Dragon Boat Festival—we know that Qu Yuan jumped into the river because Chu was defeated by Qin, and he sacrificed himself for his country. But maybe what we remember more is that, on this day, we get to take a day off, rest without having to work. In truth, it’s not that simple!

Maybe it was because what he wrote, **“Li Sao,”** written in classical Chinese, is hard for so many people to understand, and that has affected many descendants in later generations. A person should have backbone and integrity, have principles and honor. In chaotic times, carry your bottom line. In today’s crypto world, where money comes first, where “showing off trades” becomes a hit and getting rich overnight becomes the mainstream—this is especially precious.

When the capital of Ying was destroyed and Qu Yuan jumped into the river, it could have been no different—only a change of rulers. But the roots were gone. The ancestral teachings were gone. The soul of the land was gone. Even customs and ways of life were gone. It’s like Xianyang still exists, but the Qin state no longer does. Then it turns into a “a country can fall without feeling pain,” “servants can be shameless,” “ancestors can be disowned,” and “everything can be met with a bowed head!”

-----As for what I value in my heart, it is what I truly deem good; though it may mean nine deaths, I still have no regret.

A person has two births: one is given by their parents, and one is by their homeland. The homeland shapes the most honest foundation you have—your accent, your character, your customs. That’s why fallen leaves return to their roots. If an orange is planted in the wrong place, it won’t taste sweet. If people forget where they came from, their backbone will grow soft. So don’t forget your original intention—it’s hard!

With Xiang Yu and his **8,000** soldiers breaking Qin’s elite force of **100,000**, it was also because he had read **“Li Sao,”** grasped the root, and kept moving forward—refusing to be the least bit unyielding!

Sima Qian suffered castration: it meant cutting off his “little guy.” He intended to commit suicide, to end his life. But then he saw, “Long sighs, to hide my tears; I mourn how hard life is for the people.” He did it even though he knew it was impossible! And he completed **“Records of the Grand Historian.”**

Tao Yuanming would not bow his waist for five bushels of rice. His colleagues all felt it was a pity. He said, “The world is all muddied; I alone am clear. Everyone else is drunk; I alone am awake!” (Chu Ci) This makes me think of **Yu Qian** from the Ming Dynasty!

It’s not that holding on to your will means you have to jump into the river. It’s that you know where your roots and your soul are. Only by guarding that can you last long!