The eight are Han Yu (
韩愈, Hán Yù) and Liu Zongyuan (
柳宗元, Liǔ Zōngyuán) from the Tang, and Ouyang Xiu (
欧阳修, Ōuyáng Xiū), the three Sus — Su Xun, Su Shi (Dongpo), Su Zhe (
三苏, Sān Sū) — Wang Anshi (
王安石, Wáng Ānshí) and Zeng Gong (
曾巩, Zēng Gǒng) from the Song. Grouped by Ming critic Mao Kun (
茅坤, Máo Kūn) for championing
古文 (gǔwén, ancient-style prose) over the ornate parallel prose of their day.
