For over seven hundred years, from the fall of the Sung dynasty to the time of the Republic of China, every child knows by heart the Song of Righteousness (正氣歌) written by Wen T’ien-hsiang (文天祥). Across the continents and the seas, through the seasons, from day to night, regardless of time or place, children recite it loudly and reverentially. It is proof that his words have moved countless generations, and the integrity and righteousness he exemplified have lighted up our world.
On 20 December in the first year of the Hsiang-hsing reign, 2 February 1279, Wen T’ien-hsiang’s army reached Wu-p’o Ridge in Hai-feng County, Kwang-tung Province. There he was captured by the Yüan army. After unsuccessfully attempting suicide by poison and hunger strike, he was transported under guard to Yen-ching, now Peking, on 1 October in the following year. On 6 February of the 2nd year of the Hsiang-hsing reign, 19 March 1279, the Yüan army vanquished the Sung army at sea near Ya-shan in Hsin-hui County, Kwang-tung Province. The Left Grand Councilor Lu Hsiu-fu (陸秀夫) carried Emperor Ping (昺帝) on his back and threw themselves into the sea and drowned, thus ending the Sung dynasty. In the summer of the 18th year of the Chih-yüan reign (1281), Wen T’ien-hsiang wrote the Song of Righteousness (正氣歌) whilst imprisoned by the Yüan army. On 9 December in the 19th year of the Chih-yüan reign, 9 January 1283, he was executed at the age of forty seven after refusing to surrender for four years.
Wen T’ien-hsiang was born in 1236 and died for his country in 1283. His original name was Yün-sun (雲孫), tzu T’ien-hsiang (天祥), Lü-shan (履善), Sung-jui (宋瑞), hao Wen-shan (文山). Later, he used T’ien-hsiang (天祥) as his everyday name. He was a native of Lu-ling, modern-day Chi-an, Kiangsi Province. In the 4th year of the Pao-yu reign (1256) under Emperor Li-tsung (理宗) of Sung dynasty, he took the metropolitan examination and was originally ranked fifth among the successful chìn-shìh (進士) graduates. However, the emperor personally promoted him to first place, making him chuang-yüan (the principal graduate). His successive official positions included administrative clerk of Jui-chou, auxiliary academician of the Institute of Academician, junior compiler of the Historiography Academy, examining editor of the True Records Institute, administrative clerk of Ning-kuo Prefecture, directorate of armaments, administrative clerk of Kan-chou, judicial commissioner of Kiangsi Province, military commissioner of Kiangsi Province, minister of the Ministry of War, administrative clerk of P’ing-chiang Prefecture, academician of the Hall for Aid in Governance, right grand councilor and military affairs commissioner. He was conferred the title of Junior Guardian and Hsin-kuo Kung (信國公). He is thus respectfully called Wen Hsin-kuo Kung (文信國公) by later generations.
Before his execution, he concealed his final words in his clothing. The words have been extolled through the ages. They read:
“Though I hold the positions of minister and grand councilor, I have failed to save the country and right the world. Our army was defeated, and our country humiliated. I am a prisoner and should have died long ago. Since my capture, it has not been possible to commit suicide. Today Heaven grants me this opportunity to die. I will kneel and bow southward in the direction of the Sung court. These are my words of devotion:
Confucius taught Benevolence, Mencius taught Righteousness. When Righteousness is exhausted, Benevolence is attained. What have we learned from studying the works of the ancient sages? From now on, I no longer need to be ashamed of myself.
The last words of Wen T’ien-hsiang, grand councilor of the Sung dynasty.”
In the Biography of the Councilor (丞相傳) written by Hu Kuang (胡廣 1369-1418) of the Ming dynasty, the scene of his martyrdom was recorded in this manner:
“Before his execution, he calmly said to the officer: ‘My work is done.’ He asked the people present which direction was north and south, after bowing twice towards the south, he was then put to death.”
Imprisoned for four years, he was unwavering and unyielding. Even though Sung dynasty was vanquished, he buried the Great Sung in his heart and guarded her with body and soul.
I have a treasured hanging scroll with the ink rubbing of a zither that belonged to Wen T’ien-hsiang. There is an engraved inscription on the zither with his calligraphy. It reads:
“Wind through pine trees sweeps my bed,
Drizzling rain more like mist.
As an official to provinces far and wide,
Not a quiet lonely moment to tell.
In front of this fine zither by myself,
All worldly thoughts are cast aside.
Many times the Emperor has honoured me,
Surely my grand ambitions mustn’t wane.
In the 1st year of the Ching-yen reign, the Emperor requested my presence at court. Staying at Ch’ing-yüan Temple for the night, my reminiscence is laden with emotions. I composed this poem...
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29 сен 2024
