Abstract: As a masterpiece in the history of ancient Chinese essays, Han Yu’s “Preface of Seeing off Li Yuan, Who Is Returning to Pangu” has been always highly evaluated. It is believed that its theme is to praise hermits’ pleasure of living in mountain and forests, satirize arrogant people of higher status as well as those who shamelessly serve them and abandon themselves to power and money. However, a careful reading of the “Preface”, together with an examination in the context of Han Yu’s thoughts and life, shows that the common understanding of the essay is improper. In other words, “praising” and “revealing” are not Han Yu’s real intention.

Key words: Han Yu, &ldquo, Preface of Seeing off Li Yuan, Who Is returning to Pangu&rdquo, , theme, analysis and correction