The biting winds of the Nine Nines Cold Days, Shu Jiu, brought a particular stillness to the northern towns and villages where I, an inn servant, toiled. This period, encompassing the coldest ninety days of winter, began after the Winter Solstice (Dongzhi), stretching through the heart of the lunar calendar's coldest months. The timing of Shu Jiu profoundly influenced the rhythm of daily life and, relevant to my observation, the opportunities for studying and reading, activities often relegated to the background during the busy harvest seasons.
The solar terms, the division of the year according to the sun’s position, intricately shaped our lives. The Shu Jiu period began with the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and slowly progressed towards the beginning of Spring. As each "nine" of nine days passed, marking the Er Jiu (second nine), San Jiu (third nine), and so forth, the intensity of the cold lessened imperceptibly. The end of the Shu Jiu often coincided with the arrival of Spring Festival (Chun Jie), a major holiday that initiated a shift in focus from the preservation of resources to preparations for the coming agricultural cycle. The duration of Shu Jiu thus provided a concentrated time for activities that were less tied to immediate survival.
The lunar calendar played a crucial role in coordinating our activities. Lunar phases marked the progress of the months and determined the timing of festivals and market days. During the long evenings of Shu Jiu, with the sun setting early, the darkness amplified the contrast between the warmth indoors and the frigid temperatures outside. It was a time when the demands of farming lessened. The fields lay fallow, awaiting the spring thaw, and the intense physical labor associated with planting and harvesting ceased. This break provided people with the precious gift of leisure. For many, this time became associated with inward-directed activities – reflection, family gatherings, and, importantly, intellectual pursuits.
For an inn servant, my work revolved around the ebb and flow of travelers. During Shu Jiu, the volume of guests often thinned. Farmers, merchants, and officials all adjusted their travel plans in response to the harsh weather. This gave me moments of relative respite from my duties of cleaning, serving, and managing supplies. When my tasks were completed, I had the freedom to observe those around me, or if I could find a quiet corner, I would pick up a scroll or book if available.
The social implications of studying and reading during this season were intertwined with broader societal values. Education, while not universal, was highly valued, especially for those seeking advancement through the imperial examination system. Preparing for these examinations demanded intensive study. The Shu Jiu period presented an ideal opportunity to dedicate time to mastering the classics, refining calligraphy, and practicing composition. This was not confined to those striving for official positions. Merchants, seeking a more advantageous understanding of contracts and law, might also engage in study. Some families, even in humble circumstances, recognized the importance of providing their children with basic literacy and numeracy. Knowledge was viewed as a source of social mobility and personal improvement.
This period also fostered a sense of community. Despite the cold, families gathered for meals and shared stories, sometimes reading aloud from books or engaging in discussions about literature and history. This practice facilitated the transmission of cultural values and knowledge across generations. The scarcity of distractions and the communal nature of the reading process encouraged deeper engagement with the subject matter.
The differences between the studying habits then and now are considerable. Modern life offers a wide range of learning resources and tools. We have schools, libraries, and the internet. The constraints of ancient society forced people to rely upon personal access to texts and individual or small group learning. The scarcity of printed materials, the cost of acquiring books, and the limited availability of formal instruction created an environment where studying and reading were practices often born out of necessity and a genuine desire for self-improvement.
Today, while the physical challenges of the Shu Jiu period are generally absent in modern society, the principles of focused study and dedicated learning remain relevant. The need to carve out time for focused learning, to immerse oneself in a subject without constant distractions, is a timeless requirement for knowledge acquisition. The challenges in modern life may be different – the abundance of information and the constant pull of digital devices – but the underlying objective to focus and build knowledge persist. Comparing my ancient experiences to modern times illustrates that though the resources may change, the importance of dedicating time to studying and reading remains constant.
--- This article is based on traditional Chinese calendrical systems and historical texts, provided for cultural learning and reference purposes only.