Su Xun
Su Xun (Chinese: 蘇洵; 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.
Su Xun (Chinese: 蘇洵; 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 began to diligently study at the age of 27 towards the civil service examination. After a year of preparation, he attempted the imperial examinations for the Jinshi and MaoCai qualifications but failed to pass. Subsequently, he burned his existing writings composed solely for the examination, and embarked on over a decade of intensive study of classical literature and philosophy stemming from the pre-Qin era. During this period, Su Xun gained a comprehensive understanding of the Classics and various scholarly discourses, significantly advancing his learning. He soon became capable of writing essays thousands of words long.

Career
In 1056, Su Xun, 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 of his essays to Ouyang Xiu, who highly appreciated his work, comparing it favorably even to that of Jia Yi and Liu Xiang. His literary fame flourished as scholars and officials in Bianjing eagerly read and emulated his writings.In 1057, both of his sons passed the imperial examination, causing a sensation in the capital. However, their joy was short-lived due to the passing of Su Xun's wife, Lady Cheng. The news brought profound grief to the family.
In the third year of the Jiayou era (1058), Emperor Renzong of Song summoned him for an examination, but Su Xun excused himself due to illness.
By the fifth year of the Jiayou era (1060), Su Xun’s talents were recognized by Han Qi, who recommended him for the position of a scriptorium official in the Imperial Secretariat, and later as the principal registrar of Bazhou, Wen'an. He was also commissioned, along with Yao Bi, to revise the "Tai Chang Yin Ge Li" (Rituals of the Tai Chang) in a hundred volumes, which they completed in March of that year. Su Xun also presented twenty-five essays, including the famous "Discourse on the Six States," to the imperial court.

Legacy
As a father/educator
As an essayist and philosopher


== Reference ==