Wen Tianxiang

Author: Zhao Nai?en
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-06-01
Features: To enable young people to absorb rich historical wisdom, enhance national pride, confidence, and cohesion, and become "four-having" new people needed for the construction of socialist modernization, we have edited and published the "Illustrated Series of Famous Figures in Chinese History." Using the form of picture books, we introduce these historical figures to a broad readership, especially young readers. We believe they will certainly love it. Wen Tianxiang, a minister and litterateur of the Southern Song Dynasty. This book, with concise text and vivid illustrations, showcases his integrity as an official, especially his opposition to betrayal and heroic resistance against the Yuan Dynasty during the severe national crisis: organizing guerrilla forces to defend Lin'an; serving as Right Chancellor and envoy to negotiate with the Yuan forces, only to be detained; reuniting with the guerrilla forces after escaping and persisting in resisting the Yuan; after being captured, enduring repeated threats and inducements but remaining steadfastly refusing to surrender, and composing the poem "Passing Lingdingyang" to express his resolve; finally dying heroically, demonstrating the unyielding national spirit and patriotic sentiments. His poems are titled "The South Pointing Records," which can be considered a poetic history, and his "Ode to the Spirit of Righteousness," composed in prison, is particularly celebrated by people.