King Chengjue of Yan went to Wuyuan in Suzhou for the Liu Lin Banquet held every five years. He fell in love with a man in a water-colored robe at first sight. He asked about his origins from the Wuyuan servants and learned that he was Lu Zhitang, a painter from Shucheng, and that he was about to leave for Daiwenzhai in the capital. Cheng Jue asked his friend Yun Zhao to help find out when he was going to leave, and it was a "coincidence" when he was setting off. The plan was successful, Chengjue and Zhitang returned to Beijing together. Zhitang, who returned to the capital, settled in Daiwenzhai. Seeing the wonderful paintings of Daiwenzhai's painters, Zhitang felt that it would be a blessing in life if he could stay in Daiwenzhai and improve his painting skills. Chengjue was of course willing to help, so Zhitangban stayed in the capital.
One day, Chengjue asked Zhitang to come to his house to appreciate paintings. Zhitang said that these were works by Zhang Yan, a master of the Border Town School. He had always admired the master and was very interested in the Border Town School of Painting. Chengjue suggested that he go to Linzhao to visit Zhang Yan, and Zhitang readily agreed.
The story begins here.