The Shu Zhixiong 舒知雄

Shu Zhixiong (912-1022) was a figure of the Song Dynasty. Born into an official family, he was appointed as a Gongfeng Official (an imperial attendant official) in his middle age. However, Shu Zhixiong had a free and unburdened state of mind, so he resigned from his official post and lived in seclusion on Mount Song.

Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty heard of his moral and spiritual attainments, so he issued an imperial edict summoning Shu Zhixiong to come out of seclusion. Shu was then appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of the Western Capital Workshop and the Chief Inspector of Quanzhou and Fuzhou. After Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty ascended the throne, Shu Zhixiong was again appointed as the Commissioner of the Supply and Preparation Warehouse, and later took the posts of Governor of Chuzhou, Governor of Dizhou, and Commander of Linfu and Linyan (military and administrative command positions in border regions).

Shu Zhixiong resigned once more. Emperor Zhenzong was deeply moved by his sincerity, so he bestowed on him the honorific title "Great Master Chongxuan" and presented him with a golden and purple crown and sash. Shu Zhixiong then returned to his former hermitage on Mount Song.

He passed away due to illness in the first year of the Qianxing era (1022) at the age of 80.