Huang Zongxi

Huang Zongxi was a prominent scholar of the Qing dynasty who achieved the rank of juren in the Imperial Examinations. He was born in Yuyao (present-day Huai'an), Jiangsu province, and studied under the famous scholar Ruan Yuan. Huang was well-versed in the Confucian classics, history, and philosophy, and wrote many books and essays on these topics. He also participated in the compilation of the Siku Quanshu, the largest collection of books in Chinese history. Huang was respected by his contemporaries and later generations for his erudition and integrity. He died in his hometown at the age of 82. Huang was the son of Huang Zunsu, an official of the Ming court and an adherent of the Donglin Movement who died in prison after opposing the powerful eunuch Wei Zhongxian. Huang Zongxi became a devoted disciple of Liu Zongzhou, a noted philosopher of the Wang Yangming school. Huang engaged in daring acts of vengeance against the eunuch faction in the capital, gaining the respect of many. In accordance with his father's last wishes, he devoted himself to studying Chinese history. In 1633, Huang completed the Shilu, or "Veritable Records" of the first thirteen reigns of the Ming dynasty. ² After the beginning of the Qing dynasty and the rise to power of Ruan Dacheng, arrest warrants were issued for descendants of Donglin members, including Huang Zongxi. Huang avoided capture by fleeing to Japan during this period, but the evidence consists of only one poem. Huang assisted Ming loyalist forces until his retirement in 1649. ² Huang's major contribution was a critique of the excessive authoritarianism of the Chinese political system. He advocated constitutionalism and the separation of powers, and argued that the people should have the right to overthrow a tyrannical ruler. He also proposed a system of examination based on merit rather than rote learning, and a reform of the land tax system. He was influenced by both Confucianism and Western learning, and tried to synthesize them in his writings. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Chinese political thought. ¹²