Remembering Heroes, Honouring Everyday Greatness

This year on 19 June 2026 (Lunar 5 May), I noticed that the number of Zongzi Festival greeting cards shared in WhatsApp chat groups increased significantly compared with previous years. One former classmate even commented while sharing one of such greeting cards, “We Sabahan Chinese still remember our roots and remain very much Chinese, as we continue to observe our traditional customs.”

For me, when my parents were still alive, it was customary for our family to gather at their home for a reunion dinner whenever the Duan Wu Festival (端午节), also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, arrived. It was an occasion for family togetherness, with the traditional rice dumplings (粽子) being an essential part of the celebration. Sadly, that family tradition came to an end after my parents passed away.

For our generation, maintaining such family traditions has become increasingly difficult, especially as many of our children have moved abroad and settled in different countries. The family gathering that was once taken for granted is no longer as easy to organise.

At times, I wonder how appropriate it is to exchange greeting cards bearing messages such as "Happy Dragon Boat Festival" or "Happy Zongzi Festival", given the historical origins of this observance. According to tradition, the practice of making and throwing rice dumplings into the Miluo River (汨罗江) began as an attempt to prevent the body of the patriotic poet and statesman Qu Yuan (屈原) from being eaten by fish. In this sense, the festival has its roots not merely in celebration, but also in mourning and remembrance.

According to historical accounts and popular tradition, Qu Yuan took his own life by drowning himself in the Miluo River after failing to persuade the King of Chu to heed his advice on matters of state. Following political intrigue and his subsequent exile, he eventually met this tragic end. His death became a lasting symbol of loyalty to one's country and the tragedy of a patriot whose counsel went unheeded. The subsequent decline and eventual fall of the Chu kingdom make his story all the more poignant.

I remember that during the 1950s and 1960s, Chinese primary school textbooks placed considerable emphasis on teaching us about historical figures and heroes such as Qu Yuan and Yue Fei (岳飞). Their stories were included not merely to impart historical knowledge, but also to instil values such as loyalty, patriotism, integrity and courage. These were lessons that went beyond the classroom and remained with us as we grew older.

According to historical accounts and traditional narratives, Yue Fei, who was born in 1103, was physically strong, highly disciplined and well versed in both martial arts and classical scholarship. One particularly memorable story taught in our school textbooks was that his mother tattooed four Chinese characters on his back: "尽忠报国", meaning "Serve the country with utmost loyalty". These words became closely associated with Yue Fei and his unwavering commitment to his country.

Yue Fei was a celebrated general of the Southern Song Dynasty who led his troops in resisting the invading Jin forces from the north. Despite his loyalty, military achievements and dedication to his country, he fell victim to political intrigue and was unjustly executed in 1142, at the age of just 39. The powerful court official Qin Hui (秦桧) played a leading role in bringing about his downfall.

The tragedy also extended to his son, Yue Yun (岳云), who was a military commander in his own right and fought alongside his father in numerous military campaigns. Having joined the army at a young age, Yue Yun distinguished himself through his courage and battlefield achievements. He was about 23 years old when he was executed alongside his father in 1142.

Think about the circumstances: a father who had devoted his life to defending his country and a son who had followed him into battle from the age of 12 were both put to death by the very government they had served. Their shared fate makes the story of Yue Fei and Yue Yun particularly heartbreaking.

Qin Hui's name has since become synonymous with treachery and shame in Chinese history. This is vividly symbolised by the kneeling iron statues of Qin Hui and his wife, together with two other officials associated with the case, placed in front of Yue Fei's tomb in Hangzhou. These statues represent the enduring public condemnation of those held responsible for Yue Fei's wrongful death. In contrast, Yue Fei and Yue Yun are remembered and honoured as symbols of loyalty, courage and devotion to their country.

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I was fortunate to have visited Yue Fei's tomb during a trip to Shanghai in April 1997, almost thirty years ago. My visit to Shanghai at that time was to meet a team of Chinese consultants engaged to conduct a feasibility study on a proposed project involving the cultivation of sugar cane and the simultaneous construction of a sugar manufacturing plant in the area between Membakut and Kuala Penyu in Sabah. Unfortunately, the project never materialised.

During my few days in Shanghai, the local hosts arranged a side trip to Hangzhou and took me to visit Yue Fei's tomb. It was an opportunity to see firsthand this important historical site that I had previously known only through school textbooks.

I also remember another visit to Hangzhou with another group in September 2014, when we again visited Yue Fei's tomb. On that occasion, I witnessed tourists slapping and striking the kneeling iron statues of Qin Hui and his wife as they paid their respects to Yue Fei. It was quite a remarkable sight and remains one of the most powerful examples of public condemnation of wrongdoing that I have ever witnessed. Even after centuries, a person can still be remembered with enduring disgrace because of his betrayal and wrongdoing.

Yet, one cannot help wondering whether such powerful historical reminders of corruption, betrayal and abuse of power have done enough to deter others from repeating the same mistakes. Sadly, history seems to offer us little reassurance. As I have pointed out before, there is no shortage of corrupt leaders and individuals, not only in China but throughout the world, even in our present day.

Perhaps this is one of the important lessons we should take away from the stories of Qu Yuan and Yue Fei. Loyalty, integrity and patriotism are values worth remembering and passing on to the next generation. Equally important is the need to recognise that those who abuse their power for personal gain may enjoy temporary success, but history does not always treat them kindly.

At the tomb of Yue Yun, son of Yue Fei which is adjacent to Yue Fei's tomb (at left) in April 1997.

The kneeling iron statues of Qin Hui and his wife in front of Yue Fei's tomb.

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A day earlier, I had the privilege of sharing with the Golden Joy Senior Citizen Fellowship Group during the pre-Father’s Day celebration. As most of the audience were seniors who have now reached the cherished stage of being grandparents, the emphasis of my sharing was on affirming that although many of them may see their lives as simple and ordinary, they have in fact achieved something extraordinary. Through years of perseverance, sacrifice, love, and faithful commitment to their families and communities, they have built legacies that continue to shape future generations. Their lives stand as a powerful reminder that greatness is often found not in fame or recognition, but in quiet faithfulness and enduring impact.