Yan's sinews and Liu's bones

Author: Zheng Xiaohua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The name of Yan Zhenqing is as glorious as Wang Xizhi. Both were reformers in the history of calligraphy, leading the trend of their era. Their works were once objects of veneration for countless calligraphers at home and abroad. They have had an extremely profound influence on the history of Chinese calligraphy. Liu Gongquan, a successor to Yan Zhenqing in his cause, blended the styles of Ou Yangxi and Yan Zhenqing, creating a unique style. After Yan Zhenqing, he pushed the art of Chinese regular script to a new peak. The Yan style and the Liu style are two monumental pillars of Chinese regular script art. The Yan style is majestic and robust, yet often delicate and refined, while the Liu style is sharp and pointed, yet each character is clear, expressive, and graceful. Their styles are both connected and distinct, summarized by later generations as "Yan's sinews and Liu's bones." Due to their influence in the history of Chinese calligraphy and because their works nurtured countless successors, "Yan's sinews and Liu's bones" became synonymous with two forms of calligraphic beauty.
Caressing ancient scrolls from millennia past, tracing the eternal spirit of calligraphy, our journey of artistic root-seeking begins here.
In the fourth year of Jianzhong (783), at the end of the first month, Yan Zhenqing arrived at Xuzhou's martial arts team Xili. At first, Xili gave him a cold reception—he incited over a thousand of his adopted sons to surround Yan Zhenqing with swords, insulting and threatening him, making it seem as if they would devour him. Yan Zhenqing remained calm and composed, his feet steady, his expression unchanging, enduring their. Seeing that his tactics failed, Xili feigned remorse, came out, shielded Yan Zhenqing with his body, roared at the crowd to disperse, and respectfully escorted him to his residence, ordering his subordinates to treat him well. At first, Xili had illusions about Yan Zhenqing. He demanded that Yan write to the court to clear his name, claiming he was willing to "disband his troops." Yan Zhenqing refused. Later, someone suggested to Xili that he hold Yan captive, saying, "Yan Taishi's reputation is known to all under heaven. If you want to declare yourself emperor and establish your own title, wouldn't it be fate that Yan Taishi is here? Who is more suitable to be your prime minister than Yan Taishi?" Upon hearing this, Yan Zhenqing cursed in anger, "What prime minister! Don't dream! Have you never heard of Yan Gaoqing? He is my cousin! When An Lushan rebelled, he raised an army in the first instance. Later, he was captured and killed, still cursing to the very end. I am nearly eighty years old, have reached the rank of Taishi, and that is enough for me! My brothers and I value honor and integrity above all, ready to die for it, yet can we still be threatened and bribed by such vermin!"
Another who proposed a bad idea was the former Vice Magistrate of Runzhou, Li Yuanping. Li Yuanping was originally a judge in Hunan, with some talent but fond of grand talk and timid in nature. The court appointed him to govern Runzhou, where he recruited laborers to repair the city walls. Hundreds of disguised rebels, and he was unaware of it. Xili sent hundreds of cavalry to the city, and with the rebels' help, easily seized Runan. Li Yuanping was bound and sent to Xili's camp. Upon meeting Xili, Li Yuanping was so terrified that he wet himself. Xili couldn't help but smile bitterly and said, "This dog prime minister really has blinded his eyes, letting this creature come against me—people will only laugh at me!" Li Yuanping not only defected himself but also urged Xili to hold Yan Zhenqing captive, forcing him to "submit." As a result, Xili imprisoned Yan Zhenqing.
The separatist forces, who had seized power, believed Xili had enough strength to rival the Tang Dynasty. They sent envoys to persuade him to declare himself emperor. In their memorial urging him to ascend the throne, they wrote, "The court has annihilated meritorious officials, breaking its trust with the people. Your Excellency, with your bravery and unparalleled achievements, now faces suspicion from the court. Soon, you will suffer the same fate as Han Xin and Bai Qi. We hope Your Excellency will soon declare yourself emperor, so we may have a place to rely on!" Xili then tried to persuade Yan Zhenqing, saying, "Look, the court is too corrupt, and loyal ministers are pushed aside. Now, the four kings of Ji, Zhao, Wei, and Qi all support me as emperor—a coincidence! Taishi, please take a look. Is this just my personal desire for independence?" Yan Zhenqing replied, "These are bandits—how can they be called the 'Four Kings'! You already have achievements and are a loyal minister of the Tang Dynasty, yet you follow these traitors and bring destruction upon yourselves!" Seeing that soft tactics failed, Xili resorted to force. He had a large pit dug in the courtyard and sent a message: if cooperation was not offered, he would be buried alive! Yan Zhenqing remained calm and said, "Since my life is already decided, why degrade me like this? Just kill me with a sword—don't play games."
In the face of Yan Zhenqing's righteous spirit...