In the seventh grade, I traveled to Wuzhen, where Prince Xiao Tong from the Liang Dynasty once lived, and I was inspired to write a wuxia story based on him.

The emphasis of Xiao's Preface, however, remains Tao's personality.

From a discussion of Tao's poetry, Xiao Tong makes a swift transition to praise of the poet's sincere intent, contentment in poverty and adherence to Dao.