The Elder of the River, an anonymous Daoist sage well-versed in Laozi’s thought, dwelt by the Yellow River and wrote a commentary on Dao De Jing. Amid chaotic Warring States strife, he lived in seclusion, kept his virtue intact, and passed his Daoist teachings to An Qisheng.
Daoist immortal An Qisheng sold herbs by the sea and never took office. He rejected Emperor Qin’s lavish treasures, leaving red jade shoes and an invitation to meet at Penglai. Later he also turned down noble rank offered by Xiang Yu.