Translated by Hu Yan, the author of Su Yunqing's Commemoration of Classical Chinese Reading in Senior High School.

Hu Yan, a thoughtful figure, is from Nanchang. I don't like studying very much. I have studied astronomy, geography, law and medicine. Hong Wuzhong can teach Huating, and he can be a teacher. Mother's worries, service troubles, political long wall, begging for support, and re-doing it. Scholar Xu begged to start from the beginning.

In the first year of Wen Jian, he was recommended as the magistrate of Tongcheng. Dig through the water, irrigate the fields and benefit the people. There are tigers hurting people in the county. Yan Zhai Mu told God that the tiger fled.

Zhuyi Temple, which is dedicated by bronze people. In the past four years, Ning, the deputy governor of the capital, recommended to the DPRK: "It is enough to cover the sky and the wisdom is enough to cover the field." By the time BiZhao arrived, Yanshi had crossed the river. Cheng Zu ascended the throne, saying, "I know astronomy, and I'll have Qin Tian invigilate." Try, develop and understand the knowledge of latitude and climate. Looking for recommendations, awarded the Hanlin review, and Jin and others went straight to the museum, moved to give lectures, and entered the left tortoise. Father's loss, recovery. In the pavilion, I am a consultant and don't want to taste the taste of my ancestors. In September of the second year of Yongle, imperial academy offered a wine sacrifice, so there was no plan for maintenance. When the usage is severe, imperial academy is entrusted to watch. When it comes, it will be played. In seven years, the emperor was lucky to be in Beijing and called Yan Yan. In the Northern Expedition next year, he was ordered to drink and serve, take charge of the Imperial Academy, and help the emperor's grandson to stay in Beijing. Nineteen years, changed to imperial academy.

At that time, the sea will be mixed for fifty years. The emperor's rites and music are prosperous, and he is barren outside. The doctor is a scribe. Ge lived in Confucianism, and the great works of the court were created by many people. The reconstructed Emperor Taizu, Yongle Dadian and Tuzhi of the World all served as chief officials. He has lived in Chinese studies for more than 20 years and set an example by learning from others. Hongxi changed to Yuan, begged for rest due to illness, and Renzong gave him a reward. He entered the Prince's guest and still offered wine. Xuanzong acceded to the throne, called assistant minister of rites, and resigned. After living at home for 20 years, the courtiers in Fang Yue were very polite to him. And Yan, never personal. I am indifferent to myself, and I only give food and clothing when I am old. When I first started as an examiner in Huguang, I got Yangpu language, which was very different. The inscription said: "I will be able to prove Dong Zi, not Achu of Gongsun." The world thinks it knows people. Orthodox died in August of eight years, at the age of eighty-three.

(Excerpted from Biography of Hu Yan in Ming Dynasty)

Note: It is said that Yao ordered He's four sons to be in charge of the four mountains and called him the fourth uncle. To death, it's all about dividing Yue, establishing eight uncles and governing eight states. Later, he was called "Fang Yue" because he was the minister of any special political party.

Translation:

Hu Yan, a thoughtful figure, is from Nanchang. He has been studious since childhood, reading books such as astronomy, geography, music, calendar, medicine and divination. During the Hongwu period, he passed the juren examination and was instructed by Huating. He can learn from others. After his mother died, he was sent to Changyuan after the mourning period expired. He asked to be an official near his home in order to take care of his elders and family. So, he was reassigned to others. As an official in charge of education, it is Hu Yan who is allowed to be an official nearby.

In the first year of Wen Jian, Hu Yan was appointed as the magistrate of Tongcheng. He built water conservancy projects, which led to irrigation of farmland with tongpi water and benefited the people. Tiger wounding occurred in Tongcheng. Hu Yan fasted and bathed to worship the gods, and the tiger fled. Tongcheng people sacrificed to him in Zhu Yi Temple. In the fourth year of Wen Jian, Lian Zining, the deputy capital of imperial academy, recommended to the court: "Hu Yan can learn and understand, and he can reach immortality. He is resourceful and can strategize. " When the court called Hu Yan into Beijing, the prince's army had crossed the Yangtze River. After Ming Chengzu ascended the throne, he wrote a letter: "I heard that Hu Yan knows astronomy, so let Qin test him." After the investigation of Hu Yan, Qin recalled that the Ming Dynasty really knew astronomy and meteorology. Soon. On the recommendation of Jie Jin, Hu Yan was awarded a bachelor's degree in Hanlin and worked with Jie Jin and others in Wen Yuan Pavilion. Later, he served as an assistant and was promoted to Zuo Shuzi. After his father died, Hu Yan became an official after the mourning period expired. He still works in the Wen Yuan Pavilion, accepting the emperor's inquiries and offering suggestions, but he often doesn't express his opinions first, which makes him honest and simple. In September of the second year of Yongle, Hu Yan was appointed as imperial academy to offer a drink offering, and no longer participated in government affairs. At that time, imperial academy enforced strict regulations, and Guo Zisheng, who took time off to go home on the pretext of something, was sentenced to guard the border. . After Hu Yan came to power, with the approval of the emperor, such regulations were abolished. In the seventh year of Yongle, the emperor went to Beijing and called Hu Yan into the palace. The following year, Ming Taizu, the emperor's father, invaded the north, and ordered Hu Yan to take charge of imperial academy as a wine pourer and a lecturer, while assisting the emperor's grandson to stay in Beijing. In the 19th year of Yongle, Hu Yan was appointed as imperial academy to offer a drink offering.

At that time, nearly 50 years had passed since the reunification of China. The emperor cultivated politics, promoted enlightenment, appeased and reformed remote areas in China. Doctors or officials are knowledgeable and polite literati. As a scholar in the pavilion, Hu Yan wrote many important manuscripts in the court. He was the CEO when reconstructing Records of Mao, Yongle Grand Ceremony and World Records. He has presided over Chinese studies for more than 20 years and has always set an example for people to learn. After Hongxi changed her position, she requested to abdicate due to illness. Injong gave him a letter of commendation, rewarded him, promoted him as a guest of honor of the prince, and offered him a glass of wine. Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty acceded to the throne, summoned Hu Yan and appointed him assistant minister of does. After politely declining, he returned to his hometown. He has lived at home for twenty years, and all the officials and ministers in all directions treat him with courtesy. Hu Yan never talked about himself in his conversation with them. He is indifferent to his ambition, never pursues fame and gain, scrimps and saves money, and is very simple, but he just wants to have enough food and clothing. When he was an examiner in Huguang before, he was surprised to see Yang Pu's article. He wrote in the article: "I will definitely speak for Dong Zhongshu and never bow to Sun." Everyone thinks Hu Yan is an elder with a unique vision. Hu Yan died in August of the eighth year of the Orthodox Church at the age of 83.