脚踏实地 — “To be down-to-earth and practical”

Sima Guang, whose courtesy name was Junshi, was a native of Suishui Township in Xia County, and was known as Mr. Suishui. He was a famous historian during the Song Dynasty, and he was the chief editor of China's first chronological general history, 'Zizhi Tongjian' (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Governance). This monumental work holds an important position in China's historiography.

Sima Guang developed a fondness for studying history in his youth and had read numerous historical records. During the reign of Emperor Yingzong of Song, he was commissioned to compile the 'Tongjian'. For nineteen years, he tirelessly dedicated himself to research and writing, maintaining an extremely rigorous work attitude, repeatedly revising many chapters. Upon its completion, the entire work consisted of 294 volumes, with an additional 30 volumes of catalog and 30 volumes of 'Kao Yi' (Investigation of Differences), covering over 1,360 years of history, from the Warring States period to the Five Dynasties. Emperor Shenzong of Song named the book 'Zizhi Tongjian'.

In the third year of Xining, during Emperor Shenzong's reign, Sima Guang left the capital due to his opposition to Wang Anshi's reforms and resided in Luoyang's Duleyuan. During this period, he often conversed and strolled with Shao Yong. On one occasion, Sima Guang asked Shao Yong, 'What do you think of me?' Shao Yong replied, 'Junshi, you are a down-to-earth person!'