First Week at Qufu
It’s already been a full week since I arrived in Qufu—a small fourth-tier city. Before coming here, I had braced myself with the same sense of courage Wang Yangming must have felt when exiled to Longchang, Guizhou. Yet, as I reached this place where I’m about to start a new chapter in my life, I found that the beginning was far better than I could have ever imagined. The registration at the new university, the local neighborhood, the vibrant street life, and especially Qufu’s deep cultural atmosphere, all made me feel as though I was nourished and protected, despite being far from home. My heart fills with gratitude.
Qufu is a city steeped in traditional culture. Every building here reflects a temple-like design, with pointed roofs, tiled eaves, and flying corners. In our neighborhood, each building’s lobby bears Confucian maxims like "Emulate the virtuous"(见贤思齐) and "Be diligent and eager to learn." (敏而好学) While lacking the neon lights of southern cities, the stores here display their names on signboards hand-painted with calligraphy, exuding a scholarly elegance even in commerce. The street names, too, are imbued with Confucian spirit—turning from Kongzi Avenue (孔子大道) , I come across Hongdao Road (弘道路) , Xuanyuan Road (轩辕路)... each name inspiring a sense of reverence for the birthplace of Confucius and Mencius, the land of the legendary Xuanyuan.
The bridges over the Yi River (沂水) vary in style and grandeur; each one is wide and majestic, flanked by pavilions and long corridors, giving a dignified look even from afar. Occasionally, when I pause at a red light, I notice large calligraphic inscriptions on the intersection walls, with sayings like "Virtue does not stand alone; it always has neighbors," (德不孤，必有邻) and I can't help but quietly admire. Although this is only a remote small city, it resonates with a scholarly aura that suits me far more than the commercial hustle of Beilun or the escapist nightlife of Lijiang.
This past week, I attended a few gatherings and events, meeting new friends, including several painters, calligraphers, Chinese tea masters and enthusiasts, professors, and entrepreneurs. Most of them aren't originally from Qufu; many have come here by various twists of fate. But they are all kind, straightforward, and approachable. I also felt at ease, no longer constrained by the fear of speaking too much or making mistakes like I sometimes felt around Mr. Cao. I’ve made genuine friends and earnestly begun building a new circle of life here.
About a month ago, when I decided to come to Qufu, I joked with Qiu Jie whether Jining held the lost Imperial Seal of China underground. Of all the places in China and the countless universities in Shandong, it seems destiny brought me to Qufu. Now, I think I’m beginning to understand why. With its deep cultural heritage and abundant talent, this place has given rise to so many sages, like Xuanyuan, Confucius, and Mencius. This is a place where culture has the power to shape the destiny of a nation!
Last night, sharing drinks and laughter with my new friends in Qufu, I—a Southerner who rarely drinks—found myself slightly tipsy and said: “From this moment in Qufu, my life begins anew. In this second chapter, I am like a newborn, just starting out. Watch me rise with unwavering resolve to fulfill my mission and live this life to its fullest!”
