Fang Bozi Poetry Collection

Author: (Qing) Fan Dangshi, Ma Yazhong, Chen Guo'an (Editor)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Fan Dangshi was born in Tongzhou City (now Nantong City) in 1854 into a family of poetry and literature. His original name was Zhu, styled Tongshi, later changed his name to Dangshi, styled Wuzuo, and took the title Kentaang. He was known as Fan Boyazi because he was the first among his siblings. He was an outstanding literary figure and Tongguang-style poet of the late Qing Dynasty, as well as one of the main advocates and founders of modern education in Nantong City. From a young age, Fan Dangshi was exceptionally intelligent and studied the eight-legged essay with renowned teachers Wang Zhaozhen and Gu Jinbiao in Tongzhou City. At the age of 15, he won second place in the prefectural examination for the first time. At 17, he became a xinguan scholar in the provincial examination but failed the imperial examinations nine times despite his efforts. During his youth, Fan Dangshi befriended Zhang Jian, Gu Xique, Zhou Jialu, and Zhu Manjun, who shared similar aspirations and concerns for the nation. Their discussions on (scholarship) and (national affairs) helped transform the narrow-minded and quiet atmosphere of Tongzhou at the time. At the age of 25, Fan Dangshi traveled to study under the famous literary theorist Liu Xizai of Xinghua, learning "Yi Gai" (A General View of the Art of Literature). He then studied classical Chinese under the (Tongcheng School) master Zhang Yuzhao of Wuchang, contributing to the compilation of "Hubei Tongzhi" (Comprehensive Gazetteer of Hubei) as the chief editor of the "Wu Fu" section. Through Zhang Yuzhao's recommendation, he also served as the head of Guanzhen Academy under the prefect of Jizhou and the classical scholar Wu Ruyin. At the age of 38, Fan Dangshi, despite his modest means, accepted an invitation from the prime minister Li Hongzhang to serve as his private tutor in Tianjin for four years. After the First Sino-Japanese War, he returned south and served as the head of Dongjian Academy. Later, he dedicated himself to promoting education in his hometown alongside Zhang Jian, writing numerous insightful essays advocating for educational reform. Fan Dangshi's greatest contributions to Chinese literary history lie in his literary activities, particularly in poetry. His poems covered a wide range of themes, including powerful works on national affairs, dissatisfaction with corrupt governance, resentment toward foreign aggression, and empathy for the working class, as well as exquisite pieces expressing literary insights, life philosophies, family sentiments, and tributes to friends. His poetry is grand and passionate, with a bold and vigorous style, setting him apart from other Tongguang-style poets. His prose high aspirations and subtle elegance, making him one of the main representatives of the late Tongcheng School in Jiangsu. Most of his works are collected in "Fan Boyazi Shiji" (Collected Poems and Prose of Fan Boyazi), with 19 volumes of poetry and 12 volumes of prose. As the ninth-generation poet of the Fan family of Tongzhou, Fan Dangshi spent 20 years from the age of 20 compiling "Tongzhou Fan Family Poetry Collection" (519), gathering the remaining poems of his ancestors from the great-great-grandfather Fan Fengyi onwards. His younger brothers, Fan Zhong and Fan Kai, were also renowned literary figures, collectively known as the "Three Fans of Tongzhou." Fan Dangshi's contributions to his hometown were particularly evident in his profound thoughts on educational reform and his dedicated efforts. As someone who had experienced the feudal education system firsthand, he deeply understood the harm of the eight-legged essay system in stifling talent. In his middle years, he decisively abandoned the imperial examination system, and by his later years, after the Wuxu Reform, the First Sino-Japanese War, and the Boxer Rebellion, he actively criticized his early enthusiasm for classical Chinese writing and teaching, turning instead to education as a path to save the nation. At the age of 35, he firmly refused to take the imperial examination, despite persistent persuasion from close friends Wu Ruyin, his father-in-law Yao Muting, and even the prime minister Li Hongzhang. In a letter to Zhang Peilun (Li Hongzhang's son-in-law) in the 19th year of the Guangxu reign, he wrote: "(I) have traveled for ten years without improving my livelihood, and I do not consider myself poor; I have failed nine examinations, but I do not consider myself lowly." He observed that the literary arts (eight-legged essay) were not only the declining end of contemporary essays but were also destined to be abolished, and even the classical studies passed down among scholars would eventually face obsolescence. He criticized the feudal education system for leaving "our country, which has been culturally advanced for over four or five thousand years, with less than one percent of its population educated, and the entire nation still trapped in darkness!" He strongly advocated for learning from Western progressive culture, believing it to be "in harmony with the principles of nature and the affairs of humanity," and that "although the writing may seem crude, the discussions on natural philosophy are worth studying." In the 28th year of the Guangxu reign, Zhang Jian, Fan Dangshi, Zhang Shijiang, and Sun Baoshu petitioned the Viceroy of Liangjiang to establish a higher primary school. Despite his illness, Fan Dangshi worked with Zhang Shijiang to oversee the construction, while actively planning to use abandoned salt granaries to establish a public middle school (the predecessor of Nantong Middle School). He traveled across Jiangsu to learn from others' experiences in running schools and even humbly consulted with the Japanese educator Kaneta Yoshirō, who was visiting Nanjing to study educational affairs, while resisting the interference of feudal remnants. He poured his heart into establishing these schools, achieving remarkable results. In the "Purpose of Tongzhou Primary School (now the predecessor of Experimental Primary School)," he clearly defined the school's philosophy, guiding principles, development direction, and curriculum. He wrote: "To strive for strength, nothing compares to military power; to strengthen the military, nothing compares to wealth. Why must education be the priority? Because even in the military, there is military science, and in wealth, there are studies in agriculture, industry, and commerce. From now on, there is nothing that does not require learning." "To establish a nation relies on talent, and nurturing talent must begin with children; to spread education must cover the entire nation, and to transform the nation must start with the educated masses. There are three main principles for establishing a school: intellectual, physical, and moral education." In emphasizing the importance of primary education and expressing his determination, he said: "Although our state is small, it is the foundation of the world; although our school is small, it is the first among all schools. If I am responsible for it, how can I not take it seriously?" These progressive ideas and proposals were highly advanced for their time and still hold relevance today. Unfortunately, heaven was not generous, and Fan Dangshi passed away in 1905 due to illness, leaving his grand ambitions unfulfilled. Fan Yao, his wife (Fan Dangshi's first wife, Wu, passed away early, and his second wife, Yao Yunsu, styled Qiyun, was the great-granddaughter of the Tongcheng School master Yao Nai, skilled in poetry and author of "Returning from the Sea," who served as the principal of Tongzhou Women's Normal School for over a decade and was widely respected as Fan Yao), wrote in her "Elegy": "In the snow and wind, I summon the patriotic spirit; the snow's light casts a deep shadow of tears. Pity the sorrowful events, leaving behind a lifetime of dedication to education." These words truly resonate with her understanding of his life's work.