's Teachings to His Son

Author: Zhong Shuhe (Editor) / Country:
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-03-01
Features: □ October 14 □ Ba River ○ After marriage, one should lead the new wife to practice getting up early. ○ To achieve some success, one must start with the word "consistency." ○ Whether sitting, walking, or standing, one must be dignified and avoid frivolity.
Letter to Ji Ze Er:
I received your letters of the 19th and 29th, knowing that the wedding is now complete and the new wife has pleased your mother—that is a blessing for the family. Our dynasty's emperors have always risen at the first light of dawn, and this custom has remained unchanged for two hundred years. My ancestors, high and low, were known for getting up early. I have seen Grandfather Jingxi and Grandfather Xinggang both rise before dawn, sitting up in the cold winter for about an hour before daybreak. My father,, also rose at dawn, and if there was work to be done, he would rise before dawn. Every night, he would rise one or two times. These are things you have witnessed. Recently, I have also risen at dawn, hoping to carry on the family tradition. Since you have now come of age and married, you should make getting up early your top priority. Practice it yourself and also lead the new wife to do so.
In my life, I have suffered from the lack of consistency, and as a result, I have achieved nothing in terms of virtue, career, or anything else—this is a deep shame. When it comes to military affairs, I once pledged to do no other work, but my original intentions have changed, which is a greater lack of consistency and a source of inner shame. If you wish to achieve anything, you must start with the word "consistency."
I have observed that Grandfather Xinggang's demeanor was extraordinary, entirely due to his dignity. My own manner of walking and standing is also quite dignified, as I have taken him as my model. Your manner is too light—this is a major flaw. You should pay attention to this at all times, whether walking or sitting, and strive to be dignified. Getting up early, consistency, and dignity—these are all essential tasks for you. Getting up early is the family tradition of our ancestors, the lack of consistency is a great shame to me, and your light manner is your weakness. Therefore, I must earnestly advise you.
In my previous letter, I answered three of your questions, changing the brushstroke for each word—"dare to tell the horse to walk," and the commentary on gains and losses—I explained them in detail. Yet in your letter, you did not mention any of them. In the future, when you receive my teachings, you should reply to each point in detail and not be negligent.
Other teachings for you are detailed in the letter I sent to Yin Jie about "reading, writing, and composition." This is my instruction.
□ October 24 □ Qimen ○ Reading, writing, and composition every day without interruption can still lead to success. ○ Your speech is too fast, and your movements are too light. ○ The troops in southern Anhui have left, and those in Jiangxi have also left, so you can rest assured.
Letter to Ji Ze:
I received your letter, knowing that you have been copying the Shuowen Jiezi and reading the Zizhi Tongjian, both of which show consistency and the ability to endure long periods of sitting, which is a comfort to me. Last year, while in the army, I taught you that "reading, writing, and composition" are all essential and cannot be neglected. Now, reading the Zizhi Tongjian counts as your "reading" practice; copying the Shuowen Jiezi counts as your "writing" practice. Can you still practice calligraphy? Practice calligraphy by copying the Shupu or use oil paper to imitate the regular script of Ou and Liu, to strengthen your weak physique. This is an indispensable part of "writing" practice. Last year, you classified and copied fragments of the Wenxuan as material for writing. Do you still do this regularly? Have you finished? Or you could classify and copy the words and phrases of the Wenxuan or the glosses of the Shuowen Jiezi. You have rarely written essays in your life, so this is also an indispensable part of your "writing" practice.
From your age of ten to twenty, you wasted your time. Now, if you practice "reading, writing, and composition" every day without interruption, you may still achieve something. Your speech is too fast, and your movements are too light. Recently, have you been trying to be slower and more dignified to correct this? Here, the military situation is peaceful. The rebels attacked the outer moat of Anqing on the 19th, 20th, and 21st, but were all repelled. From noon on the 22nd to five in the morning, they launched eleven fierce attacks, which were also fiercely repelled. From now on, things should become safer, and Anqing may be recovered. My skin condition has not improved, and I scratch my hands day and night, but fortunately, there are no other serious illnesses. The troops in southern Anhui have left, and those in Jiangxi have also left, so you can rest assured. Currently, Anqing is the most dangerous, but after the turmoil of the 22nd, there should be no more worries.
□ August 24 □ Anqing ○ The dowry for your sister's wedding is limited to 200 taels. ○ In times of chaos, one must strictly avoid extravagance; clothing should not be excessively made or overly dazzling.
Letter to Ji Ze:
On the 20th of August, Hu Bida and Xie Rongfeng arrived, and I received your letters from you and your mother, as well as from Cheng Shu, along with the Han Wei Baijia and the three scrolls of the Shengjiao Xu. On the 22nd, Tan Zairong arrived, and I received your and Cheng Shu's letters, learning everything. Cai Yingwu died in the Jiang River at Jingkou, which is both strange and pitiful. I will add three taels of his allowance and send twenty taels of silver to his family as relief. The mother of Mr. Zhu Yunsi passed away, so I am sending eight taels of mourning money. The daughter of Miss Hui will marry this winter, so I am sending ten taels of dowry. The family can distribute them appropriately. The eldest daughter is set to marry on the third day of the twelfth lunar month. Has the Yuan family sent the date yet? I had previously set the dowry at two hundred taels, so I am sending one hundred taels home to prepare clothing. The remaining one hundred taels will be sent next time. The travel expenses from home to the Yuan family and the dowry for the sixty-ninth daughter will also be sent next time.
The way to live at home is to value frugality, which ensures longevity. In times of chaos, it is especially important to avoid extravagance. Clothing should not be excessively made or overly dazzling with large fringes. Teach your sisters to listen to your father's teachings, and there will be a lasting foundation. My uncle Mu Yun's academy seat, I have already written to Yin Jie to arrange it. Shun Shu has taken leave to return to Changsha, and I will mention it in person, which should not fail. I am in good health. On the 21st, I wore mourning clothes and paid respects, and now the third day has passed. My wound has not yet healed, and I scratch it constantly at night, but it is not too harmful. My uncle Man recently had malaria, but he has fully recovered by the 22nd. I did not write a letter to Cheng Shu this time. You can read this for him.
Letter to Ji Ze:
I received Shun Shu's letter, knowing that the wedding dates for the two daughters are set for the 20th of the first lunar month, and the Chen family will take in the bride. Cheng Shu wants to prepare a separate house in the village, but I think the wedding should be held at Jinhuotang, or at the head of the Zeng family's bend, and after the third day, the bride should return to Jinhuotang. I assume you and your mother have already made the decision. I am sending two hundred taels of silver back for the dowries of the two daughters. Fifty taels more will be sent next time for the banquet expenses (I have sent it with this letter). The entire province of Zhejiang has fallen. The rebels' strength is much greater than before. The troops in Qingyang are also unable to achieve anything due to their small numbers. Huizhou has recently been besieged. I bear great responsibility and am deeply troubled. My skin condition has not improved, and whenever the itching and pain are severe, I often think of meeting you and your mother, but due to the encroaching rebel threat, I dare not bring the family yet. I also need to wait until next spring to see if the rebels' strength will weaken. If the rebels' threat lessens and Anqing is safe, then I will bring your mother and Ji Hong here for a visit. You and your wife, along with the new son-in-law, can take care of everything at home. If the rebel threat intensifies, then you should still come here. In January or February next year, I will have another update.
Ji Hong's county exams must be escorted by Master Yin. Cheng Shu previously mentioned that Ji Hong should study at the academy, which is absolutely not acceptable. Previously, I was granted a robe, a hat, a hairpin, and a watch as a gift. I am sending them back in a yellow box (the robe and jade pendant from Emperor Xuanzong can also be placed inside), and I will treasure them carefully.
Letter to Ji Ze:
On the 13th and 14th of January, I received your letters of the 16th and 24th of December, as well as Cheng Shu's letter of the 22nd of December, learning everything. Your poem has been read and returned. Your poetic talent far surpasses your prose, so you should write more often in the future. I have not written poems for a long time but enjoy reading them. Every night, I take famous ancient poems and read them aloud at high volume for my own entertainment. This year, I will write two or three poems to respond to you, imitating the style of the Su family father and son. Your talent is elegant but not majestic—perhaps you should write five-character poems rather than seven-character ones.
The eighteen-volume Poetry of Eighteen Masters that I selected, totaling ten thick volumes, is at home. You can bring it with Ding when he comes to the army camp. If you want to read ancient poetry, you should focus on the six masters—Cao, Ruan, Tao, Xie, and the two Xies—from the Han, Wei, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, as selected by me. These are closest to your nature. To broaden your horizons and expand your spirit, to explore all transformations, you must study the works of the eight masters from the Tang and Song dynasties—Li, Du, Han, Bai, Su, Huang, Lu, and Yuan. Although your nature is not close to these eight, you must study their collections carefully. They are monumental works outside the Six Classics and the finest in literature.
You have made some progress in elementary studies, which is a comfort to me. To read ancient books from the Zhou and Han dynasties, you must first understand elementary studies. In the late Daoguang era, I began to appreciate the theories of the Wang brothers from Gaoyou. Due to military duties, I was unable to complete my studies, and I hope you will carry on the legacy.
I am still able to endure my health, but there is too much official business, and it often piles up. My skin condition has not improved, and I scratch it constantly at night, but it is not too harmful. The family is asking for a lot of silver and money, and I will pay back what is most important. The Jingbao at home—what is the good news? If I am given military command over four provinces, I have already declined twice. Such hollow honors are certainly not worth reporting.
□ February 14 □ Anqing ○ The rebels have repeatedly attacked Shanghai, and the foreigners are helping defend it, so we are fortunate to be unharmed. ○ Be cautious at all times, always remembering the dangers of walking on thin ice. ○ Ji Hong must be escorted to the exam by Master Yin.
Letter to Ji Ze:
On the 13th of February, I received your letter of the 23rd of January and Cheng Hou's letter, knowing that the five households are safe. The wedding of the two daughters on the 20th of January went smoothly, which is a comfort. Here, the military situation is stable. After Huizhou was relieved, the rebels did not retreat far and did not return to attack. The Viceroy of An is attacking Su'an, aiming to secure Yanzhou and Qizhou. Bao Chunling is stationed in Qingyang and has not yet fought. My uncle Man has recruited three thousand surrendered soldiers in Sanshan and formed four camps. Shun Shu arrived in Hankou on the 7th and will arrive in Anqing after the 15th. General Li Xili arrived in Anqing on the 9th and will go to Lu'an in early March. General Dali Tang is attacking Luzhou, but the rebels are holding firm. Shanghai has been repeatedly attacked by the rebels, and the foreigners are helping defend it, so we are fortunate to be unharmed. I am in good health. This year, I have been able to sleep, which is rare for me in recent years. However, with such favor from the emperor and such heavy responsibilities, I feel endangered, and those who know me well also share my concern. I can only be cautious at all times, remembering the dangers of walking on thin ice.
When will the county exams be held this year? Ji Hong must be escorted to the exam by Master Yin. Master Yin and his son will be fully supported by our family.