Dong Qichang and Chen Jiru Combined Album

Author: Lin Tao, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-11-01
Features: This book collects the Confucian combined edition of Dong Qichang and Chen Ji, showcasing the essence of their calligraphy. The calligraphic style of Dong and Chen, "grand elegance and simplicity," seems to be linked to their lives, suggesting their "frivolous fame and shallow worldly taste" as a mark of their refined and detached elegance. However, in reality, Chen, though called a recluse, harbored ambitions of being a "chief minister in the mountains," enjoying associating with the gentry, leading to the taunt: "a fluttering crane in the clouds, flying to and fro in the minister's home." Dong, despite repeatedly declining official appointments and living a peaceful life in the countryside, was known for the motto "not leaving Dongshan, not associating with Lu Xia," yet he was actually waiting for the right moment, quietly weaving political networks in his heart, seizing opportunities to rise and achieve higher political status. During Dong's forty-five years in political turmoil, he was close to at least thirteen grand secretaries, including Wang Xige, Ye Xianggao, and Zhou Yanru, who were dismissed from office, and he also associated with Li Lusheng and other eunuchs of the Wei Zhongxian faction, showing no moral integrity. Even at eighty, when he retired, he was still granted the honor of being appointed as a Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. In the end, he achieved high official status and fame. Moreover, during Dong's time in the countryside, he engaged in extorting the people, monopolizing profitable businesses, and oppressing men and women, leading to the "People's Uprising Against Dong's Officials." Therefore, neither Dong nor Chen can be simply labeled as "frivolous fame and shallow worldly taste."