On the Equilibrium of Things: A Biography of Wang Chong from the Series Biographies of Famous Cultural Figures of Zhejiang Province

Author: Xu Bin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Zhejiang, this land not too vast but deeply rooted, has nurtured numerous cultural figures. They devoted their talents to the inheritance and innovation of culture, achieving great results. According to our rough statistics, in the dynasties of Yuan, Ming, and Qing, 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 luminaries are even more astonishing! Faced with such a rich cultural treasure, if we do nothing today, how can we not feel ashamed of our ancestors!
The world was opened up in the remote past, but the old tales are hard to recount. However, new research shows that as early as 100,000 years ago, the "Jiande people" were already active in Zhejiang. The Majiabang culture and Hemudu culture were splendid scenes from 6,700 years ago, while the Liangzhu culture from 4,000 years ago revealed the dawn of a civilized era, fully proving the theory of the multi-centered origin of the Chinese nation. However, compared to the later rapidly developed and gradually recognized core of Huaxia culture in the Central Plains, early Zhejiang culture was clearly in a weaker position for a long time. The mysterious disappearance of the Liangzhu culture might be the reason or result of this weakness. Although Zhejiang was still considered a "land beyond the borders" even in the Western Han Dynasty, even from the narrower perspective of Central Plains culture, Zhejiang culture had already become one of the voices in that multi-part harmony.
Fan Li, a successful statesman and entrepreneur in the Spring and Autumn period, was also an astute economist with deep insights into 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 safeguarding its borders and ensuring peace, were key factors in the later flourishing of Zhejiang culture. The An Lushan Rebellion was also a turning point where northern and southern cultures grew and declined in turn. 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 scholars and monks.
Zhejiang has produced outstanding talents in various fields, drawing nationwide attention. Artists like Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi, Cao Bu, Zhi Yong, Yu Shiren, Chu Suiliang, and Yan Wengui, as well as literary figures such as Xie Lingyun, Shen Yue, Luo Binwang, Meng Jiao, Han Shan, Shi De, Luo Yin, and Zhou Bangyan, and religious figures like Zhi 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 immediately 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, in the later half of traditional Chinese society, Zhejiang led the way and made outstanding contributions to Chinese culture: in the field of philosophy and academia, great thinkers like Chen Liang of the Yongkang School and Ye Shi of the Yongjia School emerged, emphasizing practicality and realism, whose ideas still serve as important intellectual resources for Zhejiang's economic and social development today. Wang Yangming's heartology stood out, leading the tide of ideological 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 the literary field, there were great poets like Lu You, Zhu Yizun, and Gong Zizhen, as well as masters deeply connected to the urban masses who spoke for the times, such as Gao Ming, Xu Wei, Li Yu, and Yuan Mei. There were also political figures with notable achievements in literature, like Liu Ji, Song Lian, and Yu Qian. The master artists included Ma Yuan, Xia Jinhui, Zhao Mengfu, Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen, Wang Meng, and Chen Hongshou, who were not only renowned in their time but also set benchmarks for later generations. Collectors, printers, and scholars like Fan Qin and Yan Kejun added a rich cultural atmosphere to this land of culture.
In terms of exchanges with foreign cultures, Zhejiang also held a leading position: Chen Yuanzhen 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, pioneering the modernization of Chinese culture. The influx of Western influences brought a new wave to the ancient Chinese coast, comparable to the Hundred Schools of Thought in the Warring States period, which once again placed Zhejiang at the forefront of China's development. Zhejiang culture shone brightly again in the 20th century. During this transformative period, Zhejiang produced cultural giants like Wang Guowei, Zhang Taiyan, and Cai Yuanpei. Lu Xun, with his extraordinary artistic sensitivity 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, with cultural giants like Mao Dun, Xia Yan, Yu Dafu, Wu Changshuo, Pan Tianshou, Xia Gazu, Zhang Yuanji, Hu Yuzhi, Qian Xuantong, Chen Wangdao, Shao Biaoping, and Cao Juren, all of whom were self-taught cultural masters.
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 we hope for the world's needs!
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 cultural innovation. Under the call of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Government to build a cultural powerhouse, we have boldly 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 development of Zhejiang culture 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.
The 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 who completed their major cultural achievements 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 selected, and a few figures with extremely scarce materials are also temporarily excluded. If there are any selections that seem inappropriate, we welcome criticism and corrections 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 Financial Department. It has also been supported by many predecessors in academia, cared for by various affiliated units and society at large, and notably, by the assistance of numerous relatives and related individuals of cultural figures. In this favorable atmosphere, we can only dedicate ourselves to hard work in the coming years, burning the midnight oil to do the best we can, so as not to disappoint the public's expectations!