Wang Bo was a renowned Tang Dynasty writer, already exceptionally talented in his youth, and together with Luo Binwang, Lu Zhaolin, and Yang Jiong, they were known as the "Four Greats of the Early Tang."
In the second year of the Shangyuan era under Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, the young poet Wang Bo journeyed south to visit his father. Passing through Nanchang, he found himself invited to a grand banquet hosted by the local governor, Yan, at the famed Tengwang Pavilion, where he was seated in the humblest spot.
After three rounds of wine, Governor Yan addressed the guests: "Everyone, the Pavilion of Prince Teng is a local scenic wonder. Today I have invited you all to request a master to compose a 'Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng,' to be carved on stone as a lasting memorial. Please do not decline."
The attendants placed paper and brush before the assembled guests, yet each felt the weight of the task too heavy to bear. One by one, from the highest official to the lowest, they passed the brush along, each deferring to the next—until no one had written a single word.
When the brush and paper reached Wang Bo at the very last seat, everyone assumed he couldn't possibly write. To their surprise, Wang Bo accepted the brush and paper and lowered his head in deep thought. The other guests grew displeased, murmuring about the rude young man's background. Even Governor Yan was annoyed and ordered an attendant to report back whatever Wang Bo wrote.
After a moment, the clerk reported the opening four lines: "Former commandery of Nanchang, new prefecture of Hongdu. Stars align with Yi and Zhen, land connects to Mount Heng and Mount Lu."
Governor Yan thought to himself, "This describes the geographical location of the Pavilion of Prince Teng—anyone could write this, nothing special."
The clerk reported a few more lines, but Governor Yan found them unremarkable. Soon after, the clerk announced: "The treasures of heaven shine forth, their dragon light piercing the constellations; the land breeds heroes, where Xu Ru once graced Chen Fan's couch."
Governor Yan, upon hearing this, realized the young man had used two allusions to praise Hongzhou's rare treasures and outstanding talents. He couldn't help but savor the meaning. The clerk soon reported again: "Sunset clouds and lone ducks fly together, autumn waters blend with the vast sky."
These two lines astonished everyone present. They depicted floating sunset clouds and a wild duck spreading its wings, as if soaring together in the sky, indistinguishable from one another; the clear autumn waters merged with the blue sky, making it impossible to tell where the water ended and the sky began. Truly masterful scenic verses.
The entire banquet hall was utterly captivated by Wang Bo's extraordinary talent, showering him with endless praise and admiration.
Wang Bo completed the entire essay in one go. Governor Yan immediately invited him to the seat of honor, and all the guests in attendance offered their congratulations to Wang Bo.
Since then, "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng" became a celebrated masterpiece, passed down through the ages. The entire text is expansive in conception, brilliant in literary talent, and harmonious in rhythm, with many fine phrases becoming common idioms, of which "Outstanding People and Blessed Land" is one.
Tragically, Wang Bo soon attempted to cross the sea by boat, was startled by a storm, fell overboard, and drowned at the young age of 27.
Later, people used the idiom "Outstanding People and Blessed Land" to refer to a place where exceptional figures were born or once visited, making it a scenic spot.
Source: *Wang Bo*, "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "人杰地灵" came to describe a place where exceptional figures were born or once visited, making it a scenic spot.