The Four Elders were all natives of Zhi County in Henei Commandery, though some say one of them lived in Ji County. They were: Master Dongyuan, Master Luli, Qili Ji, and Lord Xiahuang. All four cultivated the Dao and maintained their moral purity, refusing to act unless it was in accordance with righteousness.
During the reign of Qin Shi Huang, witnessing the tyrannical rule of Qin, they retreated into Mount Lantian and composed a song:
“Lofty and lush are the towering mountains,Winding and deep are the secluded valleys. Radiant and bright are the purple lingzhi; Which can be eaten to stave off hunger. The age of Yao and Shun is now far away; To where shall I return! The high carriage with four horses; Brings with it immense anxiety. The wealthy and noble fear others; Better to be poor and lowly, yet freely indulge one’s aspirations.”
Thereupon, they entered the Shangluo region together and hid themselves in Mount Difei (Mount Zhongnan), awaiting the stabilization of the realm. After the fall of the Qin dynasty, Gaozu of Han heard of their worthiness and summoned them, but they did not come. They concealed themselves deep within Mount Zhongnan, refusing to compromise their integrity.
Note
Known as the Four Elders of Mount Shang, four virtuous Daoist scholars fled Qin’s tyranny and hid in mountains. They composed a song praising reclusive freedom over official worries. Even Han Emperor Gaozu’s summons failed to draw them out; they kept their integrity in seclusion.
The Four Elders of Mount Shang (商山四皓):
A famous group of four elderly scholars who became legendary symbols of moral integrity and resistance against tyrannical political power. These four men had originally all been Erudite Officials of the Qin Dynasty. Discontented with the tyranny of burning books and burying scholars alive, they retired to Mount Shang. When they finally emerged, they were all over eighty years old, with white hair and beards.
Their story is deeply embedded in Chinese cultural memory as the ultimate example of scholars preserving their dignity in chaotic times.
Purple Lingzhi (紫芝):
A mythical, luminous fungus in Daoist lore believed to grant longevity and sustain life. In their song, it symbolizes the self-sufficient, spiritually nourishing life of the hermit, contrasting sharply with the material wealth of the imperial court.
The Age of Yao and Shun (唐虞世远):
Yao and Shun are the legendary sage-kings of ancient China, representing the golden age of moral governance and harmony. The Elders’ lament over their distant era reflects the classic Confucian/Daoist nostalgia for a lost utopia and their disillusionment with contemporary dynastic rule.
Refusing Han Gaozu:
The Four Elders’ rejection of Emperor Gaozu of Han is one of the most famous political anecdotes of the early Han dynasty. Historically, they were eventually coaxed out of seclusion by the future Emperor Hui to secure his position as crown prince, but in the Biographies of Noble Recluses, their steadfast refusal highlights their absolute commitment to spiritual independence over imperial favor.
Freely Indulging One’s Aspirations:
This phrase encapsulates the core philosophy of the noble recluse. It asserts that true freedom and happiness come from inner spiritual fulfillment, which can only be achieved by rejecting the anxieties, compromises, and subservience required by political power and wealth.
四皓者，皆河内轵人也，或在汲。一曰东园公二曰角里先生，三曰绮里季，四曰夏黄公，皆修道洁己，非义不动。秦始皇时，见秦政虐，乃退入蓝田山，而作歌曰：“莫莫高山，深谷逶迤。晔晔紫芝，可以疗饥。唐虞世远，吾将何归！驷马高盖，其忧甚大。富贵之畏人，不如贫贱之肆志。”乃共入商雒，隐地肺山，以待天下定。及秦败，汉高闻而徵之，不至。深自匿终南山，不能屈己。
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