On October 7th， media reports highlighted an unusual leave request from a noodle shop owner in Datong， Shanxi.
The owner， in an effort to connect with tradition， penned his leave request in Classical Chinese. The message read: “My family possesses several mu of fertile land. Autumn has arrived， and my father is anxious. After repeated letters urging me to return， I dare not disobey my father’s command. I shall depart and be back in three days.”
Netizens have lauded the owner’s filial piety， noting that during the National Day holiday， when most businesses strive to capitalize on increased foot traffic， he chose to close shop and return home for the autumn harvest. This act of prioritizing family obligations over commercial opportunities has been widely admired. However， some astute netizens pointed out minor inaccuracies in the Classical Chinese phrasing. They suggested that “崔促” should likely be “催促” (to urge) and “为父” might more appropriately be “家父” (my father， a slightly more formal and common phrasing in such contexts).
Classical Chinese， known as ‘Wenyanwen’ in Chinese， is an ancient written form of the Chinese language. Its characteristics include a reliance on allusions and historical references， parallel phrasing and balanced structures， and a formal rhythm. It encompasses a variety of literary genres such as memorials， poems， lyrics， and essays. This ancient literary style is a valuable historical legacy， embodying the wisdom of our ancestors and carrying profound cultural significance. While it may not be the mainstream written language today， it remains a worthwhile endeavor for modern individuals to study. Engaging with Classical Chinese offers a window into its elegant intricacies and provides a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural narratives it preserves， enriching our appreciation of China’s rich literary heritage.
