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Ouyang Xun, one of the four great calligraphers of the early Tang Dynasty, is known as the best in regular script.

The life of the great calligrapher Ouyang Xun was like a world of ice and fire, the contrast was too strong.

He was born into a prominent family, but ended up being the son of a sinner whose family was wiped out.

Although Ouyang Xun had a rough life, he will be remembered forever for creating the Ouyang style of calligraphy.

In modern Chinese calligraphy textbooks, Ou style calligraphy is one of the important professional courses.

Today, the standard regular script used as printing fonts and computer fonts is based on the Ou style.

Ouyang Xun was the first person in Chinese history to establish standard Chinese calligraphy styles and applied them to national teaching.

The Ou style calligraphy created by Ouyang Xun is still used as the standard font for primary and secondary school students to learn calligraphy.

"Ouyang Xun, Yan Zhenqing, and Liu Gongquan from the Tang Dynasty, and Zhao Mengfu from the Yuan Dynasty."

"Because of their outstanding achievements in regular script, they were honored as the Four Masters of Regular Script by later generations."

"Among them, Ouyang Xun of the early Tang Dynasty was praised as the Saint of Regular Script by calligraphy enthusiasts of all generations because of his dignified and elegant calligraphy."

"However, along with Ouyang Xun's reputation in ancient and modern culture, his legendary life also lies in his fame."

"As the saying goes, he may not look good but he is talented, he may serve in the Three Kingdoms, he may meet death several times but he can die peacefully."

"As the saying goes, a person's name is his character, and a person's face is his writing."

“When you see Ouyang Xun’s calligraphy, you will definitely be attracted by its regularity, elegance and beauty.”

"Immediately, I imagined a handsome young man with elegant demeanor and graceful appearance."

"However, Ouyang Xun was not only not handsome but also very ugly."

"The treacherous minister Xu Jingzong would laugh so hard at his ugly face that he would throw away his official hat."

"In the tenth year of Zhenguan, Empress Zhangsun passed away."

"Li Shimin was extremely sad and angry, and all officials mourned for the queen."

"But Xu Jingzong saw at the Queen's funeral that the calligrapher Ouyang Xun was so ugly that he looked almost like a monkey."

"He laughed non-stop regardless of the occasion, and was reported by the censor and demoted."

"Tang Gaozu Li Yuan, who had a good relationship with Ouyang Xun, once said to the Goryeo envoy that he was ugly and short."

"Once, Goryeo sent an envoy to the Tang Dynasty and specifically asked Emperor Taizong of Tang for Ouyang Xun's calligraphy works."

"The envoys were also incredulous when they saw Ouyang Xun. Such beautiful calligraphy could have been written by such a person."

"From this we can see that Ouyang Xun was ugly and short."

"Not only that, ministers in the court also often make fun of Ouyang Xun's appearance."

"At a banquet, Changsun Wuji saw that Ouyang Xun was ugly, so he wrote a poem, comparing Ouyang Xun to a monkey to mock him."

"Of course Ouyang Xun was no joke, and he immediately responded with a poem."

"Ouyang Xun was born in 557 AD, during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, a period of great war and chaos in history."

"It was also in this year that Chen Baxian deposed Emperor Liang and established the Chen Dynasty."

"Then Emperor Jing of Northern Zhou abdicated the throne to Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of Sui, who established the Sui Dynasty."

"In the ninth year of Kaihuang, Yang Jian issued an edict to destroy the Southern Chen Dynasty."

"After the Chen Dynasty was destroyed, the Northern and Southern Dynasties officially withdrew from the stage of history, and the Sui Dynasty unified the country."

"Finally, Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, raised an army in Taiyuan, and later attacked Chang'an, deposing Emperor Gong of Sui, Yang You, and establishing the Tang Dynasty."

"So far, Ouyang Xun has lived through three dynasties: the Southern Dynasties, the Sui Dynasty, and the Tang Dynasty."

Du Fu: Ouyang Xun was captured countless times, but he always managed to escape death. Life is truly wonderful.

The biggest change in Ouyang Xun's life was that his father Ouyang He rebelled and his entire family was executed.

You should know that his father Ouyang He was an upright and loyal man.

Due to good management, his power grew and he was widely loved by the people.

However, the political struggles in the officialdom were extremely cruel, and his power was envied by the villains around him.

The emperor was also afraid that the local officials would become self-reliant and hire mercenaries, so he summoned Ouyang He back to Beijing to take up his post.

However, Ouyang He knew that he might not live to see the day when he would take up his post in the capital, and might even die on the way to the capital.

As a result, he was forced to rebel, but unfortunately his rebellion ended in failure.

No one in the family was spared, except Ouyang Xun.

Ouyang He became a victim in the officialdom, and Ouyang Xun became an orphan in the world from then on.

Ouyang Xun witnessed many major historical events in his lifetime, including the Sui Dynasty's conquest of the Chen Dynasty, the assassination of Emperor Yang of Sui, the failure of Dou Jiande, and the killing of Li Jiancheng.

In Jiankang, the capital of the Chen Dynasty, Ouyang Xun experienced a period of stability.

Starting from the time Emperor Wen of Sui conquered the Chen Dynasty, Ouyang Xun began to experience drastic changes in his life.

First, the Chen Dynasty was destroyed, and Ouyang Xun became a prisoner.

Fortunately, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty, who loved culture, valued southerners and appointed Ouyang Xun as Doctor of Taichang.

During the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, Ouyang Xun followed Yang Guang and fled to Jiangdu.

Who knew that Yu Wenzhi would rebel and dare to kill the king.

Ouyang Xun became a prisoner of Yu Wenzhi again and had to follow Yu Wenzhi north.

Yu Wenzhi was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Ouyang Xun became Dou Jiande's prisoner.

Who knew that not long after, Dou Jiande was defeated by Li Shimin again, and Ouyang Xun became Li Shimin's prisoner again.

Logically speaking, Li Shimin liked literati and calligraphy, so Ouyang Xun's fate as a captive should have changed.

But no, Ouyang Xun had a good relationship with Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, when he was an official in the Sui Dynasty.

Li Yuan had good intentions and found a better master for Ouyang Xun, Crown Prince Li Jiancheng.

After Li Jiancheng ascended the throne, Ouyang Xun would be an old minister of the imperial court and would definitely receive better rewards.

As a result, the Xuanwu Gate Incident occurred.

Ouyang Xun became a prisoner of Li Shimin. This was the second time he was captured by Li Shimin.

Ouyang Xun's life was simply a witness to various major events at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty.

You say Ouyang Xun had a bad fate, but he always managed to escape death.

A person who encountered so many mortal dangers died at the age of over 80.

History is wonderful, life is wonderful.

People can only grow in adversity; people in good times tend to be arrogant.

Ouyang Xun's adversity was given by God, and this kind of adversity arranged by fate has a very prominent effect on a person's success.

"Ouyang Xun lived through three dynasties in his lifetime and served as an official in three countries."

"First, in the first year of Emperor Yangdi's Daye reign, Ouyang Xun followed Emperor Chen Houzhu into the Sui Dynasty."

"Ouyang Xun, who was full of knowledge but ugly, was not appreciated by Emperor Wen of Sui."

"He was only a seventh-rank doctor of the Imperial Academy, in charge of sacrificial affairs at the Imperial Academy."

"Second, in the second year after the fall of the Sui Dynasty, Dou Jiande led the peasant army to capture Liaocheng, and Ouyang Xun was captured and continued to be employed."

"After Dou Jiande established the Xia Kingdom, he appointed Ouyang Xun as the third-rank official of the Ministry of Rites, making him the chief priest of the short-lived Xia Kingdom."

"Third, after Dou Jiande was defeated by Li Shimin at Hulao Pass, he was granted the position of Shizhong because he had a close relationship with Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, when he was a doctor of Taichang in the Sui Dynasty."

"Throughout history, there are only a handful of people who have lived through three dynasties and served as officials in three countries. Ouyang Xun's life can be described as legendary."

"Ouyang Xun is the grandson of Ouyang Wei, the general of the Southern Liang Dynasty, and the son of Ouyang He, the general of the Left Guard of the Southern Chen Dynasty. He can be said to be a descendant of a famous family."

"However, living in a chaotic time, I have brushed shoulders with death many times. It can be said that I have narrowly escaped death."

"A young orphan continues his life and meets a noble person to lay the foundation."

"Because of my noble family background, I am destined to be unable to be tolerated by the rulers like ordinary people."

"Ouyang Xun's grandfather, Ouyang Wei, served in important positions such as the General of the Southern Expedition during the Southern Liang Dynasty. His father, Ouyang He, joined the army at the age of 20 and was a brave warrior."

"Later, Ouyang He inherited his father's business and served as the governor of Guangzhou in Southern Liang."

"When Chen Baxian established the Chen Dynasty, he became suspicious of Liang's remaining general Ouyang He."

"Thinking that he had two minds, he appointed Ouyang He as the General of the Left Guard."

"Later, Ouyang He was unwilling to give in, so he raised an army in Guangzhou to rebel against Chen, but was defeated and captured."

"When my father Ouyang He was captured, his entire family was executed."

"Ouyang Xun, who was only thirteen years old, was lucky to escape and not be captured and killed."

"He was later captured, but two months later, the Empress Dowager passed away."

"Only by granting amnesty to the whole nation did he escape the disaster and avoid death."

"At this time, I also met the first noble person in my life, the great writer Jiang Zong, who was a good friend of my father Ouyang He."

"Ouyang Xun followed his adoptive father Jiang Zong for more than 20 years. Jiang Zong's words and deeds laid the foundation for Ouyang Xun's achievements."

"The ministers of the previous dynasty were imprisoned, and the nobles established the country and appointed high officials."

"When the Sui Dynasty entered its twilight years, he helped Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty seize the position of Crown Prince and gained favor."

"After becoming a powerful official in the court, Yu Wenzhi killed Emperor Yang of Sui and led Emperor Yang of Sui's army back to Guanzhong." "After encountering the Wagang Army, a desperate battle broke out."

"The battle ended in a tragic victory for the Wagang Army, and Yu Wenzhi and his remaining troops had to change their route and head north."

"They looted all the way to Wei County, Hebei, which was Dou Jiande's territory at that time."

Zhang Xu, the Master of Cursive Script: The environment around Ouyang Xun was crucial in his becoming a great calligrapher.

Looking at Ouyang Xun's life, there are three very important nodes in his life.

First, Ouyang Xun was born into a family of officials, second, Ouyang Xun became an orphan when he was young, and third, Ouyang Xun was raised by General Jiang.

After Ouyang Xun became an orphan, he was taken in by General Jiang, who is a very powerful person.

A famous writer in the Southern Dynasties, he served as Shangshu Ling and other positions during the reign of Chen Houzhu.

Not only does he hold a high position of power, but his calligraphy is also first-class.

Jiang Zong was one of the twenty-one calligraphers of the Chen Dynasty, and his calligraphy was deeply influenced by Wang Xizhi.

Mr. Jiang had a very good relationship with Ouyang Xun's father. The two were close friends regardless of age and had similar interests.

Therefore, Mr. Jiang was willing to take Ouyang Xun in and raise him to adulthood.

A child who has been boarding in someone else's home for a long time, although suffering the grief of losing a loved one, is also happy for Ouyang Xun.

Ordinary people might live with an ordinary family, but Ouyang Xun lived with the family of a literary master.

That is, there is no lack of material enjoyment, and there is no lack of influence from literature and poetry.

Although God played a big joke on Ouyang Xun, he also gave him a generous gift.

Mr. Jiang not only helped Ouyang Xun in literature and calligraphy, but also paved a smooth road for his official career, which is the most important thing.

During the reign of Emperor Chen Houzhu, he was recommended by Jiang Zong.

Ouyang Xun was a minor official and he certainly could not become a high-ranking official.

Because his father had committed treason, but Emperor Chen Houzhu did not bear grudge.

From Mr. Jiang’s example, we can see how important the environment is.

It was because of the influence of the calligraphy master Jiang Zong that Ouyang Xun was able to achieve such high achievements in calligraphy.

It is undeniable that diligence and hard work are both very important.

But if Ouyang Xun was not born into a family of officials, but into a commoner family.

He had no time to practice calligraphy, and was probably so poor that he didn't even have the chance to go to school.

If Ouyang Xun had not become an orphan, he would probably have lived a carefree life all his life.

If it weren't for Mr. Jiang's enlightenment and support, no one would have been able to see Ouyang Xun's calligraphy.

Therefore, the environment in which people grow up is very critical.

As the saying goes, "Birds of a feather flock together."

A person's growth path is inextricably linked to the people he comes into contact with.

If the people you associate with are ambitious people, then you will also be an ambitious person.

If the people you come into contact with are businessmen, then you also have a business mind.

Therefore, the environment is very important. If you want to change the environment, you have to go out into the world.

Watch and listen more, improve your cognitive level, and make friends with different people.

Similarly, learning calligraphy also requires improving one's cognitive level.

You can't just bury your head in hard practice, learn one school, and focus on one thing.

This will only close your eyes and prevent you from seeing the outside world clearly.

Therefore, if those who learn calligraphy really want to make achievements in calligraphy, the learning environment is extremely important.

"When Yu Wenzhi arrived in Wei County, he did not seek to return to Guanzhong."

"He actually proclaimed himself emperor in Wei County. He knew that his time was running out, so he wanted to live out his emperor addiction."

"Sure enough, a few days later, Dou Jiande led a large army to attack Yu Wenzhi."

"They quickly defeated Yu Wenhuaji and captured all the Sui officials and concubines around him."

"Ouyang Xun, a doctor of the Imperial Academy of Rites during the Sui Dynasty, was among Yu Wenzhi's prisoners."

"Ouyang Xun, who was stuck in a quagmire, met the second noble man in his life, Dou Jiande, the king of benevolence and righteousness."

"Although Dou Jiande was defeated by Li Shimin at Hulao Pass when he was rescuing Wang Shichong."

"The captives were escorted to Chang'an for execution, but their benevolence and righteousness remained for a long time."

"It was only when Ouyang Xun met Dou Jiande that he was able to escape from Yu Wenzhi's clutches and even obtain a third-rank official position in the Xia Kingdom founded by Dou Jiande. He was truly a man of great talent in times of trouble."

"After sixty years of wandering, I met an old friend at the age of sixty."

"After Li Shimin captured Dou Jiande, he pacified Hebei and also arrested Ouyang Xun, the Minister of Rites of the Xia Kingdom."

"After returning to Chang'an, Ouyang Xun met the third noble man in his life, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan."

"During the Sui Dynasty, Li Yuan and Ouyang Xun had a close relationship and the two had many interactions."

"So Ouyang Xun was not only not convicted, but was also given the position of a minister. At this time, Ouyang Xun was already 65 years old."

"Under the aura of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Ouyang Xun's career was prosperous."

"He lived to be eighty-four years old and died of natural causes."

"It was also during this period of peace and prosperity that Ouyang Xun truly began his rise to fame, responding to an imperial edict and co-editing the Yiwen Leiju."

"It took only seven years to complete the compilation of Yiwen Leiju, and of course the preface was also written by Ouyang Xun."

"The peaceful and prosperous Tang Dynasty also created the best environment for Ouyang Xun to create calligraphy."

"During the Zhenguan era, Ouyang Xun created many calligraphy works that have been handed down to this day, which also created a bumpy experience in the history of Chinese calligraphy."

"For example, the masterpiece "Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription" was written by Wei Zheng and written by Ouyang Xun in the sixth year of the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty. It is a masterpiece that will last forever."

"The famous "Monument to Duke Yu Gong" was written by Tang Cenwen and written by Ouyang Xun in his later years."

"After meeting Li Yuan, Ouyang Xun not only had a prosperous career as an official, but also compiled famous books and wrote famous calligraphy works."

"It also made him a saint, accomplished and famous, and will be remembered for eternity."

"Mencius once said, therefore, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, it will first make his mind and will suffer, his muscles and bones toil, his body hungry and empty, and his actions frustrated."

"This sentence is very appropriate for Ouyang Xun. His family was brutally murdered when he was young, and he wandered around all his life."

"I have brushed shoulders with death many times, but fortunately I met a noble person."

"He was able to achieve success in his later years and create masterpieces that will live forever. His life is truly legendary."

Su Shi: Ouyang Xun's masterpiece "Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription" is praised as the best regular script in the world.

Ouyang Xun and Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription, these two names complement each other.

Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription has the highest artistic achievement among Ouyang Xun's three major inscriptions and calligraphy.

In his opinion, if Jiucheng Palace had one more point, it would be fatter, and if it had one less point, it would be thinner.

It can be seen that the Jiucheng Palace created by Ouyang Xun is extremely rigorous.

"Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription" has reached the pinnacle of calligraphy art.

The reason why "Jiucheng Palace Liquan Inscription" is praised as the best regular script in the world is not only because of the special and magical brushwork, but also because of the background of its creation.

The content of this post was written by Wei Zheng, a famous official in the Tang Dynasty.

Therefore, this post, from its writing to its content, was completed by a calligrapher and a politician.

However, things are not that simple.

The content recorded in Jiucheng Palace was originally about the discovery of a spring in Jiucheng Palace by Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty when he was avoiding the summer heat.

So he ordered Wei Zheng to write an article to record the unusual experience of discovering Liquan, and ordered the great calligrapher Ouyang Xun to write the article.

Therefore, this stele is related to at least three great figures: Emperor Taizong of Tang, Wei Zheng and Ouyang Xun, which gives it a mysterious color.

The Jiucheng Palace stele and calligraphy set a precedent for the rigorous, standardized and varied regular script, and embodied Ouyang Xun's half-life efforts.

People only know about Ouyang Xun's Jiucheng Palace, which is known as the best regular script in the world, but few people know how he practiced calligraphy.

Ouyang Xun was so obsessed with calligraphy that he was called a bookworm.

In order to study the Zhangcao stone stele of Suo Jing from the Western Jin Dynasty, he once camped in front of the stele for three days and three nights.

He carefully observed the beauty of the stele, even dancing while painting, and finally understood the essence of Suo Jing's calligraphy.

The evolution and development of calligraphy are moving forward step by step.

Ouyang Xun improved his calligraphy style to a certain extent through observing and studying Suo Jing's Zhangcao.

There is no great calligrapher who does not put in a hundred times more effort than ordinary people.

Ouyang Xun looked at the stele and earned the praise of a bookworm.

Ouyang Xun created the best regular script in the world. His personal diligence was one aspect, but his personal character was also an important aspect.

Ouyang Xun's life was a rough one, which shaped his tenacious and resolute character.

These characteristics are well reflected in his regular script style.

For hundreds of years, Ouyang Xun's regular script has been shining in the calligraphy world. (End of this chapter)