Great Historical Figures: The Biography of Liu Ji, a Series of Biographies of Famous Cultural Figures from Zhejiang Province

Author: Lü Lihan
Publisher:
Publishing Time: Not available
Features: Zhejiang, this land not vast but profound, has nurtured numerous cultural figures. They devoted their talents to the inheritance and innovation of culture, achieving remarkable results. According to our rough statistics, during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, Zhejiang accounted for one-fifth of the total number of literary figures in China. In modern history, the sheer number and breadth of Zhejiang's cultural figures have been astonishing! Faced with such a rich cultural treasure, if we do nothing today, how can we not be ashamed of our ancestors!
The world was opened up in the remote past, but the details are hard to trace. However, new research shows that as early as 100,000 years ago, the "Jiande people" were already active in Zhejiang. The Majiabang culture and the Hemudu culture, dating back 6,700 years, and the Liangzhu culture from 4,000 years ago, all shine as beacons of civilization, fully supporting the theory of the multi-centered origin of Chinese civilization. However, compared to the later rapidly developing and eventually recognized core of Central Plains culture, early Zhejiang culture was clearly in a weaker position for a long time. The mysterious disappearance of the Liangzhu culture may have been a cause or consequence of this weakness.
Although Zhejiang was still considered a "land beyond the borders" as late as the Western Han Dynasty, even from the narrower perspective of Central Plains culture, Zhejiang culture had already become one of the voices in that polyphonic chorus. Fan Li, from the Spring and Autumn period, was a successful politician and entrepreneur, as well as an astute economist who understood the world. Wang Chong, with his Lunheng, shook the capital of Jingzhao in the late Han Dynasty. The two major north-to-south population migrations during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Southern Tang periods, along with the Wu-Yue state of the Qian family for maintaining peace and stability, were key factors in the later flourishing of Zhejiang culture. The An Lushan Rebellion also marked a turning point where northern and southern cultures waxed and waned. From then on, this beautiful land began to be developed on a large and deep scale, with its beautiful mountains and waters inspiring artists, poets, and even eminent monks and scholars.
Zhejiang has produced outstanding talents who have left their mark in various fields, drawing national attention. Artists such as Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Cao Bu, Zhi Yong, Yu Shiren, Chu Suiliang, and Yan Wengui, as well as literary figures like Xie Lingyun, Shen Yue, Luo Binwang, Meng Jiao, Han Shan, Shi De, Luo Yin, and Zhou Bangyan, and religious figures like Zhi Jie and Du Guangting, as well as scientists like Shen Kuo, Bi Sheng, and Zhu Geng, have all made significant contributions to Chinese culture.
After the Southern Song Dynasty established its capital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang culture quickly took center stage on the stage of Chinese culture with a performance worthy of respect. This performance continued until the Qing Dynasty. In other words, during the latter half of traditional Chinese society, Zhejiang led the way and made outstanding contributions to Chinese culture: in the field of philosophy and academia, figures like Chen Liang of the Yongkang School and Ye Shi of the Yongjia School emerged as towering thinkers who emphasized practical achievements and realism. Their ideas remain important intellectual resources for Zhejiang's economic and social development today. Wang Yangming's mindology stood out alone, leading the tide of intellectual liberation in the Ming Dynasty. Huang Zongxi's profound reflections on politics and society struck at the fundamental flaws of traditional China. Huang and Zhang Xuecheng also became pillars of Chinese historiography.
In literature, there were great poets like Lu You, Zhu Yizun, and Gong Zizhen, as well as artists deeply connected to the urban class who captured the spirit of the times, such as Gao Ming, Xu Wei, Li Yu, and Yuan Mei. There were also political figures like Liu Ji, Song Lian, and Yu Qian who made significant achievements in politics while also being accomplished writers. Masterpieces were created by artists like Ma Yuan, Xia Gui, Zhao Mengfu, Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen, Wang Meng, and Chen Hongshou, who not only became masters of their generation but also set an example for later generations. Collectors, printers, and scholars like Fan Qin and Yan Kejun added a rich cultural atmosphere to this land of culture.
In exchanges with foreign cultures, Zhejiang also held a leading position: Chen Yuanyun and Zhu Shanshui made significant contributions to the spread of Chinese culture to Japan, while Li Zhizao, Yang Tingyun, and Li Shanlan learned from Western science and technology, heralding the modernization of Chinese culture.
With the eastward flow of Western influences, ancient China surged with new waves. This cultural renaissance, almost comparable to the Hundred Schools of Thought in the Warring States period, once again placed Zhejiang at the forefront of China's development. Zhejiang culture shone brightly again in the 20th century. During this period, Zhejiang produced cultural giants like Wang Guowei, Zhang Taiyan, and Cai Yuanpei. Lu Xun, with his extraordinary artistic sensibility and profound historical insight, became a world-class cultural figure. In literature, art, education, publishing, academia, and journalism, Zhejiang was exceptionally talented, surpassing the rest of the country. Figures like Mao Dun, Xia Yan, Yu Dafu, Wu Changshuo, Pan Tianshou, Xia Qizun, Zhang Yuanji, Hu Yuzhi, Qian Xuantong, Chen Wangdao, Shao Biaoping, and Cao Juren were all cultural titans in their own right.
In the emerging field of science and technology, Zhejiang also excelled, with renowned scientists like Zhu Kezhen, Jin Baoshan, Jiang Lifu, Yan Jici, Tong Dizhou, and Zhao Zhongyao.
The 20th century has passed, but we can fully expect Zhejiang's culture to flourish and shine again in the new millennium. Because of the needs of the times, because of China's needs, and because of the needs of the world, we hope even more!
The Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences is the comprehensive academic institution for philosophical and social sciences research in Zhejiang. On one hand, it focuses on practical issues, and on the other, it upholds the traditional strengths of Zhejiang culture, summarizes the valuable experience in its development, and strives for innovation in cultural development. Under the call of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Government to build a cultural powerhouse, we have bravely launched the "Biographies of Zhejiang Cultural Figures" series, a 100-volume project, which is the largest research project since the academy's establishment.
By writing biographies of Zhejiang cultural figures, we can not only reflect the overall picture of Zhejiang's cultural development but also inspire contemporary people to learn from the virtuous and strive for excellence. The series is being published in installments, and we will unite all forces, adhere to academic standards, and strive to complete this grand academic endeavor within a few years.
This series consists of 100 volumes, with 50 on ancient figures and 50 on 20th-century figures. The criteria for selecting cultural figures in this series are generally as follows: (1) Those born in Zhejiang or whose main cultural achievements were completed in Zhejiang; (2) Those who died before the end of 2000; (3) Those who made significant contributions in a cultural field and had a major impact nationwide. Additionally, those who lost national integrity are not included, and a few figures with extremely scarce materials are also temporarily excluded. If there are any selections that seem inappropriate, we welcome criticism and correction from all sectors of society.
Since the conception of this series, it has received correct guidance and sincere help from the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government, the Propaganda Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the Zhejiang Provincial Finance Department. It has also been supported by many predecessors in academia, and the attention of various affiliated units and society at large. What is particularly noteworthy is the selfless assistance of numerous relatives and concerned individuals of cultural figures. In this positive atmosphere, we can only dedicate ourselves to hard work in the coming years, burning the midnight oil to do our best, so as not to disappoint the public's expectations!