 As one of the Guards, he worked to simplify the Chinese language, and to encourage people to embrace new attitudes towards their old language; this was the time when he became educated in, and interested in, the traditional calligraphy which would later play a major role in his artworks.He was also taught woodcarving at this time, but relates it as being a strictly practical exercise, devoid of real creativity and art.He devoted much of his free time to dreams of art and fame, and to ink painting in private.