Features of Cao Quan’s calligraphy
1. Flat and stretched. The flat square structure is the unique characteristic of Han Li, which is determined by the horizontal position of the knots of Han Li. However, the structure of some characters in "Cao Quan Stele" is so flat that it can hardly be flattened anymore, which is rare in other Han steles. As shown in the figure "***" in Figure 1, the two horizontal lines are bunched up and spread out at the bottom, and the left and right sides are loose. The upper two vertical points are tightly bound to correspond to the two lower points, which makes the middle palace tightly knotted, creating a contrast with the large wave painting in the middle. In Figure 2, the horizontal drawings of the characters "Zhi" and "Deng" are like a gymnast stretching out her legs, and her upper body is well-proportioned and tightened. Figure 3 The character "ming" is tilted left and right like a big umbrella, completely covering the middle part, while the vertical hook of the character "yuan" is stretched to the right, making the entire character elegant and stretched.
2. Small and large. This is also the structural feature of "Cao Quan Stele". The larger one is like the character "Xue" in Figure 4, and the smaller one is like the character "Gang". The size ratio between the two is about double. Due to the wide spacing between the words and the sparse lines between the words on this stele, the large and small characters appear scattered and scattered in the orderly composition. They are full of variety and scattered, so the big ones are not as big as the small ones. Showing its smallness, it achieves a dialectical unity that complements each other. It can also be seen that the author is very good at using contrasting techniques to enrich the composition of this stele through the large and small, flat and long structures of the characters.
3. The cloth is white and even. This is mainly reflected in the coordination between the stipples in a character, the distance between the same stipples is roughly equal, and the stroke combination of the character is also dense and well-proportioned. As shown in Figure 5, the left half of the word "Chao" has many horizontal strokes in a dense row, and the right half has a sparse row with fewer horizontal strokes. The space between the strokes is very even, and the left and right sides are consistent and appear dense and well-proportioned. Stipples with repeated loops, such as the two "units" in the character "you", are the same size but not rigid. Structural arrangements like this give "Cao Quan Stele" a neat, stable, elegant and elegant temperament.
4. Retract and release freely. The retracting and unfolding of the structure is the main common feature of all Han Li steles, and this is particularly prominent in the "Cao Quan Stele". Its expansion and contraction is mainly reflected by the left and right expansion of wave picking and twisting. As shown in Figure 6, the character "Jian" is relaxed on the left and tightened on the right. The opposite is true for the character "揖", which is closed on the left and released on the right. In this way, between the expansion and contraction, the heights are staggered, the width changes, and the density, distance, and distance of the two parts can be appropriately coordinated, making the characters vivid and flexible. It can be said that the expansion has been brought to its extreme in "Cao Quan Stele" and has become this The indispensable main feature of the monument is also a sign of its maturity. Most of this type of characters have smooth writing styles, movement in silence, graceful tails, relaxed postures, and a particularly strong contrast between density, density, and density. The elegant and beautiful style of "Cao Quan Stele" is mainly reflected here.
5. The pen breaks the connection with the meaning. As shown in Figure 7, the strokes at the left and right corners of the upper part of the word "国" are all broken up to make it full and not overwhelming. The upper part of the "or" in the middle is empty and the lower part is empty, making it more ethereal. Another example is that on the left side of the character "Lu", the second horizontal and vertical characters in the upper part and the vertical and abbreviated characters in the lower part should have been connected, but now they are separated. They are combined with the right side to form a character. The left and right connections are broken, but they complement each other.
6. Tighten up and loosen down. The characters of "Cao Quan Stele" are so beautiful and graceful, like a fairy descending from the earth, floating and ready to fly. In addition to being flatter than ordinary Han dynasty stele, it is also closely related to its upper center of gravity and the extension of its middle and lower parts. As shown in Figure 8, the character "Yi" has a short upper stroke that draws in the waist, while the lower strokes are long and straight, either upright or spread out. Another example is the character "李", which is all upward and tightly entangled on the upper side of the middle palace. It flows away from the lower left side through a thick arc. The strong contrast between density and density makes the rhythm more lively. This structure of tight top and loose bottom is one of the elements that form the beautiful artistic style. It and the simple and natural beauty are both the embodiment of beauty and cannot be ignored.
The significance and value of the Cao Quan Stele
The "Cao Quan Stele" is undoubtedly a famous monument in the Han Dynasty, but it has always been controversial. Those who admired its beauty praised it as "the "Orchid Pavilion" in official script", while those who despised it said it was delicate and delicate, just like a girl's calligraphy. Therefore, when studying official script, we have never advocated starting with the "Cao Quan Stele" or studying it more. To say it is like "Orchid Pavilion" is to praise it too much; to say it is like a girl's book is to slander it too much. I think it is like Zhao Mengfu's book, which has great achievements, great contributions, extraordinary beauty, and is easy to read, but it is indeed more gentle, and those who want to learn it must be good at learning. This is just like how later generations evaluated the Qing Dynasty Wan Jing who studied "Cao Quan Stele". It is necessary to "get rid of the delicate beauty and gain the strong character".
This stele is one of the representative works of Han Dynasty stele and a typical example of the beautiful school. Its structure and brushwork have reached a very perfect state. This not only has high artistic value, but also has important historical value.
In addition to describing Cao Quan's life and lineage, the article also records major historical events in the Han Dynasty. For example, there are words in the article such as "King Hede of Shule killed his father and usurped the throne", "Hede died face-tied", etc., which are different from the literature records. Can be used as a reference for revision history. It also records the peasant uprising led by Zhang Jiao. At that time, it had spread to Shaanxi, and the Guo family of Heyang County responded, resulting in a situation where "the city and temples were burned to the ground, thousands of people harassed them, people were uneasy, and the county was in emergency." It has important reference value for studying the peasant uprising in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.
Judging from the calligraphy of this stele, the characteristics of its writing style are very obvious. The pen moves backwards and forwards, mainly in round strokes. The strokes are like pushing a boat along the trend. There are few big squats and big jumps. The strokes are steady, graceful, graceful, bright and multi-faceted. Ding Bo is often written in a relatively long way, with various postures. It can be like a gurgling stream, or it can be pressed gently and then picked out, slowly and smoothly, making it appear as if it is about to fly. The structure is precise, smooth and rounded. Although it is used both towards the back, it is most and most wonderfully used towards the Dharma. There are also many changes in the turning method, either round and downward, with the meaning of external expansion, such as "jing", "yan", etc.; or lightly pressed to the right and turned down, such as "bing", "shang", etc. character; or lift the pen at the fold, return it to the center, and then fold it down, like the downward fold of the character "唄"; or start another stroke, press it upward and to the right in a circular motion, then turn the center of gravity downward, and fold the pen downward, Such as the word "Uncle"; or at the fold, the pen is lifted upward, and then folded down in a circular motion, such as the words "Yong", "贲", etc. However, the emotions are also different depending on the priorities. Although these turning methods are generally the same in Han Li, due to different ways of using pens and different personalities of each person, they are the same. But the taste is different. This so-called isomorphism and heterogeneity are very different from the official script we do today. In fact, its correspondence can be found in both the regular script and the official script, but the directions and trends are different. Looking at its calligraphy style, this stele is characterized by its feminine beauty. Graceful and graceful, with a graceful body, gorgeous but not vulgar, beautiful and clear, the middle palace is tightly closed, the essence is hidden, stretched like a group of cranes flying wings, elegant and dignified, with luxury and elegance in the ancient times, and elegance in the wind and moon. , The pen is exquisite and the ink is wonderful, rich and profound, full of emotion, transcendent and graceful, spirited and spirited, enlightened and elegant all the way. Those who don't know it think it's soft and charming, and those who know it well think it's strong bones. In the past dynasties, it was referred to as "Liu Qi" and regarded as the most precious treasure of Han Dynasty monuments.
The popular version of Cao Quan's stele
Official script
Also called "official script" and "left script". It is a font evolved from the simplified seal script. The round strokes of the seal script are turned into square folds. In terms of structure, the pictographic style is changed into strokes. The purpose is to make writing convenient and fast.
Beginning in the Qin Dynasty, it was widely used in the Han and Wei dynasties. Wei Heng of the Jin Dynasty's "Four Types of Calligraphy" said: "Since Qin used seal script, there were many affairs in the Qin Dynasty, and it was difficult to write seal script, so it ordered the scribes (referring to subordinate officials, that is, the small officials who handle documents) to assist in writing, which is called scribe script." That is to say, official script was originally just a simple and fast way of writing Xiaozhuan. In the Han Dynasty, it was processed and developed into a font with artistic value. Qin Li is also called "ancient Li", which is not very different from Xiaozhuan. Han Li is also called "Jinli", and its style and structure are different from Xiaozhuan. There is also a big difference between the Western Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty. The official strokes of the Western Han Dynasty are simpler than those of the Qin Li Jian, but there is no wave (stroke movement). By the Eastern Han Dynasty, there were waves, and later generations also called it "eight points". ". The structure of official script broke the tradition of the six scripts, laid the foundation for regular script, and improved the efficiency of writing. Its emergence marked a turning point in the history of the development of Chinese characters. The "Cao Quan Stele" of the Eastern Han Dynasty displayed in Xi'an Forest of Steles Museum can be said to be a representative of official script and a masterpiece among Han steles. The full name of "Cao Quan Stele" is "Heyang Ling Cao Quan Stele". It was engraved in October of the second year of Zhongping in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 185) and was erected by Wang Chang and others. It was unearthed in Cuili Village in Heyang County (now Heyang, Shaanxi Province) in the early Wanli year of the Ming Dynasty. The inscription records Cao Quan's suppression of the Yellow Turban Uprising in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. It also records Zhang Jiao's leadership of the peasant uprising that spread to Shaanxi. It also reflects the momentum of the peasant army at that time and the uprising of the Guo family in Heyang County. It provides a basis for studying the peasant uprising in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The history of the struggle provides important historical information.
The black stone of this stele is as bright as grease, and the light can be used to identify people. The calligraphy is written in official script. The text is clear, the structure is stretched, the fonts are beautiful and flying, the calligraphy is neat and precise, beautiful and strong, and the style is elegant and colorful, which fully demonstrates the maturity and style of Han Li. This stele has fine stones and a complete body. It is truly a masterpiece of Han steles and Han li. It is also one of the few works with relatively complete preservation and clear fonts among the stone steles of the Han Dynasty in China.
This stele is an important representative work of the official script of the Han Dynasty. It is unique among the official scripts of the Han Dynasty. It is a stele that preserves a large number of official scripts of the Han Dynasty. It belongs to the same category as Yi Ying and Ritual Vessels, but its expression is gorgeous and flying, with the state of "looking back, smiling and being charming", which is really a strange thing among Han Li. It is famous for its elegant style and neat structure, so it has always been valued by calligraphers. The Wan Jing of the Qing Dynasty commented: "It is flying beautifully, without being restrained, without rushing, and it is of divine quality." Sun Chengze commented on his book: "The calligraphy is elegant and graceful, and the graceful and graceful "Stele of Ritual Vessels" reflects the most precious treasures in Han stone.
Contents
The inscription on the stele describes Heyang County Ling Cao Quan's family background and life. Cao Quan was a descendant of Cao Shen, a famous prime minister in the early Han Dynasty. In the second year of Jianning (169), he was promoted as a filial and honest man. He moved to the Huaili Order of Youfufeng and later served as the Heyang Order. This stele was made by his subordinates who raised funds to carve stones to commemorate his achievements. The name of the deceased officials and the amount of donations were engraved on the stele, which is consistent with the inscription in "Ping Shule". There are quite some discrepancies in the "Book of the Later Han Dynasty: Shule Biography". Because the stele was erected at that time, the story in the stele is recorded by historians during the Yellow Turban Uprising in the seventh year of Guanghe. ", moving at the same time" has a high historical value. The inscriptions are exquisite in style, flowing and graceful, and are one of the representative works of the Han Dynasty.
Modern calligrapher Fei Shengqian commented on "The Stele of Cao Quan": " The calligraphy on this stele is elegant and graceful, with elegant and changeable character shapes. It is one of the famous Han official scripts. But some people think that it is more than round and soft, but not simple and strong enough. In fact, the official script of "Cao Quan" is beautiful and tight, elegant and elegant, with flying brushwork, gold in the words, jade in the lines, softness with hardness, and fine tendons penetrating into the bones. Among the Han Dynasty inscriptions, "Cao Quan Stele" can be said to have the clearest handwriting. The brush strokes are mainly "round brushes", and the strokes of the wave strokes are very clear. The thickness of the strokes is basically a "two-point stroke". Beginners do not have enough writing strength. If they blindly pursue its beautiful appearance and press the strokes too thinly, they will often end up being delicate. The "swallow tail" of its wave pattern is also extremely rounded and delicate. If it becomes "square" when practicing, it will easily lose the original wind spirit. The stroke of the pen should not be too light and slippery.
Discovery
The full name of "Cao Quan Stele" is "Heyang Ling Cao Quan Stele". Engraved on October 21, the second year of Zhongping in the Eastern Han Dynasty (185). In the early years of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, this stele was excavated in Xin Village, the old city of Heyang, Shaanxi Province.
Cao Quan Stele
Cao Quan Stele
The seal script has been lost. . When it was unearthed, the characters were intact and not a single character was missing. After the 11th year of Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1672), there were cracks in the middle, and now there are even more missing characters. However, there are few Han steles that are more intact than this. After being unearthed, it was moved to the east gate of the Confucius Temple in Heyang County, facing west. In 1965, it was moved to the third room of the Forest of Steles of Shaanxi Provincial Museum.
This "Cao Quan Stele" collected by the National Library is an undamaged copy of the Ming extension with the word "Xi". The monument is 253 cm high and 123 cm wide. Cut and mounted, the inner frame is 25 cm high and 11.5 cm wide; the outer frame is 31.5 cm high and 16 cm wide, totaling 21 pages. Official script, twenty lines, forty-five characters per line. There are five columns in the back of the stele: the first column has one row; the second column has 26 lines; the third column has eight lines in "Jiushi Cui Bian", Ouyang Fu's "Jiu Gu Zhi Zhi" has five rows; the fourth column has eighteen lines in "Jin Shi Cui Bian" Line, Ouyang Fu's "Collecting Ancient and Seeking Truth" contains seventeen lines; five columns and four lines.
The "Cao Quan Monument" was erected by Jin Wang Chang and others to commemorate Cao Quan's achievements. Wang Bi and others set up stones. Cao Quan, courtesy name Jingwan, was born in Xiaogu, Dunhuang. The inscription mainly narrates Cao Quan's life and death to share the worries of his younger brother. He abandoned his official position and returned to his hometown. He was banned again and lived in seclusion in his family. In the seventh year of Guanghe's reign, he was appointed as a doctor again and worshiped Jiuquan, Lufu and other life experiences. It reflects from the side the peasant uprising led by Zhang Jiao and the turmoil. , with great momentum. The inscription on the stele contains three lines of inscriptions, with three characters forming a sentence. There is an empty three-line line with the year and month at the end of the main body of the stele.
The inscriptions of those who erected the stele are engraved on the underside of the stele, including virgins, county elders, township elders, offering wine under the door, discussing affairs under the door, supervising postal services, and the history of general orders, etc.
This "Cao Quan Stele" is an undamaged copy of the Ming inscription "Xi" originally collected by Zhu Yizun, Weng Fanggang and others in the Qing Dynasty. Zhu Yizun, a scholar of the Qing Dynasty, was born in Xiushui (now Jiaxing, Zhejiang). Erudite and talented, especially good at poetry, he was a master of the Qing Dynasty. Weng Fanggang, also known as Zhengsan and Qinxi, was a scholar in the Qing Dynasty. He was good at textual research on classics and epigraphy. He wrote "Epigraphy and Stone Records of the Two Han Dynasties", which is a textual research work. The outer inscription is signed by Liang Qichao, "The stele of Cao Quan was originally collected by Zhu Zhuyun, and is now in the ice room."
"Inscribed on the first month of Ji Chou", the inner inscription is Weng Fanggang's inscription "Cao Quan Stele Revealed in the Book Pavilion", and has a rectangular seal with Zhu inscriptions "Collected by Qin Xun Jian"." Zhu Yizun, Weng Fanggang and Liang Qichao handed it over to the collection. There are inscriptions and postscripts by Liang Qichao and Weng Fanggang, Zhao Huaiyu's letters and Li Yanzhang View payment. The seals include "Yizhai", "Qichao", "Liang", "Zhuco", "treasure passed down by the family for future generations", "Weng Fanggang", "Seal of Hanchou", and "Collected by Wenyuan Pavilion School Manager Weng Fanggang" , "Su Zhai Jin Shi Wen", "Rong Zhai Qing Wan", "Yin Bing Shi Zang", "Ye Zhishen Appraisal Record", "Dong Qing's Passing Eyes", "Zhu Yi Zun Seal", "Li Yan Seal" and other seals. In this version, the word "Qian" in the first line of "Bing Qian's opportunity" is not worn, and the word "Xi" in the ninth line of "Xi Yi Bo Guan" is not damaged. The fonts on the stele are even and beautiful, divided into vertical and horizontal rows, flat in shape, sparsely spaced between rows, and graceful. The Qing Dynasty Classics commented: "It is beautiful and flying, without restraint and suddenness, and it is of divine quality." People praised it as "the romantic and self-admiring Sanhe boy, the elegant and lovely Orchid Girl", and it is a typical work using round pen in Han Li.
"Cao Quan Stele" is one of the famous Han steles. Among the existing Han steles, it is the one with a larger number of official script words from the Han Dynasty. Although the rubbing method is not perfect, compared with the rubbing method at that time, the spiritual principles are muddled and lovely. It not only has extremely high artistic value, but also contains important historical value. In addition to describing Cao Quan's life, achievements, and lineage, the article also records the major historical event of the peasant uprising initiated by Zhang Jiao in the Han Dynasty, which can be used as a reference for revising history. This inscription has many different characters, so later generations suspected that it was copied. However, in terms of its straightness, simplicity and majesty, it is not something that the Han people could have achieved.
This is a selection of three photos, namely the first one with the inscription, the one with "the word 'Xi' is not damaged" and the last one with the inscription.
One hundred, so the disciples offer five hundred wines to Yao's Xinqing. Therefore, the disciples of the Prince Chang have a thousand yuan. Therefore, the disciples agree that the lifetime of the kings is different. Therefore, the governor has five hundred descendants. Therefore, the governor Yang Dongzi has a thousand sons. The general ordered Shi Dongpu to build a ceremony of three hundred, and the former county Cao Shishou Cheng Ma visited Zimou.
The former county Cao Shicheng Yang Rong grew up. The hometown stingy man Man Jun Anyun, the former meritorious Cao Ren Wuziliu, the meritorious Cao Cao Tun Dingji, the meritorious service of King Cao Hekongda, the meritorious service of King Cao Ji's son Qiao, the meritorious service of King Cao Kongliang was five hundred, the meritorious service of King Cao Cao presented his son, the meritorious service of Cao Cao was the minister of Kongdu, the meritorious service of Cao King Hengdaoxing, the meritorious service of Cao Cao Yangxiu became the daughter Five hundred, the merits of Cao Cao Wang Yan Wengui, the merits of Cao Qin Zhu Handu Qianlian, the merits of Cao Cao King Xu Zihong, the merits of Cao Cao Du Anyuan Yuan Jin Yuan Kong Xuanmeng Zhongmou, the merits of the postal clerk Yao Min was promoted to the throne, the merits of the city treasurer Wang Zunwenxi, so he was the mayor of Du Jingyanyuan, so he was the chief bookkeeper of Deng.
Anzi Anqian, so the market leader is high and thousands, so the market leader? Ji Huiqian, so his disciple Qin Jing came first, so the thief Cao Shiwang was awarded the Wenbo, so the Jin Cao History was smooth and bright, so the thief Cao Shi Ke Xiangwen Juqian was collected, so the thief Cao Shi Wang was Zhao Fuwenzhi, so the Fa Cao Shi Wang dared to write about the country, so he blocked Cao Cao Shi Dumiao was young, so Cao Cao, Shi Wu, and Confucius were born in 500 years old. □□ Bubu Zhao Jiong Wen Gao, □□ Cao Shi Gao Lian □ Ji Qian, the righteous scholar Hedong Anyi Liu Zhengyuan Fang Qian, the righteous scholar Hou Bao Wenxian 500, the righteous scholar Ying The Sichuan Zang army only had five hundred yuan, and the righteous Anping prayed for two hundred yuan.
Translation
Cao Jun’s taboo name is Quan, with the courtesy name Jing Wan. He is a surname from Xiaogu County, Dunhuang County. His ancestor was the Ji family of the Zhou Dynasty. In the past, Ji Fa, King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, took advantage of the opportunity to control the world and destroyed the Yin Shang Dynasty. His merits were established, and his fortune and official salary should be shared. Therefore, his younger brother, uncle Zhenduo, was granted the title of Cao State. This was based on Cao Cao. Beginning of surname. At the end of the Qin Dynasty and the beginning of the Han Dynasty, Cao Shen (Cao Quan's ancestor) assisted the royal family (Liu Bang). Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (Sejong) expanded his territory and moved his descendants to the suburbs of ancient Yongzhou, living in Fufeng, Anding, Wudu, Longxi, Dunhuang and other places. (Cao's) descendants are distributed all over the country, and they are dominant in one place. The emperor's great ancestor was named Min. He promoted filial piety and integrity, and served successively as the long history of Wuwei, the magistrate of Quren County of Bajun, and the captain of Zhangye Juyandu County. The name of his great-grandfather. He was promoted as Xiaolian and appointed as Yezhe, Changshi of Jincheng, Magistrate of Xiayang County and Western Commander of Shu County. His grandfather's name was Feng. He once cited filial piety and honesty. He was appointed as Wei Cheng, the capital of Zhangye's vassal state, and as prime minister of You Fufeng Wei Mihou state. As well as the captain of the western part of Jincheng and the prefect of Beidi County. (His political achievements have been rewarded by the emperor). His father's name was Pi, and he was well-known in the state and county when he was young. Unfortunately, he died young. Therefore, its status cannot be consistent with its virtue.
Jun (Cao Quan) was easy to learn when he was a child. He could identify (very difficult to understand) prophecies and taboo scriptures. He read all books and could comprehensively understand them.
The concept of filial piety to the elders has taken root in his heart. He adopted his great-uncle and was very filial to his stepmother and parents. He could predict their moods and inherit their parents' will. Regardless of whether the parents are alive or dead, their respect and etiquette are very thorough. Therefore, a local proverb says: "Cao Jing values ????family affection so much that he takes pleasure in it." His morality and reputation will be passed down from generation to generation and will never perish.
After he entered politics, his integrity was comparable to that of Boyi and Shuqi, and his integrity was unmatched by Shi Yu. He has held important positions in a county for many times, such as being the chief official of Shangji (Jinjing's proposal), and then going to Liangzhou where he served as Zhizhong, Biejia and other positions. sequence. When he held the post of county governor, he was able to impeach those who violated the law, correct evil deeds, and reform the corrupt and violent. His colleagues all admired his virtue, and his prestige shocked everyone.
In the second year of Jianning in the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 169), he was recommended as Xiaolian. He was awarded the title of Langzhong and worshiped Sima of the Wu tribe of the Western Regions. At that time, Hede, the king of Shule Kingdom, killed his father to get the throne. He did not report his duties to the central government, so (Cao Quan) sent troops to investigate. Like Wu Qi, he can drink poison for the soldiers and share the wine with everyone. During the siege and field battles, his strategies were flowing like a fountain, and his power was not reduced by the soldiers. He captured King Shule and De in front of him and executed him alive. When he led his army back in triumph, all the countries sent envoys to send gifts, which reached more than two million in a few days. He handed them all over to the public and recorded them in the accounts.
Later he moved to Huaili County in Youfufeng County as the county magistrate. When his younger brother died of illness, he resigned and returned home. Then he encountered changes in the party's control, so he lived in seclusion at home for seven years. In the sixth year of Guanghe's reign, he was elected as Xiaolian again. In March of the seventh year, he was appointed doctor and magistrate of Lufu County, Jiuquan County. The demon thief Zhang Jiao raised troops in Youzhou (Hebei) and Jizhou (Henan), and the states of Yan, Yu, Jing, and Yang responded at the same time. The peasants of the county, the Guo family, also rebelled. They burned down the government offices in the city, harassing all the people and making everyone uneasy. Many counties (three counties) were in emergency at the same time, and urgent information came frequently. At that time, the Holy Lord (the Emperor) consulted his officials for their opinions, and all the officials said: Ask the Emperor (Cao Quan)! He was then appointed as the magistrate of Heyang County. As soon as he took office, he put out the remaining fire after the war and eliminated the remaining rebels, so as to eradicate the roots. Then he visited the three elders in the county for discussion. Together with local heroes Wang Chang, Wang Bi and others, he sympathized with the urgent needs of the people, expressed condolences to the elderly, and cared for the widowed and lonely. He also bought rice and grain with his own money and gave it to the weak, sick and blind people.
His eldest daughter Taoli and others prepared the "god ointment" to treat knife wounds and personally delivered it to a pavilion far away from the city. His subordinates Wang Zai, Cheng Heng and others gave them to the sick and wounded, and most of them were cured. (Cao Quan)'s reputation for benevolent government spread faster than the postman delivering letters. The people returned to their hometowns one after another, holding their children and carrying things on their backs. Houses were repaired, shops were neatly arranged, and despite the stormy season (the society was extremely unstable), there was a good harvest. Farmers who farm, women who weave, and craftsmen are all grateful. In the first year of Heping (AD 150), this county suffered from floods in the Baimao Valley. The floods subsided during the Wuxu and Jihai periods, and the city walls were built at that time.
Since then (the flood), none of the local old people and gentry have obtained official positions (or their official positions are not high). Cao Jun took pity on the unfortunate experience of the Jin gentry and opened the gate of the South Temple, making Huashan Mountain in Xiyue clearly visible. He listens widely to public opinions and manages affairs with an open mind. As a result, scholars such as Li Ru, Luan Gui, Cheng Yin and others received corresponding "noble titles". The corresponding official residences, corridors and pavilions of various offices (specific offices) and other buildings were also expanded, and even the stairs used for court meetings and bowing ceremony were also repaired. The fees are not allowed to be paid by the public, and construction does not encroach on farming time.
The subordinates Wang Chang, the clerk Wang Bi, the chief clerk Wang Li, the household Cao Qin Shang, the meritorious Cao Shi Wang Zhuan, etc. Everyone admired Xi Si's "Song of Lu" and examined Cao's virtues. Because of its beauty, he carved a stone to commemorate his achievements. The words are: Your Majesty is beautiful, your virtue is clear. Respect the imperial court and go on an expedition to the "ghost side". The power spreads far and wide, soothing the wilderness. The army triumphantly returned to Huaili. The love between brothers is deep and they return home to attend funerals. It is a pity that the "rebels" burned down the city and were given the heavy responsibility to clean up the mess. Cut off the unruly ministers and stabilize the people. The official temple was repaired and the south gate was opened wide. If the people are harmonious and the government is harmonious, all the people will benefit from it. Officials praise him and he has plenty of food and clothing. The king should be promoted high, and his merits will be the same as those of the three princes.
The stele was built by Bingchen on the 21st day of October (Bingshenshuo) in the second year of Zhongping (AD 185) of Emperor Ling of the Eastern Han Dynasty
Exhibition
[ Qing Dynasty] Liang Xian: Xue Li first came to "Cao Quan" Yi Piao.
("Pingshu Tie")
[Qing Dynasty] Zhu Lvzhen: However, the "Cao Quan Stele" was unearthed in the Ming Dynasty and is the most complete among the Han steles, and the unbroken ones are especially good. Recently, the rubbings have been made for a long time, and the handwriting is blurred. People at that time re-engraved it, but there are more than fifty lines in the stele, and the rubbings are few, but the meaning of the writing is still there. Although the books for recording names and numbers at that time were not as well organized as the inscriptions, they were scattered and self-contained, with a unique style that was beyond the reach of later generations. This shows the true face of the Han people, including the walls and leaks in the house. ("The Essentials of Calligraphy")
[Qing Dynasty] Sun Tuigu: "Cao Quanwan Stele" came out of Heyang soil during the Wanli period. The only "cause" is half missing, and the rest is intact. Moreover, the calligraphy is elegant and graceful, echoing the "Stele of Ritual Vessels" and the most precious treasure among Chinese stones ("Gengzi Xiaoxia Ji")
[Qing Dynasty] Kang Youwei: As for the legal system, the style Qi Yiduo: Xiuyun includes "Cao Quan" and "Yuan Sun". ("Guang Yi Zhou Shuang Ji")