Jian Qi Xiao Xin: A Biography of Gong Zizhen, Series of Biographies of Famous Figures in Zhejiang Culture

Author: Chen Ming
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Gong Zizhen is an intriguing historical figure. His magnificent literature and turbulent life have provided ample topics for discussion. During the "Cultural Revolution," I was teaching at a middle school in the mountainous areas of eastern Zhejiang. On a quiet spring night, I slowly read through The Complete Works of Gong Zizhen, imagining the true character of this historical figure. It wasn’t until the "Gang of Four" was overthrown and I returned to a research institution that I had the opportunity to organize my thoughts from that time. Since publishing my first paper on Gong Zizhen research in 1980, I have published several more papers over the years, analyzing Gong Zizhen’s works and life. Later, as I dedicated myself to exploring classical Chinese aesthetics, my research on Gong Zizhen was postponed for several years. In 1989, my Comprehensive Study of Gong Zizhen was published, followed by further exploration, which finally led to the publication of A Critical Biography of Gong Zizhen in 1998. Now, I have completed this Sword Qi and Flute Heart: A Biography of Gong Zizhen. I think this is probably my last book on Gong Zizhen research. My engagement with this familiar yet unfamiliar cultural and historical figure may now come to an end. To say he is familiar to me is because I have read his works and materials countless times, as if I know him like an old friend; to say he is strange to me is because his works are rich in literary beauty and profound meaning, with ambiguities that seem to offer new insights with each reading. Therefore, until I gain deeper and newer understanding, I see no need to add to the existing body of work. The greatest difference between this Biography of Gong Zizhen and the previous two books is that this one follows the life of Gong Zizhen as a timeline, passing down his stories through the ages, and hoping readers can see his experiences, thoughts, and actions from birth to death through this book. Some periods in the biography lack detailed accounts due to the lack of reliable historical records. This book is not a work of fiction; it contains no fictional or imaginative elements, which may disappoint those who seek novelty, but as an academic study, it must be so. The time and effort spent writing this book seem even greater than those of the previous two, likely due to my advanced age and physical exhaustion. Therefore, I am deeply grateful to my wife, Lu Zishan, for her meticulous care, which enabled me to finally complete this book. Of course, any errors in this book cannot be excused by old age or illness, and I sincerely hope readers will kindly correct me and offer their guidance in advance.