Meisou, Fanniuweng, Stone cooks, idle doctors, old dragons, old villagers, etc. A native of Zhuji (now Zhejiang). Famous painter, poet and calligrapher of Yuan Dynasty.
Wang Mian (1287--1359): Zi Yuanzhang, nicknamed Zhuishishanong, also known as "Shizhongweng", "External History of Kuaiji", "Plum Blossom House Owner", etc., a native of Zhuji, Zhejiang, Yuan Dynasty Famous painter, poet and calligrapher.
He has been eager to learn since he was a child, tending cows during the day, stealing into the school building to listen to the students reading, and returning in the evening, forgetting his cows, and Old Qin angrily scolded him next door, and then he came back again. 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 an official position, 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.
Wang Mian was born in the late Yuan Dynasty and early Ming Dynasty. His hometown is today's Zhuji City, Zhejiang Province. Wang Mian's father died when he was seven years old, and he relied on his mother to do needlework to support his education.
Three years have passed and Wang Mian is already ten years old. One day, his mother called him to him and said, "Son, it's not that I want to delay you. I haven't grown up well in the past few years, and the little money I earn from some sewing work really can't afford your education." Now I have to let you go to the family next door to herd cattle." Wang Mian said, "Mom, I am too bored in school. It would be better to help others herd cattle. This way I can supplement the family income and bring a few books. I'm going to read."
Early the next morning, my mother and Wang Mian went to Qin's house next door. The Qin family brought out a buffalo and handed it to Wang Mian. He pointed to the door and said, "Not far from here is Qimao Lake. There are dozens of weeping willow trees on the grass beside the lake, which is very shady. The cow is thirsty. Now, just drink water by the lake. I will provide you with two meals a day, and I will give you two dollars to buy snacks in the morning. You just need to work more diligently." Mother thanked the Qin family, arranged Wang Mian's clothes, and said: "You have to be careful everywhere here. Go out early and come back late every day, so as not to worry me." Wang Mian agreed one by one, and his mother went back with tears in her eyes.
From then on, Wang Mian herded cattle at Qin's house during the day and went home to accompany his mother at night. When the Qin family cooked some pickled fish and bacon, he was always reluctant to eat it, so he wrapped it in lotus leaves and took it home to honor his mother. He was reluctant to spend the snack money he was given every day. After saving for a month or two, he secretly went to the village school and bought a few used books from a bookseller. During the day, when the cows were full, Wang Mian sat under the shade of the willow tree and read.
Unconsciously, three or four years passed. Wang Mian read a lot of books and understood many truths. One day, it was the yellow plum season and the weather was sultry. Wang Mian was tired from herding cattle, so he sat on the green grass. In the blink of an eye, the clouds gathered. After a heavy rain, there were white clouds on the edge of black clouds in the sky. The sun shines through, making the lake turn red. The mountains are shrouded in mist and covered with rocks; the trees below are lush and green. The branches look as if they have been washed by water, and they are especially lovely green. There are about a dozen lotus flowers in the lake. The buds are dotted with rainwater, and the water drops on the lotus leaves are crystal clear. Wang Mian couldn't help but be fascinated by what he saw, and thought to himself: "The ancients said that 'people are painting pictures', which is really true. It's a pity that there is no painter here who can draw this lotus."
"Then I changed my mind and thought again: "Is there anything in the world that I can't learn? Why don't I do a few strokes myself? "
From then on, Wang Mian asked people to go to the city to buy some paints with the money he saved, and learned to paint lotus. At first, he was not good at painting, but after three months, he made great progress. The spirit, expression, and color of the lotus flowers were all unreal. When people in the village saw that he was good at painting, they paid to buy Wang Mian's lotus paintings. The news spread from ten to ten. Everyone in Zhuji knew that he was a master of lotus painting, and they all rushed to buy his paintings. When Wang Mian got the money, he bought some good things to honor his mother.
When he was seventeen or eighteen years old, Wang Mian left Qin. Home. He painted some pictures and read ancient poems every day. When the spring was bright, Wang Mian took his mother for a walk by the Murakami Lake.