Biography of Fan Zhi in Song Dynasty

During the troubled times of the Five Dynasties, one person lived through five dynasties. In the late autumn of the first year of Qianhua in Houliang, a baby boy was born in Fanjia Lane, Zongcheng County, Daming Prefecture. The mother said that before giving birth, she dreamed of a god giving her a five-color pen. Father Fan Shouyu only said: "Don't worry about the dream, just survive first." His name is Fan Zhi, and his courtesy name is Wensu. He memorized "The Thousand-Character Essay" at the age of five, wrote "Ode to Encourage Learning" at the age of eight, and gave lectures on "Shangshu" at the age of thirteen. Talented, but also sharp-edged - he is easy on others, pointing out others' faults face to face, showing no mercy and regardless of the consequences. His classmates ostracized him, his tutors were afraid of him, and people in the officialdom hated him to the core. In his life, he has offended more people than he has made friends with. But he doesn't care. What he cares about is whether there is anything worth guarding in this troubled world. From the Later Tang Dynasty to the Later Jin Dynasty, from the Later Han Dynasty to the Later Zhou Dynasty, the emperors changed one after another, and the flags on the top of Bianliang City changed one after another. He survived every dynasty change, not because of tact, but because of usefulness. Sang Weihan takes a fancy to him, He Ning respects him, and Chai Rong trusts him. From a young boy teaching, he gradually reached the position of Prime Minister of the Later Zhou Dynasty. Then Chai Rong died. On the third day of the first lunar month of the seventh year of Xiande, Zhao Kuangyin led his army to the north for inspection in front of the palace. The army marched to Chenqiaoyi, wearing yellow robes. When the news came back to Kaifeng, Fan Zhi stood in the court hall and watched the once respectful general sit on the dragon throne. He did not remonstrate to death or die for his country.