Ouyang Xiu expounded the relationship between "Wen" and "Tao" in the poetic innovation movement in the Northern Song Dynasty. He attached importance to the social function of literature and emphasized the decisive role of Taoism in literature. He believes that "Tao" is the content, just like jade, "Wen" is the form, just like the brilliance of jade, because of jade.
He further linked the Confucian "Tao" with the "Pepsi" in real life, making the connotation of "Tao" broader and more practical. While learning "Tao", he also attached importance to the meaning and value of "Wen" and put forward the argument that "poetry is poor and backward".
He advocated simple and plain writing style, absorbed Han Yu's thought of "following his words in order", but abandoned Han Yu's bias of "only speaking his words" and avoided the formalism's tendency of worshipping the new and seeking danger. These progressive views and propositions laid a solid foundation for the poetry innovation in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Extended data:
Ouyang Xiu's prose is rich in content and diverse in forms. Whether it is discussion or narration, it is to do something and feel it. Some of his argumentative essays were directly related to the political struggle at that time. For example, in his early years, he co-authored the book "Advice" with Gauss, exposing and criticizing Gao Ruo's despicable behavior in politics. He is clear about right and wrong, honest and stern, and full of political passion.
Another example is the theory of cronies written in the Qing dynasty, which clearly puts forward the argument that "a villain has no friends, but a gentleman has them", which strongly refutes the fallacy of political enemies and shows the great integrity and extraordinary courage of innovators. This kind of article has positive substantive content and is a model of the organic combination of practical function and artistic value of ancient prose.
Ouyang Xiu's other argumentative essays are not directly related to real politics, but express the author's profound thoughts on history and life, such as some prefaces in History of the Five Dynasties, summarizing the historical lessons of the Five Dynasties, clearly expressing the author's praise and criticism, and the historical view that the rise and fall of a country lies in personnel rather than fate.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Ouyang Xiu
Baidu Encyclopedia-Poetry Innovation Movement in Northern Song Dynasty