Learning Without Satiation and Mastering Methods—Xu Teli

Xu Teli was born in 1877. From his youth, he loved reading passionately, believing that reading could "clarify the principles of life and the principles of society." At the age of 18, to earn a living, he chose to become a private tutor over becoming a doctor, thus embarking on a path of "teaching for life." However, while he taught students during the day, he still studied under a master at night, because only by "understanding the principles himself" could he "teach those principles to his students."

Mao Yushi, the Economist

Mao Yushi is one of China's most influential economists and a prominent representative of China's independent economic scholars. He has been recognized as one of the ten economists who made the greatest contributions during the 30 years of reform and opening-up, and as "the most morally cultivated and conscientious economist in contemporary China." From theoretical research to social practice, his innovative ideas and practical endeavors have been indispensable to economic reform.

Cai Lun Invents Paper

Cai Lun served as a Langzhong (an official) in the imperial court. He held great office, power, and influence, so much so that his colleagues were somewhat afraid of him, and even the emperor and empress dared not look down upon him. Why? Because he was upright, fair, and unafraid to confront problems head-on, never shying away from offending others. When it came to treating the common people, however, he was truly a good man. He never bullied others by relying on his official status, and often went incognito among the people, rescuing the poor and needy and doing good deeds.

The Boy Who Gazed at the Stars: The Story of Zhang Heng

Zhang Heng (78-139 AD), styled Pingzi, was a native of Xie in Nanyang (today's Shiqiao Town, Nanyang County, Henan Province). He was a great astronomer of China's Eastern Han Dynasty, making indelible contributions to the development of Chinese astronomy. In mathematics, geography, painting, and literature, Zhang Heng also demonstrated exceptional talent and broad knowledge.

Physicist Qian Sanqiang

Qian Sanqiang was born on October 16, 1913, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province. He is recognized as a principal founder of China's atomic energy program and has been honored with the titles "Father of Chinese Atomic Energy Science" and "Father of China's Two Bombs and One Satellite."Qian Sanqiang's father, Qian Xuantong, was a renowned modern Chinese linguist and philologist. During his youth, Qian lived with his father in Beijing and attended Kunde Middle School, which was headed by Cai Yuanpei, one of China’s foremost modern educators. Qian developed a solid foundation in cultural knowledge and acquired broad scientific literacy.

The Physicist Wang Ganchang

"The classmates beside me fell, their blood splashing onto my clothes." On March 12, 1926, Japanese warships intruded into China's inland waters and were resisted by Chinese troops stationed at Dagu. Eight nations, including Britain, the United States, and Japan, seized upon the so-called "Dagu Incident" to issue an ultimatum to the Chinese government. Teachers and students from Beijing universities were outraged, gathering four to five thousand people for a protest march. However, the traitorous Duan Qirui government ordered troops to open fire, killing a group of petitioning students in front of the Executive Government building.

The Mathematician Zu Chongzhi

Zu Chongzhi (429–500) was born into a family where his grandfather, Zu Chang, served as an official in charge of imperial construction projects during the Liu Song dynasty. Growing up in such an environment, Zu Chongzhi read extensively from a young age, and people widely praised him as a learned young man. He had a particular passion for studying mathematics and also enjoyed researching astronomy and calendrical science, frequently observing the movements of the sun and planets and making detailed records of his observations.

The Destruction of Opium at Humen

In the prosperous and beautiful city of Beijing, on the grand and magnificent Tiananmen Square, stands the Monument to the People's Heroes, towering and majestic. Eight enormous bas-reliefs record the history of the Chinese nation's indomitable struggle for liberation. Before the prominent first relief, people inevitably pause and gaze for a long time—this is the world-shocking "Destruction of Opium at Humen." The history of the modern Chinese people's anti-imperialist and anti-aggression struggle began right here.