Wang Xizhi was a great calligrapher in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He once held official positions such as General Youjun, so some people called him Wang Youjun. It is said that he once worshiped Mrs. Wei, a famous calligrapher, as his teacher. He prepared various calligraphy styles, including Cao, Li, Zheng, and Xing. His real running script is famous for his "Huang Ting Jing" and "Lanting Preface", and his cursive script is most famous for his "Chu Yue Tie". Later generations called him the "Sage of Calligraphy".
When people mention Wang Xizhi, it is easy to think of the story of him "writing scriptures in exchange for geese". It is said that Lu Jingxiu, a Taoist priest at Xuanmiao Temple in Tanniang Village, Shanyin, wanted to ask Wang Xizhi to copy a copy of the "Huang Ting Sutra" for the temple. However, he and Wang Xizhi had never known each other, so why did he have the nerve to ask for it rashly? Later, he heard that Wang Xizhi loved geese, so he bought a large group of white geese and put them in a stream that Wang Xizhi often passed by, waiting for the opportunity. One day, Wang Xizhi was crossing this stream and saw these big white geese. He was so fascinated that he couldn't forget to leave. He asked the owner of the geese, Taoist Lu, if he could sell the geese. Lu Jingxiu's story is hard to say, as the things he cultivates in the temple are never sold or advertised to outsiders.
Wang Xizhi pleaded again and again. He was willing to spend a lot of money to buy them and said he really liked these geese. Seeing that the time had come, Lu Jingxiu said: "I will definitely not sell it. But if you can copy a copy of "Huang Ting Sutra" for Guanli, then I will give all the geese to you."
In order to get this group of geese, Wang Xizhi copied a copy of "Huang Ting Jing" in one breath in less than half a day. As a result, everyone got what they wanted. Lu Jingxiu got Wang Xizhi's authentic work and couldn't put it down; Wang Xizhi got the goose without any effort. Before leaving, Wang Xizhi wrote the word "goose" in cursive with his stick on the beach by the stream, and left happily. Lu Jingxiu saw that the character "goose" was dancing with dragons and phoenixes, and the writing was powerful and powerful. It was like a divine stroke. He hurriedly asked someone to get a large piece of tissue paper and traced it himself.
Then a stonemason was invited to carve the elegant character "Goose" on the stone tablet. From then on, the monument with the character "Goose" was erected in Lanting Scenic Area, Shaoxing, Zhejiang. The words behind the tablet The pond became known as "Goose Pond".
This story is not fabricated. It is recorded in historical books such as "Lun Shu Biao" in the Southern Dynasty and "Book of Jin" in the early Tang Dynasty.
People can’t help but ask, does Wang Xizhi really love geese so much? What is the purpose of "writing scriptures in exchange for geese"?
Many scholars believe that since Wang Xizhi was a great calligrapher, the reason for his love for geese should also be found from the perspective of calligraphy. He pointed out that the shape and movement of the goose were very inspiring to Wang Xizhi's writing and writing.
Bao Shichen, a calligrapher in the Qing Dynasty, said: "When writing, the index finger must be hooked high, and the big finger should be inserted between the index finger and middle finger. If the index finger is like a goose head, add the index finger. The inner hook, the little finger is attached to the outer distance of the ring finger, like a goose's two palms moving water, so You Jun loves geese and plays with the power of its two palms to move water." When thinking of the "Grass Sage" Zhang Xu, isn't it also watching Gongsun Auntie. Sword dance, inspired by the light and shadow of the sword and the free and easy dance posture, is it that your calligraphy becomes more and more exquisite? From this point of view, Wang Xizhi's love for geese may not be unreasonable.
Modern scholar Chen Yinke made new research on this story and believed that it had nothing to do with calligraphy; Wang Xizhi’s purpose of writing scriptures for geese was just to eat geese.
When this statement came out, it shocked the academic community and caused a strong response. Chen Yinke started from the fact that Wang Xizhi came from a "Tianshi Dao" family, connected the goose with the Taoist priests taking elixirs, and deeply explored the mystery of Wang Xizhi's "love of geese". He once wrote the article "The Relationship between Tianshi Dao and Coastal Areas", which systematically elaborated on the significant impact of "Tianshi Dao" on politics, society and culture in the three hundred years after the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. He believes that ancient Taoism has a very close relationship with chemistry and medicine. In order to pursue immortality, Taoists take large amounts of elixirs, which over time can cause chronic mercury poisoning. Goose has a detoxifying function. Taoist priests raise geese to eat goose meat, so goose meat is listed as a top-quality Taoist dish.
Wang Xizhi himself was a Taoist and practiced Taoism with other Taoists. He even traveled thousands of miles to collect medicinal stones and make elixirs for consumption. He "exchanged books and scriptures for geese", of course it was for the purpose of eating meat and nourishing the body. In addition, he had no other purpose.
"Book of Jin·Biography of Wang Xizhi" also records an anecdote about Wang Xizhi's love for geese. It is said that there was an orphan in Kuaiji who raised a good goose. Wang Xizhi wanted to buy it, but the orphan refused to agree.
Wang Xizhi had no choice but to go and watch. When my grandmother heard about it, she cooked the goose and prepared to entertain him. Wang Xizhi was very sorry and sighed. From this point of view, it seems that Wang Xizhi's love for geese is not just for eating geese.
Someone questioned: How can I kill a goose if I don’t want to sell it? It is inconsistent and cannot be trusted.
Why does Wang Xizhi like geese? It's really hard to draw a conclusion.