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  1. Su Shi
    Su ShiChinese writer and politician
    OverviewQuotesAchievementsBiography
  2. Early life and education

    Su Shi was born in Meishan, near Mount Emei in Sichuan province. His father Su Xun and his younger brother Su Zhe were both renowned scholars. His given name Shi (軾) refers to the crossbar railing at the front of a chariot. S… See more

    Official career

    In 1057, at the age of 19, Su Shi and his brother both passed the highest-level civil service examinations and attained the degree of jinshi, a prerequisite for high government office. His accomplishments at such a you… See more

    Family

    Su Shi had three wives. His first wife was Wang Fu (1039–1065) from Sichuan, who was sixteen when they married. She died on the second day of the fifth month 13 years later, after bearing him a son, Su Mai (蘇邁). Hea… See more

    Work

    Approximately 2,700 poems and 800 letters penned by Su Shi have been preserved to date. His mastery spanned across various forms, including the shi, ci and fu styles of poetry, as well as prose, calligraphy, and painting. W… See more

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