Journey of Thought (The Life and Career of Yin Haiguang)

Author: Zhang Qing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: Interacting with Jin Yueling, Yin Haiguang gained the amiability and tolerance he longed for as a young man; whereas with Xiong Shili, he felt dogmatism and extremism. He once attributed this difference to the influence of British empiricism versus Chinese thought, which also marked his own path in pursuing knowledge. However, in his later years, Yin grew to admire Xiong Shili—not for his scholarship, but for his "unworldly character" and "spirit of overturning the ages." In the summer of 1937, when Yin Haiguang was preparing to apply to Tsinghua University's philosophy department, the Sino-Japanese War broke out. Since the "September 18th Incident," northern China had been shrouded in war shadows. Yet until 1937, schools in Beijing and Tianjin continued their academic activities uninterrupted. Jiang Menglin, then president of Peking University, once stated: "From 1930 to 1937, over the seven years I held the helm of Peking University, I strove with all my might to steer this ship of learning through the turbulent waves of the Sino-Japanese conflict." With the help of friends like Hu Shih, Ding Wenjiang, and, "Peking University managed to advance steadily, making only occasional adjustments to its sails." Once a vortex of revolutionary activities and student movements, Peking University gradually transformed into an academic center. Perhaps cherishing the achievements of these years, scholars, despite growing clouds of uncertainty, moved cautiously in shallow waters, avoiding swift currents to prevent a direct collision with Japan's invasion of China. The Independent Review, a magazine founded by northern scholars during this period, conveyed the intellectuals' diverse perspectives on the crisis. Living in the perilous northern city, Yin Haiguang undoubtedly had many thoughts. Shortly after arriving in Beijing, the "Xi'an Incident" occurred. A personal anecdote he narrated revealed the influence on his future political stance: one day in December, a tall, thin person in a student dormitory said, "Today is a greatly satisfying day for me." Yin asked, "Why?" He replied, "Zhang Xueliang in Xi'an has captured Generalissimo Jiang Kai-shek. Since he refuses to resist Japan, his capture is greatly satisfying." Hearing this, Yin Haiguang was furious. He told the man, "I am deeply disappointed that Generalissimo Jiang is resisting Japan—it’s just that we are not prepared yet, and the time is not right, so we haven’t acted. If he is captured, who will lead the resistance? The country is on the verge of disintegration." The two argued fiercely, each holding their ground, and their relationship completely broke down, leaving them strangers afterward.
On the night of the "July 7th Incident," Tsinghua University, located west of Beijing and adjacent to Wanping, could clearly hear the sound of Japanese gunfire attacking the Lugou Bridge. Yin Haiguang may not have experienced the heartache of Tsinghua’s students, but he witnessed the desolate scenes of panic and fear spreading across Beijing after Japan’s invasion. At this point, Yin knew that his university life in this conquered capital had become a fantasy as the situation worsened. He and some classmates from the south decided to return to the south. Without travel funds, he sought help from Jin Yueling, the only person who could assist him in Beijing. He explained his situation to Jin, who gave him 50 yuan as his travel allowance from Beijing to Hankou. Jin also said, "Go back to the south! The situation here is unstable, and I’m afraid you might end up stranded. The circumstances may not stabilize anytime soon. Everything must be carefully considered. I hope you return home safely."
After staying in Beijing for nearly a year, Yin made his way back to his hometown, waiting for the situation to improve. The following spring, when he learned that Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Nankai University had relocated to Kunming and merged to form the National Southwest Associated University (commonly known as Southwest Associated University), he decided to go to Kunming to continue his studies under Jin’s guidance.
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