Research on the Yanghu Wen School

Author: Cao Hong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: For over a decade and a half, I studied at home with my late uncle Mr. Junshuo, while my late great-uncle Mr. Zidu was also taking care of my uncle. He would sometimes come to the academy to offer guidance. One day, we happened to discuss classical literature in modern times, and he said, "Do you also understand the purpose of teaching with Yao’s Compendium and Zeng’s Collected Works? The academic achievements of the late Qing Dynasty surpassed those of previous dynasties, and its essence can be summarized in three aspects: principle, textual research, and literary style. Principle serves to fulfill one’s nature, textual research to explore the truth, but without literary style, one cannot reveal its profound essence. Thus, the three are interdependent. Some people may admire one aspect while neglecting the others, which is not a comprehensive perspective. The masters of Tongcheng, Yanghu, and Xiangxiang in modern times alone understood this principle and embodied it in their selected works to promote its teachings. Therefore, through these books, one can connect with the Four Books and Five Classics, and when writing, one can naturally achieve depth and avoid superficiality." Although I carefully noted these words, as a child, I was ignorant and unable to fully grasp their meaning. When I studied in Jiangnan, as I grew older, I gradually began to understand some of their implications, realizing that the three aspects emphasized by the Qing scholars actually align with what modern people advocate as truth, goodness, and beauty: the ultimate of principle is goodness, the ultimate of textual research is truth, and the ultimate of literary style is beauty. Thus, the art of writing is inseparable from scholarship, and it is not merely about indulging one’s emotions or expressing oneself in poetry that constitutes success. This is evident. Fifty years later, I returned to Jiangnan and was appointed to Nanjing University. Among my students who obtained a doctorate in literature, only Cao Hong was female. Most of the students studied poetry or literary history, but only Hong dedicated herself to parallel and classical prose. At that time, Mr. Wang Qizhong of Feidong, a respected and erudite scholar, taught classical literature. Hong associated with him and learned from him, eventually joining my own school and delving into the study of the Selected Works. Her achievements combined parallel and classical prose, allowing her to understand the interconnectedness of scholarship and literature. She could also discern the similarities and differences between prose and parallel prose, as well as the subtle changes between soft and hard styles. Her scholarship surpassed those who were narrow-minded and rigid, unable to achieve true depth. Recently, she presented me with her book Research on the Yanghu Literary School and asked me to write a preface. For years, I have suffered from cataracts, and recently they have worsened, making it difficult for me to read. However, I took the chapter on Zhang Gaowen and was deeply impressed by her insights. Her discussion of Zhang’s scholarship unified life, Confucian classics, and literary style. His works—whether odes, classical prose, or ci poetry—were not merely expressions of personal sorrow but also reflections on the rise and fall of the times and the well-being of the people. This resonated with the teachings my late father gave me seventy years ago, as if they were perfectly aligned. At the age of eighty-two, my hearing is impaired, and my vision is dim, yet I am able to hear the echoes of my father’s teachings in the works of one of my female students. How delightful is that! Hong is gentle and refined, often appearing reserved as if unable to speak. When her peers debate academic matters, her sharp wit often resolves disputes, allowing the audience to enjoy the joy of listening to an old scholar’s playful debate with Yiliang in a large gathering. She does not seek to boast, and her nature is thus modest. This is difficult for many, but especially for those who are celebrated as talented women. Huang Jun of Qichun once said, "Once one’s studies are complete, teachers and students become friends." I still hope to see you achieve success, Hong. Strive and persevere! March of the Year of Yi, written by Cheng Ganfan.