Su Shi (1037–1101), courtesy name Zizhan, art name Dongpo Jushi, born in Meishan, Meizhou (now Meishan County, Sichuan Province) was a famous Chinese statesman and litterateur who lived during the Northern Song Dynasty. His father was Su Xun, and his younger brother was Su Zhe. All three were renowned as part of the Eight Masters of the Tang and Song. Su Dongpo's mastery spanned various forms, including the shi, ci and fu styles of poetry and prose, with enduring works that have stood the test of time. His calligraphy and painting are also highly acclaimed.
From childhood, Su Dongpo received careful instruction from his parents. His father personally compiled thousands of volumes of classics for education. In his youth, Su Dongpo meticulously transcribed significant historical and classical texts to ensure a deep understanding. His mother, Lady Cheng, taught him the importance of studying and reasoning, and she inspired him to uphold integrity and strive for excellence. His younger brother, Su Zhe, courtesy name Ziyou, accompanied him in their growth, sharing a profound brotherly affection. Su Dongpo had three marriages. His first wife was Wang Fu, with whom he shared a loving relationship and had a son. Wang Fu passed away due to illness after more than ten years of marriage. Su Dongpo wrote the renowned poem Jiang Shen Zi (A Dream, to the Tune of Chiangch'entse) in her memory as a tribute to her. Later on, Su Dongpo married Wang Fu's cousin Wang Runzhi. During a period of political career challenges, Wang Runzhi's adept household management and unwavering support proved essential in helping Su Dongpo through the difficult times in his life. At the age of 46, Wang Runzhi passed away. Following this, Su Dongpo's concubine, Wang Zhaoyun, took care of his daily needs. After around twenty years together, Wang Zhaoyun also succumbed to an illness.
In his lifetime, Su Dongpo encountered many highs and lows. While achieving success in the imperial examinations brought him fame, his political career was tumultuous. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of Song, Su Dongpo was caught in the political whirlwind of the New-Old Party strife. His disagreements with Wang Anshi's reform policies led to the "Crow Terrace Poetry Trial". As a result, Su Dongpo endured over a hundred days of imprisonment by the Imperial Office of the Censorate, facing significant physical and emotional torment. Confronted with many setbacks in life, Su Dongpo shaped an intricate and nuanced worldview. He embraced the rational aspects from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, amalgamating them harmoniously in his beliefs. He had a profound exploration of the Book of Changes studies, which served as a pillar of support for him during challenging times.
In his 64 years, Su Dongpo had many esteemed mentors and friends, including Zhang Fangping, his respected mentor Ouyang Xiu, and his close companion Chen Jichang. Zhang Fangping, the first to recognize Su Dongpo's talent, funded the journey to the capital for the imperial examination for Su Xun, Su Dongpo, and Su Zhe. This sparked a lasting friendship between Zhang Fangping and Su Dongpo despite their age gap. Ouyang Xiu held Su Dongpo's literary talent in high regard. Following Su Dongpo's success in the highest imperial examination, Ouyang Xiu consistently provided guidance and support, a gesture that Su Dongpo sincerely appreciated. Following Ouyang Xiu's death, Su Dongpo wrote a preface for his anthology, extolling his outstanding accomplishments in the literary realm. Chen Jichang and Su Dongpo shared a brotherly bond, deeply connected and mutually supportive. During Su Dongpo's career setbacks, Chen Jichang stood by his side, offering assistance to improve Su Dongpo's life, which Su Dongpo deeply appreciated, cementing a strong bond between the two.
The greatest blow in Su Dongpo's life was the Crow Terrace Poetry Trial, which led to his imprisonment. During the political turmoil between the New and Old Parties under Emperor Renzong of Song, Su Dongpo wrote poems mocking current events, which displeased the emperor and the New Party officials. Subsequently, he was imprisoned in the prison of the Imperial Office of the Censorate in Bianjing for over a hundred days. Eventually, Emperor Renzong issued an order stripping Su Dongpo of his official position and exiling him to Huangzhou. From then on, Su Dongpo was unable to attend court sessions, marking the beginning of a different phase in his life. At that time, Huangzhou was a place of poverty, and Su Dongpo and his family endured a harsh existence there, making a living by farming and living frugally. Despite his completely altered life circumstances, Su Dongpo's love for literature and artistic creation remained unwavering. His exceptional accomplishments in shi, ci, and calligraphy showcased his commitment. He once expressed, "There is no greater pleasure in my life than writing. When my thoughts guide my pen, every stroke and turn reflects my intentions. I find no greater joy than this in all of life." Literary and artistic creation had become an indispensable part of his life.
