Temples and Rivers and Lakes: a Biography of Fan Zhongyan. Part 2, a Happy Life

"Temple and Rivers and Lakes: The Biography of Fan Zhongyan" takes many historical events that occurred from Duangong to Huangyou in the Northern Song Dynasty as clues, and features many famous historical figures such as Fan Zhongyan, Yan Shu, Ouyang Xiu, Lu Yijian, Han Qi, Fu Bi, etc. From the perspective of the intersection between the two dynasties, and based on historical books such as "Song History", "Zizhi Tongjian" and "Zi Zhi Tongjian Changbian", it shows the magnificent historical picture of Zhenzong and Renzong in the Northern Song Dynasty for more than 60 years from a unique perspective. It is divided into two parts. This book is the second part, "A Joyful Life", which mainly introduces Fan Zhongyan's struggle in his youth, including many popular stories such as studying in Nandu, as well as his early political life and progress, his life-long pride of three advances and three retreats, Jingyou party struggle, Fan Zhongyan's illustrious military exploits in the northwest battlefield, and as an outstanding politician, Fan Zhongyan's middle and later life. He implemented strict reforms after serving as deputy prime minister, and his later life after the failure of reforms. Among them is an analysis of the reasons for the rise and failure of the Qingli New Deal. In addition, it also introduces his personality charm that affects and changes a family with the power of one person.