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文天祥 Wen Tianxiang (1236-1283) Hero stays loyal to the bitter end
December 2, 2011, Friday
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DURING the late years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), three national heroes, Wen Tianxiang, Lu Xiufu and Zhang Shijie, came forward to resist the invasion of Mongolian troops led by Kublai Khan. Among the three, Wen was by far the best known for his unwavering patriotism and genuine righteousness.
Wen was born in today?ˉs Jiangxi Province in eastern China. During his childhood, Wen witnessed the heart-breaking difficulties and calamities ordinary people had suffered from due to the constant invasions from Mongolian armies. However, Wen never gave up his studies and when he was 19, he passed a provincial examination with flying colors.
In 1256, when he was only 20, he participated in the highest level of imperial examinations held in the capital and won first prize.
He was then assigned to several offices in the imperial court and once held the title of Attendant of the Justice Ministry.
However, Wen was not interested in being a government official, instead he paid great attention to the war against the invading armies of Kublai Khan.
When the invading troops appeared on the southern side of the Yangtze River, some imperial court officials panicked and tried to persuade the emperor to flee further south.
Wen then presented a memo to the throne, pleading the emperor to execute the eunuch who advocated the non-resistance policy and urged the emperor to mobilize the national resources to put up a resolute and effective fight against the invasion.
Wen?ˉs patriotism, however, didn?ˉt win much support in the imperial court.
In 1275, when the Southern Song was on the verge of collapse, Wen received an imperial rescript from the emperor, ordering him to organize armed resistance against the invading Mongolian troops.
Within three days, Wen issued an official call to arms in his home province and used his own money to organize an army of 20,000 men.
But Wen?ˉs hastily mobilized force was no match for the strong Mongolian troops and in less than one year?ˉs time, Wen?ˉs army was defeated and Wen himself was captured by the enemy.
The enemy wanted to take Wen north, where the Mongolians had established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and enticed him to surrender by offering him high-ranking positions and fat pay in the Yuan government. Wen refused.
On the way north, Wen escaped from his captors. Then he went to organize armed resistance in the coastal areas in southwest China. Once, he even launched an expedition into the northern territory.
In 1278, Wen?ˉs forces were defeated again and he was once again captured by the Yuan troops.
This time, Wen was brought to today?ˉs Beijing and put in prison. Again, he was asked to help convince his people to stop resistance and again, Wen refused to do so. He was executed in 1283.
In addition to his unremitting efforts in organizing armed resistance to Kublai Khan?ˉs invasions, Wen was also known as a great writer. He left behind many patriotic poems and essays. During his time in prison Wen wrote many very popular poems which are still widely read and recited by the Chinese people. In the poem ?°Song of Righteousness,?± Wen wrote: ?°Since time immemorial no man has ever escaped death, but I?ˉm willing to leave behind a loyal heart to eternally illuminate the history of mankind.?±
Since his death, a number of grandiose memorials have been built around the country to commemorate the great national hero who later become the inspiration of numerous patriotic minds in China.
Wen was born in today?ˉs Jiangxi Province in eastern China. During his childhood, Wen witnessed the heart-breaking difficulties and calamities ordinary people had suffered from due to the constant invasions from Mongolian armies. However, Wen never gave up his studies and when he was 19, he passed a provincial examination with flying colors.
In 1256, when he was only 20, he participated in the highest level of imperial examinations held in the capital and won first prize.
He was then assigned to several offices in the imperial court and once held the title of Attendant of the Justice Ministry.
However, Wen was not interested in being a government official, instead he paid great attention to the war against the invading armies of Kublai Khan.
When the invading troops appeared on the southern side of the Yangtze River, some imperial court officials panicked and tried to persuade the emperor to flee further south.
Wen then presented a memo to the throne, pleading the emperor to execute the eunuch who advocated the non-resistance policy and urged the emperor to mobilize the national resources to put up a resolute and effective fight against the invasion.
Wen?ˉs patriotism, however, didn?ˉt win much support in the imperial court.
In 1275, when the Southern Song was on the verge of collapse, Wen received an imperial rescript from the emperor, ordering him to organize armed resistance against the invading Mongolian troops.
Within three days, Wen issued an official call to arms in his home province and used his own money to organize an army of 20,000 men.
But Wen?ˉs hastily mobilized force was no match for the strong Mongolian troops and in less than one year?ˉs time, Wen?ˉs army was defeated and Wen himself was captured by the enemy.
The enemy wanted to take Wen north, where the Mongolians had established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and enticed him to surrender by offering him high-ranking positions and fat pay in the Yuan government. Wen refused.
On the way north, Wen escaped from his captors. Then he went to organize armed resistance in the coastal areas in southwest China. Once, he even launched an expedition into the northern territory.
In 1278, Wen?ˉs forces were defeated again and he was once again captured by the Yuan troops.
This time, Wen was brought to today?ˉs Beijing and put in prison. Again, he was asked to help convince his people to stop resistance and again, Wen refused to do so. He was executed in 1283.
In addition to his unremitting efforts in organizing armed resistance to Kublai Khan?ˉs invasions, Wen was also known as a great writer. He left behind many patriotic poems and essays. During his time in prison Wen wrote many very popular poems which are still widely read and recited by the Chinese people. In the poem ?°Song of Righteousness,?± Wen wrote: ?°Since time immemorial no man has ever escaped death, but I?ˉm willing to leave behind a loyal heart to eternally illuminate the history of mankind.?±
Since his death, a number of grandiose memorials have been built around the country to commemorate the great national hero who later become the inspiration of numerous patriotic minds in China.
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