Lyric tail word storage

Author: Shi Shenghan / Ding Ji et al. compiled
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Father has been gone from us for 26 years. As the years pass, our understanding of life and career deepens, and so does our reverence and longing for him. Beyond the unforgettable nurturing he gave us, we admire his character, knowledge, and will, as well as his spirit of dedication to the motherland and its people. Father's life was extraordinary. He was frail from childhood and suffered from severe pulmonary heart disease and asthma in middle age. Despite his weak constitution, he worked tirelessly for over 40 years, overcoming countless obstacles to write nearly 6 million words of scientific works that earned acclaim both domestically and internationally, covering fields such as ancient agriculture, plant physiology, biochemistry, botany, zoology, and agricultural education. He also bore a heavy teaching load, with a legacy of students across the country. Had it not been for the devastation of the Cultural Revolution, he could have contributed even more. Father was not only a distinguished scientist but also had a wide range of interests, excelling in poetry, calligraphy, and seal carving. From a young age, he had a deep love for literature and possessed a high level of classical Chinese proficiency. He began writing poetry at the age of 12 and composing ci poems at 14, leaving behind nearly 400 pieces, though only a little over 100 remain. His handwritten collection of ci poems, along with the article "Fearing slander and ridicule—A story of ci poetry," were once deemed "black materials" during the Cultural Revolution. Fortunately, they were discovered and rescued in time by his assistant, Jiang Yi'an, in 1979, saving them from destruction. Mr. Jiang also risked much to copy other of Father's poems and their explanations. Here, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Jiang. The ci poems in this collection primarily date from before 1948, expressing the love and hatred of a patriotic intellectual deeply concerned about the nation and its people. They reveal Father's inner world: his relentless effort to live up to the support of 600 million people over the past four or five decades, his refusal to be discouraged despite ridicule, his resilience in the face of poverty, and his unwavering will strengthened by hardship. His poems convey his anger and hatred toward darkness and corruption, as well as his sincere love for family and friends, with emotions that are both delicate and intense. Sixteen of the poems in the collection pour out his deep affection for our mother, and many others describe their life together through hardship. Our mother, Xu Muzhen (also known as Xu Zhen), was born on June 15, 1908, in Wuzhou, Guangxi. She graduated from Guangxi Provincial Second High School and once attended classes in the chemistry department at Sun Yat-sen University. In 1929, Father went to Guangxi for rest due to illness and was recommended by his close friend Zhao Peiying to teach at Guangxi Provincial Second High School in Wuzhou, where he met and fell in love with Mother. A teacher of Mother once told us that she was the only girl in her class but the best student academically. They married in Guangzhou in July 1932, and their passionate love over the next three years became the main theme of Xiang Chi Ji. In autumn 1933, Father went to study in the UK, and Mother returned to her hometown in Wuzhou with the newly born Ding Ji. In Xihai Ji, Father wrote of his profound longing and separation. Mother was a typical Eastern woman—kind, virtuous, and hardworking. She stood by Father through thick and thin, supporting both the family and his career with her frail shoulders through years of hardship. She accompanied Father as he traveled from south to north and back again. To care for her frail and sick father, support her grandmother, help our three uncles complete their university education, raise six children, and ensure they all received a good education, Mother gave up her teaching job and devoted herself entirely to household chores. She lived frugally, managing the poor household with remarkable order. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, after receiving her monthly salary, she divided the money into two parts—one for her grandmother and uncles, the other for her small family. From the time we were children to when we grew up and left home, we never saw Mother have any leisure or entertainment. She worked from dawn till late at night, doing laundry, cooking, and making clothes for the whole family. The endless chores made her walk as if in a hurry. Most of our daily lessons were checked by Mother, and she often typed Father's manuscripts. With Mother's full support, Father was able to focus on teaching, research, and writing, and we siblings were able to graduate from university smoothly. After Father's passing, Mother deeply mourned him, her spirits sinking, and passed away in November 1978 at the age of 70. She silently devoted her life to Father, the family, and her children. Father's outstanding achievements were also infused with Mother's hard work. Publishing this collection of ci poems is also an expression of our deep love and longing for the admirable Mother.