Zhang Yuanji's anecdotes and allusions.

The failure of the Reform Movement of 1898 made Zhang Yuanji realize that "any political reform imposed on the indifferent, lifeless and ignorant masses is doomed to be fruitless".

Zhang Yuanji Biography, a remedy for publishing giants, can only hope to gradually improve education, cultivate talents, spread new knowledge and change the atmosphere from the bottom up, so as to provide a solid foundation for political reform and finally realize social progress. This kind of self-reflection cultivated his later choice of publishing career closely related to education as the ideological basis of his lifelong career. From 1898 to 10, Zhang Yuanji, who was demoted, left Beijing and went to Shanghai, a new school town, as the dean of Nanyang Translation Institute. His main job is to translate and publish western books. This gave him the opportunity to meet Xia Ruifang, the founder of the Commercial Press, who was looking for printing business everywhere, and they hit it off.

Things in the world are full of accidents and inevitability. If Xia Ruifang didn't rely on the ideas of intellectuals, and if Zhang Yuanji's thoughts had changed, their meeting would not have contributed to the rise of the Commercial Press, a modern publishing town. 1902, at the warm invitation of Xia Ruifang, Zhang Yuanji resolutely resigned from Nanyang Public School and went to the Commercial Press. The arrival of Zhang Yuanji has set a new direction for the development of early commerce. The main business of business has gradually changed from printing to publishing, and gradually spread to other education-related undertakings, such as setting up schools, establishing libraries, making teaching AIDS and instruments, and shooting movies. Zhang Yuanji's personal status and reputation have also brought great author resources to business. In close contact with the intellectual, political and especially educational circles, the business community has greatly increased many famous collaborators. Some critics say that this is a rare example of successful cooperation between modern traditional literati and the working class, and between literati and businessmen.

Zhang Yuanji's "duty is to help education". His first job in the Commercial Press was to compile teaching materials adapted to modern education. At the beginning of the 20th century, new schools were established one after another, but the problem that followed was the extreme shortage of teachers and teaching materials. Zhang Yuanji had the experience of running an ordinary art school and Nanyang Public School, and his sensitivity to the current situation enabled him to seize the opportunity decisively and promote the compilation of textbooks with educational enthusiasm and professional consciousness. The "latest" series of textbooks compiled by him, with its perfect content and form, greatly promoted the educational innovation in China at that time. It is this set of textbooks, which aims at universal education and is compiled according to educational principles, that laid the basic pattern of modern education in China. It is this set of teaching materials that are sold all over the country and printed again and again, which has established the leading position of commerce in the publishing industry.

The success of textbooks has strengthened Zhang Yuanji's belief in the significance of publishing in education, as well as his belief that the Commercial Press is his place to live. 1904, Wang told the Qing court that he was going to be invited to be the foreign minister, but declined to say that he was in a down-to-earth mood after joining the trade: "My brother recently compiled primary school textbooks for the Commercial Press, claiming that he could do his duty as a citizen of China. Calm, talk on paper all day, not by going up one flight of stairs. " Similar resignations occurred in 1907, when he resigned from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Posts and Communications, and 19 13, when he resigned from the post of Chief Education Officer of Xiong Xiling Cabinet; 19 17 also has a statement similar to Cai Yuanpei: "Publishing can tear up most people, which seems to be more important than educating a few talents." In Zhang Yuanji's mind, the Commercial Press has become the focus of his career, the garden of his life and a good place to practice his ambition.

Judging from Zhang Yuanji's diary, most of the records are really publishing affairs, and they are quite trivial, ranging from making library rules, buying new machines, selling and distributing books, to punishing someone who violates discipline, and so on. , involving all aspects of enterprise management. As a literati, devoted to industry, the status of an industrialist made him avoid "retreat" and do everything in a down-to-earth manner, so Zhang said that he "has no bureaucratic habits". In the compiler, he always goes out early and comes back late every day, working hard. He usually writes a note, with cut waste paper and an envelope, more than three or four times. "

Zhang Yuanji's work style of "doing everything in detail" and "doing everything in every way" can reflect his persistence in doing things from one side. But at the same time, Zhang Yuanji also has his detached side. He is aware of his limitations, including limited energy and limited ideological resources. When the May 4th new ideological trend was surging, on the one hand, he tried to keep up with the trend, on the other hand, he gave up his ambition, which, in his words, was "the way to avoid sages". 1in the spring of 920, at the age of 55, he announced his resignation and retirement, and there was no room for discussion. In his reply to Sun Zhuang and Sun Wei, he talked about the fundamental motivation for resigning: "... we have been in the company for decades, and we are in our fifties, and our physical strength is not strong. How can I stay in this play forever? " It is urgent to prepare for others and cultivate new progress in order to find a long-term and big plan for the company. ..... and our brains are old and can't keep up with the world trend. If we don't avoid the wise road, it will not only benefit the company, but also be harmful to the company. My brother really couldn't bear the company to get into trouble and couldn't go on, so he resolutely resigned, thinking that leaving first was the hope. Such an "old plan" contains his conscious understanding of the progress of the times and embodies the feelings of a historical forerunner.

1926, according to China's traditional algorithm, Zhang Yuanji was 60 years old, and he resolutely resigned as the supervisor of the Commercial Press, which was regarded as a formal retirement. Although he was elected as the chairman soon, he still held the position of corporate affairs consultant, but after all, he had more time to concentrate on the arrangement and publication of his favorite ancient books. Photocopying ancient books is a long-term concern of Zhang Yuanji. As early as 1904, he built the Hanfen Building for the Commercial Press to collect ancient books and collected a large number of rare books. On the one hand, it provides a version guarantee for commercial photocopying of ancient books, on the other hand, it also has a valuable intention to rescue cultural heritage and avoid the inflow of native documents into foreign lands. 1920 or so, the conditions for photocopying and publishing a large number of ancient books are gradually mature. Under the auspices of Zhang Yuanji, the Commercial Press printed most of the ancient books in time, such as Secrets of Hanfen Building, Four Series, Continued Ancient Books, etc., which won a good reputation and considerable income for the Commercial Press. His role is not only an expert publisher, but also an outstanding publisher. He personally participated in collating ancient books, and showed profound knowledge of old learning in edition and collating. 1926 after retiring from the post of supervisor, Zhang Yuanji devoted most of his energy to the trivial work of panning, collating, photocopying and polishing the edition of Twenty-four History of Bachou. The book was published in 1930 because of "One? On February 28th, the incident was interrupted until 1936. Undoubtedly, it plays a connecting role in the publication of history books. 1948 In August, Zhang Yuanji was elected as the first academician of Academia Sinica at that time, majoring in human history. He was chosen because he presided over the Commercial Press for decades, printed four series of books and collated ancient history books, and made great contributions in the academic field.

1936, Zhang Yuanji is 70 years old. It was initiated by Cai Yuanpei, Hu Shi, Wang et al., and collected academic papers of more than 20 famous scholars in their respective fields at that time, and compiled into "Collection in Commemoration of Mr. Zhang Jusheng's 70th Birthday" to celebrate the birthday of this publishing elder in a special way. In the essay notice, Zhang Yuanji was called "an old scientist with new ideas and an old gentleman who can practice new morality" by his friends. This is a high summary of Zhang Yuanji's ideological character and cultural attitude all his life. Be new and not impetuous, be gentle and not conservative. At this point, Zhang Yuanji and his good friend Cai Yuanpei are quite similar. Cai Yuanpei became the president of Peking University. On the one hand, he introduced new figures such as Hu Shi and Chen Duxiu. On the other hand, under the principle of "freedom of thought and inclusiveness", scholars from all walks of life went hand in hand, which established a cultural and spiritual environment for Peking University that was not eager for quick success but was conducive to academic and personality development, and created a new era of China's modern academics and thoughts. Zhang Yuanji presided over the Institute of Commercial Compilation for many years. When he introduced new people and broke the publishing policy, he also paid attention to the integration of Chinese and western cultures. He not only paid attention to the translation and introduction of western cultural and academic thoughts, but also paid attention to the collation of traditional classics. The new and the old, China and the west coexist in the publishing structure of the Commercial Press, which makes the Commercial Press have a magnificent bearing and leads the new direction of the construction of new publishing culture. The two most important academic and cultural institutions in North and South, one as the highest institution of learning in China and the other as the largest bookstore in China, jointly laid the foundation of modern new culture in China. Among the successive presidents of Jiaotong University, Zhang Yuanji, the second president, is a legend, who has made great contributions to the educational and cultural undertakings and the preservation and dissemination of the motherland's culture.

1899, shortly after Zhang Yuanji arrived in Shanghai, he was invited by Sheng Xuanhuai to be the dean of the Translation College of Nanyang Public School (now the predecessor of Jiaotong University) (according to Zhang Yuanji, Sheng Xuanhuai invited him because of Li Hongzhang's recommendation). Since then, Zhang Yuanji has worked in Nanyang Public School for more than three years. Nanyang Translation Institute was founded in Hongkou and moved to Tilanqiao in the autumn of the same year. Zhang Yuanji once presided over the compilation of physics textbooks: The Book of Gezhi by Moldan in England, The Book of Gezhi by Balpe in France and Paul Bert in England; Books on history include The History of International Trade by James Somerset, The History of British Civilization by Jean-Claude Boucher, and The History of American Constitution by Yasuo Matsuhira. There are several books on practical science and social statistics.

190 1 At the beginning of the year, Zhang Yuanji served as acting prime minister of public schools. After taking over, he devoted himself to the preparation of special classes in public schools. Zhang Yuanji personally presided over the entrance examination for special classes, written first, and then interviewed. * * * brought 42 students, all in their twenties and thirties, with a good foundation in China literature.

Zhang Yuanji, a statue of Zhang Yuanji, attaches great importance to teachers and thinks that an experimental special class with first-class quality must have first-class teachers. At that time, Zhang's old friend Cai Yuanpei went to Shanghai from Shaoxing. Although Cai did not participate in the political reform activities like Zhang, he sympathized with the reformists. He believes that Kang Liang failed because he failed to cultivate innovative talents in advance and tried to replace the political power with a few people, which is the reason for his failure. This view is consistent with Zhang. So, Zhang asked Cai to be the head teacher of the special student, and the two hit it off. The special class hired Wang He and Zhao Congfan as teachers.

During his tenure at Nanyang Public College, especially as Acting Prime Minister, Zhang Yuanji had a heavy workload and a long and time-consuming journey. He usually stays at school and seldom goes home. He often talks directly with students and asks them about their homework. Cai Yuanpei also stayed on campus after taking office, and the two often talked all night.

At that time, Ping, a student of Nanyang Public School, later recalled the scene in Nanyang Public School: It was good for Mr. Zhang to make great efforts to govern the country. He likes learning knowledge very much and encourages his husband to read new books. For example, we originally read old books such as Historical Records, Hanshu, Zi Jian and Yu Pi Tong Lan, but he changed them and taught us to read Fu Yuan by Yan Fu. His teaching method, read it again, a few pages at a time, and answer it immediately. Then how do we children answer-reading "The Original Rich" at the age of thirteen or fourteen! From this memory, we can see that Zhang Yuanji's investment in Nanyang Public School and the reform of teaching content and form are aimed at cultivating students' modern consciousness and patriotism.

Later, due to his disagreement with John Calvin Ferguson, a scholar studying in the United States, he resigned from Sheng Xuanhuai in May and June of 190 1 and was not accepted. In August, he resigned as acting prime minister and became full-time dean of the School of Translation. 1903, Nanyang Public College closed the Translation Institute and the Oriental Literature Museum due to lack of funds. Zhang Yuanji left Nanyang College and joined the Commercial Press, which started another major turning point in his life. From then on, he devoted all his energy to publishing until his death. The contact between Zhang Yuanji and Mao Zedong began in September 1949. At that time, New China was just around the corner, and the China People's Political Consultative Conference was held in Beijing. Zhang Yuanji, a patriotic old man who has made great contributions to the modern publishing industry in China, attended the meeting as a special representative.

On September 1949, Mao Zedong invited Zhang Yuanji to visit the Temple of Heaven accompanied by Chen Yi, Liu Bocheng and Su Yu. Everyone was in high spirits and laughed all the way.

Mao Zedong and Zhang Yuanji visited the Temple of Heaven and took a group photo. During the intermission, Mao Zedong asked Zhang Yuanji to sit next to him and asked him if he had been here when he was an official in Beijing in his early years. Zhang Yuanji smiled and replied, "This is the place where the emperor worships heaven. How can a small Beijing official like me come here? " Mao Zedong heard a hearty laugh. Mao Zedong also inquired about his participation in the Reform Movement of 1898 in his early years and the fact that Guangxu summoned him. Talking about the Commercial Press, Mao Zedong said that books published by business are beneficial to the people. He read the scientific outline of commercial publishing and gained a lot of knowledge from it. Mao Zedong also said that when he was in Yan 'an, there was always a business publication "Ci Yuan" on his desk, and he often read it when writing. 1949 65438+1October1Sunday evening, Mao Zedong made an appointment with Zhang Yuanji for dinner at Yinian Hall in Zhongnanhai. Zhang Yuanji suggested to Mao Zedong that agricultural production must be developed for the prosperity of the country and the prosperity of the people, and Mao Zedong agreed.

At the end of 1950, Zhang Yuanji learned that Tibet was peacefully liberated. He happily wrote to Mao Zedong four times on February 30th, May 26th, and August 29th of the following year on 15, and sent Tibetan Poems, Westland Snow and the classical poem Song of Tibet Liberation successively. Mao Zedong spoke highly of these two poems in his reply. There have been more than ten correspondence between them.

At the end of 1952, the Shanghai Museum of Literature and History was established, and the central government decided to invite Zhang Yuanji as the curator. But Zhang Yuanji didn't agree because of hemiplegia. The following spring, Mayor Chen Yi came to his bed twice to convey Mao Zedong's instructions: "He is the first curator of the Shanghai Museum of Literature and History". He no longer refused.

1in the spring of 958, Premier Zhou Enlai visited Shanghai and went to the hospital to visit Zhang Yuanji, whose condition deteriorated. When Zhou Enlai said to him, "President Teto asked me to visit you," Zhang Yuanji showed a relieved expression on his face. A year later, Zhang Yuanji died. When the Pacific War broke out, the "isolated island" of Shanghai fell, and the headquarters of the Commercial Press had already moved to the rear. Commercial publishing houses and factories in Shanghai were closed down, and 4.6 million books were stolen, with more than 50 tons of type. Only a small part was returned when unsealed.

Zhang Yuanji is still there, struggling through the crisis. He refused to register with the Japanese puppet government, even refused the "joint venture" and "cooperation" of the Japanese puppet government, and only printed some old books.

During the Republic of China, Zhang Yuanji and ancient books barely maintained their business. His own family situation has become increasingly embarrassing, and even several rare books have been sold one after another. Even so, he never thought of bowing his head. At about the beginning of 1942, two Japanese people came to see Zhang Yuanji. He wrote the words "The two countries are at war and it is inconvenient to talk" on the back of the other party's business card and refused to meet. He has a personal relationship with Wang Jingwei. In the 1920s, he went to Guangzhou, and Wang accompanied him to visit the tomb of the martyrs in Huanghuagang. When Wang cooperated with the Japanese, he no longer had any contact with them. Wang's client brought the poem "Double-illuminated Building" co-authored, but he always scoffed and ignored it.

At the suggestion of a relative, Zhang Yuanji began to sell calligraphy. In a letter to the manager of Tianjin Branch of Commerce, he said: "Everything in Shanghai is expensive, and it is difficult to make a living. My brother has spent the moon with books since this year. " Referring to the calligraphy practice of calligraphers at that time, he formulated the "Calligraphy Practice", which not only invited commercial branches in Beijing, Tianjin and Hangzhou to distribute practices and collect written works, but also entrusted calligraphy to calligraphy and painting shops in Rong Baozhai, Duoyunxuan, Jiuhuatang and Jiguge. At that time, he was engraved with a stamp, which read "the legacy of the 1898 Movement". His grandson Zhang Renfeng remembers that every few days, he would write some calligraphy works at the dinner table: "Grandpa used a big round inkstone. There are large and small brushes in the bamboo pen container. What he writes most is couplets. First, fold the cut rice paper into seven squares, spread several thick layers of newspapers on the dining table, then spread the rice paper flat before brushing. Sometimes I stand by and watch him write, sometimes I stand opposite him and finish writing a word, helping to push the paper forward a little. Grandpa has several couplets manuals and so on, which may be based on the identity and hobbies of the character seekers. When he is writing, we can't talk everywhere. After writing, we can ask him questions. "

Fu Shi, the governor of Zhejiang province of Wang puppet government, said it was arty, and a relative of Wang puppet government sent him a picture scroll with an inscription. I also attached a check for 1 10000 yuan. He found out from the seal of the check that it was Fu's statement, and immediately flatly refused, returned the check and wrote a letter saying, "You are the governor of Zhejiang, and the disaster in Zhejiang is very deep ... so you dare not do it."