Monument to Grand View Holy Works

Daguan Shengzuo Monument

In the corner of the third exhibition room of Xi'an Forest of Steles, there is a stele with a dragon head and a turtle lotus seat, 378 cm high, 140 cm wide and 30 cm thick-"Daguan Holy Works Stele". It is the tallest of the many famous stone inscriptions in this exhibition room. Although the text is too vague and the content is difficult to distinguish, it still attracts many tourists because its author is Zhao Ji, the famous emperor artist in Chinese history.

Daguan Shengzuo Monument

The "Daguan Shengzuo Stele" was engraved in the second year of Daguan in the Northern Song Dynasty (1108). The inscription of this stele is "Monument of the Great View of the Holy Works", with 3 lines and 2 characters in regular script. The inscription has 28 lines, 71 words full, and is written in regular script. Zhao Ji, Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty, wrote and combined books, copied by Li Shiyong, and Cai Jing wrote inscriptions. It was originally collected in Qian County, Shaanxi Province, and was collected in Xi'an Stele Forest in 1962. The inscription contains the imperial edict issued in the first year of Daguan (1107). It records that a new imperial examination law was established at that time, which emphasized virtue and ignored verbal skills. It has great historical value. The so-called eight principles are filial piety, fraternity, harmony, marriage, appointment, compensation, loyalty and harmony. These eight rows are divided into three rows according to the upper, middle and lower rows, which serve as the basis for lifting, lowering and appointing officials. If you prepare all eight lines, you can enter the Imperial College to study. At the same time, it also stipulates "eight punishments" to restrict the behavior of students in Taipei, and those who do not comply will be punished, ranging from suspension of admission to disqualification. The writing, writing, inscription, and imitation of this monument gathered three famous people in the calligraphy world who were emperors, prime ministers, and famous ministers. Of course, what is more valuable is that the inscription font is the "thin gold style" created by Zhao Ji, Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. "Daguan Shengzuo Stele" is one of the representative works of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. It is a model for future generations to study and study the thin gold body. Therefore, this stele has dual historical and artistic values.

After the edict was written, Leshi was published all over the world,"standing in the Palace School, followed by the Imperial College, Piyong, and the counties and cities of the world." There are still several "Daguan Shengzuo Stele" in Hebei, Shandong, and Shaanxi, but the specifications of the stele stones are different. Zhao Ji learned from Xue Ji and Xue Yao, and later learned from Huang Tingjian. His calligraphy introduces the hooking technique of fine brushwork painting. The strokes are strong and elegant, tall and straight, and iron and silver hooks are drawn. Although there is no difference between width and width, it is full of relaxation and change. The whole story is like flowing water, elegant and upright. The ancients commented: "At first glance, it may not be good, but the method of forming the knot is always childish. However, the bones of the sky are beautiful and interesting. If you can achieve it in detail, you will believe that you are not inferior to Li Chongguang." It should be admitted that there are limitations to thin gold and stone. The slender strokes make it lack the majestic and majestic feeling. Moreover, when the brush-like strokes are carefully viewed on paper and silk, the lifting and pressing movements are clearly visible, but when viewed from a distance, the effect is not strong. Looking at the stele is to see its atmosphere rather than its details. Thin gold books are obviously very difficult in this regard. But as a special example of the Song Dynasty stele books, it is still very valuable.

Daguan Shengzuo Monument

The copycat Li Shiyong, also known as Zhi Yao, was born in Chengdu. His grandfather and father were both famous for their calligraphy. He entered the official position under the shadow of his family. He became an official and became an official in the palace. He liked to write poetry and accomplished great achievements in calligraphy and painting. He was especially good at painting ink and bamboo. He once wrote the "Weichuan Sunset Painting" and so on. His calligraphy is as famous as Cai Xiang, Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, Mi Fu and others. Even Huang Tingjian once asked for a letter from him. During the Chongning period of the Northern Song Dynasty, he once wrote a letter to Shang Shu Lang Feng Xie. When Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty saw his calligraphy, he appreciated it very much, so he approved him as a doctor of calligraphy. At that time, most of the inscriptions on literati and officials were written by Li and his son. His calligraphy was rated as "charming in knots, although lacking in strength, it was also unique." There are many people in the world and in future generations who imitated the thin gold body, but most of them rarely have its essence. However, the imperial calligraphy copied by Li Shiyong has both spirit and form and is lifelike.

Daguan Shengzuo Monument

Cai Jing, the person who wrote the inscription, had long characters and was a native of Xianyou, Xinghua. He served as prime minister four times and became a Taishi. He was a famous traitor and a powerful promoter of the subjugation of the Northern Song Dynasty. Although he is notorious behind him, his calligraphy achievements are quite high. The four great calligraphers of "Su Huangmi Cai" say that "Cai" means Cai Jing, not Cai Xiang. In "Tiewei Mountain Cong Tan", Cai Jing once asked Mi Fu: "How many people can write today?" Mi Fu believes: "Since the Tang Liu Dynasty in the evening, they have been brothers in the public in recent times." It can be seen that his diplomatic status is high. The title of "Daguan Shengzuo Stele" has a strong calligraphy posture, a fine writing meaning, random strokes echoing, and a consistent charm. It is actually a first-class work.

This stele edict was originally launched in the world to set an example for scholars around the world and select talents for the country. However, the country's throne in the Northern Song Dynasty was exhausted in less than twenty years due to the wanton squandering of the artist emperors Zhao Ji and Cai Jing and other treacherous officials. It can be seen that the power class that controls the destiny of the country is the group that needs virtue and talent most.

Originally published in "Nine Hundred Years of Winds and Winds: A Picture of Xi'an Forest of Steles" Northwest University Press

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Source: Forest of Steles Museum