Laozi, whose real name is Li Er, was born in the Spring and Autumn Period. Why is it called "Lao Zi"? Li Er was born with a big head, a thin body and gray hair. Isn't this the little old man? So there was the name "Lao Zi". This is of course a legend, with a history of more than 2500 years. It is basically impossible to verify. Let's just believe it.
Portrait of Laozi
Lao Tzu did the History of the Treasurers of the Zhou Dynasty (in charge of the Royal Library). At that time, most people had no chance to study. As a librarian, Lao Tzu had the opportunity to read all the royal books for hundreds of years and become a star "Xueba" at that time. At that time, there was no "one stop to the end" and no "super brain". As for Laozi, how did he become famous? Can't guess. When can you remember the 5,000-word "Tao can be Tao, extraordinary Tao ……" bamboo slips?
Portrait of Laozi
Anyway, Laozi was very famous at that time, and both Yin, a high general in the Zhou Dynasty, and Confucius, a great educator, worshipped him. However, it seems that in the eyes of the Zhou emperors, Lao Tzu was not respected. After the death of Guiji, King of Zhou Jing, three sons competed for the throne. Ji Meng first proclaimed himself emperor, Ji Long killed King Zhou, and (Zhou) and the State of Jin jointly defeated Ji Long. This dynasty with the surname of Ji fled to Chu, and when he left, he also brought Zhou Dynasty classics to Chu.
Lao Tzu's portrait of going through customs
Lao Tzu, who kept the history of the royal books and records stolen, was heavily responsible, so he was dismissed by Zhou. From then on, Lao Tzu began to live in seclusion in Mangshan, where Confucius had been. After enlightenment, Lao Tzu is going to travel to the west. If you want to go west, you must pass through Hangu Pass, which is the territory of Qin State. Yin Zeng, commander-in-chief of Hanguguan, accompanied Laozi to discuss Taoism and recorded the Tao Te Ching, which was regarded as the "king of all classics" by later generations.
Laozi statue
I went west all the way, never to return, and there was no news. Some people say that I went to Lintao, Gansu Province, and became immortal with a green cow. Some people say that Laozi went to Tianzhu in the Western Region to become a Buddha and educate the local people. Both of these statements are fictitious and unreliable. There is also a saying that Lao Tzu lived in seclusion in Zhong Nanshan after traveling abroad for three years.
Laozi stills
In Hanshu, Ban Gu said that there are deserts in Gansu, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, which is too vague. According to the saying that "the Li family in the world goes out of Longxi", as well as the saying that Emperor Taizong, Lao Zi as the ancestor, Tang Gaozong and Li Zhi posthumous title Lao Zi as the "Emperor's Father Xuanyuan", some people say that Lao Zi should stay in Gansu, which seems to be recognized by many people in ancient times.