Throughout history, the influence of mothers in shaping leaders and visionaries has been profound and enduring. In ancient China, the enduring principle that “to know the virtues of the ancestors, one must trace the roots” reflects a deep reverence for maternal wisdom. This second part of our series continues to explore the lives of exemplary mothers in Chinese history. Their teachings and legacies not only molded their children but also left a lasting impact on the broader fabric of society.
Ouyang Xiu’s mother: Education against all odds
In the Northern Song Dynasty, the esteemed statesman, scholar, and historian Ouyang Xiu was raised by his mother Zheng, a widow who faced the adversity of early widowhood with resilience. Despite their financial struggles, she was unwavering in her commitment to her son’s education. Lacking the means to buy conventional teaching materials, Zheng resourcefully used a reed to write Chinese characters in the earth, effectively teaching her son to read and write.
More than just academic lessons, she imparted crucial life values, urging Ouyang Xiu to be independent and morally upright, reminiscent of his father, who was a revered official known for his integrity and love for the people. Her teachings were so impactful that they inspired Ouyang Xiu to pen “Instruction on Learning,” aimed at encouraging rigorous scholarship among his descendants. His accomplishments in prose, poetry, and political reform are testaments to his mother’s profound influence during a time when educational resources were scarce.
She Taijun: Warrior matriarch of the Yang family
The legendary She Taijun of the Northern Song Dynasty was not only a formidable matriarch but also an adept martial artist and tactician. From her youth, she trained in martial arts and assisted her family in military strategies, embodying both wisdom and valiance.
Her life was intertwined with the battlefield; she married Yang Ye after matching his skills in martial arts and rode into battle with him. Her story continued through adversity when, following the capture and martyrdom of her husband and son during Emperor Taizong’s reign, she supported her other son Yang Yanzhao in his continued resistance against the Khitan invaders.
She Taijun’s legacy climaxed when, at the age of 100, she led the widows of the Yang family in a desperate yet victorious defense against the Western Xia forces, cementing her status as a symbol of courage and endurance in Chinese history.
Xu Shu’s Mother: The ultimate sacrifice for filial and national loyalty
During the turbulent Three Kingdoms era, Xu Shu, a brilliant strategist under Liu Bei, faced a heart-wrenching dilemma when his adversary, Cao Cao, captured his mother to coerce him into service. Torn between his loyalty to Liu Bei and his filial duty, Xu Shu reluctantly left Liu Bei to rescue his mother, recommending the legendary Zhuge Liang as his replacement.
However, recognizing the agony her presence caused her son and regretting his inability to serve his revered leader, Xu Shu’s mother chose to end her own life, hoping to free him from Cao Cao’s manipulation. Her tragic sacrifice highlighted the intense personal conflicts faced by those caught between loyalty to their country and their duty to their family, and profoundly affected Xu Shu, who thereafter refused to aid Cao Cao with his counsel.
See Part 1 here and Part 3 here
Translated by Audrey Wang
