These three fathers and sons not only made great achievements in poetry, but also ranked among the "Eight Masters in Tang and Song Dynasties".
Among these three fathers and sons, Su Shi's literary achievements and fame are the greatest. Su Zhe has the highest official position and served as deputy prime minister. As for Su Xun, although he was the father of these two men, he was not as famous as Su Shi, and he didn't accomplish eight things until his death.
Moreover, Su Xun became famous very late, and began to study at the age of 27. He was the only one among the "Eight Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties" who failed to pass the examination.
Hey, you said, this old Suman is not because he touched the light of his two sons, is it?
This is really not. His two sons have achieved what we see today. Although they are inseparable from their natural talents, they also depend to a great extent on the teaching of the "old Soviet Union". Not only that, but his articles are unique, on a par with Han Yu in the Tang Dynasty and Ouyang Xiu in the Song Dynasty.
There is a saying now, as long as you start working hard now, it is never too late. We always think this is chicken soup, but it's not.
Su Xun is a living example. He began to study at the age of 27 and eventually became a master of literature. Saint Amethyst has a saying, "Twenty-seven is the beginning of striving for strength", which refers to Su Xun.
But it can do so much, and it doesn't want to be so simple. Mainly due to his efforts in five aspects:
On the one hand, the prodigal son turned back and was supported by a good wife.
When Su Xun was young, he didn't like reading. Because my father is still alive, he has no responsibility to support his family and is a little chivalrous, so he traveled abroad and went to many places like Li Bai, a teenager.
At the age of eighteen, he married a woman his age. This Mrs. Su is very famous, and later she also made a lot of efforts in educating the two brothers.
Mrs. Su was originally the daughter of a large local family and brought a lot of dowry. It didn't take long for Su Xun to splurge, while Su Xun was still doing nothing. Mrs. Su has nothing to say in her heart.
Until one day, Su Xun figured it out, which was really embarrassing. He asked Mrs. Su, "I think I should start studying now and I should be able to achieve something. But I must concentrate on my studies. What can I do with such a heavy burden at home? "
Su Xun's words are just what Mrs. Su wants. She said, "I wanted to talk about you for a long time, but you are going to start studying because of me." I can't read anything if I don't want to. Since you are studying hard yourself, you don't have to worry about it at home! "
Second, transform in time and work hard towards the real goal of life.
From that year on, 27-year-old Su Xun began to study hard. But the road to scientific research in Su Xun is not so smooth. At the age of 37, he took the exam again. Did not pass the exam.
This system examination is no more difficult than the imperial examination. During the 300 years of Song Dynasty, the imperial examination selected more than 40,000 scholars, but only 4 1 person passed the system examination.
As a result, his bohemian character was once again displayed. My buddy won't play with you, so I won't take the exam! Be a free scholar and writer.
So he burned several articles written in his research room. These articles were written to cope with the exam at that time, and their creation was not free and their structure was sloppy.
Next, he began to study in seclusion for decades, reading only the classics of sages. For example, Confucius' books, Mencius' books and Han Yu's books.
Gradually, he figured out the way out, which is the underlying logic of the article.
Ouyang Xiu later said in his epitaph that his article:
"It's the study of six classics and a hundred schools of thought to test the success or failure of chaos control in ancient and modern times. Sages are poor and reach the source. Get its essence, including livestock overflow, restrain but not send. " -"Epitaph of Mr. Lao Su"
Lao Su, a man, studied the Six Classics, studied a hundred schools of thought, and discussed the reasons for the rise and fall of ancient and modern dynasties, as well as the reasons for the setbacks, smoothness, official career and retirement of sages. Get their essence, rich in reserves, but first suppress them not to express.
"For a long time, I said: Yes! So write a thousand words in an instant. It gallops in and out, will be built in the deep, and then stop ... so it is called the old Soviet Union. "-"Epitaph of Mr. Lao Su "
Don't write until you have enough reserves. A thousand words in an instant, articles gallop freely, and thoughts open and close freely. For a time, scholars regarded his articles as model essays. People call it "Old Su".
The third aspect, the distinctive way of education.
Lao Su's education for his son began with his name. He once wrote an article called Two Names, explaining the origin of the names of the Su brothers.
"I'm afraid you lack external decoration ... I know it's unnecessary." -"The Theory of Two Names"
That is, although Su Shi is brilliant, you should keep a low profile and be cautious. Su Zhe wants you to be proud of yourself.
Secondly, tell children not to read dead books when reading. You should know that reading has two purposes: to be an official, you must govern the country and protect the people; If you can't be an official, write a book and spread your thoughts to future generations.
Fourth, Su Xun studies with her children.
This is difficult for many modern people to do, and Su Xun didn't just sit there and watch Su Shi and Su Zhe study. But really participate in their reading and discuss with them.
Once, they read an article by Premier Fu Bi. Inside is a letter to Duke Liao, which probably says: Duke Liao, don't always wage war, it will consume our national strength. Why are your courtiers so keen to persuade you to fight with us? Because they are selfish, they can make contributions by fighting. But it's bad for you.
On the one hand, Su Xun praised the article after reading it, and on the other hand, he asked his two sons, can you think of similar views put forward by the ancients?
Su Shi has a lively mind. He said that a minister named Yan 'an said the same thing when Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was in power. But his argumentation process is not as rigorous as Fu Bi's.
At that time, Su Shi was only a teenager and so knowledgeable. At the time of the first imperial examination, the examiner Ouyang Xiu regarded his paper as that of his favorite disciple Ceng Gong.
Fifth, while studying in thousands of books, you should go to Wan Li Road.
When studying at home, Su Xun often leads two brothers away from each other.
In the early years of Jiayou in the Northern Song Dynasty, when Su Xun was 47 years old, he took his two sons to Beijing. Visited Ouyang Xiu and other celebrities. Ouyang Xiu greatly appreciated the articles of the three of them. Especially for Su Xun's articles, Ouyang Xiu thinks it can be compared with Jia Yi in Han Dynasty.
The following year, Su Shi and Su Zhe tied the list in the imperial examination for the first time, and the fame of Su Men and his son caused a sensation in Beijing.
Looking at the achievements of Su Xun's life. This is unique in the history of China literature. On the one hand, self-taught, reaching the level of Jia Yi in the upper class, and resisting Han Yu and Ouyang Xiu in the lower class; On the other hand, he also opened an era and educated two great writers, Su Shi and Su Xun.
Most importantly, he set an example for future generations. He proved that a person can reach a high level as long as he has a purpose and is willing to make correct efforts for it.
1066 April, Su Xun died in Beijing, and his official position only rose by eight grades in a few years. But his significance to literature is immeasurable. History is called "Old Su".
References: Biography of Su Xun in Song Dynasty, Biography of Su Shichuan in Song Dynasty, Biography of Su Dongpo, Epitaph of Mr. Lao Su, Theory of Filial Son in Ming Dynasty.