xià下bǐ笔chéng成zhāng章
To compose an article swiftly and effortlessly; to have a ready pen and write with great fluency and brilliance.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
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Story:
During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Zhi, the youngest son of Cao Cao, was exceptionally intelligent. He had read extensively and was remarkably quick and skilled at writing essays.
Cao Cao, intending to test him, once declared that he himself could speak eloquently and compose articles instantly, even on the spot. After they finished touring the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, Cao Zhi swiftly penned the famous "Ode to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace" (Tongquetai Fu), earning high praise from Cao Cao and his companions.