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Liu Zongzhou (1578-1645) was a scholar in the Ming Dynasty, born in Shanyin, Shaoxing. He was known as Master Qishan, which was the name of an academy in his hometown where he gave lectures. Liu received a very good education from his grandfather on his mother’s side and he was eager to learn. When he foresaw the oncoming political persecution from politicians in power, he resigned and came back home. Convinced that he was a great scholar, local youths came to him for knowledge. So Liu started to teach at Shijiachi, Shaoxing. When Li Zicheng successfully led his rebel army into Beijing, Emperor Sizong hanged himself at Meishan Hill in Beijing. In May 1644, Zhu Yousong, a Ming prince, set up a Ming government in Nanjing and appointed Liu as a censor. As the emperor listened only to Ma Shiying, a court minister, and ostracized Shi Kefa, a general, Liu Zongzhou presented his requests in writing several times to the emperor, but to no avail. Liu resigned from the post and came back home to Shanyin. He gave lectures in Qishan Academy and started his own Academy named Zhengren Academy. In May 1645, the southern Ming dynasty fell. In July, anther Ming prince surrendered. Hangzhou was also captured by the Qing soldiers. Liu Zongzhou was very grieved and wept for the downfall of the Ming Dynasty. From then on, he refused to eat any more. He went by ship to visit his ancestors’ tombs. When the ship sailed through the Xiyang Port, he jumped into the water. As the water there was not deep, he was saved by sailors. A prince of the Qing Dynasty sent a letter of appointment and gifts to Liu. Liu did not open the letter. He died on 8th June of the self-imposed starvation at age 68. Liu Zongzhou devoted all his life to teaching and writing. He joined an academic organization at Shoushan Academy in Beijing. Then he befriended Gao Panlong and Huang Zhunsu, all scholars at Dongling Academy. Liu exchanged academic notes with them. Huang Zhunsu entrusted his son Huang Zongxi to Liu, asking Liu to accept him as a disciple. Liu’s students amounted to over 200, many being famed scholars and martyrs who refused to work for the Qing Dynasty. His writings were collected into the 40-volumed Complete Works of Scholar Liu.
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