During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, there were seven celebrities known as the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. They are Ji Kang, Shan Tao, Ruan Ji, Ruan Xian, Xiang Xiu, Wang Rong and Liu Ling. The Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest are mainly active in Shanyang County, Henan Province. They got their name because they often drank, wrote poems and sang under the bamboo forest. Let’s take a look at the life stories of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest: Ji Kang

Ji Kang was born in the late Wei Dynasty. The ancestor's original name was Ji Kang and he lived in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, but his grandfather moved to Anhui to avoid enemies and changed his surname to Ji.

Ji Kang’s father passed away long ago, and Ji Kang has been living with his mother and brother. Although the family lacked a pillar of support, Ji Kang's mother still took great pains to raise her child. Ji Kang showed higher intelligence than ordinary people when he was a child. He likes to read and learn various skills.

Ji Kang once served as Dr. Zhong San, which was one of Ji Kang's few official careers. He likes to make alchemy on weekdays. In his spare time, he plays the piano and recites poetry to satisfy his spiritual needs.

Ji Kang highly respected Lao and Zhuang’s remarks and regarded him as his teacher. He emphasized health preservation and promoted a natural lifestyle. He once wrote "On Health Preservation" to discuss his own health regimen. He praised the life pursuits of ancient hermits, yearning for such a free life, and did not want to be imprisoned and serve as an official in the court.

Ji Kang often went to the mountains to collect some medicinal materials for alchemy. Sometimes he would be delayed in returning home, so Ji Kang simply lived in the mountains. People who went up the mountain to cut firewood in the morning saw it and thought it was a god descending to earth.

General Sima Zhao wanted Ji Kang to help him and let him work in the court, but Ji Kang refused. Regarding Shan Tao, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest who was equally famous as him, Ji Kang did not understand why he chose to be an official, so he wrote a letter of renunciation to Shan Tao, blaming Shan Tao for ignoring the previous agreement.

Later, Ji Kang was framed by Zhong Hui for offending him and executed by Sima Zhao. On the day of execution, 3,000 college students collectively interceded for Ji Kang and asked the court to pardon Ji Kang, but they were unsuccessful. Ji Kang stroked a song from 0755 to 79000 on the execution ground, and then died peacefully at the age of forty. Ji Kang's death is a pity for everyone. Even Sima Zhao himself realized that in the heat of the moment, he ruined a talented man.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove: Shan Tao

Shan Tao, born in 205 AD and died in 283 AD, was a famous politician from the Cao Wei to the Western Jin Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period. Shan Tao has been outstanding since he was a child, showing extraordinary talent. But he would rather hide his talents and live in seclusion in the countryside than become an official. It was not until the age of forty that Shan Tao began to serve as an official.

In the debate between Sima Yi and Cao Shuang, Shan Tao analyzed the problem wisely, far-sightedly and insightfully. Therefore, Shan Tao has been isolated from the world to avoid evil. Knowing that Master Sima was in power, Shan Tao came out again and fell in love. When Shan Tao was a local official, he managed very well. He selected reclusive talents and visited sages and scholars, making them famous all over the world. Therefore, Shan Tao is appreciated by the local people, which brings a new look to the local style.

Shan Tao is not only a good official who benefits the people, but also a filial son. Emperor Wu of Jin Dynasty Shan Tao resigned because his mother was old. However, Emperor Wu of Jin disagreed. However, Shan Tao did not give up, but continued to move up, and Emperor Liu Wu had no choice but to agree. Because of Shan Tao's poverty and frugality, Emperor Wu of Jin was very polite to him, which was unmatched by anyone. After Shan Tao was more than seventy years old, Emperor Wu of Jin appointed Shan Tao again. Shan Tao couldn't refuse, so he reluctantly took office. Many years later, Shan Tao abdicated several times, but he was not allowed to do so, so he became a director out of desperation.

In 282 AD, Shan Tao ranked among the three divisions. Unfortunately, a year later, Shan Tao died of illness at the age of 79.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest: Wang Rong

Wang Rong, courtesy name Junchong, was a native of Linyi on the southeast coast of Shandong. He is known for his unique perspective on evaluation. He inherited the title of Lingzhen Hou Ting from his father in his early years and later became a member of the family. During Wang Rong's official career

Later, he participated in the war against Wu. After the victory, he was promoted to Anfeng County due to his outstanding military exploits. During this period, he continued to win over celebrities in the Jingzhou area, which was quite effective.

Since then, Wang Rong's official position has continued to change. He was first appointed as a servant of the imperial court, then transferred to Guang Luxun, and then became the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. It was not until his mother's death that he resigned from the court.

After Sima Zhong came to the throne, Wang Rong became the prince's teacher. He was later transferred to Zhongshu Ling and concurrently served as Guanglu doctor, and later he was transferred to Zuo Pushe, the minister in charge of government affairs.

In 296 AD, Wang Rong was promoted to Stuart. At this time, he saw that the world was about to be in chaos, so he stopped participating in politics and concentrated on traveling. He was later removed from office because of criminal cases. After some time he was reappointed as a Stuart. Later, Emperor Hui of Jin was kidnapped by General Zhang Fang, and Wang Rong fled to Shan County.

In 305 AD, Wang Rong died in Hou Yuan at the age of 72, with a posthumous title.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest: Hunan Embroidery

Xiang Xiu, born in 227 and died in 272, was a famous scholar in the Wei and Jin Dynasties. Together with Ji Kang, Ruan Ji, Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu, Liu Ling, Wang Rong and Ruan Xian, he is known as the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest".

As a boy, Hunan embroidery was famous for its talent. Later, he met Shan Tao, and they hit it off and became close friends. Through Shan Tao, Xiang Xiu met Ji Kang and others and swam in the bamboo forest. Xiangxiu, Ji Kang and Lu An have the best relationship and often interact with each other.

Later, Xiang Xiu witnessed the whole process of Ji Kang's murder. When Zhong Hui was ridiculed by Ji Kang, Zhong Hui always held a grudge against him, and Ji Kang caused him to be killed. Xiangxiu saw the death of his good friend, which had a great impact on him. After Ji Kang and Lu An were killed one after another, Xiangxiu was deeply hurt and struggled in this painful process. Finally, he realized a new truth that made him more peaceful and indifferent.

In his later years, in order to avoid being killed due to the turmoil of the current situation, Xiang Xiu took over the official position. He only liked Zhuangzi's knowledge, so he began to annotate "Guangling San". Unfortunately, Xiang Xiu died before he finished writing. Later Guo Xiang inherited his book "Zhuangzi". Therefore, later generations have always been controversial about the author of "Zhuangzi Commentary", but in most cases it is still believed to be Guo Xiang.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest: Ruan Ji

Ruan Ji, courtesy name Sizong, was a native of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. His hometown is in today's Henan. Ruan Ji is a famous poet with many excellent poems and is known as one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. Ruan Ji is also a thinker, and he is very accomplished in thought.

Ruan Ji's father is Ruan_, one of the seven famous sons of Jian'an in Chinese history, and also a famous poet and essayist. His father was also his younger brother Ruan Wu, who was very knowledgeable and was Ruan Ji's confidant and teacher. Ruan Ji lost his father when he was three years old, and his mother raised him alone. After losing his father, Ruan Ji's family became increasingly poor. So Ruan Ji studied hard since he was a child. Coupled with his outstanding talent, he became famous and could become a chapter at the age of eight. Because Ruan Ji loved Confucian classics, he followed the example of those sages who did not seek wealth and honor, and he was also very willing to help the world politically. Moreover, while Ruan Ji was learning Chinese, he also learned martial arts, truly a master of both arts and martial arts.

Ruan Ji once entered an official career, but this was the first time in his life that he was forced to enter an official career. He had already rejected Jiang Ji's invitation and took over Qiu's position, but after everyone's persuasion, Ruan Ji reluctantly agreed and reluctantly took office. Shortly after, he resigned. Subsequently, Ruan Ji successively took up various positions.

Ruan Ji has achieved certain achievements in poetry and thought. He is of noble character and talented. He promoted the development of five-character poetry. His excellent poems are still circulated by the world today, and his thoughts and actions occupy an important position in history.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest: Ruan Xian

Ruan Xian, also known as Zhongrong, was a writer and musician from the Three Kingdoms to the Western Jin Dynasty. Ruan Xian is the nephew of Ruan Ji and the grandson of Ruan_, the seventh son of Jian'an. At that time, Ruan Xian and Ruan Ji were called "big and small Ruan". Ruan Xian's temperament is relatively open-minded and unrestrained. Because Ruan Xian admired Ruan Ji very much, he often traveled around with his uncle. Although Ruan Xian is one of the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove", Ruan Xian has not received widespread attention from the world, and he is the least concerned among the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

Ruan Xian is proficient in music and is good at playing the pipa. He was known as "Miaoda Bayin" at that time and was known as the "divine interpreter". Ruan Xian's extant works "Zhuangzi Commentary" and "Lv Yi". The musical instrument "Ruan Xian" also got its name from this.

I remember one thing: Ruan Xian, the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest, secretly had an affair with his aunt's Xianbei maid.

Later, Ruan Xian's mother passed away, Ruan Xian was in Fusang, and her aunt wanted to return to her in-laws' house. At first, the aunt promised Ruan Xian that she would leave the maid who was having an affair with Ruan Xian, but when she left, she took the maid away. Ruan Xian was still receiving guests at that time. When he knew that his aunt was gone and had taken the maid away, he borrowed the guest's horse to chase his aunt. Returning to your maid, she came back in mourning clothes, riding the same horse as your maid, saying, "You cannot throw away a man." Ruan Phuc was the child of Ruan Xian and this maid.

One of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove: Liu Ling

Liu Ling, courtesy name Bolun, also known as the Jiuxian, was a poet in the Wei and Jin Dynasties and one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. "Liu Ling is the one with the lowest social status among the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

Liu Ling is short and ugly. She is usually taciturn and does not like to interact with others. However, Liu Ling's temperament is bold and informal. Ruan Ji got along well with Ji Kang. His major works include "Book of Jin" and "Ode to Shade". His literary style inherited the spirit of Jian'an literature, which was quite strong in Jian'an. However, due to the strict control of the Western Jin Dynasty at that time, His writing uses some metaphors, symbols and other rhetorical techniques to express his thoughts and feelings implicitly. Liu Ling's articles are light and casual, with humorous language. There is no trace of carving in the depiction of characters and landscapes, as if they are natural.

Liu Ling once joined the army under Wang Rong's shogunate and helped Wang Rong manage the affairs of the shogunate. However, he was always disheveled and unkempt, and it was difficult to set an example in the army as an official in the early years of the Jin Dynasty. Because he was straightforward and did not follow the crowd, he always insisted on his own opinions on the court's policy issues and emphasized inaction, which was not allowed by the court. All the people who joined the court as officials with him were already in high positions and their official careers were rising. He was the only one. Being excluded from the court, he was unable to express his political ambitions, and the mental pressure made him depressed. In order to vent his depression, Liu Ling began to drink alcohol for a long time. The hangover made her already poor condition even worse, so she never appeared in court until her death.