Xu Jian

Xu Jian (; 659–729), also known as Xu Yuangu, was a literary figure from the Tang dynasty. He is the author of "the Great Hidden Biography" and "the Beginning of Learning Records". Early life According to The Old Book of the Tang Dynasty, Xu Jian was born into a family of officials in Changxing, Huzhou, in the fourth year of Xianqing (Ancient Chinese chronology) in the Tang dynasty. Xu Jian studied history and modern society. Jian's father Xu Qidan was known for his literary attainments. His father was exiled to Qinzhou and died when Xu Jian was 14. He was the head of Qi Zhou prefecture. He died in 673 AD (the fourth year of Tang Xianheng), at the age of 43. Xu Jian was raised by his grandmother Jiang. When Xu Jian was young, he met Li Xian (Empress Wu Zetian's sixth son) after he was summoned for an interview.