On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the founding of Suzhou University, a batch of rare documents and historical materials from the Republic of China, including the letters and handwritings of the President of Soochow University, including Yang Yongqing, were collected from the Suzhou University Museum, greatly enriching the history archives of Soochow University.
Yang Yongqing (1891-1956), whose courtesy name is Huiqing, is from Zhenhai, Zhejiang. He graduated from Soochow University in 1909 and later went to the University of Wisconsin in the United States to study, and obtained a bachelor's degree in law and a master's degree in arts. After returning to China, he served as the Minister-General of China to the United Kingdom, Secretary of the Chinese delegation of the Washington International Conference, Assistant to the Treaty Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consul General in London, etc. In 1927, under the recommendation of Wen Naishi, Yang Yongqing became the first Chinese president of Soochow University.
Among the several letters written by Yang Yongqing in this collection, the most precious one is the letter written by Principal Yang Yongqing to Chen Yuwan (Zi Chu), the first principal of Suzhou Yancheng Middle School. The writing style is smooth and handsome. The content is that Principal Yang Yongqing asked him to convey to the newly appointed library director of Soochow University Pan Lida (Zi Shengyi), on behalf of the person who conveyed the meaning of "the school is extremely satisfied and absolute trust" so that he can serve with peace of mind. Yancheng Middle School was established in front of Xieya in Pingmen, Suzhou. It was founded by the Southern Baptist Church in 1906. It is the predecessor of Suzhou No. 3 Middle School. This letter witnesses the origins and school history of the two schools, reflects the modern history of Suzhou, and has high historical material value and artistic value.
letter to Principal Chen Yuwan of Suzhou Yancheng Middle School
Pan Lida (1892-1972), from Suzhou, Jiangsu. In 1911, he entered Hujiang University to study in library. Later, he was appointed by Zhang Yuanji and served as the director of the Foreign Ministry of Oriental Library. He was also the director of the Library of the School of Medicine of Central University. He has written "Book of Lin Yishu", "Suzhou Poems Collection", "Lion Lin Zhi", etc. Among the new letters and documents in this collection, there are three letters of appointment (1932-1935) by Pan Lida who was hired as the director of the library of Soochow University, as well as letters from Pan Lida with Chen Yuwan, Pan Fucheng, Pan Yian, Fang Zichuan, Si Yunqing and others, which are relatively complete records of the beginning and the end of Pan Lida's appointment from Soochow University, and the details of Pan Lida's recruitment of talent and promoting reputation for Soochow University. In the letter, Chen Yuwan encouraged Pan Lida and said, "I will serve the public in this life. We should especially be optimistic and fearless, and only know how to work hard. I don't care whoever destroys and praises, but I just want to be ashamed of my heart." His integrity and conduct of the style of a scholar is admirable.
0Appointment letter to appoint Pan Lida as the director of the Soochow University Library
In addition, President Yang Yongqing and Soochow University Academic Affairs President Pan Shenming jointly commended Pan Lida for donating the complete set of books "Series of Books" of the Soochow University Library.
Yang Yongqing and Pan Shenming sent Pan Lida letters
In the letter documents, the staff accidentally discovered a rubbing of the inscription "Shi Song Gui" handed down from the late Western Zhou Dynasty. It is difficult to find. The last sentence: "Song (the) has no fortune for thousands of years, the Emperor of the Sun (Yang) is the order of the Emperor (the mission of the Jing Dynasty), and the descendants are forever used." The blessings are auspicious, adding another story to the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the founding of Suzhou University.
