The path of a true scholar is rarely smooth. It demands unwavering dedication, immense resilience, and the courage to start over when faced with setbacks. Two historical figures, Tan Qian and Zhang Yuanji, epitomized these qualities through their extraordinary stories of overcoming loss and rebuilding their monumental works. Their journeys teach us timeless lessons in perseverance and the pursuit of excellence.
Tan Qian: Rewriting history through sheer will
During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the renowned historian Tan Qian began compiling his monumental work, Guo Que (The National Chronicles), at the age of 29. Living in poverty, Tan could not afford reference books and was often forced to endure humiliation while seeking support. Sometimes, he would travel over a hundred miles with his bedding and food in tow just to gather a fragment of useful information. After 27 years of relentless effort, he completed the initial draft of Guo Que, comprising over 5 million characters, and revised it six times.
One night, a thief broke into Tan’s home. Finding nothing of value in the bare household, the thief assumed the locked bamboo chest holding the manuscript contained treasures and stole it. The painstakingly created draft disappeared without a trace, and some 27 years of labor vanished overnight. Such a devastating loss would have crushed anyone’s spirit. It was a monumental blow for Tan, now nearing his sixties with graying hair.
Yet, Tan’s resolve remained unshaken. He told himself: “The manuscript is lost, but I am still here. As long as I draw breath, I will continue to write.” Wiping away his tears, he picked up his pen and started anew.
This time, writing Guo Que was even more challenging. Age had diminished his physical strength and memory, and he was often unwell. Nevertheless, Tan pressed on. He traveled extensively from southern China to Beijing to collect materials, verify facts, and conduct research. He paid meticulous attention to detail on his arduous journey, leaving no stone unturned — even inscribing information from broken stelae.
Year after year, day after day, Tan toiled. After another eight or nine years, he finally completed his rewritten Guo Que. By then, he was a frail, white-haired 65-year-old man. The new Guo Que was even more comprehensive and refined than the original, comprising 104 volumes and 5 million characters. Tan’s dedication and resilience ensured his name would be etched in history forever.
Zhang Yuanji: Rebuilding a cultural treasure
Similarly, Zhang Yuanji, a leading figure in the late Qing Dynasty, faced an equally daunting challenge. As an editor and publisher, Zhang devoted his life to fostering education in China through the Shanghai Commercial Press. Under his leadership, this institution became a cornerstone of China’s educational publishing, producing most of the nation’s textbooks and reference works.
In 1932, tragedy struck. During the Japanese bombardment of Shanghai on January 29, the Commercial Press lost over 80 percent of its assets, and its affiliated Oriental Library, housing 450,000 rare and irreplaceable volumes, was reduced to ashes. Priceless manuscripts and unique books, including the Hundred-Thread Edition of the Twenty-Four Histories, disappeared forever.
The Hundred-Thread Edition of the Twenty-Four Histories was a meticulously prepared reference book encompassing over 4,000 years of Chinese history. Proof copies had already been finalized, and the project was nearing completion. Yet, in an instant, the work was destroyed. At 66 years old, Zhang witnessed the obliteration of decades of labor.
Undeterred, Zhang resolved to start over. For four years, he worked tirelessly to reconstruct the Hundred-Thread Edition of the Twenty-Four Histories, pouring his heart and energy into the task. In 1936, the monumental work was finally published, symbolizing Zhang’s resilience and unwavering dedication to preserving cultural heritage.
Perseverance: The simple key to success
The stories of Tan Qian and Zhang Yuanji echo a universal truth: setbacks are an inevitable part of any journey, but resilience can transform loss into an opportunity for growth. As English historian Thomas Carlyle — who faced a similar setback when his manuscript for The French Revolution was accidentally destroyed — once said, setbacks are like lessons from a teacher urging us to improve.
Even a simple story, like the child who found a lost gold watch in a barn by listening closely to its ticking amid silence, teaches us that focus and persistence often lead to success. True dedication, as exemplified by these scholars, is about enduring hardships, learning from setbacks, and continually striving for excellence.
The legacy of true scholars
As Northern Song philosopher Zhang Zai once wrote, a scholar’s mission is to “inherit the teachings of the sages and bring peace to the world for all generations.” Both Tan Qian and Zhang Yuanji fulfilled this noble vision through their unwavering dedication. Their stories remind us that even in the face of immense loss, perseverance and dedication can lead to achievements that inspire future generations.
Translated by Katy Liu
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