倚马千言 | compose rapidly with great literary talent

yǐ倚mǎ马qiān千yán言

To compose a lengthy piece of writing with great speed and brilliant literary talent, often implying quick wit and exceptional ability.

那位作家才思敏捷，常常倚马千言，一篇篇精彩的文章很快就完成了

That writer possesses quick and brilliant literary talent; he often composes a thousand words leaning on a horse, finishing wonderful articles very quickly.

Era:

Ancient

Frequency:

Synonym:

倚马可待、倚马长才、才高倚马

Story:

During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Xie Shang, the Governor of Yuzhou, recognized Yuan Hu's exceptional literary talent and recommended him to Grand Marshal Huan Wen. Huan Wen then appointed Yuan Hu to be in charge of drafting official documents for his residence.

Yuan Hu once composed 'Ode to the Eastern Expedition' praising many famous scholars of the Eastern Jin.

Later, when Yuan Hu accompanied Huan Wen on a northern expedition, Huan Wen asked him to write a declaration of war on the front lines. Yuan Hu, leaning against his horse, quickly composed a fitting and eloquent declaration. This feat gave rise to the idiom '倚马千言' (yǐ mǎ qiān yán).

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