There is a short story in the "Chaoye Zai", which records the rumors of the court and the opposition in the Sui and Tang dynasties, about Niu Hong, the official secretary of the Sui Wen Dynasty.
The Ministry of Rites is responsible for the selection, assessment, promotion and other matters of **. There was a chosen one named Ma Chang in the year, who was extremely ugly. And Niu Hong, who prides himself on being dignified and knowledgeable, is a bit judged by his appearance and looks down on Ma Chang. As an official of the ministry, he reclined there, eating fruits, and writing poems to ridicule Ma Changdao:
Taste and smell the wind horse, it is said that the world is up and down.
Today, I see a horse supporting the wind, and it is not false to get a donkey.
The gist of this poem is to say that I heard that the Fufeng area is rich in horses, like heavenly horses descending to earth, and the batch of "Fufeng horses" in front of me is like a donkey. In fact, it is a mockery that Ma Changchang is too ugly.
Ma Chang also immediately sang a poem and retorted:
Taste and smell Longxi cattle, thousands of stones do not need to be carried.
Today, I see Longxi cattle, lying on the ground and beating grass.
Meaning: According to legend, the real estate giant of Longxi is as powerful as an ox and can pull a thousand-stone carriage. And the "Longxi cow" in front of him can't do anything except eat grass. This is mocking Niu Hong, who was born in Longxi, lying sick and sick.
Niu Hong admired Ma Chang's wit, he was right, and regretted that he shouldn't judge people by his appearance, so he immediately stood up, looked at him differently, and gave him an official position.
One person cheers for the graduate school entrance examination