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When it comes to ancient emperors who were good at calligraphy, many people first think of Song Huizong Zhao Ji, Kangxi, and Yongzheng. Friends who have a little knowledge of calligraphy history will also mention Song Gaozong Zhao Gou, Tang Taizong Li Shimin, Wu Zetian, etc. However, both insiders and outsiders have overlooked an emperor with extremely high calligraphy skills, and he is Tang Gaozong Li Zhi.

People have always been talking about his love story with Wu Zetian, or his successes and failures during his reign, but few people pay attention to his literary talent. Li Zhi was once called the "Emperor of Elegance" by later generations, and his articles and calligraphy were praised by Li Shimin. According to historical records, the edicts issued by Li Zhi to his ministers were often kept secret by them, and some people even forgot what the content was because the calligraphy was so beautiful, which led to mistakes.

Li Zhi and Wu Zetian both loved calligraphy, especially the works of Wang Xizhi and Wang Gemin. Li Zhi inherited Li Shimin's collection and arranged for his officials to continue collecting. Whenever he had free time, Li Zhi would copy ancient calligraphy and learned the essence of Wei and Jin calligraphy. At that time, some people praised him for being able to make out the real thing, saying that "there is no way to distinguish the works of Youjun, and even Ouyang Xun can't do it."

There are very few couples in the history of calligraphy. Zhao Mengfu and Guan Daosheng are the most famous, but Li Zhi and Wu Zetian are not inferior to them. Especially in inheriting the brushwork of Wei and Jin Dynasties, Li Zhi has a unique advantage over Zhao Mengfu, and Wu Zetian has a unique advantage over Guan Daosheng, that is, they can learn from the original works.

Li Shimin had already learned Wang Xizhi to a very high level, but Li Zhi "took it to a higher level": "Emperor Gaozong of Tang inherited the family style, and his brushwork was vigorous and brilliant. Although not as vigorous as Emperor Wen, his technique of fighting was better." Although not as vigorous as Li Shimin's, his brushwork was better than Li Shimin's.

There are not many works of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty handed down from generation to generation. The main ones include "Xuan Tang Tie", "Yesterday Tie", "Wu Shi Tie", "Guo Wu Tie·Wen Guan Tie", "Qian Shi Tie", "Six Shangshu Tie", "Tang Ji Gong Song and Preface", "Wannian Palace Stele", "Li Ji Stele", "Xiaojing Emperor Ruide Ji Ming Inscription", "Longguo Temple Stele Inscription", "Yuhua Palace Mountain Inscription", etc., most of which are included in "Chunhua Ge Tie".

Among these works, the most meticulous and solemn one is the Wannian Palace Stele. This work was written in the fifth year of the Yonghui reign of the Tang Dynasty (654 AD). Li Zhi personally wrote the text and inscribed it in red ink, and it was copied and engraved on stone by the top engravers. The Wannian Palace is actually the famous Jiucheng Palace, which was renamed in the second year of the Yonghui reign (651 AD). Due to its age, the original stele stone surface has been eroded and the text is blurred. It is now stored in the Jiucheng Palace site in Linyou County, Shaanxi Province.

Among the rubbings available on the market, the best are those from the early Qing Dynasty, with the title and the back of the stele complete. Liang Zhangju, Wang Shu, Wang Wenzhi, and Weng Fanggang have collected and inscribed on them.

This work is exquisitely written, completely inheriting the style of Wang Xizhi, and can be seen in the style of "Lanting" and "Shengjiao". It is in mid-air, with the tip of the brush held back, and the strokes are vigorous, fine and smooth, graceful and orderly. The turning points are mainly rounded, graceful and natural, and each word is connected and connected. The characters are compact and tilted, with a vertical momentum, the structure is staggered, and the changes in pitch and back are obvious, showing great skill.

What do you think of Tang Gaozong Li Zhi’s calligraphy? Welcome to leave a message in the comment section to discuss!