Ning Ch'i Feeding an Ox Chou Ch'en (ca. 1460-after 1535),   Ming Dynasty Hanging scroll, ink on paper,    126.7 x 68.9 cm

The story "Ning Ch'i Feeding an Ox" comes from "The Spring and Autumn Annals." In general, the story relates how Ning Ch'i (fl. 7th c. BC), a native of Wei, went to the State of Ch'i to seek out Duke Huan. Since Ning Ch'i came from a poor family, he earned his traveling expenses from leading a merchant ox cart. After a while, he arrived in Ch'i. He spent the night outside the gates of the capital, where Duke Huan came to greet guests. As Ning Ch'i stood by the cart feeding his ox, he caught sight of Duke Huan. Not knowing what to do, he started singing a song while tapping on the horns of the ox. Duke Huan heard the contents of his tune and knew that Ning Ch'i was no commoner. Thus, Duke Huan invited him into the capital and made him Counselor-in-chief.      The dynamic texture strokes of the trees and rocks are similar to those of the Che School style. In the works of T'ang Yin and Ch'iu Ying, and even the early ones of Tu Chin, an exceptionally decisive brushwork appears. Thus, it seems exchange and influence took place even among different schools of painting at the time.