潘鹤《上善若水》

A tranquil land lies in the eastern world, nestled in the misty and picturesque mountains of Guizhou in southwest China. Here resides an ancient ethnic group, the Shui people, who have cultivated this land for generations. Emulating the virtues of water, which nurtures all life and balances rigidity with flexibility, they live harmoniously amidst verdant hills and clear streams. Since ancient times, the Shui people have adhered to the simple yet profound philosophy of "the highest good is like water," believing it to be closest to the Tao. For millennia, they have steadfastly endured life's joys and sorrows with an unyielding spirit and watched over the ebb and flow of history with profound wisdom.

Sandu, located in southern Guizhou, is the sole Shui Autonomous County in the country and the heartland of the Shui people. Holding fast to their cultural heritage, they maintain their language, script, and calendar. The Duan Festival embodies their yearning for their ancestral homeland, while the Mao Festival preserves the traditions of the Central Plains' Yu Ji ceremony.

In a distant time, Laozi stood by the vast Yellow River, imparting wisdom to his disciple Confucius. Laozi asked, "Why not learn from the great virtues of water?" Confucius inquired, "What virtues does water possess?" Laozi replied, "The highest good is like water. It benefits all things without contending, dwelling in places others disdain. Thus, it is close to the Tao."

In another era, Liu Bowen surveyed the expansive waters, the wind whipping the banners behind him. He foretold, "A thousand rivers flow south of the Yangtze, and myriad mountains rise in Yunnan and Guizhou. In five hundred years, Yunnan and Guizhou will surpass the south of the Yangtze." While the south of the Yangtze is famed for its waters, Yunnan and Guizhou are renowned for their mountains. In truth, Guizhou is rich in both.

That year, Deng Enming stood by the riverbank, watching the river's relentless flow. The inherent flexibility of water stirred his compassion for humanity and his genuine desire to save it. With a heart of resolve, he journeyed to Jinan, Shandong, seeking ways to rescue his nation and its people.

Teng Jiushou paused by the riverbank another year, gazing at the clear waves stretching towards the sky. The inherent strength of water ignited his courageous spirit and genuine patriotism. With a heart ablaze, he committed himself to the Anti-Japanese War, fulfilling his vow to defend his country.

At a different time, Liang Heng was reflected by the rippling Duliu River. As women washed clothes by the banks and shepherd boys rode cattle along ancient paths, he looked at the smoke rising from the water village and mused, "Four parts of the earth are water, and only one nation stands between heaven and earth."

It is rare to find a nation named after "water," and even more extraordinary that they adopt "water" as their philosophical doctrine. These unique and almost legendary people embody their ideology both internally and externally.

The homeland of the Shui people epitomizes the lifestyle philosophy of "cultivating the family through farming and reading, and benefiting the world through poetry and books." They uphold cultural governance in their pursuit of human glory. Yet, in times of national crisis and ethnic survival, the heroes of this watery land often sacrifice themselves bravely for their country.

An ancient couplet reads, "Only when water flows downward can it become a sea, and mountains reach the sky without arrogance." The Shui people, who cherish living near mountains and water, take mountains as their friends and water as their teacher, revering nature and showing gratitude to the world. The Yunshan Mountain...

An ancient couplet proclaims, "Only when water flows down can it become a sea, and mountains rise high without any sense of pride." The Shui people, who cherish residing near mountains and rivers, regard the mountains as friends and the water as teachers, harbouring hearts full of awe and gratitude for nature. Yunshan Mountain, cradled by two rivers, may not tower impressively, but its verdant greenery embodies the serene and far-reaching spirit of the Shui people. To the north and south of this mountain lie two villages: Meishan and Dashan to the south. Coincidentally, during the Republic of China era, each village produced a trailblazer who dared to seek the truth.

"Not knowing that flowers bloom first near the water, I suspected the winter snow had not yet melted." From Meishan Village emerged Pan Yizhi, a historian and literary scholar who trod the mountain paths. His lifelong accomplishments command the utmost respect from future generations. "If one is successful, one should help the world; if one is poor, one should cultivate oneself." In contrast, Dashan Village gave rise to Pan Yongyi, an alumnus of Huangpu Military Academy, who harboured deep concern for the world. His untimely death often leaves people grieving deeply. As time marches on and history fades, the Shui people, with Yunshan Mountain as their witness, continue to pass down the stories of those who have guided their nation towards civilisation and happiness.

The supreme good is like water. When people achieve fairness and selflessness, their hearts become as expansive as a valley. A person with a broad mind can gather all the earth's rivers and streams, embracing the vast ocean's vitality and endurance. When a person attains desirelessness and non-competitiveness, their character becomes noble and profound. Such a person can rise above the scheming and intrigue of the world, standing tall and upright like a steep mountain that reaches the clouds.

The supreme good is like water. Water selflessly nourishes all things on earth, yet it does not vie for fame or profit. It is the element closest to the Tao, deserving of its title. In seeking lower places while avoiding higher ones, water exemplifies humility. It does not seek recognition, tending to flow downward rather than upward. It can be both rigid and flexible, cleaning away dirt and filth. Thus, nothing is more virtuous than water.

The sorrowful tenderness in the ancient songs of the Shui people resonates with an unchanging homesickness akin to the spiritual tone of "The Book of Songs," China’s earliest poetry collection. This resonance is a profound connection to human emotions. As an ancient nation walking through the ages, the Shui people use their mysterious and primitive horsehair embroidery to recreate the vicissitudes of history and the bittersweet realities of life. With a gentle yet persistent nature, they have practised their philosophy of "the supreme good is like water" and "therefore, it is close to the Tao" through practical actions for thousands of years.