| dc.description.abstract | The founder of Ming Dynasty, Hongwu Emperor, came from the lowest rank of the society and had experienced the most turbulent period of the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. To enforce a series of radical reformation policies to meet the urgent demand of the people, a considerable number of civil servants were required. Therefore, different manners of recruitment were adopted, including a rigorous examination system, and that was how Hsieh, Chin was recruited.
Hsieh, Chin had showed his great talent when he was very young. He started his career as a scholar also an official by taking the provincial imperial examination and wining the first place. However, his career was far from a great success. During the reign of Hongwa Emperor, he was once highly trusted with important responsibilities before his relegation. After Emperor Yongle assumed the power, Hsieh, Chin was promoted again and commissioned to compile the famous Ming Dynasty Encyclopedia, Yongle Dadian. Nevertheless, it did not last long before he offended Emperor Yongle. Hsieh, Chin was put to prison and met his doom in the age of just 47 years old.
Hsieh, Chin was an upright and honest person. He dared challenge the authority and was very controversial. His characteristics made him befriend with many people, but enemies were increased at the same time. Since he made so many enemies of coworkers and powerful persons, his career was definitely encumbered. To learn more about his background, political stands, academic achievements and philosophy, please refer to Hsieh’s Work, one of the most important publications of Hsieh, Chin, and Corpus of Scholar Hsieh, compiled by later generations, and Chronicles of Scholar Hsieh, compiled by his descendents. Hsieh, Chin came from an educated family in a cultural region of splendid civilization, a hotbed of his future scholar career. He had made a lot of remonstration, mostly about the social issues with feasible solutions. Even though his proposals were not adopted by the emperors, his statement had won a high appraisal in those days. In addition, his philosophy was very original, too. It seemed to be a rather passive and reclusive ideology but when reading more carefully we can find his hidden ambition and passion for the country and society; these features had made Hsieh, Chin stand out from general officials. | en_US |