During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a man named Liu Xian in the Liang Kingdom who was hailed as a child prodigy for his extraordinary intelligence. With exceptional literary talent and vast knowledge, he earned great favor from the imperial court.
During the Southern Dynasties, Liu Xian served alongside Pei Ziye from Hedong, Liu Zhilin from Nanyang, and Gu Xie from Wu Commandery in the imperial court. They often lingered among mountains and rivers, composing poetry and singing in harmony, treating each other like both teachers and friends, their bond so close and seamless that everyone at the time admired them without exception.
Later, Liu Xian was promoted to Left Assistant Director of the Imperial Secretariat, then served as Erudite of the National University, Chief Administrator to the Prince of Yueyang, Chief Administrator to the Prince of Shaoling, and Governor of Xunyang. During Emperor Wu of Liang's reign, when the capital was moved to Yingzhou, Liu Xian was additionally appointed General of Rongzhao. That same year, Liu Xian passed away at the age of 63.
Liu Zhilin and others were deeply moved by their friend's extraordinary talent and turbulent life. Liu Zhilin said to the Crown Prince:
“Have you heard of Boyi and Shuqi from the Shang Dynasty?” the speaker continued. “They refused to serve the Zhou court or eat Zhou grain, starving to death on West Mountain, earning the title 'West Mountain Starvelings.' What was the point of clinging to their honor and ignoring life and death? Did their names truly echo through the ages? A man stands seven feet tall in life, yet in death, he fills but a single coffin. Even if one possesses extraordinary skills, rare talents, and a character as pure as jade, if he dies young and his fame never spreads, all that remains is a deep sigh. Is there anything in this world more heartbreaking than that?”
"I have always felt a private sorrow for my friend Liu Xian from Pei. He was deeply learned in the classics, masterful in the arts, and possessed a uniquely sharp insight into the most profound questions—truly the brightest among us. Yet he died in Yingdu, his soul returning to the west. Now, as we choose his burial day and prepare to erect a stele with an epitaph, I, Liu Zhizhi, have briefly summarized his life. I humbly submit this draft for your review, hoping you will grant the kindness to approve this tribute, so he may enjoy honor in death and comfort in the afterlife."
Liu Zhilin's words deeply moved the crown prince, prompting the emperor to order a stele inscribed with an essay honoring Liu Xian's talent, virtue, and achievements.
The idiom "Starving Man of the Western Mountain" originally referred to Boyi and Shuqi, later used as a metaphor for a person of loyalty and integrity.
Source: *Book of Liang*, "Biography of Liu Xian"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "西山饿夫" came to describe a person of loyalty and integrity.