Chisongzi (Master Redpine), rain master to the Emperor Shennong 神農 (Divine Husbandman), was known for his magical powers. He was able to follow the wind and to practise self-immolation without being burned. His expertise in daoyin was noted in the biography of Zhang Liang 張良 (262–189 BCE) in Shiji 史記 (Historical Records), the first of the official dynastic histories written by Sima Tan 司馬談 (d. ca. 110 BCE) and his son Sima Qian 司馬遷 (145–86 BCE). Zhang Liang was the chief political adviser to the first emperor of the Han dynasty, Liu Bang 劉邦 (?–195 BCE). After his retirement, Zhang Liang expressed a wish to abandon worldly affairs in order to follow Chisongzi, upon which he practised bigu 辟穀 (abstaining from grains), daoyin and qingshen 輕身 (lightening the body).
留侯從上擊代，出奇計馬邑下，及立蕭何相國，所與上從容言天下事甚衆，非天下所以存亡，故不著。留侯乃稱曰：「家世相韓，及韓滅，不愛萬金之資，為韓報讐彊秦，天下振動。今以三寸舌為帝者師，封萬戶，位列侯，此布衣之極，於良足矣。願棄人間事，欲從赤松子游耳。」乃學辟穀，道引輕身。會高帝崩，呂后德留侯，乃彊食之，曰：「人生一世間，如白駒過隙，何至自苦如此乎！」留侯不得已，彊聽而食。後八年卒，謚為文成侯。
Marquis Liu (Zhang Liang’s official title) followed the Emperor (Gaozu, Liu Bang 劉邦) to launch an attack on Dai territory. Marquis Liu contributed ingenious strategies to capture Mayi (the present-day Shuozhou, Shanxi). When Xiao He (257–193 BCE) was appointed as the Chancellor, Marquis Liu and the emperor would discuss many affairs calmly and openly with him. Since these matters did not concern the survival of the nation, they were not recorded. Marquis Liu said, ‘For generations, my family served as Chancellors in the state of Han. Even after the fall of Han, I spared no effort or wealth to avenge Han against the mighty Qin, which shook the entire world. Now, with my modest abilities, I have become the emperor’s teacher, receiving a fiefdom of ten thousand households and being elevated to the rank of Marquis. For a commoner like me, this is already the pinnacle, and I am content. I wish to abandon worldly affairs and follow in the footsteps of Master Redpine.’ Thus, Zhang Liang practised abstaining from grains, daoyin, and lightening the body. When Emperor Gaozu passed away, Empress Lü, grateful for Marquis Liu’s kindness, forced him to eat, saying, ‘Life is fleeting, why subject yourself to such hardship?’ Marquis Liu had no choice but to reluctantly obey Empress Lü’s words and began to eat. Eight years later, Marquis Liu Zhang Liang passed away and was posthumously honoured with the title Wencheng Marquis.