3．名人雅士領(lǐng)風(fēng)騷

3．名人雅士領(lǐng)風(fēng)騷

南京，古老多姿，鐘靈毓秀，人杰地靈。它曾吸引了無數(shù)風(fēng)云人物來這里爭雄逐鹿、施展才能、建功立業(yè)。他們?nèi)缛盒情W爍，在南京的歷史上留下了一頁頁輝煌的篇章。

金陵一帝--孫權(quán)

孫權(quán)，字仲謀，今浙江富陽人。15歲時就開始征戰(zhàn)沙場。他是一位善于納賢的英杰，勇敢果斷，選拔官員的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)是唯賢任能，大膽任用了一批年輕有為的將領(lǐng)。例如，周瑜做建威郎中將時才24歲，魯肅當(dāng)孫權(quán)幕僚時只有30歲，呂蒙在赤壁之戰(zhàn)時只有31歲，陸遜在孫權(quán)幕下任職時更年輕，只有21歲。他們都屢建奇功，幫助孫權(quán)成就了一代宏圖大業(yè)。

孫權(quán)統(tǒng)治江東51年，對開發(fā)建業(yè)和整個江南地區(qū)作出了重大貢獻(xiàn)。他發(fā)展農(nóng)業(yè)，興修水利，疏浚和擴(kuò)大秦淮河水道。他還發(fā)展了航海事業(yè)，派人到夷洲（今臺灣?。鍪惯|東半島及南海諸國，還為西域僧人建造了金陵的第一座佛寺--建初寺。

孫權(quán)死后葬在今天南京東郊明孝陵前的梅花山，因此梅花山在以前被稱為孫陵崗?，F(xiàn)在，“明孝陵和梅花山”被評為金陵四十八景之一，成了人們樂于前往的名勝景地。

科學(xué)巨星--祖沖之

祖沖之于429年誕生在建康（南京），從小就顯示出過人的才學(xué)。他最偉大的貢獻(xiàn)就是把圓周率的數(shù)值精確計算到小數(shù)點(diǎn)以后的7位數(shù)字。祖沖之在研究了前人的成果后，采用割圓術(shù)對圓周率進(jìn)行了十分艱苦細(xì)致的推算，終于算出了圓周率的精確數(shù)值在3.1415926和3.1415927之間。這個數(shù)值在當(dāng)時是世界上最精確的圓周率數(shù)值。直到大約1000年以后，歐洲數(shù)學(xué)家才求得同樣的結(jié)果。由于祖沖之在計算圓周率方面的重大貢獻(xiàn)，世界上又把圓周率稱為“祖率”。莫斯科大學(xué)為祖沖之立了塑像，國際科學(xué)界還將月球上的一座環(huán)形山命名為“祖沖之山”，國際行星中心把一顆小行星命名為“祖沖之星”，以紀(jì)念這位偉大的科學(xué)巨匠。

祖沖之除了在推算圓周率方面的杰出貢獻(xiàn)外，還有許多方面的科學(xué)和技術(shù)成就。他改革了中國古代流傳下來的歷法，創(chuàng)造了當(dāng)時最精確的《大明歷》，其中所測定的每一回歸年的天數(shù)，結(jié)果跟現(xiàn)代科學(xué)測定的只相差50秒。他寫的數(shù)學(xué)專著《綴術(shù)》，唐朝時被作為學(xué)校的數(shù)學(xué)課本，也是日本、朝鮮中世紀(jì)時學(xué)校的教材。他還精通音律，寫過小說《述異記》等。祖沖之這位博學(xué)多才的科學(xué)巨匠不僅在中國，而且在世界科技史上都占有重要的地位。

改革家--王安石

北宋宰相、政治家、文學(xué)家。江西臨川人，卻與南京有著不解之緣。他在金陵度過了青年時代，兩度在這里居喪，三次在這里出任知府，兩次辭去宰相來這里居住，在此先后生活了近20年，逝世后又葬在鐘山腳下。

慶歷四年，22歲的王安石考中進(jìn)士，踏上了仕途，從此積極投身于改革大業(yè)。他曾給宋仁宗寫了一封萬字的《言事書》，主張朝廷全面改革法度，卻沒有得到重視。直到宋神宗時，王安石才得以有機(jī)會制定新的法度，大刀闊斧地開展以富國強(qiáng)兵為目的的變法運(yùn)動。這就是中國歷史上著名的“王安石變法”。但由于保守勢力的反對和宋神宗的動搖，新法的推行受到阻撓，王安石被迫辭去宰相職務(wù)，回到江寧再次擔(dān)任知府。當(dāng)他接到再次被任命為宰相的命令后，立即來到當(dāng)時的都城開封，但是上任后卻發(fā)現(xiàn)宋神宗根本沒有推行變法的決心，加上保守派的極力反對和變法派內(nèi)部的分歧，王安石便再辭去丞相職務(wù)。宋神宗答應(yīng)了他的請求，讓他回到了江寧府。后來，他連這個官職也辭掉了，在江寧府城東門到鐘山半道的白塘建造了宅邸，取名“半山園”。

航海家--鄭和

鄭和，明朝人，原名馬和，從小就在皇宮中作了太監(jiān)。因他在燕王朱棣攻取北京的過程中立下大功，所以朱棣在奪取皇位之后，就賜“鄭”作為他的姓氏。

明成祖統(tǒng)治時期，國家統(tǒng)一強(qiáng)盛，為了宣揚(yáng)國威，同時加強(qiáng)與海外各國的交流，明成祖決定派一支龐大的船隊(duì)遠(yuǎn)航海外。鄭和身材魁梧，精通兵法，足智多謀，知識淵博，并且通曉阿拉伯文字，熟悉西洋各國的歷史地理、風(fēng)土人情和宗教習(xí)俗，這些優(yōu)勢使得鄭和被皇帝朱棣選中，率領(lǐng)船隊(duì)出使西洋。

鄭和下西洋比其他國家的航海家早了將近一個世紀(jì)，而且出航的規(guī)模龐大、人數(shù)眾多、航向準(zhǔn)確。他不愧是世界文明交流的先行者。

南京是鄭和下西洋的決策地、始發(fā)地和歸宿地，更是他的第二故鄉(xiāng)。在鄭和60多年的生涯中，他先后在南京度過了30多年。他從小來到南京，在南京改姓，擔(dān)任守備，死后又葬于南京。鄭和在南京創(chuàng)下了許多業(yè)績，南京也留下了他的許多遺跡，如靜海寺、天妃宮、清真靜覺寺，等等。

當(dāng)然，歷史上與南京相關(guān)的名人還有很多，他們的業(yè)績、思想、品格，已經(jīng)成為南京人民引以為自豪和驕傲的寶貴精神財富，更為南京的發(fā)展留下了精彩的一筆。

3. Great People

Age-old yet colorful, the soil of Nanjing contains the seed of greatness. Numerous men of influence came here, displaying their talent and building their career. Their achievements, as shiny as stars are, have made Nanjing even more splendid.

The First Emperor of Jinling: Sun Quan (182-252)

Sun Quan, whose courtesy name (zi) is Zhongmou, was born in Fuyang, Zhejiang province. Sun began to fight on the battlefield when he was only 15 years old. Later when he became a leader, he was brave, decisive and impartial in appointing officials. As a result, a lot of young yet talented men were promoted to important positions: Zhou Yu was appointed as Commandant of Jiangwei at the age of 24; Lu Su was chosen to be Sun's advisor at 30; Lü Meng was 31 when he fought in the Battle of Red Cliff; Lu Xun was only 21 when he was appointed an official. All of them scored tremendous feats and helped Sun a lot in building his kingdom.

During his fifty years' rule, Sun Quan contributed a lot to the development of Jianye and the south China as a whole by developing agriculture, building irrigation projects as well as dredging and widening the waterway of the Qinhuai River. What's more, he helped to develop China's navigation industry by sending off convoys to Yizhou (today's Taiwan province), Liaodong Peninsula and some island countries in South China Sea. Under his order, the first Buddhist temple which was named Jianchu Temple was built for monks from the Western Regions.

After he died, Sun Quan was buried under the Plum Blossom Hill which lies in front of the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum in the suburb east of Nanjing. That's why the Plum Blossom Hill used to be called Sunling Hill ("Ling" in Chinese means mausoleum). Nowadays, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and the Plum Blossom Hill are listed among "the Forty-eight Most Charming Scenic Spots of Jinling" and attract numerous tourists.

A Great Scientist: Zu Chongzhi (Tsu Chung-Chi ) (429-500)

Born in Jiankang in 429, Zu Chongzhi displayed unusual talent from his childhood. Based on others' achievements, he calculated out that the precise value of π shall be between 3.1415926 and 3.1415927. This was the most precise approximation at that time and it was not until one thousand years later that a European mathematician came up with the same result. Thus π is also called the Zu ratio in honor of Zu Chongzhi. What's more, Moscow University erected a statue for him; the international scientific circle named one lunar crater as "Tsu Chung-chi"; and the International Planet Center named one asteroid (1964 VO1) after his name. All these efforts are done to commemorate this great scientist.

The greatest contribution made by Zu Chongzhi is the calculation of π, but he is also remembered for other scientific and technological achievements, among which is the famous Daming Calendar. The duration of a solar year in the Daming Calendar is just fifty seconds different from the result of today's scientific calculation. Zu also wrote a mathematical monograph Zhui Shu (Method of Interpolation). This book was used as a mathematical textbook in the Tang dynasty and by Japan and Korea in the middle ages. Though Zu Chongzhi was also conversant with music and writing, he was, first and foremost, a great scientist, who occupies a prominent position not only in China but also in the world.

A Political Reformer: Wang Anshi (1021-1086)

Born in Linchun, Jiangxi province, Wang Anshi, a statesman, a poet and prose writer in the Song dynasty, was unbreakably bonded to Nanjing. He spent his youth there, and mourned for funerals twice there, acted as the governor of the city three times, and moved to live in the city after he resigned as Prime Minster twice. All in all, he spent nearly twenty years in Nanjing and was buried at the foot of Mount Zhong after death.

At the age of 24, Wang Anshi outstood others in the feudal exam and became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the national civil examination held at the imperial capital), marking his first step in his political career and the beginning of his commitment to the reform. He once wrote a memorial of ten thousand characters to Emperor Renzong, advocating an all-out reform of the feudal laws and systems. The letter, however, was neglected. It was not until during the reign of Emperor Shenzong that he finally got the opportunity to carry out the reform aimed to strengthen the country's power. This is the famous "Wang Anshi's Reform" in the Chinese history. Nonetheless, implementation of new laws and systems was undermined by opposition from the conservatives and the emperor's vacillation, Thus, Wang Anshi unwillingly resigned and returned to Jiangning (present Nanjing) as the governor. Later, when Emperor Shenzong appointed him once again as the Prime Minister, he was so excited that he immediately went to the capital Kaifeng, ready to devote himself once again to the reform, only to meet the weak resolution of the emperor, the even stronger opposition from the conservatives and the divisions among the reformers. Disappointed, he asked to resign. The emperor agreed and sent him back again to Jiangning as the governor. Later, he even resigned that position and built a house half way up Mount Zhong and named his house "Banshan Garden" ("Banshan" in Chinese literally means "half way up the mountain").

A Great Navigator: Zheng He (1371-1433)

Zheng He, originally named Ma He, was a eunuch in the Ming dynasty. When Zhu Di was still the prince of Yan, Ma He played an important role in attacking and finally seizing Beijing. So after Zhu Di seized the throne, he granted "Zheng" to be Ma's surname. Thus, Ma He was known as Zheng He since then.

During the reign of Zhu Di, the Ming dynasty became increasingly powerful. To air the power of the country and to strengthen exchanges with the outside world, Emperor Zhu Di set his sights on sending a fleet abroad and Zheng He was chosen to be the captain for he was physically strong and intellectually smart and knowledgeable. He not only knew the military tactics but also knew Arabic as well as history, geography, local customs and religious conventions of the exotic land. All this made Zheng He a most suitable candidate.

On a large scale, with a large crew and along a precise course, the westward journey led by Zheng He was nearly one hundred years earlier than navigations of other countries. Thus Zheng He may well be called "the forerunner of worldwide talks among civilizations".

Nanjing is where the great journey was decided, started and finally returned to. It is Zheng He's second hometown. It is there that he spent more than 30 years of his whole lifetime; it is there that he changed his surname and served as Shoubei (Grand Commandant); and it is there that he was buried. Thus, Nanjing is where Zheng He established himself and where he lived. Such places as Jinghai Temple, Tianfei Palace and the Islamic Mosque of Jingjue are all related to him in one way or another.

Celebrities who used to relate to Nanjing in some way are far more than those mentioned. Whoever they are, Nanjing people feel proud of them for what they achieved and how they nurtured their inner selves. These are invaluable intellectual legacy for the development of Nanjing.