Ming and Qing Dynasties, Guizhou Seven Hundred Scholars

Author: Pang Sichun
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Our Guizhou produced over 700 literary scholars (civil scholars) during the Ming and Qing dynasties (military scholars were not counted). This achievement, considering the national eighteen provinces at the time, should be considered above average and is something we should take pride in. It has played an invisible role in carrying forward the legacy, following the predecessors, and aspiring to the virtuous. During the imperial examination era, when emperors ruled the country, they needed to appoint numerous outstanding civil servants to work in various government levels. The best way to select such a large number of talents was through imperial examinations. Because scholars were considered the foundation of the four classes of society, their social status relatively improved, and this custom formed an unbreakable traditional belief: "All trades are low except for studying," "Ten years of cold study in seclusion, once successful, fame spreads across the land," "Morning a peasant, evening ascending to the imperial court." Being able to pass the imperial examination and gain fame for one's family was the greatest aspiration of scholars. For thousands of years, the imperial examinations were relatively fair and deeply trusted by the public. Scholars who wanted to realize their grand ambitions of governing the country and pacifying the world had no choice but to become officials. Passing the imperial examination, achieving merit, gaining qualifications, and having a smooth career path—no wonder scholars flocked to it.
Guizhou, located in the southwestern frontier, had its indigenous ethnic groups considered as minorities. The Han Chinese culture gradually spread to the southwest from ancient times, followed by Han migration. Especially since the so-called "moving north to fill the south" policy, migration to settle the frontier and assimilate local customs deepened the Han influence in Guizhou. Inheriting a strong tradition of studying, respecting teachers, and valuing education, Guizhou's literary culture flourished, with more and more people participating in imperial examinations, naturally producing over 700 scholars.
In the remote and isolated Guizhou, with inconvenient transportation, most scholars were poor. How could they afford the journey to the capital for the examinations? Not to mention other factors, , they needed financial resources (travel expenses), second, physical strength (health), third, perseverance (determination), fourth, academic ability (true talent), and fifth, spiritual strength (good luck). All five were indispensable. Not everyone passed on their first attempt; the (elimination rate) was very high. Those who passed the imperial examination were truly selected through rigorous competition, proving to be outstanding talents, not just earning a reputation. The saying "Where there are outstanding people, there is a virtuous land, and vice versa" holds some truth. Zeng Guofan once said, "Noble talents are not confined by geography; nineteen out of twenty rise from remote regions." It can be said that these 700 scholars from our Guizhou were pillars of their families, elites of their ethnic groups, backbone of society, senior intellectuals and mentors in cultural and educational fields, inheritors and creators of cultural and historical traditions, mainstream and lucky ones of their time, favorites of the people, the chosen ones of heaven, helmsmen of national destiny, and shields of people's livelihoods. Of course, they were all national scholars—scholars who served the nation and role models for scholars.
Among these 700 scholars, despite their varying fortunes, achievements, and contributions, they all deserve special recognition because "Without predecessors, even beauty remains hidden; without successors, even prosperity fades." Based on this belief and philosophy, Mr. Pang Sichun, in his prime and during a prosperous era, dedicated his spare time to this endeavor. In recent years, he successively wrote two lengthy articles, "A Study on the Geographical Distribution of 700 Scholars from Ming and Qing Guizhou" and "A Catalog of 700 Scholars from Ming and Qing Guizhou," which were published in the Taiwan magazine Qiren and were highly praised by experts and scholars both within and outside the province, as well as internationally. They considered this a groundbreaking, unprecedented, and meticulously compiled milestone in Guizhou's cultural and historical research. This year, he further supplemented his work, publishing the book 700 Scholars from Ming and Qing Guizhou, completing his meritorious achievement. It is as if he has erected a towering and steadfast monument for these 700 scholars, and their spirits in heaven will surely be grateful, considering them as kindred spirits, and their descendants will undoubtedly feel even greater admiration, remembering them at every meal.
For traditional Chinese scholars, the greatest joy is to write books and express ideas. Mr. Pang Sichun has achieved this! Mr. Pang Sichun's accomplishments in contributing to Guizhou's cultural and historical research are deeply tied to the inspiration and encouragement of the renowned scholar Chen Futong of Zunyi. Therefore, the completion of this book is largely due to Elder Chen's great contribution! Mr. Pang Sichun is a thoughtful person, spiritually connected to the past, and has written biographies for some of these 700 scholars, which is even more precious. One can imagine how much heart, spirit, time, and intelligence he invested in writing this book, aside from teaching, poring over countless classical texts, and cross-referencing information. This is a purely voluntary, amateur-like grand project, and friends in cultural and historical research will deeply understand this. Mr. Pang Sichun, choosing the right path and sticking to it, is a model for scholars in Guizhou. This book is a timeless work that will undoubtedly benefit scholars and will further enhance Mr. Pang's reputation among them. No effort is wasted—this is what it means.
As this book 700 Scholars from Ming and Qing Guizhou is about to be published, I hastily wrote this brief piece to express my admiration and respect.