Ouyang Xiu was a great writer in the Northern Song Dynasty. His literary talent is outstanding, and his official position is very high, but he pays great attention to asking for advice modestly. Every time he finishes writing an article, he must first "think on paper and powder on the wall." His work "The Preface to the Drunk Pavilion", with concise words and beautiful words, has been handed down by people so far. This article benefited from the guidance of an old woodcutter who cut wood.

When Ouyang Xiu was appointed as the magistrate of Chuzhou, his good friend Monk Zhi Xian built a pavilion for him on Langya Mountain. Ouyang Xiu named it "Zuiweng Pavilion" and wrote the article "Zuiweng Pavilion". After the article was written, Ouyang Xiu copied a lot of copies and ordered people to post them outside, hoping that pedestrians would help him revise and make suggestions.

Everyone who saw the article praised Ouyang Xiu's literary talent. At this time, an old woodcutter who cut wood said that his article was a bit too wordy. Ouyang Xiu then read this article again for the old man, and humbly asked the old man to teach him the mistakes. At first, I read: "Chuzhou is surrounded by mountains, with Wulong Mountain Scenic Resort in the east, Dafeng Mountain in the west, Huashan Mountain in the south and rice white in the north. The mountain peaks in the southwest are very beautiful ... "The old woodcutter thought this was my long-winded place and said," When I was chopping wood, I stood in the Nantianmen, Dafeng Mountain, Wulong Mountain Scenic Resort, Mibaishan Mountain and Huashan Mountain, and when I turned around, I came into view.

Ouyang Xiu quickly said, "That makes sense." Immediately revised to: "Surrounded by Chushan". This is the concise beginning of the drunken pavilion we see today.

Refuse two nights of gold

Yang Zhen, a Hongnong native in the Eastern Han Dynasty, was diligent and knowledgeable. He has been teaching for more than 20 years and has never been recruited by state and county officials. Later, he wanted to enter official career. People thought that Yang Zhen was too old to enter the official career, but his ambition became more and more firm. When General Deng Zhi heard about Yang Zhen's fame, he hired him as his staff. At that time, Yang Zhen was over 50 years old. Later, he served as Jingzhou secretariat and Donglai satrap.

When Yang Zhen went to work in Donglai County, he passed Changyi, and the county magistrate Wang Mi was the Cai Mao he had recommended before. In the evening, Wang Mi brought ten catties of gold to Yang Zhen. Yang Zhen refused to say, "Old friends know Wang Jun, but Wang Jun doesn't know his friends. Why? "

Wang Mi replied, "No one will know about it in the middle of the night."

Yang Zhen said seriously, "Heaven knows the earth, you know me. How can you say that no one knows? "

Hearing this, Wang Mi felt ashamed and had to leave with the gold.

Later, Yang Zhen was transferred to Zhuojunfu. He is a fair and upright official, and his descendants are very simple in food and clothing and go out on foot. His friends suggested that he buy a manor for his children and grandchildren, but Yang Zhen refused. He smiled and said, "Isn't it rich to let my descendants be called descendants of honest officials and leave this as an inheritance?"

Proverbs (honesty):

It is better to be honest and kind than to be clever and cunning.

Deception is better than honesty. Old don't coax, small don't hide.

Honesty is good, but honesty is difficult.

Greed is the root of all evil and honesty is the best book.

Treason is the root of all evil, and honesty is the root of all good.

Half a bottle of water splashed, and the whole bottle was silent.

Extraordinary praise must have ulterior motives.

Wild geese fly high, not to show off their wings; Heroes do things not for the praise of others.

When you think you are perfect, flower of life begins to wither.

When the Gonta is full, it is folded; If the moon is too round, it will be short.

An innocent soul cannot tolerate lies and fears.