颜真卿者，唐代书坛之泰山北斗也，与柳公权并称“颜筋柳骨”，共创一代宏风。其书法，不仅字字珠玑，气韵生动，更映照其正直不阿之品格与对朝廷之赤胆忠心。
颜公之生，犹一卷精美画卷，既有波澜壮阔之笔触，亦有细腻婉约之描绘。身处敌营，其凛然正气，如烈日之霜，刺透敌将心扉，几引发敌军内乱。然天意弄人，功败垂成。其生命之轨迹，几经波折，几脱其身，然再被扣留，致使敌营风云动荡。
安史之乱风暴骤起，河北诸郡县竞降安禄山，唯颜真卿挺身而出，率众反抗。唐玄宗李隆基闻之，喜不自胜，叹曰：“朕虽未谋面，未料颜真卿有如此胆识忠诚。”值此动荡之际，颜氏家族忠于大唐，死于叛军者数十人，满门忠烈。自此，颜真卿备受朝廷重用，未几，拜为太师。其刚正不阿，凛然正气，使朝中奸佞无不忌惮。
Yan Zhenqing was a towering figure in the Tang dynasty's calligraphic world, alongside Liu Gongquan, both known for their distinctive styles, “Yan’s sinews and Liu’s bones,” setting the standard for their era. His calligraphy, not only meticulously crafted and full of life, also reflected his unwavering integrity and loyalty to the court.
Yan's life was like a magnificent painting, with broad, bold strokes as well as delicate, intricate details. Even when in enemy camps, his unyielding righteousness was like frost under the scorching sun, piercing the hearts of enemy generals, nearly inciting mutiny within their ranks. Yet, fate was unkind, and his efforts ultimately failed. His life was fraught with struggles, escaping capture only to be seized again, causing turmoil in the enemy camp.
When the An Lushan Rebellion erupted, counties in Hebei swiftly surrendered to An Lushan, but Yan Zhenqing stood up and led the resistance. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and exclaimed, “Though I have not met him, I never expected Yan Zhenqing to possess such courage and loyalty.” During these turbulent times, Yan's family, loyal to the Tang, saw dozens killed by the rebels, demonstrating their unwavering loyalty. Consequently, Yan Zhenqing was heavily relied upon by the court and soon appointed as Grand Master. His incorruptibility and imposing presence made all the treacherous ministers fearful.
《祭侄文稿》，号为行书之冠。颜真卿悼侄季明殉国而作，作此篇二十三行，字计二百三十四。篇中，以笔抒怀，绘其与侄深情，及季明生前事迹，皆流露崇敬、悼念之意。
乱世安史，真卿从兄颜杲卿及其子季明，遭贼害，颜室三十余口不幸罹难。唐肃宗乾元之初，真卿于幽燕得季骸，哀之，遂铸文以纪侄情，又述家忠烈。
书法谓之，《祭侄书》显真卿篆籀风骨，楷隶之法。墨法深邃，笔势自若。干笔枯墨之中，见其笔法之燥涩而干练，自然流露。文不满三百字，惟七蘸墨，长笔可及五十三字，笔痕干枯，显不胜之痛。此技法，令作视觉之感更甚。篇情溢而不泄，书势雄浑，笔锋磅礴，一气呵成。语中“父陷子死，巢倾卵覆”等，尽显真卿悼忠赞烈，个中之哀戚也。
"The Sacrificial Manuscript for My Nephew" is acclaimed as the pinnacle of running script. Yan Zhenqing crafted this work in mourning for his nephew Ji Ming, who died heroically for his country, comprising twenty-three lines and a total of two hundred and thirty-four characters. Within the manuscript, he employs his brush to express deep emotions, portraying the profound bond between him and his nephew, as well as recounting Ji Ming's life and deeds, all suffused with respect, sorrow, and remembrance.
In the tumultuous times of the An Lushan Rebellion, Yan Zhenqing's cousin Yan Gaoqing and his son Ji Ming fell victim to the rebels, leading to the tragic demise of over thirty members of the Yan family. At the beginning of the Qianyuan era under Emperor Suzong of Tang, Yan Zhenqing found Ji Ming's remains in Youyan, deeply grieved, he thus composed this text to commemorate his nephew's sentiments and to articulate the family's loyal and heroic deeds.
In terms of calligraphy, "The Sacrificial Manuscript for My Nephew" showcases Yan Zhenqing's mastery of the seal and clerical script styles. The ink technique is profound, with a brushwork that flows effortlessly. Within the dry brush and ink-starved strokes, one can observe a crisp and disciplined style that emerges naturally. The manuscript, containing fewer than three hundred words, was completed with only seven dips of ink, with one long stroke extending to fifty-three words, leaving dry and indelibly painful marks. This technique enhances the visual impact of the work significantly. The manuscript overflows with emotion yet remains composed, with a powerful and bold calligraphy style executed in one breath. Phrases such as "the father was captured, the son died, the nest overturned, the eggs shattered" fully reveal Yan Zhenqing's grief and praise for familial loyalty, echoing the depth of his sorrow.
至唐德宗在位，奸臣卢杞为相，图独揽大权，构陷排挤颜真卿出朝。李希烈叛乱，朝廷屡讨不克，德宗无策，问计于卢杞。卢杞乘机进谗曰：“李希烈骄矜自恃，若遣德高望重之老臣劝降，必能奏效。颜真卿三朝元老，实为上选。”德宗信其言，命颜真卿前往劝降。
满朝文武皆忧颜公安危，郑叔则劝缓行，颜公大义凛然，奉行圣命。临行，书于子，托后事，嘱祭祖，照遗孤。李勉请留，遣追，不及。颜公至许州，未宣旨，希烈养子围之。刀剑逼，颜公色不变，挺如松。希烈震其勇，命礼待。然命运多舛，颜公终被扣。初，李希烈意释颜公，事与愿违。营帐中，颜公遇旧臣李元平，彼已降叛军。颜公痛斥其叛，激怒之。李元平遂谮于李希烈，扣颜公。
时李希烈兵强，各反叛将朱滔、王武俊、田悦、李纳等，皆遣使称臣，劝希烈称帝。希烈设宴款待诸使，邀颜公同席。使者见颜公，皆曰：“李将军将称帝，公在此，天赐宰相也!”颜公怒斥曰：“汝知怒骂安禄山、壮烈殉国之颜杲卿乎?彼我兄长也。颜氏满门忠烈，绝不背叛朝廷!”
李希烈见颜公不肯屈服，遂命人于其住旁挖坑，以活埋之威胁也。颜公安然自若，对李希烈曰：“若欲速死吾，何不直接一剑了断，岂非更为痛快?”李希烈闻言大震，赶忙道歉，称无意于杀害。
然，颜公之坚节深感希烈部下。周曾、王玢、姚憺、韦清等人密谋反李，欲以颜公为主。计划不幸泄露，周曾等众被杀，韦清惟有逃亡。于是李希烈更严其守，将颜公囚于龙兴寺。
During Emperor Dezong's reign, the treacherous minister Lu Qi, aiming to monopolize power, schemed to oust Yan Zhenqing from court. When Li Xilie rebelled and the court’s repeated campaigns failed, Emperor Dezong, at a loss, sought advice from Lu Qi. Lu Qi seized the opportunity to slander, saying, “Li Xilie is arrogant and self-assured; sending a venerable old minister to persuade him will surely succeed. Yan Zhenqing, having served three reigns, is the perfect choice.” Emperor Dezong believed him and ordered Yan Zhenqing to go and negotiate.
The entire court worried for Yan Zhenqing’s safety. Zheng Shuze advised delaying his departure, but Yan Zhenqing, with righteous determination, insisted on fulfilling the imperial mandate. Before leaving, he wrote to his son, entrusting his affairs, only urging the worship of ancestors and the care of his orphans. Minister Li Mian sought to retain Yan Zhenqing and sent someone after him, but to no avail. Upon reaching Xuzhou, before delivering his message, Yan was surrounded by Li Xilie's adopted son and his men. Despite the threat of swords, Yan stood firm and unyielding. Li Xilie, awed by his courage, ordered respectful treatment. Yet, fate was cruel, and Yan was eventually detained.Initially, Li Xilie intended to release Yan Zhenqing, but circumstances changed. In the camp, Yan encountered former Tang minister Li Yuanping, who had already defected to the rebels. Yan vehemently denounced his betrayal, provoking him. Li Yuanping then slandered Yan to Li Xilie, leading to his detention.
At that time, Li Xilie was powerful, and rebel leaders Zhu Tao, Wang Wujun, Tian Yue, and Li Na all sent envoys to pledge allegiance and urge Li Xilie to declare himself emperor. Li Xilie hosted a banquet for the envoys, inviting Yan Zhenqing to attend. The envoys, upon seeing Yan, said, “General Li is about to become emperor, and with you here, it is a heavenly gift for the position of prime minister!” Yan Zhenqing sternly rebuked, “Do you know of Yan Gaoqing, who cursed An Lushan and died heroically? He was my elder brother. The Yan family, loyal unto death, will never betray the court!”
Seeing Yan Zhenqing’s refusal to submit, Li Xilie ordered a pit to be dug beside his residence, threatening to bury him alive. Yan, calm and unafraid, said to Li Xilie, “If you wish to kill me, why go to such trouble? A swift sword would be much more straightforward.” Li Xilie, shocked, quickly apologized, claiming no intent to harm.
However, Yan Zhenqing's steadfast spirit deeply moved Li Xilie's subordinates. Zhou Zeng, Wang Bin, Yao Dan, and Wei Qing conspired to rebel, intending to support Yan as their leader. Unfortunately, the plot was discovered, Zhou and others were killed, and Wei Qing fled. Consequently, Li Xilie tightened his watch on Yan, imprisoning him in Longxing Temple.
唐荆南节度使张伯仪率军攻李希烈，然不幸败北，符节被夺，唐军溃散。李希烈示符节与俘唐军士于颜真卿，欲逼其屈服。颜公悲愤交加，昏厥于地，久不苏醒。自此不再语人，心如止水，志坚如磐。
德宗兴元元年，李希烈自立为帝，其将辛景臻积柴火，威颜公曰：“若不降，便以自焚相迫。”颜公毫无畏惧，径自迈向火堆。辛景臻见之，急忙拦阻，原为吓之，不料颜公如此坚决。
后，李希烈囚颜真卿于一寺。知天命将至，颜公书遗表，陈心迹于德宗皇帝，交代后事，且自撰墓志铭与祭文，指寝室西墙曰：“此地即吾尸骨安放之所。”李希烈因弟李倩为唐朝所杀，怒火中烧，命宦官绞杀颜公于蔡州，时年七十六。忠臣名士，终风雨飘摇之世，尽其不凡一生。颜公之殒，大义凛然，绝唱壮丽。虽陷敌围，初衷不改，挺立如松，正气凛然。颜真卿以生命谱忠诚之歌，千古流传，令人敬仰。
Tang’s Jingnan military governor, Zhang Boyi, led troops against Li Xilie but was defeated, losing his seal of command, and the Tang forces were routed. Li Xilie displayed the seal and captured Tang soldiers to Yan Zhenqing, trying to force his submission. Yan, overwhelmed with grief and anger, fainted and did not regain consciousness for a long time. Thereafter, he spoke no more, his heart as calm as still water, his resolve unwavering.
In the first year of Emperor Dezong's Xingyuan era, Li Xilie declared himself emperor. His general, Xin Jingzhen, prepared a pyre, threatening Yan Zhenqing, “If you do not surrender, we will burn you alive.” Yan, unafraid, walked resolutely toward the flames. Xin Jingzhen, startled, quickly stopped him, having only meant to intimidate, never expecting such determination.
Later, Li Xilie imprisoned Yan Zhenqing in a temple. Sensing his end, Yan wrote a final letter, expressing his heart to Emperor Dezong, entrusting his affairs, and composing his epitaph and eulogy. Pointing to the west wall of his chamber, he said, “This shall be the resting place for my bones.” Enraged by his brother Li Qian’s execution by the Tang, Li Xilie ordered an eunuch to strangle Yan Zhenqing in Caizhou at the age of seventy-six. A loyal minister, he braved a turbulent world, fulfilling an extraordinary life. Yan's death was marked by noble dignity and majestic finality. Even amid enemy encirclement, his resolve never wavered, standing firm like a pine tree, exuding unyielding righteousness. Yan Zhenqing’s life was a song of loyalty, eternally remembered and admired. His spirit, like the brightest star in the night sky, transcends time, illuminating future generations.
责任编辑：苗君
