Hetao Anthology

Author: Wang Yongkuan
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Publish Date: 1999-09-01
Features: He Tan was an upright official, a renowned scholar and poet, and a highly influential figure in his time and later generations. He Tan, styled Cuifu and styled Bazi, was born in October 1474 in Toupu Ying (now Heying in Wuzhi County, Henan Province) of Huaiqing Prefecture (now Qinyang City). At the age of several years, his family moved to the prefectural city (now Qinyang City). During the Ming Dynasty, Huaiqing Prefecture was governed by Heini County, so historical records mention two origins for He Tan: Heini and Wuzhi. He Tan was intelligent and studious from a young age. In the 14th year of the Hongzhi reign (1501), at the age of 28, he won the first place in the Henan provincial examination as the Xuanyuan. The following year, he passed the imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy as a Shujishi. After completing his studies, he was appointed as a compiler and participated in compiling the Xiaozong Shilu. When the Shilu was completed, he was promoted to the position of Xiu Zhuan for his contributions. At that time, eunuch Liu Jin seized power and ruled tyrannically. One day, he received scholars from the Hanlin Academy, and everyone knelt to greet Liu Jin, except He Tan, who merely bowed. To curry favor with the scholars, Liu Jin gave each of them a bamboo fan. The scholars took the fans and knelt again to thank him. He Tan despised such servile behavior and couldn’t help but say, “Why kneel and kneel again?” Liu Jin was displeased upon hearing this and asked for the name of the speaker. He Tan himself replied, “Xiu Zhuan He Tan.” Liu Jin harbored resentment and did not give He Tan a fan at that time. He Tan knew he could not be tolerated by Liu Jin, so he submitted a memorial claiming illness and resigned from his post to return home.