Tai Bai Wind: A Biography of Chen Wangdao, Series of Biographies of Famous Cultural Figures in Zhejiang

Author: Zhou Weiqiang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-01
Features: Zhejiang, this land not too vast but profound, has nurtured numerous cultural celebrities. They devoted their talents to the inheritance and innovation of culture, achieving great 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 celebrities have left people astonished! Faced with such a rich cultural treasure, if we do nothing today, how can we not feel ashamed of our ancestors!
The world was created in the beginning, but it is difficult to discuss the old times in detail. 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 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-center 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 cause 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.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, Fan Li was a successful statesman and entrepreneur, as well as an insightful economist. Wang Chong, on the other hand, shook the capital of Jingzhao in the late Han Dynasty with his Lunheng. 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 Kingdom's efforts to maintain 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 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 who have excelled in various fields, attracting national 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 in the center 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, great thinkers like Chen Liang of the Yongkang School and Ye Shi of the Yongjia School emerged, emphasizing practicality and realism. Their ideas remain important intellectual resources for Zhejiang's economic and social development today. Wang Yangming's mindology 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, great poets like Lu You, Zhu Yizun, and Gong Zizhen emerged, along with masters like Gao Ming, Xu Wei, Li Yu, and Yuan Mei, who had deep connections with the urban masses and spoke for the times. There were also political figures like Liu Ji, Song Lian, and Yu Qian, who made significant achievements in politics and were also accomplished writers.
There were also numerous master artists like Ma Yuan, Xia Jingshi, Zhao Mengfu, Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen, Wang Meng, and Chen Hongshou, who were not only renowned in their time but also set an example for later generations. Many book 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 Shunshui 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, paving the way for the modernization of Chinese culture.
With the westward flow of winds, the ancient Chinese nation surged with new waves along the coast. This cultural renaissance in the history of culture was almost comparable to the Hundred Schools of Thought during the Warring States period, allowing Zhejiang to once again take its place at the forefront of Chinese development. Zhejiang culture once again shone brightly in the 20th century. During this period of transformation, Zhejiang produced cultural giants like Wang Guowei, Zhang Taiyan, and Cai Yuanpei. And Lu Xun, with his extraordinary artistic sensibility and profound historical insight, became a world-class cultural figure.
In all fields—literature, art, education, publishing, academia, and journalism—Zhejiang was exceptionally talented and surpassed the rest of the country. Masters 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 were all cultural giants 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 world's needs, we hope even more for this!
The Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences is a 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 the development of Zhejiang culture, 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 Celebrities" series, a 100-volume project that is the largest research project since the academy's establishment.
By writing biographies of Zhejiang cultural celebrities, we can not only reflect the overall picture of Zhejiang's cultural development but also encourage the present generation to learn from the virtuous and strive for excellence. Currently, the series is being published in installments. We will unite all forces, adhere to academic standards, and strive to complete this grand academic project 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 celebrities 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 individuals with extremely scarce materials are also temporarily excluded. If there are any selections that seem inappropriate, we welcome criticism and suggestions from all sectors of society.
Since the conception of this series, it has received correct guidance and sincere assistance 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 academic predecessors, cared for by various affiliated units and society at large, and notably, by the assistance of numerous relatives and relevant figures of cultural celebrities. In this positive 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!