Background Informations:
Wei Zheng (580-643), alias Xuan Cheng, a native of Julu (present-day Hebei Province), a Prime Minister during the early Tang Dynasty (618-907). As an important assistant of Emperor Taizong, Wei Zheng was inscribed on the scroll of history for his righteous character and courage in advising frankly.
Du Fu (712-770), alias Zi Mei, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty. Throughout his life, he composed more than 3,000 poems, and is thus considered as an outstanding representative of the Tang poets, revered as "Poetry Saint". Du's poems were mostly devoted to recording reality, thus collectively reputed to be "Poetry Chronicle".
Zhu Di (1360-1424), born in Yingtian (present-day Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province), the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. He attached importance to the revival and development of social economy. It was during his reign, known as Yong Le, that the Ming reached its zenith in political stability and economic prosperity. The emperor also ordered the compilation of "Yong Le Encyclopedia", the largest and most comprehensive of its kind in Chinese history.
Qi Baishi (1864-1957), born in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, a master of traditional Chinese painting. His unique style in freehand brushwork combines the pristine folk art with traditional scholar painting, placing him in the leading position in the realm of modern Chinese flow er-and-bird painting.
