The Shao Yizheng 邵以正

Shao Yizheng was a native of Kunming during the reigns of Emperors Yingzong and Daizong in the mid-Ming Dynasty. He styled himself Chengkangzi and also used the Taoist alias Zhizhi Daoren (Taoist of "Stopping and Resting").

As recorded in "Biography of Shao Yizheng" in Draft History of the Ming Dynasty, Shao Yizheng’s ancestors were from Gusu (present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu). During the Hongwu reign (1368–1398), his parents were relocated to southern Yunnan, so the family settled in Kunming.

From childhood, Shao Yizheng was graceful in appearance and exceptionally bright, with keen insight beyond ordinary people. When he grew up, he studied under Wang Yunsong, an eminent Taoist priest.

At that time, Liu Yuanran — a Taoist of the Quanzhen School who styled himself Changchunzi (Master of Eternal Spring) — was promoting Taoism in Yunnan. Shao Yizheng further went to study under Liu. Liu appreciated Shao’s diligence and taught him all the esoteric Taoist doctrines. Shao delved into the subtlest principles of Taoism, comprehending every detail thoroughly. Later, Liu Yuanran was summoned to the capital to take charge of national Taoist affairs, and Shao Yizheng was also summoned to the capital. He was appointed Zuo Xuanyi (a mid-ranking Taoist official) of the Daolu Division (the top imperial agency overseeing Taoism), and later successively held positions including You Yianfa (a senior Taoist official) and You Zhengyi (a top-ranking Taoist official). He was further granted the title of Shouxuan Chongjing Gaoshi (Virtuous Scholar of Preserving Mystery and Maintaining Tranquility) and later bestowed the additional title of Tongmiao Zhenren (True Person of Profound Wisdom).

Within the imperial court, whenever there were major construction projects or large-scale Taoist rituals for warding off disasters and praying for blessings, Shao Yizheng was always appointed to take charge. He maintained a pure and indifferent mindset, conducted himself with simplicity and calmness, interacted with others in plain and sincere words, and pursued Taoism with sincerity. In the end, he became the most renowned figure among Taoist priests and was held in high esteem even by scholar-officials.