Original Text
Wang Zhongchao recounted: Within the Jun Mountain in Dongting Lake, there is a stone cavern, its entrance so lofty that a boat could pass through, yet the interior was pitch-black and fathomlessly deep, with the lake waters flowing in and out. I once took a lantern and candles, entered the cavern by boat, and saw that both walls were of black stone, their color like lacquer, and soft to the touch. When cut with a knife, it yielded like dried bean curd, and could be fashioned into inkstones at will. Upon leaving the cavern, the stone hardened in the wind, becoming firmer than any other rock. I tried grinding ink on it, and the result was excellent. Many merchant vessels and pleasure boats passed to and fro, yet none knew to use the fine stone from the cavern; it required a curious explorer to appreciate and praise it before its worth was known.
Commentary
This article introduces the inkstone stone produced at Junshan in Dongting.
The focus of the writing is not on how excellent the inkstone is, but rather that to obtain it, one must take a candle and sail a boat into the deep, unfathomable lake waters to explore. Inside the stone cave, it is as black as lacquer and soft to the touch, but once brought out, it hardens in the wind, becoming firmer than other stones. When tested with ink, it proves to be of superb quality. Though merchant boats and pleasure vessels come and go in great numbers, none know to take and use it. The author concludes: 'It also relies on the appreciation of the curious-minded.' Within this, there is undoubtedly a sigh over how talent is overlooked, only able to emerge and gain recognition through the recommendation and praise of such curious individuals.