I and Mr. Hu Shih

Author: Zhou Ruchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This book has three major highlights: First, for the first time, the correspondence between the redology master Zhou Ruchang and the great scholar Hu Shih is fully presented, featuring a wealth of substantial and precious materials, photographs, book covers, and historical illustrations; Second, the (person involved) Zhou Ruchang, at the age of 88, recalls his interactions with Hu Shih and other scholars such as Gu Suishou, Yu Pingbo, Tao Xinru, Zhang Bochu, Wen Huishaha, Zhou Cezong, and Pan Zhonggui, showcasing many beautiful moments of these master scholars; Third, the book is a color facsimile of a rare collection, with exquisite binding, and includes valuable autographs by Zhou Ruchang, Zhou Guchang, and Hu Shih, as well as simulated original letters. The book's calm and concise text outlines the author's rich academic journey, with its detached narrationing the many flavors of history and life, reflecting the moral inspiration and spiritual legacy of the predecessors and the later scholars. Although he (Hu Shih) has long been buried, his typical smile of "my friend" still lingers in my eyes. — Ji Xianlin
Among the benevolent and kind elders I have encountered in my life, there are few who have been as generous and considerate to a young person as he was. — Zhou Ruchang
This book is a collection of memories and interactions between the redology master Zhou Ruchang and the great scholar Hu Shih. In December 1947, a short essay by the humble student Zhou Ruchang on the "Dream of the Red Chamber" was published in the Tianjin Minjun Daily. Hu Shih, then the president of Peking University, wrote to Zhou Ruchang, a stranger to him—thus beginning a legendary story in the history of redology, sparking the rise of the new redology movement, and leading Zhou Ruchang on his lifelong path dedicated to redology. During this time, the encouragement and earnest inquiries of Mr. Hu Shih toward the younger generation moved Zhou Ruchang deeply, while Zhou Ruchang, in turn, was diligent in his pursuit of knowledge, "loving his teacher even more than the truth."
In 1953, Zhou Ruchang's New Evidence of the Dream of the Red Chamber was published. Mr. Hu Shih, who was overseas at the time, sought out the book everywhere and said, "Zhou Ruchang is my most promising and accomplished disciple in redology." Regarding the "criticism of Hu" in the 1950s, Zhou Ruchang felt guilty, but Mr. Hu Shih showed no resentment and repeatedly defended Zhou Ruchang.
The book deeply reflects on the talents and scholarly demeanor of scholars such as Tao Xinru, Gu Suishou, Zhang Bochu, Wen Huishaha, Zhou Cezong, and Pan Zhonggui, presenting a wealth of correspondence between Zhou Ruchang and Hu Shih, along with numerous images, essays, and book covers to reveal the true nature of history. At the age of 88, Zhou Ruchang calmly recounts the literary interactions during the tumultuous times, with his detached narrationing the many flavors of history and life, embodying the moral inspiration and spiritual legacy of the generation of scholars.