Su Xun

Su Xun (; 22 May 1009 – 21 May 1066) was a scholar, essayist and philosopher during the Song dynasty, listed as one of the Eight Masters of the Tang and Song, along with his sons Su Shi and Su Zhe.

Life and career

Early life and education Su Xun was born to an affluent family at Meishan, Sichuan Province. He began to diligently study at the age of 27 towards the civil service examination, which was considered too late by public at that time. He attempted the examinations for the Jinshi and Maocai (Xiucai) qualifications several times but failed all. At age 37, he shifted away from examination style writings emphasizing on rhythm and rigid formality, and embarked on over a decade of intensive study of classical literature and philosophy from the pre-Qin era including the Confucius and Mencius texts. Through self-teaching, Su Xun acquired a thorough understanding of classic scholarly discourses as well as historical events. During his learning years, he simultaneously coached and guided his two sons in their study of history, literature, and philosophy, who would later grow to significant literati in the Song Dynasty.

Career and accomplishments In 1056, Su Xun, at age 47, accompanied by his sons Su Shi and Su Zhe, went to the capital Bianjing, to meet the Hanlin academician Ouyang Xiu. He presented twenty-two essays to Ouyang Xiu containing his recommendation and insights on political, economical and military reforms. Contemporary scholar Wang Shuizhao compares Su Xun's writing style to that of Zhan Guo Ce for its abundance in rhetoric and persuasive discourse. Unlike the pre-Qin diplomats who often argued for the sake of argument, Su Xun’s political and historical commentaries were intended to analyze, critique, and address the challenges of his time and the empire. Su's diction was both concise and powerful; he was meticulous in his word selection and assertive in presenting his thoughts and arguments. was well known not only for its crisp language, but also for its foresight and wisdom. The essay was written when his elder son, Su Shi, was eleven, and his younger son, Su Zhe, was eight. Su Xun accurately identified and predicted the circumstances of his sons, weaving his wishes and advice into the names. By naming the elder "Shi" (轼) meaning the less noticeable railing of a chariot, he hoped that the talented and outspoken Su Shi would learn to restrain himself. Unfortunately, Su Shi did not fully heed his father’s counsel, and his conspicuous nature led him into a tumultuous career. By naming the younger one "Zhe" (辙), meaning ruts, the father captured the essence of Su Zhe's key traits - caution and low profile - which ensured him a stable career and a relatively peaceful life.