Huangfu Mi (215–282 CE), courtesy name Shi’an and courtesy title Xuan Yan Xiansheng (Master Xuan Yan), was a renowned scholar, writer, and physician in ancient China who lived through the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the Three Kingdoms Period, and the early Western Jin Dynasty. Though widely celebrated as the “father of acupuncture” for his medical masterpiece Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), he also made remarkable contributions to literature and history, among which Gao Shi Zhuan (Biographies of Noble Scholars, Biographies of High-Minded Scholars or Biographies of Eminent Scholars) stands out as a classic work that records the deeds of ancient hermits and noble scholars, embodying the spiritual pursuit of Chinese literati.
Compiled by Huangfu Mi in his later years, Gao Shi Zhuan is a collection of biographies focusing on “gaoshi” – a term referring to noble, virtuous scholars who valued spiritual freedom over fame and wealth, and insisted on their moral principles regardless of worldly temptations. Born into a declining noble family and living in a turbulent age where many literati chased fame and fortune, Huangfu Mi was deeply moved by the moral decay of society. His original intention in compiling this book was to “highlight seclusion and cultivate integrity”, setting spiritual benchmarks for later generations by recording the words and deeds of these noble scholars, and criticizing the utilitarian tendencies of the time.
The book covers 96 figures spanning from ancient times to the Wei and Jin Dynasties, each with distinct personalities and lofty virtues. Among them are Xu You and Shan Juan from the Yao and Shun periods, who refused the throne to pursue a simple life in seclusion; Yan Guang from the Han Dynasty, who chose to fish by the Fuchun River rather than accept an official position offered by Emperor Guangwu; and Ji Kang from the Wei and Jin Dynasties, who advocated “transcending conventional ethics and following nature” and insisted on his personality freedom. These stories not only vividly depict the noble characters of the “gaoshi” but also reflect the social customs and cultural atmosphere of different eras, showing the spiritual lineage of Chinese literati that “if one can achieve success, he will benefit the whole world; if not, he will cultivate himself alone”.
Different from ordinary biographical works, Gao Shi Zhuan emphasizes the spiritual connotation of the “gaoshi” rather than their official achievements or social status. It conveys three core concepts: first, seclusion is not escapism but a commitment to moral principles; second, integrity is more important than fame and wealth; third, returning to nature and pursuing the true essence of life reflects the philosophy of “harmony between man and nature”. For Huangfu Mi himself, who refused multiple invitations to serve as an official and devoted his life to scholarship and writing, the “gaoshi” in the book were not only historical figures but also a reflection of his own life pursuit of being indifferent to fame and fortune and focusing on self-cultivation.
Gao Shi Zhuan is of great historical, literary, and educational value. Historically, it provides precious materials for the study of ancient Chinese society, culture, and the spiritual world of literati; literarily, it has vivid character descriptions and concise language, laying a foundation for the development of biographical literature in China; educationally, it has inspired countless people to pursue noble spiritual realms and maintain inner peace in a noisy world. Today, this book still helps people understand the traditional Chinese values of integrity, modesty, and spiritual freedom, and serves as an important window to explore the spiritual world of ancient Chinese literati.
Leave a Reply