Wang Xizhi’s Story 王羲之的故事

Wang Xizhi (321-379) was born into an aristocratic family, but he was not enthusiastic about fame and wealth. When he first arrived in Zhejiang, he wanted to end his service for the government and retire to a life of comfort. The court loved his talents and wanted to appoint him as princely attendant and imperial secretary of the Ministry of Rites. But Wang declined these appointments. He finally retired from the government service on the ground of his poor health.

When he was young, he was slow and dull. No genius could be seen. In fact, he wrote more poorly than the other children. But his diligence in later years left others far behind. Whenever he took up his brush, he would concentrate so hard that he would forget about eating and his sorrows. Even when he was eating, reading or walking, he would think about the size and structure of the words and how to wield the brush. He would write with his finger. So eventually all of his clothes and books were worn out by his constant strokes. Once he forgot to have his meal while he was practising. So his dish was put on his desk. Not knowing what he was doing, he dipped his bun into the ink and ate with great relish, his mouth blackened.

When he was 20 years old, the Emperor’s advisor Xi Jian (269-339) sent one of his associated to Wang’s father to state his wish to have one of his sons as a son-in-law. Wang’s father told the messenger to take a look at the young men in the house. The messenger later reported to Xi that the young Wangs are all suitable men. However, when he arrived there to see them, all became tense and uneasy. There was one exception. He just lay on his back with his belly uncovered, nonchalant as if he knew nothing of the purpose of his visit. On hearing this, Xi said, ‘That one will do fine.’ And that young man’s name was Wang Xizhi.

Wang Xizhi is particularly remembered for his love for geese. Legend has it that one day, he visited the beautiful landscape of Shao Xing with his son by boat. He found a flock of gooses on the bank, he liked them very much and prepared to buy all of them. These gooses were raised by a Daoist who knew Wang Xizhi was a well-known calligrapher. He said to Wang, ‘If you could write Huangtingjing for me, I will give all of these gooses to you.’ Wang Xizhi was eager to get these gooses, so he agreeably complied with his demand and conditions.

It is said that Wang learnt the key of turning his wrist in calligraphy writing by observing how the geese move their necks.

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王羲之 （321-379）生于豪门大族，但他并不热心于名誉与富贵。初到浙江，他就想要辞官退休。后朝廷欲官授待中，礼部尚书、王羲之皆不接受。最后以健康理由辞官归隐。

王羲之小时候其实相当迟钝，看不出有什么天分。事实上，他写的字比很多孩子都差。可是后来的勤奋，他就把其他人都抛在后头了。每当他提起笔时，他总是集精会神的把餐食与烦难给忘了。就算是在吃东西，阅读，行走时，他都在思考字的形状与大小，及如何挥动毛笔。他会以手当笔。因此，他的衣服与书本都在长期的指划下而损坏了。一次，他忘了用餐，食物就放在书桌上。他自然地把馒头浸入墨汁中，弄到满嘴黑墨，还吃得津津有味。

他二十岁时，太会太尉郄鉴（269-339)派人去找王羲之的父亲，要求他其中的一个儿子当女婿。王羲之父亲告诉使者到屋内去观察一下他的儿子。使者回去报告郄鉴，说所有的儿子多不错。但是，当他观看他们时，他们都显得十分紧张与不安。只有一个例外。他躺在那儿，露腹而漠不关心，完全不把使者到访的目的当着一回事。郄鉴听后，说：‘这个不错。’这个年轻人就是王羲之。

王羲之最为后人所知的就是他爱鹅。传说有一次，他与儿子乘船旅游美丽的绍兴，看到一群鹅在河岸。他喜极而要把它们全部买下。这些鹅是一个道人所饲养的，而这个道人知道王羲之是个著名的书法家。他对王羲之说：‘如果你能够把《黄庭经》写给我，我就给你所有的鹅。’王羲之满心要得到这些鹅，自然愿意承诺他的要求与条件。

据说王羲之书法上的运腕就是由观察鹅转动它们的颈项而领悟出来的。