Jiayetaang Master: Liu Chenggan's Biography

Author: Xiang Wenhui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: As a book collector and printer, Liu Chenggan's life was etched into those rare and valuable books and his Jiaye Study Collection; as a Chinese scholar, his soul soared and rested in the history of Chinese culture in the 20th century. In reality, Liu Chenggan was ordinary, solitary, and even somewhat outdated. He lacked heroic deeds worthy of song and dance, the passion of a politician calling for unity, the romance of a poet under flowers and moon, or the pride of scholars with a mountain of publications. However, behind the facade of book collecting and printing, he concealed his deep care and love for culture. This book provides a panoramic view of the life of the book collector Liu Chenggan.
[Preface] The land of Zhejiang, though not vast, is deep and has nurtured numerous cultural figures. They devoted their talents to the inheritance and innovation of culture, achieving great results. According to our rough statistics, during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, Zhejiang accounted for one-fifth of the country's literary figures. In modern history, the sheer number and breadth of Zhejiang's cultural figures have left people astonished! Faced with such a rich cultural treasure, if we do nothing today, how can we not feel ashamed of our ancestors!
The world was created in the dark ages, and the old tales are hard to trace. But according to new research, about 100,000 years ago, the "Jiande people" were already active in Zhejiang. The Majiabang culture and the Hemudu culture were splendid scenes from 6,700 years ago, while the Liangzhu culture from 4,000 years ago shone like the dawn of a civilized age, fully proving the theory of the multi-centered origin of the Chinese nation. However, compared to the later rapidly developing and gradually recognized core of Chinese culture in the Central Plains, early Zhejiang culture was clearly in a weaker position. The mysterious disappearance of the Liangzhu culture might be the cause or result of this weakness. Although Zhejiang was still considered a "land beyond the borders" in the Western Han Dynasty, even from the narrower perspective of Central Plains culture, Zhejiang culture had already become one of the voices in that polyphonic chorus.
Fan Li, a successful statesman and entrepreneur in the Spring and Autumn period, was also an astute economist with a deep understanding of the world. Wang Chong, with his Lunheng, shook the capital of Jingzhao in the late Han Dynasty. The two major north-to-south population migrations during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Southern Tang periods, along with the Wu-Yue Kingdom's efforts to maintain peace and stability, were key factors in the later flourishing of Zhejiang culture. The An Lushan Rebellion was also a turning point where northern and southern cultures waxed and waned. From then on, this beautiful land began to be developed on a large and deep scale, with its beautiful mountains and waters inspiring artists, poets, and even high scholars and monks. Zhejiang produced talents in abundance, each excelling in their fields, drawing national attention. Artists like Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Cao Bu, Zhi Yong, Yu Shennan, Chu Suiliang, and Yan Wengui, as well as literary figures such as Xie Lingyun, Shen Yue, Luo Binwang, Meng Jiao, Han Shan, Shi De, Luo Yin, and Zhou Bangyan, and religious figures like Zhi Xie and Du Guangting, as well as scientists like Shen Kuo, Bi Sheng, and Zhu Geng, all made outstanding contributions to Chinese culture.
After the Southern Song Dynasty established its capital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang culture immediately took center stage on the stage of Chinese culture with a performance worthy of respect. This performance continued until the Qing Dynasty. In other words, in the latter half of traditional Chinese society, Zhejiang led the way and made significant contributions to Chinese culture: In the field of thought and scholarship, great thinkers like Chen Liang of the Yongkang School and Ye Shi of the Yongjia School emerged, emphasizing practicality and the real world. Their ideas remain important intellectual resources for Zhejiang's economic and social development today. Wang Yangming's mindology stood out alone, leading the tide of intellectual liberation in the Ming Dynasty. Huang Zongxi's profound reflections on politics and society struck at the fundamental flaws of traditional China. Huang and Zhang Xuecheng also became pillars of Chinese historiography. In literature, great poets like Lu You, Zhu Yizun, and Gong Zizhen emerged, along with figures like Gao Ming, Xu Wei, Li Yu, and Yuan Mei, who had deep connections with the common people and spoke for the times. There were also political figures like Liu Ji, Song Lian, and Yu Qian, who made great achievements in politics and were also accomplished writers. Art masters were numerous as well, including Ma Yuan, Xia Gui, Zhao Mengfu, Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen, Wang Meng, and Chen Hongshou, who were not only masters of their generation but also set an example for later generations. Many book collectors, printers, and scholars like Fan Qin and Yan Kejun added a rich cultural atmosphere to Zhejiang. In exchanges with foreign cultures, Zhejiang also held a leading position: Chen Yuandiao and Zhu Shunshui made significant contributions to the spread of Chinese culture to Japan, while Li Zhizao, Yang Tingyun, and Li Shanlan learned from Western science and technology, pioneering the modernization of Chinese culture.
The flow of Western winds to the East brought new waves to the ancient Chinese nation. This cultural renaissance, almost comparable to the Hundred Schools of Thought in the Warring States period, allowed Zhejiang to once again take its place at the forefront of Chinese development, with Zhejiang culture shining brightly in the 20th century. During the cultural transformation, Zhejiang was graced with masters like Wang Guowei, Zhang Taiyan, and Cai Yuanpei. And Lu Xun, with his extraordinary artistic sensitivity and profound historical insight, became a world-class cultural giant. In literature, art, education, publishing, academia, and journalism, Zhejiang was rich in talent, surpassing the rest of the country. Figures like Mao Dun, Xia Yan, Yu Dafu, Wu Changshuo, Pan Tianshou, Xia Gaijun, Zhang Yuanji, Hu Yuzhi, Qian Xuantong, Chen Wangdao, Shao Biaoping, and Cao Juren were all cultural giants in their own right. In the emerging field of science and technology, Zhejiang also excelled, with renowned scientists like Zhu Kezhen, Jin Baoshan, Jiang Lifu, Yan Jici, Tong Dizhou, and Zhao Zhongyao.
The 20th century has passed, but we can fully expect Zhejiang's culture to flourish and shine in the new millennium. Because of the needs of the times, because of China's needs, and even more so because of the world's needs! The Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences is the comprehensive academic institution for philosophical and social sciences research in Zhejiang. On one hand, it focuses on practical issues, and on the other, it upholds the traditional strengths of Zhejiang culture, summarizes the valuable experience in its development, and strives for cultural innovation. Under the call of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Government to build a cultural province, we have bravely launched the "Biographies of Zhejiang Cultural Figures" series, comprising 100 volumes, the largest research project in the history of our academy. By writing biographies of Zhejiang cultural figures, we can not only reflect the overall picture of Zhejiang's cultural development but also inspire the present generation to learn from the virtuous and strive for excellence. Currently, the series is being published in installments, and we will unite all forces, adhere to academic standards, and strive to complete this grand academic endeavor within a few years.
This series consists of 100 volumes, with 50 on ancient figures and 50 on 20th-century figures. The criteria we generally follow for selecting cultural figures include: (1) Those born in Zhejiang or who completed their major cultural achievements here; (2) Those who died before the end of 2000; (3) Those who made significant contributions in a cultural field and had a major impact nationally. Additionally, those who have lost national integrity are not selected, and a few figures with scarce materials are also temporarily excluded. If there are any selections that seem inappropriate, we welcome criticism and correction from all sectors of society.
From the very beginning of the series, we have received correct guidance and sincere help from the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government, the Propaganda Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the Zhejiang Provincial Financial Department. We have also been supported by many senior scholars, cared for by various affiliated units and society at large, and, most notably, assisted by the contributions of numerous relatives and relevant individuals of cultural figures. In this positive atmosphere, we can only dedicate ourselves to hard work in the coming years, burning the midnight oil to do our best, so as not to disappoint public expectations! This is the preface.
Spring of 2003, Hangzhou