[Repost] Why do we miss Mrs. Yang Jiang?

Thread Content

Ms. Yang Jiang passed away in Beijing early on the 25th. There is still one and a half months left until July 17th, which would have been her 105th birthday. Before her death, Yang Jiang said that she did not want news of her passing to become news. Today, her death remains a news story that attracts public attention, with people on social media expressing their nostalgia for her. It is unclear what Mr. Yang would think if he were aware of this. She was Qian Zhongshu’s wife, a master of literature and translation, and a witness to the remarkable era of intellectuals in the last century. Interestingly, as a centenarian, Yang Jiang’s personal experiences and her brief words have not been marginalized in public discourse due to her age, nor have they been lost over the passage of time; on the contrary, they have become widely shared on social media. Some even describe her in trendy terms as a “motivational goddess”. This shows that Yang Jiang possesses a personality charm that transcends time and a spiritual strength that illuminates reality. Yang Jiang’s outstanding personal charm is certainly related to her academic achievements and professional competence as a writer and translator, as well as to her wisdom and life philosophy of \"I don’t argue with anyone; I disdain to argue with anyone.\" However, her greatest personal charm lies in the fact that, as a great intellectual, she never gave up defending an independent personality, nor did she cease to pursue a life of simplicity and integrity, as well as a noble soul. During the years of war, under the brutal oppression of the Japanese invaders, as a Chinese woman, she did not bow her noble head ； During difficult times, she upheld her beliefs with great courage and resilience, overcoming numerous challenges ； In her peaceful later years, she remained true to herself, living a modest and simple life while serving as an example to others. These are precisely the reasons why, after she passed away as an intellectual, she was widely respected and remembered by people. Today, the intellectual soil for contemporary literature should be richer than ever before, and the material living conditions are also much better than those in Yang Jiang’s time. Regrettably, in academic circles, there are not many people who can, like Ms. Yang Jiang, devote themselves to scholarly work with dedication for decades and maintain high moral standards in their conduct. On the contrary, many intellectuals fall prey to intellectual restlessness and laziness; they are busy seizing the spotlight and competing for positions, seeking fame and recognition, and being eager for quick success. Scandals involving academic misconduct and dishonesty emerging from universities and related institutions occur from time to time, while practices such as favoritism based on seniority and forming cliques are heavily criticized by the public. Some intellectuals lack the determination to focus on studying and observing reality; they are eager to please the vulgar, those in power, and those with money. Against such realities, Yang Jiang’s intellectual character and spirit become all the more precious. Mr. Yang’s thoughts and wisdom are also reflected in some of his enduring life maxims, which shine like pearls. For example, “a simple life and a noble soul are the highest goals in life.” ”“A person who does not wish to climb high need not fear falling; there is no need for competition or exclusion, allowing them to maintain their innocence, stay true to themselves, and focus on completing what they are capable of doing. ”On Yang Jiang’s 80th birthday, Xia Yan wrote a dedication for her: “Without any official position, she lived freely; talented and insightful, she created masterful works on her own.” ”This inscription aptly captures her spiritual character of disinterest in fame and wealth, and her dedication to studying the classics throughout her life. A true great intellectual must possess an independent spirit and exceptional professional standards, taking it as their duty to pursue and uphold the truth, and refusing to yield to authority or popular opinions. Even in a world driven by haste for quick success and overwhelmed by material desires, one can still devote oneself to study and think independently. For example, Qu Yuan composed the \"Nine Songs\" in his difficult circumstances, and Sima Qian wrote the \"Records of the Grand Historian\" despite enduring humiliation... These are what Lu Xun referred to as the \"backbone of China\", and they deserve to be cherished by an individual and by a nation as a whole. Mr. Yang has passed away, and all the praise or admiration from the outside world holds little relevance to her world. Perhaps, this is exactly the state she was expecting. As she herself said, she can finally lead a peaceful life “in her own little world”. However, although Mr. Yang has passed away, the spiritual wealth and intellectual strength he left behind will not disappear; they will continue to have an impact on the world, even for a long time to come.